Printing control apparatus, printing apparatus and printing control method

Abstract

The invention provides a printing control apparatus, a printing apparatus, and a printing control method, which can eject ink with good precision even in a small unit. The print control apparatus includes: a calculation unit that calculates a resolution in a print scanning direction required to eject ink to a region on the basis of an interval in the print scanning direction of a plurality of nozzles that eject ink and a length in the print scanning direction of the region in each unit that permits landing of the ink; and a nozzle control unit that, on the basis of the resolution, controls the discharge timing of the ink from the plurality of nozzles in the print scanning direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a print control device, a printing device, and a print control method. Background Art

[0002] In the past, as a method for forming an organic light-emitting layer of an organic display, a method of ejecting ink from a printing device having an inkjet head to coat ink on cells of a display panel has been known.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses the following technique: when there is a non-ejecting nozzle that cannot eject ink and the number of nozzles ejecting ink to a certain cell is insufficient, ink is ejected multiple times from other nozzles to make up for the shortage.

[0004] Prior Art Documents

[0005] Patent Documents

[0006] Patent Document 1: JP-A-2017-119270

[0007] In recent years, the size of the cells for ejecting ink has been increasingly reduced, and there is a need to develop a printing device that can eject ink with good accuracy onto a given area of a cell even if the cell is small. Summary of the Invention

[0008] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a print control device, a printing device, and a print control method that can eject ink with good accuracy even for small cells.

[0009] A print control device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes: a calculation unit that calculates a resolution in a print scan direction required for ejecting ink onto the region based on an interval in the print scan direction of a plurality of nozzles that eject ink and a length in the print scan direction of a region within each cell that allows the ink to land; and a nozzle control unit that controls an ejection timing of the ink from the plurality of nozzles in the print scan direction based on the resolution.

[0010] In addition, a printing device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes the above-described print control device.

[0011] In addition, a print control method according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes: a calculation step of calculating a resolution in a print scan direction required for ejecting ink onto the region based on an interval in the print scan direction of a plurality of nozzles that eject ink and a length in the print scan direction of a region within each cell that allows the ink to land; and a nozzle control step of controlling an ejection timing of the ink from the plurality of nozzles in the print scan direction based on the resolution.

[0012] According to the present disclosure, even a small unit can eject ink with good precision. Description of the Drawings

[0013] Figure 1A It is a diagram showing a nozzle head and a display panel of an existing printing apparatus.

[0014] Figure 1B It is a diagram for explaining the landing deviation of ink in the nozzle direction.

[0015] Figure 2A It is a diagram showing an existing ink coating method.

[0016] Figure 2B It is a diagram showing an existing ink coating method.

[0017] Figure 3A It is a diagram showing a display panel with a small unit size in the nozzle direction.

[0018] Figure 3B It is a diagram for explaining the landing deviation of ink in the nozzle direction.

[0019] Figure 4A It is a diagram showing an ink coating method in the case where the unit size in the nozzle direction is small.

[0020] Figure 4B It is a diagram showing an ink coating method in the case where the unit size in the nozzle direction is small.

[0021] Figure 5A It is a diagram showing nozzles with different intervals from the intervals of the units of the display panel.

[0022] Figure 5B It is a diagram for explaining the landing deviation of ink in the nozzle direction.

[0023] Figure 6 It is a schematic diagram of the printing control device in Embodiment 1.

[0024] Figure 7 It is a block diagram showing an example of the structure of the printing control device in Embodiment 1.

[0025] Figure 8 It is a flowchart showing the printing method in Embodiment 1.

[0026] Fig.9A It is a diagram showing a method for determining the resolution in the print scanning direction.

[0027] Fig. 9B It is a diagram showing a method for determining the resolution in the print scanning direction.

[0028] Fig.10It is a diagram of print data indicating information on the units where ink is ejected and registered.

[0029] Fig.11 It is a diagram showing a method for landing inspection.

[0030] Fig.12 It is a flowchart showing the process of selecting available nozzles based on the results of landing inspection.

[0031] Fig.13A It is a conceptual diagram showing the process of searching for available nozzles.

[0032] Fig. 13B It is a conceptual diagram showing the process of searching for available nozzles.

[0033] Fig.14 It is a flowchart showing the process of searching for nozzles available for ink ejection onto the landing areas within each unit.

[0034] Fig.15 It is a flowchart showing the process of extracting available nozzles.

[0035] Fig.16 It is a diagram showing the holding data related to the nozzles that can eject ink onto the landing areas within the unit.

[0036] Fig.17 It is a diagram showing the nozzle number data indicating the number of nozzles that can eject ink onto the areas within each unit.

[0037] Fig.18A It is a flowchart showing the process of searching for positions and selecting nozzles.

[0038] Fig.18B It is a flowchart showing the process of searching for positions and selecting nozzles.

[0039] Fig.18C It is a flowchart showing the process of searching for positions and selecting nozzles.

[0040] Fig.18D It is a flowchart showing the process of searching for positions and selecting nozzles.

[0041] Fig.18E It is a flowchart showing the process of searching for positions and selecting nozzles.

[0042] Fig.18F It is a diagram showing the ink volume data registering information on the volume of ink ejected by each nozzle.

[0043] Fig.19 It is a diagram showing the probability distribution of the positions where the ink ejected from each nozzle lands in the nozzle direction.

[0044] Fig. 20A This is a diagram for explaining the generation of print control data.

[0045] Fig. 20B This is a diagram for explaining the generation of print control data.

[0046] Fig.21A This is a diagram showing the ink ejection method in the case where the distance between the nozzles and the units is different.

[0047] Fig. 21B This is a diagram showing the ink ejection method in the case where the distance between the nozzles and the units is different.

[0048] Fig.22A This is a diagram showing the ink ejection method using a rotary head.

[0049] Fig. 22B This is a diagram showing the ink ejection method using a rotary head.

[0050] Fig.23 This is a flowchart showing the generation process of print control data in the case of supplying multiple ink droplets to the same unit.

[0051] Fig.24A This is a diagram showing the method of supplying ink to each unit in sequence from the nozzles capable of supplying ink.

[0052] Fig. 24B This is a diagram showing the method of supplying ink to each unit in sequence from the nozzles capable of supplying ink.

[0053] Fig.24C This is a diagram showing the method of supplying ink to each unit in sequence from the nozzles capable of supplying ink.

[0054] Fig.25A This is a diagram showing other examples of the method of supplying ink to each unit in sequence from the nozzles capable of supplying ink.

[0055] Fig.25B This is a diagram showing other examples of the method of supplying ink to each unit in sequence from the nozzles capable of supplying ink.

[0056] Fig.25C This is a diagram showing other examples of the method of supplying ink to each unit in sequence from the nozzles capable of supplying ink.

[0057] Fig.25D This is a diagram showing other examples of the method of supplying ink to each unit in sequence from the nozzles capable of supplying ink.

[0058] Fig.26A This is a diagram showing the method of repeatedly supplying one drop of ink to all units until the required number of droplets is reached.

[0059] Fig.26B It is a diagram showing a method of repeatedly supplying a single drop of ink to all units until the desired number of droplets is achieved.

[0060] Fig.26C It is a diagram showing a method of repeatedly supplying a single drop of ink to all units until the desired number of droplets is achieved.

[0061] Fig.26D It is a diagram showing a method of repeatedly supplying a single drop of ink to all units until the desired number of droplets is achieved.

[0062] Fig.26E It is a diagram showing a method of repeatedly supplying a single drop of ink to all units until the desired number of droplets is achieved.

[0063] Fig.26F It is a diagram showing a method of repeatedly supplying a single drop of ink to all units until the desired number of droplets is achieved.

[0064] Fig. 27 It is a flowchart showing the printing method in Embodiment 2.

[0065] Fig.28 It is a flowchart showing the process of selecting available nozzles based on the results of landing inspection.

[0066] Fig.29A It is a diagram showing a method of determining the resolution in the printing scan direction and the nozzle direction.

[0067] Fig.29B It is a diagram showing a method of determining the resolution in the printing scan direction and the nozzle direction.

[0068] Fig.30 It is a diagram showing a printed image registering information of units that eject ink.

[0069] Fig.31 It is a diagram explaining a method of dividing a printed image into divided images.

[0070] Fig.32 It is a diagram explaining the replacement of non-ejecting nozzles.

[0071] Fig.33A It is a diagram showing a method of ejecting ink in the case where the distance between the nozzle and the unit is different.

[0072] Fig.33B It is a diagram showing a method of ejecting ink in the case where the distance between the nozzle and the unit is different.

[0073] Fig.33C It is a diagram showing a method of ejecting ink in the case where the distance between the nozzle and the unit is different.

[0074] Fig.33D It is a diagram showing a method of ejecting ink in a case where the distance between the nozzle and the unit is different.

[0075] Fig.34 It is a diagram showing the relationship between the size in the print scan direction of the landing area and the number of times ink can be ejected.

[0076] Fig.35 It is a diagram showing the relationship between the size of the landing area, the number of divided areas, and the number of times that can be ejected.

[0077] Fig.36 It is a flowchart showing the search position and the nozzle selection process performed in the print count minimization mode.

[0078] Fig.37 It is a diagram showing an example of the bending of the traveling direction of the stage.

[0079] Fig.38 It is a flowchart showing a printing method including unit grouping processing.

[0080] Fig.39 It is a diagram showing an example of a unit group obtained as a result of unit grouping processing.

[0081] Fig.40 It is a flowchart of landing inspection.

[0082] Fig.41 It is a diagram schematically showing the observed landing pattern.

[0083] Fig.42 It is a diagram explaining the bending margin of the stage travel.

[0084] Fig.43 It is a diagram explaining the division of the unit group.

[0085] Fig.44 It is a flowchart showing the extraction process of nozzles that can be used.

[0086] Fig.45A It is a diagram showing an example of a unit having a shape other than a rectangle and a landing area.

[0087] Fig.45B It is a diagram showing an example of a unit having a shape other than a rectangle and a landing area.

[0088] Fig.45C It is a diagram showing an example of a unit having a shape other than a rectangle and a landing area.

[0089] Fig.46A It is a diagram explaining the case of setting a landing area having a rectangular shape in a unit having a shape other than a rectangle.

[0090] Fig.46B This is a diagram illustrating the case where a landing area having a rectangular shape is set in a unit having a shape other than rectangular.

[0091] Fig.46C This is a diagram illustrating the case where a landing area having a rectangular shape is set in a unit having a shape other than rectangular.

[0092] Fig.46D This is a diagram illustrating the case where a landing area having a rectangular shape is set in a unit having a shape other than rectangular.

[0093] Fig.47 This is a conceptual diagram showing states with different attitude angles of the head.

[0094] Fig.48 This is a diagram illustrating the process of landing inspection.

[0095] Fig.49 This is a flowchart showing the extraction process that can use the nozzle.

[0096] Description of Reference Numerals

[0097] 1 Printing device

[0098] 2 Host PC

[0099] 10 Head

[0100] 11 Nozzle hole

[0101] 12 Display panel

[0102] 13 Unit

[0103] 14 Landing area

[0104] 15 Ink

[0105] 20 Printing control device

[0106] 21a Calculation unit

[0107] 21b Generation unit

[0108] 21c Detection unit

[0109] 21d Nozzle control unit. Detailed Description of the Invention

[0110] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, all the embodiments described below represent a specific example of the present disclosure. Therefore, each component, the arrangement position and connection form of each component, and each step and the order of each step shown in the following embodiments are examples, and do not limit the gist of the present disclosure. In addition, among the components in the following embodiments, the components not described in the independent claims are described as optional components.

[0111] In addition, each figure is a schematic diagram and is not necessarily strictly illustrated. In addition, in each figure, the same reference numerals are given to substantially the same structures, and repeated descriptions are omitted or simplified.

[0112] First, the problems of a conventional printing apparatus for coating ink on cells of a display panel will be described. Figure 1A FIG. shows a head 101 and a display panel 121 of a conventional printing apparatus. The head 101 has a plurality of nozzle holes 102, and ink 114 is ejected from the nozzle holes 102. In addition, the heads 101 are arranged obliquely in an oblique direction. Four nozzles N1 to N4 are formed at equal intervals in the head 101. Actually, many nozzles are formed in the head 101.

[0113] The display panel 121 has a rectangular cell 112 and a rectangular landing area 113 which is an area in the cell 112 where ink is allowed to land. A plurality of inks are ejected from the nozzle holes 102 of the head 101, and the ink 114 is coated on the landing area 113. Hereinafter, the cell 112 in the first column of the display panel 121 will be referred to as cell C1, and the cell 112 in the second column will be referred to as cell C2, and so on.

[0114] Figure 1B FIG. is a diagram for explaining the deviation of the landing of ink in the nozzle direction. The nozzle direction is Figure 1A the vertical direction in, that is, the direction orthogonal to the printing scan direction. As Figure 1B shown, the actual landing positions of the ink 114 deviate to the left and right from the centers of the cells C1 and C2. And a tolerance range A is set for the deviation amount.

[0115] Figure 2A And Figure 2B FIG. is a diagram showing a conventional ink coating method. Since the deviation amount of the landing of the nozzle N4 in the nozzle direction exceeds the tolerance range A, the nozzle N4 is treated as a non-ejecting nozzle. In this case, the position of the head 101 is deviated, and the nozzle N3 is used to supplement the nozzle N4.

[0116] For this reason, as Figure 2A shown, the nozzles N1 and N2 respectively fill the first and second drops of ink into the cell C1, and the nozzle N3 fills the first drop of ink into the cell C2. Then, as Figure 2BAs shown, nozzle N3 fills the second drop of ink into unit C2.

[0117] Figure 3A It is a diagram of display panel 121 with a small unit size in the nozzle direction. Figure 3A Among them, the unit size in the nozzle direction of the square-shaped unit 122 is smaller than Figure 1A the unit 112 in. In addition, the size in the nozzle direction of the rectangular landing area 123 is also smaller than the landing area 123 in FIG. 1.

[0118] Figure 3B It is a diagram for explaining the deviation of the ink landing in the nozzle direction. Since the size of unit 122 is small, the allowable range B of the landing deviation is strictly set. Thereby, the range of nozzles that can be printed within unit 122 is narrowed.

[0119] Figure 4A and Figure 4B It is a diagram of an ink coating method in the case of a small unit size in the nozzle direction. Since the deviation amount of the landing of nozzles N3 and N4 in the nozzle direction exceeds the allowable range B, they are treated as non-jetting nozzles. In this case, the position of head 101 is deviated, and nozzles N1 and N2 are used to supplement nozzles N3 and N4.

[0120] For this reason, as Figure 4A shown, nozzle N1 fills the first drop of ink into unit C1, and N2 fills the first drop of ink into unit C2. Then, as Figure 4B shown, head 101 is staggered by n times the nozzle interval (n is an integer), so that nozzle N1 fills the first drop of ink into unit C3, and nozzle N2 fills the first drop of ink into unit C4.

[0121] Thus, in the prior art, there is the following problem: if the size of the unit in the nozzle direction is small, the number of nozzles that can be used becomes small.

[0122] Figure 5A It is a diagram of nozzles with intervals different from the intervals of the units of the display panel. In the Figure 5A example, the direction in which nozzles 102 are arranged is the same as the nozzle direction perpendicular to the print scan direction. In addition, the intervals of nozzles N1 to N4 are different from the intervals of units C1 to C5. When the ink lands within the landing area 123, since their intervals are different, nozzles other than N1 cannot be used.

[0123] Figure 5B It is a diagram for explaining the deviation of the ink landing in the nozzle direction. Since the size of unit 122 is small, the allowable range C of the landing deviation is strictly set. Thereby, the range of nozzles that can be printed within unit 122 is narrowed.

[0124] In this way, when the interval between the nozzles 102 and the interval between the cells 122 is different, the number of nozzles that can be used is further reduced in the prior art. In addition, in the conventional ink coating method, there is the following problem: if the interval between the nozzles 102 and the interval between the cells is different, the nozzles that seem to be usable are actually unusable.

[0125] (Implementation method 1)

[0126] Figure 6 1 is a schematic diagram showing a printing device 1 in Embodiment 1. The printing device 1 includes an inkjet head module 10, a print control device 20, and a stage 30. A display panel 12 is placed on the stage 30. In addition, the control device 20 is connected to an external host PC (Personal Computer) 2 via a wired or wireless connection.

[0127] The inkjet head module 10 discharges ink droplets onto the display panel 12 placed on the stage 30 . The operation of the inkjet head module 10 including the discharge of ink droplets is controlled by the print control device 20 .

[0128] The print control device 20 controls the entire printing device 1. For example, the print control device 20 receives print image data from the connected external host PC 2, and forms an image on the display panel 12 based on the received print image data. At this time, the control device 20 controls the ejection timing and volume of ink droplets from the inkjet head module 10 in conjunction with the operation of the stage 30.

[0129] The stage 30 is configured to be relatively movable with respect to the inkjet head module 10, for example, to transport the mounted display panel 12. The stage 30 changes the relative positional relationship between the display panel 12 and the inkjet head module 10 by transporting the display panel 12.

[0130] The stage 30 also includes an encoder device (not shown) to generate an encoder signal and output the encoder signal to the print control device 20. The encoder signal is a signal including information indicating the conveyance speed (stage movement amount) and direction of the display panel 12.

[0131] In addition, in this example, the stage 30 is described as being movable, but the structure of the printing device 1 is not limited to this example. For example, the structure of the printing device 1 may be a structure in which the stage 30 is fixed and the inkjet head module 10 is movable, or a structure in which both the inkjet head module 10 and the stage 30 are movable.

[0132] Furthermore, the structure of the printing device 1 is not limited to Figure 6The example shown. For example, the printing apparatus 1 may also be configured as a so-called roll-to-roll apparatus that forms an image on a printing medium such as a film wound into a roll shape, i.e., an object to be printed, and then winds it into a roll shape.

[0133] Figure 7 FIG. is a block diagram showing an example of the structure of the printing control device 20 in Embodiment 1. The printing control device 20 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 21, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 22, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 23, a host interface 24, a synchronization control unit 25, a head control unit 26, and a head drive unit 27. In addition, the CPU 21, the RAM 22, the ROM 23, the host interface (hereinafter appropriately referred to as "host I / F") 24, and the head control unit 26 are connected to the CPU bus 28.

[0134] The CPU 21 reads out a program corresponding to the processing content from the ROM 23 and expands it in the RAM 22, and controls the operation of the printing apparatus 1 in cooperation with the expanded program. The RAM 22 is, for example, a volatile memory that temporarily stores various data used in the printing apparatus 1. For example, in the present Embodiment 1, the print image data transmitted from the host PC 2 is temporarily stored in the RAM 22. The ROM 23 is, for example, a non-volatile memory that stores various data such as constant data used in the printing control device 20.

[0135] Furthermore, the CPU 21 functions as a calculation unit 21a, a generation unit 21b, a detection unit 21c, and a nozzle control unit 21d.

[0136] The calculation unit 21a performs processing such as calculating the resolution in the print scan direction and the resolution in the nozzle direction required for ejecting ink to the regions within each unit. The generation unit 21b extracts the nozzles among the plurality of nozzles that can eject ink to the landing regions within each unit, and generates data representing the extracted nozzles.

[0137] The detection unit 21c detects the ejection accuracy of the plurality of nozzles based on the landing position of the ink that is actually ejected by moving the head. The nozzle control unit 21d controls the ejection timing of the ink from the plurality of nozzles in the print scan direction and the nozzle direction. The processing performed by each unit implemented by the CPU 21 will be described in further detail later.

[0138] The host I / F 24 is an interface for exchanging various data with an external host PC 2. For example, the host I / F 24 receives print image data from the host PC 2, and stores the received print image data in the RAM 22 via the CPU bus 28 according to the instruction of the CPU 21.

[0139] The synchronization control unit 25 generates a basic printing timing signal based on the encoder signal received from the stage 30. The basic printing timing signal represents a timing signal for starting unit ejection. Unit ejection is the ejection for forming the ink of 1 pixel.

[0140] The head control unit 26 generates a drive voltage waveform signal for driving the head 10 of the inkjet head module 10.

[0141] The head drive unit 27 converts the drive voltage waveform signal generated in the head control unit 26 into a signal suitable for being processed in the inkjet head module 10 and outputs it. Specifically, the head drive unit 27 converts the drive voltage waveform signal from a digital signal into an analog signal and performs voltage amplification and current amplification.

[0142] The head control unit 26 and the head drive unit 27 function as a driving device for the head 10. The functions of the head control unit 26 and the head drive unit 27 can be realized, for example, by a computer having a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM (not shown in the drawings) and the like.

[0143] The CPU reads out a program corresponding to the processing content from the ROM and expands it in the RAM, and works together with the expanded program to centrally control the operations of the head control unit 26 and the head drive unit 27. In addition, the functions of the head control unit 26 and the head drive unit 27 can be realized, for example, by the CPU 21, the ROM 23, and the RAM 22 included in the control device 20.

[0144] Figure 8 is a flowchart showing the printing method in the first embodiment. First, the calculation unit 21a of the printing control device 20 calculates the resolution in the printing scan direction (step S1). Then, the generation unit 21b generates print data in which the positions of the areas within each unit where ink is to be ejected are registered as vector data (step S2).

[0145] Next, the detection unit 21c performs a landing check: ink is actually ejected from the nozzle, and the ejection accuracy of the nozzle is detected based on the landing position (step S3). Then, the nozzle control unit 21d selects usable nozzles whose deviation amounts at landing are within the allowable range based on the results of the landing check (step S4).

[0146] After that, the nozzle control unit 21d searches for nozzles capable of ejecting ink onto the landing areas within each unit from the selected nozzles, and generates nozzle data including the data of the searched nozzles (step S5). Then, the nozzle control unit 21d performs printing by causing the nozzles to eject ink with reference to the nozzle data (step S6).

[0147] Fig.9A and Fig. 9B is showing Figure 8 A diagram of a method for determining the resolution in the print scan direction shown in step S1. As Fig.9A shown, the head 10 has a plurality of nozzle holes 11, and ink is ejected from the nozzle holes 11. Four nozzles N1 to N4 are formed at equal intervals on the head 10. In addition, in Fig.9A this example, only one column of nozzles is shown in the print scan direction, but in order to improve the resolution of the head, a plurality of nozzle columns each offset by 1 / n (n is an integer) of the nozzle pitch in the nozzle direction may be arranged at intervals in the print scan direction.

[0148] The display panel 12 has: a square-shaped cell 13; and a square-shaped landing area 14 which is an area in the cell 13 where ink landing is permitted. A plurality of ink droplets 15 are ejected from the nozzle holes 11 of the head 10 and coated on the landing area 14. In addition, the shapes of the cell 13 and the landing area 14 are not limited to squares, and may be other shapes such as rectangles.

[0149] As Fig. 9B shown, when the size in the print scan direction of cells C1 to C5 is 20.0 μm, if the droplet diameter 20 of the ink is set to 12.0 μm and the reserve width for preventing the ink from exceeding cells C1 to C5, that is, the landing avoidance part, is set to 1.0 μm, then the size in the print scan direction of the landing area where the ink lands becomes 6.0 μm according to the formula: size in the print scan direction of the landing area = cell size - droplet diameter - landing avoidance part × 2.

[0150] In addition, since the resolution of the nozzle is 1200 dpi, the resolution of the nozzle in the print scan direction becomes 21.167 μm.

[0151] In this case, the calculation unit 21a rounds up the mantissa after the decimal point of the quotient obtained by dividing the interval in the print scan direction of the nozzles by the length in the print scan direction of the landing area in each cell to calculate the resolution magnification. In Fig. 9B this example, the calculation unit 21a rounds up the mantissa after the decimal point of 21.167÷6.0 = 3.527 and calculates the value of the resolution magnification as 4.

[0152] Then, the calculation unit 21a calculates the resolution required for printing by multiplying the resolution of the nozzle by the resolution magnification. In Fig. 9B this example, the calculation unit 21a calculates the resolution required for printing as 1200×4 = 4800 dpi.

[0153] Furthermore, the calculation unit 21a calculates the resolution required for printing by dividing the resolution of the nozzle by the resolution magnification. In Fig. 9BIn the example, the calculation unit 21a calculates the resolution required for printing as 21.167 μm ÷ 4 = 5.292 μm.

[0154] Since the length of the landing area in the print scan direction is 6.0 μm and the resolution required for printing is 5.292 μm which is less than 6.0 μm, the print control device 20 can cause the ink to land appropriately on the landing area.

[0155] Fig.10 It is a diagram of print data that registers information of the unit that ejects ink. In the print data, information such as the x coordinate and y coordinate of the landing area within the unit, the width of the landing area in the nozzle direction (x direction) which is the landing area width, the height of the landing area in the print scan direction (y direction) which is the landing area height, and the number of ink droplets to be ejected corresponding to the landing area is registered.

[0156] In Fig.10 the position of the landing area within the unit is held as vector data. Assuming that if this position is not held as vector data but as pixel data, the print resolution in the nozzle direction becomes a value obtained by dividing the nozzle pitch by an integer n, which is inconsistent with the unit pitch. Therefore, a quantization error occurs in the print position at the time of printing using pixel data. On the other hand, in the case of using vector data, since no quantization error occurs until the stage of determining the nozzle for printing, the occurrence of quantization error can be minimized.

[0157] Fig.11 It is a diagram showing Figure 8 the method of landing inspection in step S3 of

[0158] Fig.12 It is a diagram showing Fig.11 the flowchart of the process of selecting available nozzles based on the result of the landing inspection shown in

[0159] Next, the detection unit 21c of the print control device 20 calculates the error of the landing position by the following formula (step S12). Additionally, i is an integer where 1 ≤ i ≤ n.

[0160] 1. Error in the landing position in the nozzle direction [i]

[0161] = Landing position in the nozzle direction [i] - Landing target position in the nozzle direction [i]

[0162] 2. Error in the landing position in the print scan direction [i]

[0163] = Landing position in the print scan direction [i] - Landing target position in the print scan direction [i]

[0164] Then, the detection unit 21c calculates the deviation of the landing position from the center and the deviation of the landing position indicating the reproducibility of the landing position through the following equations (step S13).

[0165] 3. Deviation of the landing position from the center in the nozzle direction

[0166] = Average value of the error in the landing position in the nozzle direction [i]

[0167] 4. Deviation of the landing position in the nozzle direction

[0168] = Standard deviation of the error in the landing position in the nozzle direction [i] × 3

[0169] 5. Deviation of the landing position from the center in the print scan direction

[0170] = Average value of the error in the landing position in the print scan direction [i]

[0171] 6. Deviation of the landing position in the print scan direction

[0172] = Standard deviation of the error in the landing position in the print scan direction [i] × 3

[0173] After that, the detection unit 21c sets the nozzles with non - reproducible ink landing positions as non - ejection nozzles that prohibit ink ejection (step S14). For example, the detection unit 21c sets the nozzles with a standard deviation of 1.0 μm or more calculated by Equation 4 and Equation 6 as non - ejection nozzles.

[0174] In addition, the detection unit 21c sets the nozzles with a deviation of the landing position from the center in the print scan direction exceeding the threshold as correction nozzles for correcting the ink ejection timing (step S15). In this case, the deviation calculated by Equation 5 is used as data for calculating the ink ejection timing.

[0175] Fig.13A And Fig. 13B represents Figure 8 a conceptual diagram of the process of the nozzles that can be used in the search in step S5. As Fig.13AAs shown, when the width of the workpiece 52, which is the object to which ink is ejected, is greater than that of the head 51, the head 51 is moved at a given search interval, and a nozzle that can eject ink to each unit of the workpiece 52 is searched for.

[0176] In addition, as Fig. 13B shown, when the width of the head 53 is greater than that of the workpiece 54, the workpiece 54 is moved at a given search interval, and a nozzle that can eject ink to each unit of the workpiece 52 is searched for. Further, hereinafter, the case where the head 51 shown in Fig.13A is moved will be described as an example.

[0177] Fig.14 is a flowchart showing the process of searching for nozzles that can be used in the ejection of ink to the landing areas in each unit. First, the generation unit 21b of the print control device 20 performs a process of extracting nozzles that can be used in the ejection of ink to the landing areas in each unit for each search position where the head 51 moves relative to the workpiece 52 (step S21).

[0178] Then, the generation unit 21b performs a selection process of selecting the search position of the head 51 and the nozzles to be used in actual printing from the extracted nozzles (step S22). Regarding this selection process, FIG. 18A to FIG. 18F will be described in detail.

[0179] After that, the generation unit 21b performs a process of generating print control data indicating the selected search position and nozzles (step S23). The nozzle control unit 21d refers to this print control data, selects nozzles that can be used in the ejection of ink for each search position, and controls the printing.

[0180] Fig.15 is a flowchart showing Fig.14 the process of extracting nozzles that can be used in step S21. The generation unit 21b of the print control device 20 sequentially selects the position of the head 51 relative to the workpiece 52 from the search start position to the search end position at a given search interval (step S31).

[0181] In addition, the generation unit 21b sequentially selects each unit at each position of the head 51 (step S32). Further, the generation unit 21b sequentially selects each nozzle for each position of the heads 41 and 53 and each unit (step S33).

[0182] Then, the generation unit 21b determines whether there is a nozzle that can eject ink to the landing area within the unit. If there is such a nozzle, the unit number of the unit where the ink from the nozzle can land, the search number indicating the search position where the ink from the nozzle can land, the nozzle number of the nozzle, and the information on the deviation amount of the landing position in the nozzle direction from the center position of the landing area are held (step S34).

[0183] Fig.16 It is a diagram showing holding data related to nozzles that can eject ink onto the landing area within a unit. Each of the above-mentioned pieces of information is registered in this holding data.

[0184] When the processing of step S34 has not been completed for each nozzle, the process returns to step S33, and the next nozzle is selected (step S35). When the processing of step S34 has been completed for each nozzle, the process proceeds to step S36. Then, when the processing from step S33 to step S35 has not been completed for each unit, the process returns to step S32, and the next unit is selected (step S36).

[0185] When the processing from step S33 to step S35 has been completed for each unit, the generation unit 21b detects the number of nozzles that can eject ink onto the area within each unit for each search position of the print head 51, and holds this data (step S37).

[0186] Fig.17 A diagram showing nozzle number data indicating the number of nozzles that can eject ink onto the area within each unit. In this nozzle number data, the number of nozzles that can eject ink onto the area within each unit is registered at the search position corresponding to each search number.

[0187] Then, when the processing from step S32 to step S37 has not been completed for each search position, the process returns to step S31, and the next search position is selected (step S38). When the processing from step S32 to step S37 has been completed for each search position, this extraction process ends.

[0188] FIG. 18A to FIG. 18E It shows Fig.14 A flowchart of the search position and nozzle selection process in step S22.

[0189] First, the generation unit 21b of the print control device 20 receives a designation of the nozzle selection mode from the user (step S41). The nozzle selection modes include the same unit uses nozzle dispersion mode, position deviation minimization mode, print count minimization mode, and volume error minimization mode. In addition to receiving the selection mode from the user at this timing, the user can also accept the input of the selection mode in advance and store it, and read out this information at this timing.

[0190] Then, the generation unit 21b performs the search position and nozzle selection process in each mode corresponding to which mode is selected (steps S42 to S45).

[0191] In step S41, when the same unit uses nozzle dispersion mode is specified, as Fig.18BAs shown, the generation unit 21b sequentially selects each cell (step S46). Then, the generation unit 21b sequentially selects Fig.15 each nozzle extracted in step S34 of

[0192] Then, the generation unit 21b refers to Fig.16 the held data shown to extract different nozzles that can eject ink onto the landing area within one cell (step S48).

[0193] In the case of ejecting ink onto the landing area within one cell multiple times, by using different nozzles, the bias in the ejection volume of each nozzle can be canceled out, and the brightness unevenness of the display can be reduced. In addition, since adjacent nozzles tend to have the same ejection volume, it is preferable to extract separate and non - adjacent nozzles as much as possible.

[0194] Then, if the process of step S48 has not ended for each nozzle, the process returns to step S47 to select the next nozzle (step S49). If the process of step S48 has ended for each nozzle, the generation unit 21b determines whether the processes of steps S47 to S49 have ended for each cell (step S50).

[0195] Then, if the processes of steps S47 to S49 have not ended for each cell, the process returns to step S46 to select the next cell. If the processes of steps S47 to S49 have ended for each cell, the search position and the nozzle selection process end.

[0196] In the case where the position deviation minimization mode is specified in step S41, as Fig.18C shown, the generation unit 21b sequentially selects each cell (step S51). Then, the generation unit 21b sequentially selects Fig.15 each nozzle extracted in step S34 of

[0197] Then, the generation unit 21b refers to Fig.16 the held data shown, and sequentially selects from the search positions and nozzle combinations with small deviation amounts from the ink landing target position in the landing area within each cell among multiple nozzles, and extracts the search positions and nozzles that can eject ink onto the landing area within each cell (step S53).

[0198] Then, if the process of step S53 has not ended for each nozzle, the process returns to step S52 to select the next nozzle (step S54). If the process of step S53 has ended for each nozzle, the generation unit 21b determines whether the processes of steps S52 to S54 have ended for each cell (step S55).

[0199] Then, when the processes of step S52 to step S54 for each unit are not completed, the process returns to step S51 to select the next unit. When the processes of step S52 to step S54 for each unit are completed, the search position and the nozzle selection process are completed.

[0200] When the minimum number of printing times mode is specified in step S41, as Fig.18D shown, the generation unit 21b sequentially selects each unit (step S56). Then, the generation unit 21b sequentially selects Fig.15 each nozzle extracted in step S34 of

[0201] Then, the generation unit 21b refers to Fig.17 the nozzle number data shown, and sequentially selects from the positions with a larger number of nozzles among the positions of the heads indicated by the search numbers, and refers to Fig.16 the holding data shown to extract the nozzles that can eject ink at the selected positions (step S58).

[0202] Then, when the process of step S58 for each nozzle is not completed, the process returns to step S57 to select the next nozzle (step S59). When the process of step S58 for each nozzle is completed, the generation unit 21b determines whether the processes of step S57 to step S59 for each unit are completed (step S60).

[0203] Then, when the processes of step S57 to step S59 for each unit are not completed, the process returns to step S56 to select the next unit. When the processes of step S57 to step S59 for each unit are completed, the search position and the nozzle selection process are completed.

[0204] When the minimum volume error mode is specified in step S41, as Fig.18E shown, the generation unit 21b sequentially selects each unit (step 61). Then, the generation unit 21b sequentially selects Fig.15 each nozzle extracted in step S34 of

[0205] Then, the generation unit 21b refers to Fig.18F the ink volume data shown, and extracts, for each unit, the nozzles that can make the total volume of the droplets landing on the landing area within the unit close to the set target total (step S63).

[0206] Fig.18FThis is a diagram of ink volume data representing information on the volume of ink ejected from each nozzle. In this ink volume data, the unit number of the unit where the ink from the nozzle can land, the search number indicating the search position where the ink from the nozzle can land, the nozzle number of the nozzle, and information on the volume of ink ejected from the nozzle are registered.

[0207] Here, the total volume of the target droplets is calculated by (expected volume) × (number of droplets landing in the area within the unit). Here, the expected volume is the target value for volume adjustment of each nozzle. This expected volume is approximately equal to the average volume of the ink ejected from each nozzle. In addition, the number of droplets landing in the area within the unit is Fig.10 the number of droplets shown.

[0208] For example, when the expected volume is 5 pl and the number of droplets landing in the area within the unit is 2, the total volume of the target droplets becomes 10 pl. In this case, the generation unit 21b refers to Fig.18F the ink volume data shown, and for the unit with unit number 1, extracts the nozzle with nozzle number 1 at the head position with search number 1. In addition, the generation unit 21b extracts the nozzle with nozzle number 5 at the head position with search number 2.

[0209] The nozzle with nozzle number 1 can eject 4.8 pl of ink, and the nozzle with nozzle number 5 can eject 5.2 pl of ink. Thus, the total volume of the ink ejected onto the unit with unit number 1 can be made the target total of 10 pl.

[0210] In addition, the generation unit 21b can extract the nozzle that can eject ink with a volume closer to the above-mentioned expected volume as the nozzle for ejecting ink onto the area within one unit. Thus, the total volume of the droplets landing in the landing area within the unit can be made closer to the target total.

[0211] In this case, the generation unit 21b refers to Fig.18F the ink volume data shown, and for the unit with unit number 1, extracts the nozzle with nozzle number 10 at the head position with search number 3. This nozzle is the one that can eject 5.1 pl of ink, which is the volume closest to the expected volume of 5 pl.

[0212] In addition, the generation unit 21b extracts the nozzle with nozzle number 1 at the head position with search number 1. This nozzle is the one that can eject 4.8 pl of ink, which is the volume second closest to the expected volume of 5 pl.

[0213] Thus, the total volume of the ink ejected onto the unit with unit number 1 can be set to 9.9 pl, which can be a value close to the target total of 10 pl.

