US6142598A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Printing apparatus and printing method
Assignee: Canon Inc
•
Filing: 1997-07-22
•
Granted: 2000-11-07
•
Expires: 2017-07-22
Abstract
Abstract In a print apparatus and method in which the print head having printing elements to form print dots is made to scan over a printing medium in a predetermined direction to form a printed image, the drive timing intervals between a plurality of dots formed in the scan direction by the same printing element are changed in a cycle smaller than a cycle in which a printed image variation appears, in order to eliminate the printed image unevenness that cyclically appears due to variations in the manufacturing errors of a rotary drive source and other mechanisms for performing the scanning. By driving the printing elements in this way, it is possible to change the distance between adjoining dots in the predetermined direction in a short cycle and thereby render the cyclic unevenness caused by the rotary drive source visually impossible to recognize.
Inventors
- 👤 Osamu Iwasaki
- 👤 Naoji Otsuka
- 👤 Kentaro Yano
- 👤 Daigoro Kanematsu
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 16:25
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J2/00; B41J2/005; B41J2/01; B41J2/015; B41J2/04; B41J2/045; B41J2/04501; B41J2/04505; B41J2/04541; B41J2/04543; B41J2/04573; B41J2/0458; B41J29/00; B41J29/38; B41J29/393
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 36
Claim 1
Independent Claim
92 words
A print apparatus for forming an image on a printing medium by scanning a print head over a printing medium in a predetermined direction, the print head having a printing element to form print dots, said apparatus comprising: drive means for driving the printing element to form dots; and timing means for shifting a first timing in a predetermined cycle thereby generating a second timing, the first timing being a reference timing for driving the printing element during a scanning, wherein the printing element is driven in accordance with the second timing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
92 words
A print apparatus for forming an image on a printing medium by scanning a print head over a printing medium in a predetermined direction, the print head having a printing element to form print dots, said apparatus comprising: drive means for driving the printing element to form dots; and timing means for shifting a first timing in a predetermined cycle thereby generating a second timing, the first timing being a reference timing for driving the printing element during a scanning, wherein the printing element is driven in accordance with the second timing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
A print apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said timing means shifts the first timing by an amount less than a cycle in which a printed image variation occurs in the predetermined direction during the scanning if the first timing is not changed.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
A print apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the print head has a plurality of the printing elements aligned in a direction different from the predetermined direction.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
A print apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said print head is in the form of an ink jet head for ejecting ink from ejecting openings to perform printing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
A print apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said print head has thermal energy generating elements for generating thermal energy to be utilized for ejecting ink from said ejecting openings.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
71 words
A print apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said timing means changes a cycle for serially changing a distance between adjoining dots formed in the predetermined direction by the printing element being driven in accordance with the second timing by an amount less than a cycle for serially changing a distance between adjoining dots formed in the predetermined direction by the printing element being driven in accordance with the first timing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
119 words
A print apparatus for forming an image on a printing medium by scanning a print head over a printing medium in a predetermined direction, the print head having a printing element to form print dots, said apparatus comprising: drive means for driving the printing element to form the dots in accordance with timings when the positions of the printing element in the predetermined direction coincide with dot coordinate grids of an image to be printed; and timing means for shifting a first timing in a predetermined cycle thereby generating a second timing, the first timing being a reference timing for driving the printing element during a scanning, wherein the printing element is driven in accordance with the second timing.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
119 words
A print apparatus for forming an image on a printing medium by scanning a print head over a printing medium in a predetermined direction, the print head having a printing element to form print dots, said apparatus comprising: drive means for driving the printing element to form the dots in accordance with timings when the positions of the printing element in the predetermined direction coincide with dot coordinate grids of an image to be printed; and timing means for shifting a first timing in a predetermined cycle thereby generating a second timing, the first timing being a reference timing for driving the printing element during a scanning, wherein the printing element is driven in accordance with the second timing.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
43 words
A print apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said timing means shifts the first timing by an amount less than a cycle in which a printed image variation occurs in the predetermined direction during the scanning if the first timing is not changed.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
A print apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the print head has a plurality of the printing elements aligned in a direction different from the predetermined direction.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
A print apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said print head is in the form of an ink jet head for ejecting ink from ejecting openings to perform printing.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
A print apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said print head has thermal energy generating elements for generating thermal energy to be utilized for ejecting ink from said ejecting openings.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
71 words
A print apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said timing means changes a cycle for serially changing a distance between adjoining dots formed in the predetermined direction by the printing element being driven in accordance with the second timing by an amount less than a cycle for serially changing a distance between adjoining dots formed in the predetermined direction by the printing element being driven in accordance with the first timing.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
127 words
A print apparatus for forming an image on a printing medium by scanning a print head over a printing medium in a predetermined direction, the print head having a printing element to form print dots, said apparatus comprising: drive means for driving the printing element to form dots; and timing means for shifting a first timing in a predetermined cycle thereby generating a second timing, the first timing being a reference timing for driving the printing element during the scanning, said timing means shifting the first timing by an amount less than a cycle in which a printed image variation occurs in the predetermined direction during the scanning if the first timing is not changed, wherein the printing element is driven in accordance with the second timing.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
127 words
A print apparatus for forming an image on a printing medium by scanning a print head over a printing medium in a predetermined direction, the print head having a printing element to form print dots, said apparatus comprising: drive means for driving the printing element to form dots; and timing means for shifting a first timing in a predetermined cycle thereby generating a second timing, the first timing being a reference timing for driving the printing element during the scanning, said timing means shifting the first timing by an amount less than a cycle in which a printed image variation occurs in the predetermined direction during the scanning if the first timing is not changed, wherein the printing element is driven in accordance with the second timing.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
154 words
A print apparatus for forming an image on a printing medium by scanning a print head over a printing medium in a predetermined direction, the print head having a printing element to form print dots, said apparatus comprising: drive means for driving the printing element to form the dots in accordance with timings when the positions of the printing element in the predetermined direction coincide with dot coordinate grids of an image to be printed; and timing means for shifting a first timing in a predetermined cycle thereby generating a second timing, the first timing being a reference timing for driving the printing element during a scanning, said timing means shifting the first timing by an amount less than a cycle in which a printed image variation occurs in the predetermined direction during the scanning if the first timing is not changed, wherein the printing element is driven in accordance with the second timing.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
154 words
A print apparatus for forming an image on a printing medium by scanning a print head over a printing medium in a predetermined direction, the print head having a printing element to form print dots, said apparatus comprising: drive means for driving the printing element to form the dots in accordance with timings when the positions of the printing element in the predetermined direction coincide with dot coordinate grids of an image to be printed; and timing means for shifting a first timing in a predetermined cycle thereby generating a second timing, the first timing being a reference timing for driving the printing element during a scanning, said timing means shifting the first timing by an amount less than a cycle in which a printed image variation occurs in the predetermined direction during the scanning if the first timing is not changed, wherein the printing element is driven in accordance with the second timing.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
80 words
A print method for forming an image on a printing medium by scanning a print head over the printing medium in a predetermined direction, the Printing head having a printing element for forming print dots, said method comprising the steps of: shifting a first timing in a predetermined cycle thereby generating a second timing, the first timing being a reference timing for driving the printing element during a scanning; and driving the printing element in accordance with the second timing.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
80 words
A print method for forming an image on a printing medium by scanning a print head over the printing medium in a predetermined direction, the Printing head having a printing element for forming print dots, said method comprising the steps of: shifting a first timing in a predetermined cycle thereby generating a second timing, the first timing being a reference timing for driving the printing element during a scanning; and driving the printing element in accordance with the second timing.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
41 words
A print method according to claim 15, wherein the first timing is shifted by an amount less than a cycle in which a printed image variation occurs in the predetermined direction during the scanning if the first timing is not changed.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
26 words
A print method according to claim 16, wherein the print head has a plurality of printing elements aligned in a direction different from the predetermined direction.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
29 words
A print method according to claim 17, wherein the print head is in the form of an ink jet head for ejecting ink from ejecting openings to perform printing.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
30 words
A print method according to claim 18, wherein the print head has thermal energy generating elements for generating thermal energy to be utilized for ejecting ink from the ejecting openings.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
69 words
A print method according to claim 15, wherein a cycle for serially changing a distance between adjoining dots formed in the predetermined direction by the printing element being driven in accordance with the second timing is changed by an amount less than a cycle for serially changing a distance between adjoining dots formed in the predetermined direction by the printing element being driven in accordance with the first timing.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
108 words
A print method for forming an image on a printing medium by scanning a print head over the printing medium in a predetermined direction, the printing head having a printing element for forming print dots, said method comprising the steps of: shifting a first timing in a predetermined cycle thereby generating a second timing, the first timing being a reference timing corresponding to a timing when a position of the printing element in the predetermined direction coincides with a dot coordinate grid of an image to be printed and for driving the printing element during the scanning; and driving the printing element in accordance with the second timing.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
108 words
A print method for forming an image on a printing medium by scanning a print head over the printing medium in a predetermined direction, the printing head having a printing element for forming print dots, said method comprising the steps of: shifting a first timing in a predetermined cycle thereby generating a second timing, the first timing being a reference timing corresponding to a timing when a position of the printing element in the predetermined direction coincides with a dot coordinate grid of an image to be printed and for driving the printing element during the scanning; and driving the printing element in accordance with the second timing.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
41 words
A print method according to claim 21, wherein the first timing is shifted by an amount less than a cycle in which a printed image variation occurs in the predetermined direction during the scanning if the first timing is not changed.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
27 words
A print method according to claim 22, wherein the print head has a plurality of the printing elements aligned in a direction different from the predetermined direction.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
29 words
A print method according to claim 23, wherein the print head is in the form of an ink jet head for ejecting ink from ejecting openings to perform printing.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
30 words
A print method according to claim 24, wherein the print head has thermal energy generating elements for generating thermal energy to be utilized for ejecting ink from the ejecting openings.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
69 words
A print method according to claim 21, wherein a cycle for serially changing a distance between adjoining dots formed in the predetermined direction by the printing element being driven in accordance with the second timing is changed by an amount less than a cycle for serially changing a distance between adjoining dots formed in the predetermined direction by the printing element being driven in accordance with the first timing.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
114 words
A print method for forming an image on a printing medium by scanning a print head over the printing medium in a predetermined direction, the printing head having a printing element for forming print dots, said method comprising the steps of: shifting a first timing in a predetermined cycle thereby generating a second timing, the first timing being a reference timing for driving the printing element during a scanning, wherein the first timing is shifted by an amount less than a cycle in which a printed image variation occurs in the predetermined direction during the scanning if the first timing is not changed; and driving the printing element in accordance with the second timing.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
114 words
A print method for forming an image on a printing medium by scanning a print head over the printing medium in a predetermined direction, the printing head having a printing element for forming print dots, said method comprising the steps of: shifting a first timing in a predetermined cycle thereby generating a second timing, the first timing being a reference timing for driving the printing element during a scanning, wherein the first timing is shifted by an amount less than a cycle in which a printed image variation occurs in the predetermined direction during the scanning if the first timing is not changed; and driving the printing element in accordance with the second timing.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
141 words
A print method for forming an image on a printing medium by scanning a print head over the printing medium in a predetermined direction, the printing head having a printing element for forming print dots, said method comprising the steps of: shifting a first timing in a predetermined cycle thereby generating a second timing, the first timing being a reference timing corresponding to a timing when a position of the printing element in the predetermined direction coincides with a dot coordinate grid of an image to be printed and for driving the printing element during the scanning, the first timing being shifted by an amount smaller than a cycle in which a printed image variation occurs in the predetermined direction during the scanning if the drive timings are not changed; and driving the printing element in accordance with the second timing.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
141 words
A print method for forming an image on a printing medium by scanning a print head over the printing medium in a predetermined direction, the printing head having a printing element for forming print dots, said method comprising the steps of: shifting a first timing in a predetermined cycle thereby generating a second timing, the first timing being a reference timing corresponding to a timing when a position of the printing element in the predetermined direction coincides with a dot coordinate grid of an image to be printed and for driving the printing element during the scanning, the first timing being shifted by an amount smaller than a cycle in which a printed image variation occurs in the predetermined direction during the scanning if the drive timings are not changed; and driving the printing element in accordance with the second timing.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4740796A
Cited
US4723129A
Cited
JPS5456847A
Cited
US4459600A
Cited
US4345262A
Cited
US4463359A
Cited
US4313124A
Cited
US4558333A
Cited
JPS59123670A
Cited
JPS59138461A
Cited
US4608577A
Cited
JPS6071260A
Cited
US5347300A
Cited
US5724077A
Cited
US5781203A
Cited
US5844585A
Cited
US5675365A
Cited
US5923344A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-11-07 | 2004-05-08 | 2004-11-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-11-07 | 2008-05-08 | 2008-11-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-11-07 | 2012-05-08 | 2012-11-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |