Abstract: A printing apparatus of the present invention includes a print head having a plurality of nozzles, from which ink droplets are ejected, a light detection unit that has a light emitting element and a light receiving element and determines the active or inactive state of the nozzles based on whether or not the light beam is intercepted by ink droplets, and a carriage that moves the print head relative to the light detection unit. The light beam emitted from the light emitting element has an optical axis that is inclined at a predetermined angle to a nozzle array. At least part of the plurality of nozzles are inspected while the print head is moving relative to the light detection unit at a fixed speed.

Abstract: A printing apparatus of the present invention includes a print head having a plurality of nozzles, from which ink droplets are ejected, a light detection unit that has a light emitting element and a light receiving element and determines the active or inactive state of the nozzles based on whether or not the light beam is intercepted by ink droplets, and a carriage that moves the print head relative to the light detection unit. The light beam emitted from the light emitting element has an optical axis that is inclined at a predetermined angle to a nozzle array. At least part of the plurality of nozzles are inspected while the print head is moving relative to the light detection unit at a fixed speed.

Abstract: Drive signal generating means generates a drive signal including a plural number of drive pulses during one period. Print data generating means generates print data to input one or a plural number of the drive pulses to each pressure generating element during one print period. The pressure generating means expands and contracts in accordance with the drive pulses input thereto, to thereby cause the ejection of an ink droplet or droplets.

Abstract: A recording head is so designed that a plurality of nozzle openings for each of the nozzle opening arrays are arranged at intervals of at least four or more print-pitches in the sub-scanning direction, that the nozzle opening arrays are divided into at least two groups, that the nozzle opening arrays belonging to each of the groups are positioned along the same line in the main scanning direction, and that the groups are shifted away from each other at least two print-pitches in the sub-scanning direction. Dots of different groups do not contact each other during printing, and when printing for one scan line is completed, a recording medium is fed a number of print-pitches that corresponds to the nozzle opening count, so that a paper feeding distance error can be constant.

Abstract: The object is to provide a technique whereby a non-operating nozzle can be detected with higher accuracy. The present invention resides in a printer for printing images by ejecting ink droplets from a plurality of nozzles, wherein an optical path in which light from a light-emitting element 40a for emitting light is focused by a first focusing element 41, allowed to pass through a focusing aperture 43a that is smaller than the area illuminate by the light, and transmitted through the focusing aperture 43a to a light-receiving element 40b for receiving light is laid out according to a configuration in which an intersection is formed with the path described by the ink droplets ejected by the nozzles. The light-emitting element 40a is energized and caused to emit light.

Abstract: A recording head is so designed that a plurality of nozzle openings for each of the nozzle opening arrays are arranged at intervals of at least four or more print-pitches in the sub-scanning direction, that the nozzle opening arrays are divided into at least two groups, that the nozzle opening arrays belonging to each of the groups are positioned along the same line in the main scanning direction, and that the groups are shifted away from each other at least two print-pitches in the sub-scanning direction. Dots of different groups do not contact each other during printing, and when printing for one scan line is completed, a recording medium is fed a number of print-pitches that corresponds to the nozzle opening count, so that a paper feeding distance error can be constant.

Abstract: An adjustment value for printing deviation between forward and reverse printing passes is set for each width of printing paper. The printing deviation is adjusted by, for example, varying, in the main scanning direction, the frequency of the drive clock signal applied to the print head. The drive clock signal frequency is individually set for each of a plurality of regions into which the main scanning range is divided.