JP2020138483A - Liquid discharge device - Google Patents

Abstract

Kind Code: A1 An image recording operation in each of a plurality of recording modes can be adjusted with accuracy according to the usage status of a liquid ejection device, and the processing time of a test pattern recording operation can be shortened to suppress liquid consumption. Kind Code: A1 A liquid ejecting apparatus is capable of executing an image recording operation for recording an image on a recording medium in a plurality of recording modes, and is compatible with at least one of the plurality of recording modes. A test pattern recording operation for recording at least one of a plurality of types of test patterns for adjusting the image recording operation can be executed on a recording medium. The liquid ejecting apparatus adjusts the number of records to be recorded on the recording medium in the test pattern recording operation for each of the plurality of types of test patterns, based on the history information regarding the execution history of the recording mode of the image recording operation. [Selection drawing] Fig. 7

Description

The present invention relates to a liquid discharge device.

As an example of a liquid ejection device that ejects liquid from a nozzle and records an image, Patent Document 1 discloses an inkjet printer that ejects ink from a nozzle and prints an image. The inkjet head printer of Patent Document 1 is configured to be capable of printing an image in a plurality of print modes (recording modes). Further, in the inkjet printer of Patent Document 1, in order to adjust the ink injection timing at the time of printing, a plurality of types of patterns (test patterns) corresponding to each of the plurality of printing modes are recorded on one sheet of recording paper (recording). The operation of recording on the medium (medium) (test pattern recording operation) is performed.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2012-96378

By the way, in order to ensure the accuracy of the adjustment of the image recording operation such as the adjustment of the liquid injection timing of each of the plurality of recording modes to a certain level or more, in the test pattern recording operation, a plurality of types corresponding to the plurality of recording modes are used. It is necessary to record a predetermined number of each of the test patterns in the above on a recording medium. However, in this case, the processing time of the test pattern recording operation becomes long, and the amount of liquid consumed increases.

Here, depending on the usage status of the liquid discharge device, it is not always necessary to ensure the adjustment accuracy of the image recording operation of each of the plurality of recording modes to a certain level or higher. For example, among a plurality of recording modes, it is not necessary to increase the adjustment accuracy of the image recording operation of the recording mode so high for the recording mode whose execution frequency is low.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to make it possible to adjust each image recording operation of the plurality of recording modes with an accuracy according to the usage condition of the liquid discharge device based on the recording result of the test pattern recording operation, and to make the test pattern. It is an object of the present invention to provide a liquid discharge device capable of shortening the processing time of a recording operation and suppressing the consumption of liquid.

In order to solve the above problems, the liquid ejection device of the present invention has a head having a nozzle for ejecting liquid, and at least one of the head and the recording medium so that the head moves relative to the recording medium. A relative movement mechanism for moving one side and a control unit are provided, and the control unit includes a relative movement operation in which the head is relatively moved with respect to a recording medium by the relative movement mechanism, and a liquid is transferred from the nozzle by the head. An image recording operation for recording an image on a recording medium, including a discharge operation for discharging, can be executed in a plurality of recording modes, and is a test pattern recording operation including the relative movement operation and the discharge operation. , A test pattern in which at least one of a plurality of types of test patterns for adjusting the image recording operation of the corresponding recording mode corresponding to at least one of the plurality of recording modes is recorded on a recording medium. The recording operation can be executed, and further, the control unit acquires history information regarding the execution history of the recording mode of the image recording operation, and based on the acquired history information, each of the plurality of types of test patterns. The feature is that the number of recordings recorded on the recording medium is adjusted in the test pattern recording operation.

According to the present invention, the number of records in the test pattern recording operation for each of the plurality of types of test patterns is adjusted according to the usage status of the liquid discharge device. As a result, based on the recording result of the test pattern recorded on the recording medium by the test pattern recording operation, the image recording operation of each of the plurality of recording modes can be adjusted with the accuracy according to the usage status of the liquid discharge device. While making it possible, the processing time of the test pattern recording operation can be shortened, and the amount of liquid consumed can be suppressed.

It is external perspective view of the printer which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a top view of the recording part of FIG. (A) is a sectional view taken along line IIIA-IIIA of FIG. 2, and (b) is a view of FIG. 2 as viewed from the direction of arrow IIIB. (A) is a sectional view taken along line IVA-IVA of FIG. 2, and FIG. 2B is a sectional view taken along line IVB-IVB of FIG. (A) is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a printer, (b) is a diagram for explaining a recording mode, and (c) is a diagram for explaining history information. (A) is a diagram for explaining the scanning range of two consecutive unit recording operations when the resolution in the transport direction is a normal resolution, and (b) is a diagram for explaining continuous when the resolution in the transport direction is a high resolution. It is a figure explaining the scanning range of two unit recording operations, (c) is a figure explaining the discharge timing adjustment pattern, (d) is a figure explaining the transport amount adjustment pattern, (e ) Is a diagram for explaining a pattern for adjusting density unevenness. (A) and (b) are diagrams for explaining the number of records recorded on paper in the test pattern recording process for each type of test pattern. It is a flowchart which shows a series of flowes related to a test pattern recording process. It is a flowchart which shows a series of flowes related to an image recording process. (A) is a plan view of the printer according to the second embodiment, (b) is a diagram for explaining a pattern for adjusting the ejection timing, and (c) is a test pattern for each type of the pattern for adjusting the ejection timing. It is a figure explaining the number of records recorded on a paper in a recording process.

(First Embodiment)
Hereinafter, the printer 1 (corresponding to the “liquid discharge device”) according to the first embodiment will be described.

The printer 1 according to the first embodiment is a so-called multifunction device capable of recording an image on paper S (corresponding to a “recording medium”) and reading an image. As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 1 includes a recording unit 2 (see FIG. 2), a feeding unit 3, a discharging unit 4, a reading unit 5, an operating unit 6, a display unit 7, and the like. Further, the operation of the printer 1 is controlled by the control device 50 (see FIG. 5A: corresponding to the "control unit").

The recording unit 2 is provided inside the printer 1 and records an image on the paper S. The recording unit 2 will be described in detail later. The feeding unit 3 is a part for feeding the paper S to the recording unit 2. The feeding unit 3 can accommodate different types of paper S such as plain paper and glossy paper, and selectively supplies any one of these plurality of types of paper S to the recording unit 2. Send. The ejection unit 4 is a portion where the paper S on which the image is recorded by the recording unit 2 is ejected. The scanning unit 5 is a scanner or the like and reads a document. The operation unit 6 includes buttons and the like, and the user performs necessary operations on the printer 1 by operating the buttons of the operation unit 6. The display unit 7 is a liquid crystal display or the like, and displays information necessary for using the printer 1.

Next, the recording unit 2 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the recording unit 2 includes a carriage 11, an inkjet head 12 (corresponding to a “head”), a transport roller pair 13, nine plates 14, a platen 15, and eight discharge rollers pairs 16, 9. It is equipped with two spurs 17 and the like. However, in FIG. 2, in order to make it easier to see the plate 14, the rib 20 and the like described later, the carriage 11 is illustrated by a two-dot chain line, and is arranged below the carriage 11 which is actually hidden behind the carriage 11 and cannot be seen. The members are shown by solid lines. Further, in FIG. 2, the guide rails and the like that support the carriage 11 are not shown.

The carriage 11 (corresponding to the "relative movement mechanism") is movably supported along the scanning direction (left-right direction) by a guide rail (not shown). The carriage 11 is connected to a carriage motor 56 (see FIG. 5A) via a belt or the like (not shown), and when the carriage motor 56 is driven, the carriage 11 reciprocates with the left-right direction as the scanning direction.

The inkjet head 12 is mounted on the carriage 11 and reciprocates in the scanning direction together with the carriage 11. Further, the inkjet head 12 ejects ink from a plurality of nozzles 10 formed on the ink ejection surface 12a which is the lower surface thereof. The plurality of nozzles 10 form a nozzle row 9 by being arranged over a length L at a constant arrangement interval G in a transport direction orthogonal to the scanning direction. Further, the inkjet head 12 has four nozzle rows 9 arranged in the scanning direction. Then, black, yellow, cyan, and magenta inks are ejected from the plurality of nozzles 10 in order from the one forming the nozzle row 9 on the right side. The inkjet head 12 is connected to an ink cartridge (not shown) via a tube (not shown) or the like, and the ink stored in the ink cartridge is supplied to the inkjet head 12.

The transfer roller pair 13 is arranged on the upstream side in the transfer direction with respect to the inkjet head 12. The transport roller pair 13 has an upper roller 13a and a lower roller 13b, and these rollers nip the paper S fed from the feeding unit 3 from the vertical direction and transport the paper S in the transport direction. The upper roller 13a is a drive roller driven by a transfer motor 57 (see FIG. 5A). The lower roller 13b is a driven roller that rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the upper roller 13a.

