JP3291789B2 - Recording device and recording method - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a recording apparatus and a recording method for forming an image or a character on a recording material such as paper by a collection of recording dots, such as an ink jet printer.
It is.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Color recording by the ink jet system can be easily achieved structurally by providing inks of respective colors, and has been put to practical use as a mainstream technology of a low-cost color printer. In a general serial printer as shown in FIG. 1, in order to express a monochrome or color image with high speed and high quality, it is necessary to increase the resolution of the nozzles of the printer head and increase the length of the head in the sub-scanning direction. Therefore, it is necessary to increase the speed to increase the number of nozzles. However, increasing the density of the head requires higher precision of the mechanism mechanism including the head, which increases the manufacturing cost.

Therefore, an interlace driving method has been disclosed as a countermeasure for this. This is a configuration in which a plurality of identical comb-tooth-shaped heads are arranged in the main scanning direction and are shifted in the sub-scanning direction. By performing the sub-scanning, one dot line is left unrecorded. It is possible to record portions sequentially and fill them. Each head has a different color such as Y, M, and C. An example of the interlace driving method is Japanese Patent Publication No. 3-76226. This is because a plurality of unit recording element groups in which N recording elements are arranged at K dot intervals are set to H which is an integral multiple of N in the main scanning direction.
It is arranged on the stairs with the dot interval shifted, and N
This is a method of performing sub-scan feed by dot and recording. This prevents overlapping of other color inks before the color ink ejected on the recording paper is not sufficiently dried, and keeps the order of the recording colors constant. After that, N
This interlace driving method for performing the sub-scan feed for the dots is referred to as an equal-interval sub-scan feed interlace driving method.

FIG. 14 shows a driving situation in the case where the number of nozzles N is relatively large, N = 15, in this equal-interval sub-scan feed interlace driving. A square frame on the left side of 1401 is a recording element head including four rows of unit recording element groups. Each unit recording element group has a nozzle number N = 15 dots and a nozzle interval K = 4 dots. Each unit recording group is arranged at an interval of H = 15 dots in the sub-scanning direction. 1
Black circle dots 402, M1, M2, M3, and M4 indicate the recording positions of each unit recording element group, and different colors are prepared for these recording element groups. T in 1403 indicates the number of sub-scans, and T1, T2, T3, T
At step 4, one cycle is completed and the same operation is repeated. When the main scanning in T1 is completed, the recording element group is fed by P = 15 dots in the sub-scanning direction, and the next main scanning in T2 is performed. The dots indicated by black circles indicate the recording dots. For the M1 color, six main scans, for the M2 and M3 colors, only T1,
For the M4 color, T1 to T4 are described. As can be seen from the figure, by performing scanning with T1, T2 #, dots corresponding to the recording nozzles are recorded, and interface driving is performed in which vacant portions are gradually filled. The portion indicated by C is an invalid recording area generated for the skewer nozzle head. The details will be described later.

[0005] As another interlaced drive, recording is performed by feeding one dot line in the sub-scanning direction in the sub-scanning direction.
When the head width is filled, there is a method of feeding in the sub-scanning direction of the next recording unit. For example, when N = 15 and K = 4, four main scans are performed by one dot line feed, and the last fourth scan is performed by 47 dot lines. This interlace driving method is referred to as one-dot line sub-scan feed interlace driving method.

[0006] In these interlace driving,
The interval between the final recording dots is determined by the pitch of the sub-scan feed, and it is possible to perform recording with the interval reduced by the nozzle interval of the head, which is effective for increasing the density.

Now, when recording is performed using the above two interlaced drives and the density of the recording dots is increased,
In order to express images and characters with high quality, the relationship between dot spacing and dot size is important.

Here, the relationship between the dot pitch and the dot size will be considered with reference to FIG. This example shows a case where the one dot interval is 360 dpi (dots / inch: the number of dots per inch). The case where the dot size and the dot interval are equal is 15A, and a blank portion that cannot be recorded occurs, thereby deteriorating the character quality. Therefore, in general, the dot size is set to be larger than the dot interval as indicated by 15B, so that a blank portion does not occur, and the connection between dots is made smooth.

[0009]

However, in the case of the interlaced driving method in which the dot size is arranged to be larger than the dot interval, the reproducibility of the line deteriorates. That is, in the interlace driving, the amount of deviation of the feed for each dot line due to the feed accuracy of the sub-scan feed tends to be large in the interlace driving method, and the result shown in the standard recording results of FIGS. Even when it is desired, a situation may occur in which a thin line to be recorded is not represented as shown in the variation recording result. In FIGS. 16B and 16D, since the dot size is large, when a shift amount W = 1/3 dot occurs, an image like a variation recording result greatly different from the standard recording result is obtained. That is, the white line between the black lines disappears. Also, 2
In the case of 16C, which is a black dot line and a two-dot line white, the black line becomes thick and the white line becomes thin.

[0010] This shift always occurs as a mechanical variation when performing the sub-scanning, even if interlaced driving is avoided. In general, the non-interlace driving method causes a larger sub-scanning deviation. Further, as described above, the non-interlace driving method requires a high-density head. For this reason, the non-interlaced drive is not effective as a low-priced recording device. Therefore, interlace driving and increasing the dot size are necessary conditions for high-density, high-quality printing by a printing method with a low price range.

As described above, if the dot size is made sufficiently larger than the dot interval and recording is performed by interlace driving,
A shift caused by a mechanical accuracy error at the time of sub-scan driving, or a linear shift at the time of main scan called skew causes two thin lines to become one and recording deterioration.

Further, there is a recording missing line (invalid recording area) at the time of recording start and at the time of termination, which is generated for performing interlace driving by the head of the skewered nozzle. This is a disadvantage of the conventional interlace driving method.

The recording apparatus and recording method of the present invention solve such a problem. The purpose of the recording apparatus and the recording method is to use an interlaced driving method, a configuration of a plurality of dots per pixel, and a correction of mechanical accuracy using a correction process. High tolerance for variations and does not cause quality deterioration even for small variations
It is to provide a recording device and a recording method. further,
The purpose of this system is to achieve high-density and high-quality by adopting a drive for reducing the recording invalid area.

[0014]

According to the present invention, there is provided a recording apparatus for performing recording on a recording medium while performing main scanning and sub-scanning based on recording data. N unit recording element groups, a single or a plurality of the unit recording element groups, a recording element group prepared, an image data storage unit for storing the recording data as image data, Image data processing means for selecting image data in accordance with the arrangement of the unit recording element group from the storage unit and transferring the image data to the recording element group; and a main scanning drive unit for performing recording in the main scanning direction on the recording medium. A sub-scanning drive unit for performing recording in the sub-scanning direction on the recording medium; and a drive unit control unit that controls the main scan drive unit and the sub-scanning drive unit; After carrying out the sub-scan feed P dot interval fraction (K-1) times every main scanning of the recording element group, S
Repeat the sub-scan feed once for the dot interval,
K, N, S and P are printing apparatuses characterized by satisfying the following conditions. Further, the printing apparatus performs printing on a printing medium while performing main scanning and sub-scanning based on print data. A method of storing recording data as image data, a step of selecting image data according to the arrangement of the unit recording element group from the image data storage unit and transferring the image data to the recording element group, A process for controlling a main scanning drive unit for performing recording in the main scanning direction, and a sub-scanning drive unit for performing recording in the sub-scanning direction on a recording medium; and Sub-scan feed for P dot intervals for each main scan of the element group (K-1)
And performing a single sub-scan feed for the S dot interval after performing the number of times, and wherein K, N, S, and P satisfy the following conditions. . K and N are K / N irreducible fractions K and P are K / P irreducible fractions (P <N, positive
Integer) S is S = K × N− (K−1) × P dot

In the above K and N, K / N is an irreducible fraction.

K / P is an irreducible fraction (P ≦ N)
Is a positive integer).

The S is S = K × N− (K−1) × P dots.

The processing means processes one piece of the image data in correspondence with a plurality of the dots.

Further, the values of K and P are characterized in that K / P is an irreducible fraction (P <N, a positive integer satisfying P） 1).

[0020]

According to the present invention, there is provided a recording apparatus which employs an interlaced driving method which has a high image quality improving effect, makes a plurality of recording dots correspond to input data, and further performs recording data correction processing to determine dot recording data. It takes in and brings out the effect by the combined action.

[0021]

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

FIG. 1 shows a color or monochrome serial printer to which the present invention can be applied. 10
1 is a monochrome or color head including a recording element,
Numeral 02 is a recording paper as a non-recording material, and 103 is a platen. The head 101 performs a main scanning recording operation on the area A in the direction of the arrow. The main scanning operation is performed at a constant speed so as to record at a predetermined position using a pulse motor, a DC motor, or the like as a power source, and simultaneously records each color at the time of monochrome recording or color recording. After the main scanning, the recording paper 102 is rotated by rotation of the platen 103 or rotation of a paper feed roller (not shown).
Moves in the sub-scanning direction, and the recording main scanning is performed again.
A record is made.

FIG. 2 is an embodiment of the present invention, and shows a block diagram of components. Reference numeral 201 denotes a processing-related component, which includes a buffer memory 203, a processing unit 204, and a control unit 205. Reference numeral 202 denotes a mechanism-related constituent unit in which a recording element group 206 is arranged. In this apparatus which has received a recording instruction from a personal computer, a work station, or the like, processing for printer recording such as expansion of character data and expansion of graphics is performed, and the recording data is temporarily recorded in the buffer memory 203. The buffer memory is a memory in which recording data is partially arranged, and calls from the memory in accordance with the recording order are processed by the processing unit 204.
Perform according to the instructions. At this time, in order to generate one dot data for recording, one pixel data in the buffer memory 203 is not called and generated as it is. To determine. This processing method will be described later. The data determined by the processing means 204 is the recording element group 2
The data is transferred to a latch circuit for 06 (temporary holding circuit (not shown)). The control unit 205 is a unit that controls all operations such as the operation of the print head accompanying printing, a print operation instruction to a print element group, and movement of a print sheet. In this control means, interlaced scanning for recording described later is performed.

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the recording element group indicated by 206 in FIG. 2. FIG.
-B and C are examples of a color recording element group. Reference numeral 301 denotes a nozzle unit for ejecting ink of a recording element group, and 302 to 305.
Is an ink ejection element unit for causing the recording element group to perform an operation for recording, 306 and 309 are recording element holding units and ink supply units, 307 is a hole for an axis holding the recording element unit,
Reference numeral 308 denotes a cable for supplying an electric signal to the recording element group, and a tube for supplying ink. A plurality of nozzles 301 are arranged at regular intervals, and the recording element group is arranged in one row or in a plurality of rows to constitute a head as a whole. These heads are attached to the main scanning axis by holes 307 and perform a main scanning operation. At the time of main scanning, a signal accompanying data corresponding to the print position is supplied to the ink discharge unit 302 and the like via the cable 308, and the ink is discharged from the nozzle 301 to perform recording on a recording paper or the like. 3-B is an example in which the color nozzles are arranged in the main scanning direction, and 3-C is an example in which the color nozzles are arranged in the sub-scanning direction. Regardless of the configuration, the present invention can be applied if the nozzle configuration in the sub-scanning direction is set to the conditions described below. The ink tank may be provided outside the head or inside the head. However, in FIG. 3, ink is supplied to the head by a supply tube 308.

FIG. 4 shows an example of the arrangement of a recording element group according to the present invention. The recording element group is a component in the head shown in FIG. 3, and discharges ink from this nozzle.
This is for recording dots on recording paper. 4-A is a single-color recording element group having a single-row configuration, 4-B is a single-color two-column recording element group, and 4-C is a four-color recording element group. In each configuration example, the number of nozzles per color N = 15 and the nozzle interval K = 4. As for K and N at this time, K / N is an irreducible fraction.

