JP3308607B2 - Color inkjet recording device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a color ink jet recording apparatus having several kinds of recording heads.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 28 shows a conventional example of a color ink jet recording apparatus. In FIG. 28, the carriage 9 mounts recording heads of respective colors, that is, a recording head 2B for black, a recording head 2Y for yellow, a recording head 2M for magenta, and a recording head 2C for cyan. The carriage 9 is driven by a carriage motor 3 via a carriage belt 4, a part of which is connected to the carriage 9, and has guide shafts 5a, 5a.
b. This movement allows the recording heads 2B, 2Y, 2M, and 2C to perform scanning for recording. The recording paper is transported by a transport roller (not shown) that is driven to rotate by a paper feed motor 6 via gears 10a and 10b. The transport roller is provided below the platen 8, and the recording paper transported by the transport roller is transported between the paper presser plate 7 and the platen 8 to be above the apparatus. During this time, the recording paper is held down by the recording heads 2B, 2Y, 2
After recording is performed on the recording areas facing M and 2C, the paper is discharged to the upper portion of the recording apparatus.

FIG. 29 is a circuit block diagram of a conventional color jet recording apparatus. The recording operation in this apparatus includes an MPU 101 that controls the entire apparatus while transmitting and receiving signals to and from each unit of the apparatus, a ROM 102 that stores the operations and processing procedures related to recording, a buffer for recording data,
It is controlled by a control unit 1 including a RAM 103 and an input / output port 104 used as a work area or the like for processing by the PU 101.

A control signal from the control unit 1 is transmitted to each of the drive circuits 14, 15, 16a, 16 via an input / output report 104.
b, 16c, 16d, respectively, and the carriage motor 3, the paper feed motor 6, the recording heads 2B, 2Y,
M, 2C are driven. Reference numeral 11 denotes an interface circuit through which recording data is received from a computer serving as a host device. Reference numeral 12 denotes an operation panel, and controls the recording apparatus by operating keys and the like provided on the operation panel 12. Reference numeral 13 denotes a sensor, which detects a home position and the like. Reference numeral 17 denotes a dip switch, and when the power is turned on, the MPU 101 reads the setting state of the dip switch 17, whereby various operation modes are determined.

[0005]

However, in the above-described conventional example, if the positions of the dots formed on the recording paper by the respective recording heads are shifted due to the tolerance of the mounting position between the respective recording heads and the carriage, the number of each of the colors is reduced. The color of the dot created by overlapping the dots changes. Although it is possible to adjust the position of each recording head by providing a mechanism for adjusting the mounting of each recording head on the carriage, when the resolution of the recording head is high, the above adjustment mechanism requires accuracy, becomes complicated and expensive. There is a disadvantage that. Further, there is a disadvantage that the number of signal lines to the carriage on which the print heads are mounted is increased due to the plurality of print heads.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a color ink jet printing apparatus which can electrically adjust the position (vertical registration) of print data to a print element of each print head without providing an adjustment mechanism. is there.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a color ink jet printing apparatus of the above-mentioned type, which can perform alignment (vertical registration) of print data with respect to a print element of each print head with a small number of signal lines. Is to provide.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a printing apparatus comprising a plurality of printing elements each having a number of printing elements equal to or larger than that required for printing, and a plurality of printing heads mounted on a carriage. Recording data control means provided for each recording head to control the correspondence between each recording element and recording data by adding non-recording data to the recording data; and recording data output from the recording data control means. Data transmitting means for serially transferring the data to a plurality of recording heads of the carriage unit, and a recording data mounted on the carriage unit together with the recording head, receiving recording data from the data transmitting means and supplying the data to the plurality of recording heads Data receiving means, and one of the data receiving means connected between the data transmitting means and the data receiving means and used for serially transferring recording data And the data lines and one of the transfer clock lines, the recording head drive means for driving each recording head,
The recording data control means changes the position where non-recording data is provided for each recording head, thereby making it possible to change the range of recording elements used for recording for each recording head. The present invention employs a color ink jet recording apparatus.

In addition, instead of the print data control means for controlling the correspondence of the print data, or together with the print data control means, a correction information providing means for providing correction information of a unique vertical registration is provided for each print head. Is also good.

Further, according to the present invention, in a color ink jet recording apparatus, a plurality of recording heads, more than the number of recording elements necessary for recording arranged on each recording head, and recording data corresponding to each recording element. And a recording data selecting means for selecting a color ink jet recording apparatus.

Here, the print data selecting means may be clock control means for controlling a serial transfer clock used when serially transferring print data to each print head. It may be a delay unit for selectively delaying the transfer of the recording data when transferring the recording data serially.

[0012]

Next, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a circuit block diagram of a color ink jet printing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Elements similar to those shown in the conventional example of FIG. 29 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. Recording head 2
B, 2Y, 2M, and 2C have a resolution of, for example, 360 dpi. Therefore, if a single operation by the carriage 9 prints a run of 1/6 inch width, 60 printing elements are required. In the example, 63 recording elements are provided. The data transmission unit 24 serially transfers the print data for four colors to the print head on the carriage using one data line SO and the transfer clock CK. Data receiving unit 25
Is mounted on the carriage 9, converts the print data serially transferred from the data transmission unit 24 into parallel data, and supplies the data to the drive circuits 16a, 16b, 16c, and 16d.

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram showing a detailed configuration of the data transmission unit 24. In FIG. 2, recording data BD1 to 60, YD1 to 60, MD
1 to 60 and CDs 1 to 60 are output and latched by the shift registers 20a, 20b, 20c, and 2d by the signal LT1 via the selectors 19a, 19b, 19, and 19d, respectively. Further, a transfer clock for 63 bits × 4 colors is output from the clock generation circuit 23 with the signal LT1 as a trigger, and in synchronization with this, the data latched in the shift registers 20a, 20b, 20c, and 20d is output as a signal. It will be serially transferred from SO. FIG.
Is a logical table of the selectors 19a, 19b, 19c and 19d.

Next, the selector 19a will be described.
When the signals S1 and S2 from the input / output report 104 are both "0", the recording data BD1 to 60 are latched by the D1 to D60 of the shift register 20a via the selector 19a, and the recording data BD61 to 63 of "0". Are latched by D61 to D63 of the shift register 20a.

The signal S1 from the input / output port 104 is "
1 "and the signal S2 is" 0 ", the recording data BD1
Numeral 60 denotes D of the shift register 20a via the selector 19a.
2 to 61, and the recording data BD0, B of "0"
D62 and BD63 are D of the shift register 20a, respectively.
1, D62 and D63.

The signal S1 from the input / output port 104
Is "0" and the signal S2 is "1", the recording data BD
1 to 60 are connected to the shift register 20a via the selector 19a.
Are latched by D3 to D62, and the recording data BD-
1, BD0 and BD61 are shift registers 20a, respectively.
, D1, D2, and D63.

Further, the signal S from the input / output port 104
1 is "1" and the signal S2 is "1", the recording data B
D1 to D60 are connected to the shift register 20 via the selector 19a.
a is latched by D4 to D63 of FIG.
−2 to BD0 are D1 of the shift register 20a, respectively.
Latched to D3.

Similarly, the selectors 19b, 19c, and 19d control the positions of the data latched in the shift registers 20b, 20c, and 20d by the signals S3 to S8, respectively.

FIG. 4 is a detailed circuit diagram of the receiving circuit 25. In FIG. 4, serial data SO output from a transmission circuit 24 is taken into shift registers 21a, 21b, 21c, and 21d by a transfer clock CK and is converted into parallel data. Subsequently, the parallel-converted data is latched by latches 22a, 22b, 22c, and 22d by LT2 output from input / output port 104. Then, the heat pulses HT1, H
T2, HT3, and HT4 are drive circuits 16a, 16b, and 16
c, 16d and latches 22a, 22b, 22
The recording heads 2B, 2Y, 2M, and 2C are driven according to the data latched by c and 22d.

FIG. 5 shows the input / output port 104 described above.
From the recording data BD1-60, YD1-60, M
A timing chart of each signal until D1 to D60 and CD1 to D60 are output and heat pulses HT1, HT2, HT3, and HT4 of each color are output is shown.

That is, regarding black recording,
When the signals S1 and S2 are both "0", normal recording is performed. When the signal S1 is "1" and the signal S2 is "0", only black recording sent to the head is shifted by 1/360 inch. become. The signal S1 is "0" and the signal S2
Is "1", only the black data sent to the head is shifted by 2 bits, and as a result, only the black recording is shifted by 2/360 inches. When both the signal S1 and the signal S2 are "1", only the black data sent to the head is shifted by 3 bits, and as a result, only the black recording is shifted by 3/360 inches. The same applies to the signals S3 to S3 for other color data.
By S8, the recording result is set to 0/360 to 3 / for each color.
It can be shifted within a range of 360 inches. In this embodiment, each selector has only two bits of the select signal. However, by increasing the number of recording elements and simultaneously increasing the number of select signals of each selector and each latch and shift register, the vertical register (register in the vertical direction) can be obtained. ) Can be increased.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 6 is a circuit block diagram of a color ink jet recording apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The recording heads 2B, 2Y, 2M, and 2C have a resolution of 360 dpi as in the first embodiment. Therefore, if a single operation of the carriage 9 records a line having a width of 1/6 inch, 60 recordings can be performed. Although elements are required, 63 recording elements are also provided in this embodiment. here,
Each of the recording heads 2B, 2Y, 2M, and 2C has information on a vertical displacement (vertical registration) when the head discharges ink. In other words, when the heads are manufactured, the amount of deviation of the ink ejection inherent to each head with respect to the vertical reference position is measured, and the information is stored in the head as information in units of resolution, in this embodiment, 360 dpi.

The data transmitting section 27 sends print data for four colors to a print head on the carriage through one data line SO.
And serial transfer with the transfer clock CK. The data receiving unit 28 is mounted on the carriage 9 and the data transmitting unit 24
From the serially transferred recording data,
It is supplied to the drive circuits 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d.
Then, the vertical registration information of each recording head is stored in the data receiving unit 28.
Is input to

FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram showing a detailed configuration of the data transmitting section 27. In FIG. 7, the input / output port 104
From the recording data BD1-60, YD1-60, M
D1 to D60 and CD1 to D60 are output, and shift registers 20a, 20b, 20c,
Latched to 20d. Subsequently, the transfer clock for 63 bits × 4 colors is output from the clock generation circuit 23 with the signal LT1 as a trigger, and in synchronization with this, the data latched in the shift registers 20a, 20b, 20c, and 20d is output as the signal SO. Will be transferred serially.

FIG. 8 is a detailed circuit diagram of the receiving circuit 28. 8, serial data SO output from a transmission circuit 27 is taken into shift registers 21a, 21b, 21c, and 21d by a transfer clock CK and is converted into parallel data.
The signals are latched by the shift registers 22a, 22b, 22c and 22d by the signal LT2 via 6c and 26d. After that, the heat pulses HT1, HT2, HT3, H
T4 is supplied to the drive circuits 16a, 16b, 16c, and 16d, and the recording heads 2B, 2Y, and 2D according to the data latched by the latches 22a, 22b, 22c, and 22d.
M and 2C are driven. Here, the selectors 26a, 26
The logical values of b, 26c and 26d follow the logical table of FIG.

The selector 26a will be described. In FIG. 8, when the signals T1 and T2 from the recording head 2B are both "0", the recording data YBD1 to Y60 are latched by D1 to D60 of the latch 22a via the selector 26a, and the recording data YBD61 of "0" is outputted. 63 is the latch 22
latched by D61 to D63 of FIG.

When the signal T1 from the recording head 2B is "1",
If the signal T2 is "0", the recording data YBD1 to YBD60
Are latched by D2-61 of the latch 22a via the selector 26a, and the recording data YBD0, YBD61,
YBD62 is D1, D62, D of latch 22a, respectively.
Latched at 63.

The signal T1 from the recording head 2B is "
0 "and the signal T2 is" 1 ", the recording data YBD1
60 through D3-6 of the latch 22a via the selector 26a.
2 and the recording data YBD-1, YB of "0"
D0 and YBD61 are D1 and D of the latch 22a, respectively.
2. Latched by D63.

Further, the signal T1 from the recording head 2B
Is "1" and the signal T2 is "1", the recording data YB
D1 to D60 are connected to the D4 of the latch 22a via the selector 26a.
63, and the recording data YBD-2 of “0” is latched.
BD0 is latched by D1 to D3 of the latch 22a, respectively.

Similarly, for the selectors 26b, 26c and 26d, the positions of the data latched by the latches 22b, 22c and 22d are controlled by the signals T3 to T8, respectively.

That is, regarding black recording,
Normal recording is performed when the signals T1 and T2, which are registration information from the recording head 2B, are both "0".
When the signal T2 is "1" and the signal T2 is "0", only the black data sent to the head is shifted by one bit, and as a result, only the black recording is shifted by 1/360 inch. When the signal T2 is "1", only the black data sent to the head is shifted by 2 bits, and as a result, only the black recording is 2/360.
It will be shifted by inches. When the signals T1 and S2 are both "1", only the black data sent to the head is shifted by 2 bits, and as a result, only the black recording is shifted by 3/360 inches. Similarly, in the case of data of other colors, the recording result can be shifted in the range of 0/360 to 3/360 inches for each color by the signals T3 to T8. In this embodiment, each recording head has only 2 bits of registration information. However, at the same time as increasing the number of recording elements, each latch and
By increasing the number of selector signals and registration information, it is possible to increase the correction range of the vertical registration. Also,
In the present embodiment, the normal recording is performed using the registration information as the correction value.
By setting normal recording as a reference, which is set to 0 ", in the middle of the correction value in the vertical registration information, the correction direction of the vertical registration can be made up and down.

(Third Embodiment) FIG. 9 is a circuit block diagram of a color ink jet recording apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The recording heads 2B, 2Y, 2M, and 2C have a resolution of 360 dpi as in the previous two embodiments. Therefore, if a single operation of the carriage 9 records a line having a width of 1/6 inch, 60 recording lines are required. Requires a recording element,
In this example, 66 printing elements are provided. here,
Each of the recording heads 2B, 2Y, 2M, and 2C has information on a vertical displacement (vertical registration) when the head discharges ink. In other words, when the heads are manufactured, the amount of deviation of the ink ejection inherent to each head with respect to the vertical reference position is measured, and the information is stored in the head as information in units of resolution, in this embodiment, 360 dpi.

The data transmission unit 24 sends print data for four colors to a print head on the carriage through one data line SO.
And serial transfer with the transfer clock CK. The data receiving unit 29 is mounted on the carriage 9 and the data transmitting unit 24
From the serially transferred recording data,
It is supplied to the drive circuits 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d.
Then, the vertical registration information of each recording head is stored in the data receiving unit 29.
Is input to

The data transmission unit 24 is the same as that of the first embodiment, and the recording data BD of each color output from the input / output port 104
1-60, YD1-60, MD1-60, CD1-60
Are supplied to the shift registers 20a, 20a,
The positions latched by 0b, 20c and 20d are controlled.

FIG. 10 is a detailed circuit diagram of the receiving circuit 29. In FIG. 10, serial data SO output from a transmission circuit 24 is taken into shift registers 30a, 30b, 30c, and 30d by a transfer clock CK and is converted into parallel data.
b, 31c, and 31d, and latch 3 by signal LT2.
Latched by 2a, 32b, 32c, 32d. After that, the heat pulses HT1, HT2, HT3, HT of each color
4 is supplied to the drive circuits 16a, 16b, 16c, and 16d, and the recording heads 2B, 2Y, 2M, and 2D are driven in accordance with the data latched by the latches 32a, 32b, 32c, and 32d.
2C is driven. Here, the selectors 31a, 31b,
The logical values of 31c and 31d follow the logical table of FIG. The selector 31a will be described. In FIG. 10, when the signals T1 and T2 from the recording head 2B are both "0",
The recording data YBD1 to YBD63 are latched by D1 to D63 of the latch 32a via the selector 31a, and the recording data YBD64 to D66 of "0" are latched by D64 to D66 of the latch 22a.

When the signal T1 from the recording head 2B is "1",
When the signal T2 is "0", the recording data YBD1 to YBD63
Are latched by D2 to D64 of the latch 32a via the selector 31a, and the recording data YBDO, YBD64,
YBD65 is D1, D65, D of latch 32a, respectively.
Latched at 66.

The signal T1 from the recording head 2B is "
0 "and the signal T2 is" 1 ", the recording data YBD1
63 through D3-6 of the latch 32a through the selector 31a.
5, the recording data YBD-1, YB of "0"
D0 and YBD64 are D1 and D of the latch 32a, respectively.
2, latched at D66.

Further, the signal T1 from the recording head 2B
Is "1" and the signal T2 is "1", the recording data YB
Dl to 63 pass through the selector 26a and D4 of the latch 32a.
66, and the recording data YBD-2 of “0” is latched.
BD0 is latched by D1 to D3 of the latch 32a, respectively.

Similarly, for the selectors 31b, 31c and 31d, the positions of the data latched by the latches 32b, 32c and 32d are controlled by the signals T3 to T8, respectively.

That is, regarding black recording,
Signals S1 and S2 from input / output port 104 are both "
Normal recording is performed when the value is "0" and the signals T1 and T2, which are registration information from the recording head 2B, are both "0".

The signal S from the input / output port 104
1. By controlling S2, only black recording is
In the range of / 360 to 3/360 inches, registration correction in the vertical direction becomes possible. Further, a signal T1 from the recording head 2B,
By controlling T2, the recording position corrected by the signals S1 and S2 from the input / output port 104 is further shifted by one.
In the range of / 360 to 3/360 inches, registration correction in the vertical direction becomes possible. In this way, for black printing, the signals S1 and S2 and the signals T1 and T2 are independently controlled to enable registration correction in the vertical direction in a range of 1/360 to 6/360 inches as a whole. Become.

The same applies to the signal S for other color data.
3 to S8 and the signals T3 to T8 make it possible to shift the printing result for each color in the range of 0/360 to 6/360 inches.

In this embodiment, each recording head has only a 2-bit selector signal and 2-bit registration information. However, as the number of recording elements is increased, each latch, shift register, selector, and selector signal By increasing the registration information and the registration information, the correction range of the vertical registration can be increased. Further, in this embodiment, the normal recording is set to the correction value "0". However, by setting the reference normal recording to the middle of the correction value, the correction direction of the vertical registration can be made up and down.

(Fourth Embodiment) In the first to third embodiments, a latch, a shift register, a drive circuit, and the like are mounted on a carriage. In this embodiment, these latches, shift registers, and a drive circuit are used as recording elements. In addition, it is configured to be built in each recording head.

FIG. 11 is a circuit block diagram of a color ink jet recording apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG.
2 shows the internal configuration of each recording head. In FIG.
Shift registers 21a, 21b, 21
c, 21d, latches 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d,
Drive circuits 16a, 16b, 16c, and 16d are incorporated. The content of this configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment, and the operation is also the same. This makes it possible to reduce the number of wirings and components to be mounted on the carriage, and to reduce the size of the recording apparatus.

In the second and third embodiments, a similar configuration can be achieved by incorporating a latch, a shift register, and a driving circuit in each recording head.

(Fifth Embodiment) FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a color ink jet recording apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. The recording heads 2B, 2Y, 2M, and 2C are 360 dp
Assuming that the printhead has a resolution of i and therefore prints a line having a width of 1/6 inch in one scan by the carriage 9, each printhead has 63 print elements. 18a, 1
Reference numerals 8b, 18c, and 18d denote selectors. The print data of each color output from the input / output port 104 is supplied to the drive circuits of the print heads 2B, 2Y, 2M, and 2C via the corresponding selectors 18a, 18b, 18c, and 18d, respectively. 16
a, 16b, 16c and 16d.

FIG. 14 is a circuit diagram showing a detailed configuration of a pair of selectors and a driving circuit. FIG. 15 shows a logic table of the selector. In FIG. 14, the recording head 2 is 63
Equipped with a number of discharge ports and an electrothermal converter corresponding to this,
For the sake of explanation, these ejection units are numbered 1 to 63 as shown in FIG. The electrothermal converter generates film boiling in the ink by the generated thermal energy, and ejects ink droplets as bubbles in the ink grow with the film boiling. When the control signals A and B transferred via the input / output port 104 are both “L”, the selector 18 selects the input HD (n). For this reason, the recording data HD1 to HD60 are output from the output signal P of the selector 18.
The signals P1 to P6 are output as they are,
Each transistor is operated by the output of an AND gate having two inputs, one of 0 and the drive signal HT transferred via the input / output port 104. As a result, according to the print data HD1 to HD60, only the electrothermal converter of the discharge port whose transistor is turned on is driven. At this time, since the signals P61 to P63 are "L", the numbers 61 to 63
Is not driven.

Next, control signals A and B are respectively "
In the case of “H” and “L”, the selector 18
(N-1) is selected. Therefore, the signal data HD to H
D60 activates each transistor by the output of an AND gate having two inputs of one of the signals P2 to P61 and the drive signal HT transferred via the input / output port 104, respectively. As a result, the electrothermal transducers of numbers 2 to 61 are driven according to the data of the recording data HD1 to HD60. At this time, the electrothermal transducers No. 1 and Nos. 62 to 63 are not driven because the corresponding signals P1 and P62 to P63 are "L". In this case, the print result is printed with a shift of one dot, that is, 1/360 inch below the normal print position.

Similarly, input / output port signals A and B
Are "L" and "H", the recording data HD1 to HD
60 is output as signals P3 to P62. As a result, the print result is equivalent to two dots, that is,
/ 360 inches down.

When the control signals A and B are both "H", the recording data HD1 to HD60 are similarly output as signals P4 to P63. As a result, the printing result is printed so as to be shifted by three dots, that is, 3/360 inches below normal printing.

In this way, it is possible to move the position of the dot to be actually recorded for each recording element for each recording element. The movement of the print element in each print head is set by a dip switch. In this embodiment, the position of the dot recorded for each color is moved by three dots. However, the position of the dot to be recorded is moved by providing many recording elements in the recording head. It can be larger.

(Sixth Embodiment) FIG. 16 is a circuit block diagram of a color ink jet recording apparatus according to a sixth embodiment. In the fifth embodiment, since data is sent from the control unit 1 to each recording head in parallel, the number of signal lines to the carriage 9 becomes very large. In this embodiment, the print data is sent serially to the print head, and the number of signal lines to the carriage 9 is reduced. In FIG. 16, print data of each color output from the input / output port is converted into serial data by data transmission units 20a, 20b, 20c, and 20d, respectively, and a data reception unit 19a provided on the carriage 9 via a cable 21. 19b, 1
9c and 19d. Then, the data receiving unit 19
a, 19b, 19c, and 19d, converted into parallel data, sent to drive circuits 16a, 16b, 16c, and 16d of print heads of respective colors similarly provided on the carriage 9, and output from the input / output port 104 as heat pulses. Drives the respective recording heads.

FIG. 17 is a circuit example of the data transmitting unit 20 and the data receiving unit 19 for one color. Shift register 20
0 is a 60-bit shift register for data transmission, which latches the recording data HD1 to HD60 output from the input / output port 104 by the signal LD. Then, data latched from SOUT by the signal CK output from the clock generation circuit 201 is output as serial data.

The clock generation circuit 201 uses the LD signal as a trigger to generate a clock signal CK for transmitting and receiving serial data.
But the clock signal CK output by the signals A and B
Control the number of. When the signals A and B are both "L", the clock generation circuit 201 outputs 63 clock signals CK. When the signal A is “H” and the signal B is “L”, 62
The clock signals CK are output.

When the signal A is "L" and the signal B is "H",
It outputs 61 clock signals CK. When the signals A and B are both “H”, 60 clock signals C
Output K. The shift register 190 is a data receiving 63-bit shift register that clears data with a signal LD, receives serial data transmitted from the shift register 200 with a clock signal CK inverted by an inverter, and outputs it as parallel data Q1 to Q63. . The latch 191 latches the parallel data output from the shift register 190 by a signal LT.
Then, the latched data is input to the drive circuit 16 and drives the recording head 2 by the signal HT.

FIGS. 18 to 21 are timing charts of the serial transfer of the recording data. FIG. 18 shows a case where the signals A and B are both "L". First, the recording data HD1 to HD output from the input / output port 104 by the signal LD.
D60 is latched in the shift register 200, and at the same time, the silt register 190 is cleared. Further, with the signal LD as a trigger, the clock generation circuit 201 outputs 63 clock signals CK since the signals A and B are both "L".

