Abstract: To suppress misalignment of a line formation position resulting from main scans being performed with different timings. A printer is made to perform a printing action of acquiring image data, printing a line during an Nth (N being a natural number of 2 or more) main scan between other lines printed during an N?1th main scan and earlier main scans, and printing a print unit made of a plurality of lines in Nmax (Nmax being the maximum value of N) main scans; and print data is created based on the image data, the print data controlling the amount of ink discharged from the print head so that the amount of ink discharged based on the same tone value of the image data is greater in the Nmaxth main scan than in the Nmax?1th main scan and earlier main scans and causing the printer to print an image indicated by the image data, the print data being generated based on the image data.

Abstract: The present invention provides an ink jet printing system and method which allows high-quality images to be printed while improving the gloss of an image surface, as well as a relevant storage medium. According to the present invention, an image is printed using a print head including multiple nozzle arrays provided for ink in respective multiple colors and in each of which multiple nozzles configured to eject ink are arranged; the print head ejects the ink in the multiple colors onto the same print area on a print medium during multiple scans. The multiple types of ink are ejected from the print head so that the connectivity of ink dots formed on the front outermost surface of a print area is higher than that of other ink dots formed in the print area.

Abstract: The present invention forms a high-quality image by using a print head, in which a plurality of arrayed small heads, each having a plurality of print elements arranged in columns, are arranged so that at least two sets of print elements in adjoining small heads are aligned in a scan direction. The print head and a print medium are moved relative to each other in the scan direction crossing a direction of the print element columns. The print elements are divided into a plurality of drive blocks and activated the drive blocks on a time-division basis. The small heads each have the plurality of print elements arranged in columns, the number of print elements being equal to an integer times the number of time-division drive blocks. Drive timings with which to activate the paired print elements aligned in the scan direction are the same time-division drive timing.

Abstract: The liquid ejection head capable of securing a high performance of supplying liquid through supply ports while reducing the size of the substrate is provided. The liquid ejecting apparatus using such a liquid ejection head are also provided. The third supply ports situated between the first ejection port array and the second ejection port array include a portion of a large dimension and a portion of a small dimension.

Abstract: A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a liquid supplying unit that supplies the liquid, a head unit that has a nozzle row, in which a plurality of nozzles for ejecting the liquid is aligned, a control unit that forms a raster area, in which a plurality of ejection dots in units of the nozzle rows is aligned in a main scanning direction, an ejection amount calculating unit that calculates ejection amounts of the liquid needed for forming the ejection dots, and a division scanning unit that divides the raster area so as to be formed by performing a plurality of head scanning operations in accordance with a transitional change in the ejection amounts that is formed by aligning the ejection amounts calculated by the ejection amount calculating unit in the order in which the ejection dots in units of nozzle rows are formed.

Abstract: The invention describes an inkjet printer with a printing bed for displacing a print medium in a forward feed direction and a print head carriage disposed above the printing bed for displacing at least one print head unit in a transverse feed direction, a print head unit with at least one print head being provided for every color to be printed, each print head having at least one nozzle row oriented in the forward feed direction of the print medium. The nozzles of the at least one nozzle row of the print head unit are disposed offset from one another by a nozzle distance D by reference to the forward feed direction. Another print head unit is provided, which has nozzles in at least one nozzle row disposed offset from one another by a second nozzle distance d by reference to the forward feed direction of the print medium, the ratio derived from the nozzle distance D and the second nozzle distance d being a rational number and greater than 1.

Abstract: A printing device includes a nozzle row for chromatic ink comprising K nozzles and a nozzle row for achromatic ink comprising (n·K) nozzles. In a color region, an image-forming operation is performed m times in which the movement direction of the nozzle rows switches alternately between forward and reverse directions, whereby a region of the image having a predetermined width is formed. The image-forming operation performed m times includes the image-forming operation performed once in which both of the nozzle rows for chromatic ink and for achromatic ink are used, and the image-forming operation performed (m?1) times in which only the nozzle row for chromatic ink is used. In a monochrome region, the image-forming operation is performed once in which only the nozzle row for achromatic ink is used, whereby a region of the image having a predetermined width is formed.

