JP2000141619A - Method and apparatus for recording - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize image recording by multi-path with a simple constitution by executing a pseudo-halftone treatment for input image data, and converting resolution of the data into resolution data for a recorder. SOLUTION: Input image data are stored in an image memory 222A, the data are sequentially read from the memory 222A, and the read data and its color code and a SCAN signal indicating a first path or second path is input as an address of a memory. Dot pattern data used for recording at a path 1 is stored corresponding to each color in the address of a former half of the memory, and a dot pattern data used for recording at a path 2 is stored corresponding to each color in the address of a latter half of the memory. Thus, the image in the multi-paths based on the pattern read from the memory is recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a recording method and apparatus for inputting image data and recording an image by multi-pass.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, various printer devices have been widely used as output terminals of personal computers and the like. Some of such printers have a significantly higher resolution than the resolution of a display device such as a CRT or a liquid crystal, and many printers that exceed the resolution (resolution) of image data used in a host computer or the like have been developed. Have been.

By the way, in an apparatus for recording an image composed of a dot pattern on a recording medium, not limited to an ink jet recording apparatus which performs recording by an ink jet method, image data is thinned out and scanned by a plurality of scans (or passes). A printing method that is completed, that is, a so-called multi-pass printing is employed.

Such multi-pass printing not only reduces the power consumption of the power supply device by reducing the energy consumption of the print head in one print scan, but also reduces the cost of the power supply device. (Record element)
This is adopted for the purpose of reducing deterioration of image quality due to density unevenness caused by variation in the amount of ink ejected from the printer. For example, according to the method described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 60-107975, in the first recording scan, the number of dots recorded by one nozzle is reduced to about half by thinning out according to a predetermined image data arrangement. In the next second scan, the given image data is completed by recording the dots thinned out in the first scan.

In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-52389, a plurality of types of image data arrays (thinning patterns) for thinning image data are prepared, and by changing the period of the thinning patterns, the image quality due to density unevenness is reduced. It has been proposed to further reduce degradation.

[0006]

However, in the prior art, for example, a resolution of 360 d
The multi-valued image data of pi is input, the image is subjected to pseudo halftone processing using area gradation or the like, and the gradation-converted image data is converted into recording data of a higher resolution (for example, 1200 dpi). When recording, (1 /
1200) Such halftone processing and resolution conversion processing must be performed in real time in synchronization with movement every inch. Further, in order to perform the above-described multi-pass printing, it is necessary to thin out the data supplied to each nozzle in each of the first pass and the second pass of the print head.
Therefore, it is necessary to add a circuit for thinning out a data signal for driving each print element (nozzle) of the print head. However, such addition of hardware means a large increase in the amount of hardware, which causes a cost increase.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above conventional example, and performs pseudo halftone processing on input image data, converts the resolution of the image data into resolution data for a printing apparatus, and performs multi-pass processing. It is an object of the present invention to provide a recording method and apparatus capable of realizing image recording by a simple configuration.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a recording method and apparatus which can easily realize halftone processing and resolution conversion of image data, and furthermore, a bit mask in multi-pass.

Another object of the present invention is to convert input multi-valued image data into higher-resolution halftone image data, thin out the data for each pass, perform multi-pass printing, and perform high-speed high-quality image processing. It is an object of the present invention to provide a recording method and an apparatus capable of recording an image.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, a recording apparatus according to the present invention has the following arrangement. That is, a recording apparatus that performs recording by moving a recording head having a plurality of recording elements relative to a recording medium, comprising: holding means for holding input image data; and image data read from the holding means. Conversion means for converting the image data into dot pattern data, inputting the image data to an address of the memory, and converting the image data based on data read from the memory, and storing the image data in the memory. Conversion control means for changing the data to be converted between the first relative print scan and the second relative print scan of the print head with respect to the image data; and the dot pattern data converted by the conversion means. Storage means for storing a plurality of recording elements corresponding to the plurality of recording elements; and one image data according to the dot pattern data stored in the storage means. And having a recording control means for driving and controlling to record by moving at least twice relative to the recording head to.

To achieve the above object, the recording method of the present invention comprises the following steps. That is, a recording method in which a recording head provided with a plurality of recording elements is relatively moved with respect to a recording medium for recording, wherein a step of inputting image data from an external device, and a step of inputting the image data to an address of a memory. Converting the image data into dot pattern data based on the data read from the memory, and controlling the recording head for at least two image data in accordance with the dot pattern data obtained in the conversion step. A print control step of performing drive control so as to perform relative printing by moving the print head relative to the image data, and the memory stores different dots for each of a first relative movement and a second relative movement of the recording head with respect to the image data. Pattern data, and in the conversion step, the number of times of relative movement and the position of recording by the recording head And changes a read address of the memory.

[0012]

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

First, the basic structure and operation of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view mainly showing the configuration of a recording section of an ink jet recording apparatus according to the present embodiment.
An inkjet head 111 having a resolution of dpi is provided.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 111 denotes an ink jet head (recording head);
2, 103 and 104. Recording head 1
In each of Nos. 01 to 104, for example, 64 discharge ports are provided on the surface facing the recording paper 7 as the recording medium along the transport direction of the recording paper 7 (the sub-scanning direction indicated by A in the drawing). (Nozzle) is 600 dpi (dot /
Inches). Here, for example, the recording head 101 is a cyan head, the recording head 102 is a magenta head, the recording head 103 is a yellow head, and the recording head 104 is a black head.

Here, the ink jet head 111 is mounted on the carriage 2, and the carriage 2 is slidably engaged with a pair of guide rails 3 extending in parallel with the recording surface of the recording paper 7. With this configuration, the ink jet head 111 can move along the guide rail 3, and discharge ink from the ink jet head 111 at the timing described later with the movement of the carriage 2 in the direction of arrow B. , Host computer 200
The image is recorded on the recording paper 7 based on the recording data sent from. After printing by one scan of the inkjet head 111 is completed, the printing paper 7 is conveyed by a predetermined amount (printing width) in the direction of arrow A (sub-scanning direction), and printing is started again. By repeating this series of operations (referred to as printing scan), printing is sequentially performed on the printing paper 7.
In the present embodiment, it is assumed that printing is performed by discharging ink every (1/1200) inch (that is, resolution of 1200 dpi) in the moving direction of the carriage 2 (referred to as the main scanning direction).

