Patent Abstract:
This specification discloses a computer program product for creating print data utilized by an ink jet printer. The ink jet printer comprises an ink jet head moving in a predetermined direction with respect to a print medium. The computer program product includes instructions for ordering a computer to perform a reading step of reading image data that includes a plurality of first combinations. Each first combination comprises a position and information concerning whether a dot is to be formed at the position. The computer program product includes instructions for ordering the computer to further perform a print data creating step of creating the print data by creating a second combination for each position at which the dot is to be formed. Each second combination comprises the position at which the dot is to be formed and one nozzle randomly selected from the nozzles of the nozzle unit which corresponds to the position. In the print data creating step, the same nozzle cannot be selected for more than a predetermined number of positions continuously aligned along the predetermined direction.

Full Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
   This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-098439, filed on Mar. 30, 2005, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference into the present application. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to a technique for forming print data utilized by an ink jet printer. The ink jet printer of the present specification includes all devices for printing onto a print medium by means of discharging ink (printers, copiers, fax machines, multifunctional products, etc.). 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   Ink jet printers print onto a print medium by means of discharging ink The manner in which printing is performed by an ink jet printer will be described with reference to  FIG. 18 . An ink jet printer  151  has an ink jet head  152  that moves with respect to a print medium  150 . In  FIG. 18 , the ink jet head  152  moves in a Y direction with respect to the print medium  150 . The ink jet head  152  passes a front side of the print medium  150 . The ink jet head  152  has a plurality of nozzles  153 ˜ 157 . The nozzles  153 ˜ 157  are aligned in an X direction that is orthogonal to the Y direction. The nozzles  153 ˜ 157  can discharge ink droplets in the direction perpendicular to the page. 
   The ink droplets are discharged from the nozzles  153 ˜ 157  while the ink jet head  152  is moving with respect to the print medium  150 . One dot is formed on the print medium  150  by discharging one or a plurality of ink droplets from one nozzle. In  FIG. 18 , 35 dots have been formed on the print medium  150 . The dots aligned in the Y direction have been formed by one nozzle. For example, a dot line D 1  has been formed by continuously discharging ink droplets from the nozzle  153 . Similarly, a dot line D 2  has been formed by the nozzle  154 , a dot line D 3  has been formed by the nozzle  155 , a dot line D 4  has been formed by the nozzle  156 , and a dot line D 5  has been formed by the nozzle  157 . 
   The nozzles  153 ˜ 157  might not be equidistant in the X direction. In the example of  FIG. 18 , the nozzle  155  is slightly displaced toward the right. In this case, the dot line D 3  is formed slightly displaced toward the right The dot line D 2  and the dot line D 3  barely overlap, and there is a large overlap of the dot line D 3  and the dot line D 4 . In this case, ink density between the dot line D 2  and the dot line D 3  is much less than in other portions. The region in which the ink density is smaller extends continuously in the Y direction. Further, the ink density between the dot line D 3  and the dot line D 4  is much greater than in other portions. The region in which the ink density is greater extends continuously in the Y direction. When the region in which the ink density is smaller or greater extends continuously in the Y direction, a user can perceive a striped pattern that extends in the Y direction. Printing results are thus unsatisfactory. 
   The technique set forth in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2004/345167 will be described with reference to  FIG. 19 . An ink jet head  202  of an ink jet printer  201  has a plurality of nozzle units  203 ˜ 207 . The nozzle unit  203  has a pair of nozzles  203   a  and  203   b  that are aligned in a direction (a Y direction) in which the ink jet head  202  moves with respect to a print medium  200 . The other nozzle units  204 ˜ 207  each have a configuration similar to the configuration of the nozzle unit  203 . That is, the nozzle units  204 ˜ 207  have nozzles  204   a ˜ 207   a  and nozzles  204   b ˜ 207   b . The nozzles  203   a ˜ 207   a  and nozzles  203   b ˜ 207   b  can discharge the same color ink. 
   The nozzle unit  203  can form one dot on the print medium by discharging ink droplets from either of the nozzles  203   a  and  203   b . The other nozzle units  204 ˜ 207  can also form one dot on the print medium by discharging ink droplets from either of the nozzles. 
   With the technique of  FIG. 19 , an external device (for example, a PC) connected with the ink jet printer  201  selects one nozzle at random from the nozzles of the nozzle unit which corresponds to the position at which the dot is to be formed. 
   For example, if the position at which a dot is to be formed is P 11 , one nozzle (the nozzle  203   a  or the nozzle  203   b ) is selected at random from the nozzle unit  203  that corresponds to P 11 . In the case where the external device has selected the nozzle  203   a , the external device creates information including the combination of P 11  and the nozzle  203   a.    
   As another example, if the position at which a dot is to be formed is P 12 , one nozzle is selected at random out of the nozzles  203   a  and  203   b . In the case where the external device has selected the nozzle  203   b , the external device creates information including the combination of P 12  and the nozzle  203   b.    
   As another example, if the position at which a dot is to be formed is P 21 , one nozzle (the nozzle  204   a  or the nozzle  204   b ) is selected at random from the nozzle unit  204  that corresponds to P 21 . In the case where the external device has selected the nozzle  204   b , the external device creates information including the combination of P 21  and the nozzle  204   b.    
   The external device creates data that includes a plurality of combinations of position and nozzle. Below, this data will be termed print data. The external device outputs the print data to the ink jet printer  201 . The ink jet printer  201  discharges ink from the nozzles based on the print data. For example, in the case where print data has been obtained having the combination of P 11  and the nozzle  203   a , the ink jet printer  201  discharges ink from the nozzle  203   a  toward P 11 . As another example, in the case where print data has been obtained having the combination of P 12  and the nozzle  203   b , the ink jet printer  201  discharges ink from the nozzle  203   b  toward P 12 . As another example, in the case where print data has been obtained having the combination of P 21  and the nozzle  204   b , the ink jet printer  201  discharges ink from the nozzle  204   b  toward P 21 . 
   In  FIG. 19 , hatching has been applied to the dots formed by the nozzles  203   a ˜ 207   a  Hatching has not been applied to the dots formed by the nozzles  203   b ˜ 207   b.    
   In the nozzle line D 3  of  FIG. 19 , the dots formed by the nozzle  205   a  are displaced toward the right. The dots formed by the nozzle  205   b  are not displaced. The dots of the other nozzle lines D 1 , D 2 , D 4 , and D 5  are also not displaced. 
   With this technique, if the nozzle  205   a  is not aligned equidistantly in the X direction, the dot line D 3  will not be formed only by the nozzle  205   a , but will instead be formed by both the nozzle  205   a  and the nozzle  205   b . As a result, some dots in the dot line D 3  are not displaced. With this technique, it may be possible to prevent in which the ink density is much greater or smaller from continuing across a wide range. Better printing results can be obtained with this technique than with the conventional technique described using  FIG. 18 . 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In the conventional technique described using  FIG. 19 , one nozzle is selected at random from among the plurality of nozzles for the position where the dot is to be formed. In this case, there is a possibility that the same nozzle will be selected continuously for a large number of positions continuously aligned along the Y direction. With this technique, therefore, it is not possible to completely eliminate the phenomenon wherein regions in which the ink density is much greater or smaller continue across a wide range There is a possibility that satisfactory printing results cannot be obtained. 
   The present invention has been created taking the above conditions into consideration. The present invention teaches a technique that allows better printing results to be obtained than the conventional technique. 
   The present invention relates to a technique for creating print data utilized by an ink jet printer. The print data creating technique of the present invention will be described using  FIG. 1 . 
   In the present invention, print data is created that is utilized by an ink jet printer  301  provided with the following conditions. 
   (1) The ink jet printer  301  has an ink jet head  302  that moves along a predetermined direction (a Y direction in  FIG. 1 ) with respect to a print medium  300 . 
   (2) The ink jet head  302  has a plurality of nozzle units  303 ˜ 307 . 
   (3) The nozzle units  303 ˜ 307  each have at least two nozzles aligned in the aforementioned predetermined direction. For example, the nozzle unit  303  has nozzles  303   a  and  303   b . The other nozzle units  304 ˜ 307  each have at least two nozzles  304   a ˜ 307   a  and  304   b ˜ 307   b.    
   (4) The nozzles  303   a ˜ 307   a  and  303   b ˜ 307   b  can discharge the same color ink. 
   (5) Each nozzle unit  303 ˜ 307  can create a dot on the print medium  300  by discharging ink from one nozzle (for example  303   a ) selected out of the nozzles (for example,  303   a  and  303   b ) of the nozzle unit (for example,  303 ). 
   A computer program product for creating print data is taught in the present invention. This computer program product includes instructions for ordering a computer to perform a reading step and a print data creating step. 
   In the reading step, image data including a plurality of first combinations is read. Each of the first combinations includes a position and information hereafter termed dot information) concerning whether a dot is to be formed at the position. For example, 35 positions P 11 , P 12 , P 13 , etc. are shown in  FIG. 1 . In the case of  FIG. 1 , the image data including the 35 first combinations are read in the reading step. Further, in this example, dots are to be formed at all positions except for P 13 . 
   In the print data creating step, print data is created by creating a second combination for each position at which the dot is to be formed. In the example of  FIG. 1 , the second combinations are created for the positions P 11 , P 12 , etc. Since P 13  is a position at which a dot is not to be formed, a second combination is not created for P 13 . Each of the second combinations includes the position at which the dot is to be formed, and one nozzle randomly selected from the nozzles of the nozzle unit corresponding to the position. For example, the second combination for P 11  is a combination including P 11  and one nozzle ( 303   a  or  303   b ) randomly selected from the nozzles  303   a  and  303   b  of the nozzle unit  303  corresponding to P 11 . Further, the second combination for P 21  is a combination including P 21  and one nozzle ( 304   a  or  304   b ) randomly selected from the nozzles  304   a  and  304   b  of the nozzle unit  304  corresponding to P 21 . 
   Moreover, in the print data creating step, it is prohibited to select the same nozzle for more than a predetermined number of positions continuously aligned along the predetermined direction (the Y direction). For example, if the predetermined number is two, the same nozzle cannot be selected for three or more positions aligned continuously along the Y direction. In this case, for example, the same nozzle (for example  303   a ) cannot be selected for P 14 , P 15 , and P 16 . 
   The print data created by the present invention is utilized by the ink jet printer  301 . When the ink jet printer  301  obtains, for example, the second combination of P 11  and the nozzle  303   a , the ink jet printer  301  causes ink to be discharged from the nozzle  303   a  towards P 11 , and a dot is thus formed. In  FIG. 1  ( c ), 34 dots formed by the ink jet printer  301  are shown. A dot is not formed at the position corresponding to P 13 . This is because P 13  is not a position where a dot is to be formed in this example. 
   In  FIG. 1  ( c ), hatching has been applied to the dots formed by the nozzles  303   a    307   a  Hatching has not been applied to dots formed by the nozzles  303   b ˜ 307   b.    
   Dots formed by the nozzle  305   a  are displaced toward the right in a nozzle line D 3 . The dots formed by the nozzle  305   b  are not displaced. The dots of the other nozzle lines D 1 , D 2 , D 4 , and D 5  are also not displaced 
   With this technique, if the nozzle  305   a  is not aligned equidistantly in the X direction, the dot line D 3  will be formed by both the nozzle  305   a  and the nozzle  305   b . As a result, displacement of all of the dots in the dot line D 3  is prevented. Moreover, in the print data creating step, the same nozzle cannot be selected for more than a predetermined number of positions aligned continuously along the Y direction. As a result dots cannot be formed by the same nozzle for more than the predetermined number of positions aligned continuously along the Y direction. With this technique, it is possible to completely eliminate the phenomenon wherein regions in which the ink density is much greater or smaller continue across a wide range. With the present invention, it is possible to create print data that allows better printing results than the conventional technique. 
   The content of  FIG. 1  and the description based thereon is an example, and a scope of the present invention is not restricted based on  FIG. 1  or the above content. The scope of the present invention is determined objectively based on the teachings of the claims. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  shows a figure for describing the content of the present invention.  FIG. 1  ( a ) shows a plan view of a portion of an ink jet head.  FIG. 1  ( b ) shows positions on printing paper  FIG. 1  ( c ) shows an example of a dot pattern formed on the printing paper. 
       FIG. 2  is a simple view of a printing system of an embodiment. 
       FIG. 3  is a simple plan view of an ink jet head. 
       FIG. 4  is an enlarged view of a part of the ink jet head. 
       FIG. 5  is a view in the V direction of  FIG. 3 .  FIG. 5  is a figure for describing how ink is discharged from two nozzle lines. 
       FIG. 6  shows three dots with differing sizes. 
       FIG. 7  shows a block view of a PC and a printer. 
       FIG. 8  shows a one row data storage. 
       FIG. 9  shows count value storages. 
