Patent ID: 6607317
Filing Date: 2003-08-19
Classification: B41J,G06K

Abstract:
A printing apparatus for printing on a print medium by using N print heads, where N is an integer equal to or larger than 2, assuming that two axes orthogonal to each other on a two-dimensional rectangular coordinate system are set to an X axis and a Y axis, each of the print heads being capable of simultaneously printing M dots in a direction along the Y axis, where M is an integer equal to or larger than 3, and also being capable of printing M dot lines each extending in a direction along the X axis, by relative scan on the print medium in the direction along the X axis, the M dot lines being arranged side by side in the direction along the Y axis, at least two print heads among the N print heads being disposed such that selected ones of a first set of M dot lines printable by one of the at least two print heads overlap selected ones among a second set of M dot lines printable by another of the at least two print heads,wherein L dot lines of the first set of M dot lines overlap L dot lines of the second set of M dot lines, where L is a natural number satisfying the relationship of Lwherein said apparatus comprises control means for inhibiting at least one of the print heads from printing J dot line at a counterpart print head side end, where J is a natural number satisfying the relationship of J