The SIN of the shift register 200 is a serial data input.
The serial data transmitted from SOUT by the clock signal CK after the first clock becomes “L”. Therefore, after the 63 clock signals CK are output, the output Q1 to Q60 of the shift register 190 becomes the recording data HD1 to H.
D60 is output, and “L” is output to Q61 to Q63. When the carriage 9 moves and the recording head 2 reaches the recording position, first, the outputs Q1 to Q63 of the shift register 190 are latched by the latch 191 by the signal LT, and then the signal HT is input to the drive circuit, and the recording head 2 is driven. At this time, the outputs Q61 to Q6 of the latch 191
Since 3 is "L", the recording elements H1 to H60 become effective.

FIG. 19 shows that the signal A is "H" and the signal B is "L".
Is the case. In this case, since only 62 clock signals CK are output, the recording data HD1 to HD60 are output to the outputs Q2 to Q61 of the shift register 190 after the output of the 62 clock signals CK, and Q1 and Q62, 63
Outputs “L”. When the carriage 9 moves and the recording head 2 reaches the recording position, first, the outputs Q1 to Q63 of the shift register 190 are latched by the latch 191 by the signal LT, and then the signal HT is applied to the drive circuit 1
6 to drive the recording head 2. At this time, the outputs Q1, Q62, and Q63 of the abduction 191 are "L", the recording elements H2 to H61 are enabled, and recording is performed with a shift of one dot, that is, 1/360 inch below the normal recording position. You.

FIG. 20 shows that the signal A is "L" and the signal B is "H".
Is the case. In this case, since only 61 clock signals CK are output, the recording data HD1 to HD60 are output to the outputs Q3 to Q62 of the shift register 190 after the output of the 61 clock signals CK, and Q1, Q2 and Q63 are output to the shift registers 190. "L" is output. And the carriage 9
Is moved and the recording head 2 reaches the recording position.
Outputs Q1 to Q6 of shift register 190 according to signal LT
3 is latched by the latch 191, and then the signal HT is input to the drive circuit 16 to drive the recording head 2. At this time,
The outputs Q1, Q2, and Q63 of the latch 191 are at "L", and the recording elements H3 to H62 are enabled. Therefore, the image is printed shifted by two dots, that is, 2/360 inches below the normal printing position.

FIG. 21 shows a case where both signals A and B are "H", and only 60 clock signals CK are output.
Therefore, after the 60 clock signals CK are output, the recording data HD1 to HD63 are output to the outputs Q4 to Q63 of the shift register 190.
HD60 is output, and “L” is output to Q1 to Q3. When the carriage 9 moves and the recording head 2 reaches the recording position, first, the output 1 to Q63 of the shift register 190 are latched by the latch 191 based on the signal L, and then the signal HT is input to the drive circuit 16, The recording head 2 is driven. At this time, the outputs Q1-
Q3 is "L", and the recording elements H4 to H63 become effective. Therefore, the image is printed shifted by three dots, that is, 3/360 inches below the normal printing position. In this way, by controlling the number of clock signals for serial transfer, it is possible to move the positions of dots to be actually printed for each print element for each print element. The movement of the range of the print element used for printing in each print head is set by the DIP switch 21.

In this embodiment, the movement of the position of the dot recorded for each color is three dots. However, by providing more recording elements in the recording head, the position of the dot recorded can be moved. It can be even larger.

In the fifth embodiment, the range of the recording element used for actual recording is moved in each recording head by controlling the number of clocks of the data serial transfer, but in this embodiment, the serial data transfer is performed. By controlling the path, the range of the print element used for actual printing in each print head is moved.

(Seventh Embodiment) FIG. 22 shows a data transmission section 20 for one color of a color ink jet recording apparatus according to a seventh embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of a data receiving unit 19; The shift register 200 is a 60-bit shift register for data transmission, and latches the recording data HD1 to HD60 output from the input / output port 104 by the signal LD. The data latched by the 63 clock pulses of the signal CK output from the clock generation circuit 201 becomes SOUT
Is output as serial data, and is input to the serial data input SIN of the 3-bit shift register 202. Further, the serial data output SOUT of the shift register 200 and the parallel outputs QA to
QC is input to C0 to C3 of the selector 203, one of the inputs C0 to C3 is selected by the signals A and B and output from the output Y, and the shift register 1 of the data receiving unit 19
90 SIN.

The logic of the selector 203 is the same as the logic table shown in FIG.

FIGS. 23 to 26 show timing charts of serial transfer of print data according to the present embodiment. First, FIG.
3 is a case where the signals A and B are both "L". First, the recording data HD1 to HD60 output from the input / output port 104 by the signal LD are latched in the shift register 200, and at the same time, the shift register 109 and the shift register 202 are cleared. Further, triggered by the signal LD, the clock generation circuit 201 generates 63 clock signals CK.
Is output. Further, SIN of the shift register 200 is a serial data input, and since this is "L",
The serial data transmitted from SOUT in response to the clock signal CK after the first clock becomes “L” since the signal input from CO is output from Y. And signals A and B
Is "L", and the selector 203 inputs the SOUT of the shift register 200 to the SIN of the shift register 190.

