DOT formation position misalignment adjustment performed using pixel-level information indicating dot non-formation

A printing control apparatus that generates print data to be supplied to a printing unit, the printing unit performing main scanning in which a head having a plurality of nozzles that eject ink is moving forward and backward in prescribed directions relative to a print medium, carrying out sub-scanning in which the print medium is forwarded in a sub-scanning direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction relative to the head, and driving the head in accordance with the print data along at least one of the forward or reverse scanning passes such that dots are formed on at least some of a plurality of pixels aligned along the main scanning direction,

• wherein the printing control apparatus generates the print data, in which dot formation position misalignment for each nozzle in the main scanning direction is corrected,
• wherein the print data includes raster data having:
• image pixel value data indicating a dot formation status at image pixels that constitute images and being two-dimensional image data indicating the pixels aligned in the two dimensions of the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction;
• adjustment pixel value data indicating existence of adjustment pixels in which dots are not formed and which are used to adjust positions of the image pixels in the main scanning direction, and being located at least one end of the image pixel value data, with regard to each nozzle for each main scanning session, wherein the printing control apparatus further comprises:
• an image pixel value data memory unit that stores the image pixel value data;
• a misalignment amount memory unit that stores an amount of the dot formation position misalignment;
• a determining unit that determines the relationship of correspondence between each nozzle mounted in the head and the two-dimensional image data in accordance with an amount of sub-scan feed;
• an allocation setting unit that allocates the adjustment pixels to one or both ends of the image pixel value data based on the determination so that the dot formation position misalignment amount is corrected;
• and
• a raster data generating unit that generates the raster data from the image pixel value data and the allocation of the adjustment pixels.

A printing method comprising the steps of:

• while performing main scanning in which a head having a plurality of nozzles that eject ink is moved in prescribed forward and reverse directions relative to a print medium, carrying out sub-scanning in which the print medium is forwarded in a sub-scanning direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction relative to the head;
• driving the head in accordance with print data along at least one of the forward or reverse scanning passes to form dots in at least some of the plurality of pixels aligned in the main scanning direction,
• wherein the printing method corrects the dot formation position misalignment for each nozzle in the main scanning direction using image pixel value data as well as adjustment pixel value data, the image pixel value data indicating a dot formation status regarding image pixels that constitute images, and comprising two-dimensional image data indicating pixels aligned in the two dimensions of the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction, the adjustment pixel value data indicating existence of adjustment pixels in which dots are not formed and are used to adjust positions of the image pixels in the main scanning direction, and
• further comprises the steps of:
• setting the allocation of the adjustment pixels to one or both ends of the image pixel value data so that the amount of the dot formation position misalignment is corrected;
• generating, from the image pixel value data and the allocation of the adjustment pixels, raster data having the image pixel value data and the adjustment pixel value data placed at least one side of the image pixel value data;
• generating the print data including the raster data,
• wherein the step of setting the allocation of the adjustment pixels comprises the steps of:
• determining the relationship of correspondence between each nozzle mounted in the head and the two-dimensional image data in accordance with an amount of sub-scan feed;
• and
• setting the allocation of the adjustment pixels based on the determination.

A printing method comprising the steps of:

• while performing main scanning in which a head having a plurality of nozzles that eject ink is moved in prescribed forward and reverse directions relative to a print medium, carrying out sub-scanning in which the print medium is forwarded in a sub-scanning direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction relative to the head;
• driving the head in accordance with print data along at least one of the forward or reverse scanning passes;
• and
• forming dots in at least some of the plurality of pixels aligned in the main scanning direction,
• wherein the printing method corrects the dot formation position misalignment for each nozzle in the main scanning direction using image pixel value data as well as adjustment pixel value data, the image pixel value data indicating a dot formation status regarding image pixels that constitute images, and comprising two-dimensional image data indicating pixels aligned in the two dimensions of the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction, the adjustment pixel value data indicating existence of adjustment pixels in which dots are not formed and are used to adjust positions of the image pixels in the main scanning direction, and
• further comprises the steps of:
• generating the print data that includes
• raster data block that has at least the image pixel value data with regard to each nozzle for each main scanning session;
• sub-scan feed data that indicates a feed amount for the sub-scanning performed after each main scanning session;
• and
• adjustment pixel placement data, that is separate from the raster data block, indicating numbers of adjustment pixels to be placed at opposite ends of the image pixel value data, the adjustment pixel placement data functioning as at least a part of the adjustment pixel value data;
• driving the head and forming dots in both the forward and reverse scanning passes in accordance with the print data;
• detecting that a direction of a scheduled pass for each raster data block is reversed;
• and
• reconstructing the raster data block by reversing placement of the adjustment pixels across the image pixels sandwiched between the adjustment pixels, for the raster data block regarding which the pass is reversed, and by aligning, based on the reversed placement of the adjustment pixels, the adjustment pixel value data at least one of the opposite ends of the image pixel value data,
• wherein the step of generating the print data includes the step of:
• setting the allocation of the adjustment pixels to one or both ends of the image pixel value data so that the amount of the dot formation position misalignment is corrected,
• wherein the step of setting the allocation of the adjustment pixels includes the steps of:
• determining the relationship of correspondence between each nozzle mounted in the head and the two-dimensional image data in accordance with an amount of sub-scan feed;
• and
• setting the allocation of the adjustment pixels based on the determination.

A printing method comprising the steps of:

• while performing main scanning in which a head having a plurality of nozzles that eject ink is moved in prescribed forward and reverse directions relative to a print medium, carrying out sub-scanning in which the print medium is forwarded in a sub-scanning direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction relative to the head;
• driving the head in accordance with print data along at least one of the forward or reverse scanning passes;
• and
• forming dots in at least some of the plurality of pixels aligned in the main scanning direction,
• wherein the printing method corrects the dot formation position misalignment for each nozzle in the main scanning direction using image pixel value data as well as adjustment pixel value data, the image pixel value data indicating a dot formation status regarding image pixels that constitute images, and comprising two-dimensional image data indicating pixels aligned in the two dimensions of the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction, the adjustment pixel value data indicating existence of adjustment pixels in which dots are not formed and are used to adjust positions of the image pixels in the main scanning direction, and
• further comprising the steps of:
• readjusting the delay data indicating an amount of delay needed to correct for a difference in times that nozzles arrive at a particular pixel during main scanning, in accordance with a design distance in the main scanning direction between the plurality of nozzles classified into a plurality of nozzle rows that extend in the sub-scanning direction and that are aligned in the main scanning direction with a prescribed interval therebetween, so that the dot formation position misalignment amount may be corrected;
• generating serial data that includes the readjusted delay data and the image pixel value data that follows the readjusted delay data, for each nozzle during each main scanning session, using the readjusted delay data as the adjustment pixel value data;
• and
• forming dots based on the serial data,
• wherein the step of generating serial data includes the step of:
• setting the allocation of the adjustment pixels to one or both ends of the image pixel value data so that the amount of the dot formation position misalignment is corrected,
• wherein the step of setting the allocation of the adjustment pixels includes the steps of:
• determining the relationship of correspondence between each nozzle mounted in the head and the two-dimensional image data in accordance with an amount of sub-scan feed;
• and
• setting the allocation of the adjustment pixels based on the determination.

A recording medium on which is recorded a computer program to execute printing from a computer having a printing apparatus that, while performing main scanning in which a head having a plurality of nozzles that eject ink is moved in prescribed forward and reverse directions relative to a print medium, carries out sub-scanning in which the print medium is forwarded in a sub-scanning direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction relative to the head, drives the head in accordance with print data along at least one of the forward or reverse scanning passes in accordance with the print data, and forms dots in at least some of the a plurality of pixels aligned in the main scanning direction, wherein

• recorded on the recording medium is a computer program to achieve the function of correcting the dot formation position misalignment for each nozzle in the main scanning direction using image pixel value data as well as adjustment pixel value data, the image pixel value data indicating a dot formation status regarding image pixels that constitute images, and comprising two-dimensional image data indicating pixels aligned in the two dimensions of the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction, the adjustment pixel value data indicating existence of adjustment pixels in which dots are not formed and are used to adjust positions of the image pixels in the main scanning direction,
• wherein recorded on the recording medium is a computer program to achieve:
• a function to set the allocation of the adjustment pixels to one or both ends of the image pixel value data so that the dot formation position misalignment amount is corrected;
• a function to generate, from the image pixel value data and the allocation of the adjustment pixels, raster data having the image pixel value data and the adjustment pixel value data placed at least one side of the image pixel value data;
• a function to generate the print data including the raster data;
• and
• a function to drive the head in accordance with the print data while performing main scanning,
• wherein recorded on the recording medium is the computer program to achieve in setting the allocation of the adjustment pixels:
• a function to determine the relationship of correspondence between each nozzle mounted in the head and the two-dimensional image data in accordance with an amount of sub-scan feed;
• and
• a function to set the allocation of the adjustment pixels based on the determination.