       FIG. 10  shows buffer areas. 
       FIG. 11  shows functions realized by the PC. 
       FIG. 12  shows a flowchart of printing processes executed by the PC. 
       FIG. 13  shows an example of image data 
       FIG. 14  shows a flowchart of a print data creating process. 
       FIG. 15  shows the flowchart of the print data creating process (continued from  FIG. 14 ). 
       FIG. 16  shows the buffer areas in which selected nozzle information has been written. 
       FIG. 17  shows a satisfactory dot pattern, and two types of unsatisfactory dot pattern. 
       FIG. 18  shows a figure for describing the conventional technique. 
       FIG. 19  shows a figure for describing the conventional technique. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Embodiment 
   An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to figures.  FIG. 2  is a simple view of a printing system  10  of the present embodiment. The printing system  10  has a PC  20  and an ink jet printer  30 . Below, the ink jet printer  30  may be simply referred to as ‘printer  30 ’. The PC  20  and the printer  30  are connected so as to be capable of communication via a communication cable  50 . 
   The PC  20  has a keyboard  62   a , a mouse  62   b , a display  64 , etc. A user can utilize the keyboard  62   a  and the mouse  62   b  to command the PC  20  to print content displayed on the display  64 . In this case, the PC  20  creates print data, and outputs the print data that has been created to the printer  30 . 
   The printer  30  inputs the print data that was output from the PC  20 . The printer  30  has an ink jet head  32  (shown in  FIG. 3 ) capable of discharging ink. The printer  30  discharges ink from the ink jet head  32  towards printing paper  12  (shown in  FIG. 3 ) in accordance with the content of the print data. Letters or images are thus printed on the printing paper  12  based on the content of the print data. 
     FIG. 3  is a plan view of the ink jet head  32 . The printer  30  has a transferring device  104  (shown in  FIG. 7 ) for transporting the printing paper  12  in the direction of the arrow YP. That is, the ink jet head  32  moves in the direction of the arrow Y with respect to the printing paper  12 . The printing paper  12  passes a back side of the ink jet head  32  perpendicular to the plane of  FIG. 3 . 
   The ink jet head  32  has two nozzle lines  34   a  and  34   b . The nozzle lines  34   a  and  34   b  includes a plurality of nozzles  34 . In  FIG. 3 , not all of the nozzles  34  have numbers applied thereto. The nozzle lines  34   a  and  34   b  extend in an X direction. The X direction is a direction perpendicular to the Y direction. The length of the X direction of the nozzle lines  34   a  and  34   b  is approximately the same as the width in the X direction of the printing paper  12 . The nozzles  34  can discharge ink of the same color (black, for example) in the direction perpendicular to the plane of  FIG. 3 . 
   The ink jet head  32  discharges ink while the printing paper  12  is being transported. A hatched region  12   a  of the printing paper  12  is a region that has been printed by the ink jet head  32 . A region  12   b  of the printing paper  12  that has not been hatched is a region that has not yet been printed by the ink jet head  32 . 
   In the present embodiment, the ink jet head  32  is fixed to a printer main body (not shown). That is, the printer  30  is a line type printer. 
     FIG. 4  is an enlarged view of a part of the ink jet head  32 . In the present embodiment, a pair of nozzles aligned in the Y direction will be termed a nozzle unit. Five nozzle units  34 - 1 ˜ 34 - 5  are shown in  FIG. 4 . In fact, more nozzle units are formed in the ink jet head  32 . The nozzle units  34 - 1 ˜ 34 - 5  are offset in the X direction. 
   The nozzle unit  34 - 1  has a pair of nozzles  34   a - 1  and  34   b - 1  aligned in the Y direction. Similarly, the other nozzle units  34 - 2 ˜ 34 - 5  each also have a pair of nozzles ( 34   a - 2 ˜ 34   a - 5 ,  34   b - 2 ˜ 34   b - 5 ) aligned in the Y direction. Two adjacent nozzle units (for example,  34 - 1  and  34 - 2 ) are separated by a predetermined pitch P. 
     FIG. 5  is a view of the ink jet head  32  in the V direction of  FIG. 3 . The nozzles (for example  34   a - 1 ) of the nozzle line  34   a  discharge ink in an oblique direction towards the nozzle line  34   b . The nozzles (for example  34   b - 1 ) of the nozzle line  34   b  discharge ink in a vertical direction If the pair of nozzles (for example,  34   a - 1  and  34   b - 1 ) of one nozzle unit (for example,  34 - 1 ) discharge ink with the same timing, the ink adheres to the same position. Each of the nozzle units (for example,  34 - 1 ) can form one dot by discharging ink from either nozzle (for example,  34   a - 1  or  34   b - 1 ). 
   One nozzle unit (for example,  34 - 1 ) forms one dot line (for example, D 1  in  FIG. 1 ). One dot line includes a plurality of dots aligned in the Y direction. 
   Further, the ink jet printer  30  can vary the quantity of ink for forming one dot. A large dot is formed when the ink quantity is large. A small dot is formed when the ink quantity is small. A medium dot is formed when the ink quantity is medium.  FIG. 6  shows three dots with differing sizes. Each nozzle can form large dots, medium dots, and small dots. As a result, the printer  30  of the present embodiment can describe four gradations (large dot, medium dot, small dot, and no dot). 
     FIG. 7  shows a block view of the PC  20  and the printer  30 . First, the configuration of the PC  20  will be described. 
   The PC  20  has a CPU  60 , an inputting device  62 , the display  64 , an interface (IF)  66 , a RAM  68 , a ROM  84 , a hard disc  86 , etc. Each of the devices  60 ,  62 , etc. are connected so as to be capable of communication by a bus line  92 . 
   The CPU  60  reads and executes a printer driver  88  stored in the hard disc  86 . 
   The inputting device  62  includes the keyboard  62   a  and the mouse  62   b  shown in  FIG. 2 . The user can input information utilizing the inputting device  62 . For example, the user can input information for causing the printer  30  to print content displayed by the display  64 . 
   The display  64  can display information created by various applications. 
   The IF  66  is connected with an IF  102  of the printer  30 . The IF  66  outputs the print data to the printer  30 . 
   The RAM  68  has a work area  70 , a one row data storage  72 , a pixel data storage  74 , a first count value storage  76   a , a second count value storage  76   b , a first buffer area  80   a , a second buffer area  80   b , etc. 
   The work area  70  is a storage utilized when the printer driver  88  is being executed. 
   The storages  72 ,  74 ,  76   a ,  76   b ,  80   a , and  80   b  are storages utilized in a print data creating process (to be described). 
