JP3098643B2 - Image recording method and apparatus, recorded matter and processed product - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image recording method and apparatus, and a recorded product and a processed product, and more particularly, to an image recording method and apparatus for recording an image on a recording medium by scanning a recording head, and a recorded product and a processed product. It is about.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A so-called serial scan type image recording apparatus for performing recording by scanning a recording head having a plurality of recording elements (heating resistors, nozzles, etc.) is well known. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a recording method using such a serial scan method. Reference numeral 201 denotes an ink jet head in which a plurality of nozzles 202 are arranged, and the ink jet head 201 scans a recording paper 203 in a direction A, The nozzle 202 of the inkjet head 201
The image recording is performed for each recording width d corresponding to the array width of.
When the recording of the recording width d is completed in this way, the recording paper 203
Is moved in the direction B by a length corresponding to the recording width d, the inkjet head 201 scans again in the direction A, and performs image recording for the recording width d. The recording by the serial scan method has an advantage that image data of a large screen can be recorded with a small head. However, if there is a nozzle that does not discharge among the nozzles of the head 201 or a nozzle whose recorded dot position is shifted, the like. However, since such portions appear continuously in the direction A, there is a disadvantage that continuous white stripes are easily generated. To compensate for such a drawback, a recording method using multi-scan described later has been proposed.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining such a multi-scan.

[0004] The ink jet head 301 includes
It has twelve nozzles as indicated by 1-12 and these nozzles can be divided into two parts as indicated by X and Y. Here, nozzles corresponding to the X portion are 1-1 to 1-1.
-6, the nozzle of the Y portion is represented by 1-7 to 1-12. First, in the first scan, printing is performed by the X portion of the inkjet head 301, and printing is performed on the portion of the printing paper 203 indicated by X '(the printed dots are indicated by X1 to X6). Subsequently, the recording paper 203 is moved in the sub-scanning direction by d in the B direction, and a dot Y is formed using the Y portion of the head 301.
1 to Y6 (portion indicated by Y ') are recorded. By recording in this way, dots recorded using the same nozzle do not continue in the A direction. Therefore, even if there is a nozzle where the dot position to be recorded is shifted, the recorded dot remains in the A direction. A does not appear continuously,
There is an advantage that white streaks in the direction become less noticeable.

[0005] Further, the recording density unevenness due to the variation of the ink ejection amount for each nozzle is offset by the recording in this manner and becomes less noticeable. Further, when the recording duty of the inkjet head is high, ink mist may collect near the orifice and hinder the ejection of ink.However, when performing multi-scanning, dots are thinned out. There is an advantage that the number of ejections is reduced and the occurrence of mist is suppressed, so that non-ejection due to mist is also reduced.

[0006]

However, with only two multi-scans as described above, white stripes, density unevenness,
In some images, ink ejection failure due to mist cannot be prevented. For example, in the case of recording a uniform pattern, white streaks and density unevenness are very conspicuous, so that not only two multi-scans as described above but also three or four multi-scans may be required. is there.

In an image having a high recording duty, 2
It is not sufficient to reduce the printing duty by １ ／ in one multi-scan, and it may be better to reduce the printing duty to ３ or で in three or four multi-scans.

However, on the other hand, there is a problem that as the number of multi-scans is increased, the recording time becomes longer.

The present invention has been made in view of the above conventional example, and an image recording method and apparatus which reduce the occurrence of density unevenness and mist without unnecessarily lowering the recording speed, and a recorded product and a processed product thereof. The purpose is to provide.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, an image recording apparatus according to the present invention has the following arrangement.
That is, an image recording apparatus for recording an image on a recording medium by performing a main scan relative to the recording medium in a direction different from the arrangement direction with a recording head having a plurality of recording elements arranged therein. Main scanning means for main-scanning the recording head with respect to a medium, and relative to the recording head and the recording medium by an amount smaller than a width of an arrangement range of the recording elements of the recording head for each main scanning. Sub-scanning means for performing sub-scanning, and a plurality of different recordings for dividing image data to be recorded on an area on the recording medium recordable by one recording element in the main scanning direction into a plurality of times of the main scanning A print control unit that performs printing control by an element and performs the control on a plurality of areas; and a number of different numbers of times of the main scan performed on the area by the print control unit. And a setting means for setting whether Re, characterized in that to reduce the amount of image data for recording the area in about one main scan more times of the set main scanning. In order to achieve the above object, the image recording apparatus of the present invention has the following configuration. That is, an image recording apparatus for recording an image on a recording medium by performing a main scan relative to the recording medium in a direction different from the arrangement direction with a recording head having a plurality of recording elements arranged therein. Main scanning means for main-scanning the recording head with respect to a medium, and relative to the recording head and the recording medium by an amount smaller than a width of an arrangement range of the recording elements of the recording head for each main scanning. Sub-scanning means for performing sub-scanning, and a plurality of different recordings for dividing image data to be recorded on an area on the recording medium recordable by one recording element in the main scanning direction into a plurality of times of the main scanning A control unit for performing printing by the element, a printing control unit for performing the control on the plurality of areas, and the number of times of the main scanning for the area performed by the printing control unit according to image data to be printed. Setting means for setting any one of a plurality of different times, wherein the larger the set number of times of main scanning, the smaller the amount of image data for recording the area in one main scanning. And In addition,
To achieve this, the image recording apparatus of the present invention has the following structure.
It is prepared. That is, a recording in which a plurality of recording elements are arranged
Move the head to the recording medium in a direction different from the
Image recording to record an image on a recording medium by relatively main scanning
Recording apparatus, wherein the recording head
Main-scanning means for main-scanning, and the recording for each main-scan
Ahead smaller than the width of the print element array range of the head
Making the recording head and the recording medium relatively sub-scan
Sub-scanning means and one recording element in the main scanning direction
Image to be recorded on the recordable area on the recording medium
Data is divided into a plurality of main scans and a plurality of different recordings
Perform control for recording by the element, and
Recording control means for performing the recording control
The time of the main scanning for the area performed by the means
The number can be any of several different times
The number is the number of times.
The amount of image data for recording the area in each main scan is reduced.
It is characterized in that

To achieve the above object, the image recording method of the present invention comprises the following steps. That is, an image recording method in which an image is recorded on a recording medium by performing main scanning relative to the recording medium in a direction different from the arrangement direction with a recording head having a plurality of recording elements arranged. A main scanning step of main scanning the recording head with respect to a medium,
A sub-scanning step of relatively sub-scanning the recording head and the recording medium by an amount smaller than the width of the arrangement range of the recording elements of the recording head for each main scanning; Performs control to divide image data to be recorded in an area on the recording medium recordable by a recording element into a plurality of main scans and record the image data by a plurality of different recording elements, and to apply the control to a plurality of the areas. And a setting step of setting any one of a plurality of different times as the number of times of the main scanning for the area performed in the printing control step, wherein the set number of times of the main scanning The amount of image data for recording the area in one main scan is reduced as the number is larger. Further, in order to achieve the above object, the image recording method of the present invention includes the following steps. That is, an image recording method in which an image is recorded on a recording medium by performing main scanning relative to the recording medium in a direction different from the arrangement direction with a recording head having a plurality of recording elements arranged. A main scanning step of performing main scanning of the recording head on the medium, and relative to the recording head and the recording medium by an amount smaller than a width of an arrangement range of recording elements of the recording head for each main scanning. A sub-scanning step of sub-scanning, and dividing the image data to be recorded in an area on the recording medium recordable by one recording element in the main scanning direction into a plurality of different recordings by dividing the image data into a plurality of times of the main scanning A recording control step of performing recording control by an element and performing the control on a plurality of the areas, and an image to be recorded
A setting step of setting any of a plurality of different times as the number of times of the main scanning for the area performed in the printing control step in accordance with the data, the greater the number of times of the set main scanning, It is characterized in that the amount of image data for recording the area in one main scan is reduced. In order to achieve the above object, the image recording method of the present invention
The method includes the following steps. That is, a plurality of recording elements
The recording head with the
Main scanning relative to the recording medium
An image recording method for recording an image, comprising:
And a main scanning step of the main scanning said recording head, wherein
The width of the range of the arrangement of the recording elements of the recording head for each main scan
The recording head and the recording medium are compared by a smaller amount.
A sub-scanning step for performing sub-scanning in the direction of the main scanning;
An area on the recording medium recordable by one recording element is
Image data to be recorded and divided into a plurality of main scans
Control to record by a plurality of different recording elements
A recording control step of performing the writing control on the plurality of areas.
The recording control step is performed on the area.
The number of main scans is set from a number of different
The number of main scans
Image data for recording the area in one main scan
It is characterized in that the amount of data is reduced.

In the present specification, the term "recording" includes the meaning of "textile printing", which means that an image is widely applied to a recording medium such as cloth or paper.

[0013]

In the above arrangement, the recording head is caused to perform main scanning on the recording medium, and each time the main scanning is performed, the recording head and the recording medium are moved by an amount smaller than the width of the arrangement range of the recording elements of the recording head. Are relatively sub-scanned. Performing a control of dividing image data to be recorded in an area on the recording medium recordable by one recording element in the direction of the main scanning into a plurality of times of the main scanning and recording the image data by a plurality of different recording elements; While performing that control for multiple areas,
One of a plurality of different numbers of main scans is set as the number of main scans for the area, and the larger the set number of main scans, the smaller the amount of image data for recording the area in one main scan. To work.

[0014]

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 a schematic configuration of a main part of the printer of this embodiment. FIG.
3 is a flowchart showing a control process by No. 1.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 101 denotes a control unit for controlling the entire printer apparatus, for example, a CPU 110 such as a microprocessor, and C shown in the flowchart of FIG.
A ROM 111 storing a control program and various data of the PU 110, and an RA used as a work area of the CPU 110 for temporarily storing various data.
M112 and the like.

Reference numeral 102 denotes a head driver for driving a recording head (ink-jet head) 301. Reference numerals 103 and 104 denote motor drivers, which respectively rotate and drive a carriage motor 105 and a paper feed motor 106 in accordance with instructions from the control unit 101. I have. A setting switch 107 is operated by the user, and sets the number of multi-scans.

The user views the pattern of the symbol to be printed on a monitor screen (not shown) or a document. When it is determined that the image to be printed has a uniform pattern and unevenness and streaks are conspicuous, or that the image has many high-density portions and ejection failure of the nozzles of the recording head due to ink mist is likely to occur. In this case, the setting switch 107 is operated to set the number of times of multi-scan to be increased. For example, a case will be described in which two or three multi-scans are set.

Next, a recording process performed by the printer according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG.

First, in step S1, the number of multi-scans set in the setting switch 107 is read, and in step S2, it is determined whether the number is, for example, "2" or "3".
Here, for convenience, the number of multi-scans is “2”.
Although it is shown in the case of "3", it is needless to say that other numerical values can be similarly achieved.

If the set number is "3", step S3
The nozzle of the recording head 301 shown in FIG. 3 is divided into three. For example, when performing three multi-scans, the 12 nozzles of the inkjet head 301 are
It is divided into three groups: 1-1 to 1-4, 1-5 to 1-8, and 1-9 to 1-12. Then, in step S4, the image data is recorded at every third position in the direction A, such as the first, fourth and seventh positions, using the nozzles 1-1 to 1-4. This process is repeated until printing for one scan is completed, and when printing for one scan is completed, in step S6, the recording paper 203 is moved by 2d / 3 in the B direction, and the carriage is returned to the home position, and a carriage return is performed. .

