JP2934348B2 - Printing equipment - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0001] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention
Store the image information and read the amount of information necessary for printing as appropriate.
The present invention relates to a printing apparatus that performs printing at high speed. [0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Various printing apparatuses are opened by printing techniques.
However, the electrophotographic method requires a large device,
There is a disadvantage that the cost of the apparatus is also high. Also serial printer
One of them is the wire dot method, which is inexpensive.
Although it is a case, there is a drawback that noise is loud. Compared to
In addition, the inkjet recording device can print at high speed with low noise.
It can use inexpensive plain paper and record kanji and figures.
Record that the font and size can be easily changed
It has the flexibility and the expandability of functions such as color. Only
There was still room for improvement. [0003] [0004] [0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points.
The purpose is to arrange them vertically.
Recording in which multiple recording elements are divided into multiple blocks
A printing device that performs recording by scanning the head in the horizontal direction
The tilt of dot recording regardless of the scan direction of the recording head.
The quality of the image
To do it. [0006] [0007] Means for Solving the Problems To achieve the above object,
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a storage unit for storing image data.
And a plurality of printing elements arrayed in the vertical direction
Scans the recording head divided into
And a scanning unit that scans the recording head in a first direction.
When recording with images, the images are recorded sequentially from the top to the bottom of the image.
The image data is read from the storage means so that
The recording elements divided into a number of blocks are driven in time series.
And moving the recording head in a second direction opposite to the first direction.
When scanning and recording, record sequentially from the bottom of the image to the top
Image data stored in the storage means,
Reads the recording element divided into multiple blocks
Control means for driving in a row.
You. Here, preferably, the first direction is from left to right.
And the second direction is a right-to-left direction.
You. [0008] According to the present invention, storage means for storing image data
And a plurality of printing elements arrayed in the vertical direction
Scans the recording head divided into
Recording means for performing recording,
When scanning by scanning in the first direction, the top of the image
Image data from the storage means so that they are recorded sequentially from
Data is read out and the recording element divided into multiple blocks
Are driven in chronological order, and the recording head is moved in the first direction.
When scanning and recording in the opposite second direction,
Stored in the storage means so that they are recorded sequentially from top to bottom.
Read out the image data
The recording elements are driven in time series. That is, the present invention
Now, according to the scan direction of the print head,
Or by recording the image from bottom to top,
Regardless of the scan direction of the print head,
Can always be matched. As a result, the present invention
According to this, even in high-speed reciprocating printing, there is no
A quality image is obtained. [0009] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.
Will be described. FIG. 1 shows an example of the configuration of a printing apparatus according to the present invention.
Where 101 is an input device for supplying color image information
For example, a three-color separation scanner device, a computer
Data, image files, word processors, facsimile
Which device. 102 is supplied from the input device 101
An image processing unit for processing the image information;
The image density bit pattern information supplied from the processing unit 102
And a frame memory 104 for storing information.
Transfer the amount of information necessary to
Buffer memory for receiving and temporarily storing
Is based on the image information supplied from the buffer memory 104.
A driver for driving the print head of the output device 106
You. The output device 106 is a multi-purpose print head.
It has a nozzle inkjet head and has a recording medium such as recording paper.
Reproduce and print color originals on the body. Reference numeral 107 denotes each of the above-described devices.
Control signals 109-111,1
Control computer controlling via 13 and 114
(CPU) and 108 are connected to the computer 107 and printed.
Display keyboard and control information for setting printing conditions
CPU input / output device (control console) having a monitor unit
It is. Details of the configuration and operation of each device in FIG.
Will be described later with reference to FIG. 2 and subsequent figures, but before that, FIG.
An outline of the operation of the entire apparatus will be described. Reading from original image by input device 101
After color separation, the color image information (signal
) Is supplied to the image processing unit 102 to perform necessary image processing.
receive. That is, in the image processing unit 102, the input original image density is
The pressure consisting of the upper bits obtained by adding the dither signal to the degree information
Pattern generator (pattern generator) for reduced density information
Into the original density bit pattern information,
The data is supplied to the frame memory 103 and stored. Pattern
Nerator can perform complementary color conversion and also change the density curve.
Can be. To make this output image have halftone expression
In addition to digital halfton expression processing, masking processing,
Screen corner processing, black plate processing, or under color removal processing
This is performed by the image processing unit 102. Next, printing is performed from the frame memory 103.
Image information for each minimum unit required for
04 and the buffer memory 104 makes printing easier.
Transfer to the driver 105 with appropriate processing
You. The driver 105 is a frame memory at the time of printing.
Control the address of the buffer 103 and from the buffer memory 104
Select the print head according to the supplied image information
Reproduce and print color images on recording paper. At that time, the output device 1
06 multi-nozzles at a time
It is preferable to drive with electricity. That is, multi-nozzle
The image information amount of each minute is serially arranged, and several groups
Image information through the signal lines
Information and serials divided for each group
By the synchronization signal which synchronizes the image signal with the nozzle to print
Distribute signals. In addition, the driver 105
Move the scalpel head back and forth in the head scanning direction.
Image printing is performed at the time of backward scanning. Note that the head
For example, a multi-nozzle with 128 nozzles and one
A head having four heads for four colors is suitable.
is there. FIGS. 2 and 3 show the input device 101 of FIG.
An example of the configuration is shown.
Take an image reading device with m-film as an example
I do. Here, reference numeral 501 denotes a light source, for example, a color temperature of 38.
00 ° K, 100W, 28lm / W (1m is lumen)
Halogen lamps and the like. 502 is halogen
Cooling fan for cooling the pump 501 and the reflecting plate 503.
Fan motor. 504 is a heat ray absorption filter, 505 is parallel
The optical system 506 for converting the light into light
It is a slit plate having a wide slit. 507 is the file
Lum container, 508 is a film feed sprocket, 50
9 is the whole developed color film, 510 is image reading
511 is a film screen for a pulse motor.
Lum feed drive motor, 512 detects film position
For example, slit holes or screen edges
To detect the film position. 513R is a receiving unit composed of a CCD line sensor.
An optical device, for example, T made by Toshiba having 2048 light receiving elements
CD101C or the like is used. 514R is a relay lens
The second optical system 515 includes a field lens
The first optical system, 516B is a CCD receiver, and 517B is a
A third optical system 51 having the same function as the second optical system 514, 51
8 is a dichroic lamp that reflects red light and transmits light of other wavelengths.
Mirror 519 reflects blue light and transmits light of other wavelengths
520G is an image forming optical system, 52
1G is a CCD light receiving device. Next, the operation of the image reading apparatus 101 shown in FIG.
Will be described. First, light was emitted from the halogen lamp 501.
Directly emits light and reflects from the 503 reflector to heat rays
After passing through the absorption filter 504,
Put into the optical system 505 and irradiate the film surface unnecessarily.
The width is limited by the slit plate 506 to prevent
After passing through the image reading film 510, the first optical system
515, and irradiates the dichroic mirror 518.
You. Red light image reflected by dichroic mirror 518
Into the second optical system 514R, whereby the film 5
The 10 scan planes are imaged on the light receiver 513R. this
At this time, color compensation is performed between the light receiver 513R and the second optical system 514R.
A regular filter may be attached. On the other hand, the light passes through the dichroic mirror 518
The reflected light is reflected by the next dichroic mirror 519
And transmit only light of other wavelengths. Dichroic
The light reflected by the blue light by the mirror 519 is transmitted to the optical system 517B.
A blue light image is formed on the light receiver 516B. Dichroic
The light transmitted through the mirror 519 becomes green light.
On the CCD receiver 521G by the imaging optical system 520R.
Form a green light image. This CCD light receiver 521G
It is good to put a color correction filter before. Each CCD 513R, 516B and 521
Each color original image signal formed on G is photoelectrically converted, and each CC is converted.
When outside the CCD through a shift register (not shown) in D
Output as a sequence signal. One line of film 510
After scanning is completed, the film feed drive motor 511
The film 510 is advanced by one line in the direction of the arrow, and
The next line is connected to each of CCDs 513R, 516B and 5C.
A color separation image is formed on 21G. FIG. 3 shows a circuit configuration of the input device 101 of FIG.
An example is shown. First, a CCD 513R for detecting a red light image is used.
Output information to video amplifier through data line 320R
Amplify by 315R and convert it to analog to digital converter
At 316R, the data is converted into an analog digital value. 317 is a
Analog data to analog digital converter (ADC) 316R
Give sampling timing for digital conversion (ADC)
Signal line. This is because other CCDs 516B and
And 521G have the same configuration. 319 is a film position
The detection signal lines 322 are connected to the CCDs 513R and 516, respectively.
B, 521G sampling pulse line, 323
This is a lock pulse line. Sampling pulse line
322 to CCD 513R, 516B, 521G
The light receiving time is controlled by the clock pulse line 323.
Control the image signal output speed. 324 is a film
This is a feed pulse motor signal line.
Film line drive motor (pulse
Motor 511). FIG. 4 shows an example of the configuration of the image processing unit 102 in FIG.
Here is an example. Digital halftone representation and data compression dynamics
The operation will be described with reference to FIG. The line of each color is
Since the configuration is almost the same, a red light image is used to simplify the description.
Only the line will be described. An image in which the density of an original image is represented by a digital amount
Data is supplied from line 354R and is usually 8 bits
It has a density resolution of about (bit) (256 gradations).
The dither signal generated periodically from the counter 363 is
Input to the digital adder 350R via the signal line 359.
Is added to the above image data. At this time, for example, the image
The dot diameter is 100 μmφ, and one pixel is a 4 × 4 dot mat.
Expressed in ricks, the length of one side of one pixel output
Is [0027] (Equation 1) Thus, the basic number of gradations is 17 gradations. Minute
In terms of resolution, increasing the pixel size any further
Since it is not desirable, in this example, it is set to about 282.8 μm.
You. Therefore, as the data line 355R in this case,
Since only 5 bits are required, the number of dither bits is (8 bits
-5 bits) = 3 bits. Therefore, the counter 36
Reference numeral 3 denotes a 3-bit counter. Also, the counter 36
3 is connected to an initial value setting data line 369 and
One step per pixel in the X and Y axes in the printing direction
Stepping pulse lines 367 and 368 that generate
Connecting. Data line from digital adder 350R
Output the upper 5 bits dithered to 355R,
The three bits of the place are omitted. The line memory 351R stores data.
For one line of CCD supplied through the printer line 355R.
Store the data. 360 is an address of the line memory 351R.
3 shows a dress and a read / write control line. 364 is a lie
Memory memory address counter and control signal generator.
You. The counter (CNT2) 364 is a control CPU 107
From the signal supplied through line 371 from
Is latched, and one line is sequentially scanned.
Sometimes, increments supplied from line 370
The count value CNT2 is incremented by the loose signal. Also,
Read liner 351R by counter 364
Control of write and address and control lines 360
I do. The line memory 351R is composed of 5 bits per pixel.
If the CCD 513R has a 1728 pixel configuration, 864
0-bit memory capacity is required. 356R is a line
Data read from memory 351R to supply data
Line, which is also a 5-bit data line
is there. 352C is a pattern generator,
Here, while converting the density data into a density pattern,
Complementary color conversion is also performed. In addition, generator 352C
By changing the value of the turn generator (PG),
You can also change the degree curve. 357C is a complement of the red light image.
This is a pattern line of cyan density which is a color. This line
357C is 4 bits. 353C is 16 bit
Larel register (LATCH), frame memory
The 4-bit data input so that it can be easily transferred to 103
Four times, 16-bit data is generated and the frame
Transfer to the memory 103. 362 is a 16-bit parallel
Data is latched in the register 353C four times in 4-bit order.
Address and control lines for switching. 366 is
4-bit data in the parallel register (latch circuit) 353C
This is a counter for switching and storing data. 373
Is a counter for the latch timing from the external CPU 107.
366 is a signal line to be transmitted. FIG. 5 shows the structure of the frame memory 103 shown in FIG.
An example is shown below. The capacity of the page memory 381 is, for example,
If the amount of force information is 1500 × 1500 pixels, per color
1000^Two × 4^Two bit = 16,000,000 bits
= 16Mbit = 1MW (megaword) memory required
And Bits of image data are stored in the page memory 381.
The pattern is stored. 382Y is a data output line
And has a 16-bit configuration. 383 is a page memo
Address control line for the page selection line and
And a read / write control line. 384 is a counter
(CNT5). 385 is an initial address setting line, 3
86 is an increment and decrement pulse line.
You. FIG. 6 and FIG.
A series of images up to the image processing unit 102 and the page memory unit 103
4 shows an example of a timing chart of image signal generation. First,
Store the original image signal for one line in the line memory 351R.
The start signal (1A) indicating what should be done
Release from 07. Thereby, the inside of the input device 101
Ready / busy (R) by a latch circuit (not shown)
EADY / BSY) signal (1F) is set to High (hereinafter referred to as High).
Lower H). Before this state, the reading light source 50
1 etc. are set up, so on CCD513R
Has a latent image formed thereon, and therefore the electronic shutter signal (1
C) converts the photoelectrically converted signal in the CCD 513R into a signal.
To the shift register (not shown). This transfer ends
And the original image signal is time-series according to the internal clock (1D)
The original image signal is converted to analog / digital
(A / D) Analog / digital by sample signal (1E)
Tal conversion (A / D conversion). A / D converted original image information
The initial value is stored by the control CPU 107 based on the
A counter 363 is set through the line 369. Obedience
Therefore, the initial value is added to the first original image information.
350R, and the upper 5 bits of the result are
It is output on the line 355R. This dither is added
The upper 5 bits of the data read from the line memory read pulse (2
B) is read into the line memory 351R. At this time, the line memory address is
The initial value is set in the counter 364 via the
Therefore, if the initial value is set to 0, the counter 364 is set to CN
Since T2 = 0, the address 0 in the line memory 351R
Data is written. Next, the clock pixel of the second pixel
Data of the second pixel is A / D converted by the
At the same time, the stepping pulse of the dither counter 363 is generated.
Input from line 367, counter C of counter 363
One is added (stepped) to the NT1 value. Also at the same time line
The line memory address is supplied from 367 and the counter 3
Step one 64. Therefore, the value CN of the counter 363
T1 is set to the initial value + "1" data, and the counter
The counter value of 364 is CNT2 = 1. in this way
And the A / D converted second pixel data and the counter
CNT1 value is added, and the upper 5 bits are
Output on the button 355R. This output data is
The first memory is read by the in-memory read pulse (28).
Stored in the memory 351R. Similarly, dither addition is performed for each pixel data.
The upper 5 bits of the result are line-memo
Stored in the file 351R. Perform this operation for 1000 pixels.
Then, the line memory 351R becomes full. This number of pixels
(1000 pixels) counter (not shown)
READY / BSY signal (1F)
To Thus, A / D conversion for one line of the original image,
The dither addition and the memory storage operation are completed. In addition, 1
READY / BSY signal (1F) for line is reset
1 step pulse to the film feed motor 511 before
(1B), and transports the film 509. One of the reasons for performing dither addition is as follows.
Since the dot diameter is usually about 100 μmφ, one pixel matrix
Because you can't make it bigger,
This is because if the gradation is increased, the resolution is deteriorated. Normal,
For non-silver salt records, a 4x4 matrix is generally used.
