JP2002192706A - Apparatus and method for ink jet recording - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the recording quality by making joints of recording data blocks unnoticeable in a recording method in which one line is completely recorded by scanning a recording head by a plurality of the number of times while a horizontal scanning direction is divided to a plurality of recording data blocks. SOLUTION: An overlapping region is set in the horizontal scanning direction of adjacent recording data blocks. A random mask pattern is applied to the overlapping region when recording is carried out. At the same time, an overlapping region is provided also in a vertical scanning direction, and multipath printing is carried out. The whole image is improved in this manner.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus for performing recording by discharging ink on a recording paper, and more particularly, to a high image quality of an ink jet recording apparatus for performing recording without blanks on the entire surface of the recording paper. About

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art It is not realistic to perform a recording operation only in a range completely coincident with the entire surface of a recording sheet, due to a shape error of the recording sheet, a recording sheet conveyance accuracy of a recording apparatus, and the like. In order to start the recording operation from a predetermined distance inside from the end face of the recording sheet, the recording result usually has a margin along the end face.

[0003] However, as seen in a silver halide photograph print service, many people prefer a print result without margins, and even in an ink jet printing apparatus, means for printing without blanks on the entire surface of a recording sheet after printing is completed. Have been put to practical use.

[0004] Among these means, it is not known yet, but as shown in FIG.
As in the invention described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 4 (1999) -1995, the recording sheet supporting member 50 is movable in the same direction as the scanning direction of the recording head. In some cases, a desired recording result is obtained by moving the recording and dividing the recording of one line into a plurality.

On the other hand, techniques for improving the quality of recorded images include:
For example, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 8-25693, a method of making a streak at a connecting portion of a recording block in a recording paper transport direction less noticeable, and a method disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-52389.
As disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. H11-260, a method for preventing image deterioration due to variations in ink droplets ejected from a recording head has been proposed.

[0006]

However, in the above-described background art, recording high quality images on the entire surface of the recording paper without margins may cause an increase in the size of the recording apparatus or an increase in cost. .

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the present invention is to pass a recording material between a recording head and a platen arranged opposite to the recording head, and move the recording head in a recording material transport direction. and in the serial type ink jet recording apparatus which performs substantially orthogonally recorded by reciprocal scanning, by dividing the main scanning direction of the data of the recording head into a plurality of data blocks, the recording head of the plurality of data blocks of a plurality of times The recording is performed on the recording medium by dividing into the main scanning, and the sum of the lengths of the plurality of data blocks in the main scanning direction of the recording head is actually recorded on the recording medium in the main scanning direction of the recording head. An ink jet recording apparatus characterized in that it is longer than the length.

Further, according to the present invention, the main scanning of the recording head is performed in an ink jet recording apparatus in which the recording head is scanned a plurality of times in the same recording area, and recording is performed by thinning out recording data in accordance with a different mask pattern in each scan. Directional data is divided into a plurality of data blocks, the plurality of data blocks are divided into a plurality of main scans of a recording head, and recording is performed on the recording medium, and scanning of the recording head between adjacent data blocks is performed. In the superimposed area in the direction and in the area of the data block other than the superimposed area, there are provided means for allocating different mask patterns, and means for thinning out recording data for each area of each data block according to the mask pattern. An ink jet recording apparatus is provided.

Further, according to the present invention, a recording material is passed between a recording head and a platen arranged opposite to the recording head, and the recording head is reciprocally scanned substantially orthogonal to the recording material conveyance direction. In an ink jet recording method for performing recording, data in a main scanning direction of a recording head is divided into a plurality of data blocks, and the plurality of data blocks are divided into a plurality of main scans of a recording head, and the data is recorded on the recording medium. Ink jet recording, wherein the sum of the lengths of the plurality of data blocks in the main scanning direction of the recording head is longer than the length of the recording medium in the main scanning direction of the recording head that is actually recorded. A recording method is provided.

Further, according to the present invention, there is provided an ink jet recording method in which a recording head is scanned a plurality of times in the same recording area, and recording is performed by thinning out recording data according to a different mask pattern in each scanning. Directional data is divided into a plurality of data blocks, the plurality of data blocks are divided into a plurality of main scans of a recording head, and recording is performed on the recording medium, and scanning of the recording head between adjacent data blocks is performed. A different mask pattern is assigned to a superimposed area in a direction and an area of the data block other than the superimposed area, and recording data for each area of each data block is thinned out according to the mask pattern. A recording method is provided.

(Operation) In the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention configured as described above, high-quality recording can be performed on the entire surface of the recording paper without any margin without increasing complexity and size of the recording apparatus and increasing the cost. It can be carried out.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings.

