JP2002273864A - Recorder and recording method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To speed up a printing process. SOLUTION: A recorder for recording by scanning a carriage with a recording head loaded thereto over a recording medium on the basis of information transmitted from an external device is provided with a recording data generation part for converting information transmitted from the external device to recording data conforming to a constitution of the recording head, a generation part for generating latch signals so as to control transferring the recording data to a latch circuit, a head temperature detection part for detecting a temperature of the recording head to the tune to the latch signal, and an energization time signal generation part for generating energization time signals for controlling the recording head on the basis of the head temperature detected by the head temperature detection part.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a recording method for recording images such as characters on a recording medium by discharging recording ink, and a recording apparatus to which the method is applied.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An ink jet recording system for performing recording by ejecting recording ink has advantages such as low noise, low running cost, and downsizing of an apparatus and easy colorization of a recorded image. Widely used for printers, copiers, facsimile machines, etc.

As one of the ink jet recording heads used in this ink jet recording system, there is a multi-nozzle ink jet head having a plurality of nozzles.

In this recording head, electric heat energy conversion elements (heaters) are arranged at equal intervals together with wiring on a substrate made of silicon or the like, and a resin layer is interposed between the electric heat energy conversion elements. Are laminated to form a partition, and a plate-like liquid path forming member is joined on each partition to form a discharge port.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a connection relationship between a head control circuit and a head drive circuit in a conventional example, and FIG. 5 is a timing chart for explaining operation timings of the head control circuit in a conventional example.

FIG. 6 shows a driving circuit for driving an ink jet recording head in a conventional example. 6, the number of AND gate circuits 2 is n (n is a positive integer).
That is, they are provided in one-to-one correspondence. Each circuit of the AND gate circuit 2 has a block drive selection signal (HE0, HE1, BE0_) for driving the electrothermal energy conversion element 1 in a block unit (a set of segment units).
0, BE0_1), a print data signal (HD), and an energization time setting signal (HC).

The print data (IDATA) having the same bit number as that of the electrothermal energy conversion element 1 is synchronized with a print data transfer clock (DCLK) to provide a print data supply section 40.
Are sequentially transmitted from the head control circuit (FIG. 4) to the shift register 4. The timing of this processing is S1 shown in FIG. When the latch signal (DLAT) is input from the head control circuit to each head drive circuit after all the data of IDATA has been input to the shift register 4, the print data is read from the shift register 4 to the latch circuit 3.

Thereafter, a head temperature detection trigger (ADTRG) is input from the head control circuit to the head temperature detection circuit, and the temperature of each head is detected. In the timing chart of FIG. 4, the timing from the rise of the DLAT signal for transferring data from the shift register 4 to the latch circuit 3 to the fall of the ADTRIG signal for starting temperature detection is a serial sequence process ( S2b).

Then, according to the detected temperature information of the head, a block selection signal (HE0, HE1, BE0) for sequentially driving each electrothermal energy conversion element 1 in a block manner.
_0, BE0_1) are input to the head drive circuit.

The print data selection signal is selected by the electrothermal energy conversion element 1 only when the energization time setting signal (HC) set based on the head temperature detected by the head temperature detection circuit is ON. Ink is ejected from the ejection port by the action of bubbles generated by thermal energy.

The head control circuit outputs a print command pulse (E
The following print data is transferred in accordance with I),
The output cycle of the EI pulse is defined as one cycle (T1 in FIG. 5).
Temperature detection and head control are performed.

[0012]

However, in the conventional print head driving method as shown in FIG. 6, since the print head temperature is detected after the print data is latched, the ejection frequency of the ink droplets is reduced. If you want to
There were limits to serial processing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an ink jet printing apparatus capable of discharging ink droplets at a higher speed.

[0014]

Means for Solving the Problems In order to solve the above problems and achieve the object, a recording apparatus according to the present invention has the following configuration.

That is, based on information transmitted from an external device, a recording apparatus that performs recording by scanning a carriage on which a recording head is mounted on a recording medium uses the information transmitted from the external device to record the information. Print data generating means for converting the print data into print data according to the configuration; generating means for generating a latch signal for controlling transfer of the print data to a latch circuit; and adjusting the temperature of the print head in synchronization with the latch signal. A head temperature detecting means for detecting, and an energizing time signal generating means for generating an energizing time signal for controlling the recording head based on the head temperature detected by the head temperature detecting means, are provided.

Preferably, in the above-described printing apparatus, the power-on time signal generating means generates a power-on time for causing a heating resistor for discharging ink from the print head to generate heat.

Preferably, in the above-described recording apparatus, the energization time signal generating means includes n heating resistors for processing n-bit (n is a positive integer) print data generated by the print data generating means. The present invention is characterized in that an energization time for individually controlling the heat generation of the body is determined.

A recording method for performing recording by scanning a carriage equipped with a recording head on a recording medium on the basis of information transmitted from an external device includes the steps of: transmitting information transmitted from the external device to the recording head; A print data generating step of converting the print data into print data according to a configuration, a transfer step of transferring the generated print data to a latch circuit, and a generation step of generating a latch signal for control; A head temperature detecting step of causing the detecting means to detect the temperature of the recording head; and an energizing time signal generating step of generating an energizing time signal for controlling the recording head based on the head temperature detected by the detecting means. It is characterized by the following.

[0019]

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

In the embodiment described below, a printer will be described as an example of a recording apparatus using an ink jet recording method.

In this specification, "recording" (also referred to as "printing") means not only the formation of significant information such as characters and figures, but also whether a person is visually perceived. Regardless of whether or not the image has been exposed so as to be able to perform the process, the case where an image, a pattern, a pattern, or the like is widely formed on a recording medium or a case where the medium is processed is also described.

The "recording medium" is not limited to paper used in a general recording apparatus, but is widely applicable to ink, such as cloth, plastic film, metal plate, glass, ceramics, wood, and leather. Things are also represented.

Further, “ink” (sometimes referred to as “liquid”) is to be interpreted as widely as the definition of “recording (printing)”, and is given on a recording medium by A liquid that can be used for forming an image, a pattern, a pattern, or the like, processing a recording medium, or processing ink (for example, coagulating or insolubilizing a colorant in ink applied to the recording medium) is used.

<Schematic Description of Apparatus Main Body> FIG. 7 shows an ink jet printer IJ which is a typical embodiment of the present invention.
It is an external appearance perspective view showing the outline of composition of RA. In FIG. 7, the carriage HC that engages with the spiral groove 5004 of the lead screw 5005 that rotates via the driving force transmission gears 5009 to 5011 in conjunction with the forward and reverse rotation of the drive motor 5013 has pins (not shown). Guide rail 50
03 reciprocates in the directions of arrows a and b. The carriage HC includes a recording head IJH and an ink tank IT.
Integrated inkjet cartridge IJC
Is installed.

Reference numeral 5002 denotes a paper holding plate, and a carriage H
The recording paper P is pressed against the platen 5000 over the moving direction of C. Reference numerals 5007 and 5008 denote photocouplers, which are home position detectors for confirming the presence of the carriage lever 5006 in this region and switching the rotation direction of the motor 5013.

Reference numeral 5016 denotes a member for supporting a cap member 5022 for capping the front surface of the recording head IJH.
Reference numeral 15 denotes a suction device that suctions the inside of the cap, and performs suction recovery of the recording head through the opening 5023 in the cap. 5
Reference numeral 017 denotes a cleaning blade. Reference numeral 5019 denotes a member which allows the blade to move in the front-rear direction. These members are supported by a main body support plate 5018. It goes without saying that the blade is not limited to this form and a known cleaning blade can be applied to this example.

Reference numeral 5021 denotes a lever for starting suction for recovery from suction, and a cam 5020 which engages with the carriage.
The driving force from the driving motor is controlled by a known transmission mechanism such as clutch switching.

The capping, cleaning, and suction recovery are configured so that desired operations can be performed at the corresponding positions by the action of the lead screw 5005 when the carriage comes to the area on the home position side. If a desired operation is performed at the timing, any of the embodiments can be applied.

<Description of Control Structure> Next, a control structure for executing the recording control of the above-described apparatus will be described.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control circuit of the ink jet printer IJRA. In the figure showing a control circuit, 1700 is an interface for inputting a recording signal, 1701 is an MPU, 1702 is an MPU 17
ROM for storing a control program executed by 01, 17
Numeral 03 denotes a DRAM for storing various data (such as the recording signal and recording data supplied to the head). 170
Reference numeral 4 denotes a gate array (GA) that controls supply of print data to the print head IJH, and also controls data transfer between the interface 1700, the MPU 1701, and the RAM 1703. Reference numeral 1710 denotes a carrier motor for transporting the recording head IJH, and reference numeral 1709 denotes a transport motor for transporting the recording paper. Reference numeral 1705 denotes a head driver for driving the recording head, and 1706 and 1707 denote motor drivers for driving the transport motor 1709 and the carrier motor 1710, respectively.

The operation of the above control configuration will be described. When a recording signal is input to the interface 1700, the gate array 1
A print signal is converted between the print data and the MPU 1701 into print data for printing. And the motor driver 1
The printheads 706 and 1707 are driven, and the printhead is driven according to the print data sent to the head driver 1705 to perform printing.

Here, the control program executed by the MPU 1701 is stored in the ROM 1702.
An erasable / writable storage medium such as an EEPROM may be further added so that the host computer connected to the inkjet printer IJRA can change the control program.

As described above, the ink tank IT and the recording head IJH may be integrally formed to constitute a replaceable ink cartridge IJC. However, the ink tank IT and the recording head IJH are separated. It may be configured so that only the ink tank IT can be replaced when the ink runs out.

FIG. 9 is an external perspective view showing the structure of an ink cartridge IJC in which the ink tank and the head can be separated. As shown in FIG. 9, the ink cartridge IJC holds the ink tank IT and the recording head I at the position of the boundary line K.
JH can be separated. When the ink cartridge IJC is mounted on the carriage HC, the ink cartridge IJC is provided with an electrode (not shown) for receiving an electric signal supplied from the carriage HC, and the electric signal causes the recording head IJH to operate as described above. Is driven to eject ink.

In FIG. 9, reference numeral 500 denotes an ink ejection port array. The ink tank IT is provided with a fibrous or porous ink absorber for holding ink.

<Embodiment> In the embodiment according to the present invention, the ink jet head has a plurality of electrothermal transducers (heaters) and selectively supplies current to the electrothermal transducers in accordance with print data. Discharge energy is generated by the data transfer timing,
A circuit configuration is provided in which the transfer input of print data is completed within one cycle, and on the other hand, by performing split drive control of the print data transferred and input first, processing without wasting time for data processing is performed. Things.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 3 is a sectional perspective view showing the structure of an ink jet recording head to be driven in this embodiment.

In FIG. 3, 1 generates heat in response to energization,
This is a heating resistor for forming an electrothermal conversion element for causing ink to foam and eject ink. This heating resistor is formed on the substrate 21 together with the wiring through the same manufacturing process as that for the semiconductor.

Numeral 25 denotes a discharge port 22 corresponding to the heating resistor 1.
And a liquid path forming member for forming the liquid path 23 communicating with the liquid path. Reference numeral 24 denotes a liquid chamber common to the respective liquid paths 23, and stores ink supplied from an ink supply source (not shown). 26 is a top plate.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a connection relationship between a head control circuit and a head drive circuit in a printing apparatus according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, the DCLK signal output from the head control circuit 105 is a transfer clock for transferring print data (IDATA) to the head drive circuit. The DLAT signal is a latch signal for print data, and is used to control the timing of storing print data (IDATA) transferred in synchronization with the transfer clock (DCLK) from the shift register (n-bit) into the latch circuit. Signal.

Each of the head drive circuits 101 to 104 has n
A −bit shift register and a latch circuit are built in, and the print data (IDAT) transferred by the latch signal (DLAT) output from the head control circuit 105.
A) is held in each latch circuit.

The head temperature detecting circuit 1 shown in FIG.
06 is connected to the head drive circuit (101 to 104),
Each head temperature information (HTEMP_BK, C,
M, Y), the head control circuit 105 determines the ink discharge time based on the detected temperature, and outputs a control signal (HC-BK, C, M, Y) for that. The HC signal is an energization time selection signal, and is input to the head drive circuits (101 to 104) to select an ON time corresponding to an ink droplet ejection time based on the detected head temperature. If the print data (IDATA) is n-bit data, the head control circuit 105 individually controls the energization time for individually controlling the heat generation of the n heating resistors to process these data.