Abstract: Improved output quality of a printer used in UV curable ink jet printing is achieved by minimizing or eliminating a print artifact referred to as gloss banding or tire tracking. A same or a similar number of nozzles as used in conventional printers is used to achieve a desired throughput, but the nozzles are arranged so that any given square inch of substrate to which ink is being applied receives a lower amount of ink. A longer effective print head is provided by arranging the print heads into a longer array, where the print heads are butted substantially end-to-end. As a result, the net throughput of the printer is the same as that of a conventional printer because the printer uses the same number of print heads, but the amount of ink that is applied to any given square inch is less on a pass.

Abstract: Provided is a method of producing a liquid ejection head substrate, the method including, in sequence; grinding a second surface of a silicon substrate, which is an opposite surface of a first surface on which a function element is formed, polishing the ground second surface, etching the polished second surface by reactive ion etching using ion incident energy, forming an etching mask on the second surface after the reactive ion etching, and forming a liquid supply port by subjecting the silicon substrate to wet etching using the etching mask.

Abstract: A printing system including an ink deposition unit that could be oriented and move along a long axis of an image segment to be printed. The system prints images occupying a number of segments of a substrate surface at a substantially shorter time than the existing printing systems operating in raster mode would print.

Abstract: An image recording device which includes a control unit which alternately performs, main-scannings in which the recording head is moved in the main-scanning direction while the recording head ejecting the liquid to form line images that extend in the main scanning direction and are adjacent to each other in the sub-scanning direction, and sub-scannings in which the recording head is moved in the sub-scanning direction, and a detection unit which detects a displacement of a mark which is formed on the recording medium in the sub-scanning direction, wherein the control unit adjusts a movement amount of the recording head which is moved in the sub-scanning direction in the sub-scannings on the basis of a detection result of the detection unit.

Abstract: A method for printing including preparing an image at a first resolution in a first direction, selecting pixels from the prepared image, reordering the selected pixels to create a translated image having a second resolution in the first direction, where the second resolution is different from the first resolution, and printing the translated image. Also included are a printing system and an article of computer readable code.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus includes an ink-jet head having a plurality of nozzles and configured to jet ink droplets from the nozzles; a carriage configured to carry the ink-jet head, and reciprocate in a predetermined scanning direction; a transport mechanism configured to transport the recording medium, on which the ink droplets jetted from the nozzles land, in a transport direction intersecting the scanning direction; and a control device configured to control the ink-jet head, the carriage and the transport mechanism to perform recording of the image. The nozzles include a plurality of first nozzles which are aligned at first interval with respect to the transport direction and from which first-type ink droplets are jetted, and a plurality of second nozzles which are aligned at second interval with respect to the transport direction and from which second-type ink droplets different from the first-type ink droplets are jetted.

Abstract: An inkjet printing apparatus and an inkjet printing method are provided which can correct, with high precision, print position deviations among a plurality of printing element arrays in each of a plurality of print modes that use different groups of printing elements in each printing element array. The adjustment values for the print position deviations between the first and second printing element arrays are differentiated between the high-speed mode and the high-quality mode. In the high-speed mode, all printing elements in the first and second printing element arrays are used. In the high-quality mode, a part of the printing elements in each of the first and second printing element arrays are used. Based on these adjustment values, the ink ejection timings of the first and second printing element arrays are adjusted.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus performs pseudo gradation processing using dithering, and includes an image carrier; a plurality of light-emitting element arrays arranged in a main-scanning direction and including a plurality of light-emitting elements; an image forming unit performing lighting control of the arrays and forming a pattern image on the image carrier; a detecting unit detecting a density of the pattern image; a position detecting unit detecting a position in the main-scanning direction of the detecting unit with respect to the light-emitting element arrays; a determining unit that, based on the detected position, determines whether the detecting unit is positioned at a proper detection position with respect to the pattern image on which noise has no effect; and an operation control unit that, when the detecting unit is positioned at the proper detection position, performs an image density detection operation on the pattern image using the detecting unit.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for printing an image, comprising a step of rasterizing an image to be printed in view of a first resolution to generate a first data bitmap; a step of splitting the first data bitmap according to a ratio of the first resolution to a second resolution to generate second data bitmaps; and a step of outputting the second data bitmaps to a printer with the second resolution for printing. Disclosed is also a device for printing images. The method and device for printing an image may solve the problem in the prior art that the definition of an image printed from a printer is too low and improve the definition of an image printed from a printer.

Abstract: A printer and a method of printing by depositing liquid droplets (26) onto a substrate (12), wherein a line is printed in a printing direction (B), wherein the droplets (26) forming the line are continuously printed wet-on-wet, and wherein, at least in a middle part of said line, the droplets (26) are printed according to a regular droplet pattern, and wherein, at least in one end part of the line, at least an outermost droplet (26) of the line is printed deviating from the regular droplet pattern, thereby adapting the continuously wet-on-wet printed line for compensating for ink flow behavior which causes deviation from the image to be printed.

Abstract: An adverse effect of air flows occurring near the nozzle line with high print duty is reliably avoided by appropriately dividing and allocating the print data to a plurality of ink ejection nozzle lines. When the print head is scanning in a forward direction, a combination of a magenta ink nozzle line and a yellow ink nozzle line that do not adjoin each other is mainly used. When the print head is scanning in a backward direction, another combination of a magenta ink nozzle line and a yellow ink nozzle line that do not adjoin each other is mainly used.

Abstract: Disclosed is process of forming a regular array of rows of subpixels on a workpiece. The subpixels having four different colors, and a subpixel pitch s. Of the four colors, q colors are formed by printing and r colors are formed by a non-printing method.

Abstract: A method of printing with a mobile printing apparatus having an array of marking elements, the method includes moving the mobile printing apparatus to an initial starting position; providing a first swath of data; printing a first printed swath corresponding to the first swath of data using a first portion of the array of marking elements while moving the mobile printing apparatus along a scan direction; printing a first set of position reference marks using a second portion of the array of marking elements while moving the mobile printing apparatus along the scan direction; providing a second swath of data; sensing the first set of position reference marks; and printing a second printed swath corresponding to the second swath of data, wherein operation of the mobile printing apparatus for printing the second printed swath is guided, at least in part, by the first set of position reference marks.

Abstract: A print device for moving a print head in a scanning direction and printing image data onto a print medium includes a color nozzle row, which is a nozzle row in which nozzles for ejecting P (where P is an integer 2 or higher) types of color ink are arranged side by side in a direction intersecting with the scanning direction, wherein the color nozzle row is constituted of P color nozzle groups, and a black nozzle row, which is a nozzle row in which nozzles for ejecting black ink are arranged side by side in parallel with the direction intersecting with the scanning direction and in parallel with the color nozzle row, wherein the black nozzle row is constituted of P black nozzle groups.

Abstract: After a gloss-based liquid is ejected from a liquid ejection head, which ejects liquid from nozzles of a nozzle row, to a predetermined position on a landing target to form a glossy layer, a white-based liquid is ejected onto the glossy layer to form a white layer, the ejection amount of the gloss-based liquid being greater than the ejection amount of the white-based liquid.

Abstract: A method for density error correction is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes a) calculating an average density error for at least one row of an image considering density errors for printhead elements employed to print the at least one row, and a number of passes that the printhead elements will utilize to print the at least one row, b) calculating a density error correction value for the at least one row considering the average density error, and c) applying the density error correction value to adjust ink flow from the printhead elements while printing the at least one row.

Abstract: The present invention forms a high-quality image by using a print head, in which a plurality of arrayed small heads, each having a plurality of print elements arranged in columns, are arranged so that at least two sets of print elements in adjoining small heads are aligned in a scan direction. The print head and a print medium are moved relative to each other in the scan direction crossing a direction of the print element columns. The print elements are divided into a plurality of drive blocks and activated the drive blocks on a time-division basis. The small heads each have the plurality of print elements arranged in columns, the number of print elements being equal to an integer times the number of time-division drive blocks. Drive timings with which to activate the paired print elements aligned in the scan direction are the same time-division drive timing.

Abstract: The printing apparatus includes a control-section for forming an image on a print-medium by repeating an image-formation-operation and a transport-operation. Through the image-formation-operation, a plurality of nozzle-arrays discharges an ink while a moving-mechanism moves the plurality of nozzle-arrays, and through the transport-operation, the print-medium is transported to the transport-mechanism. The control-section forms a first-image by using a nozzle group for the first-image. The nozzle-group for the first-image is formed of N nozzles included in a first-nozzle-array of the plurality of nozzle-arrays. In addition, the control-section forms a second-image, which overlaps with the first-image on the print-medium, by using a nozzle-group for the second-image.

Abstract: A two pass print mode method and apparatus limits wind-related print defects produced during printing, utilizing a reciprocating carrier of a printer carrying a printhead having an array of columns of actuator-fired fluid-jetting nozzles along a bi-directional scanning path. Due to instructions from a controller, printing proceeds along an initial partial swath on a print medium during a first pass along the scanning path by firing actuators associated with a first plurality of segments of a given column of nozzles. Then, printing proceeds along a final partial swath on the print medium during a second pass along the scanning path by firing actuators associated with a second plurality of segments of the given column of nozzles. Each segment of nozzles of the first and second pluralities includes more than one consecutive nozzle so that gaps are created in the partial swath printing accommodating wind-related effects without causing wind-related print defects.

Abstract: Improved output quality of a printer used in UV curable ink jet printing is achieved by minimizing or eliminating a print artifact referred to as gloss banding or tire tracking. A same or a similar number of nozzles as used in conventional printers is used to achieve a desired throughput, but the nozzles are arranged so that any given square inch of substrate to which ink is being applied receives a lower amount of ink. A longer effective print head is provided by arranging the print heads into a longer array, where the print heads are butted substantially end-to-end. As a result, the net throughput of the printer is the same as that of a conventional printer because the printer uses the same number of print heads, but the amount of ink that is applied to any given square inch is less on a pass.

Abstract: The present invention provides an ink jet printing apparatus and an ink jet printing method which are based on the multi-pass printing method using a print head having a plurality of nozzle rows and which enables a reduction in the number of nozzles to be simultaneously driven, allowing ink to be stably ejected. On the basis of the multi-pass printing method of dividing print data into a plurality of pieces by using mask patterns, the mask patterns are offset according to the positional relationship between the plurality of nozzle rows in the print head.

Abstract: When a number of passes of multi-pass recording has been changed, a repetitive cycle of a drive pattern is changed, depending on change of feeding amount caused by change of the number of passes. Accordingly, the drive pattern is set to a size corresponding to the changed feeding amount.

Abstract: A method of compensating for a dead nozzle in a stationary pagewidth printhead. The method includes the steps of: (i) identifying the dead nozzle; (ii) selecting a functioning nozzle in a same nozzle row as the dead nozzle; and firing ink droplets from the selected functioning nozzle at a primary dot position associated with the dead nozzle.

Abstract: A pattern film formation method includes: discharging liquid from at least one first discharge head toward a first pattern film formation region on a substrate; and discharging liquid from a plurality of second discharge heads toward a second pattern film formation region that is narrower than the first pattern film formation region. A number of the second discharge heads is greater than a number of the at least one first discharge head.

Abstract: A dither pattern is formed in such a manner that threshold values 1 to 16 are dispersed in regard to the order of magnitudes of the threshold values. First, there is made a calculation of multiplying each value of the image data by a ratio of 1/2. Thereby, there is produced the divided 17-valued data where every value of all pixels is “2”. Next, binarization is carried out for the divided data by using the dither pattern. As a result, binary data at the first pass is obtained. Next, there is obtained the data by a product of a ratio (1/2+1/2) obtained by adding 1/2 to the above ratio and each value of the image data. Binarization is carried out for the image data by using the dither pattern. This produces binary data. Finally, dot data for the second pass is obtained by subtracting data from the binary data.

Abstract: Methods and means for imaging are provided. A sequential application hierarchy of two or more colors is defined. A page-wide print array forms images on a moving media using colored inks. Shingling is performed in accordance with the sequential application hierarchy within the overlap print zones of the page-wide print array. Images formed on the media are visually seamless and of proper hue and color saturation throughout as a result of the present teachings.

Abstract: A fluid ejecting apparatus includes a nozzle row in which a plurality of nozzles that eject fluid onto a medium are arranged, a first movement unit that displaces a relative position between the medium and the nozzle row, and a control unit that forms a plurality of dot-lines by repeating a fluid ejection operation in which fluid is ejected so as to form a dot-line, such that a maximum time between when one of the adjacent dot-lines in the plurality of dot-lines is formed to when the other of the adjacent dot-lines is formed is reduced.

Abstract: In a method for printing a plurality of pixels, each pixel of a plurality of pixels is printed by controlling an inkjet print head to provide for each pixel at least two ink drops at different positions in a print head movement direction, the print head having a plurality of trenches supplying ink to a plurality of sets of nozzles. The at least two ink drops forming first pixels of said plurality of pixels are fired from the same trench.

Abstract: Improved output quality of a printer used in UV curable ink jet printing is achieved by minimizing or eliminating a print artifact referred to as gloss banding or tire tracking. A same or a similar number of nozzles as used in conventional printers is used to achieve a desired throughput, but the nozzles are arranged so that any given square inch of substrate to which ink is being applied receives a lower amount of ink. A longer effective print head is provided by arranging the print heads into a longer array, where the print heads are butted substantially end-to-end. As a result, the net throughput of the printer is the same as that of a conventional printer because the printer uses the same number of print heads, but the amount of ink that is applied to any given square inch is less on a pass.

Abstract: There is provided a method of printing a regular array of rows of subpixels on a workpiece. The subpixels have c different colors and have a subpixel pitch s. A printing head has z nozzles arranged in a row with a spacing p, where z=n1(c) and p=(c?1)(s), the printhead being at a first position relative to the workpiece. There are c different printing inks, one for each of the c colors, and each of the printing inks is supplied to the nozzles in a regular alternating pattern. The method includes steps of printing a first set of z rows of subpixels with the printing head; moving the workpiece laterally relative to the printing head by a distance d1, where d1=z(s); printing a second set of z rows of subpixels with the printing head; repeating the printing steps n2 times for a total of n2+2 sets of z rows of subpixels. Variables include: c, an integer greater than 1; n1, an integer greater than 0, with the proviso that when c is an odd number, then n1 is an odd number; and n2, an integer greater than 0.

Abstract: A wide format printer that has a print zone, a media path extending through the print zone along a paper axis, the media path being more than 432 mm (17 inches) wide, a printhead carriage for mounting a plurality of printhead modules adjacent the print zone such that the printhead modules collectively span the media path and are staggered with respect to the paper axis. The printhead modules each have nozzles arranged in parallel rows and a plurality of datum features for holding the printhead carriage such that the parallel rows extend normal to the paper feed axis.

Abstract: An ink mixed with spacer members is ejected onto one or both of a TFT substrate and a CF substrate while an ink jet head having a plurality of ink jet nozzles is moved. The excursions of a predetermined number of ink jet nozzles from an end of the ink jet head overlap those of a next excursion of the ink jet head without causing overlapping of ejected ink within the overlapping area. An abrupt stepwise change in the amount of ejected ink is suppressed whereby an uneven gap is suppressed.

Abstract: A disclosed control device includes a first unit configured to generate image data of multiple images to be superposed one on the other to form a single image and transmit the image data. The second control unit transmits to the first control unit a horizontal sync reference signal for achieving synchronization of the images in a horizontal direction. Based on the horizontal sync reference signal, the first control unit transmits to the second control unit a transfer clock signal that indicates transmission timing of the image data and an effective area signal that indicates an effective area of the image data. The first control unit asserts the effective area signal for an effective-area-signal assertion period that occurs between two consecutive reference-signal assertion periods during which the horizontal sync reference signal is asserted.

Abstract: Provided is a printing device which prints an image using a metallic ink and a color ink, the device including: an input unit which inputs image data; a metallic dot formation unit which forms dot concentration dots on a printing medium using the metallic ink; and a color print unit which prints the image indicated by the image data using the color ink on the printing medium on which the dots using the metallic ink are formed.

Abstract: A method of printing an image comprises sending a data stream representing the image to a printer driver, generating a stream of print instructions at the printer driver, forwarding the stream of print instructions to a printer, and printing the image in accordance with the print instructions. The data stream or stream of print instructions is intercepted and processed so that the printer uses less ink to print the image than it would if the processing was not performed.

Abstract: After a gloss-based liquid is ejected from a liquid ejection head, which ejects liquid from nozzles of a nozzle row, to a predetermined position on a landing target to form a glossy layer, a white-based liquid is ejected onto the glossy layer to form a white layer, the ejection amount of the gloss-based liquid being greater than the ejection amount of the white-based liquid.

Abstract: A method of printing at a dot density exceeding a nozzle density in a stationary pagewidth printhead. The method includes the steps of: (i) advancing a print medium transversely past the stationary printhead at a rate of one line per one line-time; and (ii) firing droplets of ink from predetermined nozzles in a nozzle row to create successive lines of print. Some or all of the predetermined nozzles fire droplets of ink at a plurality of predetermined different dot positions along a longitudinal axis of the printhead during one line-time, such that the printed dot density in each line of print exceeds the nozzle density.

Abstract: A method processes image data for a color separation to reduce visible perception of misalignment of printheads in a plurality of serially arranged printheads. The method includes detecting cross-process edges in image values for objects in a color separation to be printed by a plurality of serially arranged printheads, and disproportionately mapping image values corresponding to the object in the color separation to one of the printheads in the plurality of serially arranged printheads.

Abstract: Provided is a print position control method whereby displacement of a print position in a wide range can be corrected very accurately, without reducing a printing speed or increasing a manufacturing cost. Thus, a printing apparatus includes: a first correction unit, for correcting a print position at accuracy equal to the resolution of the printing apparatus; and a second correction unit, for correcting the print position at accuracy higher than the resolution and in the range of an area that corresponds to one pixel of the resolution. With this arrangement, the print position displacement in a wide range equal to or greater than one pixel can be corrected by the first correction unit, and a print position displacement smaller than one pixel can be corrected by the second correction unit. Therefore, correction of a print position displacement in a wide range is enabled at a higher accuracy.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus which forms a halftone image on a print medium by using a multipass process to scan a printhead N (N is an integer of 2 or more) times in a single area on the print medium and form dots by each scan operation includes a pass division unit which sets the print density of a scan operation in the first pass so as to prevent dots from overlapping with each other on the print medium, and sets the print densities of scan operations in the second to Nth passes, a tone reduction unit which generates print data of the respective scan operations in accordance with the print densities set by the pass division unit, and a printhead which prints a halftone image on a print medium on the basis of the print data generated by the tone reduction unit.

Abstract: An image recording device for recording an image by an interlace system of scanning a specified region repeatedly with use of an ink-jet head having a configuration of a plurality of nozzle heads arranged in a sub-scanning direction, the nozzle head including multiple ink discharged discharge nozzles arranged in the sub-scanning direction.

Abstract: A printing apparatus performs printing on a print medium. The printing apparatus includes: a dot data generator that performs a halftone process on image data, wherein the print image is formed by mutually combining print pixels belonging to each of a plurality of pixel position groups for which a physical difference is assumed at a formation of dots by the print image generator, in a common print area, and the halftone process is configured to determine the status of dot formation on each of the print pixels on an assumption of the physical difference.

Abstract: A printer including a printing section with a printing head is disclosed. The printer head includes a plurality of nozzles configured to discharge liquid on a medium at a pass resolution. The printing section being configured to determine the maximum pass number N required to repeatedly move the printing head to print on a section of the medium at a desired resolution. The desired resolution is greater than the pass resolution. The printing section is further configured to determine which passes of N will be designated to discharge the liquid from each nozzle of the plurality of nozzles, and whether or not an idle pass is required for each nozzle of the plurality of nozzles. When an idle pass is required for each nozzle of the plurality of nozzles, the printing section is configured to modify the maximum divided pass number N to divided pass number M, M being less than N.