Then, the process proceeds to a step S7, and next every second image data in the direction A, such as the second, fifth, and eighth, is recorded using the nozzle blocks 1-5 to 1-8. I do. At this time, printing is performed even in the previous nozzle block. When the second scan is completed, the process proceeds to step S9, in which the recording paper 203 is moved by 2d / 3 in the direction B and a carriage return is performed.
In the steps 10 and S11, the nozzles 1-9 to 1-12 are used to print every third image data in the direction A, such as the third, sixth, and ninth data. Also at this time, printing is performed with the previous and previous nozzle blocks.

On the other hand, when the set number is "2" in step S2, the process proceeds to step S12, and as shown in FIG.
Using -1 to 1-6, 1/1 of the image data in the A direction
Record the data that has been thinned out every other two. When the recording of this one scan is completed, the process proceeds to step S15, where the recording paper 203
Is moved in the direction B by d, and a carriage return is performed. Then, in steps S16 and S17, the nozzles 1-7 to 1-
12, the remaining data is recorded every other image data in the A direction, such as the second, fourth, and sixth data in the A direction. At this time, printing is performed even in the previous nozzle block.

In this way, the image data is recorded by multi-scanning the number of times set by the setting switch 107.

The number of times set by the setting switch 107 is set so as to increase the number of multi-scans when the pattern to be printed requires more uniformity or when there is a high possibility of non-ejection due to mist. Is set. As described above, since the number of times of multi-scanning can be arbitrarily set by the user according to the pattern to be printed, a good image with no non-discharge can be obtained irrespective of the pattern. In the case of a pattern having no pattern, recording can be performed without performing multi-scan, so that recording time is not unnecessarily long.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the processing of the control unit 101 according to the second embodiment.

In FIG. 5, when image data is input in step S21, the process proceeds to step S22, where the uniformity of the input image signal and the level of the signal level are determined by a predetermined method. If it is determined that uniformity is high and stripe unevenness is conspicuous, or if it is determined that the signal level is high, that is, non-discharge is likely to occur due to mist at high density, increase the number of multi-scans. Set the setting value. On the other hand, the uniformity of the image data is not so high,
If the signal level is not so high, the setting is made to reduce the number of multi-scans. Thus, the optimum number of multi-scans is set according to the uniformity of the image data and the level of the signal level.

The setting of the number of times of the multi-scan is as follows.
Before starting printing, the optimum number of multi-scans may be determined and set from all image data, and thereafter, the format may not be changed. However, the optimum number of multi-scans may be determined from image data for one to several scans, The number of times of multi-scan may be changed each time.

By performing such control, it is possible to form a uniform and beautiful image without ejection failure without setting the number of multi-scans based on the image data by the user. <Third Embodiment> Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the third embodiment, the processing for setting the number of multi-scans based on the image data is performed by a program in the second embodiment, but an image determination unit is provided in the control unit 101 to implement hardware. Is set to the number of times of multi-scan.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the image discriminating section.

Reference numeral 301 denotes input image data;
Reference numeral 1 denotes an edge detection circuit for detecting an edge portion of the image data 301. Reference numeral 502 denotes an edge signal output from the edge detection circuit 501, and reference numeral 503 denotes a threshold circuit, which receives the edge signal 502 and determines its signal level. 5
A counter 05 counts the number of edge signals 504 binarized by the threshold circuit 503. 507 is an addition circuit,
509 is a ROM, and 321 is a set value for setting the number of times of multi-scan.

The edge detection circuit 501 includes a well-known differential filter circuit and the like, detects an edge portion of the image data 301, and outputs an edge signal 502. The threshold circuit 503 binarizes the edge signal 502 by outputting “1” when the absolute value of the edge signal 502 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value T and outputting “0” when the absolute value is less than T. Counter 50
Numeral 5 receives the binarized edge signal 504, counts the number of data "1", and outputs the sum.
The addition circuit 507 adds all the image data 301,
The result is output. The sum 506 output from the counter 505 and the addition signal 508 from the addition circuit 507
Are input to the address of the ROM 509. ROM5
09 is the set value 3 according to the combination of the respective signals.
21 is output. That is, the control signal is f, the counter signal 5
If 06 is C and the addition signal 508 is D, the function becomes f = F (C, D).

In this embodiment, each of the counter signal 506 and the addition signal 508 is divided into large, medium and small, and the set value 321 is determined according to the combination as shown in Table 1.

[0035]

[Table 1] Note that the threshold value for determining such a large, medium, or small value may be determined in advance by an experiment.

When the counter signal 506 is large, it is determined that the image data 301 has many edge portions and there are few uniform portions, and the number of multi-scans is reduced. When the addition signal value 508 is small, the print duty of the print head is low, and it is considered that there is little risk of ink ejection failure due to mist. Therefore, the number of multi-scans is reduced.

As shown in FIG. 7, the CCD sensor 3
50, the image data recorded on the recording paper 203 may be read, the image data may be determined based on the read signal, and the number of multi-scans may be determined. The CCD sensor 350 shown in FIG.
Scanning is performed from behind the head 301 at the same speed as that described above, and an image recorded by the inkjet head 301 is read. The signal read by the sensor 350 is input to the discriminating circuit instead of the image data 301 shown in the above-described figure, and the number of multi-scans is determined in the same manner as in the case of the image data 301.