4-A is simply 15 for 4 dots pitch per line.
The nozzles are arranged. With this configuration, for example, when the nozzle interval is 180 dpi (dots / inch) = 141 μm, a recording apparatus capable of expressing one dot at up to 720 dpi can be provided.

4-B is a single-color, two-row configuration.
The nozzle spacing in the sub-scanning direction is equal for both rows, the positions in the main scanning direction are shifted from each other, and the spacing in the sub-scanning direction for both rows is K = 4. Due to the difficulty in manufacturing such that one row is finely arranged, the arrangement is made in a plurality of rows. As described above, an arrangement of 90 dpi per column is achieved to enable the expressive power of 720 dpi. In the present embodiment, the interval in the sub-scanning direction is defined, the interval in the main scanning direction may be any interval, and the recording data corresponding to the main scanning interval is read from the buffer memory and recorded. I do.

FIG. 4C shows a structure for four-color printing. Each of M1, M2, M3, and M4 records an ink dot of a different color. Each color of M1, M2, M3, and M4 is, for example, magenta, cyan, yellow, and black. The nozzle pitch in the sub-scanning direction in one row of each color is K = 4 dots, and in the printing in one main scan, each color is printed at an interval of 4 dots. The nozzle interval in the sub-scanning direction for each color is H = 7. In this head, interlaced scanning for recording described below is performed.

When the respective element groups A, B, and C shown in FIG. 4 are mounted on the printer, they are arranged so as to be substantially perpendicular to the non-recording material (recording paper).

FIG. 5 shows an example of the configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.
An actual interlace driving method is shown by means of the above-described claims. In the case of a single color, only M1 is used, and in the case of color printing, the whole is M1.

First, the case of a single color will be described using the M1 part in FIG. As described above, the unit recording element group includes the number of nozzles N = 15 and the nozzle pitch K = 4. Similarly to the description of FIG. 14, the number of times of main scanning is represented by T, and 15 dots are recorded in the first scan T = 1.
In the second scan, P dot feed is performed in the sub-scanning direction, and T
= 2 scans are performed. The value of the sub-scan feed amount P is K
/ P is an irreducible fraction (P ≦ N, a positive integer), and here, P = 7 is selected. By this P feed, the second printing section is printed on a line that does not overlap with the dot line printed in the first time, and after T dots of T = 3 and T = 4 have been sent by P dots, print scanning is performed. One scanning is completed by these four scans, and the missing recording dot line disappears from the center in the sub-scanning direction, and the next scanning starts, and the missing recording dot line is sequentially filled. The number of P dot feeds is (K
-1) times, which is 3 times in this embodiment. In the next feed, the feed amount S is fed so as to reach the next dot line. The value of S is: S = N × K− (N−1) × P (1) From this, S = 4 × 15−3 × 7 = 39 dots in this embodiment. After performing this S feed once, P feed is again performed (K-
1) Repeat once. In summary, in the interlace drive of the present invention, after the P-dot sub-scan feed is repeated K-1 times,
S dot sub-scan feed is performed once.

Where K / N and K / P are irreducible fractions, P is a positive integer satisfying P ≦ N, and S is S = N × K− (N−1) × P.

If the conventional example and the present invention are described based on this relational expression, the case of P = 1 is the above-described one-dot line sub-scan feed interlace driving method, and the case of P = N is the equally spaced sub-scan feed interlace drive method. Is the law. It becomes effective by combining the interlaced driving method including the conventional driving method with the conditions described later. The recording operation is performed by giving an operation instruction by the CPU or the like by the control means 205 shown in FIG. 2 described above.

This single-color operation has been described for the case of one column in the sub-scanning direction. However, even in the case of plural lines of a single color as shown by 4-B in FIG. When a value is defined, it can be handled in the same manner as a unit recording element group having a single-row configuration in the main scanning direction.