It is. However, in a 4 × 4 matrix, there are 17 tones.
And a good image quality is not obtained. On the other hand, a human visual characteristic has a large area.
You can judge a lot of gradation, but in a small area
Requires a resolution, and the gradation cannot be judged very much. This
Because of the visual characteristics such as
Instead of truncating the lower 3 bits, the dither signal is
Base density according to the original density signal
The average image density is equivalently changed by changing the appearance probability of the pattern.
I try to change it. This allows for a relatively large area
In the case of uniform density expression, equivalently, 8bi
t, that is, 257 gradation representations are possible, while 283
With a pixel of about μm, it can be reduced to 17 gradations
You. However, this allows for gradation expression without sacrificing resolution.
Since the image can be expanded, the image quality is further improved. In addition, dither
Another reason for performing the calculation is that a density expression equivalent to 8 bits is equivalent to
5 bits can be expressed, memory compression and
Because it becomes. Next, original image data equivalent to one CCD line
Is stored in the line memory 351R, and the density data
Is converted to a complementary color, the density pattern data is converted, and 1W (W
7) For the operation of arranging as data, see FIG.
4 and FIG. The density data stored in the line memory 351R
Data in the page memory 381 as bit pattern data.
The storing operation is performed by the conversion start signal as shown in FIG.
Start by (2G). Conversion start signal (2G)
Thus, when the READY / BSY signal (2H) becomes H,
The line memory address supplied from the control CPU 107
The initial value of the
Is set. However, the initial value at that time is set to 0. Obedience
Therefore, the value CNT2 of the counter 364 becomes CNT2 = 0.
You. This address (2C) is sent to the line memory 351R.
Line memory supplied via line 360
Pulse signal (2D), on the data line 356R
And outputs the data stored at the address. Sand
The first pixel density data is the PG address line 35.
Output on 6R. On the other hand, the pattern generator
Address counter 365 for the
Control the address register 366 for the register 353
Initialized by the CPU 107. Its initial value is
Normally, CNT3 = 0 and CNT4 = 0. Follow
In this case, the pattern generator (PG) 352C
, The density data on line 356R
Output from the address value (ADR) and the counter 365
Address value (ADR) and the entire address value
(ADR). Address output from counter 365
Address line 361 for transmitting address, 2 bits
Transmit data. This address is a 4x4 matrix
Is used to select a column address. Next, according to the register latch signal (2F),
Bit pattern of the first row of the first pixel data
In parallel every 4 bits through data line 357C
To a parallel register (latch circuit) 35
Latch to 3C. At this time, 353C of register 366
The value CNT4 of the application selection address is 0 as described above
The bit pattern of the first row of the first pixel is latched.
Stored first in the dress. When this storage is completed,
Memory address increment pulse is applied to control line 3
70, and the counter value of the counter 364 is CN
T2 = 01_H , The counter value of the register 366 is CNT4
= 01_H And the counter value of the counter 365 is CNT
3 = 0 remains. In this state, the line memory 351R
The second address data of the line memory read pulse
A signal (2D) is output, and this is output to the data line 356.
To the address of the pattern generator 352C via R
I do. In this state, the PG address of the counter 365 is
Since (2E) is not different from the first pixel address,
From the pattern generator 352C, the second pixel
One row is output on line 357C. This output data
By the second register latch pulse (2F).
Store in the 4th to 7th bits of the real register 353C.
You. Similarly, when this cycle is performed four times,
Complete the P1 cycle. At this point, 16 bits, 1W
An operation for transferring data to the page memory 381 is started.
You. That is, the page memory address setting value is
The counter 38 from the control CPU through the control line 385
Give to 4. At this time, page select line information is also included
This is as described above with reference to FIG. Counter 3
Since the value of 84 is generally 0 at the beginning,
0 from the control line 383 to the address of the page memory 381
Is set. In this state, the page memory write pulse (3
A) is released and the first one-word (Word) data
Is stored at address 0 of the page memory 381.
You. After sending the page memory write pulse (3A),
Pulse of memory address increment pulse (3B)
The counter 384 is entered through a line 386. This cow
The counter value of the counter 384 is CNT5 = 01._H Becomes P1 cycle processing and frame memory described above
Transfer to CCD 103 is performed for one line of CCD 513R (162
This cycle is set to P0 every three pixels). 162
Line memory address pulse (2C) of the third pixel is emitted
The pattern generator address at the same time
A increment pulse is output. This makes the cash register
The value of the star 365 is CNT3 = 01_H Becomes 1623 strokes
The raw data is converted to a bit pattern and the frame
When transferred to the memory 103, the value of the counter 364 becomes CN
Initialized through control line 371 so that T2 = 0
Is done. At the same time, the value of the counter 366 is also CNT4 = 0.
Initialized. This initialization is the first half of the process.
Dot matrix for density data of CCD line
Only the bit pattern in the first row of the page memory 3
It is done because you are in 81. Next, the value of the register 365 is CNT3 = 0.
1_H In this state, the same operation as above is repeated
Density data for one line in the memory 351R
Is read again. When reading the second line memory
Indicates that the pattern generator 352C has the bit in the second row.
It has switched to the pattern. 16 bits every 4 times
Frame memory 10 while converting it into 1-word memory units.
Transfer to 3. In this manner, input from the input device 101
The original image density data for one CCD line is read four times and
Access the turn generator 352C. that time
The column address of the bit pattern is
It is switched every time by a bit signal. Parallel register 35
Input to the 3C in units of 4 pixels and store it in the frame memory 103
Forward. As a result, the original image is stored in the page memory 381.
Image information is stored in a density bit pattern state.
As described above, after the cycle P0 is repeated four times,
READY / BSY signal (2H) is low (Low, below)
L). This allows the bit pattern to be
A series of processes for converting
Is completed. FIG. 8 shows data from the frame memory 103.
Then, the recording head 410 (see FIG. 15) described later is driven.
1 shows an example of the configuration of the apparatus before the operation, and here, 109A
And 109B are between the input device 101 and the control CPU 107.
A communication line for exchanging signals. This line 10
9A or 109B, the film feed pulse mode
A control pulse, a sample pulse of the A / D converter 316,
And signals such as a film leading edge detection pulse come and go.
Reference numeral 110 denotes a control line, which is transmitted from the control CPU 107.
Initial address setting value of each counter 363 to 366,
A signal such as a increment pulse is transmitted. Image processing unit 10
Controls 16-bit, 1-word data signal processed in step 2.
The data bus 2 is connected to the address given by the board 204.
13 through the page memory 38 of the frame memory 103
1 is stored. Therefore, the frame memory 103
The printer 384 is mounted in the control board 204.
You. A control circuit 211 is a clock for frame memory.
Generator and refresh address counter
Includes built-in refresh controller. Control circuit 2
11 is a data access from outside the frame memory 103.
If not, and if the frame
Forced refresh when memory 103 accesses
It performs the function of switching to the menu mode. Data bus described above
213, address bus 214 and control bus line 11
1A is a diagram of the control board 207 and the buffer memory 104.
Also connected to the latch circuit 208, the frame memory 103
Data is transferred to D through these bus lines 213 and 214.
Buffer by MA (Direct Memory Access Method)
The data is transferred to the latch circuit 208 of the memory 104. Reference numeral 205 denotes a displacement of the head 410 for four colors.
Print dots overlap correctly when printing
The printing start and completion timing of each head 410
It is a control board for controlling, and also controls during printing. 2
06 is a controller for controlling the entire control boards 205 to 209.
Troller. 207 sets a frame memory address.
This is an address counter section for setting. Latch circuit 2
08 is an address counter section through the data bus 213.
The address data designated by 207 is latched. Also,
The latch circuit 208 is provided so that the print head 410 has 128 nozzles for each color.
16-bit data on the data bus 2
13 and read this data 8 times,
Send to 105. The head of this head driver 105
Activate multi-nozzle head 410 by drive signal
And print the image. FIG. 9 shows the controller (control board) 2 of FIG.
06 shows an example of the configuration. First, the frame memory 104
Of the reference signal (φ_cp) Line
237 is supplied to the main substrate 206. Reference signal φ_cp
Is the maximum that can access the data in the frame memory 104.
It is a continuous pulse whose cycle is a small interval. Φ in the figure₁ , Φ
_Two Clock is the reference signal φ_cp1/2 frequency clock
And both are 180 ° out of phase. When the power is turned on, an initial reset pulse IRS
T (not shown). This initial reset pulse
Latch circuits 801, 805, 814, 8 by IRST
28, and at the same time, counters 808, 819, 82
Also clear 4,832. Initial reset pulse IRST
Is a low level a few milliseconds after the power is turned on.
), Various latch circuits 801, 805,
814,828 and counters 808,819,82
4,832 initialization is completed. Next, printing is started from the control CPU 107.
When the pulse STR is released, the latch circuit 801 sets Q = H
high (hereinafter referred to as H). This printing start pal
The STR usually has a pulse width of about 1 msec.
I have. Therefore, the output of the AND gate 803 is 1 msec.
c, a set pulse that is about H is output.
The set pulse is input to the switch circuit 805 and the Q output is output.
The force becomes H. Therefore, the base from AND gate 807
Reference signal φ_cpPulse synchronized with the counter 808 (CNT
Enter 1) and perform the stepping operation. 808 is N-ary binary
The value of the counter 808 is
It can be changed arbitrarily according to the set value. 810 is a comparator
And the value of the counter 808 matches the value of the setting device 811
Output a coincidence pulse when the timer T1
, And the counter through OR gates 809 and 806.
Resetting the data 808 and the latch circuit 805. So
Timer T1 (RST1) of each I.N. C reset time
This is to correct the variation. One from timer T1
The shot pulse is also input to the latch circuit 814, and the
The output Q of the circuit 814 is set to H. In the above period, the frame memory 10
Memory read signal notifying that access to 3 starts
The signal MRE is output from the Q output of the latch circuit 805.
Thereby, the page memory 381 for four colors is accessed.
Counters chip select signals CS0-CS3 for
Supplied from 808. At the same time, the frame memory 103
The data value of the supplied address is stored in the buffer memory 104.
One-shot strobe pulse MSTRB for reading
Generated by the timer (T7) 818. Address in
Increment pulse ADR. PLS is issued by timer T8
Live. The time chart of each of these pulses is shown in FIG.
(A) and (B) show the state of the memory read signal MRE.
Details during one cycle are shown in FIG. The chip select supplied from the counter 808
16 signals for 4 pages of 4 colors according to the scan signals CS0 to CS3
Bit data is read out in time series and the strobe pulse is read.
Latch circuit 2 of buffer memory 104 by MSTRB
08. That is, the counter 808 is a setting device
(SET1) The octal counter is set by 811 and
Address to frame memory 103 ends CS3 mode
After one address increment pulse ADR.
Released from PLS and incremented or decremented
Is Switching of increase / decrease of the address is performed by the control CPU.
/ 07. As is apparent from the above description, the latch time
While the Q output of the path 805 is H, the page memory of each color
The period during which one word (word) of data is transferred
Become. When one word (Word) transfer is completed,
Switch 814 is set. Multi-nozzle head 410
, The latch circuit 814 sets the output Q high.
During one word (Word) latched in the previous period.
Data for converting data to 128-bit serial data.
Create a pulse. The shift pulse is supplied to the AND gate 816
Output as a pulse SFT1. This shift pulse S
The shift register provided in the buffer memory 104 by FT1
Activate the register (not shown). Output of latch circuit 814
When Q becomes H, the AND gate 81 is driven by the clock φ2.
7, the counter 819 is operated.
Is compared with the value set by the setting device 821.
The operation is performed by the comparator 820.
19 is set to an arbitrary counter value. Comparator 8
20 and the timer (T2) 822 as described above.
To reset the counter value of the comparator 820.
While the counter 824 is activated. During this time
The time chart of FIG. 10A is shown in FIG.
Show. For one reading from the frame memory 103
16 bit, 1 word data per buffer memory 1
This data is transferred to the latch circuit 208 of FIG.
Serial arrangement is performed for each bit. So shift
16 pulses SFT1 are emitted each time. 16
When the first shift pulse SFT1 is emitted, the comparison
820, a coincidence pulse is released from the latch circuit 814.
Reset and at the same time
Switch 805 and set the frame memory 103 again.
Enter the access mode. At that time,
Data 207 is increased or decreased by one from the previous time.
Is stored in the latch circuit 208 of the buffer memory 104.
The next 16 bits of data are input and latched. Less than,
As described above, the currently latched data and the previous shift
32 bits of data input to the register, 2 words
The whole is again shifted to 16 bits by the shift pulse SFT1.
To shift. Reference numeral 824 denotes a counter, which is a 16-bit data.
Controls how many times the data is input to the buffer memory 104
Things. In this embodiment, the multi-nozzle head 410
128/16 = 8 times for 128 units per unit
Data may be received from the frame memory 103. So
Therefore, the decoder 825 determines whether the frame memory 103
Decodes the number of times these data have been received, and
Output at the load value, and stop various input pulses after that.
Need to be stopped. Therefore, the data from decode 825
The code output is supplied to the OR gate 815 and the latch circuit 8
14 and at the same time,
Switch 805 is also reset. As a result, each subsequent
Stop generating seed control pulses. On the other hand, the decoder 825
The timer (T3) 827 is activated by the output of
Operation of the latch circuit 828 while stopping the
To start. The time chart of the above operation is shown in FIG.
The results are shown in the circles A to D of (A). Φ3 in the figure is the control board
Clock from a free-running oscillator (not shown)
It is. Clock φ3 cycle to multi-nozzle 410
Nozzle energizing time T_H Take longer. Latch circuit
When the latch output Q of 828 becomes H, the print start mode is set.
You. Synchronized with clock φ3 from the output of AND gate 829
The timer (T4) 830 is activated.
Timer (T4) 830 is for each one of multi-nozzle 410
This is a timer that determines the power supply time of the battery. T4 timer 8
The operation of the counter 832 is opened by the fall of 30 pulses.
Start. This counter (CNT4) 832 has 128 bits.
This controls the number of times that printing should be performed. Nozzle output from timer (T4) 830
Drive pulse passes through the safety circuit 831, one of which is a timer
(T7) The shift pulse SFT2 is created by 818,
The other goes directly to a line 1306 in FIG.
The nozzle drive pulse of timer (T4) 830 is also counted.
832, and the output pulse from the timer 830 becomes 16
Control to come out. The 16th pulse is the decoder 8
Upon exiting 33, the pulse is output to timers 834 and 83
5 to reset the latch circuit 801.
Data for one head of multi-nozzle is stored in frame memory 10
3 and the operation up to printing is completed. It
At the same time, the various latch circuits 805 of FIG.
Are reset and initialized. A control line 1305 shown in FIG.
Is generated by the counter 838 in FIG.
Is done. That is, the counter 8 is controlled by the SFT2 clock.
Increments the count of 38, and the signal WRT
Put on the gate. The above time chart is shown in FIG.
The results are shown in (D) to (E). FIG. 11 shows the print timing between the print heads in FIG.
Of the control board 205 for controlling the amount of misalignment and printing.
An example of the configuration is shown, where reference numeral 1101 denotes a registration register for each color.
Port for reading the option setting value.
Registration setting value data is sent from the server. 1
102 is a presettable counter. 1103 is system
Receives control pulse PX sent from CPU 107
This is a force terminal. The presettable counter 1102 is
It starts printing and starts the pulse motor 4
04 (see FIG. 15 described later) every time the control pulse
PX sent from CPU 107 through input terminal 1103
Then, the count number is reduced by one pulse in response to this. Mosquito
The counter 1102 outputs when the count value becomes 0 or less.
Output carry to line 1104 and change from H to L
You. Therefore, the pulse PX supplied from the terminal 1103
Is stopped from inputting to the counter 1102. This
Head 410 for the registration set in advance.
Signal to stop printing through the AND gate 1106 and
And output as a signal PRT through the selector circuit 1111
Is done. Reference numeral 1108 denotes a printing width control counter.
Reference numeral 1109 denotes a print width setting switch (paper width setting device).
And are the same for each color (for each page). 1105
Is an AND gate, the signal PX is connected to the terminal A,
The counter stop signal of 1102 is supplied to the terminal B, and the counter 11
The counter stop signal of 08 enters the terminal C. For printing width control
The counter 1108 has the same down-counter as the counter 1102.
And the head 410 runs for registration
In the inspection, the B terminal of the AND gate 1105 becomes B = H.
The signal PX enters the counter 1108 through the terminal A.
Power. At this time, the counter 1108
9 has already been read, so output line 11
The output of 07 is H. According to the input of the signal PX
The data in the counter 1108 decreases and the switch 1109
When the signal PX is input for the number of pulses set in
1107 changes to L, and by AND gate 1105
The input of the signal PX to the counter 1108 is stopped. Follow
From the AND gate 1106
When the head 410 moves forward and is within the print width as described above
Is output. Reference numeral 1110 denotes a color setting device (page setting device).
And the AND gate 110 via the selector circuit 1111
6 output signal to any one of the 4-bit lines 1113
Output. The output from this 4-bit line 1113 is
Used as a PRT signal indicating a printing period. FIG. 12 shows the frame memory addresses in FIG.
Set and perform address control to the frame memory 103
An example of the configuration of the address counter unit 207 is shown, where
1201 is from the 4-bit line 1113 (see FIG. 11)
This is the line of the print start command signal PRT to be sent. 12
02 is a signal of four lines for four colors input from line 1113
Out of the four address control boards
Based on the color (ie, which page)
A switch for selecting a board. 1203 is an AND game
And a print start command signal PRT and a counter 808.
(See FIG. 9) from the address increase / decrease pulse signal ADR. P
The logical AND with the LS is calculated, and an up / down counter 120
6 Turn counter 1206 up / down
In order to change, the control CPU 107 sends the
Line by the up / down signal UP / DWN supplied
U. Reference numeral 1205 denotes print scanning from the control CPU 107.
An address to the frame memory 103 that is set at each start
This is the line for setting the initial value. Result increased or decreased to initial value
Result address is line driver through line 1207
Enter 1208. The frame memory 103 includes an image processing unit 102
Driver 1208 is also accessed from
It becomes a state line driver. Frame memory 10
3 is the latch access timing shown in FIG.
Signal M supplied from line 805 through line 1210
RE and the line 1211 from the counter 808 of FIG.
Determined by the page select signal CS sent through
It is. Reference numeral 1214 denotes a page of the address counter board 207.
A 2-bit output signal on line 1213
The operation enters the comparator 1212. Comparator 121
The coincidence pulse from 2 is AND gated together with the signal MRE.
And the logical product is added to the line driver via line 1215.
To the line driver 1208 to control the line driver 1208.
You. As a result, data is retrieved from the frame memory 103.
Open to address line 214 except when to issue
State. 1209 is the address bus line 214
Shows the connection line to. FIG. 13 is a block diagram of the buffer memory 104 shown in FIG.
Shows an example of the configuration of the switch circuit 208, where 1001 is
A pair of OR gates, a control board (controller) 2
06 or a control pulse SFT1 supplied from
The logical product of the control pulse SFT2 and the parallel serial
Terminal of shift register 1006 and shift register
1007 is input to the shift terminal. 1002 is a frame
Bus buffer for 16-bit data supplied from the memory 103
Inn. The data latch timing is controlled by the control board (con
Memory strobe pal supplied from the controller 206)
SSTRB and page select signal CS
It is. That is, the page select setting device 1003
When the output value of the page matches the page select signal CS
The pulse output is released from the comparator 1004 and
Timing gated by gate 1005
Data DATA on data bus 1002 in parallel
It is latched in the serial register 1006. That register
Data latched in 16 bits parallel by 1006
By 16 bits shift register by pulse SFT1
Transfer to 1007. FIG. 14 shows an example of the configuration of the head driver 105.
Here is an example. 128 bits, that is, data for one head
The amount of shift in the latch circuit 208 of the buffer memory 104 is
When the video signal is prepared in the register 1007,
(Image data) is transferred to the head driver 105.
The head driver 105 is located near the head 410.
It needs to be mounted and mounted. This is between driver heads
If the distance is long, the drive waveform will deteriorate, and
This is because the head operation is not preferable due to a voltage drop or the like. On the other hand, in this embodiment, the print head 410 is moved.
Signal transmission to the head 410
It is desirable that the number of lines be as small as possible. On the other hand
When applying power to one nozzle based on the printing conditions
The time is usually about 10 μsec, and the cooling time is 1 msec.
c. It takes about one nozzle to operate.
A total of 128 nozzles are required because 0.2A current is required
Operate at once, 128 × 0.2A = 25.6A
Therefore, a large head power supply capacity is required. Therefore,
From the nozzle driving conditions such as
Without driving, load sharing becomes uniform over time
In addition, distributing the nozzle drive reduces the power capacity of the head.
In other words, the head driver 10 without lowering the printing speed
5 can reduce the number of input signal lines. Up
Under the above described nozzle driving conditions, 1000 μsec / 10 μsec
c = 100, 128/100 = 1.28 → 2, that is,
128 heads are grouped into two nozzles
64 groups, and if the nozzles are driven in chronological order,
Large required current 0.2A × 2 = 0.4A. But now
Actually it is necessary to drive the head because it is necessary to increase the printing speed
In this embodiment, 8 groups, 16 times
Switching to scan one line of 128-bit head
I made it. The current in this case is 0.2 × 8 = 1.6 at the maximum.
A, the nozzle driving time is set to 12 pulse intervals of the clock φ3.
12 μsec × 16 = 192 μsec if μsec
Becomes The 12 stored in the shift register 1007
The 8-bit video signal is output from the timer 830 in FIG.
1 by pulse SFT2 driven by falling pulse
Line driver 1008 in a state of 6 bits and 8 columns parallel
Is transmitted to the head driver 105 (see FIG. 13).
See). On the head driver 105 side, the buffer memory 1
The video signal from 008 enters from the input terminal 1309.
Control of whether the supplied video signal should be printed,
The print signal PRT input to the line 1307 and the
Nozzle energization sent from all circuits 831 to line 1306
The row is controlled by both the width control pulse signal Video-Out signal.
U. That is, the print signal PRT is L, the nozzle energization width
For the first time when the control pulse signal Video-Out becomes H
Video input terminal 1309 through NAND gate 1308
The video signal from the controller enters the driver circuit 105.
1305 is for sequentially energizing the 16 nozzle groups.
Switching code signal line, which is formed from 4 bits
It is. 1303 and 1304 switch to 16: 1
Multiplexer. That is, the multiplexer
One video signal entering 1303 is a switching code signal line.
In 1305 on one of the 16 lines on the output side
Appears. 1301 and 1302 are head drivers
And a TTL level video signal for converting voltage and current
The head 410 is amplified and driven. 1310 is flexi
Martino via 414 such as bull cord or bonding
This is an output terminal connected to the chirping head 410. FIG. 15 shows an example of the configuration of the output device 106 of FIG.
An example is shown here, where 410 is a print head (four-color recording head).
And on-demand type as shown in the figure.
Equipped with 4 multi-nozzle inkjet heads for 4 colors
Use what was done. This head 410 has 12 nozzles.
A multi-nozzle head having eight heads 41
0A to (D) of FIG. 16 to be described later.
You. FIG. 8 shows a head 410 having such a structure.
As shown, yellow Y, magenta M, cyan C, black
A total of four pieces are prepared for each color, one for each color.
It is mounted on a moving carriage (carriage) 416. 401 is a seal
Printing paper feed motor, for example, a pulse motor is used.
It is. 402 is a paper feed roller, 403 is a printing paper, 40
Reference numeral 4 denotes a drive motor for moving the four-color recording head 410;
05 is driven by a motor 404 and the head unit 410
406 is a timing belt for moving
Belt gear that converts the rotary motion of the motor into linear motion
, 407 and 415 are head units 41 respectively.
408 is a detecting device for detecting the movement position of the
The guide rail 409 guides the movement of the
Power supply cable for sending an electric signal to the
1 is an ink supply for supplying ink to the head 410
It is a pipe and communicates with the pipe 1507 in FIG.
I do. 412 is an ink tank, 413 is a power supply cable 4
09 relay board and driver circuit printed board
Connector. 414 is a flexible wiring board
And transmits the signal transmitted from the buffer memory 104.
The signal line to be sent is printed. FIG. 16A shows a heating element of the head 410.
Shows an example of a unit, where 1501 is a polyimide
Layer, 1502 is an aluminum layer, 1503 is a heating element layer,
1504 is silicon dioxide (SiO 2)_Two ) Layer, 1504 '
Is a silicon (Si) substrate, and these layers are formed by evaporation.
Formed. Reference numeral 1505 denotes a substrate support and a plate that also serves as a heat radiator.
And made of aluminum. Also, this plate 1505
Are bonded with an adhesive. FIG. 7B shows the entire nozzle.
Here, 1509 is a bracket for supporting the head unit,
Reference numeral 1506 denotes a heating element unit shown in FIG.
The ink supply pipe, 1508, cuts the glass into
The heating element unit 150 is cut with an adhesive.
6 FIG. 3C shows a cross section of the nozzle.
(D) of the figure shows the surface of the heating element side substrate of the multi-nozzle.
Here, 1510 is a common electrode, 1511 is a base agent,
1513 is a lead wire portion. Next, the principle of ink ejection
To explain, the ink supplied from the ink supply pipe 1507
The ink enters the common liquid chamber and reaches each nozzle. Normal state
Ink, the ink protrudes out of the nozzle due to the surface tension of the ink
No, but heating element 1503 generates heat when voltage is applied
Air bubbles are generated due to the dissolved air in the ink and
The ink in the nozzle protrudes more. Next, the data is input to the frame memory 103 and
Procedure for extracting and printing image data
This will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In addition, printing
The main control required for
Address control, registration between print heads 410
Control and print width control. FIG. 17 shows, for example,
The number of power pixels is 512 × 512 and the basic density matrix of one pixel
In the frame memory 103 when the
The relationship between the address and the data array will be described. FIGS. 18A and 18B show frame frames.
An example of the correspondence between the data in the memory 103 and the print address
Show. As shown, C input from the input device 101
The density data of 512 pixels on the CD1 line is
Is converted into a bit pattern, and each pixel (A1 to R
1), (A2 to R2)... flame
Since the data is stored every 16 bits on the memory 103,
Address (hereinafter referred to as ADR) 0 contains (A1 to D1, A
16 bits of 2 to D2, A3 to D3, A4 to D4), A
DR = 0001_H (A5-D5, A6-D6, A7
To D7, A8 to D8). Therefore,
The 512 × 512 pixels converted to the bit pattern are 0 to
262143 addresses are required. (A) of FIG.
Is 128 for the address of 512 × 512 pixels described above.
Shows the state when printing with bit multi-nozzle 410
You. In the first printing scan, for example, address 1
27 to 120, and then 255 to 248,.
2143 to 262136 and 128 bits at the right end of the original image
Print columns. In this case, the print head 410 moves from left to right
Scan. During this time, the head 410 advances 2048 times
You. In the 2048th step, 128 dots of printing paper 403
The paper is advanced by the paper feed motor 401. Next,
Print and print 262135 minutes from dress 262128
Switch direction from right to left and walk 2048 times as above
And the second head scan is completed. FIG. 18B shows a case where 512 × 512 pixels are used.
An example of a specific address setting procedure for printing will be described.
Therefore, the head has 8 reciprocations 16 times for 512 × 512 pixels.
Scan to complete printing. FIG. 19 shows the control computer 107
An example of a control procedure for controlling each of the above-described devices will be described. Next
Control CPU in the print mode based on the flowchart of
The operation of 107 will be described. First, when the printing process starts, step 1401 is executed.
Make various initial settings with. For example, in step 1401
Is controlled from the CPU input / output device 108, for example, a teletype.
Various kinds of control data are set in a memory in the CPU 107.
This control data includes, for example, each head registration
Value, print width value and head feed pulse motor
Initial speed value, rising and falling pulses for dynamic control
Number, constant speed value, etc. Based on the input information of step 1401,
Step to calculate the energizing time to the feed pulse motor 404.
This is performed in step 1402. Register CNT in CPU 107
R indicates the number of pulses PM of the head feed pulse motor 404
X is counted.
Initialize the star value. In the following step 1404
From the CPU 107 via the line 1101
Registration initial value in double counter 1102
Input (see FIG. 11). During this time, the paper width setting device 1109
Data is read into the print width control counter 1108 from
U. In step 1405, an event in the CPU 107
The timer is set based on the value set in step 1401.
And start the timer. In step 1406
Frame memory access via line 1205
The initial value is set in the counter 1026 (see FIG. 12).
See). In this case, address 127 is set,
Suppose that it is counted down. At the next step 1407, the latch
Supplied from road 801 [0081] [Outside 1] (See FIG. 9), and the print star
If possible [0083] [Outside 2] Thus, the process proceeds to step 1408. What
In the initial state, by the IRST signal [0085] [Outside 3] [0086] Then, the process proceeds to step 1408.
Run. In step 1408, the CPU 107
Outputs an STR pulse signal to the above-described latch circuit 801
You. Thereby, the address counter unit 207 in FIG.
Whether the set frame memory address is line 1209
And the data is stored in the buffer memory 104 in 16 bits.
And perform this 8 times for 4 pages of 4 colors.
128 bits of data are stored in the
In addition, these 128-bit image data are
The head driver circuits 1301 and 1302 of the bus 105
8 groups, nozzle switching 16 times for a total of 128 nozzles
The print control for the slur is performed by hardware (see FIG. 14).
See). Therefore, after step 1408, the image data is collected.
The handling is performed by hardware, and the control CPU 107
Control of the pulse motor 404,
Address control and head registration control for each color
U. At step 1409, the CPU 107
The registration stepping pulse PX of the control board 205
Release to input terminal 1103 (see FIG. 11). Next step
In step 1410, the head feed pallet for 512 pixels
Internal counter of CPU 107 indicating the sum of the sum of motor progress
When the value of CNTR is a predetermined set value S_ALL Whether or not
If the judgment is affirmative, one line is printed.
Step 1 for controlling printing paper feed
The routine proceeds to the routine after 414. When the value of the counter CNTR is
S_ALL If it is below, of course one line has been printed.
Because there is no pulse motor 405, the process proceeds to step 1411.