Therefore, after 63 clock signals CK are output, the outputs Q1 to Q60 of shift register 190 are output.
The recording data HD1 to HD60 are output to Q61 to Q60.
“L” is output to 63. When the carriage 9 moves and the print head 2 reaches the print position, first, outputs Q1 to Q63 of the shift register 190 are latched by the signal LT.
The signal HT is input to the drive circuit to drive the recording head 2. At this time, the outputs Q61 to Q63 of the latch 191 are "L", and the recording elements H1 to H6
0 is valid.

FIG. 24 shows that the signal A is "H" and the signal B is "L".
Is the case. In this case, the selector 203 selects the CI to which the signal QA of the shift register 202 is input as the output Y. That is, the SOU of the shift register 200
The serial data output from the T
The transfer of data for one clock is slowed by the amount of data passing through 3.
Therefore, 63 generated by the clock generation circuit 201
Clock signals are output, and Q1 and Q62, Q6
3 becomes "L".

Therefore, when the carriage 9 moves and the recording head 2 reaches the recording position and the signal LT is output, the outputs Q1 to Q63 of the shift register 190 are latched.
1 and then the drive circuit 16 is driven by the signal HT.
It is recorded 360 inches below.

FIG. 25 shows that the signal A is "L" and the signal B is "H".
Is the case. In this case, serial data output from the SOUT of the shift register 200 by the selector 203 is slow in data transfer for two clocks passing through the shift register 203.

Therefore, after 63 clock signals CK generated by clock generation circuit 201 are output,
The recording data HD is stored in Q3 to Q62 of the shift register 190.
1 to HD60, Q1, Q2 and Q63
Becomes "L". Therefore, when the carriage 9 moves and the recording head 2 reaches the recording position and the signal LT is output, the outputs Q1 to Q63 of the shift register 190 are latched by the latch 191 and then the driving circuit 1 is driven by the signal HT.
When 6 is driven, printing is performed with a shift of 2 dots, that is, 2/360 inches below normal printing.

FIG. 26 shows the case where the signals A and B are "H". In this case, the selector 203 selects the shift register 2
C3 to which the signal QC of 02 is input is selected as the output Y. That is, the serial data output from the SOUT of the shift register 200
Data transfer is slowed down by the number of clocks. Therefore, after the 63 clock signals CK generated by the clock generation circuit 201 are output, the Q
Recording data HD1 to HD60 are output to 4 to Q63,
Q1 to Q3 become "L".

Therefore, when the carriage 9 moves and the recording head 2 reaches the recording position and the signal LT is output, the outputs Q1 to Q63 of the shift register 190 are latched.
1 and then the drive circuit 16 is driven by the signal HT.
/ 360 inches down.

In this way, it is possible to move the position of the dot to be actually recorded for each recording element for each recording element. The movement of the recording element in each recording head is set by the dip switch 21.

In the present embodiment, the position of the dot recorded for each color is moved by three dots. However, by providing more recording elements in the recording head, the position of the dot recorded can be moved. It can be even larger. Further, in the present embodiment, the shift register 202 and the selector 203 are provided in the data transmission unit 20, but may be provided in the data reception unit 19. However,
In this case, the clock input to CK of the shift register 202 is the same as that of the shift
The result is inverted at 93.

(Eighth Embodiment) FIG. 27 is a circuit block diagram of a color ink jet recording apparatus according to an eighth embodiment. In this embodiment, each data receiving unit 19 and the driving circuit 1
6 is provided in each recording head together with the recording element. Other configurations are the same as those of the sixth embodiment or the seventh embodiment. Thus, the number of components mounted on the carriage can be reduced, and the size of the recording apparatus can be reduced.

[0078]

As described above, according to the present invention, means for setting the range of the recording element used for recording in each recording head is provided, and the range of the recording element is moved for each recording head. It is configured to correct the vertical relative positions of the dots recorded by the recording head, and it is possible to correct the vertical registration of the recording head for each recording head of each color.

Further, the number of signal lines from the control unit to the carriage can be reduced by configuring the transfer of print data to the print head of each color by using three data lines, a transfer clock, and a latch signal. Can be done,
It is possible to correct the vertical registration of the recording head for each recording head without increasing the number of signal lines from the control unit to the carriage.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a circuit block diagram of a color inkjet recording apparatus according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram illustrating a configuration of a data transmission unit of the color inkjet recording apparatus according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a logic table of a selector.

FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram illustrating a configuration of a data receiving unit of the color inkjet recording apparatus according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of print data transmission of the color inkjet printing apparatus of the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a circuit block diagram of a color inkjet recording apparatus according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram illustrating a configuration of a data transmission unit of a color inkjet recording apparatus according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a circuit diagram illustrating a configuration of a data receiving unit of a color inkjet recording apparatus according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a circuit block diagram of a color ink jet recording apparatus according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a circuit diagram illustrating a configuration of a data receiving unit of a color inkjet recording apparatus according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a circuit block diagram of a color ink jet recording apparatus according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 12 is an internal configuration of each recording head of a color ink jet recording apparatus according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram of a recording apparatus according to a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a circuit diagram showing a configuration of a selector portion of print data according to a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a logic table of a selector.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram of a recording apparatus according to a sixth embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a circuit diagram showing a configuration of a shift register portion for serial transfer of recording data according to a sixth embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a timing chart of recording data transfer of a sixth embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a timing chart of recording data transfer according to a sixth embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a timing chart of recording data transfer according to a sixth embodiment.

FIG. 21 is a timing chart of recording data transfer according to a sixth embodiment.

FIG. 22 is a circuit diagram showing a configuration of a shift register portion for serial transfer of recording data according to a seventh embodiment.

FIG. 23 is a timing chart of recording data transfer of a seventh embodiment.

FIG. 24 is a timing chart of recording data transfer of a seventh embodiment.

FIG. 25 is a timing chart of recording data transfer of the seventh embodiment.

FIG. 26 is a timing chart of recording data transfer of a seventh embodiment.

FIG. 27 is a block diagram of a recording apparatus according to an eighth embodiment.

FIG. 28 is a block diagram of a conventional color ink jet recording apparatus.

FIG. 29 is a perspective view of a color inkjet recording apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Control Unit 2B, 2Y, 2M, 2C Recording Head 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d Driving Circuit 23 Clock Generating Circuit 24, 27 Data Transmitting Unit 25, 28, 29 Data Receiving Unit 19a to 19d, 26a to 26d, 31a to 31d Selector 20a-20d, 21a-21d, 30a-30d Shift register 22a-22d, 32a-32d Latch 101 MPU 102 ROM 103 RAM 104 I / O port 190 Shift register 200 Shift register 201 Clock generation circuit 202 Shift register 203 Selector 191 Latch 193 inverter

Claims (12)

(57) [Claims] A plurality of print elements each of which is equal to or more than a number required for printing, a plurality of print heads mounted on a carriage, and a plurality of print heads provided corresponding to the respective print heads, for storing non-print data into print data. Print data control means for controlling the correspondence between each print element and print data by providing the print data to the print elements; and data transmission for serially transferring print data output from the print data control means to a plurality of print heads of the carriage unit. A data receiving unit mounted on the carriage unit together with the recording head, and receiving recording data from the data transmitting unit and supplying the data to a plurality of recording heads; and a data transmitting unit and the data receiving unit. One data line and one transfer clock line which are connected between them and used for serially transferring print data; A print head driving unit for driving, and by changing a position where non-print data is added to each print head by the print data control unit, a range of a print element used for printing for each print head is changed. A color ink jet recording apparatus characterized by being changeable. 2. A color ink jet printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said data receiving means and said print head driving means are incorporated in each print head. 3. A color ink jet printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said print data control means can shift print data to said print element for each print head. . 4. A color ink jet printing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said print data control means has a selection means for selecting a shift amount of print data with respect to said print element. 5. The color ink jet printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said data transmitting means has a parallel / serial converting means for converting the print data from parallel to serial, and said data receiving means is a means for receiving the serially converted print data. Serial / parallel conversion
A color ink jet recording apparatus comprising a parallel conversion means. 6. A plurality of recording heads each having a plurality of storage elements equal to or more than the number required for recording, each of which is mounted on a carriage unit, and having correction information providing means for providing correction information of a unique vertical registration. Recording data control means provided corresponding to each recording, for controlling correspondence between each recording element and the recording data by adding non-recording data to the recording data; and recording data output from the recording data control means. Data transmitting means for serially transferring the data to a plurality of recording heads of the carriage unit, and mounted on the carriage unit together with the recording head, receiving recording data from the data transmitting means and supplying the data to the plurality of recording heads A data receiving unit that is connected between the data transmitting unit and the data receiving unit and is used for serially transferring recording data. A data line and a transfer clock line; and a recording head driving unit for driving each recording head. The recording is performed based on the correction information of the vertical registration provided by the correction information providing unit. A color ink jet printing apparatus characterized in that the range of printing elements used for printing can be changed for each print head by changing the position at which non-print data is applied to each print head by a data control means. 7. A color ink jet printing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said data receiving means and said print head driving means are incorporated in each print head. 8. A color ink jet printing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said print data control means can shift and supply print data to said print element for each of said print heads. . 9. A color ink jet printing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said print data control means has a selection means for selecting a shift amount of print data with respect to said print element. 10. The color ink jet printing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said data transmitting means has a parallel / serial converting means for converting the print data into parallel / serial data, and said data receiving means is a means for receiving said serially converted print data. A serial / parallel conversion means for serial / parallel conversion of the color ink jet recording apparatus. 11. A plurality of recording heads mounted on a carriage unit, a plurality of recording elements arranged on each recording head and more than the number necessary for recording, provided corresponding to each recording head, and recorded on each recording head. Transfer means for controlling correspondence between each print element and print data by serially transferring data and non-print data before and after the print data to a plurality of print heads mounted on the carriage unit; Clock control means for controlling the number of serial transfer clocks used in the operation, and means for driving the printing elements. By changing the number of serial transfer clocks for each print head by the clock control means, A color ink jet recording apparatus wherein the range of recording elements used for recording can be changed for each recording head. 12. A color ink jet printing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein a receiving means for receiving serial print data and a driving means for driving a printing element are provided in each print head.