[0214] In addition, here, the nozzle with nozzle number 1 at the position of the head with search number 1 is extracted, but it is also possible to extract the nozzle with search number 2 and nozzle number 5 whose difference from the volume expected value is 0.2 which is the same as that nozzle. In this case, since the total volume of the ink ejected onto the unit with unit number 1 becomes 10.3 pl, it is desirable to select a combination of nozzles with a smaller total.

[0215] Return to Fig.18E the description. When the process of step S63 has not been completed for each nozzle, return to step S62 and select the next nozzle (step S64). When the process of step S63 has been completed for each nozzle, the generation unit 21b determines whether the processes of steps S62 to S64 have been completed for each unit (step S65).

[0216] Then, when the processes of steps S62 to S64 have not been completed for each unit, return to step S61 and select the next unit. When the processes of steps S62 to S64 have been completed for each unit, the selection process of the search position and the nozzle ends.

[0217] In addition, in the above flowchart, the nozzle dispersion mode, the position deviation minimization mode, the printing times minimization mode, and the volume error minimization mode using the same unit are described, but these can also be combined respectively. For example, the position deviation minimization mode and the printing times minimization mode can be combined. When the deviation of the landing area within each unit from the ink landing target position is within 0.5 μm, the search position and nozzle with the minimum number of printing times are selected.

[0218] In addition, in the process described by Figures 18A to 18E when it is necessary to land multiple drops of ink in the landing area of one unit as shown in Figure 1A , multiple nozzles that can eject ink in one scan of the head in the print scan direction are extracted, and ink is ejected onto the landing area from these multiple nozzles. Hereinafter, the effects of this case are described.

[0219] Fig.19 is a diagram showing the probability distribution of the positions where the ink ejected from each nozzle lands in the nozzle direction. The interval between the vertices of each probability distribution corresponds to the resolution of the nozzles in the nozzle direction.

[0220] If the resolution of the nozzles becomes higher, the number of nozzles that can land ink on one landing area 113 increases. For this reason, ink is ejected onto one landing area 113 from multiple nozzles, thereby shortening the printing rhythm.

[0221] For example, in Figure 1AIn the case of a droplet of ink that needs to land at two positions in one landing area 113, such as the unit C1 shown, and can land two droplets of ink from the nozzles N1 and N2 in one landing area 113 at a certain search position, during one scan of the print head in the print scan direction, ink is ejected from the nozzles N1 and N2 to shorten the printing cycle.

[0222] Fig. 20A And Fig. 20B is a diagram for explaining the generation of print control data. As Fig. 20A shown, when the position of the nozzle N1 is at a distance that is n times (n is an integer) the search interval from the search start position, if ink is ejected from the nozzles N1 to N4, the ink lands on the units C1, C2, C4, and C5 in the first and second columns.

[0223] In this case, the generation unit 21b generates print control data 61 indicating the position where the ink is ejected. The nozzle direction numbers of the print control data 61 represent the nozzle numbers 1 to 4 corresponding to the nozzles N1 to N4, and the print scan direction numbers indicate the positions where the ink is ejected. The numbers attached in the print scan direction are calculated by the calculation unit 21a and correspond to the resolution required for printing, that is, the resolution in the print scan direction required for ejecting ink to each landing area 14, as shown in the table of Fig. 9B . Here, the 9th row of the print control data 61 corresponds to the units C1, C2, C4, and C5 in the first column, and the 19th row of the print control data 61 corresponds to the units C1, C2, C4, and C5 in the second column.

[0224] When the position of the head further moves and the position of the nozzle N1 becomes a distance that is m times (m is an integer) the search interval from the search start position, as Fig. 20B shown, if ink is ejected from the nozzle N2, the ink lands on the units C3 in the first and second columns.

[0225] In this case, the generation unit 21b generates print control data 62 indicating the position where the ink is ejected. In Fig. 20B , since the ink ejected from the nozzle N2 lands on the units C3 in the first and second columns, in the print control data 62, data indicating the position where the ink is ejected is registered in the part corresponding to the nozzle number 2 in the 9th row and the 19th row.

[0226] The nozzle control unit 21d controls the ejection timing of ink from a plurality of nozzles in the print scan direction based on the resolution in the print scan direction required for ejecting ink to each landing area 14. Specifically, the nozzle control unit 21d refers to print control data generated based on information on the resolution in the print scan direction required for ejecting ink to each landing area 14, selects nozzles that can be used in the ejection of ink for each search position, and controls printing by controlling the ejection timing of ink from the plurality of nozzles.

[0227] Fig.21A and Fig. 21B FIG. is a diagram showing a method of ejecting ink in a case where the distance between the nozzle and the unit is different. For example, as Fig.21A shown, when the nozzle N1 is at a distance that is n times (n is an integer) the search interval from the search start position, the nozzle N1 fills the first drop of ink into the unit C1, and the nozzle N2 fills the first drop of ink into the unit C2. In addition, the nozzle N3 fills the first drop of ink into the unit C4, and the nozzle N4 fills the first drop of ink into the unit C5.

[0228] In addition, as Fig. 21B shown, when the nozzle N1 is at a distance that is m times (m is an integer) the search interval from the search start position, the nozzle N2 fills the first drop of ink into the unit C3. In this way, by appropriately shifting the position of the nozzle N1 by an integer multiple of the search interval that is neither the nozzle interval nor the unit interval, the ink can land at the center of the unit. Of course, the position of the nozzle N1 can also be moved by an integer multiple of the nozzle interval or the unit interval.

[0229] Fig.22A and Fig. 22B FIG. is a diagram showing a method of ejecting ink using a rotary head. In the rotary head, when the unit size in the nozzle direction is small, by rotating the head obliquely with respect to the nozzle direction orthogonal to the print scan direction, the nozzle interval in the nozzle direction can be made equal to or less than the unit interval.

[0230] In this case, it is also possible to eject ink to an appropriate position in the same manner as in the case shown in Fig.21A and Fig. 21B shown.

[0231] For example, as Fig.22A shown, when the nozzle N1 is at a distance that is n times the search interval from the search start position, the nozzle N2 fills the first drop of ink into the unit C1, the nozzle N3 fills the first drop of ink into the unit C3, and the nozzle N4 fills the first drop of ink into the unit C4.

[0232] In addition, as Fig. 22BAs shown, when the nozzle N1 is at a distance that is m times (m is an integer) the search interval from the search start position, the nozzle N1 fills the first droplet into the unit C2. In this way, by appropriately staggering the position of the nozzle N1 by an integer multiple of the search interval that is neither the nozzle interval nor the unit interval, the ink can land at the center of the unit. Additionally, the position of the nozzle N1 can also be moved by an integer multiple of the nozzle interval and the unit interval.

[0233] Fig.23 It is a flowchart showing the generation process of print control data for the case of supplying droplets of multiple inks to the same unit. First, the generation unit 21b of the print control device 20 receives the specification of the method for supplying droplets of multiple inks from the user (step S71).

[0234] The methods for supplying droplets of multiple inks include the method of sequentially supplying ink from the nozzles capable of supplying ink to each unit, and the method of repeatedly supplying one droplet of ink to all units until the required number of droplets is reached. Additionally, in addition to receiving the specification of the ink supply method from the user, the user can also pre - receive and store the specification of the ink supply method, and read out this information at that time.

[0235] When the method of sequentially supplying ink from the nozzles capable of supplying ink to each unit is specified as the method for supplying droplets of multiple inks, the generation unit 21b executes Fig.14 the process of searching for the nozzles that can be used in the ejection of ink to the landing area within each unit shown (step S72), and then ends the generation process of this print control data.

[0236] In step S71, when the method of repeatedly supplying one droplet of ink to all units until the required number of droplets is reached is specified as the method for supplying droplets of multiple inks, the generation unit 21b calculates the total number of overlapping coatings based on the number of ink droplets filled in one print within the unit (step S73). Specifically, the generation unit 21b calculates the number of overlapping coatings by dividing the number of ink droplets to be filled in each unit by the number of ink droplets filled in one print within the unit.

[0237] Next, the generation unit 21b separates the print data into multiple pages so that the number of ink droplets to be filled in each unit becomes the sum of the number of droplets in each overlapping coating (step S74).

[0238] After that, the generation unit 21b repeats the processes of steps S76 and S77 by the amount of the number of overlapping coatings (step S75).

[0239] That is, the generation unit 21b individually sets the search start position, the search end position, and the search interval (step S76) for the case of moving the head for each overlapping coating to search for nozzles that can eject ink onto the landing areas within each unit.

[0240] Then, the generation unit 21b executes Fig.14 the process of searching for nozzles that can be used in the ejection of ink onto the landing areas within each unit (step S77) shown in the figure. After executing the processes of step S76 and step S77 for the number of times of overlapping coating, the generation process of the print control data is ended.

[0241] In this way, in step S76, by individually setting the search start position, the search end position, and the search interval, nozzles can be extracted so that the nozzles used in the ejection of ink for each unit are different between overlapping coatings. As a result, the bias in the ejection volume of each nozzle can be offset, thereby reducing the brightness unevenness of the display.

[0242] FIG. 24A to FIG. 24C Yes Fig.23 It is a diagram showing a method of supplying ink to each unit in sequence from nozzles that can supply ink, which is described in step S72. The display panel 12 has: rectangular units 72; and rectangular landing areas 73 within the units 72 where ink landing is permitted. In this example, three drops of ink are made to land on the landing areas 73 within each unit.

[0243] For example, in this method, as Fig.24A shown, when the nozzle N1 is at a distance that is n times (n is an integer) the search interval from the search start position, the nozzles N2 and N3 fill the 1st and 2nd drops of ink in the landing area of the unit C1, and the nozzle N4 fills the 1st drop of ink in the landing area of the unit C2.

[0244] In addition, as Fig. 24B shown, when the nozzle N1 is at a distance that is m times (m is an integer) the search interval from the search start position, the nozzle N2 fills the 3rd drop of ink in the landing area of the unit C1, and the nozzle N3 fills the 2nd drop of ink in the landing area of the unit C2. Furthermore, as Fig.24C shown, when the nozzle N1 is at a distance that is l times (l is an integer) the search interval from the search start position, the nozzle N2 fills the 3rd drop of ink in the landing area of the unit C2.

[0245] In this way, in this method, at each search position, ink is supplied to the landing areas of each unit in sequence from the nozzles that can supply ink to the landing areas of each unit.

[0246] FIG. 25A to FIG. 25DIt is a diagram showing other examples of a method of sequentially supplying ink to each unit from a nozzle capable of supplying ink. The display panel 12 has: a square-shaped unit 13; and a square-shaped landing area 14 within the unit 13 where ink is allowed to land. In this example, three drops of ink 15 are made to land on each landing area 14.

[0247] For example, in this method, as Fig.25A shown, when the nozzle N1 is at a distance that is n times (n is an integer) the search interval from the search start position, the nozzles N3 and N4 fill the first drop of ink into the landing areas of the units C1 and C2 respectively.

[0248] In addition, as Fig.25B shown, when the nozzle N1 is at a distance that is m times (m is an integer) the search interval from the search start position, the nozzle N3 fills the second drop of ink into the landing area of the unit C2, and the nozzle N4 fills the first drop of ink into the landing area of the unit C3.

[0249] In addition, as Fig.25C shown, when the nozzle N1 is at a distance that is l times (l is an integer) the search interval from the search start position, the nozzle N2 fills the second drop of ink into the landing area of the unit C1, the nozzle N3 fills the second drop of ink into the landing area of the unit C3, and the nozzle N4 fills the first drop of ink into the landing area of the unit C4.

[0250] Furthermore, as Fig.25D shown, when the nozzle N1 is at a distance that is о times (о is an integer) the search interval from the search start position, the nozzle N1 fills the third drop of ink into the landing area of the unit C1, the nozzle N2 fills the third drop of ink into the landing area of the unit C2, the nozzle N3 fills the second drop of ink into the landing area of the unit C4, and the nozzle N4 fills the first drop of ink into the landing area of the unit C5.

[0251] In this way, at each search position, ink is sequentially supplied to the landing areas of each unit from the nozzles capable of supplying ink to the landing areas of each unit.

[0252] FIG. 26A to FIG. 26F is Fig.23 In steps S73 to S78 described, it is a diagram showing a method of repeatedly supplying one drop of ink to all units until the required number of droplets is reached. The display panel 12 has: a square-shaped unit 13; and a square-shaped landing area 14 within the unit 13 where ink 15 is allowed to land.

[0253] In this example, three drops of ink 15 are made to land on each landing area 14. In this case, ink is made to land three times on the landing area within the same unit, but as Fig.23As described in step S76, the search start position is changed in each case.

[0254] For example, in this method, as Fig.26A shown, when the nozzle N1 is at a distance that is n times (n is an integer) the search interval from the search start position, the nozzles N3 and N4 fill the landing areas of the cells C2 and C3 with the first drop of ink, respectively.

[0255] In addition, as Fig.26B shown, when the nozzle N1 is at a distance that is m times (m is an integer) the search interval from the search start position, the nozzle N1 fills the landing area of the cell C1 with the first drop of ink, the nozzle N3 fills the landing area of the cell C4 with the first drop of ink, and the nozzle N4 fills the landing area of the cell C5 with the first drop of ink. Thus, one drop of ink is supplied to each of the cells 12.

[0256] Next, as Fig.26C shown, when the nozzle N1 is at a distance that is l times (l is an integer) the search interval from the search start position, the nozzle N2 fills the landing area of the cell C1 with the second drop of ink, the nozzle N3 fills the landing area of the cell C3 with the second drop of ink, and the nozzle N4 fills the landing area of the cell C4 with the second drop of ink.

[0257] In addition, as Fig.26D shown, when the nozzle N1 is at a distance that is о times (о is an integer) the search interval from the search start position, the nozzle N2 fills the landing area of the cell C2 with the second drop of ink, and the nozzle N4 fills the landing area of the cell C5 with the second drop of ink. Thus, two drops of ink are supplied to each of the cells 12.

[0258] In addition, as Fig.26E shown, when the nozzle N1 is at a distance that is p times the search interval from the search start position, the nozzle N1 fills the landing area of the cell C1 with the third drop of ink, the nozzle N2 fills the landing area of the cell C2 with the third drop of ink, the nozzle N3 fills the landing area of the cell C4 with the third drop of ink, and the nozzle N4 fills the landing area of the cell C5 with the third drop of ink.

[0259] Furthermore, as Fig.26F shown, when the nozzle N1 is at a distance that is q times the search interval from the search start position, the nozzle N2 fills the landing area of the cell C3 with the third drop of ink. Thus, three drops of ink are supplied to each of the cells 12.

[0260] In this way, by repeating the supply of one drop of ink to all the cells until the required number of droplets is reached, the overlapping coating of the ink can be appropriately performed.

[0261] (Embodiment 2)

[0262] The structures of the printing apparatus 1 and the print control apparatus 20 in Embodiment 2 are substantially the same as Figure 6 and Figure 7 the structures shown. Hereinafter, functions different from those of the respective parts described in Embodiment 1 will be described.

[0263] Fig. 27 FIG. is a flowchart showing the printing method in Embodiment 2. First, the calculation unit 21a of the print control apparatus 20 calculates the resolution in the print scan direction and the nozzle direction perpendicular to the print scan direction (step S81). Then, the generation unit 21b generates print data including information on pixels that eject ink (step S82).

[0264] Next, the detection unit 21c performs a landing check: ink is actually ejected from the nozzles, and the ejection accuracy of the nozzles is detected based on the landing positions thereof (step S83). Then, the nozzle control unit 21d selects usable nozzles whose landing deviation amounts are within an allowable range based on the results of the landing check (step S84).

[0265] After that, the calculation unit 21a generates a divided image obtained by dividing the print data generated in step S82 as a print image, and generates replacement data indicating replacement of non-ejecting nozzles that cannot be used with the nozzles selected in step S84 (step S85). Then, the nozzle control unit 21d ejects ink from the nozzles by referring to the divided image and the replacement data, and performs printing (step S86).

[0266] In addition, since there are parts different from the selected nozzle selection process shown in Fig.12 the selected nozzle selection process shown, the selected process in step S84 will be described using Fig.28 .

[0267] Fig.28 FIG. is a flowchart showing the process of selecting usable nozzles based on the results of the landing check shown in step S83 of Fig. 27 . Fig.28 The processes from step S91 to step S94 and the process of step S96 in Fig.12 are the same as the processes from step S11 to step S15 in

[0268] respectively. Fig.28 Among them, in step S95 of , the detection unit 21c further sets, as non-ejecting nozzles, nozzles whose deviation from the center of the landing target position in the nozzle direction exceeds a threshold value in addition to the non-ejecting nozzles set in step S94. For example, the detection unit 21c sets, as non-ejecting nozzles, nozzles whose deviation calculated by the aforementioned Equation 3 is 1.73 μm or more.

[0269] Fig.29A and Fig.29B represents Fig. 27 a diagram of a method for determining the resolution in the print scan direction and the nozzle direction shown in step S81. As Fig.29A shown, the head 10 has a plurality of nozzle holes 11, and ink is ejected from the nozzle holes 11. Four nozzles N1 to N4 are formed at equal intervals in the head 10. In addition, in Fig.29A the example of, the nozzles are shown in only one column in the print scan direction, but in order to improve the resolution of the head, a plurality of nozzle columns are arranged at intervals in the print scan direction, with each nozzle column being offset by 1 / n (n is an integer) of the nozzle pitch in the nozzle direction.

[0270] The display panel 12 has: a square-shaped cell 13; and a rectangular landing area 83 which is an area in the cell 13 where ink landing is permitted. A plurality of inks are ejected from the nozzle holes 11 of the head 10 and coated on the landing area 83. In addition, the shape of the cell 13 may be other shapes such as a square, and the shape of the landing area 83 may be other shapes such as a square.

[0271] As Fig.29B shown, when the size of the cells C1 to C5 in the nozzle direction is 20.0 μm, if the droplet diameter of the ink is set to 12.0 μm and the preparatory width for preventing the ink from exceeding the cells C1 to C5, that is, the landing avoidance portion, is set to 2.0 μm, then the size of the landing area where the ink lands in the nozzle direction becomes 4.0 μm according to the formula: size of the landing area in the nozzle direction = cell size - droplet diameter - landing avoidance portion × 2.

[0272] In addition, since the resolution of the nozzle is 300 dpi, the resolution of the nozzle in the nozzle direction becomes 84.667 μm. Here, the resolution of the nozzle is equal to the nozzle pitch in the direction orthogonal to the print scan direction.

[0273] In this case, the calculation unit 21a rounds up the mantissa after the decimal point of the quotient obtained by dividing the nozzle pitch in the nozzle direction by the length of the landing area in the nozzle direction within each cell to calculate the resolution magnification. In Fig.29B the example of, the calculation unit 21a rounds up the mantissa after the decimal point of 84.667÷4.0 = 21.667 and calculates the value of the resolution magnification as 22.

[0274] Then, the calculation unit 21a calculates the resolution required for printing by multiplying the resolution of the nozzle by the resolution magnification. In Fig.29B the example of, the calculation unit 21a calculates the resolution required for printing as 300×22 = 6600 dpi.

[0275] Furthermore, the calculation unit 21a divides the resolution of the nozzle by the resolution magnification to calculate the resolution required for printing. In Fig.29B the example, the calculation unit 21a calculates the resolution required for printing as 84.667 μm ÷ 22 = 3.848 μm.

[0276] Since the length of the landing area in the nozzle direction is 4.0 μm and the resolution required for printing is 3.848 μm which is less than 4.0 μm, the printing control device 20 can make the ink land on the landing area appropriately.

[0277] In this way, the calculation unit 21a calculates the resolution in the nozzle direction required for the ink to be ejected onto the landing area based on the interval in the nozzle direction orthogonal to the print scan direction of the plurality of nozzles and the length in the nozzle direction of the landing area in each unit. After that, the nozzle control unit 21d performs a process of moving the head in the nozzle direction based on the resolution in the nozzle direction.

[0278] In addition, as Fig.29B shown, when the size in the print scan direction of the units C1 to C5 is 20.0 μm, if the droplet diameter of the ink is set to 12.0 μm and the preliminary width for preventing the ink from exceeding the units C1 to C5, that is, the landing avoidance portion, is set to 1.0 μm, then the size in the print scan direction of the landing area where the ink lands becomes 6.0 μm by the formula enabled landing area = unit size - droplet diameter - landing avoidance portion × 2.

[0279] In addition, since the resolution of the nozzle is 1200 dpi, the resolution in the print scan direction of the nozzle becomes 21.167 μm.

[0280] In this case, the calculation unit 21a rounds up the mantissa after the decimal point of the quotient obtained by dividing the interval in the print scan direction of the nozzle by the length in the print scan direction of the landing area in each unit to calculate the resolution magnification. In Fig.29B the example, the calculation unit 21a rounds up the mantissa after the decimal point of 21.167 ÷ 6.0 = 3.527 and calculates the value of the resolution magnification as 4.

[0281] Then, the calculation unit 21a calculates the resolution required for printing by multiplying the resolution of the nozzle by the resolution magnification. In Fig.29B the example, the calculation unit 21a calculates the resolution required for printing as 1200 × 4 = 4800 dpi.

[0282] Furthermore, the calculation unit 21a divides the resolution of the nozzle by the resolution magnification to calculate the resolution required for printing. In Fig.29BIn the example, the calculation unit 21a calculates the resolution required for printing as 21.167 μm ÷ 4 = 5.292 μm.

[0283] Since the length of the landing area in the print scan direction is 6.0 μm and the resolution required for printing is 5.292 μm which is less than 6.0 μm, the print control device 20 can cause the ink to land appropriately on the landing area.

[0284] Fig.30 It is a diagram of a print image showing information on the unit that ejects ink. The calculation unit 21a uses Fig.29B the method described above to calculate the resolution in the nozzle direction and the resolution in the print scan direction required for printing, and generates data of a print image having that resolution.

[0285] Fig.31 It is a diagram explaining the method of dividing a print image into divided images. The divided images are Fig.30 a plurality of different images each constituted by a part of the print image as shown.

[0286] Specifically, when the resolution magnification in the nozzle direction is set to d, the i-th (where i is an integer of 1 or more and d or less) divided image among the plurality of divided images is constituted by the (i + d × j)-th (j = 0, 1,..., floor{(N - i) / d}) columns of the print image data having N columns. Here, floor(x) is the floor function, representing the largest integer less than or equal to x.

[0287] For example, in Fig.31 the example, since the resolution magnification d in the nozzle direction is 22 and the number of columns N of the print image data is 40, the first divided image (Division 1) is constituted by the first column and the 23rd column of the print image data. In addition, the second divided image (Division 2) is constituted by the second column and the 24th column of the print image data. In addition, the 22nd (Division 22) divided image is constituted by the 22nd column of the print image data.

[0288] The nozzle control unit 21d controls the ejection of ink from each nozzle by referring to these plurality of divided images in sequence. Thereby, printing at the resolution required for printing can be easily performed.

[0289] In addition, when a divided image indicates a unit where no ink is to be ejected, the nozzle control unit 21d may also omit the printing process of referring to that divided image.

[0290] Fig.32 It is a diagram explaining Fig. 27 the replacement of nozzles that are not ejected as described in step S85 in Fig.32In the example, the nozzles with nozzle numbers 2, 3, and 4 do not eject ink. Additionally, in the 5th divided image (Division 5) and the 14th divided image (Division 14), since the ink is ejected by the nozzle with nozzle number 1, there is no influence from nozzles that do not eject ink.

[0291] However, in the 1st divided image (Division 1) and the 10th divided image (Division 10), since the nozzle that should eject ink is the non-ejecting nozzle with nozzle number 2, the nozzle control unit 21d controls the head to move in the nozzle direction so that the normal nozzle with nozzle number 1 supplements the non-ejecting nozzle and ejects ink. Thus, even when there is a non-ejecting nozzle, printing can be performed.

[0292] Furthermore, when the intervals between the nozzles and the cells are different, the position of the head is shifted as follows for printing. FIG. 33A to FIG. 33D FIG. shows an ink ejection method in the case where the intervals between the nozzles and the cells are different.

[0293] In this case, as shown in Fig.33A , the nozzle control unit 21d shifts the position of the head 1 until the position of nozzle N1 becomes a distance of n / d times the nozzle interval, and causes nozzle N1 to perform ink ejection onto cell C1.

[0294] Next, as shown in Fig.33B , the nozzle control unit 21d shifts the position of the head 1 until the position of nozzle N1 becomes a distance of m / d times the nozzle interval, and causes nozzle N1 to perform ink ejection onto cell C2.

[0295] Furthermore, as shown in Fig.33C , the nozzle control unit 21d shifts the position of the head 1 until the position of nozzle N1 becomes a distance of l / d times the nozzle interval, and causes nozzle N1 to perform ink ejection onto cell C3.

[0296] After that, as shown in Fig.33D , the nozzle control unit 21d shifts the position of the head 1 until the position of nozzle N1 becomes a distance of о / d times the nozzle interval, and causes nozzle N1 to perform ink ejection onto cell C4.

[0297] Here, d is the resolution magnification in the nozzle direction, and n, m, l, о are calculated by (the pixel number where nozzle N1 should eject ink - 1).

[0298] For example, when ejecting ink onto columns 23, 5, 32, and 14 of the divided image shown in Fig.32 , d becomes 22, which is the resolution magnification in the nozzle direction. Additionally, n = 5 - 1 = 4, m = 14 - 1 = 13, l = 23 - 1 = 22, о = 32 - 1 = 31.

[0299] In this case, when the nozzle pitch is 84.667 μm, in FIG. 33A to FIG. 33D , the amounts by which the positions of the heads are shifted become 84.667 × 4 / 22 = 15.394 μm, 84.667 × 13 / 22 = 50.031 μm, 84.667 × 22 / 22 = 84.667 μm, and 84.667 × 31 / 22 = 119.304 μm, respectively.

[0300] In addition, in the example of FIG. 33A to FIG. 33D , the case where the amount by which the position of the head is shifted is gradually increased so that the head does not move frequently left and right is described. That is, in Fig.32 , the case where printing is performed with reference to the divided images in the order of the fifth divided image, the fourteenth divided image, the first divided image, and the tenth divided image is described.

[0301] In addition, in the case where there are non-ejecting nozzles that cannot be used, or in the case where the intervals between the nozzles and the cells are different, it becomes difficult to make the ink land on the landing areas within the respective cells. However, as described above, the generation unit 21b of the printing control device 20 extracts, from among the plurality of nozzles, the nozzles that can eject ink onto the areas within the respective cells for each position of the head when ejecting ink, based on the landing positions of the ink in the case where the head having a plurality of nozzles relatively moves in the nozzle direction with respect to the workpiece and ejects ink, generates data of a print image representing the extracted nozzles, and the nozzle control unit 21d moves the head in the nozzle direction, selects the nozzles for ejecting ink based on the data of the print image, and controls the ejection of the ink.

[0302] Here, in the case where it is necessary to make a plurality of ink droplets land on the landing area within one cell, the generation unit 21b extracts a plurality of nozzles that can eject ink onto the area within one cell, and generates data of a print image including data representing the extracted nozzles.

[0303] In this way, even in the case where there are non-ejecting nozzles that cannot be used because the nozzles that can eject ink onto the areas within one cell or a plurality of cells are extracted by shifting the head in the nozzle direction, or even in the case where the intervals between the nozzles and the cells are different, printing can be appropriately performed.

[0304] (Embodiment 3)

[0305] The configurations of the printing device 1 and the printing control device 20 in Embodiment 2 are substantially the same as the configurations shown in Figure 6 and Figure 7 . Hereinafter, functions different from the functions of the respective parts described in Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 2 will be described.

[0306] In Embodiment 3, a function of ejecting multiple droplets of ink from one nozzle within one unit during one scan in the print scan direction is described.

[0307] Fig.34 It is a diagram showing the relationship between the size in the print scan direction of the landing areas 14a and 14b and the number of times ink 15 can be ejected. In Fig.34 the example, it shows the use of Fig. 9B and Fig.29B The case where the basic resolution in the print scan direction of the nozzle described is 5 μm, the resolution magnification in the print scan direction of the unit is 8, the resolution in the print scan direction of the nozzle is 0.625 μm, and the diameter of the ink 15 is 1.25 μm is shown. Here, the resolution in the print scan direction of the nozzle is obtained by dividing the basic resolution by the resolution magnification.

[0308] That is, in this example, the ink 15 can land on the landing area at intervals of 5 μm from one nozzle, and in addition, the landing positions of the ink 15 landing at intervals of 5 μm can be shifted by 0.625 μm each in the print scan direction.

[0309] In this case, in the landing area 14a with a small size in the print scan direction, even if it lands at intervals of 5 μm and the landing positions are shifted, the number of droplets of the ink 15 that can land on the landing area 14a is 1. On the other hand, in the landing area 14b with a large size in the print scan direction, by landing at the shortest interval of 5 μm and shifting the landing positions, the number of droplets of the ink 15 that can land on the landing area 14a becomes 2.

[0310] In this way, when it is necessary to fill multiple droplets of ink 15 in one landing area 14b, the number of times the ink 15 can be filled into one landing area from one nozzle is calculated, and the ink 15 is ejected from one nozzle as much as possible until the number of droplets is reached.

[0311] As a result, for example, when it is necessary to fill 3 droplets in the landing areas 14a and 14b, in the landing area 14a, the head 10 needs to perform 3 scans. In contrast, in the landing area 14b, it is sufficient for the head 10 to perform 2 scans. For this reason, the print cycle can be shortened. This process will be further described in detail below.

[0312] Fig.35 It is a diagram showing the relationship between the size of the landing area, the number of divided areas, and the number of times that can be ejected. The size of the landing area is the size of the landing area in the print scan direction. The number of divided areas is the number obtained by the following formula.

[0313] (Number of divided areas)

[0314] = floor{(the size of the landing area in the print scan direction)

[0315] / (the resolution of the nozzle in the print scan direction)}

[0316] Here, the resolution of the nozzle in the print scan direction corresponds to the resolution required for printing described using Fig. 9B and Fig.29B The number of times ink can be ejected is the number of times ink can be ejected from one nozzle to one landing area through one scan of the print head 10 in the print scan direction. The number of times ink can be ejected can be obtained by the following formula.

[0317] In addition, the number of times ink can be ejected is the number of times ink can be ejected from one nozzle to one landing area through one scan of the print head 10 in the print scan direction. The number of times ink can be ejected can be obtained by the following formula.

[0318] (The number of times ink can be ejected)

[0319] = ceil{(the number of divided areas) / (the resolution magnification in the print scan direction)}

[0320] Here, ceil(x) is the ceiling function, representing the smallest integer greater than or equal to x.

[0321] In this way, the number of times ink can be ejected onto the landing area is calculated based on the size of the landing area in the print scan direction, the resolution of the nozzle in the print scan direction, and the resolution magnification in the print scan direction.

[0322] In Fig.35 In the example, when the size of the landing area in the print scan direction is 1 - 5 μm, the number of times ink can be ejected onto the landing area is 1. When the size of the landing area in the print scan direction is 6 - 10 μm, the number of times ink can be ejected onto the landing area is 2. When the size of the landing area in the print scan direction is 11 - 14 μm, the number of times ink can be ejected onto the landing area is 3.

[0323] Fig.36 is a flowchart showing the search position and nozzle selection process performed in the print - count minimization mode. It is different in that, compared with the process described in Fig.18D a nozzle that can perform multiple ejections in one scan of the print scan direction for one landing area is used.

[0324] In Fig.18A In step S41 shown, when the print - count minimization mode is specified, as Fig.36 shown, the generation unit 21b sequentially selects each unit (step S101). Then, the generation unit 21b calculates the number of times the nozzle can eject ink onto the selected unit using the method described using Fig.35 After that, it sequentially selects Fig.14Each nozzle that can be used, which is extracted in step S21 (step S103).

[0325] Then, the generation unit 21b refers to Fig.17 the nozzle number data shown, and sequentially selects from the positions with a larger number of nozzles among the positions of the heads indicated by the search numbers, and refers to Fig.16 the holding data shown to extract the nozzles that can eject ink at the selected positions (step S104).

[0326] Here, in step S104, the generation unit 21b extracts the nozzles for the required number of droplets of the ejection unit. However, when referring to the number of ejection times calculated in step S102 and one nozzle can eject ink multiple times for this unit, the count value is increased by the amount of this number of times, and the nozzles that eject ink are extracted until the count value becomes the required number of droplets of the unit.

[0327] Then, when the processing of step S104 has not ended for each nozzle, it returns to step S103 to select the next nozzle (step S105). When the processing of step S104 has ended for each nozzle, the generation unit 21b determines whether the processing from step S102 to step S105 has ended for each unit (step S106).

[0328] Then, when the processing from step S102 to step S105 has not ended for each unit, it returns to step S101 to select the next unit. When the processing from step S102 to step S105 has ended for each unit, the search position and the nozzle selection processing end.

[0329] In addition, here, the search position and the nozzle selection processing performed in the print count minimization mode are taken as an example for explanation. However, for Fig.18C the position deviation minimization mode shown, and Fig.18E the search position and the nozzle selection processing performed in the volume error minimization mode shown, the following functions can also be similarly achieved: extracting the nozzles that can eject multiple droplets of ink into one unit in one scan of the head in the print scan direction, and ejecting ink from such nozzles.

[0330] (Embodiment 4)

[0331] The structures of the printing device 1 and the print control device 20 in Embodiment 4 are substantially the same as Figure 6 and Figure 7 the structures shown. Hereinafter, the functions different from those of the respective parts described in Embodiments 1 to 3 will be described.

[0332] In Embodiment 4, it is explained that even when Figure 6Even when the stage 30 shown has a tendency to bend in the traveling direction, it is possible to perform the function of the ink for the number of droplets required for landing within the unit.

[0333] Fig.37 FIG. is an example showing the bending of the traveling direction of the stage 30. In Fig.37 FIG., a head 10 provided with nozzles N1, N2,..., Nm (m is a positive integer) and a display panel 12 as a workpiece placed on the stage 30 are shown. The stage 30 is expected to move straight in the print scan direction, but in Fig.37 the example of FIG., it bends and moves in the direction of the arrow.

[0334] In this case, based on the information related to the bending of the traveling direction of the stage 30, the nozzles for ejecting ink to each unit are selected. For example, in Fig.37 the example of FIG., nozzle N1 is selected for the unit 13 in the first region 12a of the display panel 12, nozzle N2 is selected for the unit 13 in the second region 12b, and nozzle N1 is selected for the unit 13 in the third region 12c. Thus, the ink can land properly on each unit 13.

[0335] In addition, the bending mode of the traveling direction of the stage 30 is not limited to Fig.37 the mode shown in FIG., and various bending modes such as bending to the left direction and zigzagging left and right are considered, but the technology of Embodiment 4 can cope with any bending mode.

[0336] Hereinafter, this function will be further specifically described. First, the unit grouping process for reducing the computational load of the processor will be described. Fig.38 FIG. is a flowchart showing a printing method including the unit grouping process in Embodiment 4.

[0337] First, a calculation unit 21a of the print control device 20 calculates the resolution in the print scan direction (step S111). Then, a generation unit 21b generates print data in which the positions of the regions within each unit where ink is to be ejected are registered as vector data (step S112).

[0338] Next, a detection unit 21c performs a landing check: ink is actually ejected from the nozzle, and the ejection accuracy of the nozzle is detected based on the landing position (step S113). Regarding this landing check, it will be further described in detail later using Fig.40 FIG.

[0339] Then, the detection unit 21c performs a unit grouping process of aggregating a plurality of units into one group based on the result of the landing check.

[0340] Fig.39 FIG. is a diagram showing an example of a unit group obtained as a result of the unit grouping process. In Fig.39A plurality of cells and the landing areas A1 to An, B1 to Bn, C1 to Cn, D1 to Dn of each cell are shown. The detection unit 21c includes cells that satisfy the following three conditions in the same cell group.

[0341] (1) The center coordinates of the cells in the nozzle direction are the same

[0342] (2) The sizes of the landing areas (lengths in the print scan direction and the nozzle direction) are the same

[0343] (3) The number of ink droplets landing on the landing area is the same

[0344] At Fig.39 Four cell groups A to D generated in this way are shown. In this way, a plurality of cells are aggregated into cell groups, and the landing areas in each cell arranged in the print scan direction included in the cell group are regarded as one landing area, and an operation is performed to extract nozzles that can eject ink onto the one landing area in units of cell groups, thereby reducing the computational load of the processor.

[0345] In addition, the positions of the cell groups in the print scan direction can be staggered as Fig.39 shown, or can be aligned. Even if the positions of the cell groups deviate, the ink can be appropriately landed on the landing area by adjusting the ink ejection timing.

[0346] Next, the nozzle control unit 21d selects nozzles that can be used and whose landing deviation amount is within the allowable range based on the result of the landing inspection and the result of the cell grouping process (step S115).

[0347] After that, the nozzle control unit 21d searches for nozzles that can eject ink onto the landing area of the cell for each cell group from the selected nozzles, and generates nozzle data including the data of the searched nozzles (step S116). Then, the nozzle control unit 21d ejects ink from the nozzles by referring to the nozzle data to perform printing (step S117).

[0348] In addition, when performing printing, the nozzle control unit 21d ejects ink from the nozzles with staggered timings based on the information on the positions of the landing areas of the cells included in the cell group in the print scan direction.

[0349] Fig.40 Is Fig.38 The flowchart of the landing inspection in step S113. First, the detection unit 21c causes ink to be ejected from the nozzles onto the landing inspection substrate to print a given landing pattern on the landing inspection substrate (step S121).

[0350] Next, the detection unit 21c observes the printed landing pattern with a camera or the like (step S122). Fig.41It is a diagram schematically showing the observed landing pattern. The arrow indicates the moving direction of the stage 30. If the stage 30 moves in a curved manner, the landing pattern also curves accordingly.

[0351] After that, the detection unit 21c compares the given landing pattern with the actually printed landing pattern, and generates a correction table (step S123) registering the deviation amounts of the respective landing positions. The deviation amounts at the respective landing positions include the deviation amount caused by the curvature of the traveling direction of the stage 30.

[0352] When the landing position deviates from the amount registered in the correction table with reference to this correction table, the nozzle control unit 21d extracts the nozzles capable of ejecting ink to the landing areas of the respective units.

[0353] Thus, even when the traveling direction of the stage 30 is curved and a deviation occurs in the ink landing position when the stage 30 moves relative to the head, the nozzles capable of making the ink land on the landing areas of the respective units can be extracted. In addition, with regard to the deviation of the landing position in the print scanning direction, the nozzle control unit 21d corrects it by changing the ink ejection timing.

[0354] Next, the division process of the unit group described above will be described. Fig.39 The division process of the unit group described above will be described. Fig.42 It is a diagram for explaining the bending margin of the stage travel. The unit 13 and the landing area 14 are shown in Fig.42 Here, the width of the landing area 14 is A.

[0355] The detection unit 21c respectively sets the stage travel bending margins with a width of B at the left end and the right end inside the landing area 14. Then, the detection unit 21c sets the area with a width of C obtained by removing the area corresponding to the stage travel bending margin from the landing area 14 as a new landing area.

[0356] After that, the detection unit 21c performs the process of aggregating a plurality of units into a unit group based on the aforementioned three conditions. At this time, when the deviation amount of the ink landing position is greater than the width B corresponding to the stage travel bending margin, the detection unit 21c divides the unit group.

[0357] Fig.43 It is a diagram for explaining the division of the unit group. A graph showing the relationship between the deviation amount of the landing position in the nozzle direction and the stage travel bending margin is shown in Fig.43 The thick solid line in this graph represents the deviation amount of the landing position in the nozzle direction at each position in the print scanning direction. The width of the stage travel bending margin corresponds to Fig.42 the width B shown in

[0358] In addition, in Fig.43 the division results of the unit groups A to D are shown. As shown in Fig.43 As shown, the detection unit 21c divides the unit groups A to D into a plurality of unit groups at positions P1 and P2 in the print scan direction where the landing deviation amount in the nozzle direction exceeds the stage travel bending margin.

[0359] In Fig.43 the example, the detection unit 21c divides the unit group A into a unit group composed of units A1 and A2, a unit group composed of units A3, A4, and A5, and a unit group composed of units A5 and A7. The same applies to the unit groups B to D, and the detection unit 21c divides them into 3 unit groups.

[0360] By extracting the nozzles that can eject ink to each of the unit groups divided in this way, it is possible to more accurately correct the influence caused by the stage travel bending and perform printing.

[0361] In addition, the process of searching for the nozzles that can be used in the ejection of ink to the landing area in each unit is the same as the process shown in Fig.14 Since there are differences in the process of step S21, the following describes this process.

[0362] Fig.44 is a flowchart showing the extraction process of the nozzles that can be used in step S21 of Fig.14 The generation unit 21b of the print control device 20 sequentially selects, at a given search interval, the positions of the head 51 relative to the workpiece 52 from the search start position to the search end position (step S131), for example, as shown in Fig.13A In addition, the generation unit 21b sequentially selects each unit group at each position of the head 51 (step S132).

[0363] Next, the generation unit 21b performs a correction process for the landing deviation amount including the stage travel bending (step S133). Specifically, the generation unit 21b executes a correction process of deviating the ink ejection position by the amount of the deviation amount based on the information of the deviation amount of each landing position in the correction table generated in step S123 registered in

[0364] After that, the generation unit 21b sequentially selects each nozzle for each position of the head 51 and each unit (step S134). Figure 40

[0365]

[0366] ​​Then, the generation unit 21b determines whether there is a nozzle that can eject ink onto the landing area of each unit based on the corrected position in step S133. If there is such a nozzle, the unit number of the unit onto which the ink from the nozzle can land, the search number indicating the search position where the ink from the nozzle can land, the nozzle number of the nozzle, and the information on the deviation amount of the landing position from the center position of the landing area in the nozzle direction of the nozzle are stored as Figure 16 the holding data as shown (step S135).

[0367] After that, when the processing of step S135 has not been completed for each nozzle, the process returns to step S134 to select the next nozzle (step S136). When the processing of step S135 has been completed for each nozzle, the process proceeds to step S137. Then, when the processing from step S133 to step S136 has not been completed for each unit group, the process returns to step S132 to select the next unit group (step S137).

[0368] When the processing from step S133 to step S136 has been completed for each unit group, the generation unit 21b detects the number of nozzles that can eject ink onto the area within each unit group for each search position of the print head 51, and stores this data as Figure 17 the nozzle number data as shown (step S138).

[0369] Then, when the processing from step S132 to step S138 has not been completed for each search position, the process returns to step S131 to select the next search position (step S139). When the processing from step S132 to step S138 has been completed for each search position, the extraction process ends.

[0370] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the unit and the landing area are rectangular is shown, but the shapes of the unit and the landing area are not limited thereto.

[0371] Figures 45A to 45C FIG. is an example showing a unit 13 and a landing area 14 having a shape other than rectangular.

[0372] Specifically, in Figure 45A the case where the unit 13 is circular and the landing area 14 is elliptical is shown. The landing area 14 being elliptical is to reflect the situation that there is a difference in the error of the landing position in the print scanning direction and the nozzle direction. In Figure 45B the case where the unit 13 and the landing area 14 are hexagonal is shown. In addition, in Figure 45C the case where the unit 13 and the landing area 14 are oblong is shown.

[0373] Thus, the shape of unit 13 can also be a shape other than a rectangle. In addition, the shape of the landing area 14 can be determined corresponding to the shape of unit 13. By determining the shape of the landing area 14 corresponding to the shape of unit 13, the area of the landing area 14 can be increased, and it is easy to extract the nozzles that can eject ink onto the landing area 14.

[0374] In addition, Figures 46A to 46D FIG. is a diagram illustrating a case where a landing area 14' having a rectangular shape is set in a unit 13 having a shape other than a rectangle.

[0375] Figure 46A The unit 13 and the landing area 14 shown are the same as Figure 45A the unit 13 and the landing area 14 shown. When the shape of the landing area is set to a rectangle that is easy to define, as Figure 46A the landing area 14' shown, it is desirable to set it as a rectangle that is inscribed in the landing area 14 and has the largest size.

[0376] In addition, Figure 46B and Figure 46C the unit 13 and the landing area 14 shown are the same as Figure 45B the unit 13 and the landing area 14 shown. When the shape of the landing area is set to a rectangle that is easy to define, it is desirable to set it as a rectangle that is inscribed in the landing area 14 and has the largest size, as Figure 46B or Figure 46C the landing area 14' shown.

[0377] In addition, Figure 46D the unit 13 and the landing area 14 shown are the same as Figure 45C the unit 13 and the landing area 14 shown. When the shape of the landing area is set to a rectangle that is easy to define, as Figure 46D the landing area 14' shown, it is desirable to set it as a rectangle that is inscribed in the landing area 14 and has the largest size.

[0378] By adopting Figures 46A to 46D a rectangular landing area 14' as such, it becomes easy to define the landing area 14', and the area of the landing area 14' can be made relatively large, and it is easy to extract the nozzles that can eject ink onto the landing area 14'.

[0379] In addition, in Embodiment 4, a function of landing ink droplets of the required number within the unit even when the traveling direction of the moving stage 30 has a tendency to bend is described, but the application range of the technology of Embodiment 4 is not limited to this.

[0380] Since whether the ink can land within the unit depends on the relative positional relationship between the stage 30 and the head 10, the same techniques as those described in Embodiment 4 can also be applied to the case where the traveling head 10 has traveling bending, and the case where both the head 10 and the stage 30 move and traveling bending occurs in at least one of the head 10 and the stage 30.

[0381] In addition, in Embodiment 4, the unit grouping process was described. However, in cases where the reduction of the computation amount is not required, such as when using a high-performance processor, the unit grouping process is not required, and the traveling bending correction process may be performed for each unit.

[0382] In addition, it is also possible to move the head 10 following the movement of the stage 30 without performing the traveling bending correction process of the stage 30, so that the relative position between the stage 30 and the head 10 does not change, and the influence of the traveling bending of the stage 30 is eliminated to perform printing.

[0383] (Embodiment 5)

[0384] The structures of the printing apparatus 1 and the print control apparatus 20 in Embodiment 5 are substantially the same as the structures Figure 6 and Figure 7 shown. Hereinafter, functions different from those of the respective parts described in Embodiments 1 to 4 will be described.

[0385] In Embodiment 5, a function of causing the ink of the required number of droplets to land within the unit even when the attitude angle of the head changes due to the influence of the deviation of the transfer shaft holding the head 10 when the head 10 moves in the nozzle direction will be described.

[0386] Figure 47 is a conceptual diagram showing states with different attitude angles of the head 10. In Figure 47 a state where the head 10 is shown at four positions different in the nozzle direction (the width direction of the workpiece 52) is shown. In this example, the attitude of the head 10 is desired to be parallel to the nozzle direction, but the head 47 rotates along the curved arrow.

[0387] In addition, in Figure 47 an example of the landing positions of the ink 15 ejected from the head 10 with different attitude angles is shown. The landing positions of the ink 15 may deviate from the line parallel to the nozzle direction due to differences in the characteristics of the respective nozzles for the ejection of the ink and the influence of the different attitude angles of the head 10.

[0388] For this reason, the deviation of the landing position caused by the difference in the characteristics of each nozzle and the deviation of the landing position caused by the different attitude angles of the head 10 are detected, and the nozzles for ejecting the ink to each unit are selected based on this information.

[0389] For example, by approximating the actual landing position with a straight line L, the deviation of the landing position caused by different attitude angles of the first 10 is evaluated, and the deviation of the landing position caused by the difference in the characteristics of each nozzle is evaluated based on the deviation from the straight line L. By selecting nozzles based on such evaluation results, the ink can be appropriately landed on each unit.

[0390] The following further specifically describes this function. First, the flowchart showing the printing method in Embodiment 5 is the same as Figure 38 the flowchart shown. In addition, the Figure 40 landing inspection shown in the step of Figure 38 step S113 is also the same, but in Embodiment 5, the influence of the deviation of the transfer axis for transferring the first 10 is observed, which is different from the Figure 40 processing described in

[0391] Figure 48 FIG. is a diagram for explaining the processing of the landing inspection in Embodiment 5. First, the detection unit 21c causes ink to be ejected from the nozzle onto the landing inspection substrate 41, and prints a given landing pattern on the landing inspection substrate 41. At this time, the detection unit 21c moves the head 10 along the transfer axis a given number of times and performs printing.

[0392] Next, the detection unit 21c observes the printed landing pattern with a camera or the like. In Figure 48 schematically shows the actually observed landing pattern. In this example, the landing pattern that should extend linearly in the nozzle direction is bent.

[0393] After that, the detection unit 21c compares the given landing pattern with the actually printed landing pattern, and generates a correction table registering information on the deviation amount of each landing position.

[0394] Specifically, as Figure 47 and Figure 48 shown, the detection unit 21c approximates the ink 15 landing at each position of the nozzle 10 with straight lines L (y = ax + b, y = cx + d, y = ex + f, y = gx + h), and further calculates the deviation amount of the actual landing position from the straight line L.

[0395] Then, the detection unit 21c registers the deviation amount between the straight line L and the straight line parallel to the nozzle direction as the deviation amount of the landing position caused by different attitude angles of the head 10 in the correction table, and in addition, registers the deviation amount of the actual landing position from the straight line L as the deviation amount of the landing position caused by the difference in the characteristics of each nozzle in the correction table.

