Image formation method and manufacturing method of electronic component

Abstract

To form a two-dimensional code image that can be accurately read.SOLUTION: Provided is an image formation method of forming a two-dimensional matrix image composed of a plurality of cells with respect to an impermeable medium, wherein the cell is composed of a plurality of pixels. Among the plurality of cells, adjacent cells are formed at different timings.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming method and a method for manufacturing electronic components. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art An image forming method is known in which a two-dimensional matrix image, such as a two-dimensional code image, is formed on a medium by applying liquid ejected from a liquid ejection unit onto the medium.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an inkjet recording method in which some or all of the dots forming the periphery of a code image are made smaller than the dots outside the periphery in order to reduce the amount by which dots in the black image area where the code image is recorded spill over into the adjacent white area. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] An object of the present invention is to form a two-dimensional matrix image that can be read accurately. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] An image forming method according to one aspect of the present invention is an image forming method for forming a two-dimensional matrix image consisting of a plurality of cells on a non-penetrable medium, wherein the cells consist of a plurality of pixels, and adjacent cells among the plurality of cells are formed at different times. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the present invention, a two-dimensional matrix image that can be read accurately can be formed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a two-dimensional code image according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2]1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 1 is a diagram showing a nozzle surface of a liquid ejection unit included in an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention, viewed from a direction opposite to the nozzle surface. [Figure 4] 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 2 is a diagram showing a first example of formation data corresponding to an image of a VI region in FIG. 1; FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a first example of mask data used in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing first formation data corresponding to an image formed by a first relative movement. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing second formation data corresponding to an image formed by a second relative movement. [Figure 10] 3 is a flowchart showing an image forming method according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11A] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a second example of mask data used in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11B] 1. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a second example of formation data corresponding to the image of the VI region in FIG. [Figure 11B-1] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing first formation data corresponding to an image formed by a first relative movement. [Figure 11B-2] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing second formation data corresponding to an image formed by a second relative movement. [Figure 11B-3] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing third formation data corresponding to an image formed by the first relative movement. [Figure 11B-4] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing fourth formation data corresponding to an image formed by a second relative movement. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a two-dimensional code image according to a second modified example of the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] 3 is a flowchart showing an image forming method according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a line head type image forming apparatus. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] An image forming method and an electronic component manufacturing method according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the following embodiments are merely examples of the image forming method and the electronic component manufacturing method according to an embodiment of the present invention, and are not limited to the following.

[0009] Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative arrangements, etc. of components described in the embodiments of the present invention are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of the present invention, but are merely illustrative examples. The sizes, positional relationships, etc. of components shown in each drawing may be exaggerated for clarity. In the following description, the same names and symbols indicate the same or similar components, and detailed descriptions will be omitted as appropriate. In this specification, orthogonality may include an error of ±10° from 90°.

[0010] [First embodiment] <Configuration of a two-dimensional code image according to the first embodiment of the present invention> 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a two-dimensional code image 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The two-dimensional code image 1 is an example of a two-dimensional matrix image.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 1, the two-dimensional code image 1 includes a plurality of cells 12, each including a plurality of pixels 11. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the two-dimensional code image 1 includes 18 cells 12 aligned in a first direction 31 and 18 cells 12 aligned in a second direction 32. Each cell 12 includes two pixels 11 aligned in the first direction 31 and two pixels 11 aligned in the second direction 32. In this embodiment, the two-dimensional code image 1 is formed by applying liquid ejected from a liquid ejection unit to a non-penetrable medium. Of the plurality of cells 12, adjacently arranged cells 12a and 12b are formed at different times.

[0012] A two-dimensional code is a display type code that has information in both a first direction 31 and a second direction 32. Two-dimensional codes include DataMatrix Code (registered trademark), QR Code (registered trademark), SP Code (registered trademark), VeriCode, MaxiCode, etc.

[0013] When a two-dimensional code image is formed on a non-permeable medium by applying a liquid ejected from a liquid ejection unit to the non-permeable medium, the liquid may bleed, spread, or coalesce on the non-permeable medium, which may cause the shape of the cells constituting the two-dimensional code image to become distorted. Coalescence refers to the process by which multiple liquids located on the non-permeable medium coalesce and become one. For example, immediately after being applied to the non-permeable medium, the liquid forming the cell 12 does not adhere to the non-permeable medium but is in a state in which it is prone to spreading, spreading, or coalescing on the non-permeable medium. Therefore, if the liquids forming adjacent cells 12a and 12b are applied to the non-permeable medium at similar times, the liquid forming cell 12a and the liquid forming cell 12b may be attracted to each other and move due to their surface tension, causing the cell shape to become distorted. This distorted cell shape may prevent the two-dimensional code from being accurately read by a reader such as a code reader. In particular, with non-permeable media that are difficult for liquid to penetrate, the liquid tends to wet, spread, or coalesce immediately after being applied to the non-permeable media, causing the shape of the cells to collapse and making it difficult to accurately read the two-dimensional code.

[0014] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an inkjet recording method in which some or all of the dots forming the periphery of a code image are smaller than the dots outside the periphery in order to reduce the amount of dots in the black image area where the code image is recorded that spill over into the adjacent white area. However, with image forming methods such as the inkjet recording method described in Patent Document 1, when the number of pixels constituting the cells in a two-dimensional code image is small, the ratio of pixels that are made smaller than the pixels outside the periphery increases, which can result in increased reading errors for the two-dimensional code. Furthermore, with image forming methods such as the inkjet recording method described in Patent Document 1, when a two-dimensional code image is formed on a non-permeable medium that is difficult for liquid to penetrate, the liquid tends to wet, spread, and coalesce on the non-permeable medium, which can cause the cell shape to collapse and make it impossible to accurately read the two-dimensional code.

[0015] In this embodiment, of the multiple cells 12 constituting the two-dimensional code image 1, adjacent cells 12a and 12b are formed at different times. As a result, for example, the liquid forming one of the adjacent cells 12a and 12b, cell 12a, which is applied first to the non-permeable medium, dries and settles to a certain extent on the non-permeable medium before the liquid forming cell 12b is applied to the non-permeable medium. By allowing the liquid forming cell 12a to settle to a certain extent on the non-permeable medium, the liquid forming cell 12a and the liquid forming cell 12b are less likely to move due to their mutual attraction caused by surface tension on the non-permeable medium, reducing deformation of the shape of the cell 12. By reducing deformation of the shape of the cell 12, a more accurately readable two-dimensional code image can be formed compared to when adjacent cells 12a and 12b are formed at approximately the same time, even when the number of pixels (e.g., dots) constituting the cell is small or when a two-dimensional code image is formed on a non-permeable medium that is poorly permeable to liquid. As a result, this embodiment allows for the formation of an accurately readable two-dimensional code image.

[0016] 1 is a square image, and the length L of one side of the square image is 5 mm or less. In this embodiment, even for a two-dimensional code image 1 in which the length L of one side of the square image is 5 mm or less, deformation of the shape of the cells 12 can be reduced, and a two-dimensional code image that can be read accurately can be formed.

[0017] In the two-dimensional code image 1 shown in FIG. 1, the cell 12a and the cell 12b are adjacent to each other in the second direction 32. However, the adjacently arranged cells 12 are not limited to those adjacent to each other in the second direction 32. In this embodiment, even in the case of two cells 12 adjacent to each other in the first direction 31, deformation of the shape of the cells 12 can be reduced, and an accurately readable two-dimensional code image can be formed. Furthermore, the adjacently arranged cells 12 may be cells 12 arranged at any position within the two-dimensional code image 1. For example, the adjacently arranged cells 12 may be cells 12 arranged on the periphery of the two-dimensional code image 1, or may be cells 12 arranged outside the periphery of the two-dimensional code image 1.

[0018] The adjacently arranged cells include cells 12c arranged diagonally across the first direction 31 and the second direction 32. The cell 12c shown in Fig. 1 is adjacent to the cell 12a in a diagonal direction, i.e., along the diagonal line of the cell 12. In this way, even when the cells 12 are adjacent to each other in a diagonal direction, deformation of the shape of the cells 12 is reduced, and a two-dimensional code image that can be read accurately can be formed.

[0019] An image forming apparatus and an image forming method for forming the two-dimensional code image 1 will be described in detail below.

[0020] <Configuration of image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention> The configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 9. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an image forming apparatus 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 illustrates the image forming apparatus 100 as viewed from a direction intersecting a first direction 31. FIG. 3 illustrates the nozzle surface 20 of the liquid ejection unit 2 included in the image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention as viewed from a direction facing the nozzle surface 20. The direction facing the nozzle surface 20 is a direction perpendicular to both the first direction 31 and the second direction 32. FIG. 3 illustrates the nozzle surface 20 as viewed from a direction in which an electronic component 5 is located in the direction facing the nozzle surface 20.

[0021] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a first example of formation data Re corresponding to the image of the VI region in FIG. 1. The formation data Re is data that is the basis for forming the two-dimensional code image 1. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a first example of mask data Md used in the image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of first formation data Re1 corresponding to the image formed by the first relative movement. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of second formation data Re2 corresponding to the image formed by the second relative movement.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 100 includes a liquid discharge unit 2 that discharges an active energy ray-curable liquid and applies it to an electronic component 5, a movement unit 3 that moves the electronic component 5 and the liquid discharge unit 2 relatively in a first direction 31, and an irradiation unit 4 that irradiates the liquid applied to the electronic component 5 with active energy rays 40. In the example shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the image forming apparatus 100 also includes a detector group 6 that detects various data in the image forming apparatus 100, and a control unit 7 that controls the operations of the liquid discharge unit 2, the movement unit 3, and the irradiation unit 4. The image forming apparatus 100 forms the two-dimensional code image 1 shown in FIG. 1 on the electronic component 5. The liquid discharge unit 2 applies liquid that forms adjacent cells 12a and 12b of the multiple cells 12 to the electronic component 5 at different times.

[0023] 2, the electronic component 5 corresponds to an example of the non-penetrable medium according to the embodiment. The electronic component 5 is, for example, a packaged semiconductor integrated circuit such as an IC (Integrated Circuit) or an LSI (Large Scale Integration).

[0024] In recent years, efforts have been made in the field of mobile devices and the like to make electronic components smaller, thinner, and more densely packed. For such electronic components, the importance of displaying information is increasing from various perspectives, including the Product Liability Act (PL Act), security to prevent counterfeiting, and traceability. For electronic components 5, a two-dimensional code image 1 containing the above-mentioned various pieces of information is formed on the package of a semiconductor integrated circuit, and this two-dimensional code image 1 displays various pieces of information about the electronic component 5. The information contained in the two-dimensional code image 1 specifically includes legally required information such as the model, specifications, manufacturing date, manufacturer's logo, and place of origin of the electronic component 5, as well as customer-required specifications. The information includes alphanumeric characters, non-alphanumeric symbols, code information, etc.

[0025] Methods for applying information to electronic components include plate-based printing methods such as gravure printing, flexography, offset printing, and silkscreen printing, as well as variable printing methods such as stamp printing, thermal transfer ribbon printing, and engraving printing (laser marker). However, plate-based printing methods require the preparation and management of numerous expensive plates when applying various information, which can increase the manufacturing cost of electronic components. Furthermore, variable printing methods such as stamp printing and thermal transfer ribbon printing are limited by the size, surface condition, and material of the electronic components to be printed, and depending on these conditions, information may not be applied. Furthermore, variable printing methods such as engraving printing require the electronic components to be thick in order to remove the surface of the electronic components, which may prevent the electronic components from being thinned. The thickness of the electronic component refers to the height of the electronic component in the directions perpendicular to the first direction 31 and the second direction 32.

[0026] In the image forming apparatus 100, a two-dimensional code image 1 is formed on an electronic component by discharging liquid from the liquid discharge unit 2. This allows various two-dimensional code images 1 to be formed without using a plate, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost of the electronic component 5. Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 100 does not impose any particular restrictions on the size, surface condition, material, etc. of the electronic component 5, so it is possible to form two-dimensional code images 1 on electronic components 5 of various sizes, surface conditions, materials, etc. Furthermore, since the image forming apparatus 100 does not remove and process the surface of the electronic component 5, there is no need to ensure that the electronic component 5 is thick, and the electronic component 5 can be made thinner.

[0027] In the image forming apparatus 100 shown in Fig. 2, the liquid discharge unit 2 applies liquid to the electronic component 5 during each of the multiple relative movements in the first direction 31 performed by the moving unit 3, thereby forming a two-dimensional code image 1 on the electronic component 5. The adjacently arranged cells 12a and 12b shown in Fig. 1 are formed by different relative movements. In the image forming apparatus 100 shown in Fig. 2, the adjacently arranged cells 12a and 12b are formed by different relative movements, so that the cells 12a and 12b can be formed at different timings.

[0028] The electronic component 5 shown in FIG. 2 is impermeable. The impermeability of the impermeable medium according to the embodiment means that the medium does not substantially permeate. Substantially impermeable means that the droplets remain on the surface of the medium for at least a period of time sufficient for the droplets to coalesce. For example, porous substrates such as paper that have voids and immediately absorb ink after ink impact are not included. The present invention is particularly suitable for printing on impermeable media such as encapsulating resin layers of semiconductor components and metal layers such as electromagnetic wave shielding layers.

[0029] In a non-permeable electronic component 5, the liquid applied to the electronic component 5 tends to spread or coalesce over the electronic component 5, causing the shape of the cells 12 to become distorted and making it difficult to accurately read the two-dimensional code. In the image forming apparatus 100, the liquids that form adjacent cells 12a and 12b are applied to the electronic component 5 at different times. This reduces the spread or coalescence of the liquid applied to the electronic component 5, even in a non-permeable electronic component 5, and thus reduces the deformation of the cells 12. By reducing the deformation of the cells 12, a two-dimensional code image that can be accurately read can be formed.

[0030] (Liquid discharge part 2) The liquid ejection unit 2 shown in FIG. 2 has a nozzle surface 20. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the nozzle surface 20 is provided with nozzle rows 22a and 22b, each including a plurality of nozzles 21 aligned in the second direction 32. The plurality of nozzles 21 shown in FIG. 3 are arranged in a staggered pattern on the nozzle surface 20. The liquid ejection unit 2 ejects liquid individually from each of the plurality of nozzles 21. As an energy generation source for ejecting liquid, ejection energy generation means such as a piezoelectric actuator, a thermal actuator using an electrothermal conversion element such as a heating resistor, or an electrostatic actuator consisting of a vibration plate and an opposing electrode can be used. However, the ejection energy generation means used is not limited to these examples.

[0031] (Mobile part 3) The moving unit 3 shown in FIG. 2 is, for example, a linear stage including a mounting table on which the electronic component 5 is placed and a driving unit that moves the mounting table in a first direction 31. The driving unit may be a stepping motor, a servo motor, or the like. The moving unit 3 moves the mounting table on which the electronic component 5 is placed in the first direction 31 in response to a driving signal supplied from the control unit 7, thereby moving the electronic component 5 and the liquid discharger 2 relative to each other. In each relative movement, the moving unit 3 moves the electronic component 5 so that the liquid discharged from the liquid discharger 2 can be applied to at least a region from one end of the electronic component 5 to the other end in the first direction 31. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the liquid discharger 2 is fixed, and only the electronic component 5 moves in the first direction 31. However, as long as the liquid discharger 2 and the electronic component 5 can be moved relative to each other in the first direction 31, only the liquid discharger 2 may be moved, or both the liquid discharger 2 and the electronic component 5 may be moved.

[0032] In the example shown in FIG. 2 , the image forming apparatus 100 applies the liquid ejected from the liquid ejection unit 2 to different areas of the electronic component 5 during each of the multiple relative movements performed by the moving unit 3. The image forming apparatus 100 performs multiple relative movements by the moving unit 3, and ejects liquid from the liquid ejection unit 2 and applies it to the electronic component 5 during each of the multiple relative movements, thereby forming the entire two-dimensional code image 1 on the electronic component 5. The relative movement in the first direction may be a reciprocating relative movement in the first direction, or may be a relative movement on either the outward or return path in the first direction. The liquid ejection unit 2 may eject the liquid on both the outward and return paths, or may eject the liquid on either the outward or return path.

[0033] (Irradiation unit 4) In the example shown in FIG. 2 , the irradiation unit 4 is arranged alongside the liquid discharge unit 2 in the first direction 31. After the liquid has been dispensed by the liquid discharge unit 2, the irradiation unit 4 irradiates the electronic component 5, which has been moved by the moving unit 3 to a position facing the irradiation unit 4, with active energy rays 40, thereby curing the active energy ray-curable liquid dispensed on the electronic component 5. The active energy rays 40 are, for example, ultraviolet light. The active energy ray-curable liquid is an ultraviolet-curable liquid. The irradiation unit 4 is mainly configured to include an ultraviolet light irradiation lamp that irradiates ultraviolet light. The irradiation unit 4 irradiates the ultraviolet light based on a drive signal from the control unit 7.

[0034] In the example shown in FIG. 2 , the irradiation unit 4 is fixed, and only the electronic component 5 moves in the first direction 31. However, the irradiation unit 4 may be movable in the first direction 31. If the irradiation unit 4 is movable in the first direction 31, it is preferable that the irradiation unit 4 moves together with the liquid discharge unit 2 while maintaining its positional relationship with the liquid discharge unit 2, in order to reduce variations in curing of the liquid due to changes in the distance between the irradiation unit 4 and the liquid discharge unit 2. The position of the irradiation unit 4 is not limited to being aligned with the liquid discharge unit 2 in the first direction 31, and can be changed as appropriate as long as the liquid dispensed by the liquid discharge unit 2 can be irradiated with active energy rays. Furthermore, when the liquid is dispensed by the liquid discharge unit 2 in both the forward and backward directions in the first direction 31, the irradiation units 4 may be disposed on both sides of the liquid discharge unit 2 in the first direction 31.

[0035] The image forming apparatus 100 does not necessarily have to include the irradiation unit 4. For example, when forming an image using a liquid containing a volatile component, the image forming apparatus 100 can reduce deformation of the cell 12 and form an accurately readable two-dimensional code image even if it does not include the irradiation unit 4. However, by irradiating the liquid that forms the cell 12a applied to the electronic component 5 with active energy rays 40 from the irradiation unit 4, the liquid that forms the cell 12a can be cured at the desired timing and fixed to the electronic component 5. By fixing the liquid that forms the cell 12a to the electronic component 5, even when the liquid that forms the cell 12b arranged adjacent to the cell 12a is applied to the electronic component 5, the liquid that forms the cell 12a does not move due to the surface tension of the cell 12b. This further reduces deformation of the cell 12 and forms an accurately readable two-dimensional code image.

[0036] (Detection group 6) The detection group 6 includes various sensors such as a height sensor, an origin sensor, and a temperature sensor that are provided in the image forming apparatus 100. The detection group 6 can output detected data to the control unit .

[0037] (Control unit 7) The control unit 7 is connected to each of the liquid discharge unit 2, the movement unit 3, the irradiation unit 4, and the detection group 6 via wire or wirelessly so that they can communicate with each other. The control unit 7 controls the operation of each of the liquid discharge unit 2, the movement unit 3, and the irradiation unit 4 by supplying control signals to each of the liquid discharge unit 2, the movement unit 3, and the irradiation unit 4. The location of the control unit 7 may be arbitrary. For example, the control unit 7 may be located at any position within the image forming apparatus 100, or may be located outside the image forming apparatus 100, separated or remotely from the image forming apparatus 100.

[0038] 4, the control unit 7 includes a unit control circuit 71, a memory 72, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 73, and an I / F 74. These are connected to each other via a system bus so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0039] The memory 72 includes a nonvolatile storage device such as a read only memory (ROM) or a hard disk drive (HDD), or a volatile storage device such as a random access memory (RAM).

[0040] The CPU 73 uses the memory 72 as a working area and controls the operations of the liquid discharge unit 2, the movement unit 3, and the irradiation unit 4 via the unit control circuit 71. Specifically, the CPU 73 controls the operations of the liquid discharge unit 2, the movement unit 3, and the irradiation unit 4 based on formation data received from a PC (Personal Computer) 200, which is a device other than the image forming apparatus 100, and data detected by the detection group 6, and causes the two-dimensional code image 1 to be formed on the electronic component 5.

[0041] A printer driver is installed in the PC 200. This printer driver generates formation data from the image data to be sent to the image forming apparatus 100. The formation data includes command data for operating the moving unit 3 and the like of the image forming apparatus 100, and pixel data relating to the image. The pixel data is made up of one bit of data for each pixel.

[0042] The I / F 74 is an interface for connecting the image forming apparatus 100 and the PC 200. The image forming apparatus 100 and the PC 200 may be connected in any manner, for example, via a network, or directly connected to each other via a communication cable.

[0043] In the example shown in FIG. 5, PC 200 includes main control unit 210. Main control unit 210 includes data receiving unit 211, data creation unit 212, and data output unit 213. Each function of data receiving unit 211, data creation unit 212, and data output unit 213 can be realized by causing a processing device such as a CPU to execute processing defined in a program, i.e., by software. Alternatively, each function may be realized by hardware such as an integrated circuit (IC), or may be realized by a combination of software and hardware. Furthermore, each of the above functions may be realized by a device other than PC 200, or may be realized by image forming apparatus 100.

[0044] The data receiving unit 211 receives image data from a device other than the PC 200. The image data is information including the shape of the image to be formed or the number of layers, and also includes information about the two-dimensional code. The data receiving unit 211 may obtain image data from an external device via a communication unit, or may obtain image data from a storage unit included in the PC 200. The data creating unit 212 performs predetermined data processing based on the image data received by the data receiving unit 211. The data output unit 213 outputs the formation data created by the data creating unit 212 to the image forming apparatus 100.

[0045] 5, the control unit 7 includes a print sequence setting unit 701, a movement control unit 702, a formation data generation unit 703, a drive waveform generation unit 704, and a discharge control unit 705. The functions of the print sequence setting unit 701, the movement control unit 702, the formation data generation unit 703, the drive waveform generation unit 704, and the discharge control unit 705 are realized by the CPU 73 executing processing defined in a program stored in the memory 72, etc.

[0046] Each function of the control unit 7 can also be realized by one or more processing circuits. The processing circuit includes an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), an electric circuit, or the like, which can execute each of the above functions. Some of the above functions of the control unit 7 may be realized by an external device, such as a microcomputer or PC 200, communicably connected to the control unit 7. Furthermore, some of the above functions of the control unit 7 may be realized by distributed processing between the control unit 7 and the external device.

[0047] The print sequence setting unit 701 sets a print sequence based on the formation data and the print mode. The image forming apparatus 100 inputs the formation data from the PC 200 via the control unit 7. The image forming apparatus 100 also accepts the setting input of the print mode via an operation unit provided in the image forming apparatus 100. By setting the print sequence, it is possible to determine, for example, how many times the movement unit 3 moves the electronic component 5 relatively in the forward or backward direction to form the two-dimensional code image 1 on the electronic component 5. In other words, the print sequence setting unit 701 determines the order in which the two-dimensional code image 1 is formed, the amount of liquid to be applied for each ejection, the application position (the arrangement position of the dots), etc.

[0048] The movement control unit 702 controls the relative movement operation of the liquid discharge unit 2 and the electronic component 5 by the moving unit 3 based on the print sequence set by the print sequence setting unit 701 .

[0049] The patterning data generation unit 703 generates first patterning data Re1 (see FIG. 8) and second patterning data Re2 (see FIG. 9) based on the patterning data Re (see FIG. 6) and the mask data Md (see FIG. 7).

[0050] 6 includes a plurality of cell data 12' each including a plurality of pixel data 11'. The pixel data 11' corresponds to the pixel 11 in the two-dimensional code image 1. The cell data 12' corresponds to the cell 12 in the two-dimensional code image 1. The cell data 12a' corresponds to the cell 12a in the two-dimensional code image 1. The cell data 12b' corresponds to the cell 12b in the two-dimensional code image 1.

[0051] The mask data Md shown in Fig. 7 includes a plurality of mask cells Ms corresponding to a plurality of cell data 12' in the formation data Re. The mask cells Ms shown in Fig. 7 include a plurality of first mask cells Ms1 that indicate "1" in the pixel data 11' and a plurality of second mask cells Ms2 that indicate "2" in the pixel data 11'. The mask data Md has the same size and is composed of the same number of data as the formation data Re. The mask cells Ms correspond to the cell data 12a' in the formation data Re and are composed of the same number of data as the number of pixel data 11' included in the cell data 12a'.

[0052] The patterning data generation unit 703 generates first patterning data Re1 and second patterning data Re2 by masking a plurality of cell data 12' in the patterning data Re with a plurality of mask cells Ms corresponding to the plurality of cell data 12' in the mask data Md.

[0053] The first formation data Re1 is data representing cell data 12' corresponding to cells 12 to which liquid is ejected from the liquid ejection unit 2 and applied to the electronic component 5 during the first relative movement. The second formation data Re2 is data representing cell data 12' corresponding to cells 12 to which liquid is ejected from the liquid ejection unit 2 and applied to the electronic component 5 during the second relative movement.

[0054] The liquid discharger 2 applies liquid to the electronic component 5 based on the first formation data Re1 during the first relative movement. The liquid discharger 2 also applies liquid to the electronic component 5 based on the second formation data Re2 during the second relative movement after the first relative movement.

[0055] For example, the first movement to the left in the first direction 31 in FIG. 2 is referred to as the first relative movement, and the second movement to the left in the first direction 31 is referred to as the second relative movement. In the first relative movement, when the electronic component 5, which is being moved leftward from the initial position, passes a position facing the liquid discharger 2, the liquid discharger 2 applies liquid to the electronic component 5 based on the first formation data Re1. The liquid applied to the electronic component 5 is then irradiated with ultraviolet light by the irradiation unit 4 as the electronic component 5 passes a position facing the irradiation unit 4, and is cured. Thereafter, the moving unit 3 moves the electronic component 5 rightward in the first direction 31 in FIG. 2 to return the electronic component 5 to the initial position. After returning the electronic component 5 to the initial position, the moving unit 3 moves the electronic component 5 leftward to start the second relative movement. In the second relative movement, the liquid discharger 2 applies liquid to the electronic component 5 based on the second formation data Re2 at the timing when the electronic component 5, which is moved leftward from the initial position, passes a position facing the liquid discharger 2. The liquid applied to the electronic component 5 is then irradiated with ultraviolet light by the irradiation unit 4 and cured when it passes a position facing the irradiation unit 4.

[0056] As described above, in this embodiment, the liquid discharger 2 can apply, in the first relative movement, liquid to form one cell 12a of adjacently arranged cells 12a and 12b based on the first formation data Re1 to the electronic component 5. Furthermore, in the second relative movement after the first relative movement, the liquid discharger 2 can apply, in the second relative movement after the first relative movement, liquid to form the other cell 12b of adjacently arranged cells 12a and 12b based on the second formation data Re2 to the electronic component 5. As a result, in this embodiment, adjacently arranged cells 12a and 12b can be formed by different relative movements.

[0057] When the image forming device 100 generates a two-dimensional code image 1 on the electronic component 5 by three or more relative movements, the formation data generation unit 703 can generate three or more formation data for the liquid ejection unit 2 to eject liquid during each of the three or more relative movements.

[0058] The drive waveform generation unit 704 generates a drive waveform for the liquid ejection unit 2 to eject liquid from the liquid ejection unit 2. For example, the drive waveform generation unit 704 generates an analog drive waveform signal based on predetermined digital drive waveform data, and supplies it to the liquid ejection unit 2 via the ejection control unit 705.

[0059] The ejection control unit 705 supplies a drive waveform signal to the liquid ejection unit 2 in accordance with the first formation data Re1 and the second formation data Re2 generated by the formation data generation unit 703, thereby ejecting liquid at the desired timing linked to the operation of the moving unit 3 and applying the liquid to the electronic component 5.

[0060] <Image forming method according to the first embodiment> Fig. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of an image forming method according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Image forming apparatus 100 starts the operation shown in Fig. 10 when an operation to start the image forming operation is received from the operator of image forming apparatus 100 via an operation unit provided in image forming apparatus 100. It is assumed that image forming apparatus 100 has received a print mode via the operation unit before receiving the operation to start the image forming operation from the operator. It is also assumed that mask data Md is predetermined and stored in memory 72.

[0061] First, in step S11, the image forming apparatus 100 receives the formation data Re of the two-dimensional code image 1 from the PC 200 via the control unit 7.

[0062] Next, in step S12, the image forming apparatus 100 causes the print sequence setting unit 701 to set a print sequence based on the formation data Re and the print mode.

[0063] Next, in step S13, the image forming apparatus 100 generates first formation data Re1 and second formation data Re2 using the formation data Re and the mask data Md read out from the memory 72 by the formation data generation unit 703.

[0064] Next, in step S14 (a process of moving the electronic component 5 and the liquid discharge unit 2 relatively in the first direction 31), the image forming apparatus 100 causes the moving unit 3 to start moving the electronic component 5 from the initial position in the first direction 31, thereby starting the first relative movement between the liquid discharge unit 2 and the electronic component 5. Thereafter, the moving unit 3 continues the first relative movement until the first relative movement is stopped.

[0065] Next, in step S15 (a step of applying liquid to the electronic component 5), when the moving unit 3 moves the electronic component 5 to a position facing the nozzle surface 20 of the liquid ejection unit 2, the image forming apparatus 100 causes the liquid ejection unit 2 to eject liquid based on the first formation data Re1 and apply it to the electronic component 5. When the liquid ejection unit 2 has finished ejecting the liquid based on the first formation data Re1, it stops ejecting the liquid.

[0066] Next, in step S16 (a step of irradiating active energy rays), when the electronic component 5 is moved by the moving unit 3 to a position facing the irradiation unit 4, the image forming apparatus 100 causes the irradiation unit 4 to irradiate the liquid applied to the electronic component 5 with active energy rays 40. The liquid applied to the electronic component 5 is cured by the irradiation of the active energy rays 40 and fixed to the electronic component 5. The irradiation unit 4 irradiates the active energy rays 40 for a predetermined period of time, and then stops irradiating the active energy rays.

