Typewriting machines – Including control of format by programmed-control-system
Patent
1999-04-30
2000-12-12
Hilten, John S.
Typewriting machines
Including control of format by programmed-control-system
400 61, 400 70, 400279, B41J 1144
Patent
active
061589055
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a technology for printing images on printing media using a bidirectional reciprocating movement in the main scanning direction. More particularly, it relates to a technology for adjusting printing positional deviation in the main scanning direction between forward and reverse passes.
DISCUSSION OF THE BACKGROUND
In recent years color printers that emit colored inks from a print head are coming into widespread use as computer output devices. Among such printers, there are those that are equipped with the ability to print bidirectionally in order to improve printing speed.
A problem that readily arises in bidirectional printing is that of deviation in printing position in the main scanning direction between forward and reverse printing passes. Causes of this deviation include backlash in the main scanning drive mechanism, stretching of the carriage belt, and warping of the platen on which the printing medium rests. Japanese Patent Laid-open Hei 5-69625 is an example of a technology disclosed by the present applicants for solving this problem of printing deviation. This comprises of registering beforehand the printing deviation amount in the main scanning direction and using this printing deviation amount as a basis for correcting the printing position on the forward and reverse passes.
However, various printing media are used including A3 size paper, A4 size paper and postcards. For printing, A3 and A4 sheets are generally inserted into approximately the center of the main scanning stroke range of the printer, while postcards are inserted at one end. Printing deviation tends to be particularly large at each end of a printer's main scanning stroke. Thus, while printing deviation may be properly adjusted for an A4 or A3 sheet, it is difficult to properly adjust for printing deviation in the case of postcards.
An object of the present invention is to provide a new technology for reducing printing position deviation in the main scanning direction between forward and reverse passes in a printer that prints bidirectionally.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
In order to solve at least part of the above and other problems, there is provided a printer that is able to bidirectionally print images on a printing medium during reciprocal main scanning in each direction. The printer comprises: a print head; a drive mechanism that effects relative movement between at least the print head and the printing medium in a main scanning direction and a sub-scanning direction and drives the print head to print on the printing medium; and a controller that controls the drive mechanism. The controller includes a printing deviation adjuster for adjusting a printing position in accordance with print head position in the main scanning direction on at least one of a forward pass and a reverse pass so that a printing position in the main scanning direction on the forward pass and a printing position in the main scanning direction on the reverse pass are made to substantially coincide.
The printing deviation adjuster may adjust the printing position in accordance with an actual main scanning range of the print head and the position of the print head in the main scanning direction.
The controller may further include an adjustment value memory for storing adjustment values used to adjust the printing position with respect to each of a plurality of printing media having different widths in the main scanning direction; wherein the printing deviation adjuster may read out an adjustment value from the adjustment value memory according to the width of the printing medium in the main scanning direction that is actually used for printing, and performs the adjustment of the printing position in accordance with the adjustment value thus read out.
The printer may further comprise a memory for storing data for printing a plurality of printing deviation check patterns for the plurality of printing media.
The printing deviation adjuster may use an offset to correct the printing deviation adjustmen
REFERENCES:
patent: 4524364 (1985-06-01), Bain et al.
patent: 4818129 (1989-04-01), Tanuma et al.
patent: 5116150 (1992-05-01), Courtney
patent: 5427461 (1995-06-01), Hirai et al.
patent: 5454651 (1995-10-01), Tateyama
Hilten John S.
Nolan, Jr. Charles H.
Seiko Epson Corporation
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