JP2002127456A - Copier - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a copier wherein information or a data format relating to image processing used in the copier can be reused by maintaining the usability and multi-value recording can be executed. SOLUTION: A first cartridge housing an ink jet recording head for recording a monochrome binary image and an ink tank containing black ink and a second cartridge housing an ink jet recording head for binary recording of a color image and an ink tank containing a color ink or a third cartridge housing a recording head capable of performing multi-value recording of a color image and an ink tank containing a color ink are mounted on a carriage at the same time and then the recording is performed. A means for generating data required for the binary recording and a means for generating data required for the multi-value recording are independently formed and the former is formed by using a conventional technology.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a copying apparatus, and more particularly, to a copying apparatus in which a printer unit employs an ink jet printer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a copying apparatus incorporating an ink jet printer as a printer unit, an ink jet recording head provided in the printer unit has received and recorded binary information. Because of such a configuration, the reading section (scanner) of the image document generates multi-valued image data for each of the RGB color components, transfers the multi-valued image data to the image processing section, and performs color conversion to CMYK density image data. Copying of the read image is performed by binarizing the CMYK density image data and transferring the data to the printer unit.

Accordingly, the image processing section has a control circuit for controlling density adjustment, color adjustment, enlargement / reduction, and image quality adjustment (edge enhancement processing, etc.) in accordance with the operation of the operator. Various parameters for image adjustment used by this control circuit are specified so that optimum image reproducibility can be obtained by taking into account the reading characteristics of the scanner and the recording characteristics of the recording head of the printer unit when designing the device. Was. Further, in the data transfer from the image processing unit to the printer unit, the transfer is executed in a fixed data format from the image processing unit according to a binary data transfer format defined by the printer unit.

[0004]

However, some recording heads of recent ink jet printers have the performance of performing not only binary recording but also multi-value recording. When multi-value recording is compared with binary recording, the effect is particularly remarkable in recording image data which is excellent in gradation expression and requires gradation reproducibility such as photographs. For this reason, it is conceivable to configure a copying apparatus using a recording head capable of multi-value recording and a cartridge in which the recording head is built together with an ink tank.

[0005] However, multi-value recording generally has higher costs (cartridge price, ink consumption efficiency, running cost) than binary recording, and usually, users who do not copy photographic originals or copy only text originals. For such users, there is a problem that convenience as a copying apparatus is reduced.

When a copying apparatus is constructed using a recording head capable of multi-value recording and a cartridge incorporating the recording head together with an ink tank, a recording head for performing binary recording, which is generally known, and its recording head are known. There is also a problem that the recording characteristics of a cartridge having a built-in printer, various parameters for image processing, a data transfer format, etc. created for the print head and the cartridge having the built-in print head cannot be used.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and maintains the convenience of a conventional copying apparatus that has performed binary recording, while maintaining information on image processing used in the copying apparatus. It is an object of the present invention to provide a copying apparatus capable of multi-value recording that can use a data format or data format.

[0008]

To achieve the above object, a copying apparatus according to the present invention has the following arrangement.

That is, reading means for reading an original to generate image data, recording means for recording an image on a recording medium in accordance with an ink-jet system, and digitally processing the image data generated by the reading means for recording means A first cartridge having a built-in ink jet recording head and an ink tank containing black ink for recording a monochrome binary image; and A carriage for simultaneously mounting an ink jet recording head and a second cartridge containing an ink tank containing color ink for recording a color image, and scanning means for reciprocating the carriage; Cartridge has a recording head and a cartridge that can record color images of different recording quality. It comprises a copying apparatus characterized by Boeing is interchangeable with the third cartridge containing an ink tank containing.

Here, the color inks include cyan, magenta, and yellow inks.

The image processing means includes: first generation means for generating binary data representing each pixel in binary for monochrome binary recording and color image recording; Therefore, it is desirable to have a second generating means for generating multi-valued data for expressing each pixel in multi-valued, and a selecting means for selecting an output of the first or second generating means.

[0012] Further, a discriminating means for discriminating whether the second cartridge or the third cartridge is mounted on the carriage is provided, and the selecting means is adapted to select the first or second generating means according to the discrimination result. It is good to select the output.

Further, it is desirable that the determination means determines whether or not the first cartridge is mounted on the carriage.

By doing so, the determination means is
(1) Whether only the first cartridge is mounted on the carriage, (2) Whether only the second cartridge is mounted on the carriage, (3) Whether only the third cartridge is mounted on the carriage ,
(4) It is possible to determine whether the first and second cartridges are mounted on the carriage, or (5) whether the first and third cartridges are mounted on the carriage.

Further, it is desirable to have a display means for displaying the result of the determination by the determination means, and a storage means for storing the result of the determination.

The first generating means generates data in a first image data transfer format corresponding to the use of the first and second cartridges to the recording means, while the second generating means It is preferable to generate data in the second image data transfer format corresponding to the use of the third cartridge to the recording means.

Furthermore, it is desirable to have an interface for inputting image data from an external device or outputting image data generated by the reading means to the external device.

The ink jet recording head is
In order to eject ink using thermal energy, it is preferable to include an electrothermal converter for generating thermal energy to be applied to the ink.

[0019]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a full-color copying apparatus as a typical embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 101 denotes a CPU for controlling the operation of the entire apparatus; 102, a ROM for storing various control programs necessary for the CPU 101 to operate;
Reference numeral 3 denotes a RAM used as a work area for the CPU 101 to execute a control program; 104, an image memory constituted by a DRAM for storing image data for executing image processing; and 105, each component of the apparatus. Internal bus that connects to each other.

Reference numeral 106 denotes an LCD for displaying a message and the like, and an LE for transmitting the status according to the operation status of the apparatus.
An operation unit including D and various key switches, a scanner unit 107 for optically reading an image original and generating an 8-bit electrical signal for each color of RGB, and a 108 for performing predetermined digital image conversion to be described later on the RGB image data Image processing unit,
An image 109 is formed on a recording medium such as recording paper based on image data output from the image processing unit 108 by a recording head that performs recording according to an ink jet system (or a cartridge in which the recording head and an ink tank are integrated). A printer unit 110 for recording is an external interface unit for transmitting and receiving information to and from an external device such as a personal computer through a general-purpose interface.

A personal computer (PC or personal computer) 111 is a typical external device.

When the personal computer 111 is used as an external device for outputting image data, the image data from the PC 111 is received via the external interface 110 and transmitted to the C interface.
The PU 101 processes the data and transfers the data to the printer unit 109. When this copying apparatus is used as an external input device of the personal computer 111, RGB image data generated as a result of reading an image original by the scanner unit 107 is output to the external interface 11 without passing through the image processing unit 108.
0 to the personal computer 111.

FIG. 2 shows a printer unit 109 of the copying apparatus.
It is a figure which shows the schematic structure of.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 201 denotes a cartridge exclusively for monochrome recording (hereinafter referred to as cartridge A) for performing binary recording using black ink, 202 denotes cyan (C) ink, magenta (M) ink, and yellow (Y). A cartridge exclusively for color recording (hereinafter referred to as cartridge B) for performing binary recording for each color of CMY using ink, 203 is interchangeable with cartridge B, and a cartridge exclusively for color recording (hereinafter referred to as multi-value recording for each color of CMY). Cartridge C).

Here, the binary recording means that one pixel to be recorded is "recorded" or "not recorded" with the target color ink (C, M, Y, or black (K)). This refers to a recording method in which certain things are selected according to the value of received image data.

The multi-value (N-value) printing means that when one pixel to be printed is printed with the target color ink (C, M, Y, or black (K)), the value of the received image data is changed. At least by changing the density. In this embodiment, the value of N is N = 3. Therefore, when color recording is performed by mounting the cartridge C, ternary recording is performed. Specifically, the ternary recording means that the target pixel is set to the target color ink (C, M,
Alternatively, a recording method of selecting “record darkly”, “record lightly”, or “not record” using Y) according to the received image data. Thus, when there are multiple gradation levels, N ≧ 3.

Reference numeral 204 denotes a carriage for mounting a cartridge. The carriage 204 includes a portion for mounting the cartridge A (black mounting portion) and a portion for mounting either the cartridge B or C (color mounting portion). And a sensor for detecting a cartridge mounting state is provided in each mounting section. 205, a drive belt for driving the carriage 204; 206, a carriage shaft for supporting the carriage 204 and driving the carriage 204 left and right by the drive belt 205;
Denotes a recording paper feed roller, and 208 denotes a recording paper.

FIG. 3 shows the printer unit 109 and the CPU 101.
3 is a schematic diagram showing how data is exchanged with an image memory 104. FIG.

Table 1 shows the printer unit 109 and the CPU 1
01 is described.

[0032] Hereinafter, data contents will be described according to Table 1.

The status confirmation command is a command issued when the CPU 101 inquires about the status of the printer unit 109. The CPU 101 issues this command periodically or as needed. In response to this, the printer unit 109 returns status information data to the CPU 101.
The status information data includes the mounting status of the cartridge on the carriage 204, ink presence / absence information of the mounted cartridge,
And a series of data including at least error information (no paper, paper jam, etc.) of various printer units. Here, the information on the mounting state of the cartridge and the presence / absence of the ink is information detected by the printer unit 109 using a sensor of the mounting unit of the carriage. Thus, the CPU 101 can know how the cartridges A, B, and C are set in the mounting section. Further, since the presence / absence of ink in the mounted cartridge can also be detected, the cartridge information can be displayed on the operation unit 106 at an appropriate timing to facilitate the user's operation.

In particular, it is important information for the user whether the cartridge B or the cartridge C is mounted on the color mounting section. Because
In the cartridges B and C, the image quality, copy cost, and copy speed of the reproduced image may be different due to the difference in recording method, and it is preferable that the user can easily select and use a cartridge that meets the purpose. This is because, by displaying the mounting information on the operation unit 106, the user needs the information for the determination.

The image data transferred from the CPU 101 to the printer unit 109 via the image memory 104 of the image processing unit 108 is based on the scanning direction of the recording head built in the cartridge for each of K, C, M, and Y color components. In the main scanning direction), it is composed of a series of data code strings in line units.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the format of a data code string for one line.

As shown in FIG. 4, the data code string of each line is composed of a header for identifying a color and a data format of the color. The data format includes a data format 1 (FIG. 4A) and a data format 2 (FIG. 4B). Data format 1 is
This is a data array for cartridges A and B (for binary recording). On the other hand, a data format 2 is a data format for cartridge C (for multi-level recording), and has different formats. Table 1 shows a relationship between combinations of cartridges mounted on the carriage 204 and data formats required at that time.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a data flow relationship between the image processing section 108 and each section of the apparatus related thereto.

As shown in FIG. 5, the CPU 101 responds to the cartridge information from the printer
02 is selected and read out, and set in the image processing unit 108. Next, the CPU 101 activates the scanner unit 107 to start reading an image document. The RGB image data generated by the scanner unit 107 is output to the image processing unit 108, and the image processing unit 107 processes the RGB image data according to the image processing parameters set by the CPU 101 earlier.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the contents of digital processing executed in the image processing unit 108.

The processing contents of each block shown in FIG. 6 are determined in accordance with the image processing parameters selected in accordance with the combination of the cartridges and set in the image processing section 108. Basically, the RGB image data input from the scanner unit 107 is subjected to edge processing (108a in FIG. 6), and is subjected to scaling processing (FIG. 6) in accordance with an instruction such as enlargement / reduction of a copy image input from the operation unit 106. 6, 108b) is performed. Next, the data is LOG converted (108 in FIG. 6).
c) is performed and converted into CMY density data, and a black component (K component) is generated by UCR processing (FIG. 6).
108d), and the image data becomes YCMY density data. Further, γ conversion (108e in FIG. 6) is performed, and the data is finally binarized or N-valued (108f, 1f in FIG. 6) in consideration of the characteristics of the printer unit 109.
08g, 108h).

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a state in which image processing parameters are stored in a predetermined table of the ROM 102 in a list format.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the contents of a table indicating which parameter list is to be selected and how to select the selector 108h depending on the mounting state of the cartridge.

This table is created on the RAM 103 before the CPU 101 performs a copying operation according to the control program.

The image processing section 108 executes digital processing while using the image memory 104 as its working memory, and outputs data after the selection processing by the selector 108h is completed to the image memory 104. On the other hand, the CPU 101
Forms data in a predetermined data format to which a header is added according to the data code string format shown in FIG. 4 while extracting output data from the image memory 104, and transfers the data to the printer unit 109. .

Next, the operation of the copying apparatus will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS.

First, when the apparatus is powered on and started, a status confirmation command is issued to the printer unit 109 to collect status information data (step S101). next,
The cartridge combination information is detected from the collected data, and this is stored in the RAM 103 as cartridge combination information. Then, it is checked whether the combination is an abnormal combination (step S10).
2). For example, it can be said that the combination of the cartridges B and C is abnormal.

If it is determined that the combination is abnormal, the operation of the apparatus shifts to a cartridge error state. The process at this time is shown in the flowchart of FIG.

That is, after displaying an error message on the LCD (step S201), the carriage 204 is moved to a position where the cartridge can be replaced (step S20).
2) Wait for the user to complete the cartridge replacement operation (step S203). When the operation is completed, the carriage 204 is moved to a position where printing is possible, and the process returns to step S101.

At this point, when it is determined that the recording operation is not possible due to the absence of ink in the ink tank of the cartridge or another error state, the state shifts to another appropriate error state.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the combination of the cartridges is normal and the apparatus is operable, for example, the cartridge C is detected from the contents of the cartridge combination information stored in the RAM 103. If so, the cartridge C is displayed on the LCD of the operation unit 106.
Is displayed, and if the cartridge B is detected, a display is provided on the LCD of the operation unit 106 to notify the user of the mounting of the cartridge C, and the table shown in FIG. 8 is created in the RAM 103 (step S103).

Next, the operation waits for a user operation (step S104).

Here, when the user looks at the display on the LCD and inputs an instruction to replace the cartridge from the operation unit 106, the process proceeds to cartridge replacement control. The details of this control are shown in the flowchart of FIG.

That is, the carriage 204 is moved to a position where the cartridge can be replaced (step S202), and the completion of the cartridge replacement operation by the user is waited for (step S203). When the operation is completed, the carriage 204 is moved to a recordable position,
The process returns to step S101.

When a copy operation is instructed from the operation unit 106, cartridge combination information in the RAM 103 and information in the table shown in FIG. 8 are read (step S105), and necessary parameters are read from the ROM 102 into image processing. Set in the unit 108 (step S106),
The scanner unit 107 is activated (step S107), and waits for completion of the copying operation (step S10).
8).

At this time, the CPU 101
8 is taken out via the image memory 104 (step S109), and the taken out data is stored in the printer unit 1 in accordance with the format shown in FIG.
09 is created (step S11).
0), the data is continuously transferred to the printer unit 109 (step S111).

On the other hand, if the completion of the copying operation is detected assuming that the transfer of the data of the predetermined number of lines to the printer unit 109 has been completed, the process returns to step S104 again to wait for the operation by the user.

When the operation of the copying apparatus is waiting for an operation from the user (step S104), the personal computer 11
When a print command is received from 1 via the external interface (I / F) 110, the process proceeds to the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG.

That is, if any print command is received from the personal computer 111 instead of the user operation in step S104, the CPU 101 sets the external interface (I /
F) 110 to the printer unit 109 via the internal bus 105
(Step S301). As a result, commands and data from the personal computer 111 flow directly to the printer unit 109 via the internal bus 105.

Then, the CPU 101 monitors the reception of the print end command (step S302), and upon detecting the print end command, disconnects the printer unit 109 from the external interface (I / F), and the process returns to step S101. Then, the CPU 101 issues a status confirmation command to the printer unit 109 again.

As described above, while waiting for the print end command in step S302, the personal computer 1
It is possible that a cartridge replacement command from the printer 11 may have arrived between image data, and appropriate processing can be executed even if the cartridge mounting state has changed while the CPU 101 is not recognizing it. ing.