In the above-described embodiment, the case where one pixel is constituted by one dot has been described. However, when one pixel is constituted by a plurality of dots and multi-value recording is performed at a gradation corresponding to the number of dots. The present invention can also be implemented. In such a case, for example, in FIG. 3, one pixel is constituted by two dots X1 and Y1, and a ternary image can be formed.
In this case, it is desirable to make the dot interval between X1 and Y1 smaller, but other configurations are the same as in the above-described embodiment.

The present invention can be applied not only to recording on recording paper, but also to recording on, for example, cloth or film. As an example, a system configuration in a case where ink jet recording is performed on a cloth will be described.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an example of the basic configuration of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention. This ink jet recording apparatus is configured as a system, and is roughly divided into an image reading device 1 that reads an original image created by a designer or the like, and converts the original image into original image data represented by an electric signal. The image processing unit 2 includes an image processing unit 2 that fetches data, processes the data, and outputs the processed image data, and an image recording unit 3 that performs recording on a recording medium such as a cloth based on the image data created by the image processing unit 2. In the image reading device 1, an original image is read by a CCD image sensor. In the image processing unit 2, magenta (abbreviation M), cyan (abbreviation C), yellow (abbreviation Y),
Data for driving the ink jet recording unit A-2 (FIG. 9) that ejects four colors of ink of black (abbreviation Bk) is created. At the time of creating this data, image processing for reproducing the original image with ink dots, color arrangement for determining the color tone, processing of the pattern size such as layout change, enlargement and reduction, and selection are performed. In the image recording unit 3, recording is performed by the inkjet recording unit A-2. The ink jet recording unit A-2 performs recording by causing minute ink droplets to fly toward a recording medium such as paper, cloth, or a vinyl sheet, and attaching the ink droplets to the recording medium.

FIG. 11 shows an image recording section (for example, FIG. 9) of an example of an ink jet recording apparatus used in the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a first print unit 31). In addition,
As shown in FIG. 9 or FIG. 10, since the basic configuration of the print units arranged in the upper and lower stages is the same, only one of them is shown here.

First, the first printing section 31 is roughly divided into a frame 906, two guide rails 907 and 908, an ink jet head (recording head) 9 and its moving carriage 910, an ink supply device 911 and its moving. 912, a head recovery device 913, and an electrical system. These two moving carriages 910, 912 are shown as carriage 44 in FIG. The recording head 9 includes a plurality of nozzle rows and a conversion device for converting an electric signal into ink ejection energy, and is selectively operated from the nozzle rows in accordance with an image signal sent from an image processing unit (not shown). It has a function to discharge ink.

The recording head 9 is a recording head for discharging ink by using thermal energy, and has a thermal energy converter for generating thermal energy to be applied to the ink. A state change is caused in the ink by the applied thermal energy,
A head that discharges ink from a discharge port based on the state change is preferably used.

The ink supply device 911 stores the ink and supplies a required amount of the ink to the recording head 9, and has an ink tank, an ink pump, and the like (not shown). The main body and the recording head 9 are connected to an ink supply tube 91.
5 and usually by a capillary action, the recording head 9
The ink is automatically supplied to the recording head 9 by the amount discharged from the recording head 9. In addition, at the time of a head recovery operation described later, ink is forcibly supplied to the recording head 9 using an ink pump.

The recording head 9 and the ink supply device 91
1 are mounted on a carriage 910 and a carriage 912, respectively, and are driven by a driving device (not shown) to guide rails 90.
It is configured to reciprocate along 7,908.

The head recovery device 913 is provided at a position which can face the recording head 9 at the home position (standby position) of the recording head 9 in order to maintain the ink ejection stability of the recording head 9, and is provided in the direction of arrow A. Can be moved forward and backward. Specifically, the following operation is performed.

First, capping of the recording head 9 is performed at the home position in order to prevent evaporation of ink from inside the nozzles of the recording head 9 during non-operation (capping operation), or air bubbles and dust in the nozzles before image recording starts. Operation to press the ink flow path in the head using an ink pump to forcibly discharge ink, and forcibly discharge ink from the nozzles (pressure recovery operation), or forcibly suck and discharge ink from the nozzles ( It performs a function of collecting ink discharged at the time of performing the suction recovery operation).

The transmission system includes a power supply unit and a control unit for performing sequence control of the entire ink jet recording unit. Each time the recording head 9 moves in the main scanning direction along the carriage 910 and a predetermined length of recording is performed along the carriage 910, the cloth 36 is conveyed by a predetermined amount in the sub-scanning direction (the direction of the arrow B) by a conveying device (not shown) to form an image. Is going on. In FIG. 11, a hatched portion indicates a portion where recording is completed.

The recording recording head 9 may be an inkjet recording head for monochromatic recording, a plurality of recording heads for recording with different color inks for color recording, or a plurality of recording heads for recording with the same color but different density inks. A recording head or the like can be used.

The recording means and the ink tank may be constituted by a cartridge type in which the recording head and the ink tank are integrated, or a constitution in which the recording head and the ink tank are separated and connected by an ink supply tube. It can be applied regardless.

Further, by implementing the present invention in the recording apparatus of the following embodiment, a high quality image can be obtained even on a recording medium having extremely low water absorption. FIG.
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an outline of a recording apparatus particularly preferable for the method of the present invention. This recording apparatus is roughly divided into a feeding section B for feeding a recording medium such as a roll-shaped cloth which has been subjected to a pre-treatment for printing, and a feeding section B for feeding the fed cloth precisely. It comprises a main body for printing and a winding section C for drying and winding the printed fabric. The main body A further includes a precision feeding section A-1 for fabric containing a platen and a printing unit A-2. FIG.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating details of a configuration of a print unit A-2.

The operation of this apparatus will be described below by taking as an example a case where printing is performed using a pretreated fabric as a recording medium.

The pretreated roll-shaped cloth 36 is sent out toward the feeding section and sent to the main body section A. A thin endless belt 37, which is precisely step-driven, is wound around a drive roller 47 and a winding roller 49 in the main body. The driving roller 47 is directly step-driven by a high-resolution stepping motor (not shown) to step-feed the belt 37 by the step amount. The fed fabric 36 is pressed by the pressing roller 40 onto the surface of the belt 37 backed up by the winding roller 49 and adhered thereto.

The fabric 36 that has been step-fed by the belt 37 is localized by the platen 32 on the back of the belt in the first printing unit 31 and printed by the recording head 9 from the front side. Each time one line of printing is completed, the printing paper is stepped by a predetermined amount, and then dried by heating from the back surface of the belt 37 by the heating plate 34 and hot air supplied / discharged by the hot air duct 35 from the surface. Subsequently, in the second printing section 31 ', the printing is performed in the same manner as in the first printing section 31 using the recording head 9'.

The printed fabric is peeled off from the belt 37, dried again in the post-drying unit 46 similar to the heating plate and the hot air duct, guided by the guide roll 41 and taken up by the take-up roll 48. And the winding roll 39
Is removed from the present apparatus, and is subjected to a post-treatment process after color development, washing, and drying in a batch process to be a product.

Next, details of the print unit A-2 will be described with reference to FIG.

In a preferred embodiment, the information is recorded by thinning out the number of dots by the recording head 9 of the first print unit 31, and after a drying step, the information is recorded by the recording head 9 ′ of the second print unit 31 ′. Ink droplets are ejected so as to supplement the information thinned out in one print unit 31.

In FIG. 10, a cloth 36 as a recording medium is used.
Is affixed to the belt 37 and is stepped upward in the figure. In the figure, the lower first printing unit 31 has a first carriage 44 on which ink jet heads for spot colors S1 to S4 are mounted in addition to Y, M, C, and Bk.
Ink jet head (recording head) 9,
Reference numeral 9 ′ denotes a device having a heating element that generates thermal energy that causes film boiling of ink as energy used for discharging ink.
An array of 128 ejection ports at a density of dpi (dot / inch) is used.

Downstream of the first printing section 31, a drying section 45 comprising a heating plate 34 for heating from the back of the belt and a hot air duct 35 for drying from the front side is provided. The heat transfer surface of the heating plate 34 is pressed against a strongly tensioned endless belt 37, with high temperature and high pressure steam through the hollow interior.
The belt 37 is heated strongly from the back. Fins 34 'for collecting heat are provided inside the heating plate surface so that heat can be efficiently concentrated on the back surface of the belt 37. The side not in contact with the belt 37 is covered with a heat insulating material 43 to prevent heat loss due to heat radiation.

On the front side, dry hot air is blown from the supply duct 30 on the downstream side, so that the cloth being dried is exposed to lower humidity air to enhance the effect. Then, the air flowing in the opposite direction to the direction of transport of the fabric and sufficiently containing water is sucked from the suction duct 33 on the upstream side by a much larger amount than the amount of the sprayed air. Condensation on the mechanism is prevented. The hot air supply source is located at the back side in FIG. 10 and suction is performed from the near side, and the pressure difference between the outlet 38 and the suction port 39 facing the fabric 36 is uniform over the entire area in the longitudinal direction. It is made to become. The air blow / suction unit is offset downstream with respect to the center of the backside heating plate so that the air hits the well heated area. As a result, the first print unit 31 strongly dries a large amount of water in the ink, including the thinning liquid, received by the fabric.

At the downstream (upper), the second print unit 3
1 ′ and a second carriage 44 having the same configuration as the first carriage 44.
The carriage 44 'forms the second print section 31'.

Next, a preferred example of the ink jet textile printing method will be described. After passing through the inkjet printing process, the fabric 36 is dried (including natural drying). Subsequently, a step of diffusing the dye on the fabric fiber and reacting and fixing the dye to the fiber is performed. By this step, it is possible to obtain a sufficient color developing property and fastness due to fixing of the dye. This diffusion and reaction fixing step may be a conventionally known method, for example, a steaming method. In this case, the fabric may be subjected to an alkali treatment before the printing step.

Thereafter, in the post-treatment step, the unreacted dye is removed and the substances used in the pre-treatment are removed. Finally, the record is completed through an organization finishing process such as defect correction and ironing.

As recording media, cloth, wallpaper, paper, OH
P sheets and the like. In particular, the present invention is suitable for low-water-absorbing recording media such as cloth and wallpaper.
In the present invention, the fabric includes all woven fabrics, non-woven fabrics and other fabrics, regardless of the material, weaving method or knitting method. In the present specification, the wallpaper includes paper, cloth, or a wall sticking material made of a synthetic resin sheet such as polyvinyl chloride.

In particular, as a fabric for ink-jet printing, (1) the ink can be colored to a sufficient concentration. (2) The ink dyeing rate is high. (3) The ink dries quickly on the fabric. (4) The occurrence of irregular ink bleeding on the fabric is small. (5) Excellent transportability in the apparatus. Performance is required. In order to satisfy these required performances, the cloth can be subjected to a pretreatment beforehand as required. For example, JP-A-62-53492 discloses fabrics having an ink receiving layer,
Further, Japanese Patent Publication No. 3-65859 proposes a fabric containing a reduction inhibitor and an alkaline substance. As an example of such a pretreatment, there can be mentioned a treatment in which a cloth contains a substance selected from an alkaline substance, a water-soluble polymer, a synthetic polymer, a water-soluble metal salt, urea and thiourea.