[0396] When the landing position deviates from the amount registered in the correction table with reference to the correction data, the nozzle control unit 21d extracts the nozzles that can eject ink onto the landing areas of the respective units. Thus, even when the positional attitude angles of the head 10 are different, the nozzles that can cause the ink to land on the landing areas of the respective units can be extracted. In addition, with regard to the deviation of the landing position in the print scan direction, the nozzle control unit 21d corrects it by changing the ink ejection timing.

[0397] In addition, the process of searching for the nozzles that can be used in the ejection of ink onto the landing areas in the respective units is the same as the Figure 14 process shown. However, since there are differences in the process of step S21, the following describes this process.

[0398] Figure 49 represents Figure 14 a flowchart of the process of extracting the nozzles that can be used in step S21. The generation unit 21b of the print control device 20 sequentially selects, at a given search interval, the positions of the head 51 relative to the workpiece 52, for example, from the search start position to the search end position as shown in Figure 13A (step S141).

[0399] Next, the generation unit 21b performs the correction process of the landing deviation amount for each nozzle (step S142). Specifically, the generation unit 21b executes the correction process: based on the information on the deviation amount of the landing position registered in the correction table, according to the deviation amount of the landing position caused by the different attitude angles of the head 10 and the deviation amount of the landing position caused by the differences in the characteristics of the respective nozzles, the ejection position of the ink is offset by the amount of these deviation amounts.

[0400] After that, the generation unit 21b sequentially selects each unit group (step S143). Furthermore, the generation unit 21b sequentially selects each nozzle for each position of the head 10 and each unit group (step S144).

[0401] Then, the generation unit 21b determines, based on the position corrected in step S142, whether there is a nozzle that can eject ink onto the landing area of each unit. If there is such a nozzle, the unit number of the unit onto which the ink from the nozzle can land, the search number indicating the search position where the ink from the nozzle can land, the nozzle number of the nozzle, and the information on the deviation amount of the landing position from the center position of the landing area in the nozzle direction of the nozzle are held as Figure 16 the held data as shown (step S145).

[0402] After that, when the processing in step S145 has not been completed for each nozzle, the process returns to step S144 to select the next nozzle (step S146). When the processing in step S145 is completed for each nozzle, the process proceeds to step S147. Then, when the processing from step S144 to step S146 has not been completed for each unit group, the process returns to step S143 to select the next unit group (step S147).

[0403] When the processing from step S144 to step S146 is completed for each unit group, the generation unit 21b detects the number of nozzles that can eject ink onto the area within each unit group for each search position of the head 10, and holds this data as Figure 17 the nozzle number data shown (step S148).

[0404] Then, when the processing from step S142 to step S148 has not been completed for each search position, the process returns to step S141 to select the next search position (step S149). When the processing from step S142 to step S148 is completed for each search position, the extraction process ends.

[0405] In addition, since whether the ink can land within the unit depends on the relative positional relationship between the stage 30 and the head 10, the same techniques as those described in Embodiment 5 can also be applied to the case where the attitude of the moving head 10 changes, and the case where the attitudes of both the head 10 and the stage 30 change due to the movement of both the head 10 and the stage 30.

[0406] In addition, in Figure 48 the example shown, the interval of 4 heads 10 is shown. However, when the ink lands between the intervals of adjacent heads 10, the deviation amount of the landing position can also be evaluated using a straight line having the weighted average of the inclination and intercept of 2 straight lines corresponding to the intervals of adjacent heads 10 as the inclination and intercept.

[0407] In addition, when the ink lands on the left side of the interval located on the leftmost side, the deviation amount of the landing position can also be evaluated using a straight line having the same inclination and intercept as the inclination and intercept of the straight line corresponding to the interval located on the leftmost side.

[0408] Similarly, when the ink lands on the right side of the interval located on the rightmost side, the deviation amount of the landing position can also be evaluated using a straight line having the same inclination and intercept as the inclination and intercept of the straight line corresponding to the interval located on the rightmost side.

[0409] The above has described the embodiments. However, in the above embodiments, each component can also be implemented by executing a software program suitable for each component. Each component can also be implemented by a program execution unit such as a CPU or a processor reading out and executing a software program recorded on a recording medium such as a hard disk or a semiconductor memory.

[0410] In addition, the overall or specific mode of the present invention can also be implemented by a device, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, or a recording medium such as a computer-readable CD-ROM. In addition, it can also be implemented by any combination of a device, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, and a recording medium.

[0411] In addition, forms obtained by implementing various modifications conceived by those skilled in the art for each embodiment, or forms implemented by arbitrarily combining the components and functions in each embodiment without departing from the gist of the present disclosure are also included in the present disclosure.

[0412] Industrial Applicability

[0413] The present disclosure can be used in a print control device, a printing device, and a print control method capable of ejecting ink.

Claims

1. A printing control device, comprising: a calculation unit that calculates a resolution in the print scanning direction required for ejecting ink to the area based on the intervals in the print scanning direction between the plurality of nozzles ejecting ink and the length in the print scanning direction of the area within each unit that allows the ink to land; and A nozzle control unit controls ejection timing of the ink from the plurality of nozzles in the print scanning direction based on the resolution.

2. The printing control device according to claim 1, wherein: The calculation unit calculates a first resolution magnification by rounding up the decimal point of a quotient obtained by dividing the interval in the print scanning direction by the length, The resolution in the print scanning direction is calculated by dividing the interval in the print scanning direction by the first resolution magnification.

3. The printing control device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The printing control device also includes: a generating unit for extracting nozzles capable of ejecting ink to the areas within each unit from among the plurality of nozzles for each position of the head when ejecting the ink, based on the landing position of the ink when the head having the plurality of nozzles is relatively moved with respect to the workpiece in a nozzle direction orthogonal to the print scanning direction and ejecting the ink, and generating first data representing the extracted nozzles, The nozzle control unit moves the head in the nozzle direction, selects a nozzle that ejects the ink based on the first data, and controls the ejection of the ink.

4. The printing control device according to claim 3, wherein: The generating unit extracts a plurality of nozzles capable of ejecting ink to a region within one cell, and generates the first data including data indicating the extracted nozzles.

5. The printing control device according to claim 3, wherein: The nozzle control unit controls the ejection of the ink with reference to print data in which the position of the region in each cell where the ink is ejected is registered as vector data.

6. The printing control device according to claim 3, wherein: The generating unit extracts nozzles that can eject ink to the area within each unit from among the multiple nozzles for each position of the head based on the landing position of the ink when the ink is ejected at multiple positions of the head in the nozzle direction different from that when the first data is generated, and generates the second data of the extracted nozzles. When the ink is ejected multiple times to the area within one unit, the nozzle control unit selects the nozzle that ejects the ink based on the first data and controls the ejection of the ink to the area within the one unit, and further selects the nozzle that ejects the ink based on the second data and controls the ejection of the ink to the area within the one unit.

7. The printing control device according to claim 3, wherein: When the ink is ejected a plurality of times to an area within one cell, the generating unit extracts a plurality of different nozzles that can eject ink to the area within one cell from among the plurality of nozzles, and generates the first data.

8. The printing control device according to claim 7, wherein: The generating unit extracts a plurality of non-adjacent nozzles as the plurality of different nozzles.

9. The printing control device according to claim 3, wherein: The generating unit sequentially selects from among the plurality of nozzles a combination of the position of the head and the nozzles that have a small deviation from the target landing position of the ink in the area within each unit, and extracts the position of the head and the nozzles that can spray ink to the area within each unit.

10. The printing control device according to claim 3, wherein: When the head is moved in the nozzle direction, the generating unit detects the number of nozzles capable of ejecting the ink to the area within each unit at each position of the head. When the ink is ejected multiple times to the area within one unit, the generating unit sequentially selects the nozzles from the positions of the head with the largest number of nozzles, and extracts the nozzles capable of ejecting the ink at the selected position as the nozzles ejecting ink at the selected position.

11. The printing control device according to claim 3, wherein: When the ink is ejected multiple times to an area within one unit, the generating unit extracts, from among the multiple nozzles, nozzles whose total volume of droplets of the ink landing on the area within the one unit is close to the target total, or nozzles that can eject ink with a volume closer to an expected value of the volume of the ink ejected from each nozzle, as nozzles that eject ink to the area within the one unit.

12. The printing control device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The calculation unit calculates the resolution in the nozzle direction required for ejecting ink into the area based on the intervals between the multiple nozzles in the nozzle direction orthogonal to the print scanning direction and the length of the area in the nozzle direction within each unit, and the nozzle control unit moves the head having the nozzle in the nozzle direction based on the resolution in the nozzle direction.

13. The printing control device according to claim 12, wherein: The calculation unit calculates a second resolution magnification obtained by rounding up the decimal point of a quotient obtained by dividing the interval in the nozzle direction by the length in the nozzle direction, The resolution in the nozzle direction is calculated by dividing the interval in the nozzle direction by the second resolution magnification.

14. The printing control device according to claim 12, wherein: The calculation unit generates a plurality of different segmented images having a resolution corresponding to the resolution in the print scanning direction and a resolution corresponding to the resolution in the nozzle direction and consisting of a portion of a print image representing a unit that ejects the ink, and the nozzle control unit controls the ejection of the ink by referring to each of the plurality of segmented images in turn.

15. The printing control device according to claim 13, wherein: The calculation unit generates a plurality of different segmented images having a resolution corresponding to a resolution in the print scanning direction and a resolution corresponding to a resolution in the nozzle direction and consisting of a portion of a print image representing a unit ejecting the ink. The nozzle control unit sequentially refers to the plurality of segmented images to control the ejection of the ink. When the second resolution magnification is set to d, the i-th segmented image of the plurality of segmented images consists of the (i+d×j)-th column of a print image having N columns, where i is an integer greater than 1 and less than d, and j=0, 1,…,flооr{(Ni) / d}.

16. The printing control device according to claim 12, wherein: The printing control device further comprises: a detection unit that detects the ejection accuracy of the plurality of nozzles; When there is a non-ejecting nozzle whose accuracy is lower than a reference among the plurality of nozzles, the nozzle control unit moves the head in the nozzle direction and selects a nozzle adjacent to the non-ejecting nozzle as a nozzle that ejects the ink.

17. The printing control device according to claim 1, wherein: The printing control device further includes: a generating unit that calculates the number of times the ink can be ejected from one nozzle to an area within one unit in one scan in the printing scanning direction; When the number of times is a plurality of times, the nozzle control unit controls the ink ejection timing so that the ink is ejected a plurality of times from the one nozzle to the area within the one unit in one scan in the print scanning direction.

18. The printing control device according to claim 1, wherein: The printing control device also includes: The generating unit extracts different plurality of nozzles from among the plurality of nozzles that can eject ink to the area within the one unit in one scan in the print scanning direction, when the ink is ejected multiple times to the area within the one unit in one scan in the print scanning direction. The nozzle control unit controls the ejection timing of the ink from the plurality of nozzles extracted by the generation unit so that the ink is ejected to the area within the one unit in one scan in the print scanning direction.

19. The printing control device according to claim 1, wherein: The printing control device also includes: a detection unit that sets coordinates in a nozzle direction perpendicular to the print scanning direction, a size of an area within each cell, and a cell group that groups cells having the same number of droplets of the ink that land on the area within each cell, The nozzle control unit regards the area within each unit arranged in the print scanning direction contained in the unit group as one area, extracts the nozzles that can eject the ink to the one area based on the unit group, and controls the ejection timing of the ink from the extracted nozzles.

20. The printing control device according to claim 1, wherein: The nozzle control unit extracts the nozzles that can spray the ink to the area within each unit based on the deviation of the landing position of the ink caused by moving the carrier, i.e., the workpiece, on which the ink is sprayed, relative to the head having the nozzle, and controls the timing of spraying the ink from the extracted nozzles.

21. The printing control device according to claim 1, wherein: The nozzle control unit extracts nozzles capable of ejecting the ink to the area within each unit based on the deviation of the ink landing position generated when the head having the nozzle is moved along a transfer axis that holds the head having the nozzle, and controls the ejection timing of the ink from the extracted nozzles.

22. A printing device comprising the printing control device according to claim 1.

23. A printing control method, comprising: a calculation step of calculating a resolution in the print scanning direction required for ejecting ink to the area based on the interval in the print scanning direction between a plurality of nozzles ejecting ink and the length in the print scanning direction of an area within each unit allowing the ink to land; and A nozzle control step of controlling ejection timing of the ink from the plurality of nozzles in the print scanning direction based on the resolution.

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