PRINTING HEAD, PRINTING METHOD AND APPARATUS USING SAME, AND APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CORRECTING SAID PRINTING HEAD

• US 20020001008A1
• Filed: 06/16/1999
• Published: 01/03/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/04/1994
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Akira Goto, Haruhiko Terai, Hideaki Kishida, Hiroyuki Maru, Kimiyuki Hayasaki, Kouichi Omata, Masaaki Izumida, Masaki Inaba, Masami Ikeda, Seiichiro Karita, Shuichi Katao, Shuji Koyama, Takayuki Ono, Tatsuo Furukawa, Toshio Kashino, Tsuyoshi Orikasa, Yoshiyuki Imanaka, Yuji Kamiyama, Yutaka Koizumi
• Original Assignee: Akira Goto, Haruhiko Terai, Hideaki Kishida, Hiroyuki Maru, Kimiyuki Hayasaki, Kouichi Omata, Masaaki Izumida, Masaki Inaba, Masami Ikeda, Seiichiro Karita, Shuichi Katao, Shuji Koyama, Takayuki Ono, Tatsuo Furukawa, Toshio Kashino, Tsuyoshi Orikasa, Yoshiyuki Imanaka, Yuji Kamiyama, Yutaka Koizumi
• Inventors: IMANAKA, YOSHIYUKI, HAYASAKI, KIMIYUKI, IKEDA, MASAMI, MARU, HIROYUKI, KOIZUMI, YUTAKA, ONO, TAKAYUKI, FURUKAWA, TATSUO, GOTO, AKIRA, TERAI, HARUHIKO, KARITA, SEIICHIRO, IZUMIDA, MASAAKI, KAMIYAMA, YUJI, ORIKASA, TSUYOSHI, INABA, MASAKI, KATAO, SHUICHI, OMATA, KOUICHI, KISHIDA, HIDEAKI, KOYAMA, SHUJI, KASHINO, TOSHIO
• Granted Patent: US 6,409,300 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 347/19
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/04506 aiming at correcting manufacturing tolerances
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/04541 Specific driving circuit
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/04543 Block driving
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/04563 detecting head temperature; Ink temperature
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/04565 detecting heater resistance
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/0458 controlling heads based on heating elements forming bubbles
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/04588 using a specific waveform
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/04591 Width of the driving signal being adjusted
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/04598 Pre-pulse
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/155 for line printing
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2202/17 Readable information on the head
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2202/20 Modules
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2202/21 Line printing
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 29/393 Devices for controlling or analysing the entire machine ; Controlling or analysing mechanical parameters involving printing of test patterns

Abstract

A printing head has a plurality of heater boards, each of which includes a shift register to which printing data and selection data for selecting preheating pulse signals are applied as inputs, a latch circuit for latching the printing data, a selection-data latch circuit for latching the selection data, a selection circuit for selecting any one of a plurality of preheating pulse signals inputted in accordance with the latched selection data, and a plurality of heating resistors driven by the printing data or preheating pulse signals. Correction data, obtained by a head correcting apparatus, for performing printing at an average density by correcting the characteristics of each heater board is stored in a memory of the printing head. A printing apparatus decides the selection data in accordance with the correction data and sets the selection data in the selection-data latch circuit.

Claims

1. A printing head mounted on a printing apparatus and driven for printing an image on a printing medium, comprising:

a plurality of element substrates each having a plurality of printing elements for forming pixels on the printing medium, and drive means for driving said plurality of printing elements based upon printing data sent from the printing apparatus; and

memory means for storing correction data for correcting a variance in characteristics of each of said plurality of element substrates.

2. The printing head according to claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of element substrates has a temperature sensor.

3. The printing head according to claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of element substrates has a sensor indicating a characteristic of said printing elements.

4. The printing head according to claim 1, further comprising:

transmitting means for transmitting the correction data, which has been stored in said memory means, to the printing apparatus; and

receiving means for receiving a control signal, transmitted from the printing apparatus, set based upon the correction data.

5. The printing head according to claim 1, wherein said printing head is an ink-jet printing head which performs printing by discharging ink.

6. The printing head according to claim 5, wherein said printing head ejects ink by utilizing thermal energy, said printing head having a thermal energy transducer for generating thermal energy applied to the ink.

7. The printing apparatus using the printing head described in claim 1, comprising:

input means for entering the correction data, which has been stored in said memory means, from said printing head;

means for deciding driving conditions of each of said plurality of element substrates based upon the correction data; and

control means for driving each of said plurality of element substrates in dependence upon the printing data in accordance with the driving conditions.

8. A printing-head correction apparatus for creating correction data which corrects characteristics of printing elements constituting a printing head, comprising:

head driving means for driving the printing head to print an image on a printing medium;

detecting means for detecting a variance in density of dots that have been printed on the printing medium;

correction data generating means for generating correction data for correcting the variance in density detected by said detecting means; and

transmitting means for transmitting the correction data to a memory of the printing head, said memory storing the correction data.

9. The printing-head correction apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said printing head is an ink-jet printing head which performs printing by discharging ink.

10. The printing-head correction apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said correction data is data for selecting one or some of a plurality of pulse signals which are supplied with said printing head and for providing the selected pulse signal for each of said printing elements.

11. The printing-head correction apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said correction data is data for controlling a diameter of said dot.

12. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said detecting means includes:

a photoelectric transducer for capturing a printed dot; and

an image processing circuit for subjecting an image signal from said photoelectric transducer to image processing.

13. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said head driving means performs printing until said printing head attains a steady state, and said detecting means detects a variance in dots after said printing head has attained the steady state.

14. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said printing head has a plurality of element substrates each having a plurality of printing elements, and said detecting means detects a variance in density for each element substrate.

15. A printing-head correction apparatus for creating correction data which corrects characteristics of printing elements constituting a printing head, comprising:

first detecting means for detecting a variance in density of dots that have been printed on a printing medium based upon prescribed image data;

first correction data generating means for generating first correction data for correcting the variance in density detected by said first detecting means;

head driving means for printing an image based upon the prescribed image data on the printing medium while controlling said printing head on the basis of the first correction data;

second detecting means for detecting a variance in density of dots printed on the printing medium in conformity with drive by said head driving means;

second correction data generating means for generating second correction data for correcting the variance in density detected by said second detecting means; and

storage means for generating final correction data on the basis of the first and second correction data and storing the final correction data in a memory of said printing head.

16. The printing-head correction apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said correction data is data for selecting one or some of a plurality of pulse signals which are supplied with said printing head and for providing the selected pulse signal for each of said printing elements.

17. The printing-head correction apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said correction data is data for controlling a diameter of said dot.

18. A printing-head correction method for creating correction data which corrects characteristics of printing elements constituting a printing head, comprising the steps of:

printing an image on a printing medium by the printing head;

detecting a variance in density of dots that have been printed on the printing medium;

generating correction data for correcting the detected variance in density of the dots; and

storing the correction data in a memory of the printing head.

19. The printing-head correction apparatus according to claim 18, wherein said correction data is data for selecting one or some of a plurality of pulse signals which are supplied with said printing head and for providing the selected pulse signal for each of said printing elements.

20. The printing-head correction apparatus according to claim 18, wherein said correction data is data for controlling a diameter of said dot.

21. A printing-head correction method for creating correction data which corrects characteristics of printing elements constituting a printing head, comprising the steps of:

detecting a variance in density of dots that have been printed on a printing medium based upon prescribed image data;

generating first correction data for correcting the detected variance in density;

printing an image based upon the prescribed image data on the printing medium while controlling said printing head on the basis of the first correction data;

detecting a variance in density of dots printed on the printing medium;

generating second correction data for correcting the detected variance in density; and

generating final correction data on the basis of the first and second correction data and storing the final correction data in a memory of said printing head.

22. The printing-head correction apparatus according to claim 21, wherein said correction data is data for selecting one or some of a plurality of pulse signals which are supplied with said printing head and for providing the selected pulse signal for each of said printing elements.

23. The printing-head correction apparatus according to claim 21, wherein said correction data is data for controlling a diameter of said dot.

24. A printing head having resistive elements for driving a plurality of printing elements and a circuit for performing printing by flowing a current through said resistive elements in dependence upon printing data, said printing head comprising:

an input terminal for entering a plurality of pulse signals for flowing current through said resistive elements;

memory means for storing inputted selection information for selecting any one of the plurality of pulse signals entering from said input terminal; and

applying means, which is responsive to the selection information stored in said memory means, for selecting, and applying to said resistive elements, any one of the plurality of pulse signals entering from said input terminal.

25. The printing head according to claim 24, wherein said pulse signals are preheating pulse signals.

26. A printing head constructed using a plurality of element substrates each having resistive elements for driving a plurality of printing elements and a circuit for performing printing by flowing a current through said resistive elements in dependence upon printing data, said printing head including a memory for storing data for correcting printing characteristics of each of said element substrates;

each of said element substrates having;

an input terminal for entering a plurality of pulse signals for flowing current through said resistive elements;

memory means for storing inputted selection information for selecting any one of the plurality of pulse signals entering from said input terminal; and

applying means, which is responsive to the selection information stored in said memory means, for selecting, and applying to said resistive elements, any one of the plurality of pulse signals entering from said input terminal.

27. The printing head according to claim 26, wherein said resistive elements are heat-generating resistors.

28. The printing head according to claim 26, wherein said memory means includes a latch circuit for latching the selection information applied thereto via a shift register which holds the printing data serially applied thereto.

29. The printing head according to claim 26, wherein said plurality of pulse signals are preheating signals for preheating said heat-generating resistors.

30. The printing head according to claim 26, wherein each of said element substrates further includes detecting means for detecting resistance values of said resistive element.

31. The printing head according to claim 26, wherein each of said element substrates further includes temperature detecting means for detecting temperature of said resistive element.

32. The printing head according to claim 26, wherein said printing head is an ink-jet printing head which performs printing by jetting ink.

33. The printing head according to claim 32, wherein said printing head jets ink by utilizing thermal energy, said printing head having a thermal energy transducer for generating thermal energy applied to the ink.

34. The printing head according to claim 26, wherein said applying means flows a current through said resistive elements upon taking the logical sum of each of said pulse signals in dependence upon the selection information.

35. The printing head according to claim 26, wherein the pulse signals are applied to said resistive elements on the basis of pulse signals of a type which satisfy the condition P≦

P′

≦

2^P, where P represents the number of the plurality of pulse signals and P′

represents the number of pulses outputted in dependence upon the selection information.

37. A printing apparatus for printing an image on a printing medium by electrifying and driving the printing head described in claim 26, comprising:

characteristic information storing means for storing printing characteristics of the printing elements of said printing head;

transfer means for deciding the selection information on the basis of the printing characteristics, which have been stored in said characteristic information storing means, and transferring this selection information to each element substrate of said printing head;

preliminary electrifying means for outputting a plurality of pulse signals to said printing head and for performing preliminary electrification of said printing head; and

printing electrifying means for performing printing by flowing current through said resistive elements of said printing head in conformity with image information.

38. The apparatus according to claim 37, further comprising detecting means for detecting resistance values of said resistive elements, wherein said printing means decides printing electrification time of said resistive elements in conformity with said resistance values.

39. The apparatus according to claim 37, further comprising temperature detecting means for detecting temperature of said resistive elements, wherein said printing means decides preliminary electrification time of said resistive elements or quiescent time between preliminary electrification and printing electrification.

40. The apparatus according to claim 37, wherein said resistive elements are heat-generating resistors.

41. The apparatus according to claim 37, wherein said printing head is an ink-jet printing head which performs printing by jetting ink.

42. The apparatus according to claim 41, wherein said printing head jets ink by utilizing thermal energy, said printing head having a thermal energy transducer for generating thermal energy applied to the ink.

43. A printing method for printing an image on a printing medium by electrifying and driving the printing head described in claim 37, comprising the steps of:

deciding the selection information on the basis of printing characteristics of said printing head;

transferring this selection information to said printing head and storing it in said storing means;

outputting a plurality of pulse signals to said printing head and performing preliminary electrification of said printing head; and

performing printing by flowing current through said resistive elements of said printing head in conformity with image information.

44. The method according to claim 43, wherein said resistive elements are heat-generating resistors.

36. A printing apparatus for printing an image on a printing medium by electrifying and driving a printing head, wherein said printing head has resistive elements for driving a plurality of printing elements, an input terminal for entering a plurality of pulse signals for flowing current through said resistive elements, memory means for storing inputted selection information for selecting any one of the plurality of pulse signals entering from said input terminal, and applying means, which is responsive to the selection information stored in said memory means, for selecting, and applying to said resistive elements, any one of the plurality of pulse signals entering from said input terminal, said apparatus comprising:

characteristic information storing means for storing printing characteristics of the printing elements of said printing head;

transfer means for deciding the selection information on the basis of the printing characteristics, which have been stored in said characteristic information storing means, and transferring this selection information to said printing head;

preliminary electrifying means for outputting a plurality of pulse signals to said printing head and for performing preliminary electrification of said printing head; and

printing electrifying means for performing printing by flowing current through said resistive elements of said printing head in conformity with image information.

45. A printing head having resistive elements for driving a plurality of printing elements, and a circuit for performing printing by flowing a current through said resistive elements in dependence upon printing data, said printing head comprising:

an input terminal for entering data which decides pulse width of pulses for flowing current through said resistive elements;

memory means for storing the data, entered from said input terminal, which decides said pulse width and timing of said pulses;

counting means for counting a clock signal applied thereto; and

electrifying means for flowing current through said resistive elements in dependence upon a count recorded by said counting means and said data stored in said memory means.

47. The printing head according to claim 45, wherein said memory means includes a latch circuit for latching the printing data applied thereto via a shift register which holds the printing data serially applied thereto.

48. The printing head according to claim 45, further comprising detecting means for detecting resistance values of said resistive elements.

49. The printing head according to claim 45, further comprising temperature detecting means for detecting temperature of said resistive elements.

50. The printing head according to claim 45, wherein said data includes at least information stipulating trailing-edge timing of the pulse signal for flowing current through said resistive elements.

52. A printing apparatus for printing an image on a printing medium by electrifying and driving the printing head described in claim 45, comprising:

transfer means for transferring plural types of data, which stipulate electrification time of the resistive elements, to said memory means of said printing head; and

printing electrifying means for outputting the clock signal to said counting means when printing is performed by flowing current through said resistive elements of said printing head in conformity with image data.

56. A printing method for printing an image on a printing medium by electrifying and driving the printing head described in claim 45, comprising the steps of:

deciding pulse width of pulses for flowing current on the basis of printing characteristics of said printing head;

transferring data, which designates said pulse width, to said printing head and storing this data in said memory means; and

outputting a prescribed number of clock signals when printing is performed by flowing current through said resistive elements of said printing head in conformity with image data.

46. A printing head having resistive elements for driving a plurality of printing elements and a circuit for performing printing by flowing a current through said resistive elements in dependence upon printing data, said printing head comprising:

an input terminal for entering data which decides pulse width of pulses for flowing current through said resistive elements;

memory means for storing plural items of the data, entered from said input terminal, which decides said pulse width;

counting means for counting a clock signal applied thereto;

detecting means for detecting resistance values or temperature values of said resistive elements; and

electrifying means for flowing current through said resistive elements upon selecting any one of the plural items of data, stored in said memory means, in dependence upon a count recorded by said counting means and the resistance values or temperature values detected by said detecting means.

57. A printing method for printing an image on a printing medium by electrifying and driving the printing head described in claim 46, comprising the steps of:

transferring plural items of data, which designate said pulse width, to said printing head and storing this data in said memory means; and

outputting a prescribed number of clock signals when printing is performed by flowing current through said resistive elements of said printing head in conformity with image data.

51. A printing apparatus for printing an image on a printing medium by electrifying and driving a printing head, wherein said printing head has resistive elements for driving a plurality of printing elements, an input terminal for entering data which decides pulse width of pulses for flowing current through said resistive elements, memory means for storing the data, entered from said input terminal, which decides said pulse width, counting means for counting a clock signal applied thereto, and electrifying means for flowing current through said resistive elements in dependence upon a count recorded by said counting means and said data stored in said memory means, said apparatus comprising:

characteristic information storing means for storing printing characteristics of the printing elements of said printing head;

transfer means for deciding said data on the basis of the printing characteristics, which have been stored in said characteristic information storing means, and transferring this data to said printing head; and

printing electrifying means for outputting the clock signal to said counting means when printing is performed by flowing current through said resistive elements of said printing head in conformity with image data.

53. The apparatus according to claim 51, further comprising detecting means for detecting resistance values of said resistive elements, wherein said printing electrifying means decides pulse width of pulses for flowing current through said resistive elements in dependence upon the resistance values.

54. The apparatus according to claim 51, further comprising temperature detecting means for detecting temperature values of said resistive elements, wherein said printing electrifying means decides pulse width of pulses for flowing current through said resistive elements in dependence upon the temperature values.

55. The apparatus according to claim 51, wherein said resistive elements are heat-generating resistors.