Abstract: A recording apparatus can be prevented from becoming dirty, for example, due to incorrectly loading a recording medium. If a width of the recording medium that has been detected by the detection means is shorter than a width, in the direction that intersects the carrying direction of the recording medium, over which the recording information is to be recorded, then a portion of the recording information, of the entire recording information, corresponding to the width, or to less than the width, of the recording medium that has been detected by the detection means is recorded onto the recording medium by the recording head. A notice is made when the width of the recording medium that has been detected by the detection means is different from a width of the size of the recording medium that has been set with the setting means. The ON/OFF of an operation through which the detection means detects the width of the recording medium is settable.

Abstract: A platen gap between a print head and a platen can be adjusted into a plurality of values. Different correction values of bi-directional printing misalignment, ?G1 and ?G2, which are respectively associated with a plurality of values of the platen gap, PG1 and PG2, are stored in the EEPROM 200 for use in correcting positional deviation of ink dots in bi-directional printing. A positional deviation correction section 212 selects a positional deviation correction value based on at least the value of the platen gap, and corrects the positional deviation of ink dots in bi-directional printing using the selected positional deviation correction value.

Abstract: The printing apparatus of the present invention includes a print head that has basic-color nozzle arrays and a specific nozzle array disposed in a staggered manner in relation to a black ink nozzle array, which is one of the basic-color nozzle arrays. The specific nozzle array can receive a solution independently of the basic-color nozzle arrays, and the solution can be selected from a plurality of solutions (including black ink) by selecting a specific cartridge mounted in a ink feeder. Images can be printed in black and white at a high speed with the aid of the two nozzle arrays (black ink nozzle array and specific nozzle array) by selecting black ink for the solution. Higher picture quality can also be obtained during photographic printing by selecting, for example, a dark yellow ink or a gray ink as the solution.

Abstract: While performing main scanning in which a head having a plurality of nozzles that eject ink is moved in prescribed forward and reverse main scanning directions relative to a print medium, print images are printed on the print medium by forming dots in each pixel aligned in the main scanning direction in accordance with print data. The dot formation position misalignment amount for each nozzle is corrected using image pixel value data indicating the existence of image pixels comprising images and adjustment pixel value data indicating the existence of adjustment pixels in which dots are not formed.

Abstract: Using a printer having a recessed portion, printing up to the edge of printing paper is performed without depositing ink drops on the platen. Printing paper P is advanced by upstream paper feed rollers 25a, 25b, and when its leading edge Pf reaches the opening of a downstream recessed portion 26r, printing is initiated using nozzles #1-#3. Since printing commences with leading edge Pf situated upstream from nozzle #1, even if there is some degree of error in paper feed, the image can be printed up to the edge of leading edge portion Pf. Subsequently, printing of the midsectional portion of the printing medium is performed with nozzles #1-#13. During both printing of the leading edge portion of the printing paper using nozzles #1-#3 and printing of the midsectional portion of the printing paper using nozzles #1-#13, printing is carried out in units of a band of predetermined width in the printing paper feed direction.

Abstract: It is an object of the invention to provide a storage medium or the like with which printing can be carried out easily by performing predetermined processing with respect to image data, and which allows, prior to operations, visual confirmation of changes in an image caused by the processing. The storage medium that is used for performing predetermined processing with respect to image data for printing with a printing apparatus, and that is provided independent of the printing apparatus, comprises process information for performing the predetermined processing, and information for allowing visual confirmation of a change in an image that is caused by the processing.

Abstract: Using a printer having a recessed portion, printing up to the edge of printing paper is performed without depositing ink drops on the platen. Printing paper P is advanced by upstream paper feed rollers 25a, 25b, and when its leading edge Pf reaches the opening of a downstream recessed portion 26r, printing is initiated using nozzles #1-#3. Since printing commences with leading edge Pf situated upstream from nozzle #1, even if there is some degree of error in paper feed, the image can be printed up to the edge of leading edge portion Pf. Subsequently, printing of the midsectional portion of the printing medium is performed with nozzles #1-#13. During both printing of the leading edge portion of the printing paper using nozzles #1-#3 and printing of the midsectional portion of the printing paper using nozzles #1-#13, printing is carried out in units of a band of predetermined width in the printing paper feed direction.

Abstract: Efficient printing of data containing two types of areas (color and monochromatic) in the direction of sub-scanning is present. Routine feeding is performed in 15-dots feed increments while dots are recorded using black nozzle Nos. 1 to 15 during routine monochromatic mode printing (step S2). Minor-feeding is then performed in 3-dot feed increments while the same type of main scanning is carried out in the course of lower-edge monochromatic mode printing (step S4). A position adjusting feed may be optionally performed (steps S6, S8). Five nozzles each for cyan, magenta, and yellow are used, and black nozzle Nos. 11 to 15 are used during upper-edge color mode printing (step S10). Minor-feeding is performed in single-dot feed increments. Routine feeding is then performed in 5-dot feed increments while the same type of main scanning is carried out in the course of routine color mode printing (step S12).

Abstract: This invention allows images to be printed up to the edges of printing paper while preventing ink droplets from depositing on the platen. Ink droplets Ip are ejected from a print head 28 and printing is started when printing paper P is fed in the sub-scanning direction by upstream paper feed rollers 25a and 25b, and the front edge Pf reaches a position above a downstream slot 26r. Since printing is started when the front edge Pf of printing paper P has reached a position behind nozzle No. 1, images can be printed without forming blank spaces up to the front edge Pf of the printing paper P by causing the nozzles to eject ink droplets Ip irrespective of whether the nozzles are above the printing paper. When images are formed in the vicinity of the front edge Pf of printing paper P, the paper is repeatedly fed in small increments in the sub-scanning direction, and printing is carried out.

Abstract: An ink filling apparatus is constituted by an access unit (61) for reading an amount of ink consumed in an ink cartridge (10) which needs to be refilled from a storage unit (15) provided on the relevant cartridge and a filling controlling unit (60) for determining an amount of ink on the basis of the data. Ink in an amount corresponding to the amount of ink consumption stored in the storage unit of the ink cartridge (10) is filled by a filling apparatus (66).

Abstract: In the bi-directional printing, a reference correction value is set for correcting printing positional deviation arising between forward and reverse main scanning passes with respect to specific reference dots. An adjustment value is determined, using at least the reference correction value, to reduce printing positional deviation arising between forward and reverse main scanning passes. The printing positional deviation between forward and reverse main scanning passes is adjusted using the adjustment value. In a first adjustment mode, the adjustment value is determined by correcting the reference correction value with a relative correction value prepared beforehand for correcting the reference correction value.

Abstract: The present invention is a printing apparatus having: an antenna for communicating wirelessly with an element that is provided on an ink container; and an attach/detach section to and from which a storage medium can be attached and detached. The antenna is a flat antenna, the antenna is capable of communicating wirelessly with the storage medium attached to the attach/detach section, the medium is parallel to the antenna when the storage medium is attached to the attach/detach section, one side of the antenna faces the element, and the other side of the antenna faces the storage medium attached to the attach/detach section.

Abstract: The present invention provides a printing method for printing a print image on a medium. A protruding section provided in a predetermined position in a predetermined direction supports the medium. A plurality of nozzles, whose positions are different from one another in a direction that intersects the predetermined direction, are moved. The plurality of nozzles includes nozzles that are in opposition to the protruding section and nozzles that are not in opposition to the protruding section while they are moved in the predetermined direction.

Abstract: An adjustment value for adjusting a recording misalignment in the direction of main scanning is determined with high efficiency. The value is used when ink drops are ejected from nozzles to form dots on a print medium. The present invention entails determining adjustment values designed to reduce dot formation misalignments in the direction of main scanning during a printing process. A printing device equipped with a plurality of single-color nozzle groups for ejecting ink drops having mutually different colors is used to form dots while main scanning is performed. In the process, a first adjustment value is selected from a plurality of first possible adjustment values by means of a first misalignment verification pattern. In addition, a second misalignment verification pattern that is different from the first misalignment verification pattern is used to set a second adjustment value from a plurality of second possible adjustment values.

Abstract: The printing is performed to the edges of printing paper without depositing ink drops on the platen. The platen 26 of the printer of the present invention comprises, in order from the upstream end in the sub-scanning direction, an upstream support portion 26sf, a recessed portion 26f, and a downstream support portion 26sr. The printer performs printing of the upper edge portion of printing paper using only a nozzle group Nh facing recessed portion 26f, and performs printing of the lower edge portion of printing paper using only a second nozzle group Nh facing recessed portion 26f. Between printing of the upper edge portion and intermediate portion, there is performed an upper edge transition process wherein printing is performed using all nozzle groups in the same manner as in the intermediate portion, but with the same sub-scan feed as in the upper edge portion.

Abstract: An ink filling apparatus is constituted by an access unit (61) for reading an amount of ink consumed in an ink cartridge (10) which needs to be refilled from a storage unit (15) provided on the relevant cartridge and a filling controlling unit (60) for determining an amount of ink on the basis of the data. Ink in an amount corresponding to the amount of ink consumption stored in the storage unit of the ink cartridge (10) is filled by a filling apparatus (66).

Abstract: A printing method of the present invention includes the steps of: carrying a medium and ejecting ink from a print head to print, on the medium, a mark that can be filled in by a user; detecting, with a sensor, whether or not the mark has been filled in; and performing a process in accordance with a result of the detection by the sensor. With this printing method, operations with respect to a printing apparatus can be performed with ease.

Abstract: A technology that reduces color unevenness due to conspicuous areas for which ink is discharged in different ink discharge sequences is provided. First and second nozzle group sets each discharges multiple ink colors including black ink are used, wherein the ink discharge sequence followed by the first nozzle group set for a given pixel during one pass of forward path main scanning is the opposite of the ink discharge sequence followed by the second nozzle group set for a given pixel during the same pass of forward path main scanning, and bidirectional printing is carried out using both the first and second nozzle group sets during both forward path main scanning and reverse path main scanning.

Abstract: This invention allows images to be printed up to the edges of printing paper while preventing ink droplets from depositing on the platen. Ink droplets Ip are ejected from a print head 28 and printing is started when printing paper P is fed in the sub-scanning direction by upstream paper feed rollers 25a and 25b, and the front edge Pf reaches a position above a downstream slot 26r. Since printing is started when the front edge Pf of printing paper P has reached a position behind nozzle No. 1, images can be printed without forming blank spaces up to the front edge Pf of the printing paper P by causing the nozzles to eject ink droplets Ip irrespective of whether the nozzles are above the printing paper. When images are formed in the vicinity of the front edge Pf of printing paper P, the paper is repeatedly fed in small increments in the sub-scanning direction, and printing is carried out.

Abstract: The printing apparatus of the present invention includes a print head that has basic-color nozzle arrays and a specific nozzle array disposed in a staggered manner in relation to a black ink nozzle array, which is one of the basic-color nozzle arrays. The specific nozzle array can receive a solution independently of the basic-color nozzle arrays, and the solution can be selected from a plurality of solutions (including black ink) by selecting a specific cartridge mounted in a ink feeder. Images can be printed in black and white at a high speed with the aid of the two nozzle arrays (black ink nozzle array and specific nozzle array) by selecting black ink for the solution. Higher picture quality can also be obtained during photographic printing by selecting, for example, a dark yellow ink or a gray ink as the solution.