The nine plates 14 extend from a position overlapping the transport roller pair 13 to a position downstream of the transport roller pair 13 in the transport direction, and are arranged at equal intervals in the scanning direction. Each plate 14 has a pressing portion 14a at an end on the downstream side in the transport direction, and the pressing portion 14a presses the paper S from above.

The platen 15 is arranged on the downstream side of the transport roller pair 13 in the transport direction so as to face the ink ejection surface 12a. The platen 15 extends in the scanning direction over the entire length of the movement range of the carriage 11 when recording an image. Eight ribs 20 are formed on the upper surface of the platen 15. The eight ribs 20 are evenly spaced so that each extends in the transport direction and is located between adjacent plates 14 in the scanning direction. The rib 20 supports the paper S from below.

Here, the upper end of the rib 20 is located above the pressing portion 14a. As a result, the rib 20 supports the paper S from below, above the position where the holding portion 14a holds the paper S.

The eight sets of discharge roller pairs 16 are arranged on the downstream side in the transport direction with respect to the inkjet head 12. Further, the position of the discharge roller pair 16 in the scanning direction is substantially the same as that of the rib 20. Each discharge roller pair 16 has an upper roller 16a and a lower roller 16b, and these rollers receive the paper S from the transport roller pair 13 and nip the paper S from the vertical direction to further transport the paper S in the transport direction. To do. Further, the discharge roller pair 16 discharges the paper S toward the paper discharge tray 31b. The lower roller 16b is a drive roller driven by a transfer motor 57 (see FIG. 5A). The upper roller 16a is a spur, and is a driven roller that rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the lower roller 16b. Here, the upper roller 16a comes into contact with the recording surface of the paper S after recording the image, but the upper roller 16a is not a roller with a flat outer peripheral surface but a spur, so that ink on the paper S is unlikely to adhere. ..

The nine spurs 17 are arranged on the downstream side of the discharge roller pair 16 in the transport direction and hold the paper S from above. Further, the positions of the nine spurs 17 in the scanning direction are substantially the same as those of the pressing portions 14a of the nine plates 14. Further, since the spur 17 is not a roller having a flat outer peripheral surface but a spur, ink on the paper S is unlikely to adhere.

The number of plates 14 and discharge roller pairs 16 and the number of ribs 20 and spurs 17 are examples, and these numbers may be different from the above. The number of plates 14 and discharge roller pairs 16, as well as ribs 20 and spurs 17 may be at least one each.

Then, the paper S is supported from below by eight ribs 20 and eight lower rollers 16b, and is bent by being pressed from above by holding portions 14a of nine plates 14 and nine spurs 17, and is bent in FIG. 3 (a). ) And (b), it has a wave shape along the scanning direction.

Further, in the corrugated paper S, the positions where the ribs 20 and the discharge roller pairs 16 are arranged are the peaks Pt having the maximum height in the scanning direction. Further, on the paper S, the position where the pressing portion 14a and the spur 17 of each plate 14 are arranged is the valley apex Pb at which the height is minimized in the scanning direction. That is, in the paper S, the mountain portion protruding toward the ink ejection surface 12a centering on the peak Pt and the valley portion recessed away from the ink ejection surface 12a centering on the valley vertex Pb alternate. It has a wave shape that is lined up.

Next, the electrical configuration of the printer 1 will be described. The operation of the printer 1 is controlled by the control device 50. As shown in FIG. 5A, the control device 50 includes an ASIC (Central Processing Unit) 51, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 52, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 53, a flash memory 54, and various control circuits. Application Specific Integrated Circuit) 55 and the like.

The ROM 52 stores a program executed by the CPU 51, various fixed data, and the like. The RAM 53 temporarily stores data necessary for executing the program, image data to be recorded, and the like. The flash memory 54 stores history information HI, recording result information RI, and the like, which will be described later. An inkjet head 12, a carriage motor 56, a transfer motor 57, and the like are electrically connected to the ASIC 55.

In the control device 50, only the CPU 51 may perform various processes, only the ASIC 55 may perform various processes, or the CPU 51 and the ASIC 55 cooperate with each other to perform various processes. It may be a thing. Further, the control device 50 may be one in which one CPU 51 performs processing independently, or one in which a plurality of CPUs 51 share the processing. Further, in the control device 50, one ASIC 55 may perform the processing independently, or a plurality of ASICs 55 may share the processing.

The control device 50 executes various processes such as an image recording process for recording an image on the paper S by the CPU 51 and the ASIC 55 according to the program stored in the ROM 52. For example, in the image recording process, the control device 50 uses the communication interface 110, the inkjet head 12, the carriage motor 56, the transfer motor 57, etc., based on the recording instructions input from the external device 150 such as a PC. Is controlled to record an image on the paper S. Specifically, the control device 50 has a unit recording operation (corresponding to "relative movement recording operation" and "ejection operation") in which ink is ejected from the nozzle 10 while moving the inkjet head 12 together with the carriage 11 in the scanning direction. A desired image is recorded on the paper S by alternately executing the transport operation of transporting the paper S in the transport direction by the transport roller pair 13 and the discharge roller pair 16 a plurality of times. As described above, the printer 1 of this embodiment is a serial type inkjet printer.

In the present embodiment, the ink droplet sizes (ink ejection amounts) that can be ejected from the nozzle 10 within one recording cycle in the unit recording operation are "large droplet", "medium droplet", "small droplet", and ". There are four types, "non-discharge". The ink ejection amount is large in the order of "large droplet", "medium droplet", and "small droplet", and the ejection amount is zero in "non-ejection". One recording cycle is the time required for the inkjet head 12 to move by a unit distance corresponding to the scanning direction resolution of the image recorded on the paper S.

Further, in the present embodiment, in the image recording process, when the carriage 11 is moved to either one side or the other side in the scanning direction, ink is ejected from a plurality of nozzles 10 to perform the unit recording operation. Images are recorded by the so-called bidirectional recording method.

Further, the control device 50 can execute the image recording process in four recording modes (first to fourth recording modes). The control device 50 executes the image recording process in any of the first to fourth recording modes according to the recording instruction received from the external device 150.

As shown in FIG. 5B, in each recording mode, the resolution of the image recorded on the paper S in the transport direction (hereinafter, simply referred to as the resolution in the transport direction) and the moving speed of the carriage 11 in the unit recording operation (hereinafter, simply referred to as the resolution in the transport direction). Hereinafter, simply referred to as carriage speed), the amount of ink ejected from the nozzle 10 (hereinafter, simply referred to as the amount of ink ejected), the color of the image recorded on the paper S (hereinafter, referred to as the recording color), And at least one of the recording conditions of the type of paper S to be recorded (hereinafter referred to as paper type) is different from other recording modes.

There are two types of recording conditions for the resolution in the transport direction: "normal resolution" and "high resolution". The "normal resolution" is a resolution in which the resolution in the transport direction corresponds to the arrangement interval G of the nozzles 10 in the nozzle row 9 (for example, 300 dpi). "High resolution" is a resolution (for example, 600 dpi) in which the resolution in the transport direction is twice the normal resolution.

In the image recording process in which the resolution in the transport direction is "normal resolution", the control device 50 transports the paper S by the same length as the length L of the nozzle row 9 in the transport operation. As a result, as shown in FIG. 6A, in the plurality of scanning ranges R scanned by the plurality of unit recording operations of the paper S, the two scanning ranges R1 scanned by the two consecutive unit recording operations. , R2 are arranged adjacent to each other in the transport direction. That is, the scanning range R1 and the scanning range R2 do not overlap each other.

In the image recording process in which the resolution in the transport direction is "high resolution", the control device 50 transports the paper S by half the length of the nozzle row 9 in the transport operation. As a result, as shown in FIG. 6B, in the plurality of scanning ranges R scanned by the plurality of unit recording operations of the paper S, the two scanning ranges R3 scanned by the two consecutive unit recording operations. , R4 will partially overlap each other. That is, in the "high resolution" image recording process, images are recorded by so-called interlacing.

There are three types of carriage speed recording conditions: "low speed", "normal speed", and "high speed". The carriage speed in the unit recording operation is slower in the order of "low speed", "normal speed", and "high speed".