Step up. Here, the head feed pulse motor 404
Is generally designed to travel 62.5 μm per pulse
Therefore, the number of multi-nozzle heads 410 is, for example, eight /
mm, that is, with a pitch of 125 μm between nozzles
If it is, the feed of the head 410 is also 125 μm pitch
Must be sent in 2 pallets for each line printed.
It is necessary to output a PMX pulse from the CPU 107. same
At the time, at step 1411, the PMX total step number counter CN
TR is incremented by +1. At step 1412
CPU 1 started in step 1405
07 sets the time set by the built-in event timer.
It is determined whether or not it has passed. This is a pulse motor 40
When the pulse interval becomes short when activating the 4
If the wave number is exceeded, the motor 404 stops rotating.
The step-out state, the acceleration torque of the pulse motor 404
The pulse interval is initially set to a long time so that the
(Step 1405), shorter as speed increases
This is to make it harder. Note that these time settings
Calculates the time constant in advance at step 1402 and
Stored in the memory table of PU 107,
Using the so-called table lookup method
I have. Therefore, in step 1412, step
If the time calculated in 1402 elapses, a positive determination is made,
Proceed to step 1413. However, the first of the head 410
If the line is to be printed, the process of step 1405 is executed.
Does not make much sense, and if you print the second and subsequent lines
To determine the drive cycle of the pulse motor 404
Acts as an imma. At step 1413, the first pulse mode
Outputs the operation pulse. Timer for step 1413
Is activated in step 1420. This is head 1 line
Since the printing operation for the printing is almost completed,
In the first address of the frame memory 103 to be printed next.
Determination of dress address and address counter 2 in FIG.
07 up / down to line 1204 (UP / DW
The control decision of N) and the timer operation are processed in parallel. F
In order to print the second line of the printhead, the printout shown in FIG.
As shown, the start address of the second line is set to 255.
It is sufficient to proceed in the subtraction direction. In addition, the print head 410
Start address a of the Nth line_N Is a_N= 127 ± 12
8 (N-1). The plus sign in the formula is head 4
Corresponds to the case where 10 moves from the left side L to the right side R in FIG.
And the minus sign is used when moving from the right R to the left L
Equivalent to. The print direction of these heads 410 is controlled by the control CPU.
The register provided in the CPU 107 determines
Refer to this register when calculating the address
Then, the addition code is determined. Also, of course,
Rotate from CPU 107 to driver of pulse motor 404
One bit of the direction switching control signal is transmitted. In step 1422, the second pulse mode
Before the start pulse is issued in step 1424,
The value of the counter CNTR is incremented by "+1".
In step 1423, the time up of step 1420
Find out. That is, in step 1423, the first shot
It is determined whether or not the pulse time width has elapsed. Predetermined time
When the time elapses, the hardware timer of the CPU 107
-It is processed and the time-up is determined.
The second pulse motor operation after passing through step 1423
After outputting the pulse in step 1424, step 14
Return to 05. The second timer setting time is determined in step 14
05 is set. According to the above control procedure, the frame memory 1
03 address control and registration pulse
While controlling the generation and print width, the head 410 is moved
The recording paper is driven for each line based on the input image data.
An image is printed on 403. Mark of the 2048th line
When printing, the starting address to the frame memory 103 is
It becomes 262143 as shown in FIG. this
Eight words of data from the start address are stored in the frame memory
Transfer from 103 to buffer memory 104 to complete printing
And the value of the counter CNTR is equal to the set value S._ALL Is equal to
Therefore, an affirmative determination is made in the determination procedure of step 1410.
Proceeding to step 1414, to the paper feed pulse motor 401
The driving pulse is sent, and printing for one head scan is completed. Therefore, in the next printing, the head 410 is moved to the right side.
The printing direction is switched from R to L on the left side. Where 4
The multi-nozzle head 410 has cyan C and maze from the left.
M, yellow Y, black BK
When printing from the left side L to the right side R, black BK,
Printed in order of yellow Y, magenta M, cyan C
However, when printing from the right R to the left L, cyan C, maze
Print in order of color M, yellow Y, black BK
become. Therefore, the registration between each head is
Steps need to be replaced
In 1415, this registration replacement work
Do. In this case, the interval between the four heads is mechanically
It is assumed that they are installed at equal pitch. Head pitch
If it is misaligned, there is no registration depending on the printing direction.
Because it is In the next step 1416, the frame
The initial address to the memory 103 is calculated. In FIG.
As is apparent from (B), the start of the second head scan
The address becomes 262135, which is the first address.
-8 is added to the memory scan end address 262143
It was done. In the following step 1417, the head
To the pulse motor driver in response to the
Reverse the direction switching line. This allows for complete head
Since printing for one scan is completed, it is set in the CPU 107.
The value NSCAN of the digit scanning counter register is set to “+”.
Increment by 1 ". In step 1419,
Input from the keyboard of the CPU input / output device 108 in advance.
The number of scans NSTOP and the above counter value NSCAN are calculated.
Compare, if NSCAN is greater than or equal to NSSTOP
Stop printing. NSCAN is smaller than NSSTOP
If not, return to the processing procedure of step 1403 and perform the same
Is repeated. The actual printing is performed by the bus 1113 in FIG.
Is controlled by the signal PRT transmitted from the. That is,
The signal PRT enters the bus 1307 in FIG. 14 and controls printing.
And an address supplied from the controller 206 in FIG.
Resin increment pulse ADR. The PLS is
Input to the frame memory access address counter 1206
The control as to whether or not to perform the operation is also performed via the bus 1201.
You. Therefore, frame memory access from CPU 107
The start address of the address is input to the counter 1206 of FIG.
FIG. 11 shows a registration and print width detection cowl.
To the bus 1113 if both
Since the signal PRT is not output, the frame memory address
The initial value of the address is output, and the initial data at that address is
Is input to the buffer memory 104 and the head driver 10
5 even if transmitted up to 5
Printing stops and actual printing cannot be performed. The above description is mainly for one page per color.
As described in detail above, the devices 205 and 2 of each block in FIG.
07, 208 and 209 are provided for each color.
If another page select switch is provided,
The circuit is exactly the same. As is clear from the above description, the present embodiment
Color printing systems add a dither signal to the input image density
And store the upper bit in the line memory.
The compressed density data stored in the memory is
Into a bit pattern via a data (pattern generator)
Store in frame memory and print from that frame memory
Register the image information for each minimum unit required for
Transfer to the printer for easy round-trip printing
In addition, the printing speed can be improved. Also,
Do not energize the multi-nozzle at once, and drive it separately
Head capacity without slowing down the printing speed.
Can be miniaturized. Further, in this embodiment, the multi-nozzle
Some image information amount is serially arranged in several groups
And split them through the same number of signal lines.
Image signals are sent, and the series divided into groups
Synchronization signal that synchronizes the image signal with the nozzle to be printed
The signal is distributed by the
The number of electric signal supply lines can be reduced, and the equipment can be downsized.
Can be For example, in this embodiment, the nozzle cycle is set to 1 msec.
c, simultaneous printing of 8 lines at 10μsec, 1 pixel
Prints 512 × 512 pixels in a 4 × 4 matrix
And paper feed time, so that printing can be done in about 20 seconds or less.
In addition, image printing of four natural colors was obtained. In this embodiment, the printing speed is improved.
Scan the print head from left to right, right to left to
Printing back and forth, but the order of ink alignment is scanning
Registration changes between heads or between heads
If does not match mechanically, round-trip printing is not possible,
Printing is performed by one-way scanning. The one-way scan is
It can be easily realized by changing the address order.
It can be easily found by referring to (A) and (B).
Therefore, one-way scanning printing is also included in the scope of the present invention.
You. As described above, the conventional color printing apparatus
Is the price high or the printing speed is slow?
In this embodiment, the original image input
After compressing the density information, the compressed information is
It is converted to a pattern and stored in the memory section, and the
Controlling the address of the memory section to reproduce and print the original image
And easily reciprocate using a multi-nozzle head
Can be printed, which makes it extremely cheap and fast
A color printing device can be provided. Therefore, the present embodiment is expensive and large in the prior art.
Renewed the image of color printing equipment,
Not only used as a printing machine, but also
Various computer terminal devices such as
As an output means of various video signal input sources such as kushimi
Because it can be easily used in various fields,
A great effect can be obtained. [0100] As described above, according to the present invention,
Images are recorded from top to bottom according to the scan direction of the print head
Or by printing the image from bottom to top,
The inclination of the record can be matched. This allows the book
According to the invention, the image is not disturbed even in high-speed reciprocating printing.
And high quality images can be obtained.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a printing apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of an internal configuration of the input device of FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a circuit configuration of the input device of FIG. 2; FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an image processing unit in FIG. 1; FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a frame memory in FIG. 1; FIG. 6 is a signal waveform diagram showing an example of signal generation timing in the devices of FIGS. 3 to 5; FIG. 7 is a signal waveform diagram showing an example of signal generation timing in the devices shown in FIGS. 3 to 5; FIG. 8 is a block diagram mainly showing an example of the configuration of the buffer memory of FIG. 1; FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a controller in FIG. 8; 10 (A) and 10 (B) are signal waveform diagrams showing timings of output waveforms of the controller of FIG. 9, respectively. FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a control board in FIG. 8; FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an address counter unit in FIG. 8; FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of the latch circuit in FIG. 8; FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the driver shown in FIG. 1 or 8; FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of the output device of FIG. 1; 16A to 16D are an enlarged front view of a main part, a plan view of a main part, a cross-sectional view of a main part, and an overall plan view showing an example of the configuration of the nozzle of the head in FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of an arrangement relationship between addresses and data in the frame memory of FIG. 5; FIGS. 18A and 18B are diagrams illustrating an example of a correspondence relationship between data in the frame memory and a print address. FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a control operation of the control computer in FIG. 1 or FIG. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 Input device 102 Image processing unit 103 Frame memory 104 Buffer memory 105 Driver 106 Output device 107 Control computer (CPU) 108 CPU input / output device 501 Light source 502 Cooling fan motor 503 Reflector 504 Heat ray absorption filter 505 Optical system 506 Slit plate 507 Film container 508 Sprocket 509 Color film 510 Film screen 511 Film feed drive motor 512 Film position detector 513R Light receiver (CCD) 514R Optical system 515 Optical system 516B Light receiver (CCD) 517B Optical system 518, 519 Dichroic Mirror 520G Optical system 521G Light receiver (CCD) 309 Amplifier 315R Video amplifier 316R Analog-to-digital converter 317 ADC sampling timing Line 319 Film position detection signal line 320R Data line 322 Sampling pulse line 323 Clock pulse line 324 Film feed pulse motor signal line 325 Power line 350R Digital adder 351R Line memory 352C Pattern generator 353C Parallel register (latch register) 354R, 355R, 356R Data line 357C, 358C Pattern line 359 Dither signal line 360, 362 Address and control line 363 Counter 364 Line memory address counter 365 Pattern generator address counter 366 Parallel register address register 367, 368 Stepping pulse 369 Initial value setting data Lines 370, 371 Control line 373 Signal line 381 Page memo 382Y Data output line 383 Page memory address control line 384 Counter 385 Initial address setting line 386 Increment and decrement pulse lines 109A, 109B Communication line 110 Control line 111A Control bus line 204 Control board 205 Control board 206 Controller (control board) 207 Address counter unit 208 Latch circuit (buffer memory) 211 Control circuit 213 Data bus 214 Address bus 219 to 237, 240, 241 Line 238, 239 Pulse motor (= 404) 801, 805, 814, 828 Latch circuit (flip-flop) 802 , 804, 806, 809, 815, 823, 8
26, 833, 837 OR gates 803, 807, 816, 817, 829 AND gates 808, 819, 824, 832, 838 Counters 810, 820 Comparators 811, 821 Setters 818, 822, 827, 830, 834, 835, T
1, T7 Timer 825, 833 Decoder 831 Safety circuit 1101 Registration set value reading port 1102 Presettable counter 1103 Control pulse input terminal 1104 Output line 1105, 1106 AND gate 1107 Line 1108 Print width control counter 1109 Print width setting switch ( Paper width setting device) 1110 Color setting device (page setting device) 1111 Selector circuit 1112 Line 1113 4-bit line 1201 Print start command signal line 1202 Selection switch 1203 AND gate 1204 Up / down control line 1205 Frame memory address initial value setting line 1206 Up / Down counter 1208 Line driver 1212 Comparator 1214 Page setting devices 1207, 1209 of address counter board 210,1211,1213,
1215 line 1001 OR gate 1002 16-bit data bus line 1003 page select setting device 1004 comparator 1005 AND gate 1006 parallel serial register 1007 shift register 1008 buffer memory 1009 output line 1301, 1302 head driver section 1303, 1304 multiplexer 1305 switching code signal line 1306 1307 Line 1308 NAND gate 1309 Input terminal 1310 Output terminal 1311 NOR gate 401 Print paper feed motor 402 Paper feed roller 403 Print paper 404 Drive motor 405 Timing belt 406 Gear 407, 415 Head unit movement position detecting device 408 Guide rail 409, 409Y Power supply cable 410, 410Y printing head (four-color recording head Unit) 411, 411Y Ink supply pipes 412, 412Y Ink tank 413 Connector 414 Flexible wiring board 416 Common carriage (carriage) 1501 Polyimide layer 1502 Aluminum layer 1503 Heating element layer 1504 Silicon dioxide (ceramic) layer 1504 'Silicon substrate 1505 Substrate support Body 1506 Heating element unit 1507 Ink supply pipe 1508 Glass substrate 1509 Head unit support bracket 1510 Common electrode 1511 Base material 1513 Lead wire section 1401 to 1424 Control procedure PMX Pulse motor X pulse CNTR PMX counter REG Resist PCNT Address preset RDY / BSY Print check STR start pulse PX resist, print width counter stepping pulse S _aLL PMX total pulse NS AN scanning counter NSTOP total number of scans

   ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page    (72) Inventor Takashi Sugino               3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo               Inside Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Nobutoshi Mizusawa               3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo               Inside Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Shoji Ota               3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo               Inside Canon Inc.                (56) References JP-A-53-84517 (JP, A)                 JP-A-55-121585 (JP, A)                 JP-A-53-84627 (JP, A)                 JP-A-48-30329 (JP, A)                 JP-A-55-63482 (JP, A)                 JP-A-55-132256 (JP, A)                 JP-A-52-45827 (JP, A)                 JP-A-54-48552 (JP, A)                 JP-A-55-142662 (JP, A)                 JP-A-55-142668 (JP, A)                 Shokai Sho 57-187748 (JP, U)

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] Storage means for storing image data; recording means for performing recording by scanning a recording head, in which a plurality of recording elements arranged in a vertical direction are divided into a plurality of blocks, in a left-right direction; When recording by scanning in the direction
The image data is read from the storage means so as to be sequentially recorded from the upper part to the lower part of the image, the recording elements divided into a plurality of blocks are driven in time series, and the recording head is moved in the opposite direction to the first direction. In the case of recording by scanning in the second direction, the image data stored in the storage means is read out so as to be sequentially recorded from the lower part to the upper part of the image, and the recording element divided into a plurality of blocks is read in time series. And a control unit for driving the printing apparatus. 2. 2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first direction is a direction from left to right, and the second direction is a direction from right to left.