The invalid recording area B in monochrome is B = (K−1) × (P−1) (2), and is an 18 dot line. In the case of equal-interval sub-scan feed interlace drive P = N = 18 under the same condition,
Since B = 42 dot lines, it has been reduced. For the sub-scan feed line, P = 7, S = 3
9 and P to S is slightly less than 6 times, whereas 1
In dot line sub-scan feed interlace drive, P
= 1, S = 47, P to S becomes 47 times. As a result, the variation in the feed amount during the feed is reduced.

Here, as described above, the interval between the columns in the main scanning direction can be freely set, and the alignment processing for recording the dots required for recording is performed by the buffer memory when the processing means 204 shown in FIG. This is set by the selected address from 203.

Next, the case of color printing will be described.
In the case of color printing, the whole of FIG.
It is composed of printing elements having colors M1, M2, M3, and M4, the number of nozzles N = 15, the nozzle pitch K = 4, and the nozzle spacing H = 7 for each color. Basically, the driving of M1 is configured with each color shifted by H = 7 dots, and the concept is the same as in the case of single color. The invalid area C in color is C = (K−1) × (P + H−1)... (3) by superimposition of four colors, and is reduced to C = 39 dot lines (equal-interval sub-scan feed interlace In the example of driving, C = 87). here,
The deviation amount H of the nozzle arrangement of the color recording element is not specified. In general, when the value of H is 0, the colors are arranged in parallel in the main scanning direction. In this case, simultaneous recording is performed at the same position of each color, which is disadvantageous in terms of the color mixing effect. H = 1
In the case of (1), simultaneous recording on the simultaneous line does not occur on the color mixing surface, which is advantageous. However, since the position of the nozzle end portion in the sub-scanning direction is close to each other, there is a possibility that the error occurs due to a slight feeding accuracy error. The deviation becomes easier to see. Therefore, it is desired that the selection of the value of H be large to some extent. Note that H = P
When = N is selected, this corresponds to the conventional equal-interval sub-scan feed interlace drive.

As for the method of selecting P, a range of positive integer values satisfying P ≦ N is defined in the case of non-conventional driving. However, as the value approaches N, the values of P and S approach, and the feed accuracy is reduced. Is effective, but the invalid range B = (K−1) × (P−
1) becomes larger. When P approaches 1, the opposite relationship is established. Therefore, the selection of P is made based on various conditions of the printer components, such as the length in the head sub-scanning direction, the variation in mechanical precision, the capacity of the buffer memory for storing data, and the like. In this case, P = N or 1 of the conventional example is also included.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the embodiment of the present invention, showing an example of correspondence between dots to be recorded and pixel data stored in the buffer memory 203. The diagram on the left is pixel information to be recorded, and each square indicates one pixel data. The diagram on the right shows the recording dots corresponding to that pixel. When the pixel 601 is to be recorded, one mask is composed of dots as shown in examples 651, 652, 653, and 654. Generally, if 601 is binary data, the output is recorded as binary data of one dot.
In the present invention, one pixel is composed of a plurality of dots. The configuration of the plurality of dots is selected from conditions such as the size, shape, and recording speed of the dots. By using the above-mentioned interlace driving method, the dot width in the sub-scanning direction can be set according to the sub-scanning driving conditions instead of the head dot width. Since it can be set, the rationalization of multiple recording dots in this patent is created. Further, in the case of a plurality of dots, the dot size of one dot can be set smaller than the conventional one-dot-per-pixel configuration.

FIG. 7 shows a specific embodiment of the processing means 204 of the patent component. Reference numeral 701 denotes original data of an image to be recorded, 702 denotes a pattern matching table for correction, 703 denotes comparison processing means, and 704 denotes output data. The final print dot is not determined by the input data itself, but new data is generated by calculation or table conversion from data around the print data. That is, in the present embodiment, the correction pattern 70 in which nine pixel data 701 that is the entire periphery of one dot is stored in advance.
2 to select an optimum table, and compare processing means 7
03, and output data 704 is obtained.