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a recording section of an example of an ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 12 is a schematic perspective view showing the entire recording section of an example of an ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

In FIG. 1 or 12, reference numeral 10 denotes a recording head for performing recording by discharging ink, 11 a platen for guiding and supporting a recording sheet, and 12 a platen ink absorber arranged in contact with the platen. , 13 is a recording paper as a recording material, 14 is a guide shaft for supporting a carrier, 1
5 is a guide rail that supports the carrier together with the guide shaft 14, 30 is a carrier on which the recording head 10 is mounted and scanned, 31 is a carrier belt for driving the carrier 30, 32 is a carrier motor as a drive source of the carrier 30, Reference numeral 33 denotes an LF roller for conveying the recording paper 13;
4 LF roller gear fixed coaxially with the LF roller 33, 35 is a pinch roller for nipping the recording paper 13 opposite to the LF roller 33, a pinch roller holder for holding the pinch roller 35 is 36, 37 sheet transport A paper discharge roller for transporting the paper on the downstream side, a paper discharge roller gear 38 coaxially fixed to the paper discharge roller 37, a chassis 39 supporting each part of the recording apparatus, and a paper sheet 40 to be loaded. ASF (automatics)
heat feeder 41 is an exterior of the recording apparatus.

First, the overall structure of the ink jet recording apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 12, and then the details of the recording method will be described.

The ink jet recording apparatus records on the recording paper 13 in the order outlined below. That is,
A plurality of recording sheets 13 are stacked and placed on a paper feed tray of the ASF 40. The recording paper 13 on the paper feed tray is separated and conveyed from the uppermost sheet by the rotation of a paper feed roller (not shown), and is sent to a paper conveyance unit through a paper conveyance path (not shown).

The paper transport section includes an LF roller 33 and a pinch roller 35.

Using an LF motor (not shown) as a drive source, L
The driving force is transmitted to the LF roller 33 via the F roller gear 34. The pinch roller 35 disposed opposite to the LF roller 33 is urged to the LF roller 33 by an elastic member (not shown) via a pinch roller holder 36. After the recording paper 13 is sent from the ASF 40, the LF roller 33 starts rotating, so that the leading end of the recording paper 13 is nipped by the nip between the LF roller 33 and the pinch roller 35. Since the friction coefficient between the LF roller 33 and the recording paper 13 is set to be high, the recording paper 13 is conveyed with almost no slip according to the rotation of the LF roller 33.

The recording paper 13 conveyed by the LF roller 33 is guided and supported by a row of ribs provided on the platen 11, and is guided to a paper discharge section. The ribs provided on the platen 11 reduce the contact area with the recording paper 13 to reduce the resistance, so that the recording paper 13 is smoothly transported to the paper discharge unit.

The paper discharge section includes a paper discharge roller 37 and a spur (not shown) (disposed above the paper discharge roller 37 in FIG. 12).

The discharge roller 37 is connected by LF roller 33 and the gear train, rotates synchronously. Further, since the spur is urged by the discharge roller 37 by an elastic member as in the case of the pinch roller 35, the recording paper 13 can be nipped and conveyed similarly to the LF roller 33.

Basically, the recording operation is performed while the recording paper 13 is conveyed while being sandwiched between the LF roller 33 and the pinch roller 35 and the discharge roller 37 and the spur. In order to increase the area of the recording portion, the LF roller 33 and the pinch roller 35 are used only when recording the leading end of the recording sheet 13, and only the discharge roller 37 and the spur are used when recording the rear end of the recording sheet 13. The recording operation is possible only by performing the operation.

The carrier section includes a carrier 30 holding the recording head 10, a guide shaft 14 and a guide rail 15 for guiding the carrier 30 so that the carrier 30 can be moved in a direction perpendicular to the recording paper transport direction. A carrier belt 31 is attached to the carrier 30 and a carrier motor 32
And the idler pulley attached to the chassis 39. With such a configuration, the reciprocating rotation of the carrier motor 32 is converted into the reciprocating linear motion of the carrier 30. Since the recording head 10 is opposed to the platen 11, the ink droplets are ejected from the ink ejection nozzles provided on the recording head 10 at a timing synchronized with the movement of the carrier 30, so that the recording is performed on the recording paper 13 in units of lines. it is possible to perform.

When the recording on the recording paper 13 is completed, the recording paper 13 is discharged out of the recording apparatus by the above-described paper discharge unit.

The above is a brief description of the operation of the ink jet recording apparatus.

[0027] Next, the details of the recording method, especially the recording paper 1
The recording method for the front end and the rear end of No. 3 will be described with reference to FIGS.

First, the recording without margin at the leading edge of the sheet will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

In step S1, when the leading end of the recording paper 13 is detected by a PE (paper end) sensor (not shown), the paper leading end recording operation is started.

Next, in step S2, the LF motor is driven to rotate the LF roller 33 forward so that the leading end of the recording sheet 13 is caught to a predetermined position. The predetermined position is shown in FIG.
Are positions satisfying the relationship between the recording head 10 and the recording paper 13 shown in FIG. Here, in order to clarify the positional relationship, FIG. 6 shows a schematic side view of the recording apparatus viewed from the direction of arrow A in FIG. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 16 denotes an ink ejection nozzle array provided on the recording head 10. The discharge nozzle row 16
Although a plurality of ink ejection nozzles are arranged in a substantially straight line, an approximately half of the ink ejection nozzles on the upstream side when viewed from the paper transport direction is referred to as an ejection nozzle row 16b. At the same time, as shown in FIG. 7, will be approximately half of downstream from the sheet conveyance direction is referred to as discharge nozzle row 16a.

The predetermined position at which the leading edge of the recording paper 13 is located at the time of the recording operation at the leading end of the recording sheet 13 is within the range of the ejection nozzle row 16b and is located at a distance Lb from the most downstream side of the ejection nozzle row 16b. . The reason for setting the distance Lb are as follows. That is, the conveyance of the recording paper is in an ideal state, and the leading end position of the recording paper 13 and the recording head 10
If the relative positions of the ejection nozzles can be determined, it is possible to perform recording without leading edge margin by starting the recording operation from the head of the recording paper 13 with Lb = 0, but actually, the position of the recording paper is There is a case where the accuracy of the PE sensor to be detected is insufficient, or the recording paper 13 is conveyed slightly obliquely so that the leading edge of the recording paper and the scanning direction of the carrier 30 are not parallel. This results in the generation of the leading edge margin and the unexpected ejection of ink droplets outside the recording paper. It is not impossible to take measures to completely prevent such a situation, but it is not advisable to consider such costs. As described above, by setting an appropriate amount of Lb, since even varies various precision to some extent it is possible to ensure that the region of the tip is always discharge nozzle row 16b of the recording paper 13, the leading end margin Does not occur.

It should be noted since this time, data necessary for recording, it is necessary to anticipate to the minute Lb, it is necessary that actually prepare data slightly larger area than is recorded on the recording sheet is there. When the cueing of the recording paper is completed as described above, the recording operation starts in the next step.

Next, in step S3, a process of masking the second area of the leading end print data is performed. This is a process for dividing the printing at the leading end into a plurality of passes and executing the printing. FIG. 8 is a schematic plan view showing a mask processing method for leading end print data. In the figure, reference numeral 17 denotes the entire range of the front end recording data, and 18 denotes the first end recording data first area.
The data first area 18 includes a first area independent part 18a that does not overlap a tip part recording data second area described later, and a first area overlapping part 18 that overlaps the tip part recording data second area.
b.

In the masking process in S3, since only the first portion 18 of the leading end recording data is recorded with respect to the leading end recording data 17 for one row, the remaining portion is masked so as not to be recorded. I do. That is, the leading end recording data transmitted from the host or the like and the leading end recording data first area 18
AND is performed with the recording unit mask of FIG. 8, and only the recording data of the hatched portion in FIG. 8 is set as effective recording data.

At this time, the recording data of the first area single part 18a is recorded with the original data of 100%, but the first area overlapping part 18b is an area processed by using a random mask pattern. This is because, as described later, the leading end portion recorded data first region 18 and the distal end portion recording data second region 19 which is the recording operation during the scanning of different recording heads 10,
First end recording data first area 18 and second end recording data second
A so-called white streak in which a dot formed by ink droplets is not filled and a slight gap is left at a boundary portion with the region 19, or a so-called black streak in which ink droplets land in the same place on the contrary, may occur. Due to the nature. Since the occurrence of white streaks or black streaks depends on the conveyance accuracy of the carrier 30 or the conveyance accuracy of the recording paper 13, or the deformation of the recording paper 13, it is very difficult to reduce the occurrence to zero. Even if these errors exist, random mask processing is performed as a technique that can reduce the visual effect on the recording result. This is based on the visual characteristics that the dots and overlaps of dots are easily perceived by the human eye if they are arranged in a straight line, but are difficult to see as long as gaps and overlaps occur at random positions. there.

Next, specific means of the random mask processing will be described. FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the electric circuit hardness of the present ink jet recording apparatus, and FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a random mask pattern of 4 × 4 dots.
In this embodiment, a pattern of 50% duty is used first, and then a pattern of 50% duty which is a complementary relationship is used later, so that a print duty of 100% is finally obtained. Note that this duty distribution may be arbitrarily determined, and the final overlapping result is 100%
I just want to be. In generating the pattern, a method of generating the pattern using random numbers at any time may be used.
The pattern may be stored in the M63 or the RAM 64 in advance, and the pattern may be selected and used.

When printing the first area overlapping portion 18b, FIG. 14A is used as a random mask pattern, and the location indicated by the black circle in FIG. The data is transferred to the print head driver 67 via the transfer circuit 66.

Here, the first end recording data first area 18 is the data of the arrangement of the rib row provided on the platen 11 and the synchronous block shape. Next, in order to explain how the data block is synchronized with the arrangement of the rib rows, the shape of the platen will be described.

FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view showing the relationship between the platen 11 and the platen ink absorber 12. As shown in FIG. For the reasons mentioned above, the platen is provided with ribs,
In the present invention, a plurality of sets of rib rows are arranged. As shown in FIG. 5A, the platen 11 has platen rib rows 11 arranged at substantially equal intervals up to substantially half of the upstream side in the recording paper transport direction.
b, and substantially half of the downstream side in the recording paper transport direction, so as to be substantially at the center of the ribs of the platen rib row 11b.
A platen rib row 11a is provided. When viewed in the recording paper transport direction, as shown in FIG.
6, a platen rib row 11b is provided in almost half of the upstream side, and a platen rib row 11a is provided in almost half of the downstream side of the discharge nozzle row 16. The platen ink absorber 12 is arranged on the platen 11 having the above-described rib arrangement so as to fill in portions other than the ribs. The platen ink absorber 12 is made of a material having good ink absorption efficiency, such as pulp or polymer.
It has a shape with a hole at the part corresponding to the rib. The platen 11 and the platen ink absorber 12 are combined to form a unit shown in FIG. 5B, which is provided in the recording apparatus.

The platen rib row 11b on the upstream side of the platen 11 having the ribs arranged in a staggered manner as described above
Is set in accordance with the pitch of the leading edge portion, and more specifically, the leading edge portion of the recording data first region 18 is set substantially at the center between the ribs of the platen rib row 11b. Is set. Therefore, the pitch of the leading end recording data first area 18 is the platen rib row 11b.
And the width thereof is approximately half of the pitch of the platen rib row 11b.

The relationship between the rib array of the platen 11 and the first end print data first area 18 has been described above.

Next, in step S4, the first carrier 30
The first area is recorded by scanning. Specifically, the carrier 30 is driven and scanned as described above, and a printing operation is performed based on the masked print data. Ink droplets ejected from the ejection nozzles of the recording head 10 land on the recording paper 13 and are fixed. As shown in FIG. 6, the ejection nozzle row 16b is covered by the length Lb. Since there are ejection nozzles that do not face the recording paper 13, the ink droplets ejected from that portion directly reach the platen ink absorber 12 and are absorbed and collected. Further, in the recording of the first area, ink droplets are ejected only in the area where there is no platen rib row 11b, so that no ink drops are ejected on the platen rib row 11b. Further, as shown in FIG. The ejection nozzle row 16b corresponds to the first area 18.
Therefore, no ink droplets are ejected onto the platen rib row 11a, and all ink droplets ejected outside the recording paper 13 are absorbed by the platen ink absorber.
Collected.

The reason why ink droplets are not ejected on the ribs of the platen 11 by the above measures is as follows. That is, since the recording paper 13 is guided and conveyed by the ribs, the opposite side of the recording paper 13 and the ribs of the platen 11 are sliding, and the ink droplets adhere to the ribs of the platen 11 by any chance. If to that, because a possibility that the anti-recording surface of the recording paper 13 will be soiled with the ink is present.

FIG. 1 is a view showing a state after the printing operation for one line is completed, and a first recording area 13a is formed on the recording paper 13 by the first scanning.

Next, in step S5, a predetermined amount of recording paper 13 is conveyed. FIG. 7 shows a state after the recording paper 13 is conveyed. At this time, the leading end of the recording paper 13 is in the range of the ejection nozzle row 16a,
The sheet is conveyed from the most downstream side to a position separated by La from the leading end of the recording sheet 13. FIG. 6 shows the reason why La exists.
Is exactly the same as the reason why Lb exists.
At this time, it is preferable that the transport amount be equal to or less than half the length of the ejection nozzle row 16 in the recording paper transport direction. This makes it possible to efficiently utilize the length of the ejection nozzle row. Next, in step S6, a process of masking the first area of the leading end print data is performed. This is for recording the remaining portion of the recording performed in steps S3 to S4. FIG. 9 is a schematic plan view showing a second mask processing method for the front end print data. In the figure, 19
Indicates a second region of the leading end recording data. Data 2
The area 19 includes a second area independent part 19a that does not overlap with the above-described data first area 18, and a second area superimposition part 19b that overlaps the first area superimposition part 18b.

In the masking process of step S6, the portion that has not been recorded in the masking process of step S3 is recorded. This is an area obtained by inverting the one area 18. Tip recording data 1 as in S4
7 and the tip portion takes the mask AND recording data second region,
In FIG. 9, only the recording data of the hatched portion is set as valid recording data. That is, the second area overlapping unit 19b
Then, using the random mask pattern shown in FIG. 14B, the data at the location indicated by the black circle in FIG.
Is transferred to the print head driver 67 via the. By performing the printing operation in this manner, the dots that were not printed during the printing head scan in the previous step S4 are printed in a complementary manner, guaranteeing 100% original data.

Here, as is apparent from FIGS. 8 and 9, the first region overlapping portion 18b and the second region overlapping portion 19b
Therefore, the total length of the print data block in the main scanning direction Ltotal = (L1 + L2 + L3 + L4 + L5 + L6
+ L7 + L8 + L9 + L10) + (L11 + L12 + L
13 + L14 + L15 + L16 + L17 + L18 + L1
9 + L20) satisfies Ltotal> L in relation to the effective recording length L in the main scanning direction.

Next, at step S7, the second
The second area is recorded by scanning. This scanning may be performed at the time of the return of the first scanning in S4, or once the first scanning is performed.
The scanning may be performed in the same direction as the first scanning after returning to the starting point of the scanning. At this time, the portion of the effective recording data where ink droplets are ejected outside the recording paper 13 depends on the relation between the setting of the leading edge recording data first area 18 and the platen rib row 11a and the platen rib row 11b. Because it is between the ribs, the platen rib row 1
No ink droplet is ejected on 1a. As a result, all the ink droplets ejected outside the recording paper 13 are absorbed and collected by the platen ink absorber 12.

[0049] Figure 2 is a diagram showing the state after the second scan completion of recording operation of one line, by forming a second recording area 13b on the recording sheet 13 by the second scanning Then, the recording of one line of the leading end recording data 17 is completed together with the above-mentioned first recording area 13a.

As described above, the overlapping portion is provided at the boundary between the leading end first recording data 18 and the leading end second recording data area 19.
By applying a random mask pattern processing to that part, joint position of the dots is random, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of visible white streaks or black streaks.

The above is the description of the recording method with no margin at the leading end of the sheet.

In the above description, especially the recording paper 13
Has been described, but in FIGS. 1, 2, 8, and 9 used for the description, the left and right ends are also recorded without a margin at the same time. This will be described below.

In order to perform recording without margins on the left end and right end of the recording paper 13, if the recording paper and the carrier 30 are in the ideal position in the carrier scanning direction, the recording is performed at the very end of the recording paper 13. Recording without margins can be realized. However, in practice, it often deviates from the ideal state depending on the accuracy of paper setting in the left-right direction by the user. To avoid this, but is not a weigh the costly and expedient not impossible take steps to perform recording by detecting the left-right end position of the recording paper 13 by using a sensor or the like . Therefore, by setting an actual recording area width equal to or larger than the width of the recording paper 13, it is practical to discharge some ink droplets outside the recording paper 13 to perform marginless recording. This embodiment is also used in this embodiment.

That is, the recording data is set to be larger than the set size of the recording paper 13 by Ll and Lr in FIG. 9, and the ribs on the platen 11 are provided in the Ll and Lr areas. The arrangement of the rib rows is determined in advance so as not to exist. With this configuration, even if ink droplets are ejected outside the left end or the right end of the recording paper 13, ink droplets do not adhere to the ribs of the platen 11, thereby realizing recording without margins. Can be.
In addition, it is necessary to prepare, as the recording data, data having a length obtained by adding Ll and Lr to the width of the recording paper 13. In the above configuration, when a recording sheet of an unknown size is inserted, ink droplets may adhere to the ribs of the platen 11, but usually a fixed-size sheet is used. Almost, no problem in practical use.

Next, with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 11 for explaining the recording operation of the trailing edge of the sheet, the recording without margin at the trailing edge of the sheet will be described.

[0056] In step S11, the trailing edge of the recording paper 13 is detected by the PE sensor, the paper trailing end recording operation is started. During the recording operation over the entire surface of the sheet, the rear end of the recording sheet 13 is detected when the recording sheet is conveyed during the recording operation, and the position where the rear end is detected is stored in the memory.

Next, in step S12, it is determined whether or not the recording paper has been conveyed by a predetermined amount from the rear end position of the recording paper whose position has been previously detected and stored in the memory. Specifically, the trailing end of the recording paper 13 is
Judge whether it is within the range of. If the entry is confirmed, proceed to the next step.

Next, in step S13, the second area of the trailing edge recording data is masked. Since the specific means is almost the same as in the case of printing without margins at the leading end of the sheet, the description will be simplified. That is, the print data masked in this step is data located in the same phase as the platen rib row 11b, and an area for random mask processing is provided at the boundary between the areas where the printing for one row is divided. . The area where the random mask processing is performed will be described with reference to FIG. In the figure, reference numeral 13d denotes an integrated portion of the first region alone portion and the already recorded region, and 13e denotes a first region overlapping portion. First
The area overlapping surface 13e, using the same random mask pattern to that carried out in the overlapping area of the recording paper tip,
Perform random mask processing. In addition, even at the rear end,
It is necessary to prepare recording data longer than the length of the recording paper 13 in consideration of the amount of ink droplets ejected to the outside of the recording paper 13.

Next, in step S14, printing of the first area is performed by the first scanning of the carrier 30. The recording operation is the same as in the case of recording without margins at the leading end of the paper, so that no ink droplets adhere to the platen rib row 11b, and the ink droplets ejected outside the recording paper 13 It is absorbed and collected by the absorber 12. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a state after the printing operation for one line is completed. FIG. 3 shows an area recorded on the recording paper 13 before recording at the trailing edge of the paper, and a first scanning by the first scanning. The area 13c where the recording area is integrated, and 50
A first area overlapping portion 13e recorded at% duty is formed.

Next, at step S15, a predetermined amount of recording paper 13 is conveyed. The trailing edge of the recording paper 13 after the conveyance of the recording paper 13 is within the range of the ejection nozzle row 16a, and the conveyance amount at this time is preferably equal to or less than half the length of the ejection nozzle row 16 in the recording paper conveyance direction.

Next, in step S16, a process of masking the first area of the trailing edge recording data is performed. This is for recording the remaining part of the recording performed in steps S13 to S14. That is, the print data masked in this step is data located at the same phase as the platen rib row 11a. Here, the region where the random mask processing is performed will be described with reference to FIG. In the figure, 13
f is a rear end second region overlapping portion in the same range as the rear end first region overlapping portion, 13g is a rear end second region alone portion,
It is. A random mask process is performed on the rear end second area overlapping section 13f using a random mask complementary to the random mask used in the rear end first area overlapping section 13e.

Next, in a step S17, the second area is recorded by the second scanning of the carrier 30. The recording operation is the same as in the recording without margin at the leading end of the paper, so that no ink droplets adhere to the platen rib row 11a, and the ink droplets ejected outside the recording paper 13 The ink is absorbed and collected by the ink absorber 12. FIG.
FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a state after the recording operation for one line is completed, and the area 13c where the recording has been completed up to step S14 and the area 1 where the recording has been performed in step S17.
3d is integrated, and recording on the entire surface of the recording paper 13 is completed.

Next, in step S18, the recording sheet 13 is discharged out of the recording apparatus. Discharging operation is as described above, is performed by the action of the spur unshown discharge roller 37.

The above is the description of the recording method without margin at the rear end of the sheet.

[0065] As mentioned above, no top margin printing, because no left-right edge margin printing and trailing edge margin without printing is feasible, it is possible to perform blank without printing on the entire surface of the predetermined recording paper.

In the present embodiment, platen rib rows have been described as being arranged at equal intervals. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and rib intervals may be unequal.
At that time, the platen rib row A may be disposed substantially at the center between the adjacent ribs of the platen rib row B, and the leading end recording data first area 18 and the leading end recording data second area 19 are each provided with the platen rib row 11b. And the center of the ribs of the platen rib row 11a, and the width thereof may be substantially half the rib interval.

Further, in the present embodiment, it has been described that printing is performed for one row with a width substantially corresponding to the length of the ejection nozzle row 16, but the present invention is not limited to this. It may be configured such that printing for one row is performed with a width equal to or less than the length of the ejection nozzle row 16. This is very effective especially when it is desired to obtain a recording resolution higher than the actual resolution of the ejection nozzle array.

As described above, by configuring the ink jet recording apparatus as in this embodiment, recording can be performed on the entire surface of the recording paper without any margin without incurring a complicated or large recording apparatus and an increase in cost. It can be carried out to become. In addition, high-quality recording can be performed without any visible white or black stripes at the boundaries between data blocks.

(Second Embodiment) In the first embodiment, printing for one line in the recording paper transport direction is performed in one pass by one print head scan except for the superimposed area. Without being restricted to this, it is also possible to perform recording by superposing a plurality of passes in the recording paper transport direction.

Hereinafter, another embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining types of random masks when a random mask process is performed by providing a superimposed area in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction.

(A) to (G) shown in FIG. 15 show a state change accompanying recording sheet conveyance in the sub-scanning direction.
First, printing is performed in the first pass in the main scanning direction with the width LH of the recording head in FIG. 15A, and the recording paper is conveyed by LF in the sub-scanning direction. The recording paper is conveyed by LF in the sub-scanning direction by performing recording in the second pass in the main scanning direction, and thereafter successively overlapping passes while conveying the recording paper by the distance LF in the same manner. An example is shown in which the recording of one line is completed by passing the same location four times.

In FIGS. 15A to 15F, the main scanning direction is divided into two as described in the recording operation of the leading end or the trailing end of the recording sheet of the first embodiment, and one line is recorded. It is carried out. From FIG. 15G onward, one-line printing is performed in one pass.

In this embodiment, in order to complete recording by four recording head scans, one recording head recording width LH is set to four.
Different random mask pattern rows are provided for each of the divisions, and four types of random mask patterns are provided for each of them so as to complement each other by four printing head scans to achieve a printing density of 100%. That is, since 16 patterns are necessary, in the present embodiment, they are defined using a 4 × 4 matrix.

[0075] The main each region scanning direction was divided into two, since the recording by two recording head scan is completed, one recording head recording width LH different each divided into two random mask pattern , And two types of random mask patterns are applied to each of them so that the recording density is 100%, complemented by two print head scans. That is, since four types of patterns are required, the present embodiment defines them using a 4 × 4 matrix.

[0076] FIG. 16 shows the respective random mask pattern. A1 to A4, B1 to B4, C1 to C4, D
1 to D4 are patterns of portions where printing is completed by four printing head scans. E1 to E2, F1 to F2 are 2
This is a pattern of a portion where printing is completed by a single print head scan. For example, when A1, A2, A3, and A4 are overlaid and recorded at the same location, a pattern is created so that the duty becomes 100%.

By forming a random mask pattern as shown in FIG. 16 and recording according to the procedure shown in FIG. 15, printing is performed at 100% duty from the leading edge of the recording paper 13 to the entire surface. At this time, since printing is performed by a plurality of different ink ejection nozzles for one-line printing, the non-uniformity of the characteristics of the ink ejection nozzles is averaged, and density unevenness in the printing area can be made less visible.

As described above, by configuring the ink jet recording apparatus as in the present embodiment, it is possible to record the entire surface of the recording paper without margins better than in the first embodiment.

(Third Embodiment) In the first and second embodiments, the recording data block is divided into rectangles. However, the gist of the present invention is not limited to this. It may be configured as follows.

FIG. 17 shows a recording data block dividing method according to the third embodiment. FIG. 17 shows an example in which a recording data block is divided into parallelograms. FIG. 17A shows the first region of the front end recording data, and FIG. 17B shows the second region of the front end recording data. Superimposed on each area unit 1
8b and 19b exist and perform recording by applying a random mask pattern to a superimposed portion. With this configuration, the total length of the print data block in the main scanning direction Ltotal = L1 + L2 + L3 + L4 +
L5 + L6 + L7 + L8 + L9 satisfies Ltotal> L in relation to the effective recording length L in the main scanning direction.

By configuring the ink jet recording apparatus as described above, it is possible to perform high-quality recording without causing visible white or black stripes at the boundaries between data blocks.

It should be noted that the present invention includes a means (for example, an electrothermal converter or a laser beam) for generating thermal energy as energy used for ejecting ink, particularly in an ink jet recording system. The present invention brings about an excellent effect in a print head and a printing apparatus of a type in which a change in the state of ink is caused by energy. This is because according to such a method, it is possible to achieve higher density and higher definition of recording.

The typical structure 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 is a so-called on-demand type,
Although it can be applied to any type of continuous type, in particular, in the case of the on-demand type, it can be applied to a sheet holding liquid (ink) or an electrothermal converter arranged corresponding to the liquid path. By applying at least one drive signal corresponding to the recorded information and providing a rapid temperature rise exceeding nucleate boiling, heat energy is generated in the electrothermal transducer, and film boiling occurs on the heat acting surface of the recording head. Liquid (ink) corresponding to this drive signal on a one-to-one basis.
This is effective because air bubbles inside can be formed. 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 liquid (ink) having particularly excellent responsiveness can be achieved, which is more preferable. As the pulse-shaped drive signal, those described in US Pat. Nos. 4,463,359 and 4,345,262 are suitable. Further, if the conditions described in US Pat. No. 4,313,124 relating to the temperature rise rate of the heat acting surface are adopted, more excellent recording can be performed.

As the configuration of the recording head, in addition to the combination of 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-mentioned specifications, U.S. Pat. No. 4,558,333 and U.S. Pat.
A configuration using the specification of Japanese Patent No. 59600 is also included in the present invention. In addition, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 59-123670 discloses a configuration in which a common slit is used as a discharge portion of an electrothermal transducer for a plurality of electrothermal transducers, and an aperture for absorbing pressure waves in thermal energy is provided. The effect of the present invention is effective even if the configuration is based on JP-A-59-138461, which discloses a configuration corresponding to a discharge unit. That is, according to the present invention, recording can be reliably and efficiently performed regardless of the form of the recording head.

In addition, even in the case of the serial type as described above, the recording head fixed to the apparatus main body or the electric connection with the apparatus main body or the ink from the apparatus main body is attached to the apparatus main body by being attached to the apparatus main body. The present invention is also effective when a replaceable chip-type recording head that can be supplied or a cartridge-type recording head in which an ink tank is provided integrally with the recording head itself is used.

It is preferable to add recovery means for the print head, preliminary auxiliary means, and the like provided as a configuration of the printing apparatus in the present invention since the effects of the present invention can be further stabilized. . If these are specifically mentioned, capping means for the recording head, cleaning means, pressurizing or suction means, preheating means using an electrothermal transducer or another heating element or a combination thereof, Performing a preliminary ejection mode in which ejection is performed separately from printing is also effective for performing stable printing.

The types and the number of recording heads to be mounted are not limited to those provided only for one color ink, and for a plurality of inks having different recording colors and densities. A plurality may be provided. That is, for example, the printing mode of the printing apparatus is not limited to a printing mode of only a mainstream color such as black, but may be any of integrally forming a printing head or a combination of a plurality of printing heads. The present invention is also extremely effective for an apparatus provided with at least one of full colors by color mixture.

In addition, as a form of a recording apparatus provided with a recording mechanism using the liquid jet recording head of the present invention, in addition to a recording apparatus used as an image output terminal of an information processing device such as a computer, a combination with a reader or the like is provided. Copier,
Further, a facsimile apparatus having a transmission / reception function may be used.

[0089]

As described above, according to the present invention,
It is possible to perform recording on the entire surface of the recording paper without any margins without increasing the complexity or size of the recording device and increasing the cost. In addition, high-quality recording can be performed without any visible white or black stripes at the boundaries between data blocks.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a recording unit of a first embodiment of an ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing a recording unit of the first embodiment of the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing a recording unit of the first embodiment of the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view showing a recording unit of the first embodiment of the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view showing a platen unit of the first embodiment of the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic side view showing the recording unit of the first embodiment of the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic side view showing a recording unit of the first embodiment of the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic plan view showing a recording portion of the first embodiment of the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention.

Figure 9 shows a recording portion of the first embodiment of the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention, is a schematic plan view.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart schematically showing a recording operation of the first embodiment of the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an outline of a recording operation of the first embodiment of the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the overall outline of the inkjet recording apparatus according to the first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing a control unit block diagram of the first embodiment of the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention.

Figure 14 shows a mask pattern of the first embodiment of the ink jet recording apparatus of this invention, a schematic diagram.

FIG. 15 is a schematic plan view showing a recording procedure of a second embodiment of the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram showing a mask pattern of a second embodiment of the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram showing a print data block of a third embodiment of the inkjet printing apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a diagram for explaining the background art of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Recording head 11 Platen 11a Platen rib row A 11b Platen rib row B 11c Platen rib row C 11d Platen rib row D 11e Platen rib row E 11f Platen rib row F 11g Platen rib row G 12 Platen ink absorber 13 Recording paper 14 Guide shaft 15 Guide rail 16 Nozzle row 16a Discharge nozzle row A 16b Discharge nozzle row B 17 Tip recording data 18 Tip recording data first area 18a First area single section 18b First area overlapping section 19 Tip recording data second area 19a Second area alone Unit 19b Second area overlapping unit 20 Recording head discharge nozzle area 30 Carrier 31 Carrier belt 32 Carrier motor 33 LF roller 34 LF roller gear 35 Pinch roller 36 Pinch roller holder 37 Paper discharge roller 38 paper discharge roller gear 39 chassis 40 ASF 41 exterior 42 ejection nozzle face 43 discharge nozzle rows B 44 discharge nozzle row Y 45 discharge nozzle row M 46 discharge nozzle row C 50 recording sheet supporting member 51 recording sheet detecting means 52 perforations 53 recording area 61 CPU 62 GA 63 ROM 64 RAM 65 I / F 66 Data transfer circuit 67 Recording head driver 68 Motor driver

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A serial type in which a recording material is passed between a recording head and a platen arranged to face the recording head, and the recording head is reciprocally scanned substantially orthogonal to a recording material transport direction to perform recording. In the ink jet recording apparatus, the data in the main scanning direction of the recording head is divided into a plurality of data blocks, and the plurality of data blocks are divided into a plurality of main scans of the recording head to perform recording on the recording medium. and, said plurality of sum of length in the main scanning direction of the recording head of the data block, an ink jet recording apparatus characterized longer than the length actually recorded in the main scanning direction of the recording medium of the recording head. 2. A mask pattern indicating an arrangement of recording pixels and non-recording pixels is set in an overlapping area of the data blocks, and a different mask pattern is set in at least an overlapping area of adjacent data blocks in a recording head scanning direction. 2. The ink-jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: means for allocating data; and means for thinning out print data of each data block according to the mask pattern. 3. An ink jet printing apparatus which scans a print head a plurality of times over the same print area and thins out print data in accordance with a different mask pattern for each scan to print data in a main scanning direction of the print head. Dividing the plurality of data blocks into a plurality of main scans of the recording head and performing recording on the recording medium; and overlapping areas of adjacent data blocks in the scanning direction of the recording head. And a means for allocating a different mask pattern in an area of the data block other than the superimposed area, and a means for thinning out recording data for each area of each data block according to the mask pattern. Inkjet recording device. 4. An ink jet recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the recording head comprises a heat energy generating member for discharging ink. 5. An ink jet apparatus for printing by passing a recording material between a recording head and a platen arranged opposite to the recording head, and performing reciprocating scanning of the recording head substantially orthogonal to the recording material transport direction. In the recording method, the data in the main scanning direction of the recording head is divided into a plurality of data blocks, and the plurality of data blocks are divided into a plurality of main scans of the recording head to perform recording on the recording medium. An inkjet recording method, wherein the sum of the lengths of the plurality of data blocks in the main scanning direction of the recording head is longer than the length of the recording medium in the main scanning direction in which the recording medium is actually recorded. 6. An ink jet printing method in which a print head is scanned a plurality of times over the same print area, and printing is performed by thinning out print data according to a different mask pattern in each scan. Dividing the plurality of data blocks into a plurality of main scans of the recording head and performing recording on the recording medium; and overlapping areas of adjacent data blocks in the scanning direction of the recording head. And a different mask pattern is assigned to an area of the data block other than the superimposed area, and print data for each area of each data block is thinned out according to the mask pattern.