There are two types of ink ejection amount recording conditions: "small ejection amount" and "large ejection amount". In the image recording process in which the ink ejection amount is "small ejection amount", the droplet size of "small droplet" is selected from the three types of droplet sizes of "large droplet", "medium droplet", and "small droplet". Ink is used most often. On the other hand, in the image recording process in which the ink ejection amount is "large ejection amount", the "large droplet" liquid is out of the three types of droplet sizes of "large droplet", "medium droplet", and "small droplet". Drop-sized ink is most often used. Therefore, the image recording process in which the ink ejection amount is "small ejection amount" has a smaller ejection amount of ink ejected from the nozzle 10 than the image recording processing in which the ink ejection amount is "large".

There are two types of recording conditions for recording colors: "monochrome" and "color". In the image recording process in which the recording color is "monochrome", a monochrome image is recorded on the paper S using only black ink. In the image recording process in which the recording color is "color", a color image is recorded on the paper S using four color inks of black, yellow, cyan, and magenta. There are two types of paper type recording conditions: "glossy paper" and "plain paper".

As shown in FIG. 5B, in the first recording mode, the resolution in the transport direction is "high resolution", the carriage speed is "low speed", the ink ejection amount is "small ejection amount", and the recording color is "color". This is a recording mode in which the paper type is "glossy paper". In the second recording mode, the resolution in the transport direction is "normal resolution", the carriage speed is "low speed", the ink ejection amount is "large ejection amount", the recording color is "color", and the paper type is "plain paper". It is a recording mode. In the third recording mode, the resolution in the transport direction is "normal resolution", the carriage speed is "medium speed", the ink ejection amount is "large ejection amount", the recording color is "color", and the paper type is "plain paper". It is a recording mode. In the fourth recording mode, the resolution in the transport direction is "normal resolution", the carriage speed is "high speed", the ink ejection amount is "large ejection amount", the recording color is "monochrome", and the paper type is "plain paper". It is a recording mode.

In the first recording mode, the second recording mode, the third recording mode, and the fourth recording mode, in this order, the quality of the image recorded on the paper S in the image recording process is high, and the time required for the image recording process is long. Therefore, for example, the first recording mode is selected when the quality of the image is prioritized, such as when recording a photograph. Further, the fourth recording mode is selected when the recording speed is prioritized, such as when recording a draft.

By the way, in the image recording process, if the ink ejection timing in the unit recording operation or the transport amount of the paper S in the transport operation is not appropriate, the image recorded on the paper S has uneven density or the like, and the image quality. Decreases. Further, if there is a variation in the amount of ink ejected among the plurality of nozzles 10 forming the nozzle row 9 due to an error during manufacturing or the like, the image recorded on the paper S has uneven density or the like, and the image Image quality deteriorates.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the control device 50 executes a test pattern recording process for recording the test pattern TP for adjusting the image recording operation (unit recording operation and transfer operation) on one sheet S. This test pattern recording process is executed in response to an operation of the operation unit 6 by the user. Then, the control device 50 causes the reading unit 5 to read the recording result of the test pattern TP recorded on the paper S by the test pattern recording process, and acquires the recording result information RI regarding the recording result. After that, the control device 50 adjusts the image recording operation according to the acquired recording result information RI. As a result, it is possible to prevent the quality of the image recorded on the paper S from deteriorating. Hereinafter, the test pattern recording process will be described in detail.

The test pattern TP is roughly divided into three types: a discharge timing adjustment pattern EP, a transport amount adjustment pattern FP, and a density unevenness adjustment pattern AP.

The ejection timing adjustment pattern EP is a test pattern for adjusting the ink ejection timing in the unit recording operation. The transport amount adjusting pattern FP is a test pattern for adjusting the transport amount of the paper S in the transport operation. The density unevenness adjustment pattern AP is a test pattern for adjusting the amount of ink ejected from the nozzles 10 forming the nozzle row 9 in the unit recording operation. Hereinafter, each of the discharge timing adjustment pattern EP, the transport amount adjustment pattern FP, and the density unevenness adjustment pattern AP will be described in detail.

First, prior to explaining the ejection timing adjustment pattern EP, the prerequisites for the ink ejection timing in the unit recording operation will be described.

As described above, the image recording process is performed by the bidirectional recording method. In this bidirectional recording method, the landing position of ink when the carriage 11 is moved to one side in the scanning direction (hereinafter, during forward scanning) and when the carriage 11 is moved to the other side in the scanning direction (hereinafter, restoration). It is desirable that the landing positions of the inks (during dynamic scanning) are aligned with respect to the scanning direction. Here, the ink flies in the scanning direction due to the inertia caused by the movement of the carriage 11 until the ink is ejected from the nozzle 10 and lands. Therefore, the ink is ejected from the nozzle at a timing determined by the carriage speed and the ink flight time (obtained from the ink speed and the gap between the inkjet head 12 and the paper S) and located in front of the dot forming position by a predetermined distance. Therefore, it is possible to align the landing positions of the inks in the scanning direction during the forward scanning and the backward scanning.

However, in reality, since the ink speed varies among individual products, the ink speeds are not completely equal between the forward scanning and the reverse scanning, or the gap between the inkjet head 12 and the paper S is perfect. Even if the ink is ejected at the above-mentioned timing during the forward scanning and the backward scanning for reasons such as not being constant, the landing position shift in the scanning direction occurs.

The ejection timing adjustment pattern EP is a test pattern for detecting the amount of landing position deviation in the scanning direction of the ink. As shown in FIG. 6C, the discharge timing adjusting pattern EP has two straight lines 61 and 62. The straight line 61 is a straight line parallel to the transport direction. The straight line 62 is a straight line inclined with respect to the transport direction and intersects the straight line 61.

First, the control device 50 records the straight line 61 on the paper S by ejecting ink from the nozzle 10 while moving the carriage 11 in one direction in the scanning direction. After that, the image is recorded on the paper S on the straight line 62 by ejecting ink from the nozzle 10 while moving the carriage 11 in the other direction in the scanning direction. As a result, the discharge timing adjusting pattern EP is formed by the straight lines 61 and 62 that intersect each other. At this time, for example, the ink is ejected from the nozzle 10 at the design ejection timing (reference ejection timing) when the paper S is not wavy and is flat.

The separation distance of the discharge timing adjusting pattern EP with respect to the straight line 61 of the straight line 62 in the scanning direction changes according to the amount of the landing position deviation. Therefore, the intersection Q of the straight line 61 and the straight line 62 also shifts in the transport direction according to the amount of the landing position shift. That is, when the landing position shift does not occur, the position of the intersection Q in the transport direction is located at the predetermined origin M. Then, when the landing position shift occurs, as shown by the broken line in FIG. 6C, the distance between the straight line 62 and the straight line 61 in the scanning direction changes, and the intersection Q shifts from the origin M in the transport direction. Therefore, by detecting the amount of deviation of the intersection Q in the transport direction, the amount of deviation of the landing position in the scanning direction can be obtained. Then, by adjusting the ejection timing so as to deviate from the reference ejection timing according to the acquired landing position deviation amount, the ink landing position in the scanning direction during the image recording process can be appropriately adjusted.

By the way, in the present embodiment, since the paper S has a wavy shape as described above, the gap between the ink ejection surface 12a of the inkjet head 12 and the paper S is different at each position in the scanning direction of the paper S. Therefore, the amount of landing position deviation in the scanning direction of the ink is also different at each position in the scanning direction of the paper S. Therefore, in order to adjust the ink ejection timing so that the amount of ink landing position deviation is small at each position in the scanning direction of the paper S, the ejection timing adjustment pattern EP is used at each position in the scanning direction of the paper S. It is necessary to record the amount of landing position deviation in the scanning direction.

Further, when the carriage speed in the unit recording operation changes, the inertial force acting on the ink changes due to the movement of the carriage 11, so that the amount of landing position deviation in the scanning direction also changes. That is, the faster the carriage speed in the unit recording operation, the larger the amount of landing position deviation in the scanning direction tends to be. In addition, when the droplet size of the ink ejected from the nozzle 10 changes, the ink velocity and the like can change, so that the amount of landing position deviation in the scanning direction can also change. Therefore, in order to adjust the ink ejection timing of the image recording process in each recording mode, it is necessary to acquire the amount of landing position deviation in the scanning direction for each recording mode. That is, the discharge timing adjustment pattern EP1 corresponding to the first recording mode, the discharge timing adjustment pattern EP2 corresponding to the second recording mode, the discharge timing adjustment pattern EP3 corresponding to the third recording mode, and the fourth recording mode. It is necessary to record the corresponding ejection timing adjustment patterns EP4 on the paper S, respectively.

The recording conditions of the carriage speed and the ink ejection amount when recording each ejection timing adjustment pattern EP are the same as the recording conditions of the corresponding recording modes. Regarding the recording conditions of the ink ejection amount, when the ejection amount is small, the ink of the droplet size of "small droplets" is ejected from the nozzle 10, and when the ejection amount is large, the nozzle 10 to "large". Droplet-sized ink is ejected. Therefore, for example, the ejection timing adjusting pattern EP1 corresponding to the first recording mode sets the carriage speed to "low speed" and ejects "small droplets" of ink having a droplet size from the nozzle 10 for recording.

As described above, in order to accurately adjust the ink ejection timing in the image recording process of each recording mode at each position in the scanning direction of the paper S, four recordings are performed at each position in the scanning direction of the paper S. It is necessary to record each of the four types of discharge timing adjustment patterns EP1 to EP4 corresponding to the mode. In the present embodiment, the recording of the discharge timing adjustment pattern EP is not a discharge timing adjustment pattern EP unit, but a plurality of discharge timing adjustment pattern EPs arranged continuously in the scanning direction as one patch. Recorded in patch units. In FIGS. 7A and 7B, one patch of the discharge timing adjustment pattern EP is shown by a broken line.

Next, prior to explaining the transport amount adjusting pattern FP, the preconditions regarding the transport amount of the paper S in the transport operation will be described.

When the control device 50 drives the transfer motor 57 so as to transfer the paper S by a certain target transfer amount, a transfer error may occur between the actual transfer amount and the target transfer amount due to various factors. .. If a transport error occurs in the transport operation in the image recording process, density unevenness may occur in the image recorded on the paper S. For example, when the resolution in the transport direction is "normal resolution" and a transport error occurs in the transport operation, the image recorded in the preceding unit recording operation in the two consecutive unit recording operations and the subsequent unit At the joint portion with the image recorded by the recording operation, streak-like density unevenness extending in the scanning direction may occur. Specifically, black streaks occur when images of two consecutive unit recording operations overlap each other, and white streaks occur when images are separated from each other in the transport direction.

The transport amount adjusting pattern FP is a test pattern for detecting the actual transport amount when the transport motor 57 is driven so as to transport the paper S. As shown in FIG. 6D, the transport amount adjusting pattern FP has two straight lines 71 and 72. The straight line 71 is a straight line parallel to the scanning direction. The straight line 72 is a straight line inclined with respect to the scanning direction and intersects the straight line 71.

First, the control device 50 discharges ink from the nozzle 10 on the upstream side in the transport direction among the plurality of nozzles 10 constituting the nozzle row 9 while moving the carriage 11 in one direction in the scanning direction, and the straight line 71. Is recorded on paper S. After that, the control device 50 drives the transfer motor 57 to transfer the paper S by a predetermined reference target amount shorter than the length L of the nozzle row 9. Subsequently, the control device 50 ejects ink from the nozzle 10 on the downstream side in the transport direction among the plurality of nozzles 10 constituting the nozzle row 9 while moving the carriage 11 in one direction in the scanning direction to form a straight line. 72 is recorded on paper S.

In the present embodiment, when there is no transport error between the reference target amount and the actual transport amount, the straight line 72 is the midpoint N of the straight line 71 as shown by the solid line in FIG. 6 (c). Ink is ejected from the nozzle 10 at a timing that overlaps with, and two straight lines 71 and 72 are recorded. Therefore, when the actual transport amount is larger than the reference target amount, the recorded position of the straight line 72 shifts to the upstream side in the transport direction as compared with the case of the reference target amount. As a result, as shown by the broken line in FIG. 6C, the intersection O of the straight line 71 and the straight line 72 shifts to the right side of the midpoint N.

On the other hand, when the actual transport amount is smaller than the reference target amount, the recorded position of the straight line 72 shifts to the downstream side in the transport direction as compared with the case of the reference target amount. As a result, as shown by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 6C, the intersection O of the straight line 71 and the straight line 72 shifts to the left side of the midpoint N. From these facts, the amount of transfer error between the actual amount of transfer and the reference target amount can be obtained from the positional relationship between the intersection O and the midpoint N. As a result, the transport amount of the paper S in the transport operation can be appropriately adjusted based on the acquired transport error amount.

When transporting the paper S, the transport amount at the left end and the transport amount at the right end of the paper S are determined by various factors such as component size errors and assembly errors of the transport rollers 13 and the discharge rollers 16. May be different. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the transport amount adjusting pattern FP is recorded at a plurality of locations along the scanning direction at the same transport direction position on the paper S. Then, the transport amount of the paper S is adjusted according to the average value of the transport error amounts acquired by the plurality of transport amount adjustment pattern FPs.

By the way, in the transport operation of the image recording process in which the resolution in the transport direction is "normal resolution", the target transport amount is the same length as the length L of the nozzle row 9. On the other hand, in the transport operation of the "high resolution" image recording process, the target transport amount is the same as half the length L of the nozzle row 9. As described above, the target transport amount of the transport operation of the “high resolution” image recording process and the target transport amount of the transport operation of the “normal resolution” image recording process are different from each other.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, when adjusting the transport amount of each transport operation of the "normal resolution" image recording process, a plurality of transport amount adjustment patterns FP1 are recorded on the paper S, and the "high resolution" image recording is performed. When adjusting the transport amount of each transport operation of the process, a plurality of transport amount adjustment patterns FP2 are recorded on the paper S. The transport amount adjusting pattern FP1 and the transport amount adjusting pattern FP2 have different reference target amounts and the like when recording each of them.

From the above, the transport amount adjustment pattern FP1 corresponds to the second to fourth recording modes in which the resolution in the transport direction is "normal resolution", and the transport amount adjustment pattern FP2 has a resolution in the transport direction of "high resolution". Corresponds to the first recording mode.

Further, the amount of the transfer error may change depending on the position of the paper S in the transfer direction. For example, when the paper S is conveyed by both the transfer roller pair 13 and the discharge roller pair 16, and when the paper S is conveyed by only one of the transfer roller pair 13 and the discharge roller pair 16. The amount of transport error can vary.

Therefore, in order to accurately adjust the transport amount of each transport operation executed in the image recording process of "normal resolution", it is necessary to record the transport amount adjustment pattern FP1 at a plurality of transport direction positions of the paper S. is there. Further, in order to accurately adjust the transport amount of each transport operation executed in the "high resolution" image recording process, it is necessary to record the transport amount adjustment pattern FP2 at a plurality of transport direction positions of the paper S. is there.

Regarding the recording of the transport amount adjustment pattern FP, not the transport amount adjustment pattern FP unit but the patch unit in which a plurality of transport amount adjustment pattern FPs continuously arranged in the transport direction are recorded as one patch. Will be done. In FIGS. 7A and 7B, one patch of the transport amount adjusting pattern FP is illustrated by a alternate long and short dash line. Further, the recording conditions for the ink ejection amount when recording each transport amount adjusting pattern FP are the same as the recording conditions for the corresponding recording modes.

Next, the pattern AP for adjusting the density unevenness will be described, and the preconditions will be described. As described above, there may be variations in the amount of ink ejected among the plurality of nozzles 10 forming the nozzle row 9. As described above, if there is a variation in the amount of ink ejected among the plurality of nozzles 10, density unevenness occurs in the image recorded on the paper S. Then, the density unevenness is particularly noticeable at the joint portion between the image recorded by the preceding unit recording operation and the image recorded by the subsequent unit recording operation.

The density unevenness adjustment pattern AP is a test pattern for adjusting the ink ejection amount among the plurality of nozzles 10 so as to be uniform. As shown in FIG. 6E, the density unevenness adjusting pattern AP has two pattern portions 81 and 82 arranged adjacent to each other in the transport direction. The pattern portion 81 and the pattern portion 81 are rectangular fill patterns having the same duty.

The control device 50 records the pattern portion 81 by ejecting ink from a plurality of nozzles 10 while moving the carriage 11 in the scanning direction. Subsequently, the control device 50 drives the transport motor 57 to transport the paper S by the length L of the nozzle row 9. Subsequently, the control device 50 records the pattern portion 82 in the same manner as described above.

When the ink varies among the plurality of nozzles 10, a large change in density occurs at the boundary portion between the pattern portion 81 and the pattern portion 82. Therefore, if the density information of the end portion of the pattern portion 81 on the pattern portion 82 side and the density information of the end portion of the pattern portion 82 on the pattern portion 81 side are acquired, the density is based on the difference between these concentrations. The amount of ink ejected from the plurality of nozzles 10 can be adjusted so that the unevenness is reduced. That is, the density is adjusted by adjusting at least one of the amount of ink ejected from the nozzle 10 on the upstream side of the nozzle row 9 and the amount of ink ejected from the nozzle 10 on the downstream side so that the difference in density becomes small. It is possible to suppress the occurrence of unevenness.

