US 6,648,439 B2 · Image printing apparatus and control method therefor

Abstract

This invention provides an image printing apparatus in which, when the printhead temperature rises in driving the printhead at a high speed, the ink discharge amount is optimized in accordance with the temperature rise to achieve high-quality, high-efficiency printing. For this purpose, in an image printing system using a time division simultaneous driving method of grouping a predetermined number of printing elements into a plurality of blocks every predetermined number of printing elements and driving printing elements belonging to the same block at the same driving timing, if the printhead falls within a predetermined temperature range, droplets are discharged using all blocks to print an image. To the contrary, if the printhead reaches the predetermined temperature or higher, blocks to be used are restricted in accordance with the printhead temperature, the total number of droplets is decreased, and the amount of one droplet is increased to print an image. High-quality, high-efficiency printing is realized as a whole.

Claims33

Dependent claims

An image printing apparatus for printing an image on the basis of input printing data by scanning a carriage for holding a printhead having a plurality of printing elements, relatively to a printing medium in a direction crossing an alignment direction of the plurality of printing elements, the plurality of printing elements being grouped into a total number of blocks, each having a predetermined number of printing elements, comprising:

first driving means for driving the plurality of blocks by time division using a first block enable signal having a first period in which each block can be driven;
second driving means for selecting a selected number of blocks, the selected number being less than the total number of blocks, and driving each of the selected blocks by time division using a second block enable signal having a second period relatively longer than the first period;
and
image printing means for selecting either one of said first and second driving means, and printing the image using the selected driving means.

1 more element

A method of controlling an image printing apparatus for printing an image on the basis of input printing data by scanning a carriage for holding a printhead having a plurality of printing elements, relatively to a printing medium in a direction crossing an alignment direction of the plurality of printing elements, the plurality of printing elements being grouped into a total number of blocks, each having a predetermined number of printing elements, comprising:

a first driving step of driving the plurality of blocks by time division using a first block enable signal having a first period in which each block can be driven;
a second driving step of selecting a selected number of blocks, the selected number being less than the total number of blocks, and driving each of the selected blocks by time division using a second block enable signal having a second period relatively longer than the first period;
and
an image printing step of selecting either one of the first driving step and the second driving step, and printing the image using the selected driving step.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Image printing apparatus and control method therefor

Life of this patent

Image printing apparatus and control method therefor

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims33