Abstract: A printing method is provided. In the printing method, a printing head is rotated with an angle, such that all the nozzles of the printing head are aligned with the dots of the data to be printed. After being rotated, the printing head performs the printing. If some nozzles of the printing head cannot be aligned with the dots of the data to be printed after the printing head is rotated, the resolution of the data to be printed is increased to solve the misalignment.

Abstract: A method for performing drop placement by an imaging apparatus includes the steps of defining a matrix that identifies all possible drop locations at an output resolution; defining primary drop locations in the matrix for each color of interest based on predefined criteria; defining secondary drop locations in the matrix for the each color of interest; and establishing rules to assign input data received at an input resolution to particular locations of the primary drop locations and the secondary drop locations in the matrix.

Abstract: A printing method includes: (A) creating print data by rearranging an order in which a plurality of pieces of pixel data which make up image data are arranged; and (B) based on the print data, alternately repeating a dot-forming process for forming, on a medium, a row of dots along a movement direction by ejecting ink from a plurality of nozzles which move in the movement direction and a carrying process for carrying the medium in a carrying direction with respect to the nozzles, to form, on the medium, a plurality of the rows of dots arranged in the carrying direction.

Abstract: A method of computing a conveyance variance from a difference of two adjustment patterns in order to measure a variance in a conveyance amount occurring while a sheet is conveyed. By using this method, the variance that occurs during one rotation of the roller occurring because of the roller accuracy, deflection of the roller, and the attachment of a roller supporting member can be alleviated. Thus, the unevenness occurring synchronously to one rotation of the roller can be alleviated, and as a result, an ink jet printer that is capable of printing with high quality can be provided.

Abstract: A printing apparatus is provided which can utilize a power supply to its maximum capacity without overly degrading throughput. A print area that can be printed in one scan of a print head is divided into a plurality of blocks. The number of data indicating print in each block is detected. Then the detected value is compared with a plurality of thresholds. Based on a result of the comparison, a scan speed of the print head and the number of scans are determined. This arrangement allows for a selection of an optimum printing method from among a plurality of scan speeds and a plurality of divided printing modes even when an image that may cause a CURRENT in excess of the maximum power supply capacity to flow is printed. With this printing apparatus it is possible to execute printing fully utilizing the power supply capacity without overly degrading throughput.

Abstract: A printing device comprising print heads having discharging elements arranged in (a) linear array(s) and a control method thereof is disclosed enabling to overcome or at least reduce the visibility to the human eye of systematic image dot-size variations, i.e. differences in dot-size of printed dots attributable to groups of discharging elements of print heads of the printing device. Therefore, on the basis of the dot-size differences of dots printed by different groups of discharging elements, the print heads and the image-receiving member displacement means are controlled such that in operation, for a given print mask, an optimal number of discharging elements is actually image-wise activated and an optimal displacement distance in the sub scanning direction is determined.

Abstract: A method for printing includes providing a substrate on which a matrix of color elements is defined, the color elements having respective center lines. A printhead assembly is positioned over the substrate. The printhead assembly includes multiple controllable nozzles. At least one of the substrate and the printhead assembly is translated so that the printhead assembly scans over the substrate in a scan direction transverse to the center lines of the color elements. Droplets of ink are ejected from the nozzles onto the substrate at selected times while the printhead assembly scans over the substrate. The times at which to eject the droplets are selected so as to cause the droplets to land on the color elements at respective locations, such that respective locations are displaced from the center lines.

Abstract: When a printing position is displaced by an inclination of a printing head, for example, the displacement can be corrected in an easy and effective manner and a user can easily recognize the displacement of the printing position to correct the displacement. To realize this, dots for forming a test pattern are formed by different scannings by a nozzle group including a plurality of nozzles positioned at one end side of a nozzle row and a nozzle group including a plurality of nozzles positioned at the other end side of the nozzle row. Depending on displacements of the printing positions of these dots, the plurality of nozzles constituting the nozzle row are divided into a plurality of divided nozzle groups. Then, the printing position is adjusted on the basis of the divided nozzle groups.

Abstract: A printing method includes: creating print data by rearranging an order in which pixel data are arranged; and based on the print data, alternately repeating a dot-forming process for forming, on a medium, a row of dots along a movement direction by ejecting ink from a plurality of nozzles which move in the movement direction and a carrying process for carrying the medium in a carrying direction with respect to the nozzles, to form rows of dots arranged in the carrying direction. In a case where normal printing for forming the rows of dots in a central portion of the medium is to be performed after upper-end printing, positions of the rows of dots to be formed by the nozzles during a certain dot-forming process performing the upper-end printing are stored in a table, a comparing process is performed, and matching positions are delated from the table.

Abstract: An inkjet recording head includes a plurality of plates bonded to each other and an information recording portion. The plates include a first plate defining in one surface thereof a plurality of nozzle holes through which ink is ejected to a recording medium. The one surface of the first plate is exposed to an outside. In the information recording portion, unique information of the inkjet recording head is recorded. The information recording portion is disposed so as to be readable from the outside on a one-surface side.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hand-held and hand-operated printing device having a print (2) head assembly comprised in a housing (1) for a hand-held and hand-operated printing controlled by a processor (4), and a method therefore. The position of the printing device on a print medium is sensed in relation to pixels to be printed. An image is stored in a memory together with its mutual image pixel coordinate data. Image pixels are printed onto the print medium through nozzles (12) in a print-head array (60) in accordance with the pixel coordinate data during a printing sequence. The image is built-up through sectional printing whereby each section has at least one print area interfacing at least one other print area, said interfacing print areas being correlated to fill-out transition print areas during printing of said sections through at least one transition printing pattern by omitting printing of some pixels in said transition print area.

Abstract: An ink jet recording apparatus having: a recording head having a plurality of nozzles formed thereon to jet ink; a feeding device to feed a recording medium; and a control unit to control ink jetting from the nozzles of the recording head so that the recording head is driven with multi-phase drive to record with recorded pixel locations shifted at every drive phase switching by an integer times a pixel width of a recording resolution.

Abstract: When bidirectional multi-pass printing is carried out by use of a printing head having an inclination, even if a bidirectional printing is somewhat displaced, an inclination of a printing position is corrected in a state where “band unevenness” is suppressed as much as possible. In order to realize the correction described above, a division number B for dividing a plurality of printing elements into a plurality of blocks, and a timing at which each of the blocks is driven, are set on the bases of inclination information on the printing head and the number of multi-passes. Thus, even if the bidirectional printing is displaced, printing widths are equally increased or reduced in the respective regions. Consequently, it is made possible to avoid the “band unevenness” which is caused by differences in the printing width among the regions.

Abstract: Systems and methods of marking control achieve improved image quality in a multipass marking process by taking into account positioning errors that have already occurred in prior marking passes while building the image, and compensates for them in real-time by modifying the remaining interlace locations of the marking subsystem in order to minimize predicted image quality defect perception in the resultant image. The adjustment are preferably based on minimizing a defect perceivability metric. One such suitable metric is a frequency metric, preferably the power spectral density of the resultant image evaluated at the fundamental frequency (1/D), where D represents the spacing of marking devices, such as the spacing of print head nozzles.

Abstract: A printhead module including at least one row that comprises a plurality of sets of n adjacent nozzles, each of the nozzles being configured to expel ink in response to a fire signal, such that, for each set of nozzles, a fire signal is provided in accordance with the sequence: [nozzle position 1, nozzle position n, nozzle position 2, nozzle position (n?1), . . . , nozzle position x], wherein nozzle position x is at or adjacent the centre of the set of nozzles.

Abstract: An array type multi-pass inkjet printer head and an operating method thereof. The array type inkjet printer includes an image dividing unit to divide an image to be printed into a plurality of images, a printing unit having a head and to print one of the plurality of divided images on a printing medium using the head, the head being formed in a lateral direction and having a plurality of nozzles disposed in a longitudinal direction thereof, a feedback unit to reversely move the printing medium to a preceding end of the printing unit after the one of the plurality of divided images is printed by the printing unit, and a control unit to control the printing unit to print a divided image next to the printed one image on the reversely moved printing medium.

Abstract: Inkjet printing of barcodes is enhanced by several methods. In a printhead having two staggered columns of nozzles, using only the even (or odd) column enhances resolution of a vertical barcode element. Filling interior portions of the barcode element with the odd (or even) column improves barcode appearance. Barcode swelling, due to ink migration after application, is reduced by use of a depletion matrix to lessen the quantity of ink applied. Application of the depletion matrix to the edges of the barcode elements resists swelling where resolution is most required. Where a printing mask is applied to the edges of the barcode elements, the edges may be printed only by one column of printhead nozzles, or only during one direction of printhead movement, or both. Alternately, removal of one or more pixels along the edge of a barcode element allows each barcode element to swell to the desired size.

Abstract: The invention has an object to provide a liquid discharge recording method and a liquid discharge recording apparatus capable of outputting images at high speed with high quality and high reliability, and has a feature in that when adjacent overlapping dots are formed on a print material, the dots are formed with a dot placement time difference that may reduce uneven optical densities of the overlapping portion of the dots.

Abstract: A recording apparatus performs recording with a recording head having a number of recording elements divided into blocks. The recording apparatus includes a signal generation unit to generate first enabling signals based on inclination information associated with each of the blocks of the recording elements. The first enabling signals are used to enable a data generating unit to generate recording data on a block-by-block basis. The signal generation unit further generates second enabling signals that correspond to the respective first enabling signals delayed by a time interval and enable the recording elements to be driven on a block-by-block basis.

Abstract: A multi-pass printing apparatus and a method thereof are provided. The print data is divided into multiple passes of print data. Each of the print passes is printed according to different delay position signals, such that a complete print output is achieved. Each pass of the print data to be printed corresponds to multiple pixels, and the pixels corresponding to each pass of print data to be printed are obtained by a complementary mask method, or by classifying the pixels with a same remainder got by dividing the horizontal positions of the print data with the number of the M passes into a same group.

Abstract: A mask pattern is employed for multi-pass printing. The mask pattern is the sum of a first mask pattern, relative to a first location that includes areas wherein dots are to be printed when a density value is smaller than a predetermined value, and a second mask pattern, relative to a second location that includes areas wherein dots are to be printed only when the density value is equal to or greater than the predetermined value. Using multiple scans, up to one dot is printed in the first region, while two dots or more are printed in the second region. With this arrangement, since the first mask pattern, which greatly affects a low-duty image, and the second mask pattern, which greatly affects a high-duty image, can be independently designed, problems that occur with images prepared at individual duties can be coped with by the separate mask patterns.

Abstract: Embodiments for distributing print density are disclosed.

Abstract: An ink jet printing apparatus and a print position adjusting method capable of easily adjusting a relative print position between nozzle lines are provided. Images are printed on a print medium in a drive mode A and a drive mode B by using a print head which has first and second nozzle groups, each including a plurality of ink ejection nozzle lines. In the drive mode A, only one of the first and second nozzle groups is driven during one scan of the print head. In the drive mode B, the first and second nozzle groups are driven at different timings during one scan of the print head. A print position adjust value for adjusting a relative print position between the nozzle lines in the drive mode A is retrieved. Depending on whether the print position adjust value is even or odd, a print position correction value for the first nozzle group and a print position correction value for the second nozzle group are determined.

Abstract: An ink jet recording apparatus and an ink jet recording method to prevent both of adjacent ejection orifice groups from operating at high duties. The method includes distributing image data such that the ejection duty of one of the adjacent ejection orifice groups is lower than a predetermined threshold in one scan and the ejection duty of the other ejection orifice group is lower than the predetermined threshold in another scan.

Abstract: When conveying tables for conveying the printing medium are selected to perform interlace printing, the occurrence of unevenness in an image which results from switching of the tables is prevented. It is determined whether a phase of the conveying table is a transfer inhibition phase in transfer to a printing area. In the case of the transfer inhibition phase, the switching is not made to a new table, but the previously used table is used. Thus, the switching can be made to a conveying table so as not to make a shift amount +1/2N or ?1/N continue. Consequently, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of unevenness in an image which is caused by 1/N deviation of a printing position in a sub-scanning direction with regard to print data at the time of transfer from a rear end area to the normal area or the normal area to the rear end area.

Abstract: A printing apparatus which is capable of printing an image on a printing medium by a print head having a nozzle that is capable of creating two or more types of dots varied depending on size, and a printing module that prints the image on the medium by the print head based on the printing data.

Abstract: Embodiments of printing using a subset of printheads are disclosed.

Abstract: A printing system which prints an image with a print head having a plurality of nozzles capable of forming a dot includes a section acquiring first image data including pixel data constituting the image, which shows a pixel density value of M (M?3), a section storing nozzle information of each nozzle, a section determining whether to use the nozzle corresponding to each pixel data, a section modifying the density value of the pixel data set as non-use to a lower density, a section increment-correcting the modification-prior density value, a section distributing the increment-corrected density value to the density value of a predetermined pixel adjacent the pixel of the increment-corrected pixel data, a section generating print data to prescribe dot formation information of the nozzles corresponding to the image data after the distribution of the density value, and a section printing the image based on the print data.

Abstract: An ink jet printing apparatus includes a print head that is an array of a plurality of nozzles arranged according to each color of ink in a predetermined direction. The apparatus is provided with a plurality of print modes, each using a different number of colors of ink for printing. In a print mode using a smaller number of colors of ink for printing (e.g., a monochrome print mode) out of the plurality of print modes, a print method is adopted, in which an image of a predetermined area is formed by a greater print pass count than the print pass count for the predetermined area in a print mode using a greater number of colors of ink for printing (e.g., a color print mode).

Abstract: A color image processing apparatus includes a first unit that predicts a bleeding occurrence level from input image data, a second unit that replaces pixels in a given area including boundaries between black ink and any of color inks with another pixels in accordance with the bleeding occurrence level, and a third unit that controls switching of multiple printing modes for each main scan in accordance with the bleeding occurrence level.

Abstract: An improved structure of a liquid drop emitter is provided which works to emit minute drops of liquid to deposit them in a dense array of dots on a substrate to produce a DNA chip, for example. The liquid drop emitter has a plurality of liquid inlets formed in rows in a staggered fashion, thereby allowing the liquid inlets to have a maximum possible area without any physical interference between adjacent two of them and also allowing outlet nozzles to be arranged in a dense array.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing intercolor bleed to improve print quality is provided. This technique includes the detection of an edge between a black portion color portion of an image to be printed, the edge being disposed in a region of color pixels and black pixels to be printed in a first configuration of drops, modifying the first configuration of drops to obtain a second configuration of drops, and printing the image by ejecting the drops from a printhead based on the second configuration.

Abstract: An inkjet printing apparatus prints by scanning an inkjet printhead for discharging ink and a printing medium relative to each other. The printhead includes a first nozzle group used to print a dot having a first density, and a second nozzle group used to print a dot having a second density. The inkjet printing apparatus has a first printing mode in which only one of the first and second nozzle groups is used during one printing scan, and a second printing mode in which the first and second nozzle groups are driven at different timings during one printing scan. In this inkjet printing apparatus, a pattern for adjusting the relative printing positions of the nozzle rows in the first printing mode is printed. From this pattern, set values of relative printing positions in the first printing mode are specified. On the basis of the specified set values, set values of the relative printing positions of the nozzle rows in the second printing mode are determined.

Abstract: A recording apparatus is configured to record an image on a recording medium by repeating a recording operation and a conveying operation. The recording operation is operative to apply a recording agent to the recording medium using a recording head while moving the recording head for scanning in a direction different from a predetermined direction. The recording head includes a plurality of recording elements arranged in the predetermined direction and adapted to apply the recording agent. The conveying operation is operative to convey the recording medium in a direction transverse to the scanning direction.

Abstract: A printing system and a method for printing in a multi-pass, bi-directional mode is provided. The method includes printing some boundary portions of an image in a first print-direction such that a non-printed area is traversed before a printed area and printing other boundary portions of the image in the opposite print-direction.

Abstract: A printer includes a print head having nozzles forming dots on a medium; a unit acquiring image data having pixel values with M gray scales (M?2); a unit storing nozzle characteristic information; a unit specifying a banding generating nozzle based on the nozzle characteristic information; a processor performing a banding prevention process for data corresponding to a banding generation line formed by the banding generating nozzle and a different line formed by a different nozzle near the banding generating nozzle; a controller controlling the banding prevention processor so that a process range includes the banding generation line and the different line, a density difference of a line adjacent to the different line falling within a predetermined numerical range; and a unit printing an image on the medium with the print head based on the image data subjected to the banding prevention process.

Abstract: In relation to a superimposed image obtained by superimposing second image data on first image data in which respective pixels are arranged in a staggered pattern, an image forming apparatus discriminates a region where the second image data is superimposed from a region where the second image data is not superimposed. When forming an image in a region determined as the region where the second image data is not superimposed in the superimposed image, the printing mechanism is controlled based on a first control pattern. When forming an image in a region determined as the region where the second image data is superimposed in the superimposed image, the printing mechanism is controlled based on a second control pattern different from the first control pattern.

Abstract: A printer includes at least one controller having first mode configured to control printing of an image including a sequence of columns by controlling printing a first column in the sequence and a fourth column in the sequence with a first printhead, a second column in the sequence and a fifth column in the sequence with a second printhead, and a third column in the sequence and a sixth column in the sequence with a third printhead.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a printing method for printing, on a medium, an image constituted by a plurality of dot lines, including the following steps of: storing characteristic values, each corresponding to different nozzles; calculating a correction value based on at least two of the characteristic values which correspond to at least two of the nozzles that form a given dot line; converting image data corresponding to that dot line into print data in accordance with the correction value; and forming the dot line with the at least two nozzles by ejecting ink in accordance with the print data from the nozzles which move in a movement direction.

Abstract: An ink jet recording apparatus includes: a black print head that discharges black ink; a color print head that discharges color ink having a higher permeability with a recording paper sheet than the black ink; and a determining unit that detects, based on input data, a black image region in which recording is performed with the black ink and a color image region in which recording is performed with the color ink, and, based on the detection result, determines whether the black ink or the color ink is first applied onto the recording paper sheet. In this ink jet recording apparatus, each of the black print head and the color print head has nozzles divided into several sets, and a multi-path recording operation is performed by scanning each recording region several times with the sets of nozzles.

Abstract: A printer head with overlapping nozzles. A plurality of head chips are formed in an array pattern on the printer head wherein a plurality of nozzles are associated with each head chip. Nozzles associated with one head chip and nozzles associated with an adjacent head chip partly overlap to form an overlapped area. When an ink-ejecting mechanism drives across a print object, the nozzles of the one head chip and the nozzles of the adjacent head chip respectively eject inks which are mixed in the overlapped area to reduce dot density differences on the print object.

Abstract: An ink jet printing assembly and method of use for printing on a substrate where the substrate is driven in a driving direction. The ink jet printing assembly includes a first jetting assembly having a first ink orifice and a second ink orifice and a second jetting assembly separate from the first jetting assembly having a third ink orifice. The third ink orifice is positioned between the first ink orifice and the second ink orifice in a cross substrate direction. A third jetting assembly, separate from the first and second jetting assemblies, includes a fourth ink orifice. The fourth ink orifice is aligned with the first ink orifice in the cross substrate direction. The fourth ink orifice is fired in an alternating relationship with the first ink orifice to define a generally consistent line of ink capable of minimizing the appearance of banding.

Abstract: An inkjet recording device is provided with a first ejecting system that operates to eject at least one ink whose color has a maximum L* value among the plurality of inks onto one or a predetermined number of lines on the substrate at a time, a second ejecting system that operates to eject at least an ink whose color has a minimum L* value among the plurality of inks, the second ejecting system ejecting inks which are not ejected by the first ejecting system onto the same lines, onto which the first ejecting system has ejected the at least one ink whose color has the maximum L* value, at a time, and a controlling system that controls the first ejecting system and the second ejecting system such that the first ejecting system operates a predetermined period after the first ejecting system has operated.

Abstract: An inkjet printer capable of inhibiting color tone change on a recording-finished image with an easy structure. The inkjet printer has: a plurality of recording heads for jetting ink having different colors from each other, wherein an image is recorded by moving the plurality of the recording heads over a recording medium conveyed along a conveyance direction, along a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction; each recording head has a plurality of nozzles for jetting the ink as minute liquid drops; the plurality of nozzles are arrayed at intervals of predetermined number of pixels along the conveyance direction in each recording head; and each nozzle of one recording head is arranged at a position shifted from each nozzle of the other recording head along the conveyance direction so as to dispose each nozzle of the one recording head within the interval between the nozzles of the other recording head.

Abstract: A memory use and management method and system for a multi-pass printer. The system has a band buffer, a band buffer manager and a print engine. The band buffer receives and masks an input data, and stores masked data resulting from masking the input data. The band buffer manager is connected to the band buffer in order to start to print the masked data as the band buffer stores an amount of one complete print pass for a printhead of the printer. The print engine has the printhead and is connected to the band buffer such that the print engine receives the masked data from the band buffer and prints it by the printhead. Data amount stored in the band buffer can be represented by an equation, [(1+2+3+ . . . +j+j)/(i*j)]*S, where j indicates partitioned number of one complete print, and S indicates data amount required by one complete print.

Abstract: In an ink jet printing apparatus that adopts an area grayscale system using halftone elements, degradation of grayscale reproducibility caused by a plurality of dots pulling each other on a print medium can be prevented, and thereby stable grayscale and color reproducibility can be realized. To this end dots to be applied to halftone elements, whose arrangement is determined by the halftone element-based area grayscale system, are divided into a dot group for interior halftone elements and a dot group for outline halftone elements. These two dot groups are printed with a predetermined time difference between them. The subsequent dots are then drawn to the preceding dots that are not yet absorbed in the print medium. Therefore, the overall shape and grayscale level of the merged dot in each pixel become stable, allowing for reliable image processing which in turn realizes excellent grayscale and color reproducibility.

Abstract: A fluid ejection head of a fluid ejection device is provided, the fluid ejection head having a substrate, a fluid ejection die coupled with the substrate, an electromagnetic radiation-curable adhesive disposed on the substrate, and a cover coupled with the substrate via the electromagnetic radiation-curable adhesive, wherein the cover includes an opening configured to pass fluids ejected from the fluid ejection die, and wherein the cover is made at least partially of a material transparent to electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: An ink jet recording apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus has a section which forms an image by ejecting an ultraviolet radiation curable ink from an ink jet recording head onto a recording material and a section which exposes ultraviolet radiation to an ink image formed on the recording material, and the ink jet recording apparatus has a plurality of recording modes having a different image recording speed in each mode, and further an exposure intensity of ultraviolet radiation exposing to the ink is variable. An ink jet recording method is also disclosed.

Abstract: There is provided a recording apparatus for receiving recording data from an electronic apparatus or a host computer activated by being supplied with a power source through an interface, and performing a recording operation on a recording medium by the use of a recording head. This recording apparatus comprises power source supplying means for supplying predetermined electric power to the electronic apparatus, detecting means for detecting that the electronic apparatus has been connected, and control mans for changing over the control of the recording operation when the detecting means has detected the connection or non-connection of the electronic apparatus. Also, there is provided an electronic apparatus for effecting communication with a first external device activated by being supplied with a power source through a first interface and a second external device connected thereto through a second interface, and performing an operation.

Abstract: An inkjet recording device includes: a recording head provided with a nozzle for jetting ink, wherein the inkjet recording device records an image by jetting the ink from the recording head onto a recording medium, while moving the recording head and the recording medium relatively, and the inkjet recording device further comprises, a viewing distance setting unit for setting a parameter corresponding to a distance from which the recording medium after a recording is viewed; a recording mode setting unit for setting a recording mode based on the parameter set by the viewing distance setting unit; and a control device for controlling an operation of a jetting of the ink by the recording head and the relative movement of the recording head and the recording medium so that the recording is performed according to the recording mode set by the recording mode setting unit.