| 摘要 |
PURPOSE:To ensure that an image is corrected accurately and a noise in the image is eliminated by reading the density of a test pattern formed by a recording head, then correcting density variations based on the readout results and detecting a non-discharge from the head to perform recovery process in accordance with the detection results. CONSTITUTION:A bubble jet-type head 1 has many discharge nozzles. Then test printing is performed prior to image recording and a prepared test pattern 17 is deposited on a copy stand 21. An image is focused on a photo-sensor by an illumination system 20. Information which is thus read allows a head correction part 211 to measure the diameters of all printing dots. At the same time, a non-discharge detection part 214 detects whether all dots are printed based on the readout results of the test printer. In addition, a head correction part 211 corrects density variations generated by the irregularities of dot diameter using a specified method. If the non-discharge detection part 214 detects that there is some nozzle which has not discharged ink, it does not correct the head but performs recovery action. After this recovery action, the test printer performs test printing again, and performs routine recording in the correction mode, if a defective nozzle is recovered completely. |