Examples of the alkaline substance include alkali metal hydroxides such as sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide;
Examples thereof include amines such as mono, di, and triethanolamine, and alkali metal salts of carbonic acid or bicarbonate such as sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, and sodium bicarbonate. Further, there are organic acid metal salts such as calcium acetate and barium acetate, ammonia and ammonia compounds. Further, sodium trichloroacetate which becomes an alkaline substance under steaming and drying may be used. Particularly preferred alkaline substances include sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate used for dyeing reactive dyes.

Examples of the water-soluble polymer include starch substances such as corn and wheat, cellulosic substances such as carboxymethylcellulose, methylcellulose and hydroxyethylcellulose, sodium alginate, gum arabic,
Locust bean gum, tragacanth gum, guar gum,
Examples thereof include polysaccharides such as tamarind seeds, protein substances such as gelatin and casein, and natural water-soluble polymers such as tannin substances and lignin substances.

Examples of the synthetic polymer include polyvinyl alcohol compounds, polyethylene oxiso compounds, acrylic acid-based water-soluble polymers, and maleic anhydride-based water-soluble polymers. Among them, polysaccharide polymers and cellulose polymers are preferable.

Examples of the water-soluble metal salt include compounds which form typical ionic crystals and have a pH of 4 to 10, such as halides of alkali metals and alkaline earth metals. Representative examples of such compounds include, for example, NaCl, Na ₂ S
O ₄ , KCl and CH ₃ COONa, and the like, and as the alkaline earth metal, CaCl ₂ and MgC
l _2, and the like. Among them, salts of Na, K and Ca are preferred.

The method for incorporating the above substances and the like into the fabric in the pretreatment is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a commonly used dipping method, a bad method, a coating method and a spray method.

Further, the printing ink applied to the fabric for ink-jet printing simply adheres to the fabric when applied to the fabric, so that a step of reactively fixing the dye to the fiber (dyeing step) is performed. Is preferred. Such a reaction fixing step may be performed by a conventionally known method, for example, a steaming method, an HT steaming method, a thermofix method, or an alkaline pad steam method or an alkaline blotch steam method when a cloth which has been previously alkali-treated is not used. , Alkali shock method, alkali cold fix method and the like.

Further, the removal of unreacted dye and the substance used in the pretreatment can be carried out by washing after the above-mentioned reaction fixing step according to a conventionally known method. In addition, it is preferable to use a conventional fixing process in combination with this cleaning.

FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining recording data recorded by sequential multi-scan.

In FIG. 12, each rectangular area surrounded by a dotted line corresponds to one dot (pixel).
In the case of 0 dpi (dot / inch), the area of each rectangle is about (63.5 μm) ² . The portions indicated by black circles indicate the positions where dots are formed, and the portions where no black circles exist indicate portions where recording is not performed. The ink jet head (recording head) moves in the direction of arrow F, and ink is ejected from the ink ejection nozzle at a predetermined timing. This sequential multi-scan is performed in order to correct variations in the size of ink droplets ejected from each nozzle and variations in density between the nozzles caused by variations in the ink ejection direction, and the same line (head moving direction) Is recorded by a plurality of nozzles. By forming one line with a plurality of nozzles in this manner, density unevenness is reduced by utilizing the randomness of the nozzle characteristics of each recording head. That is, in the case of sequential multi-scan by twice scanning, printing is performed using the upper half of the print head in the first scan, and printing is performed using the lower half nozzles of the print head in the second scan.

FIGS. 13 and 14 show recording examples by the sequential multi-scan.

When recording the data shown in FIG. 12, for example, first, as shown in FIG. 13, only the odd-numbered recording data generated in the moving direction of the recording head is transferred to the upper half of the recording head. Record with the nozzle. Next, the recording head (carriage) is returned to the home position direction, the fabric is fed by half the width of the recording head, and then the even-numbered dots in the moving direction of the recording head are printed as shown in FIG. Record using the lower half nozzle. Thus, data as shown in FIG. 12 is recorded on the cloth 36 by two scans.

FIG. 15 shows an example of printing by ordinary two-time multi-scan. The areas printed by the recording head 9 of the first print unit 31 are (lower 1) 701, (lower 2) 70
2, (lower 3) 703, and the area printed by the recording head 9 'of the second print unit 31' is (upper 1) 704,
(Top 2) 705 and (Top 3) 706.

The fabric feed direction is as shown by the arrow in the figure, and the amount of one step feed of the fabric 36 is determined by the recording heads 9, 9 '.
Corresponding to the recording width. As is clear from FIG.
All of the recorded area is the upper half of the recording head 9 'of the second printing unit 31' and the lower half of the recording head 9 of the first printing unit 31, or the recording head 9 of the second printing unit 31 '. 'The lower half and the recording head 9 of the first printing unit 31
And recorded using the upper half. Here, the data recorded by each recording head is thinned out as shown in FIG. 13 and FIG. 14, and as a result of being superimposed and recorded by these two recording heads 9 and 9 ′, 707 is obtained. The indicated print density is obtained.

In the above embodiment, the recording head is integrated and the nozzle group is divided and used. However, the multi-scan may be performed by separate heads. In the case of separate heads, the heads may be separated by an integral multiple of the sub-scan feed width in the sub-scan direction.

The present invention particularly provides an excellent effect in an ink jet recording apparatus of the ink jet system in which flying droplets are formed by utilizing thermal energy and recording is performed.

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 an electrothermal transducer arranged corresponding to the sheet or the liquid path holding the Since heat energy is generated in the electrothermal transducer, film boiling occurs on the heat-acting surface of the ink-jet head, and as a result, air 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. When the conditions described in US Pat. No. 4,313,124 of the invention relating to the temperature rise rate of the heat acting surface are adopted, excellent recording can be performed.

As the structure of the ink jet head, in addition to the combination of the discharge port, the liquid path, and the electrothermal converter (linear liquid flow path or right-angled liquid flow path) as disclosed in the above specification, U.S. Pat. No. 4,558,333, which discloses an arrangement in which the heat acting surface is arranged in a bending area;
A configuration using U.S. Pat. No. 4,459,600 may be used.

In addition, JP-A-59-123670 discloses a configuration in which a common slit is used as a discharge portion of an electrothermal converter for a plurality of electrothermal converters, or absorbs pressure waves of thermal energy. A configuration based on JP-A-59-138461, which discloses a configuration in which an opening corresponds to a discharge unit, may also be employed.

Further, as a full-line type ink jet 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 combining 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 integrally formed inkjet head.

In addition, the ink jet head is replaceable with a chip-type ink jet head which can be electrically connected to the device main body or supplied with ink from the device main body by being attached to the device main body, or integrated with the ink jet head itself. Alternatively, a cartridge type ink jet head provided with an ink tank may be used.

It is preferable to add recovery means for the ink jet head, preliminary auxiliary means, and the like provided as components of the recording apparatus of the present invention since the effects of the present invention can be further stabilized. . If these are specifically mentioned, capping means for the inkjet head, cleaning means, pressurizing or suction means,
Preheating means using an electrothermal transducer, a heating element other than this, or a combination thereof, and performing a preliminary ejection mode in which ejection is performed separately from printing is also effective for performing 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, but may be an integral construction of the ink jet head or a combination of a plurality of ink jet heads. Alternatively, the apparatus may be provided with at least one of full colors by color mixture.

In the embodiments of the present invention described above, the ink is described as a liquid. However, an ink which solidifies at room temperature or lower and which softens at room temperature, or which is liquid, In general, in the ink jet system, 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 if the ink is in a liquid state.

In addition, the temperature rise due to thermal energy is positively prevented by using it as energy for changing the state of the ink from the solid state to the liquid state, or the ink is solidified in a standing state to prevent evaporation of the ink. Either ink may be used, or in any case, the ink may be liquefied by application of heat energy according to the recording signal and ejected as a liquid ink, or may already start to solidify when reaching the recording medium. The use of ink having a property of being liquefied for the first time by heat energy is also applicable to the present invention. In such a case, the ink is disclosed in JP-A-54-5684.
No. 7 or Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 60-71260, in which the porous sheet is opposed to the electrothermal converter while being held in a liquid or solid state in the concave portions or through holes of the porous sheet. It may be. 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 combined with a reader or the like in addition to the one provided as an image output terminal of an information processing device such as a word processor or a computer as described above. It may take the form of a copier, or a facsimile machine having a transmission / reception function.

Further, as shown in the example of recording on cloth, in the case of recording a color image, the above-described embodiment may be carried out for each color.

The recorded material subjected to the post-processing step described above is thereafter cut into a desired size, and the cut pieces are used to obtain a final processed product such as sewing, bonding, welding, or the like. Process, dresses, dresses, ties, swimwear and other clothing and futon covers, sofa covers, handkerchiefs,
A curtain or the like is obtained. Many methods for processing cloth by sewing or the like to produce clothing and other daily necessities are described in a number of well-known books, such as “Latest Knit Sewing Manual”: published by Sensei Journal Co., Ltd. and monthly magazine “Sou To”: published by Bunka Publishing Bureau. Have been.

The present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or an apparatus composed of one device. Needless to say, the present invention can also be applied to a case where the present invention is achieved by supplying a program for implementing the present invention to a system or an apparatus.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the number of times of multi-scanning can be changed, so that a beautiful image having no image unevenness, white stripes, and ink discharge failure can be obtained without unnecessarily lowering the printing speed. Images can be obtained stably.

[0096]

As described above, according to the present invention, there is an effect that the occurrence of density unevenness and mist can be reduced without unnecessarily lowering the recording speed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a main part of a printer device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a recording state by a conventional sequential recording type ink jet head.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a general multi-scan recording method.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a control process in the printer device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a process according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image determining unit according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining multi-scan according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a basic configuration of an inkjet recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a structural sectional view showing a basic configuration of an ink jet recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating an image recording unit of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of a first or second recording unit of the ink jet recording apparatus of the present embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a recording example in the textile printing apparatus according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a thinning recording process in the textile printing apparatus according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a thinning recording process in the textile printing apparatus according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining a printing operation at a normal density in the printing apparatus of the present embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 101 control section 102 head driver 105 carriage motor 107 setting switch 9, 9 ', 301 head 501 edge detection circuit 503 threshold circuit 505 counter 507 addition circuit 509 ROM 901 inkjet recording section

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of front page (72) Inventor Nobuhiko Ogata 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Canon Inc. (56) References JP-A-61-75870 (JP, A) JP-A-3 -104977 (JP, A) JP-A-2-4523 (JP, A) JP-A-63-319158 (JP, A) JP-A-58-72467 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. . ^7, DB name) B41J 2/51 B41J 2/01 B41J 2/05 B41J 19/18

Claims (14)