The recording paper 7 is conveyed by rotating a pair of conveying rollers 4 and 5 disposed above and below the recording surface. Also, the recording paper 7
A platen for maintaining the flatness of the recording surface is disposed on the back side of the recording surface.

Further, the movement of the carriage 2 is caused, for example, by the belt 6 attached to the carriage 2 being moved by the carriage motor 2.
It becomes possible by being moved by the rotation of 0,
Similarly, the rotation of the transport rollers 4 and 5 can be achieved by transmitting the rotation of the paper feed motor 50 to them.

FIG. 3A shows the structure of the ink jet head 111 as viewed from the recording paper 7 side. Reference numeral 101 denotes a recording head for discharging cyan ink (C), and similarly, reference numeral 102 denotes a magenta ink. A recording head for discharging ink (M), 103 is a recording head for discharging yellow (Y) ink, and 104 is a recording head for discharging black (K) ink.

FIG. 3B shows recording heads 101 to 1.
FIG. 4 is an enlarged view showing a surface of each of the recording papers 04 facing the recording paper 7.

In FIG. 3B, 64 discharge ports (N
63-N0) is of course equivalent to 600 dpi. Each of these recording heads 101 to 104 has
An ink path or a processing liquid path communicating with each of the 64 nozzles is provided, and thermal energy for discharging ink onto a substrate constituting the recording heads 101 to 104 is provided in correspondence with those flow paths. Is formed. These electrothermal transducers generate heat by an electric pulse applied in accordance with drive data, cause the ink to generate film boiling by the generated heat, and eject the ink from the nozzles by generating bubbles due to the film boiling. .
Further, in the recording heads 101 to 104, each of the flow paths communicating with the discharge ports is provided with a common liquid chamber commonly communicating with the flow path, and the ink or the processing liquid is supplied from the common liquid chamber in accordance with the discharge operation. It is supplied to each channel.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control system in the ink jet recording apparatus shown in FIG.

The CPU 100 executes control processing for operating each unit and data processing for recording.
The OM 100A stores the processing procedure and the like.
Further, the RAM 100B is used as a work area for executing various processes performed by the CPU 100.

The recording data transferred from the host computer 200 is stored in the image memory 222A after being received by the CPU 100. Subsequently, the drive data generation unit 222 reads out the print data stored in the image memory 222A based on an instruction from the CPU 100, and generates drive data for actually driving each of the print heads 101 to 104. The driving data is supplied to the driver circuit for each head of the head driver 111A. In accordance with the supplied drive data, the head driver 111A applies an electric pulse to the inkjet head 111 to cause each nozzle of each recording head to eject ink. The CPU 100 includes a carriage motor 20 for moving the carriage 2 and a paper feed motor 50 for rotating the transport rollers 4 and 5.
Is controlled via the motor drivers 20A and 50A.

In this embodiment, as shown by the pixel data 401 in FIG.
00, the size of one pixel is (1/300) inch square (that is, resolution 300 dpi × 300 dpi), and C,
It is assumed that print data of 4 bits (that is, 16 gradations) is transmitted for each color of M, Y, and K. Here, pseudo halftone processing and resolution conversion processing are performed for each recording data of each color, so that one dot is in the main scanning direction (1/1200) inch.
In the sub scanning direction (1/600) inch (that is, resolution 120
0 dpi × 600 dpi), and 1 for each color of CMYK
Driving data (4011-4) corresponding to the original one pixel data 401 represented by one bit per dot (that is, two gradations)
018), and recording is performed based on the drive data.

FIG. 4B shows the host computer 200.
, Pixel data 402 of one pixel (4 bits) having a pixel value of “8h” (“h” indicates a hexadecimal number)
(Resolution 300 dpi × 300 dpi) is the driving data (dot resolution 120
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the drive data 403 is composed of 0 dpi × 600 dpi) and is converted into drive data 403 including 8 dots. In the converted drive data 403, the value is “1”.
h ”dot (represented by a black circle“ ● ”) 40
At positions 32, 4033, 4036, and 4037, ink is ejected, and dots whose values are "0h" (represented by white circles ") 4031, 4034, and 403"
In 5, 4038, ink is not ejected.

Here, various methods have been proposed as methods of the pseudo halftone processing and the resolution conversion processing. In the present embodiment, the recording data (4 bits per pixel) sent from the host computer 200 is transmitted. Resolution 300dp
i × 300 dpi) is converted to 8 bits using drive data (resolution: 1200 dpi × 600 dpi) represented by 1 bit per dot prepared in advance in accordance with the value, and a pseudo-reference method is used to refer to a table. Halftone processing and resolution conversion processing are performed simultaneously. still,
Hereinafter, the previously prepared drive data represented by 8 bits (resolution 1200 dpi × 600 dpi), that is, a set of 8 dots will be referred to as a pattern.

FIGS. 5A to 5C show data of 4 bits per pixel (300 dpi × resolution) in this embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a correspondence relationship between an 8-bit pattern (dot resolution: 1200 dpi × 600 dpi) and an 8-bit pattern (300 dpi).

In FIG. 5A, for pixel data 501 having a value of "0h", patterns 501C (for cyan), 501M (for magenta), and 501M (for magenta) in which no ink is ejected are respectively applied to CMYK. 501Y (for yellow) and 501K (for black) are allocated.

As shown in FIG. 5B, when the value is "E"
For the pixel data 515 of "h", patterns 515C, 515M, 515Y, and 515K in which ink is ejected at positions of six dots out of eight dots of one pattern.
Are assigned to the respective colors. Here, in the patterns 515C, 515M, 515Y, and 515K, the number of dots on which ink is ejected is the same, but the positions of dots on which ink is ejected are different for each of the colors CMYK.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5C, when the value is "F
For the pixel data 516 of "h", patterns 516C, 516M, 516Y, and 516K in which ink ejection is performed at all dot positions of one pattern for each of CMYK colors.
Is assigned.

FIG. 6 shows 4-bit C (cyan) pixel data (resolution: 300 dpi × 300 dpi) transmitted from the host computer 200 for 4 bits per pixel, and FIG. As a result of performing the pseudo halftone processing and the resolution conversion processing based on the correspondence shown in c), cyan drive data composed of an 8-dot (8-bit) pattern (resolution 1200 dpi × 600)
dpi), and the generated drive data and 64 ejection ports (nozzles: N0 to N0) of the print head 101.
N63).

In FIG. 6, similar to FIG. 5, pixel data having a pixel value of "0h" is indicated by 501, a corresponding pattern is a pattern 501C, and a pixel value is "Eh".
Are denoted by 515, the corresponding pattern is denoted by a pattern 515C, the pixel data having the pixel value “Fh” is denoted by 516, and the corresponding pattern is denoted by a pattern 516C.

In the present embodiment, the pseudo halftone processing and the resolution conversion processing by referring to the table described above are performed by C
The configuration is such that the processing is executed in real time in synchronization with the movement of the carriage 2 every (1/1200) inch, instead of off-line processing by the PU 100 or the like. This is because the amount of data to be processed has increased remarkably due to the high resolution of the inkjet recording apparatus according to the present embodiment. This is because it is desired to avoid an increase in cost caused by providing the memory 222A.

In the present embodiment, the driving data generation unit 222 shown in FIG. 2 performs the pseudo halftone processing and the resolution conversion processing in real time, and FIG.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining an internal configuration of the device.

The read address control unit 701 includes CMYK
The four registers, one for CMYK and one for CMYK, are included for holding the addresses for reading the print data corresponding to the respective color inks from the image memory 222A.

In FIG. 7, reference numeral 701 denotes a read address control unit which controls the entire operation of the drive data generation unit 222.
From the drive data control unit (not shown), (1/1200) dpi
Signal PRTRG supplied for each (head scanning resolution)
Then, from the read addresses stored in the register corresponding to each color, an address storing print data corresponding to the color to be processed is selected and supplied to the address counter 702. A load signal RDTRG for causing the address counter 702 to hold the start address STRTAD [17: 0] is generated. continue,
At a predetermined timing, a clock signal CLK for address increment for the address counter 702 is generated.
The read address IMGAD [1
9: 0] is supplied. At this time, the read address IMGAD [19: 0] supplied from the address counter 702 to the image memory 222A is supplied from the lower 18 bits [17: 0] of the count output of the address counter 702 and the read address control unit 701. 2 bit signal COLO
This is a signal of 20 bits [19: 0] in total, where R [1: 0] is the upper two bits [18:19].

The signal COLOR [1: 0] is a signal indicating the color of the data to be processed. If the value is "0h", the processing of the cyan (C) color is performed. If the value is "1h", the magenta (M) ), Yellow (Y) if "2h",
“3h” indicates that the processing is black (K).

The image memory 222A is an image memory having a storage capacity of 1024 K words in total with 4 bits as one word. The input address is 20 bits and the output data is 4 bits.

FIG. 8 shows a resolution 300 dpi × 300 dpi transmitted from the host computer 200 and C
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating how 4-bit data for each color of MYK is stored in an image memory 222A.

As is apparent from FIG. 8, in the present embodiment, the address "00000" of the image memory 222A is used.
h ”to“ 3FFFFh ”are storage areas for C (cyan) data, and addresses“ 40000h ”to“ 7FFFFh ”are stored.
FFh ”to the storage area of M (magenta) data, and addresses“ 80000h ”to“ BFFFFh ”to Y
(Yellow) data storage area, address "C0000"
h ”to“ FFFFFFh ”are storage areas for K (black) data.

Returning to the description of FIG.
Is a memory that stores 8-bit pattern data to be output corresponding to pixel data of each color, as described in FIG. This memory 703 stores 4-bit pixel data COD output from the image memory 222A.
E [3: 0] is the lower 4 bits, and a signal C indicating the color to be processed
An address signal MAD [5: 0] consisting of a total of 6 bits, with OLOR [1: 0] being the upper 2 bits, is supplied. The memory 703 is a memory for performing the pseudo halftone processing and the resolution conversion processing by referring to the table described above in real time, and has an input address of 6 bits and output data of 8 bits.
It is assumed that the CPU 100 has previously written the 8-bit pattern data shown in FIG. 4B or FIGS. 5A to 5C by the CPU 100.

FIG. 9 shows the state shown in FIG. 4B and FIG.
The pattern data shown in FIG.
It is a figure showing whether it is stored in 03.

In FIG. 9, the pixel value is “0h” 1
4-bit pixel C data (resolution 300 dpi x 300
pattern C0 (501C) assigned to dpi)
Are the drive data (501C1 to 501C) of 8 bits (1 dot / 1 bit) constituting the pattern 501C.
8) (resolution 1200 dpi × 600 dpi) as shown in FIG.
Are stored at the address “00h” of the memory 703 in a format arranged as shown by 901C. A pattern M0 (501M) assigned to 4-bit M data of one pixel having a pixel value of “0h” is the same as 901 in FIG.
It can be read that the data is stored at the address “10h” of the memory 703 in a format arranged as indicated by M.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, the addresses “00h” to “0Fh” of the memory 703 correspond to the cyan pattern C0 to the pattern C0.
15 storage areas, from address “10h” to “1F”
h ”is the magenta pattern M0 to the pattern M15.
The addresses "20h" to "2Fh" are the storage areas for the yellow patterns Y0 to Y15, and the addresses "30h" to "3Fh" are the storage areas for the black patterns K0 to K15.
It is assumed that each pattern is stored in ascending order of the number from the lowest address of the memory 703.

Returning to the description of FIG. 7, the data output MDT [7: 0] of the memory 703, that is, the data signal for which the pseudo halftone processing and the resolution conversion processing by referring to the table have been completed is output to the 4-1 multiplexer 704, The data is supplied to the data latch group 706 via the 705. Here, the outputs of the multiplexers 704 and 705 are the signals PRT supplied every (1/1200) dpi from the control unit of the drive data generation unit.
A count output signal COLUMN [1: 0] of a 2-bit counter 707 for counting RG is input as a selection signal. That is, these multiplexers 704 and 705
If the value of the output signal COLUMN [1: 0] of the counter 707 is “1h”, the input of the terminal 1 is selected, if “2h”, the input of the terminal 2 is selected, if “3h”, the input of the terminal 3 is selected, and If it is “0h”, the input of the terminal 4 is selected and output to the output terminal Y.