Therefore, according to the embodiment described above, when the user wants to perform color multi-value recording, the user can perform the recording by installing the cartridge C, and can perform binary recording. The cartridge A and / or B can be mounted on the, and the recording can be performed. Thus, the user can select an appropriate cartridge and perform recording according to his / her wish.

Thus, for example, when printing is desired in which light and shade expression such as a photograph is desired, the cost and the recording time are required, but when printing using the cartridge C and where gradation expression such as a character image is not required is performed. Recording can be performed using the cartridges A and B, which are inexpensive and capable of high-speed recording, thereby increasing user convenience. Even if the cartridge is changed from B to C or from C to B, parameters suitable for executing image processing using these cartridges are held in the apparatus, and these are selected. Since the image processing execution parameters are not lost due to the replacement of the cartridge, there is also an advantage that the image processing execution parameters are not lost.

With such a copying apparatus, not only high-speed and low-cost copying performance by binary recording but also high-quality copying performance by multi-level recording can be provided. The copying operation in binary or multi-valued recording can be executed, and the convenience for the user is improved.

Since the LCD displays which cartridge is set, the user does not need to open the cover or the like to visually check the state in which the cartridge is actually mounted. When the combination of the mounted cartridges is abnormal, the process automatically shifts to the cartridge replacement sequence, so that there is an advantage that the burden on the operation of the user can be reduced and erroneous operation can be prevented.

Further, since the mounting state of the cartridge is stored in the memory, it is not necessary to frequently perform internal communication with the printer unit. Therefore, the load for the CPU and the printer unit to perform the communication is reduced, and As a result, the throughput of the device is improved. In addition, since the mounting state of the cartridge is stored in the memory, the status of the mounted cartridge can be grasped even if the status data cannot be acquired due to the failure of the printer unit.

Further, even when an instruction to print or replace a cartridge is given from the personal computer side using an external interface, the apparatus automatically recollects the cartridge mounting state and error state of the printer unit. Processing consistency is maintained.

In the above embodiment, the description has been made assuming that the droplets ejected from the recording head are ink, and that the liquid stored in the ink tank is ink. It is not limited. For example, an ink tank may contain a processing liquid discharged to a recording medium in order to improve the fixability and water resistance of the recorded image or to improve the image quality.

The above-described embodiment is particularly provided with a means (for example, an electrothermal converter or a laser beam) for generating thermal energy as energy used for ejecting ink even in an ink jet recording system. By using a method in which a change in the state of the ink is caused by energy, it is possible to achieve higher density and higher definition of recording.

The typical configuration and principle are described in, for example, US Pat. Nos. 4,723,129 and 4,740.
It is preferable to use the basic principle disclosed in the specification of Japanese Patent No. 796. This method can be applied to both the so-called on-demand type and continuous type. In particular, in the case of the on-demand type, liquid (ink)
By applying at least one drive signal corresponding to the recorded information and providing a rapid temperature rise exceeding the nucleate boiling to the electrothermal transducer arranged corresponding to the sheet or the liquid path in which Since thermal energy is generated in the electrothermal transducer and film boiling occurs on the heat-acting surface of the recording head, bubbles in the liquid (ink) corresponding to this drive signal on a one-to-one basis can be formed. It is valid. By discharging the liquid (ink) through the discharge opening by the growth and contraction of the bubble, at least one droplet is formed. When the drive signal is formed into a pulse shape, the growth and shrinkage of the bubble are performed immediately and appropriately, so that the ejection of the liquid (ink) having particularly excellent responsiveness can be achieved, which is more preferable.

As the pulse-shaped drive signal, those described in US Pat. Nos. 4,463,359 and 4,345,262 are suitable. Further, if the conditions described in US Pat. No. 4,313,124 relating to the temperature rise rate of the heat acting surface are adopted, more excellent recording can be performed.

As the configuration of the recording head, in addition to the combination of a discharge port, a liquid path, and an electrothermal converter (a linear liquid flow path or a right-angled liquid flow path) as disclosed in the above-mentioned respective specifications, A configuration using U.S. Pat. No. 4,558,333 or U.S. Pat. No. 4,459,600, which discloses a configuration in which a heat acting surface is arranged in a bent region, is also included in the present invention. In addition, for multiple electrothermal transducers,
JP-A-59-123670 which discloses a configuration in which a common slot is used as a discharge part of an electrothermal transducer, and JP-A-59-123670 which discloses a configuration in which an opening for absorbing a pressure wave of thermal energy corresponds to a discharge part. A configuration based on 138461 may be adopted.