FIG. 8 explains the processing means 204. The data 801 extracted from the buffer memory 203 by the selected data extracting means 802 is compared by the pattern matching means 803, the output data is generated by the correction data generating means 804, and the recording data rearranging means 805 Sorting according to the order of the recording elements,
Alternatively, a selection is made, output as output data 806, and transferred to a latch circuit or the like of the recording element group.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of the embodiment, showing the arrangement of the processing results of the output data. The numbers H and V are obtained by numbering the dots at the time of recording in the arrangement order. First, a configuration of one pixel is an example of a two-dot configuration indicated by 651 in FIG. 6, and the arrangement is indicated by 901. When a circular dot shown in the figure is present as a processing output, and when printing is performed with K = 4 as shown in FIG. 4A at the time of printing, in this example, the dots are arranged to be shifted by half a dot in the main scanning direction. Further, since the output recording dots are composed of two dots, the simultaneous recording at the time of recording is performed by giving the data of one dot skipping in the sub-scan indicated by the hatched circle in the drawing to the recording element. When viewed in the sub-scanning direction, this means that data is generated at intervals of two dots. There is a method of generating the data in order and storing it, or a method of generating the data every time necessary data is generated. The method is selected according to the processing time and the margin of the memory.

FIG. 10 shows an example of the processing order in the case of the dot configuration shown in FIG. The reference pixel is a data generation method adapted to output necessary data when there is a processing means for outputting one dot with reference to nine pixels. The left side is the original data, the right side is the generated data, and the order of the vertical V and horizontal H is set in the arrangement of the recording results. This will be described in detail.

Two dots corresponding to one central pixel are generated from the nine pixels in the left hatched block by table matching processing such as table comparison. That is, the output is H
H data or L data at positions 002 and V002 are generated. Next, the input 9-pixel block is shifted by 2 pixels in the sub-scanning direction, the same processing is performed, and the outputs H002, V00
4 H data or L data is generated. In the same manner, processing for the number of simultaneous print nozzles is performed in the same manner, and one print data generation process is performed. After the data is obtained once, the same processing is performed in the main scanning direction, and the data processing for one main scanning line is performed. After the one-line main scanning process is completed, the feed in the sub-scanning direction is performed. The position corresponding to the feed amount is selected by the address of the memory, and the same processing is performed again. In the dot generation processing shown in this embodiment, recording dots are generated and transferred to a latch circuit or the like of a recording element group, and a memory for rearranging is unnecessary, but the sub-scanning direction processing cannot be continuously performed. Therefore, the number of times of processing increases. It can be determined by time margin and memory margin.

FIG. 11 shows an example of a comparison pattern when one dot is generated from nine pixels. With this correction pattern, correction that is strong against element variations of the printing apparatus can be performed. In this example of the pattern, dots corresponding to the center pixel are generated from the nine pixels shown in FIG. 7, but in this example, one pixel corresponds to two dots. Generate 3 dots,
The final dot is determined by OR processing or AND processing on a plurality of results. The left side of the figure is a reference pixel, and the right side is a generated dot. 11A to 11E are shown as examples of reference pixels, and recording and non-recording of the central three dots are made to correspond to each reference pattern. The pattern shown in this figure is an example of the contents of the pattern matching table 703 in FIG.

FIG. 12 shows a corrected recording result output in the pattern example shown in FIG. 11, a standard recording recorded without correction,
In addition, about the characteristic of the raw recorded raw data,
12A to 12D. In standard printing when one pixel corresponds to two dots, lines cannot be separated in black and white one-line recording 12B, but can be separated in corrected recording. In the two-line black and white recording 12C, the thickness of black and white can be corrected by the correction. This example includes a case where the details of the thickness correction cannot be faithfully represented by the method of taking the pattern of FIG. However, this is not a problem from the viewpoint of visual acuity determination in practical use. 11D is an example in which one line of black and white is continuously arranged, and reproducibility faithful to visual acuity is expected by correction recording.

FIG. 13 shows the result of correction printing in the embodiment of FIG. 12 in which variations in lines in the sub-scanning direction are added. The line shown in the variation recording result shows the amount of deviation in the sub-scanning direction. Although the tolerance varies depending on the size of the output dot, the expressive power does not change even if the shift amount is large as compared with FIG.

In the present embodiment, the reference pixel for correction is described as nine pixels, but the size of the pixel depends on the requirements of the apparatus and can be set freely. In addition, as for the constituent dots of the recording, the output two dots have been described. However, as shown in FIG. 6, a plurality of dots are effective. Also, various values can be selected for the interlace drive head condition, feed condition, and the like.

[0049]

As described above, according to the present invention, the K / K dot interval and the recording element group of N nozzles are K / K.
N is an irreducible fraction, a positive integer value of P ≦ N, S = N × K−
An interlaced driving method in which a P-dot sub-scan feed having a condition of (N−1) × P is repeated (K−1) times and an S-dot sub-scan feed is performed once, Since the configuration is made by using a plurality of dots and by adding a correction process to the output dots, the effect of interlace driving, that is, the degree of demand for head fine processing can be reduced, and the effect of making one pixel a plurality of dots, That is, even though the size of one dot is small, white spots such as fading can be suppressed, and at the same time, smooth expression can be achieved, and the effect of the output dot correction process, that is, the expression power is not reduced with respect to mechanical variation. The recording quality can be improved without any price increase. Rukoto can.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing one configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of one configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of one configuration of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory view of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory view of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory view of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a diagram of a conventional example.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of a conventional example.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram of a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 203 buffer memory 204 processing means 205 control means 206 print element group 301 print nozzle

Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-4-358859 (JP, A) JP-A-53-2039 (JP, A) JP-A-58-72467 (JP, A) JP-A-62-11651 (JP, A) JP-A-4-281672 (JP, A) JP-A-2-60764 (JP, A) JP-A-3-18659 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB Name) B41J 2/51 B41J 2/21 H04N 1/034

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A printing apparatus for performing printing on a printing medium while performing main scanning and sub-scanning based on print data, comprising: N unit printing elements arranged at intervals of K dots in a sub-scanning direction. A group, a single recording element group, or a recording element group prepared by preparing a plurality of unit recording element groups; an image data storage unit that stores the recording data as image data; and the unit recording element group from the image data storage unit. Image data processing means for selecting image data in accordance with the arrangement of the image data and transferring the selected image data to the recording element group; a main scanning drive unit for performing recording in the main scanning direction on the recording medium; and sub scanning on the recording medium. A sub-scanning drive unit for performing recording in a direction, and a drive unit control unit that controls the main scanning drive unit and the sub-scanning drive unit. P for each scan
After performing the sub-scan feed for the dot interval (K-1) times,
A recording apparatus characterized in that the sub-scan feed for S dot intervals is repeated once, and K, N, S, and P satisfy the following conditions. K and N are K / N irreducible fractions K and P are K / P irreducible fractions (P <N, positive
Integer) S is S = K × N− (K−1) × P dot 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: dot correction means for correcting recording data based on the peripheral image data when selecting the image data, and calculating the recording data based on the peripheral image data. 2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the correction is performed by referring to a pattern matching table to generate correction data for printing, and then transferred in accordance with the arrangement of the printing element group. 3. A printing method for performing printing on a printing medium while performing main scanning and sub-scanning based on printing data, the printing method comprising: storing printing data as image data; A process of selecting image data in accordance with the arrangement of the unit recording element group and transferring the image data to the recording element group; a main scanning drive unit for performing recording in a main scanning direction on a recording medium; and a sub-scanning unit on the recording medium. A sub-scanning drive unit for performing printing in the direction; and a driving control unit. The drive unit control unit controls P for each main scan of the printing element group.
After performing the sub-scan feed for the dot interval (K-1) times,
A step of repeating one sub-scan feed for S dot intervals, wherein K, N, S, and P satisfy the following conditions. K and N are K / N irreducible fractions K and P are K / P irreducible fractions (P <N, positive
Integer) S is S = K × N− (K−1) × P dot