Abstract: A printing medium with which various kinds of information relating to the printing medium can be held on the printing medium itself, an element provided in or on that printing medium, a printing apparatus for printing on that printing medium, and a computer system having such a printing apparatus and a computer main unit connected to that printing apparatus are realized. The printing medium has an element on which information can be written by the printing apparatus.

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, &dgr;G1 and &dgr;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: 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: 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: Misalignments of dot forming positions are adjusted by selectively using a position adjustment value for a used bi-directional print mode out of a plurality of position adjustment values that are respectively suitable for a plurality of bi-directional print modes including a first bi-directional print mode and a second bi-directional print mode that are made available by changing ink types.

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 apparatus of the present invention comprises 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; the solution can be selected from a plurality of solutions (including black ink) by selecting a specific cartridge mounted in a ink feeder; and 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: An object of the present invention is to allow images to be printing all the way to the edge portions of printing paper without depositing ink drops on the platen. Cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y) nozzle groups are sequentially arranged in the direction of sub-scanning A. Slots 26mC, 26mM, and 26mY are provided at points disposed opposite nozzle Nos. 5-9 near the center of each nozzle group in the direction of sub-scanning. Cyan images are printed by a process in which ink drops Ip are ejected by cyan nozzle Nos. 5-9 onto the printing paper P and its peripheral area. Magenta and yellow images are printed in the same manner. Images of all colors are printed without blank spaces along the upper and lower edges of printing paper. The recorded images are superposed, making it possible to print color images without blank spaces on the printing paper. The nozzles of all groups are used to print images while leaving blank spaces on the periphery of the printing paper.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a technique that makes it possible to improve the image quality by selecting adequate paper feedings in a printer that performs printing. First, a test pattern is printed according to the interlace recording mode. The test pattern includes a plurality of color patches respectively printed using different correction values. The correction values for respective feed amounts are determined by investigating the printing results of this test pattern. Then, when an image is printed in this interlace recording mode, the sub-scan feed amount is corrected according to this correction value.

Abstract: A recording method comprises correcting a target carry amount for carrying a recording medium based on information read out from a storage element provided in/on the recording medium or according to a correction amount that is set in accordance with a remaining amount of the recording medium, carrying the recording medium by the corrected target carry amount, and performing recording on the recording medium by ejecting liquid thereon.

Abstract: A printer has a print head including a plurality of dot formation element groups for forming dots of different inks where the plurality of dot formation element groups are arrayed in a prescribed order in the sub-scanning direction. The dot formation elements of each group are arranged at an identical pitch k in the sub-scanning direction. The pitch k is set at an integer multiple value that is at least two times a pitch of dots formed on the print medium in the sub-scanning direction. Dot forming is executed while using a mutually equal number N of dot formation elements of each group arrayed at the pitch k where N is an integer of at least 2. The N dot formation elements of each group are selected so that a spacing between the groups of the N dot formation elements is M times the pitch k where M is an integer of at least 2.

Abstract: Images are printed up to the edges of printing paper while preventing ink droplets from depositing on the platen. According to the present invention, an area R for ejecting image-forming ink droplets is specified for a region lying beyond the edges of a printing paper P. The pixels of an external upper edge portion Rfp, extending beyond the upper edge Pf, and the pixels of an internal upper edge portion Rfq, disposed downstream of the external upper edge portion Rfp are recorded solely by the nozzles disposed opposite the downstream slot of the platen. When dots are recorded, blank spaces are prevented from forming in the edge portions of the printing paper, and ink droplets are prevented from depositing on the platen when the printing paper P deviates from its intended position.

Abstract: In an ink jet recording apparatus 1, a fixing signal output section 461 outputs a signal indicating that no ink drop is jetted as a mode fixing signal SP to a head driver circuit 50 for nozzle orifices 111 belonging to the group not used for recording, and a mode fixing circuit 18 of the head driver circuit 50 fixes the nozzle orifices belonging to the corresponding group to a condition of jetting no ink drops based on the mode fixing signal SP. Therefore, serial conversion and serial transfer of the data indicating that no ink is jetted (“0” data) as record data SI need not be executed for the group of jetting no ink drops, so that fruitless processing time can be eliminated.

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: A correction value, which is used to correct misalignment of recording positions in a main scanning direction, is determined using a representative nozzle sub-array as a reference. The representative nozzle sub-array is within a predetermined range around the center of a nozzle array provided on a print head. The correction value is set, based on a positional misalignment test pattern printed with the representative nozzle sub-array. The misalignment of recording positions in the main scanning direction in the course of bidirectional printing is corrected with the correction value.

Abstract: The printing apparatus of the present invention allows dots to be formed after being selected from dot types whose number is greater than the number of gradations in each of the pixels constituting print data received from outside the printing apparatus. In the process, dots are formed for each gradation value after being selected from a plurality of types of dots having different sizes and/or formation positions such that the outlines contained in the printed image are smoothed, making it possible to smooth the outlines of line drawings while minimizing any increase in the volume of data transmitted from the outside and believed to cause a reduction in the printing speed.

Abstract: A printing head includes a first type nozzle groups for ejecting respective inks of a first ink group, and a second type nozzle group for ejecting respective inks of a second ink group. The second type nozzle group includes twice the number of nozzles in the first type nozzle group. On the forward passes of the main scanning, ink droplets are ejected from both the first type nozzle group and the second type nozzle group. On the reverse passes of the main scanning, ink droplets are ejected from only from the first type nozzle group. With respect to the first type nozzle group, the ejection timing of the ink droplets is corrected on the reverse passes of the main scanning on the basis of a specific correction value for dot misalignment.

Abstract: Images are printed up to the edges of printing paper while preventing ink droplets from depositing on the platen. According to the present invention, an area R for ejecting image-forming ink droplets is specified for a region lying beyond the edges of a printing paper P. The pixels of an external upper edge portion Rfp extending beyond the upper edge Pf are recorded solely by the nozzles disposed opposite the downstream slot of the platen. An internal upper edge portion Rfq, which is disposed downstream of the external upper edge portion Rfp, is recorded solely by the nozzles disposed opposite the downstream slot. When dots are recorded, blank spaces are prevented from forming in the edge portions of the printing paper, and ink droplets are prevented from depositing on the platen when the printing paper P deviates from its intended position, provided the upper edge of the printing paper P remains on the inside of the external upper edge portion Rfp or internal upper edge portion Rfq.

Abstract: A maskable drive signal generator selectively generates one of n types of maskable drive signals for each main scan pass, and a drive signal masking section generates a drive signal to be supplied to ink-expulsion drive elements of a print head by masking the maskable drive signal according to a print signal. The printing of ink dots on each raster line is completed in n×m main scan passes while employing each of the n types of maskable drive signals m times on each raster line.

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.