Method of printing a test pattern, an image forming device, and a recording medium on which the test pattern is printed

An image forming device which has a printing element to form dots on a printing medium and a print head which mounts the printing element and moves relative to the recording medium, comprising:

• a line printing element that prints a dot line in a predetermined region on the recording medium by driving the printing element while moving the print head relative to the recording medium in a first direction of the recording medium;
• a movement mechanism that moves the print head and the recording medium relative to one another in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction of the recording medium such that the printing element can print a dot line adjacent and parallel to a dot line previously printed;
• and
• a controller that drives the line printing element and the movement mechanism alternately to form a plane image, wherein the plane image is a component part of a test pattern which is used to inspect the printing element.

A method of printing a test pattern on a recording medium by operating an image forming device having printing elements to form dots on the recording medium, and a print head, which mounts groups of the printing elements arranged in a direction approximately parallel to a sheet feed direction, the groups being arranged in a direction approximately perpendicular to the sheet feed direction, and moves relative to the recording medium, wherein the test pattern is used to inspect the printing element, the method comprising:

• a first step for printing a plurality of dot lines in a predetermined region on the recording medium by driving the printing elements while moving the print head relative to the recording medium in a direction perpendicular to the sheet feed direction;
• and
• a second step of moving the print head relative to the recording medium in the sheet feed direction such that each one of the printing elements can print a dot line adjacent and parallel to each one of dot lines previously printed, wherein the first step and the second step are repeated alternately, the first step further comprising a third step and a fourth step, in the third step, the printing elements belonging to one of the groups are divided into blocks, every predetermined number of adjacent printing elements belonging to each one of the blocks, one printing element is selected from each one of the blocks, each one of the selected printing elements being separated at intervals of the predetermined number of printing elements away from each adjacent selected elements, wherein each one of the selected elements is driven simultaneously with each one of the other selected elements, each one of the printing elements to be selected and driven, is changed in every block until every printing element belonging to the group is driven, during the time when the print head is being moved relative to the recording medium in a direction perpendicular to the sheet feed direction, and in the fourth step, the group which is driven in the third step is changed, the third step and fourth step are repeated alternately until all printing elements of the print head are driven.