[0067] Next, in step S17, the image forming apparatus 100 determines whether or not to end the first relative movement using the control unit 7. For example, the control unit 7 determines to end the first relative movement when the electronic component 5 has moved a predetermined movement distance.

[0068] If it is determined in step S17 that the first relative movement should not be ended (step S17, NO), image forming apparatus 100 repeats step S17 until it is determined that the first relative movement should be ended. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S17 that the first relative movement should be ended (step S17, YES), image forming apparatus 100 stops the first relative movement by moving unit 3 in step S18.

[0069] Next, in step S19 (a process of moving the electronic component 5 and the liquid discharge unit 2 relatively in the first direction 31), the image forming apparatus 100 causes the moving unit 3 to return the electronic component 5 to its initial position, and then starts moving the electronic component 5 from the initial position in the first direction 31, thereby starting a second relative movement between the liquid discharge unit 2 and the electronic component 5. Thereafter, the moving unit 3 continues the second relative movement until the second relative movement is stopped.

[0070] Next, in step S20 (a process of applying liquid to the electronic component 5), when the moving unit 3 moves the electronic component 5 to a position facing the nozzle surface 20 of the liquid ejection unit 2, the image forming apparatus 100 causes the liquid ejection unit 2 to eject liquid based on the second formation data Re2 and apply it to the electronic component 5. When the liquid ejection unit 2 has finished ejecting the liquid based on the second formation data Re2, it stops ejecting the liquid.

[0071] Next, in step S21 (a step of irradiating active energy rays), when the electronic component 5 is moved by the moving unit 3 to a position facing the irradiation unit 4, the image forming apparatus 100 causes the irradiation unit 4 to irradiate the liquid applied to the electronic component 5 with active energy rays 40. The liquid applied to the electronic component 5 is cured by the irradiation of the active energy rays 40 and fixed to the electronic component 5. The irradiation unit 4 irradiates the active energy rays 40 for a predetermined period of time, and then stops irradiating the active energy rays 40.

[0072] Next, in step S22, the image forming apparatus 100 determines whether or not to end the second relative movement using the control unit 7. For example, the control unit 7 determines to end the second relative movement when the electronic component 5 has moved a predetermined movement distance.

[0073] If it is determined in step S22 that the second relative movement should not be ended (step S22, NO), image forming apparatus 100 repeats the operation of step S22 until it is determined that the second relative movement should be ended. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S22 that the second relative movement should be ended (step S22, YES), image forming apparatus 100 stops the second relative movement by moving unit 3 in step S23, and then returns electronic component 5 to its initial position. Image forming apparatus 100 then ends its operation.

[0074] In this manner, the image forming apparatus 100 can form the two-dimensional code image 1 on the electronic component 5.

[0075] <Modification of two-dimensional code image> Next, we will explain modified examples of the two-dimensional code image 1. Note that the same names and symbols as those in the already explained embodiments indicate the same or similar members or configurations, and detailed explanations will be omitted as appropriate. This also applies to the other embodiments described below.

[0076] (First Modification) Fig. 11A is a diagram showing a second example of mask data used in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 11B is a diagram showing a second example of formation data corresponding to the image of the VI region in Fig. 1. Fig. 11B-1 is a diagram showing first formation data corresponding to the image formed by the first relative movement. Fig. 11B-2 is a diagram showing second formation data corresponding to the image formed by the second relative movement. Fig. 11B-3 is a diagram showing third formation data corresponding to the image formed by the first relative movement. Fig. 11B-4 is a diagram showing fourth formation data corresponding to the image formed by the second relative movement.

[0077] The two-dimensional code image 1a of this modified example differs from the two-dimensional code image 1 of the first embodiment described above in that the liquid forming each of the three or more adjacently arranged cells 12 is applied to the electronic component 5 at different times by the liquid ejection unit 2.

[0078] In this modification, the liquid discharger 2 applies the liquid that forms each of four adjacent cells out of the plurality of cells 12 to the electronic component 5 at mutually different timings. In this way, the liquid discharger 2 forms a two-dimensional code image 1a on the electronic component 5.

[0079] For example, the two-dimensional code image 1a is formed by the above-described image forming apparatus 100. The image forming apparatus 100 forms the two-dimensional code image 1a on the electronic component 5 by applying liquid to the electronic component 5 with the liquid discharge unit 2 during each of the periods during which the moving unit 3 performs multiple relative movements in the first direction 31. Adjacently arranged cells are formed by different relative movements.

[0080] The formation data generation unit 703 generates first formation data Re1 (see FIG. 11B-1), second formation data Re2 (see FIG. 11B-2), third formation data Re3 (see FIG. 11B-3), and fourth formation data Re4 (see FIG. 11B-4) based on the mask data Md (see FIG. 11A) and the formation data Re (see FIG. 11B).

[0081] The formation data generation unit 703 generates first formation data Re1, second formation data Re2, third formation data Re3, and fourth formation data Re4 by masking multiple cell data in the formation data Re with multiple mask cells corresponding to multiple cell data in the mask data Md.

[0082] An image according to the first formation data Re1 is formed by the first relative movement. An image according to the second formation data Re2 is formed by the second relative movement. An image according to the third formation data Re3 is formed by the third relative movement. An image according to the fourth formation data Re4 is formed by the fourth relative movement.

[0083] In this modified example, the liquids forming each of three or more adjacently arranged cells 12 are applied to the electronic component 5 at different times, thereby reducing deformation of the shape of the cells 12 and forming a two-dimensional code image 1a that can be read accurately.

[0084] (Second Modification) 12 is a schematic diagram showing a two-dimensional code image 1b according to a second modified example of the first embodiment of the present invention. In this modified example, the cells 12 included in the two-dimensional code image 1b include five pixels 11 arranged in a first direction 31 and five pixels 11 arranged in a second direction 32, which is different from the two-dimensional code image 1 according to the first embodiment described above.

[0085] For example, the two-dimensional code image 1b is formed by the above-described image forming apparatus 100. The image forming apparatus 100 forms the two-dimensional code image 1b on the electronic component 5 by applying liquid to the electronic component 5 with the liquid discharge unit 2 while the moving unit 3 performs each of a plurality of relative movements in the first direction 31. The adjacently arranged cells 12a and 12b are formed by different relative movements.

[0086] 12, cell 12a corresponding to "1" in pixel 11 is formed by the first relative movement, and cell 12b corresponding to "2" in pixel 11 is formed by the second relative movement.

[0087] In this modification, it is possible to form an accurately readable two-dimensional code image 1a by reducing deformation of the shape of the cells 12, as in the two-dimensional code image 1. In the cells 12 included in the two-dimensional code image 1b, the number of pixels 11 aligned in the first direction 31 and the number of pixels 11 aligned in the second direction 32 are not limited to four, and may be any number equal to or greater than two.

[0088] [Second embodiment] Next, an image forming apparatus and an image forming method according to a second embodiment will be described.

[0089] <Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus According to Second Embodiment> 13 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an image forming apparatus 100a according to a second embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from a direction intersecting with the first direction 31.

[0090] In this embodiment, the liquid discharger 2 includes a first liquid discharger 2A and a second liquid discharger 2B that are arranged side by side at a predetermined distance Δ along the first direction 31. In Fig. 13, in order to indicate that the liquid discharger 2 includes the first liquid discharger 2A and the second liquid discharger 2B, the reference numerals for the liquid discharger 2 and the first liquid discharger 2A are shown together, and the reference numerals for the liquid discharger 2 and the second liquid discharger 2B are also shown together. In the following description, multiple reference numerals may be shown together for the same purpose.

[0091] The image forming apparatus 100a forms a two-dimensional code image 1 by applying liquids ejected from the first liquid ejection unit 2A and the second liquid ejection unit 2B to an electronic component 5 moving relatively in a first direction 31. The first liquid ejection unit 2A applies liquid to the electronic component 5 to form one cell 12a of the adjacent cells 12 in FIG. 1 described above. The second liquid ejection unit 2B applies liquid to the electronic component 5 to form the other cell 12b of the adjacent cells 12 in FIG. 1 described above. In the image forming apparatus 100a shown in FIG. 13, the irradiation unit 4 irradiates the active energy ray-curable liquid applied to the electronic component 5 by the liquid ejection unit 2 with active energy rays 40. In FIG. 13, the active energy rays 40 are represented by multiple thick lines. The liquid ejection unit 2 applies liquid to the electronic component 5 to form one cell 12a of the adjacent cells 12a and 12b. Furthermore, after the irradiation unit 4 irradiates the liquid forming the cell 12a with active energy rays 40, the liquid discharger 2 applies the liquid forming the other cell 12b of the adjacent cells 12a and 12b to the electronic component 5. After the irradiation unit 4 irradiates the liquid forming the cell 12a with active energy rays 40, the liquid discharger 2 applies the liquid forming the cell 12b to the electronic component 5. This allows the liquids forming the adjacent cells 12a and 12b to be applied to the electronic component 5 at different times. When the liquid forming the cell 12b is applied to the electronic component 5, the liquid forming the cell 12a is cured and fixed to the electronic component 5 by being irradiated with active energy rays 40 by the irradiation unit 4. Therefore, the liquid forming the cell 12a does not move even when it is subjected to surface tension from the liquid forming the cell 12b. As a result, the image forming apparatus 100a can reduce deformation of the cell 12 and form an accurately readable two-dimensional code image 1.

[0092] The image forming apparatus 100a does not necessarily have to include the irradiation unit 4, for example, when forming an image using a liquid containing a volatile component. If the moving speed of the electronic component 5 by the moving unit 3 is V, a time Δ / V elapses between when the electronic component 5, being moved relatively by the moving unit 3, passes a position facing the nozzle surface 20A of the first liquid discharger 2A and when it passes a position facing the nozzle surface 20B of the second liquid discharger 2B. Therefore, in the image forming apparatus 100a, the first liquid discharger 2A applies the liquid that forms the cell 12a to the electronic component 5, and the second liquid discharger 2B applies the liquid that forms the cell 12b to the electronic component 5. This allows the liquids that form the adjacent cells 12a and 12b to be applied to the electronic component 5 at different times by the time Δ / V. As a result, the liquid previously applied to the electronic component 5 dries and settles on the electronic component 5 for the time Δ / V, so that the image forming apparatus 100a can reduce deformation of the shape of the cells 12 and form a two-dimensional code image 1 that can be read accurately.

[0093] 13, adjacently arranged cells 12a and 12b are formed by a single relative movement between the liquid discharge unit 2 and the electronic component 5. Therefore, adjacently arranged cells 12a and 12b can be formed in a shorter time than when adjacently arranged cells 12a and 12b are formed by two or more relative movements. Furthermore, by forming adjacently arranged cells 12a and 12b in a short time, the two-dimensional code image 1 can be formed in a short time.

[0094] The first liquid discharger 2A and the second liquid discharger 2B may have the same configuration or different configurations. The first irradiation unit 4A and the second irradiation unit 4B may have the same configuration or different configurations. The arrangement distance Δ can be changed appropriately depending on how easily the liquid discharged by the liquid discharger 2 dries.

[0095] 13 is arranged alongside the first liquid discharger 2A in the first direction 31. However, as long as the liquid dispensed onto the electronic component 5 by the first liquid discharger 2A can be irradiated with active energy rays 40A, the first irradiation unit 4A does not necessarily have to be arranged alongside the first liquid discharger 2A in the first direction 31. For example, the first irradiation unit 4A may be arranged alongside the first liquid discharger 2A in a direction intersecting the first direction 31.

[0096] 13 is arranged alongside the second liquid discharger 2B in the first direction 31. However, as long as the liquid dispensed onto the electronic component 5 by the second liquid discharger 2B can be irradiated with active energy rays 40B, the second irradiation unit 4B does not necessarily have to be arranged alongside the second liquid discharger 2B in the first direction 31. For example, the second irradiation unit 4B may be arranged alongside the second liquid discharger 2B in a direction intersecting the first direction 31.

[0097] <Image forming method according to the second embodiment> FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an example of an image forming method according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Image forming apparatus 100a starts the operation shown in FIG. 14 when an operation to start the image forming operation is received from the operator of image forming apparatus 100a via an operation unit provided in image forming apparatus 100a. Note that image forming apparatus 100a is assumed to have received a print mode via the operation unit before receiving the operation to start the image forming operation from the operator. Also, it is assumed that mask data Md is predetermined and stored in memory 72. Also, explanations of steps similar to those shown in FIG. 10 will be omitted as appropriate, and differences from FIG. 10 will be mainly described.

[0098] Next, in step S34 (a process of moving the electronic component 5 and the liquid discharge unit 2 relatively in the first direction 31), the image forming apparatus 100a starts moving the electronic component 5 from the initial position in the first direction 31 using the moving unit 3, thereby starting the relative movement between the liquid discharge unit 2 and the electronic component 5. Thereafter, the moving unit 3 continues the relative movement until it stops the relative movement.

[0099] Next, in step S35 (a step of applying liquid to the electronic component 5), when the electronic component 5 is moved by the moving unit 3 to a position facing the nozzle surface 20A of the first liquid ejection unit 2A, the image forming apparatus 100a causes the first liquid ejection unit 2A to eject liquid based on the first formation data Re1 and apply it to the electronic component 5. When the first liquid ejection unit 2A has finished ejecting the liquid based on the first formation data Re1, it stops ejecting the liquid.

[0100] Next, in step S36 (a step of irradiating active energy rays), when the electronic component 5 is moved by the moving unit 3 to a position facing the first irradiating unit 4A, the image forming apparatus 100a causes the first irradiating unit 4A to irradiate the liquid applied to the electronic component 5 with active energy rays 40A. The liquid applied to the electronic component 5 is cured by the irradiation of the active energy rays 40A and fixed to the electronic component 5. The first irradiating unit 4A irradiates the active energy rays 40A for a predetermined time, and then stops irradiating the active energy rays 40A.

[0101] Next, in step S37 (a step of applying liquid to the electronic component 5), when the electronic component 5 is moved by the moving unit 3 to a position facing the nozzle surface 20B of the second liquid ejection unit 2B, the image forming apparatus 100a causes the second liquid ejection unit 2B to eject liquid based on the second formation data Re2 and apply it to the electronic component 5. When the second liquid ejection unit 2B has finished ejecting the liquid based on the second formation data Re2, it stops ejecting the liquid.

[0102] Subsequently, in step S38 (a step of irradiating active energy rays), when the electronic component 5 is moved by the moving unit 3 to a position facing the second irradiating unit 4B, the image forming apparatus 100a causes the second irradiating unit 4B to irradiate the liquid applied to the electronic component 5 with active energy rays 40B. The liquid applied to the electronic component 5 is cured by the irradiation of the active energy rays 40B and fixed to the electronic component 5. The second irradiating unit 4B irradiates the active energy rays 40B for a predetermined time, and then stops irradiating the active energy rays 40B.

[0103] Next, in step S39, the image forming apparatus 100a determines whether or not to end the relative movement by the control unit 7. For example, the control unit 7 determines to end the relative movement when the electronic component 5 has moved a predetermined movement distance.

[0104] If it is determined in step S39 that the relative movement should not be ended (step S39, NO), image forming apparatus 100a repeats step S39 until it is determined that the relative movement should be ended. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S39 that the relative movement should be ended (step S39, YES), image forming apparatus 100a stops the relative movement by moving unit 3 in step S40, and then returns electronic component 5 to the initial position. Image forming apparatus 100a then ends its operation.