A recording medium on which is recorded a computer program to execute printing from a computer having a printing apparatus that, while performing main scanning in which a head having a plurality of nozzles that eject ink is moved in prescribed forward and reverse directions relative to a print medium, carries out sub-scanning in which the print medium is forwarded in a sub-scanning direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction relative to the head, drives the head in accordance with print data along at least one of the forward or reverse scanning passes in accordance with the print data, and forms dots in at least some of the plurality of pixels aligned in the main scanning direction, wherein

• recorded on the recording medium is a computer program to achieve the function of correcting the dot formation position misalignment for each nozzle in the main scanning direction using image pixel value data as well as adjustment pixel value data, the image pixel value data indicating a dot formation status regarding image pixels that constitute images, and comprising two-dimensional image data indicating pixels aligned in the two dimensions of the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction, the adjustment pixel value data indicating existence of adjustment pixels in which dots are not formed and are used to adjust positions of the image pixels in the main scanning direction,
• wherein recorded on the recording medium is a computer program to achieve
• a function to generate the print data including:
• raster data block that has at least image pixel value data with regard to each nozzle for each main scanning session;
• sub-scan feed data that indicates a feed amount for the sub-scanning performed after each main scanning session;
• and
• adjustment pixel placement data, that is separate from the raster data block, indicating numbers of adjustment pixels to be placed at opposite ends of the image pixel value data, the adjustment pixel placement data functioning as at least a part of the adjustment pixel value data;
• a function to drive the head and form dots in both the forward and reverse scanning passes;
• a function to detect that a direction of a scheduled pass for each raster data block is reversed;
• and
• a function to reconstruct the raster data block by reversing placement of the adjustment pixels across the image pixels sandwiched between the adjustment pixels, for the raster data block regarding which the pass is reversed, and by aligning, based on the reversed placement of the adjustment pixels, the adjustment pixel value data at least one of the opposite ends of the image pixel value data,
• wherein recorded on the recording medium is the computer program to achieve in generating the print data:
• a function to set the allocation of the adjustment pixels to one or both ends of the image pixel value data so that the dot formation position misalignment amount is corrected,
• wherein recorded on the recording medium is the computer program to achieve in setting the allocation of the adjustment pixels;
• a function to determine the relationship of correspondence between each nozzle mounted in the head and the two-dimensional image data in accordance with an amount of sub-scan feed;
• and
• a function to set the allocation of the adjustment pixels based on the determination.

A recording medium on which is recorded a computer program to execute printing from a computer having a printing apparatus that, while performing main scanning in which a head having a plurality of nozzles that eject ink is moved in prescribed forward and reverse directions relative to a print medium, carries out sub-scanning in which the print medium is forwarded in a sub-scanning direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction relative to the head, drives the head in accordance with print data along at least one of the forward or reverse scanning passes in accordance with the print data, and forms dots in at least some of the plurality of pixels aligned in the main scanning direction, wherein

• recorded on the recording medium is a computer program to achieve the function of correcting the dot formation position misalignment for each nozzle in the main scanning direction using image pixel value data as well as adjustment pixel value data, the image pixel value data indicating a dot formation status regarding image pixels that constitute images, and comprising two-dimensional image data indicating pixels aligned in the two dimensions of the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction, the adjustment pixel value data indicating existence of adjustment pixels in which dots are not formed and are used to adjust positions of the image pixels in the main scanning direction,
• wherein recorded on the recording medium is a computer program to achieve
• a function to readjust the delay data indicating an amount of delay needed to correct for a difference in times that nozzles arrive at a particular pixel during main scanning, in accordance with the design distance in the main scanning direction between the plurality of nozzles classified into a plurality of nozzle rows that extend in the sub-scanning direction and that are aligned in the main scanning direction with a prescribed interval therebetween, so that the dot formation position misalignment amount may be corrected;
• a function to generate serial data that includes the readjusted delay data and the image pixel value data that follows the readjusted delay data, for each nozzle during each main scanning session, using the readjusted delay data as the adjustment pixel value data and
• a function to form dots based on the serial data,
• wherein recorded on the recording medium is the computer program to achieve in generating the serial data:
• a function to set the allocation of the adjustment pixels to one or both ends of the image pixel value data so that the dot formation position misalignment amount is corrected,
• wherein recorded on the recording medium is the computer program to achieve in setting the allocation of the adjustment pixels;
• a function to determine the relationship of correspondence between each nozzle mounted in the head and the two-dimensional image data in accordance with an amount of sub-scan feed;
• and
• a function to set the allocation of the adjustment pixels based on the determination.