A data latch group 706 to which data from the multiplexers 704 and 705 is supplied is a set of latch circuits for holding recording data to be supplied to the head driver 111A. The data latch group 706 is
It is composed of 64 D-type flip-flops,
Output signals HDT0, HDT1, H of each flip-flop
DT2,..., HDT63 correspond to the nozzles N0, N1, N2,.

As an input of each flip-flop constituting the data latch group 706, an output terminal Y of the multiplexer 704 is provided for the flip-flop corresponding to the nozzle numbers N0, N2, N4,.
Is supplied from the printer and the nozzle number N of each recording head
The data from the output terminal Y of the multiplexer 705 is supplied to the flip-flops corresponding to 1, N3, N5,. In addition, CLK of each flip-flop
As an input, a 32-bit decode signal obtained by decoding an address increment clock signal CLK generated by the read address control unit 701 by a 5-bit counter 708 by a 5-bit decoder 709 is supplied.

As shown in FIG. 7, in this embodiment, output data MDT7, MDT5, MDT3, and MDT1 of the memory 703 are input to the input terminals 1 to 4 of the multiplexer 704, and the input terminals 1 to 4 of the multiplexer 705 are input to the input terminals 1 to 4. Is the output data MDT6, MDT4, MDT of the memory 703
2, MDT0 is supplied. Therefore, MDT7, M
If any of DT5, MDT3, and MDT1 is HDT
0, HDT2, HDT4,..., Are sequentially latched every time the 5-bit counter 708 is counted up by the address increment clock signal CLK.
If any of T4, MDT2 and MDT0 is HDT
, HDT2, HDT4,... Are sequentially latched every time the 5-bit counter 708 counts up by one.

In the present embodiment, in order to generate data for 64 nozzles of the print head, print data having a resolution of 300 dpi.times.300 dpi is processed for 32 pixels of one bit of 4 bits. The unit 701 generates 32 address increment clock signals CLK per color.

In FIG. 7, the 2-bit signal COLOR [1: 0] indicating the color to be processed is decoded by the 2-bit decoder 710, but this is the data signal HDT [0: 6].
3] to the head driver 111A to generate a latch signal.
0 at the falling edge of the signal at the output terminal A of the driver 111A.
(C) shows the driver 1 when the signal at the output terminal B falls.
The data signal HDT [0:63] corresponding to each color is supplied to the driver 111A (Y) at the falling edge of the signal at the output terminal C and to the driver 111A (K) at the falling edge of the signal at the output terminal D. ] Is latched.

In this embodiment, the read address control unit 701 generates the address STRTAD [17: 0] to be supplied to the address counter 702 by generating four PRTRG signals input from the control unit of the drive data generation unit. It shall be updated every time. This means that the resolution of the image data sent from the host computer 200 stored in the image memory 222A is 300 dpi × 300 dpi.
On the other hand, the resolution actually printed is 1200 dpi as shown in FIG. 4, and the magnification is equivalent to four times.

The above is the description of the configuration of the drive data generator 222. FIG. 11 conceptually shows the internal operation of the drive data generator 222 and the procedure of data processing.
FIG. 12 is a timing chart of various internal signals referred to in the description of the drive data transfer circuit 222. In FIG. 12, the portion indicated by column 1 is a head driver corresponding to each column of data of two dots each of cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y) and black for one column (column). The column 2 indicates the timing at which the next one column of print data is transferred.

FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the procedure of data processing in the drive data generation unit 222 according to the present embodiment.

The CO generated by the read address control unit 701
The LOR signal [1: 0] (“0h” (cyan) in FIG. 11) and the read start address STRTAD signal [17: 0] are combined, and the image memory 222A is output as the IMAGAD signal [19: 0].
(Here, “00000h” at first). Thus, the recording data transferred from the host computer 200 and stored in the image memory 222A, that is, the cyan pixel data CODE signal [3: 0] (“Eh” in FIG. 11) is read. Subsequently, the CODE signal [3: 0] is set to the lower 4 bits, and COLOR
An address signal MAD [5: which uses the signal [1: 0] as the upper 2 bits
0] (001110) is supplied to the address of the memory 703. As a result, the pattern data (8 bits) (the pattern C14 in the figure) corresponding to the recording data ("Eh") is read.

Further, one dot (resolution: 1200 dpi × 600 dpi) constituting the read pattern
Are 8-bit data represented by 1 bit (corresponding to data for 4 columns), and are output from multiplexers 704 and 705.
COLUMN signal [1: 0] (“1” in FIG. 11)
h)), the bit data of the required column is selected from the 8-bit pattern data to be the recording data. In FIG. 11, the print data for the nozzle N0 of the cyan print head is indicated by “0”, and the print data for the nozzle N1 is indicated by “1”.

[Embodiment 1] A feature of Embodiment 1 of the present invention is that, in the above-described configuration, the CPU 100 further includes a memory 703 storing pattern data for pseudo halftone processing and resolution conversion processing. By rewriting the contents with masked data adapted to each pass before the start of recording in each scan (pass), multi-pass printing is performed at high speed without adding hardware.

First, in the first embodiment, a staggered or inverted staggered mask pattern shown in FIG. 13 is used as an image data array for thinning.

In FIG. 13, reference numeral 1301 denotes 300 dpi × 300 d input from the host computer 200.
It indicates the size of a pixel corresponding to pi, and this pixel data is represented by multi-valued 4 bits. 1302, as described above, converts 300 dpi multi-valued pixel data to 1200 dpi ×
A pattern represented by 8 dots of 600 dpi is shown.
302A denotes a mask pattern used in the first pass;
302B indicates a mask pattern used in the second pass.

In the pattern 1302A used in the first pass, 1312A, 1313A, 1316A, 1317A
The dot data corresponding to the positions indicated by. Are recorded without being thinned out.
The dot data corresponding to the positions indicated by 5A and 1318A are thinned out and forcibly become “0” data. Also,
In the pattern 1302B used in the second pass, 1311
The dot data corresponding to the positions indicated by B, 1314B, 1315B and 1318B are recorded without being thinned out, but are recorded at 1312B, 1313B, 1316B and 131.
The dot data corresponding to the position indicated by 7B is thinned out and forcibly becomes “0” data.

In the first embodiment, the CPU 100
Before starting the printing of the pass, a pattern obtained by taking the logical product of the thinning pattern 1302A shown in FIG. 13 and the pattern for the pseudo halftone processing and the resolution conversion processing shown in FIG. 4B or FIG. Ask for. Next, before starting printing in the second pass, the logical product of the thinning pattern 1302B shown in FIG. 13 and the pattern for the pseudo halftone processing and the resolution conversion processing shown in FIG. 4B or FIG. The obtained patterns are obtained, and each is written to the memory 703.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of the development of pattern data when the multi-valued pixel value of the recording data of each color of CMYK is "Eh". The parts common to FIG. They have the same numbers.

The pattern C14A, the pattern M14A, the pattern Y14A, and the pattern K14A are each a pattern 515C to 515K corresponding to the pixel data (Eh) and a thinning pattern 1302 of each color shown in FIG.
A pattern of the first pass corresponding to each color, which indicates a result of a logical product with A, a pattern C14B, a pattern M14
B, pattern Y14B and pattern K14B are patterns 515C to 515K corresponding to pixel data (Eh).
And the thinning pattern 1302B shown in FIG.
And the second pass pattern corresponding to each color, which shows the result of the logical product of

FIGS. 15A and 15B are diagrams for explaining how the calculation results of the logical product shown in FIG. 14 are stored in the memory 703, respectively.

FIG. 15A shows a state in which the result of the logical product of the pattern data and the thinning pattern 1302A (drive data of the first pass) is stored in the memory 703.
5 (b) is the pattern data and the thinning pattern 1302B
And the result of the logical product (drive data of the second pass) is stored in the memory 7
03 shows the state stored.

FIGS. 16 and 17 illustrate an example of a recording result according to the first embodiment. FIG.
FIG. 17 shows print data for the first pass and second pass for cyan C data, and FIG. 17 shows a print result for cyan C data.

FIG. 18 is a timing chart of an internal signal in the drive data generation unit 222 at the time of recording in the first pass, and FIG. 19 is a timing chart of an internal signal in the drive data generation unit 222 at the time of recording of the second pass. Is shown.

As is apparent from a comparison between these timing charts and the timing chart in FIG. 12, for example, as shown by 1701 in FIG. 18 and 1801 in FIG. The other operation timings are the same as those in FIG. 12 except that different patterns are read out in the second pass and the second pass, respectively.

FIG. 20 shows CPU 200 according to the first embodiment.
Is a flowchart showing recording control for one scan (band) according to the first embodiment.
00A.

First, in step S1, when print data sent from the host computer 200 is received, the flow advances to step S2, where the received print data is stored for each color in the image memory 222A (see FIG. 8). Next, the process proceeds to step S3, where it is determined whether or not the print start timing has come by storing, for example, one scan of print data in the image memory 222A. In 701, the read address of the recording data of each color is set. Next, in step S5, the pattern data (see FIG. 9) stored in the image memory 703 is multiplied by, for example, mask data “01100110” in the example of FIG. 13, and the result is stored in the same address of the memory 703. Store. As a result, the above-described pattern data (drive data) for one pass is stored in the memory 703.

In this way, the flow advances to step S 6 to start the rotation driving of the carriage motor 20, and to output the PRTRG signal to the read address control unit 701. As a result, the drive data generation unit 222 shown in FIG.
Image memory 22 received from host computer 200
2A, reading out the recording data (code) stored in
The data is developed into drive data according to the pattern data stored in the memory 703 and output to the head driver 111A. In this manner, each print head is driven in synchronization with the scan of the print head corresponding to each color (S7), and at step S8, 1 is set.
It is checked whether the recording for the pass has been completed, and if not completed, the processing of steps S7 and S8 is repeated.

When printing of one pass is completed in this way, the process proceeds to step S9, where the carriage 2 is returned to the home position. Then, the process proceeds to step S10, where the pattern data stored in the image memory 703 (see FIG. In the example of FIG. 13, the mask data of “10011001” is multiplied.
The result is stored in the same address of the memory 703. Then, the process proceeds to step S11, and the above-described steps S6 to S6 are performed.
Steps S11 to S13 in the same manner as
The recording is performed in two passes. When the printing of the second pass is completed in this manner, the process proceeds to step S14, where the carriage 2 is returned to the home position, and the paper feed motor 50 is rotationally driven to
The recording paper is conveyed by the recording width to be recorded by scanning, and the recording process for one scan is completed.

In this manner, a recording result as shown in FIG. 17 is obtained by two scans.

In FIG. 16, for simplification of the explanation, the case where the recording paper is not conveyed in the sub-scanning direction between the first pass and the second pass is described. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

[Second Embodiment] In the first embodiment, the CPU is used for each scan (pass) of the print head.
100 is a memory 703 for logical product calculation and the calculation result
Was writing to. On the other hand, Embodiment 2
Now, a memory 1901 having twice the memory capacity is provided,
A case will be described in which pattern data for two passes is stored in the memory 1901, and printing is performed at high speed only by changing the read address of the memory 1901 for each pass.

The structure of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the second embodiment is substantially the same as that of FIG. 2 described above. However, in the second embodiment, the drive data generating section has the structure as shown in FIG. Therefore, the difference from the configuration of the first embodiment is that a signal line for transmitting the SCAN signal to the drive data generation unit 223 is added.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing the internal configuration of the drive data generation unit 223 according to the second embodiment. In the figure, the same reference numerals are assigned to parts common to the configuration of FIG. 7 shown in the first embodiment. The description is omitted.

As is clear from the comparison between FIG. 7 and FIG. 21, in the second embodiment, the memory 1901 for performing the pseudo halftone processing and the resolution conversion processing by referring to the table in real time is provided. The storage capacity is twice as large as that of the first embodiment. The most significant bit of the address input of the memory 1901 includes the CPU 1
A SCAN signal controlled by 00 is provided.

Also in the second embodiment, the staggered / inverted staggered pattern shown in FIG. 13 is used as in the first embodiment. In the first embodiment, such pattern data is calculated for each scan (pass). In the second embodiment, the thinning patterns 1302A and 1302B, the pseudo halftone process, and the resolution conversion process are performed. AND calculation with the pattern for
100, and the calculation results are all stored in the memory 1901.

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing how the logical product calculation results are stored in the memory 1901 in the second embodiment.

The addresses "00h" to "0Fh" of the memory 1901 correspond to the patterns C0A to C15.
A, that is, a storage area for pattern data for the first pass cyan C, and a storage area for pattern data for magenta M for the first pass from addresses “10h” to “1Fh”;
Addresses “20h” to “2Fh” are storage areas for pattern data for yellow Y in the first pass, and addresses “30h” to “3Fh” are storage areas for pattern data for black K in the first pass. . Further, the upper addresses "40h" to "4Fh" correspond to the pattern C0B.
To pattern C15B, that is, pattern data for cyan C in the second pass, pattern data for magenta M in the second pass from addresses "50h" to "5Fh", and pattern data for magenta M in the second pass, and two paths for addresses "60h" to "6Fh" The storage area for the pattern data for the yellow Y of the eye and the addresses “70h” to “7Fh” is the pattern data for the black K of the second pass.

As described above, the switching of the pattern data of the first pass and the second pass is performed by the most significant bit ADRS6 (MAD6) of the address input of the memory 1901, that is, the CPU.
100 supplied to the drive data generation unit 223 from the SCA 100
It is controlled by whether the N signal is “1” or “0”. Therefore, the CPU 100 sets the value of the SCAN signal to “0” before the start of the first pass printing, and sets the value of the SCAN signal to “1” before the start of the second pass printing.
In the first pass, printing using the pattern data of the first pass is performed for each color, and in the second pass, printing using the pattern data of the second pass is performed.

This corresponds to, for example, the step S before the printing scan of the first pass is performed in the flowchart of FIG.
This can be easily realized by setting the SCAN signal to "0" in step S5 and setting the SCAN signal to "1" in step S10 for performing two-pass print scanning.

As is apparent from the above description, in the second embodiment, it is not necessary to perform the logical product calculation and the writing to the memory for each scan (pass), and the recording can be performed at a higher speed. .

[Embodiment 3] In the above-described Embodiments 1 and 2, thinning is performed using a specific mask pattern such as a zigzag or inverted zigzag pattern. Depending on the pattern for the resolution conversion processing and the recording data, the data signal HDT for driving the nozzles and the mask pattern have the same period, and the recorded dot array forms a moiré pattern having a specific direction. A phenomenon called "."

Therefore, in the third embodiment, a plurality of thinning patterns are prepared, and each pattern is selectively used within one scan (pass) to prevent moire from occurring, and to prevent deterioration in image quality due to density unevenness. We propose a multi-pass printing method that reduces effectively.

The configuration of the control block of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the third embodiment is substantially the same as the configuration of FIG. 2 described above, but the configuration of the drive data generation unit 224 is the same as that of FIG.
And the SCAN signal line is supplied from the CPU 100 to the drive data generation unit, which is different from the configuration of the first embodiment.

FIGS. 23 and 24 show the first embodiment.
Another mask pattern example different from the mask pattern,
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a recording example.

In FIG. 23, similar to the case of FIG. 13, reference numeral 2101 denotes one pixel data (code) of the recording data received from the host computer 200;
Reference numeral 2 denotes a dot array when the pixel is subjected to pseudo halftone processing and recorded.

Thinning pattern 210 used in the first pass
In 2C, 2112C, 2113C, 2115C, 21
The recording data corresponding to the dot position of 18C is recorded without thinning, and 2111C, 2114C, 2116C,
The print data corresponding to the position 117C is thinned out to forcibly become “0” data. In the thinning pattern 2102D used in the second pass, 2111D, 2114D,
2112D, 2113D, and 2115D without thinning out print data corresponding to the positions of 2116D and 2117D.
D, the recording data corresponding to the position of 2118D is thinned out to forcibly become "0" data.

The logical product of these thinning patterns and the patterns for the pseudo halftone processing and the resolution conversion processing corresponding to the cyan data “Eh” shown in FIG. 4B or 5B is calculated. FIG. 24 shows an example of the result of the above.

FIG. 25 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the drive data generation unit 224 of the third embodiment. Components having the same functions as those of the components shown in the first and second embodiments have the same reference numerals. And description thereof is omitted.

As is apparent from FIG. 25, in the third embodiment, the memory capacity of the memory 2301 for performing the pseudo halftone processing and the resolution conversion processing by referring to the table in real time is the same as that of the first embodiment. The storage capacity is four times that of the case.

In FIG. 25, the SCAN signal controlled by the CPU 100 is stored in the sixth bit (MAD6) of the address input of the memory 2301, and the 1-bit counter 230 is stored in the most significant bit (7th bit: MAD7) of the address.
The PIXEL signal, which is the output signal of No. 3, is supplied.

The 1-bit counter 2303 receives, at its clock input, a signal COLUMN, which is output from the 2-bit counter 707 and indicates the column position to be printed, decoded and input. That is, the signal PRTR supplied from the CPU 100 every (1/1200) dpi
The result of counting G is input to an OR gate 2302, where a decoded signal is supplied. The output of the gate 2302 becomes “0” when the count value (COLUMN [1: 0] signal) of the 2-bit counter 707 is “0h”. Therefore, this 2-bit counter 707
Every time the count value becomes “0h”, that is, every four columns, the 1-bit counter 2301 counts.

FIG. 26 is a diagram showing data contents of memory 2301 in the third embodiment.