[0105] In this manner, the image forming apparatus 100a can form the two-dimensional code image 1 on the electronic component 5.

[0106] Although the preferred embodiments have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and substitutions can be made to the above-described embodiments of the present invention without departing from the scope of the claims.

[0107] For example, a two-dimensional code image may be formed on non-penetrable media using a so-called line-head image forming apparatus. FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a line-head image forming apparatus 100b. FIG. 15 shows how the image forming apparatus 100b forms images on a plurality of electronic components 5 being transported in a first direction 31. The plurality of electronic components 5 are placed on a moving unit 3 lined up in both the first direction 31 and the second direction 32. The plurality of electronic components 5 are transported in the first direction 31 by movement of the moving unit 3 in the first direction 31.

[0108] An image forming apparatus 100b shown in FIG. 15 has a liquid discharger 2 and an irradiation unit 4. The liquid discharger 2 includes a first liquid discharger 2A and a second liquid discharger 2B. The irradiation unit 4 includes a first irradiation unit 4A and a second irradiation unit 4B. The first liquid discharger 2A, the first irradiation unit 4A, the second liquid discharger 2B, and the second irradiation unit 4B are arranged in this order from upstream to downstream in a first direction 31.

[0109] The first liquid ejection unit 2A and the second liquid ejection unit 2B each include a plurality of liquid ejection heads 30 arranged in a staggered pattern. The plurality of liquid ejection heads 30 in each of the first liquid ejection unit 2A and the second liquid ejection unit 2B are aligned in the second direction 32 over a length equal to or greater than the entire length of the plurality of electronic components 5 in the second direction 32 so that images can be formed on the entire plurality of electronic components 5 aligned in the second direction 32.

[0110] The image forming apparatus 100b forms a two-dimensional code image on each of the plurality of electronic components 5 transported in the first direction 31 without changing the positions of the first liquid discharger 2A, the first irradiation unit 4A, the second liquid discharger 2B, and the second irradiation unit 4B. Specifically, the image forming apparatus 100b transports the plurality of electronic components 5 in the first direction 31 by moving the moving unit 3 in the first direction 31. Then, when each of the plurality of electronic components 5 passes under the first liquid discharger 2A, the first liquid discharger 2A discharges a liquid that forms one of the adjacent cells 12 onto the electronic component 5. Then, when the electronic component 5 passes under the first irradiation unit 4A, the first irradiation unit 4A irradiates the liquid that has been applied to the electronic component 5 with active energy rays. Next, when the transported electronic component 5 passes under the second liquid discharger 2B, the liquid that forms the other of the adjacently arranged cells 12 is discharged from the second liquid discharger 2B and applied to the electronic component 5. Thereafter, when the electronic component 5 passes under the second irradiation unit 4B, the second irradiation unit 4B irradiates the electronic component 5 with active energy rays. In this way, the image forming apparatus 100b can form a two-dimensional code image on each of the multiple electronic components 5.

[0111] In the image forming apparatus 100b, it is only necessary to change the relative positions in the first direction 31 of the first liquid discharger 2A, the first irradiation unit 4A, the second liquid discharger 2B, and the second irradiation unit 4B, and the plurality of electronic components 5. Therefore, image formation may be performed while transporting the first liquid discharger 2A, the first irradiation unit 4A, the second liquid discharger 2B, and the second irradiation unit 4B as a unit in the first direction 31 without changing the positions of the plurality of electronic components 5.

[0112] All ordinal numbers, quantitative numbers, and other figures used in the description of the embodiments of the present invention are provided as examples to specifically explain the technology of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the illustrated figures. Furthermore, the connection relationships between components are provided as examples to specifically explain the technology of the present invention, and do not limit the connection relationships that realize the functions of the present invention.

[0113] The impermeable medium according to the embodiment is not limited to the electronic component 5. The material of the impermeable medium according to the embodiment may be any material to which a liquid can be attached, even temporarily, such as paper, thread, fiber, fabric, leather, metal, plastic, glass, wood, or ceramics. The impermeable medium according to the embodiment may be, for example, a film product, a fabric product such as clothing, a building material such as wallpaper or flooring, or a leather product. The impermeable medium according to the embodiment may be any material to which a liquid can be attached, even temporarily.

[0114] The liquid according to the embodiment may be a solution, suspension, emulsion, or the like containing a solvent such as water or an organic solvent, a colorant such as a dye or a pigment, a polymerizable compound, a resin, a surfactant, or the like, a functionalizing material, a biocompatible material such as DNA, amino acids, proteins, or calcium, an edible material such as a natural colorant, etc. These can be used, for example, as inkjet ink, paint, surface treatment liquid, a liquid for forming components of electronic elements or light-emitting elements, a liquid for forming electronic circuit resist patterns, a material liquid for 3D modeling, etc.

[0115] The image forming method according to the present invention can form an accurately readable two-dimensional code image, and therefore can be suitably used in inkjet printers, etc. Furthermore, the method for manufacturing an electronic component according to the present invention can form an accurately readable two-dimensional code image, and therefore can be suitably used in manufacturing electronic components used in mobile devices such as smartphones, tablet terminals, and notebook PCs (Personal Computers), as well as PCs and home appliances, etc. However, the image forming method and method for manufacturing an electronic component according to the present invention are not limited to the above applications and can be used for a variety of applications.