     FIG. 8  shows the one row data storage  72 . The one row data storage  72  has a plurality of cells  72 - 1 ˜ 72 - n  (n being a positive integer). The one row data storage  72  stores gradation values of one row&#39;s worth of data (one row data) included in image data. Each cell can store any of the values 0, 1, 2, 3. The number of cells corresponds to the resolution of the printer  30  in the X direction (see  FIG. 3 , etc.). That is, the number of cells is the same as the number of nozzle units. One cell  72 - n  corresponds to one nozzle unit  34 - n . For example, the cell  72 - 1  corresponds to the nozzle unit  34 - 1 . As another example, the cell  72 - 5  corresponds to the nozzle unit  34 - 5 . The manner in which the one row data storage  72  is utilized will be described in detail later. 
   The pixel data storage  74  shown in  FIG. 7  stores data for one cell (pixel) included in the one row data. The manner in which the pixel data storage  74  is utilized wilt be described in detail later. 
     FIG. 9  shows the first count value storage  76   a  and the second count value storage  76   b . The first count value storage  76   a  has a plurality of cells  76   a - 1 ˜ 76   a - n . The number of cells of the first count value storage  76   a  corresponds to the resolution of the printer  30  in the X direction. The cell  76   a - n  corresponds to the nozzle  34   a - n . The first count value storage  76   a  stores a count value for each of the nozzles  34   a - 1 ˜ 34   a - n  included in the nozzle line  34   a . The cell  76   a - n  stores a count value of the corresponding nozzle  34   a - n . The count value will be described in detail later. Each cell of the first count value storage  76   a  can store any of the values 0, 1, 2. 
   The second count value storage  76   b  has a plurality of cells  76   b - 1 ˜ 76   b - n . The number of cells of the second count value storage  76   b  corresponds to the resolution of the printer  30  in the X direction. The cell  76   b - n  corresponds to the nozzle  34   b - n . The second count value storage  76   b  stores a count value for each of the nozzles  34   b - 1 ˜ 34   b - n  included in the nozzle line  34   b  (see  FIG. 4 , etc.). The cell  76   b - n  stores a count value of the corresponding nozzle  34   b - n . Each cell of the second count value storage  76   b  can store any of the values 0, 1, 2. 
     FIG. 10  shows the first buffer area  80   a  and the second buffer area  80   b . The first buffer area  80   a  has a plurality of cells  80   a - 1 ˜ 80   a - n . The number of cells of the first buffer area  80   a  corresponds to the resolution of the printer  30  in the X direction. The cell  80   a - n  corresponds to the nozzle  34   a - n . Each cell of the first buffer area  80   a  can store any of the values 0, 1, 2, 3. 
   The second buffer area  80   b  has a plurality of cells  80   b - 1 ˜ 80   b - n . The number of cells of the second buffer area  80   b  corresponds to the resolution of the printer  30  in the X direction. The cell  80   b - n  corresponds to the nozzle  34   b - n . Each cell of the second buffer area  80   b  can store any of the values 0, 1, 2, 3. 
   Although this will be described in detail later, the content of the first row data is sorted into the first buffer area  80   a  or the second buffer area  80   b.    
   The ROM  84  of  FIG. 7  stores programs for controlling the CPU  60 . 
   The hard disc  86  stores the printer driver  88 . The user installs media included as an auxiliary component of the printer  30  on the PC  20 . A program causing the PC  20  to execute processes (to be described: see  FIGS. 12 ,  14 ,  15 ) is stored in the media. When this program has been installed on the PC  20 , the printer driver  88  can function. The processes to be described are executed by the printer driver  88 . The hard disc  86  also stores image data  90 . The user can input information to the inputting device  62  so that the image data  90  is printed by the printer  30 . 
   The PC  20  realizes various functions by means of the above devices  60 ˜ 86 .  FIG. 11  shows an example of functions realized by the PC  20 . The PC  20  has a reading device  120 , a selected nozzle information creating device (a print data creating device)  122 , a counter  124 , and an outputting device  126 . 
   The reading device  120  reads the image data  90 . The reading device  120  functions when the processes of  FIG. 14  and  FIG. 15  (to be described) are to be executed. The reading device  120  is realized by the functioning of the CPU  60 , the one row data storage  72 , etc. 
   The selected nozzle information creating device  122  creates selected nozzle information (print data). The selected nozzle information creating device  122  functions when the processes of  FIG. 14  and  FIG. 15  (to be described) are to be executed. Else selected nozzle information creating device  122  is realized by the functioning of the CPU  60 , the RAM  68 , the ROM  84 , the printer driver  88 , etc. 
   The counter  124  stores count values of nozzle units  34 , etc. The counter  124  functions when the process of  FIG. 14  and  FIG. 15  (to be described) are to be executed. The counter  124  is realized by the functioning of the CPU  60 , the count value storages  76   a  and  76   b , etc. 
   The outputting device  126  outputs the selected nozzle information (the print data) that has been created to the printer  30 . The outputting device  126  functions when the processes of  FIG. 14  and  FIG. 15  (to be described) are to be executed. The outputting device  126  is realized by the functioning of the CPU  60 , the IF  66 , etc. 
   Next, the configuration of the printer  30  will be described. 
   The printer  30  has a CPU  100 , the IF  102 , the transferring device  104 , a RAM  106 , the ink jet head  32 , etc. The devices  100 ,  102 , etc. are connected so as to be capable of communication by a bus line  112 . 
   The CPU  100  controls the transferring device  104  and the ink jet head  32  based on commands from the PC  20 . 
   The IF  102  is connected with the IF  66  of the PC  20 . The IF  102  inputs print data sent from the PC  20 . 
   The transferring device  104  moves the printing paper  12  (see  FIG. 3 ) in the direction of the arrow YP. 
   The ink jet head  32  prints the printing paper  12  by discharging ink. 
   The RAM  106  has a work area  108  for operating the CPU  100 . 
   In the present embodiment, the hardware configuration of the ink jet printer  30  is explained in an extremely simple manner. The configuration of the ink jet printer  30  is taught in, for example, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/281,463 and 11/285,291. The contents of U.S. Ser. No. 11/281,463 and U.S. Ser. No. 11/285,291 may be incorporated by reference into the present application. 
   Next, the processes executed by the PC  20  will be described with reference to the flowchart of  FIG. 12 .  FIG. 12  shows a flowchart showing the processes executed by the PC  20 . The processes of  FIG. 12  are executed by the CPU  60  (see  FIG. 7 ) utilizing the printer driver  88 . 