In order to adjust the ink ejection amount among the plurality of nozzles 10 to be uniform for each of the four nozzle rows 9, a density unevenness adjustment pattern AP is recorded on the paper S for each nozzle row 9. There is a need to. That is, the density unevenness adjustment pattern APk for the nozzle row 9 that ejects black ink, the density unevenness adjustment pattern APy for the nozzle row 9 that ejects yellow ink, and the density for the nozzle row 9 that ejects cyan ink. It is necessary to record the unevenness adjusting pattern APc and the density unevenness adjusting pattern APm for the nozzle row 9 for ejecting magenta ink on the paper S, respectively.

When performing image recording processing in which the recording color is "color mode", four rows are based on the recording results of four types of density unevenness adjustment patterns APk, APy, APc, and APm corresponding to the four rows of nozzle rows 9. The amount of ink ejected from the plurality of nozzles 10 of each of the nozzle rows 9 is adjusted. On the other hand, when performing image recording processing in which the recording color is "monochrome mode", the black ink is applied based on the recording result of the density unevenness adjustment pattern APk corresponding to the nozzle row 9 for ejecting black ink. The amount of ink ejected from the plurality of nozzles 10 in the nozzle row 9 to be ejected is adjusted.

As described above, the density unevenness adjustment pattern APk is a density unevenness adjustment pattern AP corresponding to all of the first to fourth recording modes. On the other hand, the three types of density unevenness adjusting patterns APy, APc, and APm are density unevenness adjusting pattern APs that do not correspond to the fourth recording mode but correspond only to the first to third recording modes.

As described above, the greater the number of recordings of each type of test pattern TP, the more accurately the image recording operation for each recording mode can be adjusted. On the other hand, if the number of recorded test pattern TPs of each type is increased, there arises a problem that the processing time of the test pattern recording process becomes long and the amount of ink consumed also increases.

Here, depending on the usage status of the printer 1, it is not always necessary to ensure the adjustment accuracy of the image recording operation of each of the four recording modes to a certain level or higher. Specifically, depending on the usage status of the printer 1, the usage tendency of the four recording modes may be biased. For example, the execution frequency of the first recording mode may be significantly higher than the execution frequency of the other three recording modes. In such a case, it is necessary to secure the adjustment accuracy of the image recording operation of the first recording mode to a certain level or more, but it is not necessary to increase the adjustment accuracy of the image recording operation of the other three recording modes so much. Further, for a recording mode whose execution frequency is extremely low, such as a recording mode that has not been executed at all in the past, there is extremely little need to record a test pattern TP corresponding only to the recording mode.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the control device 50 adjusts the number of records to be recorded on the paper S in the test pattern recording process for each type of the test pattern TP according to the usage status of the printer 1. That is, the control device 50 has four types of discharge timing adjustment patterns EP1 to EP4, two types of transport amount adjustment patterns FP1 and FP2, and four types of density unevenness adjustment patterns APk according to the usage status of the printer 1. , APy, APc, APm, respectively, adjust the number of records to be recorded on the paper S in the test pattern recording process.

As shown in FIG. 5C, the flash memory 54 stores history information HI regarding the execution history of the recording mode of the image recording process. The history information HI is associated with the recording mode of the image recording process executed after the previous execution time of the test pattern recording process, the execution date and time of the image recording process, the number of sheets of paper S recorded in the image recording process, and the like. Information.

The control device 50 refers to the history information HI recorded in the flash memory 54, and refers to the test pattern TP according to the execution frequency of each recording mode (the number of executions since the previous execution time of the test pattern recording process). Adjust the number of records in the test pattern recording process for each type of. Specifically, the control device 50 adjusts so that the test pattern TP corresponding to the recording mode having a high execution frequency (the number of executions is large) has a large number of records in the test pattern recording process. Further, the control device 50 adjusts the number of recorded test pattern TPs corresponding only to the recording modes whose execution frequency is less than the threshold value to zero in the history information HI. This threshold value may be a fixed value, or may be a variable value that changes according to the execution frequency of the recording mode having a high execution frequency. An example of adjusting the number of records for each type of test pattern TP will be described below.

First, in the history information HI, the case where the execution frequency is high in the order of the first recording mode, the second recording mode, the third recording mode, and the fourth recording mode, and only the execution frequency of the fourth recording mode is less than the threshold value. Let's take an example. In this case, as shown in FIG. 7A, the number of recorded test pattern TPs corresponding to the first recording mode, which is frequently executed, is made larger than the number of recorded test pattern TPs not corresponding to the first recording mode. Further, the number of recorded test pattern TPs corresponding to only the fourth recording mode is set to zero.

Specifically, regarding the discharge timing adjustment pattern EP, the number of records is increased in the order of the discharge timing adjustment pattern EP1, the discharge timing adjustment pattern EP2, the discharge timing adjustment pattern EP3, and the discharge timing adjustment pattern EP4. Specifically, five patches of the discharge timing adjustment pattern EP1 are set to be recorded along the scanning direction. As a result, the ejection timing adjusting pattern EP1 is recorded over substantially the entire scanning direction of the paper S. On the other hand, only three patches of the discharge timing adjustment pattern EP2 are recorded, and only two patches of the discharge timing adjustment pattern EP3 are recorded. As a result, the ejection timing adjusting pattern EP2 and the ejection timing adjusting pattern EP3 are recorded only in a part of the scanning direction of the paper S. In addition, the patch of the discharge timing adjustment pattern EP4 is adjusted so as not to be recorded.

Regarding the transport amount adjusting pattern FP, the number of records of the transport amount adjustment pattern FP2 corresponding to the first recording mode is made larger than the number of records of the transport amount adjustment pattern FP1 not corresponding to the first recording mode. Specifically, for the patch of the transport amount adjusting pattern FP2, five are recorded in the scanning direction at each of the four positions in the transport direction. On the other hand, as for the patch of the transport amount adjusting pattern FP1, five patches are recorded in the scanning direction at only one position in the transport direction.

Regarding the density unevenness adjustment pattern AP, all four types of density unevenness adjustment patterns APk, APy, APc, and APm correspond to the first recording mode. Therefore, in the test pattern recording process, all of these four types of density unevenness adjusting patterns APk, APy, APc, and APm are adjusted to be recorded.

As described above, the image recording operation in the first recording mode, which has the highest execution frequency, can be adjusted with high accuracy based on the recording result of the test pattern TP recorded on the paper S by the test pattern recording process. On the other hand, for the test pattern TP that does not correspond to the first recording mode, the number of recordings is reduced, so that the processing time of the test pattern recording process can be shortened and the ink consumption can be suppressed.

Next, in the history information HI, a case where the execution frequency of the fourth recording mode is high and the execution frequency of the other first to third recording modes is less than the threshold value will be described as an example. In this case, as shown in FIG. 7B, only the test pattern TP corresponding to the fourth recording mode is recorded, and the test pattern TP not corresponding to the fourth recording mode is adjusted so as not to be recorded.

Specifically, the discharge timing adjustment pattern EP is adjusted so that only the discharge timing adjustment pattern EP4 is recorded. Specifically, five patches of the discharge timing adjustment pattern EP4 are set to be recorded along the scanning direction. As a result, the ejection timing adjusting pattern EP4 is recorded over substantially the entire scanning direction of the paper S. On the other hand, the patches of the discharge timing adjustment patterns EP1 to EP3 are adjusted so as not to be recorded.

Further, the transport amount adjustment pattern FP is adjusted so as to record only the transport amount adjustment pattern FP1 corresponding to the fourth recording mode. Specifically, five patches of the transport amount adjusting pattern FP1 are recorded in the scanning direction at each of the five positions in the transport direction. On the other hand, the patch of the transport amount adjustment pattern FP2 is adjusted so as not to be recorded. Further, the density unevenness adjustment pattern AP is adjusted so as to record only the density unevenness adjustment pattern APk corresponding to the fourth recording mode.

As described above, the image recording operation in the fourth recording mode, which is frequently executed, can be adjusted with high accuracy based on the recording result of the test pattern TP recorded on the paper S by the test pattern recording process. On the other hand, since the test pattern TP that does not correspond to the fourth recording mode is not recorded in the test pattern recording process, the processing time of the test pattern recording process can be shortened and the ink consumption can be suppressed. Can be done.

As described above, by adjusting the number of recordings in the test pattern recording process for each of the test pattern TPs according to the usage status of the printer 1, the image recording operation of each of the four recording modes can be performed by the printer 1. It is possible to shorten the processing time of the test pattern recording process and reduce the amount of ink consumed while making it possible to adjust the test pattern with accuracy according to the usage situation.