FIG. 2 is a timing chart showing the operation timing of the head control circuit. In the timing chart of FIG. 2, the ink discharge control is performed by energizing time selection signals HC-BK, C, M, and Y divided into blocks for each head control circuit corresponding to each color element (in the case of FIGS. 1 and 2). Is divided into four parts), and the processing is performed according to H in FIG.
If the C signal is (group a), the ink ejection control ends before the next print command pulse signal (EI2) is output, that is, before new print data is transferred.

The print data (IDATA) and the energization time selection signal (HC) are respectively represented by the respective color components (black (BK),
Cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y) are input to the corresponding head drive circuits (101 to 104), and each head drive circuit is independently controlled. The processing timing is the timing shown in FIG. Control synchronized with the chart is executed.

The relationship between the block diagram of FIG. 1 and the timing chart of FIG. 2 will be described.
N-bit print data (IDATA) output from 5
Are read into the shift register in synchronization with the transfer clock (DCLK) (S1).

When the transfer of the print data (IDATA) is completed, the head control circuit 105 outputs a latch signal (DL).
AT) and outputs a head drive circuit (101 to 104)
Holds print data for each dot from the shift register to the latch circuit.

Simultaneously with the output of the latch signal (DLAT),
Using this signal as a trigger, the head temperature detection circuit 106
Detects the temperature of each head.

In the timing chart of FIG. 2, the ADTG is left for the sake of clarifying the difference from the conventional example. However, data is held in the latch circuit only by the latch signal (DLAT). By controlling both the data transfer and the temperature detection in parallel, the processing time (S2a) can be reduced (S2a).
Is shorter than that of the conventional S2b (FIG. 5) because the processing corresponding to the ADTRG signal is performed in parallel.)

The head control circuit 105 transfers the next print data in response to the print command pulse (EI), and sets the output cycle of the EI pulse to one cycle (T
1a) In this cycle, the ink discharge control (control by the HC signal) ends.

As described above, the data storage after the transfer of the print data and the detection of the head temperature are performed in synchronization and in parallel, so that the time required for the data transfer can be reduced.
The data transfer speed of the system can be increased.

In the above-described embodiment, the case where the number of block division drives is 4 has been described. However, it goes without saying that the gist of the present invention is not limited to the number of block division drives such as 8 blocks and 16 blocks. No.

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

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

The typical configuration and principle are described in, for example, US Pat. Nos. 4,723,129 and 4,740.
It is preferable to use the basic principle disclosed in the specification of Japanese Patent No. 796. This method can be applied to both the so-called on-demand type and continuous type. In particular, in the case of the on-demand type, liquid (ink)
By applying at least one drive signal corresponding to the recorded information and providing a rapid temperature rise exceeding the nucleate boiling to an electrothermal transducer arranged corresponding to the sheet or the liquid path holding the Since thermal energy is generated in the electrothermal transducer and film boiling occurs on the heat-acting surface of the recording head, bubbles in the liquid (ink) corresponding to this drive signal on a one-to-one basis can be formed. It is valid.

The liquid (ink) is ejected through the ejection opening by the growth and contraction of the bubble to form at least one droplet. 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 configuration 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 respective specifications, The configurations described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,558,333 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,459,600, which disclose a configuration in which the heat acting surface is arranged in a bending region, are also included in the present invention. In addition, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 59-123670 discloses a configuration in which a common slot is used as a discharge section of an electrothermal transducer for a plurality of electrothermal transducers, and an opening for absorbing pressure waves of thermal energy is discharged. A configuration based on JP-A-59-138461, which discloses a configuration corresponding to each unit, may be adopted.

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

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

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

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

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

In addition, in order to positively prevent temperature rise due to thermal energy as energy for changing the state of the ink from a solid state to a liquid state, the temperature is positively prevented.
Alternatively, in order to prevent evaporation of the ink, ink that solidifies in a standing state and liquefies by heating may be used. In any case, the application of heat energy causes the ink to be liquefied by application of the heat energy according to the recording signal and the liquid ink to be ejected, or to start to solidify when reaching the recording medium. The present invention is also applicable to a case where an ink having a property of liquefying for the first time is used.

In such a case, the ink is disclosed in JP-A-54-5
No. 6847 or Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Sho 60-71260, in which the porous sheet is opposed to the electrothermal converter in a state of being held as a liquid or solid substance in the concave portions or through holes of the porous sheet. It may be. In the present invention, the most effective one for each of the above-mentioned inks is to execute the above-mentioned film boiling method.

In addition, as a form of the recording apparatus according to the present invention, in addition to those provided integrally or separately as an image output terminal of an information processing apparatus such as a computer, a copying apparatus combined with a reader or the like; It may take the form of a facsimile machine having functions.

[0067]

[Other Embodiments] 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.), an apparatus (for example, a copying machine) Machine, facsimile machine, etc.).

Another object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium (or a recording medium) in which a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is recorded to a system or an apparatus, and to provide a computer (a computer) of the system or the apparatus. Or a CPU or MPU) reads out and executes the program code stored in the storage medium,
It goes without saying that this is achieved. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium implements the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.
In addition, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also based on the instructions of the program code,
The operating system (OS) running on the computer performs part or all of the actual processing,
It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by the processing is also included.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into the memory provided in the function expansion card inserted into the computer or the function expansion unit connected to the computer, the program code is read based on the instruction of the program code. , The CPU provided in the function expansion card or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing,
It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by the processing is also included.

When the present invention is applied to the storage medium, the storage medium stores program codes for executing processing corresponding to the timing chart described above (shown in FIG. 2).

[0071]

As described above, according to the present invention,
By controlling the storage of the print data and the detection of the head temperature in synchronism based on a single signal (DLAT signal), the processing is parallelized, and the block division drive is sequentially realized with a simple system configuration. A high-speed recording device can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a connection relationship between a head control circuit and a head drive circuit in a printing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a timing chart showing an operation timing of a head control circuit in the printing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a sectional structural view of an ink jet recording head in the recording apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a connection relationship between a head control circuit and a head drive circuit in a conventional example.

FIG. 5 is a timing chart illustrating operation timing of a head control circuit in a conventional example.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a head drive circuit in a conventional example.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an appearance of a printer according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a control configuration of the printer of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an ink jet cartridge of the printer in FIG. 7;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Heating resistor (heater) 2 AND gate circuit 3 n-bit latch 4 n-bit shift register 21 substrate 22 discharge port 23 liquid path 24 liquid chamber 25 liquid path forming member 26 top plate

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A recording apparatus for performing recording by scanning a carriage equipped with a recording head on a recording medium based on information transmitted from an external device, wherein the recording device transmits the information transmitted from the external device to the recording device. Recording data generating means for converting the recording data into print data according to the configuration of the head; generating means for generating a latch signal for controlling transfer of the print data to a latch circuit; Head temperature detecting means for detecting a temperature; and energizing time signal generating means for generating an energizing time signal for controlling the recording head based on the head temperature detected by the head temperature detecting means. Recording device. 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording head is an inkjet recording head that performs recording by discharging ink. 3. The recording head according to claim 1, wherein the recording head ejects ink using thermal energy, and includes a thermal energy converter for generating thermal energy to be applied to the ink. Item 2. The recording device according to Item 1. 4. The recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein an electric / thermal energy conversion element is used as an element for generating energy for discharging ink droplets. 5. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the power-on time signal generating means generates a power-on time for causing a heating resistor for discharging ink from the print head to generate heat. 6. The heating time signal generating means individually controls n heating resistors to process n-bit (n is a positive integer) print data generated by the print data generating means. 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an energization time for performing the operation is determined. 7. The recording head includes a black (B)
K), yellow (Y), cyan (C), magenta (M)
The recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a recording head corresponding to (1). 8. A recording method for performing recording by scanning a carriage on which a recording head is mounted on a recording medium based on information transmitted from an external device, wherein the information transmitted from the external device is recorded. A print data generation step of converting the print data into print data according to the configuration of the head; a generation step of transferring the generated print data to a latch circuit to generate a latch signal for control; A head temperature detecting step of causing a detecting unit to detect the temperature of the recording head; and an energizing time signal generating step of generating an energizing time signal for controlling the recording head based on the head temperature detected by the detecting unit. A recording method comprising: