JP3170895B2 - Recording device and recording method - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a recording apparatus and a recording method for forming an image or a character on a recording material (paper or the like) using a pixel matrix of recording dots or a single dot in an ink-jet printer or the like .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Color recording by an ink jet system can be easily achieved structurally by providing inks of respective colors, and has been put to practical use as a mainstream technology of a low-cost color printer. In the general serial printer shown in FIG. 1, in order to realize a single-color or color image with high speed and high quality, it is necessary to increase the resolution of the nozzles of the printer head and to increase the number of nozzles to move the head in the sub-scanning direction. Need to be longer.

However, when the density is increased and the size of the head is increased, accuracy requirements for the mechanism and the head are naturally increased, and the construction cost is increased. Therefore, the head is arranged in one row in the main scanning direction or a plurality of rows for each nozzle of the color.
Japanese Patent Publication No. 4-19029 proposes a method (interlace driving method) of sequentially filling and recording an unrecorded vacant portion of one dot line composed of all dots in one line in the main scanning direction with respect to one dot in the sub-scanning direction. Have been. The content is a K dot interval, and a plurality of recording element groups in which N recording elements are arranged are arranged on the stairs at an interval of H dots in the sub-scanning direction. This is a method of sending and recording. The purpose of this patent is to prevent overlapping of other color inks before the color ink ejected on the recording paper is not sufficiently dried. However, when the number of nozzles N of the head becomes large, the interlaced drive is performed. As a result, the stability with respect to the variation of the dots, which is the effect of (1), is improved, and the quality is improved by increasing the density, and the speed is increased by the length of the head. Hereinafter, this interlace driving method is referred to as an equal-interval sub-scan feed interlace driving method.

A description will be given of an equal-interval sub-scan feed interlace drive with reference to FIG. 8 taking an example of a case where the number of nozzles N = 15 (N in Japanese Patent Publication No. 4-19029 of the prior art).
= 3). The square frame on the left side shows the arrangement of recording elements for one color, the number of nozzles N = 15, and the interval K between nozzles = 4 dots. M1, M2, M3, and M4 are recording element groups for each color, and are arranged at intervals of H = 15 in the sub-scanning direction. T indicates the number of sub-scans, and one stroke ends at T1, T2, T3, and T4, and the same operation is repeated thereafter. When the main scanning in T1 is completed, the recording element group is advanced by P = 15 dots in the sub-scanning direction, and the next scanning in T2 is performed. The dots indicated by black circles indicate the recording dots. The M1 color indicates six main scans, the M2 and M3 colors indicate only T1, and the M4 color indicates T1 to T4. As you can see in this figure, T
1, T2} is scanned, dots corresponding to the recording nozzles are recorded, and interface driving is performed to gradually fill vacant portions.

Independently of the above-described inter-scan driving method, the sub-scanning direction is one dot line sub-scanning, and recording is performed. When the head width is filled, a plurality of dots in the sub-scanning direction are recorded at the next recording position. There is a way to send. For example, N =
In the case of 15, K = 4, four main scans are performed one dot line feed in the sub-scanning direction once, a total of three times.
The dot line is fed once. This conventional driving method
This is referred to as dot line sub-scan feed interlace driving.

[0006]

However, when the above-described equal-interval sub-scan feed interlace driving method is used, the recording start and end (not shown) as shown in parts B and C in FIG. If there is a missing line where dots cannot be printed on or a missing color line where all colors cannot be printed,
There is a problem that this area becomes an invalid recording area. 8B is an invalid recording area for one color, and C is an invalid recording area for all colors. The area of B in a single color is B = (K−1) × P− (K−1) = (K−1) × (P−1) dot line (1) = (4-1) × ( 15-1) becomes an invalid area for 42 dot lines, and in the case of a four-color color shifted by P = 15 dots, C = (K−1) × P + (K−1) × (P−1) = ( (K-1) × (2P-1) dot lines (2) = (4-1) × (2 × 15-1) From 87, an invalid area of 87 dot lines is obtained.

After all, a small value of P such as P = 3 causes no problem, but a large value such as P = 8 reveals a disadvantage that the equal-interval sub-scan feed interlace driving method enlarges an invalid area.

In the one-dot line sub-scan feed interlace drive, the feed of P = 1 is (K-1).
Is repeated once, S dot feed is performed once, and P = 1 again.
It is to send. In this case, there is a problem that a mechanical variation occurs in the feed length in the sub-scanning direction. That is, there is a problem that mechanical fluctuation occurs due to different factors between the one-dot line feed and the 47-dot line feed when P = 15, causing dots to overlap or lines that cannot be printed. However, it is difficult to improve the accuracy of both short feed and long feed in terms of cost.

As described above, when the uniform-length feed is driven in the sub-scanning direction by the equal-interval sub-scan feed interlace driving method, the invalid recording area becomes larger as compared with the case of one-dot feed. 1 to reduce the invalid recording area
The dot line sub-scan feed interlaced drive has a disadvantage in that the price is increased to prevent variations.

An object of the present invention is to solve such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide an interlacing system for minimizing an invalid recording area without worrying about mechanical variations of the apparatus. Recording apparatus and printing method that can perform high-resolution recording and high-speed recording by proposing a recording method
Is to provide a law.

[0011]

[MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEMS] Based on recorded data,
What is claimed is: 1. A printing apparatus for performing printing on a printing medium while performing main scanning and sub-scanning, comprising: a printing element group composed of N printing elements at one K-dot interval in a sub-scanning direction; An image data storage unit for storing image data as image data, image data processing means for selecting image data in accordance with the arrangement of the recording element group from the image data storage unit, and transferring the selected image data to the recording element group. A main scanning drive for printing in the main scanning direction, a sub scanning drive for printing on the recording medium in the sub scanning direction, and a drive for controlling the main scanning drive and the sub scanning drive And a drive unit control unit that performs (K−1) times of sub-scan feeds for P dot intervals for each main scan of the recording element group, and then performs sub-scan feeds for S dot intervals. Once Repeat Ukoto, the K, N,
S and P satisfy the condition of (P is a positive integer K / N other than 1 and less than N, and K / P is an irreducible fraction S = K × N− (K−1) × P). a recording device, further, a step of storing on the basis of the record data, while performing main scanning and sub scanning, a recording method for recording on a recording medium, the recording data as image data, Ime
Selecting image data in accordance with the arrangement of the recording element group from the image data storage unit and transferring the image data to the recording element group ;
A process for controlling a main scanning drive unit for performing recording in the main scanning direction on the recording medium, and a sub scanning driving unit for performing recording in the sub scanning direction on the recording medium; The sub-scan feed for the P dot interval for each main scan of (K-
And 1) repeating the sub-scan feed once for the S dot interval after the first execution, and repeating the K, N, S,
P is (P is a non-negative positive integer K / N less than N, and K
/ P satisfies the condition of irreducible fraction S = K × N− (K−1) × P).

P is a positive integer satisfying P <N and P ≠ 1 K / N and K / P are irreducible fractions S = K × N− (K−1) × P A plurality of rows (including a single row) are arranged at predetermined intervals to form one printing component group, and monochromatic printing is performed by scanning.

Further, a plurality of the recording component groups according to claim 2 are arranged at predetermined intervals in the main scanning direction and at H dot intervals (H is an integer) in the sub-scanning direction. Color printing is performed by supplying inks of different colors to the printing element group.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on embodiments shown in the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an example of a schematic diagram of a color or monochrome serial printer to which the present invention can be applied. 101 is a monochrome or color head including recording elements, 102 is a recording paper as a non-recording material, and 103 is a platen. The head 101 performs recording in the area A by reciprocating movement in the direction of the arrow. In the main scanning recording operation, a pulse motor, a DC motor, or the like is used as a power source to perform a constant speed operation for recording at a predetermined position, thereby performing monochrome recording or color recording. After the main scanning, the recording paper 102 moves in the sub-scanning direction by rotation of the platen 103 or rotation of a paper feed roller (not shown), and the main scanning recording operation is performed again. The point of this configuration is that the main scanning and the sub-scanning are performed by mounting the head 101 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the moving direction of the recording paper 102.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show an example (conceptual diagram) of a configuration of a head composed of a recording element group which is a main component of the present invention. FIG. 2 shows a recording element group having a single color configuration.
FIG. 3 shows a recording element group having a color configuration. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 201 denotes a nozzle unit that ejects ink of a recording element group, 202 denotes an ink ejection element group that causes the recording element group to perform an operation for recording, 203 denotes a part including a recording element holding unit and an ink supply unit, Reference numeral 204 denotes a hole through which an axis passes when scanning the recording element unit.
Reference numeral 205 denotes a cable for supplying an electric signal to the recording element group and a tube for supplying ink. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 301 denotes a recording element group of the first color, 302 denotes a recording element group of the second color, 303 denotes a recording element group of the third color, 304 denotes a recording element group of the fourth color,
Reference numeral 305 denotes a nozzle unit for ejecting ink of a recording element group;
Reference numeral 6 denotes an ink tank for holding ink. With respect to the ink tank, the ink tank is arranged outside the head in FIG. 2 and the ink tank is arranged inside the head in FIG. Supply tube 20 in external arrangement
5, the configuration is such that the ink is supplied to the head. In the recording element group, a plurality of nozzle units 201 or 305 are provided at regular intervals,
Alternatively, a single head is arranged to form a head. The head is attached to the main scanning axis by a hole 204 and performs a main scanning operation. At the time of main scanning, a signal accompanying data corresponding to the print position is supplied to the ink discharge element group 202 through the cable 205, ink is discharged from the nozzle 201, and printing is performed on printing paper or the like.

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the present invention, and shows a block diagram of components. Reference numeral 401 denotes a processing-related component, which includes a buffer memory 403, a processing unit 404, and a control unit 405. Reference numeral 402 denotes a mechanism-related constituent unit in which a recording element group 406 is arranged. In this apparatus that has received a recording instruction from a personal computer, a workstation, or the like, processing for printer recording such as character data development and graphic development is performed, and the recording data is temporarily recorded in the buffer memory 403. The buffer memory is a memory in which recording data is partially aligned, and calls from this memory are processed in the order in which they are recorded.
Perform according to instructions.

In the case of single-color printing, data to be printed in one main scan of the head is read out from the buffer memory 403 for monochrome printing, and for color printing, data for each color is read from the buffer memory 403. The data is transferred to a latch circuit (not shown). The control unit 405 manages all operations such as the operation of the recording head associated with recording, the instruction to perform a recording operation to a recording element group, and the movement of recording paper. Interlace scanning, which will be described later, is controlled by this control means.

FIG. 5 shows an example of the arrangement of a recording element group according to the present invention. The recording element group is a component in the head shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, and discharges ink from the nozzles to record dots on recording paper. 5-A is a single-color recording element group having a single-row configuration, 5-B is a single-color recording element group having a two-row configuration, and 5-C is a 4-color printing element group. In each configuration example, the number of nozzles per color N = 15,
An example of the configuration at the nozzle interval K = 4 is shown. At this time, the values of K and N are selected so that K / N is an irreducible fraction.

5-A is simply 15 dots per line with 4 dots pitch.
The nozzles are arranged. In this configuration, for example, when the nozzle interval is 180 dpi (dots / inch) = 141 μm, the capability of expressing one dot is 720 dpi.

5-B is a single-color, two-row configuration. The nozzle spacing in the sub-scanning direction is the same for both rows, and the positions in the main scanning direction are shifted from each other. K = 4. The arrangement is made in a plurality of rows because of difficulty in manufacturing such that one row is finely arranged. As before, this is achieved with an array of 90 dpi per row to allow 720 dpi of expressive power. In the present embodiment, the interval in the sub-scanning direction is specified, and the interval in the main scanning direction may be any interval. Print data corresponding to the main scanning interval is read from the buffer memory and recorded. Shall be.

5-C is a four-column color structure. M
Each of 1, M2, M3, and M4 records a dot of a different color ink. M1, M2, M3, M4
Are, for example, magenta, cyan, yellow, and black. The nozzle pitch in the sub-scanning direction within one row of each color is K
= 4 dots, that is, in a single main scan printing, each color is printed at an interval of 4 dots. Further, the nozzle interval in the sub-scanning direction at the head of each color is H = 7. In this head, interlaced scanning for recording described below is performed. The condition of the arrangement configuration of the recording element group in this drawing is that the recording element group should be located at a position almost perpendicular to the non-recording material (recording paper) when attached to the printer.

FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of the present invention. This shows an actual interlaced recording system by the means described above. In the case of a single color, only the portion of M1 is described, and in the case of color recording, it can be described by the whole of M1 to M2.

First, the case of a single color will be described with reference to the M1 part in FIG. The recording element group includes the number of nozzles N = 15 and the nozzle pitch K = 4. As in the description of FIG. 8, the recording number of the main scan is represented by T, and 15 dots are recorded in the first scan T = 1. The second scan T = 2 is performed after P dots are sent in the sub-scanning direction. The value of the sub-scan feed amount P is K / P
Is an irreducible fraction (P <N, a positive integer satisfying P ≠ 1), and here, a value of P = 7 is selected. By sending P, the second recording is recorded on a line that does not overlap with the dot line recorded in the first recording. Thereafter, the recording of T = 3 and T = 4 is similarly performed after the P dot feeding. One stroke is completed by these four scans, and a dot line with no printing missing is formed from the center in the sub-scanning direction. Further, in the next step, the recording missing dot line is continuously filled. Here, the number of P dot feeds is (K
-1) times, and in this embodiment, three times.

Next, a feed amount S up to the next process dot line is performed. The value of S is obtained from the following equation (3).

S = N × K− (K−1) × P (3) In this embodiment, S = 15 × 4−3 × 7 = 39 dots are fed. This S feed is performed once, and thereafter the same process is repeated.

In summary, one step of the interlace driving method according to the present invention is as follows.

K / N and K / P are irreducible fractions P is a positive integer value of P <N, P ≠ 1 S is a numerical value determined by S = N × K− (K−1) × P P dot sub-scan After performing (K-1) feeds, S-dot sub-scan feed is performed once. An interlace driving method of repeating this process is performed. This recording operation is realized by giving an operation instruction by the control means 405 shown in FIG. This single-color operation is performed in the sub-scanning direction 1
Although the description has been given of the case of a column, as shown by 5-B in FIG. 5, even in the case of a plurality of lines of a single color, when a plurality of lines in the main scanning direction are collectively defined as a value of K, one column in the main scanning direction is provided. Can be handled in the same manner as the recording element group having the configuration of In this case, the invalid recording area B in monochrome is 18 lines from the following equation.

B = (K−1) × (P−1) (4) This is an improved value compared to the 42 dot line in the case of the equally-spaced sub-scan feed interlace drive under the same condition. is there. On the other hand, for the sub-scan feed line, P = 7 and S = 39, which is slightly less than six times, and the accuracy of variation is 47 times that of P = 1 and S = 47 in the one-dot sub-scan feed interlace drive. Be improved.

Here, as described above, the interval between the columns in the main scanning direction can be freely set, and the alignment processing for recording the dots required for recording is selected from the buffer memory 403 by the processing means 404 in FIG. It is what we do sometimes.

Next, the case of color will be described. The head has four colors of M1, M2, M3, and M4 as a recording element group, and is configured by the number of nozzles N = 15, the nozzle pitch K = 4, and the nozzle interval H of each color = 7. Basically M1
Are configured with each color shifted by H = 7 dots, and the concept is the same as in the case of a single color.
The invalid area C in color is a superposition of four colors, C = (K−1) × (P + H−1) (5), and C = 39 dot lines (equal interval sub-scanning) In the example of the interlace driving method, C = 87).

Here, the displacement H of the nozzle arrangement of the color recording element will be described. In the case of H = 0, it is arranged in parallel with the main scanning direction, and simultaneous recording is performed at the same position of each color.
This is disadvantageous in terms of color mixing effects. In the case of H = 1, simultaneous printing on a simultaneous line does not occur on the color mixing surface, which is advantageous. However, since the position of the nozzle end in the sub-scanning direction is close to each color, it occurs due to a slight feeding accuracy error. The deviation becomes easier to see. Therefore, it is desired that the selection of the value of H be large to some extent.

The method of selecting P is defined as a positive integer value such that P <N and P ≠ 1, but when approaching the value of N, P and S are determined.
Value is approaching and is useful for improving feed accuracy, but invalid range B
Becomes larger. On the other hand, when P approaches 1, the opposite relationship is established. Therefore, it is necessary to appropriately select P based on various conditions of the printer components, such as the length in the head sub-scanning direction, variations in mechanical accuracy, and the capacity of a buffer memory for storing data.

FIG. 7 shows K = 4, N = 31, P = 15, H =
7 is an embodiment of a head having four colors of 7; As in the case of FIG. 6, one stroke is performed in four sub-scans, and a continuous printing operation is performed. In this case, S = 79, invalid recording area C = 6
It becomes 3. In the case of increasing the speed or improving the resolution, a setting for increasing the value of the number of nozzles N as in this example is required.

[0035]

As described above, according to the present invention, the K dot interval, the recording element group of N nozzles, the K / N
Is an irreducible fraction, P is a positive integer value of P <N and P ≠ 1, and has a condition of S = N × K− (K−1) × P.
Since the interlaced driving method in which the dot sub-scan feed is performed (K-1) times and then the process of performing the S dot sub-scan feed once is performed, the invalid recording area is the same as that of the conventional interlaced inter-scan feed of the same interval sub-scan feed. As compared with the driving, the number is reduced, and unnecessary sub-scan feed is not required. Furthermore, it is possible to improve the recording quality caused by the mechanical variation caused by the difference in the length of the sub-scan feed compared to the conventional one-dot sub-scan feed interlace driving method, and to improve the print quality without increasing the price. Have been successful

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the appearance of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a monochromatic head in an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a multi-color head in an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an internal configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a head in an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating printing according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating printing according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 201 nozzle unit 305 nozzle unit 403 buffer memory 404 processing unit 405 control unit 406 recording element group

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A printing apparatus for performing printing on a printing medium while performing main scanning and sub-scanning based on print data, wherein N printing elements are arranged in one line at K dot intervals in the sub-scanning direction. A configured recording element group, an image data storage unit that stores the recording data as image data, and image data according to the arrangement of the recording element group are selected from the image data storage unit and transferred to the recording element group. Image data processing means, a main scanning drive for recording in the main scanning direction on the recording medium, a sub scanning driving unit for recording in the sub scanning direction on the recording medium, and the main scanning drive And a driving unit control unit for controlling the sub-scanning driving unit, wherein the driving unit control unit sets P for each main scan of the recording element group.
After performing the sub-scan feed for the dot interval (K-1) times,
A recording apparatus characterized in that the sub-scan feed for S dot intervals is repeated once, and K, N, S, and P satisfy the following conditions. P is a non-negative positive integer less than N K /
N and K / P are irreducible fractions S = K × N− (K−1) ×
P 2. The printing element group is arranged in a plurality of rows or a single row at predetermined intervals in a main scanning direction to constitute one printing component group, and performs monochromatic printing by performing main scanning and sub-scanning. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: 3. A plurality of recording component groups according to claim 2 are arranged at predetermined intervals in the main scanning direction and at H dot intervals (where H is an integer) in the sub-scanning direction. 2. A color printing is performed by supplying a predetermined color ink to each of the arranged printing element groups.
The recording device as described in the above. Based 4. A recording data, while performing main scanning and sub scanning, a recording method for recording on a recording medium, a step of storing the recording data as image data, from the image data storage unit A step of selecting image data corresponding to the arrangement of the recording element group and transferring the image data to the recording element group; a main scanning drive unit for performing recording in the main scanning direction on the recording medium; and a sub-scanning unit on the recording medium. A sub-scanning drive unit for performing recording in the direction, and a sub-scan feed for a P-dot interval for each main scan of the recording element group is performed (K−1) times, and then an S-dot interval. And a process of repeating one-time sub-scan feed, wherein K, N, S, and P satisfy the following conditions. P is a non-negative positive integer less than N K / N,
And K / P are irreducible fractions S = K × N− (K−1) × P