Further, as a full-line type recording head having a length corresponding to the width of the maximum recording medium that can be recorded by the recording apparatus, the length is determined by a combination of a plurality of recording heads as disclosed in the above specification. This may be either a configuration satisfying the above requirements or a configuration as a single recording head formed integrally.

In addition to the cartridge type recording head in which the ink tank is provided integrally with the recording head itself described in the above embodiment, the recording head is electrically connected to the apparatus main body by being mounted on the apparatus main body. A replaceable chip-type recording head, which enables a simple connection and supply of ink from the apparatus main body, may be used.

Further, it is preferable to add recovery means for the print head, preliminary auxiliary means, and the like to the configuration of the printing apparatus described above, since the printing operation can be further stabilized. Specific examples thereof include capping means for the recording head, cleaning means, pressurizing or suction means, preheating means using an electrothermal transducer or another heating element or a combination thereof. It is also effective to provide a preliminary ejection mode for performing ejection that is different from printing, in order to perform stable printing.

Further, the recording mode of the recording apparatus is not limited to the recording mode of only the mainstream color such as black, and may be a single recording head or a combination of plural recording heads. Alternatively, the apparatus may be provided with at least one of full colors by color mixture.

In the above-described embodiment, the description is made on the assumption that the ink is a liquid. However, even if the ink solidifies at room temperature or lower, it is possible to use an ink that softens or liquefies at room temperature. Or, in the ink jet method, generally, the temperature of the ink itself is controlled within a range of 30 ° C. or more and 70 ° C. or less to control the temperature so that the viscosity of the ink is in a stable ejection range.
It is sufficient that the ink is in a liquid state when the use recording signal is applied.

In addition, in order to positively prevent the temperature rise due to thermal energy as energy for changing the state of the ink from the solid state to the liquid state,
Alternatively, in order to prevent evaporation of the ink, an ink which solidifies in a standing state and liquefies by heating may be used. In any case, the application of heat energy causes the ink to be liquefied by application of the heat energy according to the recording signal and the liquid ink to be ejected, or to start to solidify when reaching the recording medium. The present invention is also applicable to a case where an ink having a property of liquefying for the first time is used. In such a case, as described in JP-A-54-56847 or JP-A-60-71260, the ink is held in a liquid state or a solid state in the concave portion or through hole of the porous sheet. It is good also as a form which opposes an electrothermal transducer. In the present invention, the most effective one for each of the above-mentioned inks is to execute the above-mentioned film boiling method.

In addition to the above, the recording apparatus according to the present invention may be provided not only as an image output terminal of an information processing apparatus such as a computer but also integrally or separately, a copying apparatus combined with a reader or the like, and a transmission / reception apparatus. It may take the form of a facsimile machine having functions.

Even if the present invention is applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, etc.), a device including one device (for example, a copying machine, a facsimile machine) Etc.).

Further, an object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium storing a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or an apparatus, and to provide a computer (or CPU) of the system or the apparatus.
And MPU) read and execute the program code stored in the storage medium.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

Examples of a storage medium for supplying the program code include a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, and CD.
-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.

When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the OS (Operating System) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. ) May perform some or all of the actual processing, and the processing may realize the functions of the above-described embodiments.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instruction of the program code, It goes without saying that the CPU included in the function expansion board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

[0086]

As described above, according to the present invention, a first ink jet recording head and an ink tank containing black ink for recording a monochrome binary image are provided.
A second cartridge having a built-in cartridge, an ink jet recording head for recording a color image, and an ink tank containing color ink, or a recording head capable of recording color images of different recording qualities and ink containing color ink Since the third cartridge including the tank and the third cartridge can be mounted on the carriage at the same time to perform recording, for example, high-speed but high recording quality is not required, or the recording speed is low but high-quality. There is an effect that a more convenient copying function can be provided by selectively using a cartridge suitable for the purpose of use of the user, such as recording an image.