As can be seen from the figure, the pattern for thinning out the staggered and inverted staggered patterns used in the second embodiment is shown in FIG. 13 at addresses "00h" to "7Fh" of the memory 2401. Is stored. That is, in the addresses “00h” to “3Fh” of the memory 2401, the cyan pattern data C0A to C1 for one pass are stored.
5A, magenta pattern data M0A to M15A,
Pattern data Y0A to Y15A for yellow and pattern data K0A to K15A for black are stored. In addition, from address “40h” of memory 2401 to “7F
h ”is the pattern data C0B for cyan for two passes.
To C15B, pattern data M0B to M1 for magenta
5B, pattern data Y0B to Y15B for yellow,
Pattern data K0B to K15B for black are stored.

Further, the address “80” of the memory 2301
From “h” to “BFh”, pattern data C0C to C15C for cyan for one pass, pattern data M0C to M15C for magenta, and yellow Pattern data Y0C to Y15C, and pattern data K0C for black
To K15C are stored in the address “C
From “0h” to “FFh”, the two-pass cyan pattern data C0D to C15D, the magenta pattern data M0D to M15D, and the yellow pattern data Y0
B to Y15D, black pattern data K0B to K15D
Is stored.

That is, after the scanning of one line is started,
Since the PIXEL signal is “0” in the first 1 to 4 columns, the address “00h” of the memory 2301 shown in FIG.
The pattern data of addresses “80h” to “FFh” of the memory 2301 shown in FIG. 26 is read because the PIXEL signal is “1” in the next four columns. Will be recorded.

Of course, also in the second pass printing, the pattern data C0B to C15B for cyan, the pattern data M0B to M15B for magenta, and the pattern data Y for yellow are printed in the first to fourth columns.
0B to Y15B, pattern data K0B to K15 for black
B is read from the memory 2301 and recorded, and the PIXEL signal is "1" from the fifth column to the eighth column, and the cyan pattern data C0D to C15D, the magenta pattern data M0D to M15D, and the yellow pattern It goes without saying that the data Y0D to Y15D and the pattern data K0D to K15D for black are recorded.

Further, during the recording of the first pass, the CPU 10
The fact that 0 sets the value of the SCAN signal to "0" and "1" at the time of recording in the second pass is the same as in the above-described embodiment.

FIG. 27 is a diagram showing an example of a timing chart of an internal signal of the drive data generating section 224 at the time of the first pass printing in the third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 28 is a diagram showing one pass in the third embodiment. It is a figure showing an example of a record result of eyes.

In FIG. 27, as indicated by reference numeral 2501,
A pattern C14A based on the mask pattern in FIG. 13 is generated for the cyan data having the pixel value of “Eh” in the first column, whereas the cyan data having the pixel value of “Eh” in the fifth column 2502 shown in FIG. It can be seen that a pattern C14C based on the mask pattern of FIG.

FIG. 28 is a diagram showing an example of cyan print data in the first pass and cyan print data in the second pass in the third embodiment.

As is apparent from FIG. 28, the first pass and the second pass
In each of the passes, in columns 1 to 4, FIG.
It can be seen that recording is performed in a pattern based on the mask pattern 3 and in columns 5 to 8 the pattern is masked based on the mask data in FIG. Thus, the mask data to be masked is changed every four columns, and printing is performed.

As is clear from the above description, according to the third embodiment, two thinning patterns are used alternately every four columns, so that the data signals HDT [0:63] for driving the nozzles are used. Thus, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of moire caused by the mask pattern having the same period, and thereby to realize a multi-pass printing method in which deterioration of image quality due to density unevenness is effectively reduced.

Even if the present invention is applied to a system including 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.).

An object of the present invention is to provide 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 or MPU) of the system or the apparatus. Is also achieved by reading and executing 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. ) Performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes 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 instructions of the program code, The case where the CPU of the function expansion board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing is also included.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, in a printing apparatus that performs a pseudo halftone process and a resolution conversion process by referring to a table in real time, printing is performed at high speed by multi-pass without increasing costs. Can be provided.

In this embodiment, the image data of each color is transmitted from the host computer 200. However, for example, only the image data of one color may be transmitted, and data of a plurality of colors may be generated from the image data.

In the above-described embodiment, printing of an image is performed by two multi-passes, but printing may be performed by three or more multi-passes. Further, the types of the mask patterns in the third embodiment are not limited to two types but may be more than two types.

[0116]

As described above, according to the present invention, pseudo halftone processing is performed on input image data, the resolution of the image data is converted into resolution data for a printing apparatus, and multi-pass processing is performed. Image recording can be realized with a simple configuration.

Further, according to the present invention, there is an effect that halftone processing and resolution conversion of image data, and furthermore, a bit mask in a multi-pass can be easily realized.

Further, according to the present invention, input multi-valued image data is converted into higher-resolution halftone image data, data is thinned out for each pass, and recording is performed by multi-pass so that high-quality image data can be obtained at high speed. There is an effect that can be recorded.

[0119]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an outline of a recording unit of an ink jet recording apparatus according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a main part of the inkjet recording apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically illustrating a recording head used in the ink jet recording apparatus according to the embodiment.

4A and 4B are diagrams for explaining conversion from data transferred from a host computer to data for driving each nozzle of a print head. FIG. 4A illustrates pixel data of 300 dpi and dots for actual printing. FIG. 7B is a diagram illustrating a relationship between the pixel data “8h” and the corresponding pattern data.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a relationship between print data of each color sent from a host computer and data (pattern data) for driving each nozzle of a print head corresponding to each color.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between received data and a printing result in the inkjet printing apparatus of the present embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a drive data generation unit in the inkjet recording apparatus according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of storage in an image memory in the inkjet recording apparatus according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a state in which pattern data used to convert print data received from a host computer into print head drive data is stored in a memory.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing storage contents of a memory in a drive data generation unit in the ink jet recording apparatus of the present embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a diagram conceptually illustrating a processing procedure in a drive data generation unit in the inkjet recording apparatus according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a timing chart illustrating an operation of a drive data generation unit in the inkjet recording apparatus according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a thinning pattern for thinning a table reference pattern used in the first embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a thinned-out table reference pattern stored in the memory of the drive data generation unit in the first embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating the storage contents of each path in the memory of the drive data generation unit according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print result of a first pass and a second pass in the inkjet printing apparatus according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of a printing result in two passes in the inkjet printing apparatus according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a timing chart illustrating an operation of the drive data generation unit in the first pass printing in the inkjet printing apparatus according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a timing chart illustrating a second-pass printing operation performed by the drive data generation unit according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating control processing by the CPU of the inkjet recording apparatus according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 21 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a drive data generation unit of the inkjet recording apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating data contents stored in a memory of a drive data generation unit according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a thinning pattern for thinning a table reference pattern used in the third embodiment.

FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating a table reference pattern stored in the memory of the drive data generation unit and subjected to different thinning-out according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 25 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a drive data generation unit according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating data contents stored in a memory of a drive data generation unit according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 27 is a timing chart showing a printing operation in the first pass by the drive data generation unit according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 28 is a diagram illustrating an example of a recording result according to the third embodiment.

Continued on the front page F-term (reference) 2C056 EA04 EA06 EB59 EC71 EC74 EC76 EC78 FA10 5C072 AA03 BA03 BA04 BA16 BA17 NA01 QA14 TA04 UA11 UA17 UA18 XA04 5C074 AA05 BB16 DD04 DD14 DD16 DD24 EE14 FF05 FF13H04

Claims (17)

[Claims] 1. A recording apparatus for recording by moving a recording head having a plurality of recording elements relative to a recording medium, comprising: holding means for holding input image data; Converting means for converting the image data into dot pattern data, converting the image data based on data read from the memory by inputting the image data to an address of the memory; Conversion control means for changing the data stored in the memory between a first relative print scan and a second relative print scan of the print head with respect to the image data; and the dot pattern data converted by the conversion means. Storage means for storing a plurality of print elements corresponding to a plurality of print elements of the print head; one image according to the dot pattern data stored in the storage means; Recording device for recording control means for driving and controlling so that the recording of the recording head relative movement at least twice to the data, characterized in that it has a. 2. A recording apparatus for recording by moving a recording head having a plurality of recording elements relative to a recording medium, comprising: holding means for holding input image data; Converting means for converting the image data into dot pattern data, converting the image data based on data read from the memory by inputting the image data to an address of the memory; Storage means for storing the dot pattern data converted by the conversion means in correspondence with a plurality of printing elements of the printhead; and storing the printhead for one image data in accordance with the dot pattern data stored in the storage means. Recording control means for controlling driving so as to perform relative movement at least twice for recording; Relative movement first recording head and stores the dot pattern data corresponding to the relative movement a second time, and the converting means the 1
A recording apparatus, wherein a read address of the memory is changed between a second relative movement and a second relative movement. 3. A recording apparatus for recording by moving a recording head having a plurality of recording elements relative to a recording medium, comprising: holding means for holding input image data; Converting means for converting the image data into dot pattern data, converting the image data based on data read from the memory by inputting the image data to an address of the memory; Storage means for storing the dot pattern data converted by the conversion means in correspondence with a plurality of printing elements of the printhead; and storing the printhead for one image data in accordance with the dot pattern data stored in the storage means. Recording control means for controlling driving so as to perform relative movement at least twice for recording; At least two types of dot pattern data different from each other are stored for each of the first relative movement and the second relative movement of the recording head, and the converting means determines the number of relative movements and the recording by the recording head. A recording apparatus for changing a read address of the memory according to a position. 4. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the input image data is multi-valued image data. 5. The input image data includes image data of a plurality of colors, and each of the image data of the plurality of colors is multi-valued image data.
The recording device according to claim 1. 6. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the dot pattern data is data for converting a resolution of the image data. 7. The recording apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the dot pattern data is pseudo halftone data of the image data. 8. The memory stores dot pattern data corresponding to each of a plurality of colors, and at least the image data and color information indicating the color of the image data are input as addresses of the memory. The recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein: 9. A recording method for performing recording by moving a recording head having a plurality of recording elements relative to a recording medium, comprising: a step of inputting image data from an external device; And converting the image data into dot pattern data based on the data read from the memory and inputting the data stored in the memory into the first relative recording of the recording head with respect to the image data. A conversion control step of changing between scanning and a second relative recording scan, and recording by moving the recording head at least twice relative to one image data in accordance with the dot pattern data obtained in the conversion step. And a recording control step of performing drive control on the recording medium. 10. A recording method for performing recording by moving a recording head having a plurality of recording elements relative to a recording medium, comprising the steps of: inputting image data from an external device; And a conversion step of converting the image data into dot pattern data based on data read from the memory and inputting the print head for one image data according to the dot pattern data obtained in the conversion step. A print control step of performing drive control so as to perform relative movement at least twice for printing, wherein the memory stores a dot pattern corresponding to a first relative movement and a second relative movement of the print head with respect to the image data. In the conversion step, the read address of the memory is changed by the first relative movement and the second relative movement. Recording method characterized by further. 11. A recording method for performing recording by moving a recording head having a plurality of recording elements relative to a recording medium, comprising the steps of: inputting image data from an external device; And a conversion step of converting the image data into dot pattern data based on data read from the memory and inputting the print head for one image data according to the dot pattern data obtained in the conversion step. A recording control step of performing drive control so as to perform relative movement at least twice for recording, wherein the memory is configured to perform a first relative movement and a second relative movement of the recording head with respect to the image data, respectively. At least two types of dot pattern data different from each other are stored, and in the conversion step, the number of relative movements and the recording Recording method characterized by changing the read address of the memory in response to the recording position by de. 12. The recording method according to claim 9, wherein the input image data is multi-valued image data. 13. The image processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the input image data includes image data of a plurality of colors, and each of the image data of the plurality of colors is multi-valued image data. Recording method described in 1. 14. The recording method according to claim 9, wherein the dot pattern data is data for converting a resolution of the image data. 15. The recording method according to claim 12, wherein the dot pattern data is pseudo halftone data of the image data. 16. The memory stores dot pattern data corresponding to each of a plurality of colors, and at least the image data and color information indicating the color of the image data are input as addresses of the memory. 14. The recording method according to claim 13, wherein: 17. The memory according to claim 1, wherein the memory stores dot pattern data such that an image recorded by a plurality of relative movements becomes an interpolation image of an image recorded by another relative movement. Any one of items 9 to 16
Recording method described in section.