(57) [Claims] 1. An image recording apparatus for recording an image on a recording medium by main scanning a recording head having a plurality of recording elements arranged relative to the recording medium in a direction different from the arrangement direction. Main scanning means for causing the recording head to perform main scanning with respect to the recording medium; and for each main scanning, the recording head and the recording medium by an amount smaller than a width of an arrangement range of recording elements of the recording head. Sub-scanning means for relatively sub-scanning, and dividing image data to be recorded in an area on the recording medium recordable by one recording element in the main scanning direction into a plurality of times of the main scanning. A printing control unit that performs control for printing with different printing elements and performs the control on a plurality of areas, and a plurality of different times as the number of times of the main scanning performed on the area performed by the printing control unit. Setting means for setting any one of them, wherein the larger the set number of main scans, the smaller the amount of image data for recording the area in one main scan. . 2. An image recording apparatus for recording an image on a recording medium by main-scanning a recording head having a plurality of recording elements arranged relative to the recording medium in a direction different from the arrangement direction. Main scanning means for causing the recording head to perform main scanning with respect to the recording medium; and for each main scanning, the recording head and the recording medium by an amount smaller than a width of an arrangement range of recording elements of the recording head. Sub-scanning means for relatively sub-scanning, and dividing image data to be recorded in an area on the recording medium recordable by one recording element in the main scanning direction into a plurality of times of the main scanning. A printing control unit that performs printing control by using different printing elements and performs the control on a plurality of areas, and the main scanning that is performed by the printing control unit according to image data to be printed on the area. Setting means for setting one of a plurality of different times as the number of times, wherein the larger the set number of main scans, the smaller the amount of image data for recording the same area in one main scan An image recording apparatus, comprising: 3. An image recording apparatus for recording an image on a recording medium by main scanning a recording head having a plurality of recording elements arranged relative to the recording medium in a direction different from the arrangement direction. Reading means for reading an image recorded by the recording head, determining means for determining the number of scans by the recording head according to the image data read by the reading means, the number of times determined by the determining means, Main scanning means for causing the recording head to perform main scanning in the same recording area of the recording medium and performing recording in a plurality of main scans for one pixel; and an arrangement of recording elements of the recording head for each main scanning. An image recording apparatus, comprising: a sub-scanning unit that relatively sub-scans the recording head and the recording medium by an amount smaller than the width of the range. 4. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording head is an inkjet recording head that performs recording by discharging ink. 5. The recording head according to claim 1, wherein the recording head discharges ink by using thermal energy, and includes a thermal energy generator for generating thermal energy to be applied to the ink. 5. The image recording device according to 4. 6. An image recording method for recording an image on a recording medium by main scanning a recording head having a plurality of recording elements arranged relative to the recording medium in a direction different from the arrangement direction. A main scanning step of main scanning the recording head with respect to the recording medium; and for each main scanning, the recording head and the recording medium by an amount smaller than a width of an arrangement range of recording elements of the recording head. A sub-scanning step of relatively sub-scanning; and dividing the image data to be recorded in an area on the recording medium recordable by one recording element in the main scanning direction into a plurality of main scans. A printing control step of performing printing control using different printing elements, and performing the control on a plurality of areas; and a plurality of different times as the number of times of the main scanning performed on the area performed in the printing control step. And a setting step of setting one of an image recording method characterized by reducing the amount of image data for recording the area in about one main scan more times of the set main scanning. 7. An image recording method for recording an image on a recording medium by main scanning a recording head having a plurality of recording elements arranged relative to the recording medium in a direction different from the arrangement direction. A main scanning step of main scanning the recording head with respect to the recording medium; and for each main scanning, the recording head and the recording medium by an amount smaller than a width of an arrangement range of recording elements of the recording head. A sub-scanning step of relatively sub-scanning; and dividing the image data to be recorded in an area on the recording medium recordable by one recording element in the main scanning direction into a plurality of main scans. A printing control step of performing printing control by using different printing elements and performing the control on a plurality of areas, and the number of times of the main scanning of the area performed in the printing control step according to image data to be printed. When A setting step of setting any one of a plurality of different numbers of times, wherein the larger the set number of main scans, the smaller the amount of image data for recording the area in one main scan. An image recording method comprising: 8. The image recording method according to claim 6, further comprising a fixing step of fixing the ink applied to the recording medium to the recording medium. 9. The image recording method according to claim 8, further comprising a cleaning step of cleaning the recording medium on which recording has been performed after the fixing step. 10. The image recording method according to claim 6, further comprising a step of including a pretreatment agent in the recording medium before recording on the recording medium. 11. The image recording method according to claim 6, wherein the recording medium is a cloth. 12. The image recording method according to claim 6, wherein the recording medium is a wallpaper. 13. A recording device in which a plurality of recording elements are arranged.
To the recording medium in a direction different from the array direction.
Image recording for recording an image on a recording medium by relatively main scanning
An apparatus for main-scanning the recording head with respect to the recording medium.
Scanning means, and a range of arrangement of recording elements of the recording head for each of the main scans
The recording head and the recording medium by an amount smaller than the width of
Sub-scanning means for relatively sub-scanning the image, and the recording device capable of recording by one recording element in the main scanning direction.
The image data to be recorded in the area on the recording medium
Printing by a plurality of different printing elements separately for the main scanning
And performs the control on a plurality of areas.
And a Cormorant recording control means, prior to said region to be performed by said recording control means
The number of main scans is set from a number of different
The number of the main scans is larger, and the larger the set number of the main scans is,
It is necessary to reduce the amount of image data for recording the area.
An image recording apparatus characterized by the following. 14. A recording device in which a plurality of recording elements are arranged.
To the recording medium in a direction different from the array direction.
Image recording for recording an image on a recording medium by relatively main scanning
A method for causing a main scanning of the recording head with respect to the recording medium.
A scanning step, and an arrangement range of the recording elements of the recording head for each main scan.
The recording head and the recording medium by an amount smaller than the width of
A sub-scanning step of relatively sub-scanning , and the recording which can be performed by one recording element in the main scanning direction.
The image data to be recorded in the area on the recording medium
Printing by a plurality of different printing elements separately for the main scanning
And performs the control on a plurality of areas.
A recording control step, wherein the main running with respect to the area performed in the recording control step is performed.
The number of inspections should be set from multiple different times
This is the number of times, and the larger the set number of main scans, the greater the number of main scans
To reduce the amount of images data for recording the area
Characteristic image recording method.