By providing a dedicated data generating means for binary recording, the parameters necessary for image processing and the configuration of the image processing circuit which have been accumulated so far for binary recording can be used. There is an advantage that the design efficiency is also increased.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a full-color copying apparatus including a printer unit that performs printing according to an ink-jet method, which is a typical embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic structure of a printer unit 109 of the copying apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing how data is exchanged between a printer unit 109, a CPU 101, and an image memory 104.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a format of a data code string for one line.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a data flow relationship between an image processing unit 108 and each unit related to the image processing unit 108;

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the contents of digital processing executed in the image processing unit 108;

FIG. 7 shows a ROM 10 in which image processing parameters are listed in a list format.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a state stored in a second predetermined table.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the contents of a table indicating which parameter list is to be selected and how to select a selector 108h depending on the mounting state of the cartridge.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the copying apparatus.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the copying apparatus.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the operation of the copying apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

101 CPU 102 ROM 103 RAM 104 Image memory 105 Internal bus 106 Operation unit 107 Scanner unit 108 Image processing unit 109 Printer unit 110 External interface unit 111 Personal computer 201 Monochrome recording cartridge (cartridge A) 202 Binary recording color recording Cartridge (cartridge B) 203 cartridge for exclusive use of color recording for multi-value recording (cartridge C) 204 carriage 205 drive belt 206 carriage shaft 207 recording paper feed roller 208 recording paper

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2C056 EA04 EA11 EB20 EB26 EB42 EB44 EB45 EC69 EE05 EE08 FA10 HA58 KC21 5C074 BB16 CC26 DD24 EE11 FF13 FF15 GG09 GG19 HH02

Claims (10)

[Claims] A reading unit configured to read an original to generate image data; a recording unit configured to record an image on a recording medium in accordance with an inkjet method; and a recording unit configured to perform digital processing on the image data generated by the reading unit. A first cartridge having an ink jet recording head and an ink tank containing black ink for recording a monochrome binary image, comprising: a first cartridge; A second cartridge having a built-in ink jet recording head and an ink tank containing color ink for recording a color image, and a scanning unit for reciprocating the carriage; The cartridge has a recording head and a color that can record color images of different recording quality. A copying apparatus characterized by being replaceable with a third cartridge having a built-in ink tank containing ink. 2. The copying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the color inks include cyan, magenta, and yellow inks. 3. The image processing means includes: first generation means for generating binary data representing each pixel in binary for the monochrome binary recording and the color image recording; and A second generating means for generating multi-valued data for expressing each pixel in multi-valued for recording, and a selecting means for selecting an output of the first or second generating means. 2. The copying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: 4. A discriminating means for discriminating whether the second cartridge is mounted on the carriage or the third cartridge is mounted, wherein the selecting means according to a discrimination result by the discriminating means. ,
4. The copying apparatus according to claim 3, wherein an output of said first or second generation means is selected. 5. The copying apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the determination unit determines whether the first cartridge is mounted on the carriage. 6. The discriminating means includes: determining whether only the first cartridge is mounted on the carriage; determining whether only the second cartridge is mounted on the carriage; determining whether only the third cartridge is mounted on the carriage. Determining whether or not the cartridge is mounted on the carriage, whether or not the first and second cartridges are mounted on the carriage, or whether or not the first and third cartridges are mounted on the carriage. 6. The copying apparatus according to claim 5, wherein: 7. The copying apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising: display means for displaying a result of the determination by said determination means; and storage means for storing the result of the determination by said determination means. 8. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first generating unit is configured to store the first cartridge in response to the use of the first and second cartridges.
Wherein the second generating means generates data in the second image data transfer format corresponding to the use of the third cartridge to the recording means. 4. The copying apparatus according to claim 3, wherein 9. Inputting image data from an external device,
2. The copying apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an interface for outputting the image data generated by the reading unit to an external device. 10. The ink-jet recording head according to claim 1, further comprising an electrothermal converter for generating thermal energy to be applied to the ink in order to discharge the ink using thermal energy. 2. The copying apparatus according to claim 1.