[0116] For example, aspects of the present invention are as follows. <1> An image forming method for forming a two-dimensional matrix image consisting of a plurality of cells on a non-penetrable medium, wherein the cells consist of a plurality of pixels, and adjacent cells among the plurality of cells are formed at different times. <2> a step of discharging a liquid by a liquid discharge unit and applying the liquid to a non-permeable medium; and a step of moving the non-permeable medium and the liquid discharge unit relatively in a first direction by a moving unit, wherein a two-dimensional matrix image is formed having a plurality of cells each including a plurality of pixels, and the liquid discharge unit applies liquid forming adjacently arranged cells of the plurality of cells to the non-permeable medium at different timings; <1> 1. An image forming method according to claim 1. <3> the liquid ejection unit applies liquid to the non-penetrable medium during each of a plurality of periods during which the moving unit performs the relative movement in the first direction, thereby forming the two-dimensional matrix image on the non-penetrable medium, and the adjacently arranged cells are formed during different periods of the relative movement; <2> 1. An image forming method according to claim 1. <4> a step of generating first formation data and second formation data based on formation data and mask data for forming the two-dimensional matrix image by a control unit, wherein the liquid ejection unit applies, to the non-penetrable medium, liquid that forms one of the adjacently arranged cells based on the first formation data during the first relative movement, and applies, to the non-penetrable medium, liquid that forms the other of the adjacently arranged cells based on the second formation data during the second relative movement after the first relative movement; <3> 1. An image forming method according to claim 1. <5> The method includes a step of irradiating the active energy ray-curable liquid applied to the non-permeable medium by the liquid discharge unit with active energy rays by an irradiation unit, wherein the liquid discharge unit applies a liquid that forms one of the adjacently arranged cells to the non-permeable medium, and after the active energy ray is irradiated from the irradiation unit to the liquid that forms the one of the adjacently arranged cells applied to the non-permeable medium, the liquid that forms the other of the adjacently arranged cells is applied to the non-permeable medium. <2> 1. An image forming method according to claim 1. <6> the liquid ejection unit includes a first liquid ejection unit and a second liquid ejection unit that are arranged side by side at a predetermined interval along the first direction, and the two-dimensional matrix image is formed by applying liquids ejected from the first liquid ejection unit and the second liquid ejection unit to the non-permeable medium that is moved relatively in the first direction, the first liquid ejection unit applying a liquid that forms one of the adjacently arranged cells to the non-permeable medium, and the second liquid ejection unit applying a liquid that forms the other of the adjacently arranged cells to the non-permeable medium, <2> 1. An image forming method according to claim 1. <7> the method includes a step of irradiating, by an irradiation unit, an active energy ray-curable liquid applied to the non-permeable medium by the liquid discharge unit, wherein the liquid discharge unit includes a first liquid discharge unit and a second liquid discharge unit that are arranged side by side at an interval of a predetermined distance along the first direction, the irradiation unit includes a first irradiation unit that is arranged corresponding to the first liquid discharge unit and a second irradiation unit that is arranged corresponding to the second liquid discharge unit, wherein the first liquid discharge unit applies, to the non-permeable medium, a liquid that forms one of the adjacent cells, the first irradiation unit irradiates, with the active energy ray, the liquid that forms the one of the cells applied to the non-permeable medium, the second liquid discharge unit applies, to the non-permeable medium, a liquid that forms the other of the adjacent cells, and the second irradiation unit irradiates, with the active energy ray, the liquid that forms the other of the adjacent cells applied to the non-permeable medium, <2> 1. An image forming method according to claim 1. <8> the liquid discharge unit applies the liquid forming each of three or more adjacently arranged cells out of the plurality of cells to the non-permeable medium at mutually different timings; <2> From the above <7> 10. The image forming method according to claim 9, wherein the first and second electrodes are arranged parallel to each other. <9> The two-dimensional matrix image is a square image, and the length of one side of the square image is 5 mm or less. <2> From the above <8> 10. The image forming method according to claim 9, wherein the first and second electrodes are arranged parallel to each other. <10> The contact angle of the liquid applied to the non-permeable medium is 90 degrees or more. <1> From the above <9> 10. The image forming method according to claim 9, wherein the first and second electrodes are arranged parallel to each other. <11> The plurality of cells are arranged side by side in a first direction and a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and adjacent cells among the plurality of cells are arranged side by side in diagonal directions intersecting the first direction and the second direction, <1> From the above <10> 10. The image forming method according to claim 9, wherein the first and second electrodes are arranged parallel to each other. <12> The non-permeable medium is an electronic component, <1> From the above <10> The method for manufacturing an electronic component includes forming the two-dimensional matrix image on the electronic component by the image forming method according to any one of the above items. [Explanation of symbols]

[0117] 1, 1a, 1b Two-dimensional code image (an example of a two-dimensional matrix image) 11 pixels 11' pixel data 12, 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, 12e cells 12', 12a', 12b' cell data 2 Liquid discharge part 2A 1st liquid discharge part 2B 2nd liquid discharge part 20, 20A, 20B nozzle surface 21 nozzles 22, 22a, 22b nozzle rows 3. Moving Part 31 1st direction 32 Second direction 4 Irradiation unit 4A 1st irradiation section 4B 2nd irradiation section 40, 40A, 40B Active energy rays 5. Electronic components (an example of non-penetrating media) 6 Detection Group 7 Control Unit 71 Unit control circuit 72 memory 73 CPU 74 Interfaces 701 Print sequence setting section 702 Movement control unit 703 Formation Data Generation Unit 704 Drive waveform generator 705 Discharge control unit 100, 100a Image forming apparatus 200 PC 210 Main control unit 211 Data Reception Department 212 Data Creation Department 213 Data output section L length of one side Md mask data Ms1 First mask cell Ms2 Second mask cell Re formation data Re1 First formation data Re2 Second formation data Δ placement distance [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0118] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-237059

Claims

1. An image forming method for forming a two-dimensional matrix image consisting of a plurality of cells on a non-permeable medium, wherein the cells consist of a plurality of pixels, and adjacent cells among the plurality of cells are formed at different times.

2. a step of discharging a liquid by a liquid discharge unit and applying the liquid to the non-penetrable medium; a step of moving the non-penetrable medium and the liquid discharge unit relative to each other in a first direction by a moving unit, forming a two-dimensional matrix image comprising a plurality of cells each containing a plurality of pixels; The image forming method according to claim 1 , wherein the liquid ejection unit applies the liquid that forms adjacently arranged cells of the plurality of cells to the non-penetrable medium at different times.

3. forming the two-dimensional matrix image on the non-penetrable medium by applying liquid to the non-penetrable medium using the liquid discharge unit during each of a plurality of periods during which the movement unit performs the relative movement in the first direction; The image forming method according to claim 2 , wherein the adjacently arranged cells are formed at different relative movements.

4. generating, by a control unit, first formation data and second formation data based on formation data for forming the two-dimensional matrix image and mask data; 4. The image forming method according to claim 3, wherein the liquid ejection unit applies liquid to the non-permeable medium to form one of the adjacently arranged cells based on the first formation data during the first relative movement, and applies liquid to the non-permeable medium to form the other of the adjacently arranged cells based on the second formation data during the second relative movement after the first relative movement.

5. a step of irradiating the active energy ray-curable liquid applied to the non-penetrable medium by the liquid discharge unit with active energy rays by an irradiation unit; 3. The image forming method according to claim 2, wherein the liquid ejection unit applies a liquid that forms one of the adjacently arranged cells to the non-permeable medium, and after the active energy rays are irradiated from the irradiation unit onto the liquid that forms the one of the adjacently arranged cells that has been applied to the non-permeable medium, the liquid that forms the other of the adjacently arranged cells is applied to the non-permeable medium.

6. the liquid ejection unit includes a first liquid ejection unit and a second liquid ejection unit that are arranged side by side at a predetermined interval along the first direction, forming the two-dimensional matrix image by applying the liquids ejected from the first liquid ejection unit and the second liquid ejection unit to the non-penetrable medium that is relatively moved in the first direction; the first liquid discharge unit applies a liquid forming one of the adjacently arranged cells to the non-permeable medium; The image forming method according to claim 2 , wherein the second liquid ejection section applies the liquid that forms the other of the adjacently arranged cells to the non-penetrable medium.

7. a step of irradiating the active energy ray-curable liquid applied to the non-penetrable medium by the liquid discharge unit with active energy rays by an irradiation unit; the liquid ejection unit includes a first liquid ejection unit and a second liquid ejection unit that are arranged side by side at a predetermined interval along the first direction, the irradiation unit includes a first irradiation unit arranged corresponding to the first liquid ejection unit and a second irradiation unit arranged corresponding to the second liquid ejection unit, the first liquid discharge unit applies a liquid forming one of the adjacently arranged cells to the non-permeable medium; the first irradiating unit irradiates the liquid forming the one cell applied to the non-permeable medium with the active energy rays; the second liquid discharge unit applies a liquid that forms the other of the adjacently arranged cells to the non-permeable medium; The image forming method according to claim 2 , wherein the second irradiating section irradiates the liquid that forms the other cell and that is applied to the non-penetrable medium with the active energy rays.

8. The image forming method according to claim 2 , wherein the liquid ejection unit applies the liquid forming each of three or more adjacently arranged cells of the plurality of cells to the non-penetrable medium at mutually different timings.

9. the two-dimensional matrix image is a square image, 2. The image forming method according to claim 1, wherein the square image has a side length of 5 mm or less.

10. 3. The image forming method according to claim 2, wherein the contact angle of the liquid applied to the non-penetrable medium is 90 degrees or more.

11. the plurality of cells are arranged side by side in a first direction and a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, The image forming method according to claim 1 , wherein adjacent cells among the plurality of cells are arranged side by side in a diagonal direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction.

12. the non-permeable medium is an electronic component; A method for manufacturing an electronic component, comprising forming the two-dimensional matrix image on the electronic component by the image forming method according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

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