   The user can use the inputting device  62  (see  FIG. 7 ) to command the image data  90  being stored in the hard disc  86  to be printed. In this case, the CPU  60  activates the printer driver  88 , and executes a rasterizing process (S 801 ). 
   The image data  90  prior to the execution of the rasterizing process is displayed in a vector format. In the rasterizing process, the image data  90  in the vector format is converted to data in a bit mapped format. The image data  90  is converted to data that conforms with the resolution of the printer  30 . The image data  90  in the bit mapped format contains information for a plurality of pixels. One pixel is represented by data having the combination of the position (coordinate on the printing paper) and the gradation at that position In the image data  90  in the bit mapped format, one pixel is represented by 256 gradations (8 bits) or 6553 gradations (16 bits). The image data  90  after the rasterizing process is stored in the work area  70  of the RAM  68 . 
   Next, the CPU  60  executes a color adjustment process (S 802 ). In the color adjustment process, the colors for the image data  90  are corrected. Further, ROB data is converted into CMYK data. The image data  90  after the color adjustment process is stored in the work area  70  of the RAM  68 . The image data  90  prior to the color adjustment process is erased from the RAM  68 . 
   The CPU  60  executes a halftone process (S 803 ). As described above, with the image data  90  after the rasterizing process, one pixel is represented by 256 gradations or 6553 gradations. By contrast, the printer  30  of the present embodiment can only represent four gradations (large dot, medium dot, small dot, and no dot) for one pixel (i.e. for one position). In the halftone process, the image data  90  in the bit mapped format is converted into data having four gradations for one pixel. The error diffusion method or the dither method is utilized in the halftone process. Since these methods are known, they will not be described in detail here. The image data  90  after the halftone process is stored in the work area  70  of the RAM  68 . The image data  90  prior to the halftone process is erased from the RAM  68 . 
     FIG. 13  shows an example of the image data  90  after the halftone process. The image data  90  has a plurality of pixels C 1 ˜C 5  etc. The number of pixels aligned in the X direction is the same as the resolution of the printer  30  in the X direction. That is, the number of pixels aligned in the X direction is the same as the number of nozzle units of the ink jet head  32 . The X direction is a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the printing paper  12  is transported. The number of pixels aligned in the Y direction is the same as the resolution of the printer  30  in the Y direction. The Y direction is the direction in which the printing paper  12  is transported. X and Y in  FIG. 13  correspond to X and Y in  FIG. 3 , etc. 
   Below, the position of one pixel of the image data  90  is represented as a two dimensional coordinate. For example, the position of the pixel C 1  is represented as (1,1). The position of the pixel C 2  is represented as (2,1). 
   Each pixel stores one out of the gradation values 0, 1, 2, 3. The gradation value 0 corresponds to ‘no dot.’ The gradation value 1 corresponds to ‘small dot.’ The gradation value 2 corresponds to ‘medium dot.’ The gradation value 3 corresponds to ‘large dot.’ 
   The pixel C 1  has a gradation value 0. As a result, the pixel C 1  is data having a combination of (1,1) and the gradation value 0. With the pixel C 1 , no dot is to be formed at the coordinate (1,1) of the printing paper  12 . Further, the pixel C 2  is data having a combination of (2,1) and the gradation value 1. With the pixel C 2 , a small dot is to be formed at the coordinate (2,1) of the printing paper  12 . 
   Below, the plurality of pixels aligned in the X direction of the image data  90  is termed one row data. In  FIG. 13 , five row&#39;s worth of one row data is shown. 
   When the CPU  60  has finished the halftone process, the CPU  60  executes the print data creating process (S 804 ). In the process of S 804 , print data that includes selected nozzle information is created. 
     FIGS. 14 and 15  show a flowchart of the print data creating process. The CPU  60  initializes the count value storages  76   a  and  76   b  (S 1001 ). In S 1001 , 0 is written into all of the cells  76   a - 1 ˜ 76   a - n  (see  FIG. 9 ) in the first count value storage  76   a . Further, 0 is written into all of the cells  76   b - 1 ˜ 76   b - n  (see  FIG. 9 ) in the second count value storage  76   b.    
   Next, the CPU  60  initializes the buffer areas  80   a  and  80   b  of the RAM  68  (S 1002 ). In S 1002 , 0 is written into all of the cells  80   a - 1 ˜ 80   a - n  (see  FIG. 10 ) in the first buffer area  80   a . Further, 0 is written into all of the cells  80   b - 1 ˜ 80   b - n  (see  FIG. 10 ) in the second buffer area  80   b.    
   Next, the CPU  60  reads the one row data (S 1003 ) of the image data  90  (being stored in the work area  70  of the RAM  68 ) after the halftone process (S 803 ). When the process of S 1003  is performed at the first time, a first row of one row data (C 1 ˜C 5 , etc. of  FIG. 13 ) is read. 
   The one row data that has been read is written into the one row data storage  72  of the RAM  68  (see  FIG. 7 ). The one row data storage  72  of  FIG. 8  stores the first row of the one row data of the image data  90  of  FIG. 13 . The one row data storage  72  stores the one row data in a state that maintains the sequence of the cells of the image data  90 . For example, the first row of the one row data of  FIG. 13  has the gradation values aligned in the sequence, from left, 0, 1, 3, 1, 3. In this case, the one row data storage  72  also stores the gradation values in this sequence. In  FIG. 8 , also, these are aligned in the sequence, from left, 0, 1, 3, 1, 3. 
   In the process of S 1003 , only one row&#39;s worth of the one row data is read. A plurality of row&#39;s worth of one row data is not read. When the following processes have been completed for one row&#39;s worth of the one row data, the next one row data is read. For example, when the processes have been completed for the first row of the one row data, the second row of the one row data is read. In S 1003 , the one row data is read in the sequence of alignment in the Y direction of the image data  90 . 
   Next, the CPU  60  reads the gradation value of one pixel (cell) from the one row data in the one row data storage  72  (S 1004 ). The gradation value that has been read is stored in the pixel data storage  74  of the RAM  68 . 
   One pixel is read in the process of S 1004 . A plurality of pixels is not read. When the following processes have been completed for one pixel, the next pixel is read. In S 1004 , the pixels are read in the sequence of alignment in the X direction of the one row data. For example, when the processes have been completed for the cell  72 - 1  of  FIG. 8 , the cell  72 - 2  is then read. When the processes have been completed for the cell  72 - 2 , the cell  72 - 3  is then read. 
   The CPU determines whether the gradation value stored in the pixel data storage  74  is 0 (S 1005 ). If the gradation value is 0 (YES in S 1005 ), 0 is written (S 1006 ) in the count value storages  76   a  and  76   b  that correspond to the pixel read in S 1004 . For example, if the cell  72 - 1  of  FIG. 8  is read in S 1004 , YES is determined in S 1005 . The cell  72 - 1  corresponds to the cells  76   a - 1  and  76   b - 1  of  FIG. 9 . In S 1006 , 0 is written in both the cells  76   a - 1  and  76   b - 1 . 
   In S 1006 , nothing is written in the buffer areas  80   a  and  80   b . The buffer areas  80   a  and  80   b  are initialized in S 1002 . As a result, the cells of the buffer areas  80   a  and  80   b  that correspond to the pixel read in S 1004  remain at 0. For example if the cell  72 - 1  of  FIG. 8  is read in S 1004 ,  80   a - 1  and  80   b - 1  of  FIG. 10  remain at 0. 
   When S 1006  ends, the CPU  60  determines whether all the processes have been completed for all the pixels stored in the one row data storage  72  (S 1050 ). In the case where NO is determined, the process returns to S 1004 , and the CPU  60  reads the next pixel. For example, if the process for the cell  72 - 1  of  FIG. 8  has been completed, the cell  72 - 2  is read. 
   However, if NO was determined in S 1005 , the process proceeds to S 1011  of  FIG. 15 . For example, in the case where the cell  72 - 2  of  FIG. 8  has been read in S 1004 , the gradation value of the cell  72 - 2  is 1, and consequently NO is determined in S 1005 . In this case, the processes after S 1011  are executed. 
   In S 1011  of  FIG. 15 , the CPU  60  determines whether  2  is stored in the cell of the first count value storage  76   a  that corresponds to the pixel read in S 1004 . That is, in the case where the cell  72 - n  of  FIG. 8  has been read in S 1004 , the value of the cell  76   a - n  of  FIG. 9  is checked in S 1011 . For example, if the cell  72 - 2  of  FIG. 8  has been read in S 1004 , the value of the cell  76   a - 2  of  FIG. 9  is checked in S 1011 . 
   If YES was determined in S 1011 , the CPU  60  writes the gradation value of the pixel read in S 1004  into the cell of the second buffer area  80   b  that corresponds to this pixel (S 1012 ). That is, in the case where the gradation value of the cell  72 - n  of  FIG. 8  has been read in S 1004 , the CPU  60  writes that graduation value into the cell  80   b - n  of  FIG. 10  in S 1012 . For example, in the case where the cell  72 - 2  (gradation value 3) of  FIG. 8  has been read in S 1004 , 1 is written into the cell  80   b - 2  of  FIG. 10  in S 1012 . 
   When S 1012  has been completed, the process proceeds to S 1013 . The CPU  60  writes 0 in the cell of the first count value storage  76   a  that corresponds to the pixel read in S 1004 . That is, if the cell  72 - n  of  FIG. 8  has been read in S 1004 , the CPU  60  writes 0 in the cell  76   a - n  of  FIG. 9  in S 1013 . Further, the CPU  60  writes I in the cell of the second count value storage  76   b  that corresponds to the pixel read in S 1004 . That is, if the cell  72 - n  of  FIG. 8  has been read in S 1004 , the CPU  60  writes 1 in the cell  76   a - n  of  FIG. 9  in S 1013 . 
   When S 1013  has been completed, the process proceeds to S 1050  (see  FIG. 14 ). 
   If NO was determined in S 1011 , the process proceeds to S 1014 . The CPU  60  determines whether 2 is stored in the cell of the second count value storage  76   b  corresponding to the pixel read in S 1004 . That is, in the case where the cell  72 - n  of  FIG. 8  has been read in S 1004 , the value of the cell  76   b - n  of  FIG. 9  is checked in S 1014 . 
   If YES was determined, the CPU  60  writes the gradation value of the pixel read in S 1004  into the cell of the first buffer area  80   a  that corresponds to this pixel (S 1015 ). That is, in the case where the gradation value of the cell  72 - n  of  FIG. 8  has been read in S 1004 , the CPU  60  writes that graduation value into the cell  80   a - n  of  FIG. 10  in S 1015 . 
   When S 1015  has been completed, the process proceeds to S 1016 . The CPU  60  writes 1 in the cell of the first count value storage  76   a  that corresponds to the pixel read in S 1004 . That is, if the cell  72 - n  of  FIG. 8  has been read in S 1004 , the CPU  60  writes 1 in the cell  76   a - n  of  FIG. 9  in S 1016 . Further, the CPU  60  writes 0 in the cell of the second count value storage  76   b  that corresponds to the pixel read in S 1004 . That is, if the cell  72 - n  of  FIG. 8  has been read in S 1004 , the CPU  60  writes 0 in the cell  76   b - n  of  FIG. 9  in S 1016 . 
   When S 1016  has been completed, the process proceeds to S 1050  (see  FIG. 14 ). 
   If NO was determined in S 1014 , the CPU  60  randomly obtains either 1 or 2 (S 1021 ). The random number 1 or 2 is created in the work area  70  of the RAM  68 . 
   The CPU  60  checks whether the random number obtained in S 1021  is 1 (S 1022 ). If NO is determined (if the random number is 2), the CPU  60  writes the gradation value of the pixel read in S 1004  into the cell of the second buffer area  80   b  that corresponds to this pixel (S 1031 ). That is, in the case where the gradation value of the cell  72 - n  of  FIG. 8  has been read in S 1004 , the CPU  60  writes that graduation value into the cell  80   b - n  of  FIG. 10  in S 1031 . 
   When S 1031  has been completed, the process proceeds to S 1032 . The CPU  60  writes 0 in the cell of the first count value storage  76   a  that corresponds to the pixel read in S 1004 . That is, if the cell  72 - n  of  FIG. 8  has been read in S 1004 , the CPU  60  writes 0 in the cell  76   a - n  of FIG,  9  in S 1032 . Further, the CPU  60  adds 1 to the value of the cell of the second count value storage  76   b  that corresponds to the pixel read in S 1004 . That is, if the cell  72 - n  of  FIG. 8  has been read in S 1004 , the CPU  60  adds 1 to the value of the cell  76   b - n  of  FIG. 9  in S 1032 . For example, if the value in the cell  76   b - n  was 0, the value of the cell  76   b - n  becomes 1. As another example, if the value in the cell  76   b - n  was 1, the value of the cell  76   b - n  becomes 2. Moreover, if the value in the cell  76   b - n  was 2, YES was determined in S 1014 , and consequently the process would not have proceeded to S 1032 . 
   When S 1032  has been completed, the process proceeds to S 1050  (see  FIG. 14 ). 
   If YES was determined in S 1022  (if the random number was 1), the CPU  60  writes the gradation value of the pixel read in S 1004  into the cell of the first buffer area  80   a  that corresponds to his pixel (S 1041 ). That is, in the case where the gradation value of the cell  72 - n  of  FIG. 8  has been read in S 1004 , the CPU  60  writes that graduation value into the cell  80   a - n  of  FIG. 10  in S 1041 . 
   When S 1041  has been completed, the process proceeds to S 1042 . The CPU  60  adds 1 to the value of the cell of the first count value storage  76   a  that corresponds to the pixel read in S 1004 . That is, if the cell  72 - n  of  FIG. 8  has been read in S 1004 , the CPU  60  adds 1 to the value of the cell  76   a - n  of  FIG. 9  in S 1042 . For example, if the value in the cell  76   a - n  was 0, the value of the cell  76   a - n  becomes 1. As another example, if the value in the cell  76   a - n  was 1, the value of the cell  76   a - n  becomes 2. Moreover, if the value in the cell  76   a - n  was  2 , YES was determined in S 1011 , and consequently the process would not have proceeded to S 1042 . Further, the CPU  60  writes 0 in the cell of the second count value storage  76   b  that corresponds to the pixel read in S 1004 . That is, if the cell  72 - n  of  FIG. 8  has been read in S 1004 , the CPU  60  writes 0 in the cell  76   b - n  of  FIG. 9  in S 1042 . 
   When S 1042  has been completed, the process proceeds to S 1050  (see  FIG. 14 ). 
   In S 1050  of  FIG. 14 , the CPU  60  determines whether the processes have been executed for all the pixels of the one row data. In the case where NO is determined, the process returns to S 1004 , and the next pixel is read. 
   In the case where YES is determined, the process proceeds to S 1051 . In S 1051 , the CPU  60  outputs the contents of the buffer areas  80   a  and  80   b  to the printer  30 . At the point when S 1051  is executed, the gradation values of all the pixels of the one row data have been sorted into either of the buffer areas  80   a  and  80   b.    
   In the present embodiment, the content stored in the buffer areas  80   a  and  80   b  is termed the print data.  FIG. 16  shows the print data corresponding to the one row data of  FIG. 8 . Since the gradation value of the cell  72 - 1  of  FIG. 8  is 0, the cells  80   a - 1  and  80   b - 1  of  FIG. 16  both store 0. Further, the gradation value of the cell  72 - 2  of  FIG. 8  is 1. The gradation value 1 of the cell  72 - 2  is sorted into either of the cells  80   a - 2  and  80   b - 2 . In the example of  FIG. 16 ,  1  is stored in the cell  80   a - 2  and 0 is stored in the cell  80   b - 2 . Further, the gradation value of the cell  72 - 3  of  FIG. 8  is 3, the gradation value of the cell  72 - 4  is 1, and the gradation value of the cell  72 - 5  is 3. This information is also sorted into either of the buffer areas  80   a  and  80   b . That is, in the example of  FIG. 16 , the cell  80   b - 3  stores 3, the cell  80   b - 4  stores  1 , and the cell  80   a - 5  stores 3. 
   In S 1051 , the CPU  60  outputs one row&#39;s worth of the print data (the contents stored in the buffer areas  80   a  and  80   b ) to the printer  30 . The manner in which the print data is utilized by the printer  30  will be described later. 
   After S 1051  has been completed, the CPU  60  determines whether the processes have been completed for all the one row data included in the image data  90  (S 1052 ). If NO is determined in S 1052 , the process returns to S 1002  and the processes for the next one row data are executed. 
   If YES is determined in S 1052 , the print data creating process ends. 
   Next, the process for executing the printer  30  will be described. The print data output from the PC  20  in the process of S 1051  is input to the printer  30 . The CPU  100  of the printer  30  controls the ink jet head  32  and the transferring device  104  (see  FIG. 7 ) based on the input print data 
   The CPU  100  causes ink to be discharged from the nozzles  34   a - n  in accordance with the content of the cells  80   a - n  of  FIG. 16 . For example, since the gradation value of the cell  80   a - 1  of  FIG. 16  is 0, the CPU  100  does not cause ink to be discharged from the nozzle  34   a - 1 . As another example, since the gradation value of the cell  80   a - 2  is 1, the CPU  100  causes ink to be discharged from the nozzle  34   a - 2 . Here, a quantity of ink is discharged for forming a small dot. As another example, since the gradation value of the cell  80   a - 2  is 3, the CPU  100  causes ink to be discharged from the nozzle  34   a - 5 . Here, a quantity of ink is discharged for forming a large dot. Further, the CPU  100  causes ink to be discharged from the nozzles  34   b - n  in accordance with the content of the cells  80   b - n  of  FIG. 16 . For example, since the gradation value of the cell  80   b - 1  of  FIG. 16  is 0, the CPU  100  does not cause ink to be discharged from the nozzle  34   b - 1 . As another example, since the gradation value of the cell  80   b - 3  is 3, the CPU  100  causes ink to be discharged from the nozzle  34   b - 3 . Here, a quantity of ink is discharged for forming a large dot. 
   Moreover, the CPU  100  causes ink to be discharged from the nozzles simultaneously For example, in the example of  FIG. 16 , ink is discharged simultaneously from the nozzles  34   a - 2 ,  34   b - 3 ,  34   b - 4 , and  34   a - 5 . As a result, a plurality of dots aligned in the X direction are formed simultaneously on the printing paper  12 . 
   The CPU  100  forms the dots based on one row&#39;s worth of print data, then drives the transferring device  104  so as to transport the printing paper  12 . The printing paper  12  is transported by a distance corresponding to the resolution of the printer  30  in the Y direction. When the CPU  100  transports the printing paper  12 , the CPU  100  waits for the next row&#39;s worth of print data to be output from the PC  20 . The CPU  100  repeatedly executes the process of forming dots based on one row&#39;s worth of print data and the process of transporting the printing paper  12 . An image corresponding to the image data  90  is thus printed on the entire range of the printing paper  12 . 
   As described above, the CPU  100  discharges ink from the nozzles based on the information in the cells of the print data. In the example of  FIG. 16 , the gradation value of both the cell  80   a - 1  and the cell  80   b - 1  is 0, and therefore ink is discharged from neither the nozzle  34   a - 1  nor the nozzle  34   b - 1 . That is, in the case of this one row&#39;s worth of print data, neither of the nozzles for discharging ink from the nozzle unit  34 - 1  has been selected by the PC  20 . 
   However, the gradation value of the cell  80   a - 2  of  FIG. 16  is 1, and consequently ink is discharged from the nozzle  34   a - 2 , and is not discharged from the nozzle  34   b - 2 . That is, the nozzle  34   a - 2  of the nozzle unit  34 - 2  has been selected by the PC  20 . Further, the gradation value of the cell  80   b - 3  of  FIG. 16  is 3, and consequently ink is discharged from the nozzle  34   b - 3 , and is not discharged from the nozzle  34   a - 3 . That is, the nozzle  34   b - 3  of the nozzle unit  34 - 3  has been selected by the PC  20 . 
   The print data includes a plurality of combinations of position where the dot is to be formed, one nozzle selected from the nozzles of the nozzle unit corresponding to that position, and the ink quantity to be discharged from that nozzle. For example, in the example of  FIG. 16 , when 1 is stored in the cell  80   a - 2 , this signifies the combination ‘X˜2’, ‘the nozzle  34   a - 2 ’ and ‘ink quantity for forming a small dot.’ It might seem that position in the Y direction is not stored in this information. However, the position of the image data  90  in the Y direction is retained in the sequence in which the print data is sent. The PC  20  creates print data that is mapped to positions in the Y direction by creating this print data in the sequence of the Y direction. 
   In the present embodiment, the combination of position, selected nozzle, and ink quantity included in the print data is also termed the selected nozzle information. That is, the print data includes a plurality of items of selected nozzle information. 
   The PC  20  basically selects one nozzle at random utilizing a random number (see S 1021 ˜S 1042  of  FIG. 15 ). That is, the PC  20  randomly selects one nozzle from the nozzles of one nozzle unit, thus creating the selected nozzle information. 
   However, the PC  20  counts the number of times that the same nozzle of each nozzle unit has formed dots. For example, in the case where the nozzle  34   a - 1  has formed a dot when 0 is stored in the cell  76   a - 1  of the first count value storage  76   a,  1 is written in the cell  76   a - 1  (S 1042 ). Further, in the case where the nozzle  34   a - 1  has formed a dot when  1  is stored in the cell  76   a - 1  of the first count value storage  76   a,  2 is written in the cell  76   a - 1  (S 1042 ). Random selection is prohibited when 2 is being stored in the cell  76   a - 1 , and instead the nozzle  34   b - 1  must be selected (S 1012 ). In this case, the dot is formed by the nozzle  34   b - 1 . The nozzle  34   a - 1  is thus prevented from forming three consecutive dots. 
   The PC  20  prohibits the same nozzle from being selected for more than two positions continuously aligned in the Y direction. As a result, dots are prevented from being formed by the same nozzle at more than two consecutive positions in the Y direction. With the present embodiment, even when nozzles are not aligned equidistantly in the X direction, it is possible to completely eliminate the phenomenon wherein regions in which the ink density is much greater or smaller continue across a wide range in the Y direction. As a result, better printing results can be obtained than the conventional technique. 
   Furthermore, if dots are formed by the same nozzle at consecutive positions in the Y direction, the following problem may occur. 
   Dots  140  of  FIG. 17  are aligned in the sequence of a large dot  140   a , a large dot  140   b , and a small dot  140   c . If these dots are formed by the same nozzle, dots  141  or  142  may be formed. With the dots  141 , a small dot  141   c  is larger than the small dot  140   c . With the dots  142 , a small dot  142   c  is smaller than the small dot  140   c.    
   When dots are formed by the same nozzle at consecutive positions in the Y direction, dots with the intended size might not be obtained. With the present embodiment, dots are prevented from being formed by the same nozzle at more than two consecutive positions in the Y direction, As a result, the above type of problem does not readily occur. Satisfactory printing results can therefore be obtained 
   Variants of the above embodiment are given below. 
   (1) The technique of the above representative embodiment can also be utilized by a serial type ink jet printer. 
   (2) The nozzles of the nozzle line  34   a  may also discharge ink in a vertical direction (see  FIG. 5 ). In this case, the timing at which ink is discharged from the nozzles of the nozzle line  34   a  may vary from the timing at which ink is discharged from the nozzles of the nozzle line  34   b . The nozzle line  34   a  and the nozzle line  34   b  can thus form dots at the same positions. 
   (3) The number of nozzles in one nozzle unit is not limited to two. The number can be changed to three or more. 
   (4) In the above representative embodiment, the maximum number of times the same nozzle can be selected consecutively was two times. However, the maximum number of times can be changed to three or more. Of course, the maximum number of times the same nozzle can be selected consecutively is a number smaller than the resolution (the number of dots that can be formed in the Y direction) of the printer  30  in the Y direction. Further, the maximum number may be one when the number of nozzles in one nozzle unit is more than three. 
   It is preferred that the maximum number of times the same nozzle can be selected consecutively is a small number For example, it is preferred that this number is set to be less than 10 times. The maximum number of times may equally well be set based on the resolution (dpi (dots per inch)) in the Y direction. 
   (5) The maximum number of times the same nozzle can be selected consecutively need not be fixed at two times. For example, the maximum number may be set as two times in the case of processing one item of image data, and may be set as a number other Man two times in the case of processing a different item of image data. Further, the maximum number of times may be changed to a number other than two while one item of image data is being processed. 
   (6) In the above representative embodiment, a case was described in which the ink jet printer  30  utilizes only one color of ink. However, the technique of the above representative embodiment can also be utilized by an ink jet printer utilizing a plurality of colors of ink. For example, an ink jet printer utilizing four colors of ink has four ink jet heads. In this case, the PC  20  creates the image data shown in  FIG. 13  for each of the colors. 
   (7) Furthermore, in the above representative embodiment, the PC  20  creates the print data. However, the printer  30  may equally well create the print data. In this case, the reading device  120 , the selected nozzle information creating device  122 , and the counter  124  of  FIG. 11  are mounted in the printer  30 . In this case, the following type of variant can be obtained. 
   For example, the printer  30  may have a scanner function, and may be able to print an image that has been scanned. In this case, the printer  30  creates print data from bit mapped data obtained from the scanned image, and executes a printing operation based on the print data that has been created.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1