Further, in the test pattern recording process, the control device 50 records the test pattern TP corresponding to the recording mode having the highest execution frequency in the history information HI, among the recording conditions that can be set in the test pattern recording process. Execute under the recording conditions closest to the recording conditions in the recording mode with high execution frequency. For example, when the recording mode with the highest execution frequency is the first recording mode, the paper type of the paper S to be recorded in the test pattern TP is set to “glossy paper”. Then, when recording each of the discharge timing adjustment pattern EP1, the transport amount adjustment pattern FP2, and the density unevenness adjustment patterns APk, APy, APc, and APm corresponding to the first recording mode, the carriage speed is set to "normal". “Velocity” is set, and “small droplet” droplet size ink is ejected from the nozzle 10 for recording. As described above, since the test pattern TP corresponding to the first recording mode is recorded under the recording conditions close to the recording conditions of the first recording mode, the adjustment accuracy of the image recording operation of the first recording mode is further improved. be able to.

Next, a series of flows related to the test pattern recording process will be described with reference to FIG.

The control device 50 refers to the history information HI of the flash memory 54 and determines the number of records to be recorded on the paper S in the test pattern recording process for each test pattern TP (S1). After that, the control device 50 generates operation data that defines the operation contents of the unit recording operation and the transport operation to be executed in the test pattern recording process, based on the number of records for each of the determined test pattern TPs (S2). After that, in the history information HI, the control device 50 causes the display unit 7 to display a screen prompting the feeding unit 3 to accommodate the paper S of the recording mode paper type having the highest execution frequency (S3). Subsequently, the control device 50 executes a feeding operation of feeding the paper S of the recording mode paper type having the highest execution frequency from the feeding unit 3 to the recording unit 2 (S4).

Next, the control device 50 executes a unit recording operation based on the operation data generated in the process of S2 (S5). Subsequently, the control device 50 determines whether or not the recording of the test pattern TP on one sheet S has been completed (S6). When it is determined that the recording of the test pattern TP is not completed (S6: NO), the control device 50 executes the transport operation based on the operation data generated in the process of S2 (S7). After that, the process returns to the process of S5 in order to execute the next unit recording operation.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the recording of the test pattern TP is completed (S6: YES), the control device 50 controls the transfer motor 57, and the transfer roller pair 13 and the discharge roller pair 16 press the paper S. The discharge operation of discharging to the discharge unit 4 is executed (S8). After that, the control device 50 causes the display unit 7 to display a screen prompting the user to read the recorded test pattern TP (S9). This screen is, for example, a screen including a message prompting the user to set the paper S on which the test pattern TP is recorded in the reading unit 5 and then operate the operation unit 6 to input a reading instruction signal. ..

Then, the control device 50 waits until the reading instruction signal is input (S10: NO), and when the reading instruction signal is input (S10: YES), the test pattern recorded in the reading unit 5 is recorded. The TP is read, and the recording result information RI including the reading result of the recorded test pattern TP is acquired (S11). Then, the control device 50 stores the acquired recording result information RI in the flash memory 54 (S12), and ends this process.

Hereinafter, a series of flows related to the image recording process will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 9, when the control device 50 receives the recording instruction from the external device 150 (A1: YES), the image recording process instructed by the recording instruction in the recording result information RI stored in the flash memory 54 is performed. It is determined whether or not the recording result of the test pattern TP corresponding to the recording mode of is included (A2). When it is determined that the recording result of the test pattern TP corresponding to the recording mode is included in the recording result information RI (A2: YES), the control device 50 is based on the recording result of the corresponding test pattern TP. , Adjust the image recording operation of the image recording process (A3). When the processing of A3 is completed, the process proceeds to the processing of A5.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the recording result of the test pattern TP corresponding to the recording mode is not included in the recording result information RI (A2: NO), the control device 50 is included in the recording result information RI. The image recording operation of the image recording process is adjusted based on the recording result of the test pattern TP (A4). For example, among the recording results of the test pattern TP included in the recording result information RI, image recording is performed based on the recording result of the test pattern TP corresponding to the most similar recording mode to the recording mode instructed by the recording instruction. Adjust the image recording operation of the process. Specifically, when the recording mode of the image recording process instructed by the recording instruction is the first recording mode and the recording result information includes the recording result of the test pattern TP corresponding to the second recording mode, The image recording operation of the image recording process is adjusted based on the recording result. When the processing of A4 is completed, the process proceeds to the processing of A5.

After that, the control device 50 executes a feeding operation of feeding the paper S from the feeding unit 3 to the recording unit 2 (A5). Subsequently, the control device 50 executes the unit recording operation (A6). In the unit recording operation, the control device 50 controls the carriage motor 56 to move the carriage 11 in the scanning direction at the carriage speed of the instructed recording mode, and controls the inkjet head 12 from the plurality of nozzles 10. Ink is ejected at the ejection timing and ejection amount adjusted by the processing of A3 or A4.

Subsequently, the control device 50 determines whether or not the recording of the image on one sheet S has been completed (A7). When it is determined that the recording of the image on the paper S has not been completed (A7: NO), the control device 50 executes the transport operation (A8). In the transfer operation, the control device 50 controls the transfer motor 57 to correspond to the resolution of the transfer direction indicated by the transfer roller pair 13 and the discharge roller pair 16 in the recording mode, and in the processing of A3 or A4. Paper S is transported by the adjusted transport amount. After that, the process returns to the process of A6 in order to execute the next unit recording degree operation.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the recording of the image on one sheet S has been completed (A7: YES), the control device 50 controls the transfer motor 57 to control the transfer roller pair 13 and the discharge roller. The ejection operation of ejecting the paper S to the ejection unit 4 is executed by pair 16 (A9). After that, the control device 50 determines whether or not the recording of the image related to the recording instruction is completed (A10). When it is determined that the recording of the image is completed (A10: YES), the control device 50 updates the history information HI (A11) and returns to the process of A1. On the other hand, when it is determined that the recording of the image is not completed (A10: NO), the control device 50 returns to the process of A5 in order to execute the image on the next sheet S.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the number of records in the test pattern recording process for each of the plurality of types of test pattern TPs is adjusted according to the usage status of the printer 1. This makes it possible to adjust the image recording operation of each of the four recording modes with an accuracy according to the usage status of the printer 1 based on the recording result recorded on the paper S by the test pattern recording process. The processing time of the test pattern recording process can be shortened, and the amount of ink consumed can be suppressed.

Further, in the history information HI, the test pattern TP corresponding to the recording mode having a higher execution frequency is adjusted so that the number of records in the test pattern recording process increases. As a result, the adjustment accuracy of the image recording operation in the recording mode with high execution frequency can be improved.

Furthermore, the test pattern corresponding only to the recording mode in which the execution frequency is less than the threshold value is not recorded in the test pattern recording process. As a result, the processing time of the test pattern recording process can be shortened, and the amount of ink consumed can be suppressed. As a result, the recording result information RI stored in the flash memory 54 does not include the recording result of the test pattern TP corresponding only to the recording mode in which the execution frequency is less than the threshold value. Therefore, the image recording operation in the recording mode in which the execution frequency is less than the threshold value cannot be adjusted based on the recording result of the test pattern TP corresponding to the recording mode. However, in the present embodiment, even for the image recording operation in the recording mode in which the recording result of the corresponding test pattern TP is not included in the recording result information RI, the recording of any test pattern TP included in the recording result information RI is also performed. Adjusted based on the result. As a result, the image recording operation in the recording mode in which the execution frequency is less than the threshold value can be adjusted with a certain degree of accuracy.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, the second embodiment will be described. The printer 1 of the first embodiment is a so-called serial type printer that records an image on the paper S while moving the carriage 11 on which the inkjet head 12 is mounted in the scanning direction intersecting the transport direction of the paper S. The printer 200 of the second embodiment is a line type printer that records an image on the paper S conveyed by the conveying mechanism 201 with the inkjet head 222 fixed.

As shown in FIG. 10A, the printer 200 includes a transport mechanism 201 (corresponding to a “relative movement mechanism”), a recording head unit 220, and a control device 250. The transport mechanism 201 has two transport rollers 202, 203 and a platen 204.

On its upper surface, the platen 204 supports the paper S that is conveyed by the two transfer rollers 202 and 203 in the transfer direction orthogonal to the left-right direction. The two transfer rollers 202 are arranged on the upstream side in the transfer direction and the downstream side in the transfer direction with respect to the platen 204, respectively. The two transfer rollers 202 are each driven by a transfer motor (not shown) to transfer the paper S on the platen 204 in the transfer direction.

The recording head unit 220 is located above the platen 204. Ink cartridges of four colors (black, yellow, cyan, and magenta) are supplied to the recording head unit 220 from an ink cartridge (not shown). The recording head unit 220 includes two inkjet heads 222 arranged side by side in the left-right direction. Each of the two inkjet heads 222 is held by a support member 223.

Of the two inkjet heads 222, the left inkjet head 222 is arranged on the upstream side in the transport direction, and the right inkjet head 222 is arranged on the downstream side in the transport direction. Further, the two inkjet heads 222 (more specifically, their central positions in the left-right direction) are arranged at different positions in the left-right direction. In addition, each of the two inkjet heads 222 is arranged so that the arrangement areas 222a in which the nozzles 210 are arranged do not overlap in the transport direction. That is, the arrangement regions 222a of the two inkjet heads 222 are arranged at different positions in the left-right direction.

The two inkjet heads 222 have substantially the same structure as the above-mentioned inkjet head 12. A plurality of nozzles 210 are formed on the ink ejection surface of the lower surface of one inkjet head 222. More specifically, four nozzle rows 229 in which the plurality of nozzles 210 are arranged in a row along the left-right direction are formed. Further, the four nozzle rows 229 are arranged in the transport direction. Black, yellow, cyan, and magenta inks are ejected from the plurality of nozzles 210 in order from those forming the nozzle row 229 on the downstream side in the transport direction.

The control device 250 has substantially the same configuration as the control device 50 described above, and has a flash memory for storing history information HI and the like. Further, in the image recording process of recording an image on the paper S, the control device 250 executes two transport operations (corresponding to "relative movement operation") in which the paper S is transported in the transport direction by the transport mechanism 201. An image is recorded on the paper S by executing a ejection operation of ejecting ink from the nozzle 210 of the inkjet head 222.

Further, in the present embodiment, the image recording process can be executed in three recording modes: a low-speed recording mode, a normal recording mode, and a high-speed recording mode. In the low-speed recording mode, the normal recording mode, and the high-speed recording mode, the transfer speed of the paper S in the transfer operation is slower in this order.

In the above configuration, when the ink ejection timings of the two inkjet heads 222 are not appropriate, the landing position of the ink ejected from the left inkjet head 222 and the landing position of the ink ejected from the right inkjet head 222. There is a gap between them. As a result, the image area in which the image is recorded by the left inkjet head 222 is shifted in the transport direction as a whole with respect to the image area in which the image is recorded by the right inkjet head 222, and these image areas There will be a step between them.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the control device 250 executes a test pattern recording process for recording the ejection timing adjusting pattern GP for adjusting the ink ejection timings of the two inkjet heads 222 on one sheet of paper S.

As shown in FIG. 10B, the discharge timing adjusting pattern GP has two straight lines 91 and 92 parallel to the left-right direction. The straight line 91 is recorded by the ink ejected from the left inkjet head 222. On the other hand, the straight line 92 is recorded by the ink ejected from the right inkjet head 222. At this time, the ink ejection timing of the right side inkjet head 222 is such that the straight line 91 and the straight line 92 are recorded at the same transport direction position on the paper S from the ink ejection timing of the left side inkjet head 222. It is set to the design discharge timing (reference discharge timing) delayed by a predetermined time.

When the actual ejection timing at which the amount of ink landing position deviation becomes zero is later than the reference ejection timing, the straight line 92 is upstream of the straight line 91 in the transport direction, as shown by the broken line in FIG. 10B. It will shift to the side. On the other hand, when the actual ejection timing at which the amount of ink landing position deviation becomes zero is earlier than the reference ejection timing, the straight line 92 is in the transport direction more than the straight line 91 as shown by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 10 (b). It will shift to the downstream side of. Therefore, the landing position of the ink during the image recording process is appropriately adjusted by acquiring the amount of landing position deviation between the straight line 91 and the straight line 92 in the transport direction and adjusting the ejection timing so as to deviate from the reference ejection timing. be able to.

In the present embodiment, the control device 250 records the discharge timing adjustment pattern GP at a plurality of positions on the paper S in the transport direction in order to improve the discharge timing adjustment accuracy. Then, the ink ejection timings of the two inkjet heads 222 are adjusted based on the average value of the landing position deviations in the transport direction of the straight line 91 and the straight line 92 acquired from the plurality of ejection timing adjusting pattern GPs.

Further, when the transfer speed of the paper S in the transfer operation changes, the amount of ink landing position deviation between the two inkjet heads 222 also changes. Therefore, in order to adjust the ink ejection timing of each recording mode, it is necessary to record the ejection timing adjusting pattern GP for each recording mode. That is, it is necessary to record the ejection timing adjustment pattern GP1 corresponding to the low-speed recording mode, the ejection timing adjustment pattern GP2 corresponding to the normal recording mode, and the ejection timing adjustment pattern GP3 corresponding to the high-speed recording mode on the paper S, respectively. There is. The transport speed of the paper S when recording each discharge timing adjustment pattern GP is set to be the same as the transport speed of the corresponding recording mode.

The control device 250 adjusts the number of records to be recorded on the paper S in the test pattern recording process for each type of the ejection timing adjusting pattern GP according to the usage status of the printer 200. That is, the control device 50 adjusts the history information HI recorded in the flash memory so that the number of records in the test pattern recording process increases as the discharge timing adjustment pattern GP corresponding to the recording mode with high execution frequency increases. Further, the control device 250 adjusts the number of records of the discharge timing adjustment pattern GP corresponding only to the recording mode in which the execution frequency is less than the threshold value to zero in the history information HI.

Hereinafter, in the history information HI, a case where the execution frequency is high in the order of low-speed recording mode, normal recording mode, and high-speed recording mode, and the execution frequency of all recording modes is equal to or higher than the threshold value will be described as an example. In this case, as shown in FIG. 10 (c), the number of records is increased in the order of the discharge timing adjustment pattern GP1, the discharge timing adjustment pattern GP2, and the discharge timing adjustment pattern GP3. As a result, the image recording operation in the low-speed recording mode, which has the highest execution frequency, can be adjusted with high accuracy based on the recording result of the discharge timing adjustment pattern GP1. On the other hand, for the ejection timing adjustment patterns GP2 and GP3 corresponding to the normal recording mode or the high-speed recording mode, which are executed less frequently than the low-speed recording mode, the number of recordings is small, so that the processing time of the test pattern recording process is reduced. It can be shortened and the amount of ink consumed can be suppressed.

As described above, also in the second embodiment, the number of records in the test pattern recording process for each of the plurality of types of ejection timing adjustment pattern GPs is adjusted according to the usage status of the printer 200. This makes it possible to adjust the image recording operation of each of the three recording modes with accuracy according to the usage status of the printer 1 based on the recording result recorded on the paper S by the test pattern recording process. The processing time of the test pattern recording process can be shortened, and the amount of ink consumed can be suppressed.

Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made as long as it is described in the claims. For example, the image recording process may be configured to be executable in a plurality of recording modes, and the number of recording modes and the recording conditions for each recording mode are not limited to the examples of the above-described embodiments.

Further, in the first embodiment described above, in the image recording process, in addition to the bidirectional recording method described above, ink is ejected from a plurality of nozzles 10 only when the carriage 11 is moved to one side in the scanning direction. It may be possible to record an image by a so-called one-way recording method in which a unit recording operation is performed. In this case, the recording mode that can be executed by the control device 50 includes a one-way recording mode in which the image recording process is performed by the one-way recording method and a two-way recording mode in which the image recording process is performed by the two-way recording method. become. Further, the above-mentioned discharge timing adjustment pattern EP corresponds only to the bidirectional recording mode, and does not correspond to the one-way recording mode. Therefore, for example, when the control device 50 adjusts the number of recorded test pattern TPs of each type in the test pattern recording process, the execution frequency of the recording mode corresponding to the bidirectional recording mode in the history information HI is less than the threshold value. In that case, the number of records of the discharge timing adjustment pattern EP may be set to zero.

Further, the control device may adjust the number of recordings of each test pattern so that only the test patterns corresponding to the recording modes having the highest execution frequency are recorded in the history information. In this case, if there are a plurality of recording modes having the highest execution frequency, it may be adjusted so that test patterns corresponding to all the recording modes having the highest execution frequency are recorded, and the test patterns may be recorded via the operation unit. It may be adjusted so that only the test pattern corresponding to one of the recording modes is recorded according to the input of the user or the like. Further, the number of recorded test patterns may be adjusted so that at least one of each type of test pattern is recorded in the test pattern recording process.

Moreover, the type of test pattern is not limited to the example of the above-described embodiment. For example, when an image is recorded using inks of a plurality of colors, density unevenness may occur between nozzles that eject inks of different colors due to nozzle misalignment or differences in ejection characteristics. .. Therefore, for example, as in JP-A-3-114761, a plurality of color mixing test patterns using two or more colors of ink are recorded on paper, and each nozzle is based on the color information at each nozzle position of each color mixing pattern. The ejection amount of each of the cyan, magenta, and yellow inks at the position may be adjusted. In this case, the color mixing test pattern corresponds only to the recording mode in which the recording condition of the recording color is "color mode".

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the recording result information RI is acquired by having the reading unit 5 read the recording result of the recorded test pattern, but the present invention is not limited to this. Information on the recording result input via the operation unit from the user who visually recognizes the recording result of the recorded test pattern may be acquired as the recording result information. In this case, the printer does not have to be a multifunction device provided with a reading unit, and may only record an image. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the adjustment of the image recording operation in the recording mode is performed after receiving the recording instruction and before recording the image, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the image recording operation of each recording mode may be adjusted immediately after the recording result information is acquired.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the history information HI is information regarding the execution history of the recording mode executed after the previous execution time of the test pattern recording process, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the execution frequency of each recording mode may change in a predetermined period unit such as a monthly unit or a seasonal unit. Specifically, since many New Year's cards are recorded during the year-end and New Year holidays, the recording mode corresponding to the recording of the New Year's cards is often executed during the year-end and New Year holidays, but may be rarely executed during other periods. Therefore, based on the execution history of the recording mode for the past one year or more, the recording of each type of test pattern in the test pattern recording process is based on the execution frequency of each recording mode corresponding to the period at the time of execution of the test pattern recording process. You may adjust the number.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the number of recorded test patterns of each type is adjusted according to the execution frequency of each recording mode since the previous execution time of the test pattern recording process, but the present invention is limited to this. is not. For example, the number of recorded test patterns of each type may be adjusted according to the number of sheets of paper S recorded in each recording mode since the previous execution of the test pattern recording process. In this case, for example, the more test patterns corresponding to the recording mode in which the number of sheets recorded on the paper S is larger, the larger the number of records in the test pattern recording process may be. Also, the number of recordings when recording a draft is usually larger than the number of recordings when recording a photograph. Therefore, the number of recorded images when the image recording process for recording a draft is executed once may be larger than the number of recorded images when the image recording process for recording a photograph is executed a plurality of times. In this case, if the number of recorded test patterns of each type is simply adjusted according to the number of recorded images in each recording mode, the adjustment accuracy of the image recording operation in each recording mode may not be optimal. Therefore, the number of recorded sheets in each recording mode may be multiplied by a different weight for each recording mode, and the number of recorded test patterns of each type may be adjusted according to the value.

Further, in the above-described first embodiment, the rib 20, the discharge roller pair 16, the pressing portion 14a of the plate 14, and the spur 17 cause the paper S to have a wavy shape, but the present invention is not particularly limited to this. For example, the spur 17 may not be provided, and the paper S may be pressed from above only by the plate 14. In this way, even when the paper S is pressed from above only by the plate 14, the paper S can have a wavy shape. Further, the rib 20, the plate 14, the spur 17, and the like are not provided, and the paper S may not be configured to positively generate a wavy shape. Even in such a case, a difference in the amount of landing position shift may occur due to a shift in the landing position of the ink in the scanning direction and a difference in the carriage speed. For example, when ink is ejected onto paper, expansion due to water absorption of the ink gathers, which may cause the paper to undulate along the scanning direction, so-called cockling. Even when recording an image on the paper on which such cockling occurs, it is necessary to adjust the ejection timing as in the first embodiment described above. That is, it is necessary to record the discharge timing adjustment pattern for each recording mode in which the carriage speed is different.

Further, in the second embodiment, the two inkjet heads may be arranged at the same transport direction position. Even in this case, it is necessary to adjust the ink ejection timing between the two inkjet heads.

Further, in the above, an example in which the present invention is applied to a printer that ejects ink from a nozzle and records on paper S has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Of course, it can also be applied to a liquid ejection device that ejects a liquid other than ink, for example, a liquefied resin or metal and cures it to form a model, or ejects a metal or the like to a recording medium. It can also be applied to a recording medium other than paper, for example, a liquid ejection device that ejects ink from a nozzle onto a case of a mobile terminal such as a smartphone or corrugated cardboard to record an image. In addition, a liquid ejection device that records images by ejecting black, yellow, cyan, and magenta inks from a head after printing with white ink as a base on a recording medium made of transparent resin such as a transparent film. Can also be applied.

Further, in the above, the transport mechanism for transporting the recording medium is a roller transport mechanism using a transport roller, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it may be a transport mechanism in which the recording medium is placed on a belt and the recording medium is conveyed by running the heald. The recording medium is placed on a table and the table is moved by a moving means such as a ball screw. It may be a transport mechanism that transports the recording medium by moving it.

1,200 Printer 10,210 Nozzle 11 Carriage 12 Inkjet head 13 Transport roller vs. 16 Discharge roller vs. 50 Control device TP test pattern EP Discharge timing adjustment pattern FP Conveyance amount adjustment pattern AP Concentration unevenness adjustment pattern GP Discharge timing adjustment pattern

Claims (9)

A head with a nozzle that discharges liquid,
A relative movement mechanism that moves at least one of the head and the recording medium so that the head moves relative to the recording medium.
Control unit and
With
The control unit
A plurality of image recording operations for recording an image on a recording medium, including a relative movement operation in which the head is moved relative to the recording medium by the relative movement mechanism and a discharge operation in which the head ejects liquid from the nozzle. It can be executed in the recording mode of
A plurality of types of test pattern recording operations including the relative movement operation and the discharge operation for adjusting the image recording operation of the corresponding recording mode corresponding to at least one of the plurality of recording modes. It is possible to execute a test pattern recording operation of recording at least one of the test patterns in the above on a recording medium.
Further, the control unit
Acquires history information regarding the execution history of the recording mode of the image recording operation, and obtains
A liquid discharge device characterized in that the number of records recorded on a recording medium in the test pattern recording operation for each of the plurality of types of test patterns is adjusted based on the acquired history information. The control unit
When adjusting the number of recordings in the test pattern recording operation for each of the plurality of types of test patterns,
The liquid discharge device according to claim 1, wherein in the acquired history information, the number of the test patterns corresponding to the recording mode, which is frequently executed, is increased in the test pattern recording operation. The control unit
When adjusting the number of recordings in the test pattern recording operation for each of the plurality of types of test patterns,
The first or second claim is characterized in that, in the acquired history information, the number of recordings of the test pattern corresponding only to the recording mode whose execution frequency is less than the threshold value in the test pattern recording operation is set to zero. The liquid discharge device described. The control unit
The recording result information regarding the recording result of the test pattern recorded on the recording medium by the test pattern recording operation is acquired, and the recording result information is acquired.
The image recording operation in the recording mode in which the acquired recording result information includes the recording result of the corresponding test pattern is adjusted based on the recording result of the corresponding test pattern.
Regarding the image recording operation in the recording mode in which the acquired recording result information does not include the recording result of the corresponding test pattern, the recording result of any of the test patterns included in the recording result information. The liquid discharge device according to claim 3, wherein the liquid discharge device is adjusted based on the above. The head is mounted, and a carriage as the relative movement mechanism that moves in the scanning direction is provided.
The control unit
In the image recording operation, an image is recorded on a recording medium by performing the ejection operation while moving the carriage in the scanning direction as the relative movement operation.
The plurality of recording modes according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the plurality of recording modes include at least two recording modes in which the moving speeds of the carriages in the relative movement operation of the image recording operation are different from each other. Liquid discharge device. A transport mechanism as the relative movement mechanism for transporting a recording medium is provided.
The control unit
In the image recording operation, an image is recorded on the recording medium by performing the ejection operation while conveying the recording medium by the transfer mechanism as the relative movement operation.
The plurality of recording modes according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the plurality of recording modes include at least two recording modes in which the transport speeds of the recording media in the relative movement operation of the image recording operation are different from each other. Liquid discharge device. The plurality of recording modes according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the plurality of recording modes include at least two recording modes in which the discharge amounts of the liquids discharged from the nozzles are different from each other in the image recording operation. Liquid discharge device. The control unit
In the test pattern recording operation,
In the acquired history information, the recording of the test pattern corresponding to the recording mode having the highest execution frequency is recorded in the recording mode having the highest execution frequency among the recording conditions that can be set in the test pattern recording operation. The liquid discharge device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the liquid discharge device is executed under the recording conditions closest to the above. The test pattern is any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the test pattern is a pattern for detecting the amount of deviation of the landing position of the ink ejected from the nozzle on the recording medium by the image recording operation. The liquid discharge device according to.

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