JP2003200562A - Recorder and recording method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce streaks or unevenness surely even when the recording characteristics of one recording element vary with time. <P>SOLUTION: When recording is performed by record scanning where a recording head having recording elements is moved relatively on a recording medium, an image recorded through movement of the recording head is read out (S102), difference data between data to be recorded originally and actually read out data is determined (S103), and then the difference data is recorded while being superposed on an image recorded by adding image data to be recorded in next record scanning (S104). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a recording apparatus and a recording method, and more particularly to a recording apparatus and a recording method for performing recording by a recording scan in which a recording head having a recording element is relatively moved on a recording medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As an information output device in, for example, a word processor, a personal computer, a facsimile, a printer for recording desired information such as characters and images on a sheet-shaped recording medium such as paper or film is widely used. There is.

Although various methods are known as printer recording methods, the ink jet method is capable of non-contact recording on a recording medium such as paper, easy colorization, and quietness. For this reason, attention has been paid in recent years, and as its configuration, a recording head that ejects ink according to desired recording information is mounted and reciprocating scanning is performed in a direction perpendicular to the feeding direction of a recording medium such as paper. The serial recording method for recording is generally widely used because it is inexpensive and easily miniaturized.

In recent years, with rapid development of hardware / software of computers and peripheral devices and improvement of information infrastructure such as networks, printers are required to have higher speed and higher image quality. .

A major factor that hinders high image quality in ink jet printers is dispersion of ejected ink droplets. More specifically, there are variations in the ejection direction and variations in the ejection amount, both of which may change with each ejection and may not change with time.

If there are variations in the ejection direction of the ink droplets among the ejection ports (nozzles), the positions of the dots (pixels) formed on the recording medium are displaced, and as a result, they are visually recognized as streaks in the recorded image. It

If the ejection amount varies among the ejection ports, the size and density of the dots formed on the recording medium also fluctuate, and as a result, it is visually recognized as density unevenness in the recorded image.

If the ejection direction and the ejection amount from one ejection port vary, the positions, sizes, and densities of the dots formed in the main scanning direction on the recording medium also vary. Lines are disturbed or visually recognized as roughness in the recorded image. This problem is caused by the so-called bubble jet (registered trademark) that ejects ink droplets by utilizing thermal energy among the inkjet methods.
It tends to occur in the (BJ) system.

As one technique for suppressing the variation in the ejection direction and the ejection amount of each ejection port, the accuracy in the manufacturing process of each nozzle and the recording head is improved. However, such a method causes other problems such as an increase in manufacturing cost and a decrease in manufacturing yield.

Further, as a method for eliminating uneven density by software, there is a method of changing the number of ejected ink droplets so as to cancel the difference in the amount of ejected ink between the ejection ports, which is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 57-41965. It is disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 2708439 and Japanese Patent No. 2711011. These inventions obtain characteristic information of each nozzle by recording a test pattern in advance with a recording head and reading the test pattern, and use this information for image processing performed when actually recording an image. The number of shots and the ejection amount are adjusted to reduce the occurrence of streaks and unevenness, and it is also used in an actual printing apparatus as an effective method.

However, in this method, when the variation in the amount of ejected ink between the ejection ports changes with time, it is necessary to record and read the test pattern and readjust the number of ejected ink droplets each time. Therefore, there is a problem that the maintainability of the device is deteriorated.
Further, this method is not effective when the ejection direction and the ejection amount from one ejection port vary from ejection to ejection.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, one line in the main scanning direction is formed by ink droplets ejected from a plurality of ejection ports, which causes variations in ejection direction and ejection amount between ejection ports. A recording method for making it difficult to recognize streaks and uneven density is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 60-107975 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 3-231861.

In this method, pixels that are not adjacent to each other in the vertical and horizontal directions are printed by the preceding main scanning (hereinafter also simply referred to as scanning) of the print head, and then the printing paper is set in the sub-scanning direction by the length of the ejection port array. Only half the length is sent, and the remaining pixels not recorded in the preceding scan are recorded in the subsequent scan.

FIG. 1 shows a concrete example of this method. In the case where all the pixels of each line are formed like the "pixel data" shown in (a), "b" in "b" is displayed. As described in "Printing method", since dot rows (lines) in the main scanning direction are formed by alternately using two different ejection ports, variations in the ejection direction are averaged and streaks are hard to see.
Further, according to the method shown in FIG. 1, when the variation in the ejection capacity between the ejection ports is normally distributed with the standard deviation σ, the variation in the ejection amount between the lines is reduced to σ / √2. As a result, the variation in the ejection amount between the lines, which is recognized as the variation in the density, is reduced, and an image with less density unevenness can be obtained.

[0015]

However, for example, as shown in FIG.
In the case of recording a specific halftone image in which all the pixels are not formed, as shown in "Image data", one line is formed by ink droplets from the same ejection port in this method. Therefore, there is a problem that streaks and uneven density are not reduced at all.

Further, this method statistically and stochastically reduces streaks and unevenness by using ink droplets from a plurality of discharge ports and averaging the discharge directions and discharge amounts. The unevenness may not be reduced. For example, if ink droplets from two ejection openings forming the same line are both bent in the same direction and ejected, or the ejection amount is similarly small, streaks and unevenness cannot be reduced.

Further, this method is not effective in the case where the ejection direction and the ejection amount from one ejection port vary from ejection to ejection.

As another recording method for making it difficult to recognize streaks and unevenness, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-3 proposed by the present inventors.
There is a method disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 58847. This method reduces streaks and unevenness in a multi-valued image recording method in which one pixel is formed using a large number of ink droplets ejected from a large number of ejection ports.

According to this method, the above-mentioned JP-A-60-107 is used.
In contrast to the method described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 975/1975 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 3-231861, binary recording is performed, whereas multi-value recording is performed, so streaks and unevenness occur even when recording a specific halftone image. It is difficult to do.

However, this method also reduces streaks and unevenness statistically and stochastically by averaging the discharge direction and discharge amount using ink droplets from a plurality of discharge ports. The unevenness may not be reduced.

Further, this method is also not effective in the case where the ejection direction and the ejection amount from one ejection port vary from ejection to ejection.

Although these problems are prominent in an ink jet recording apparatus, similar streaks and unevenness may occur in a recording apparatus of another system in which each recording element is finely formed and recording is performed at high resolution.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and it is possible to surely reduce streaks and unevenness in any image, and at the same time, recording characteristics of one recording element. It is an object of the present invention to provide a recording apparatus and a recording method that can reliably reduce streaks and unevenness even when the values vary with time.

[0024]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a recording apparatus of the present invention is a recording apparatus which performs recording by a recording scan in which a recording head having a recording element is relatively moved on a recording medium. A reading means for reading an image recorded by the movement of the recording head, a difference calculating means for obtaining difference data between the image data to be originally recorded and the image data read by the reading means, and the difference data, Correction recording means for recording on the recorded image.

Further, the recording method of the present invention which achieves the above object is a recording method for performing recording by a recording scan in which a recording head having a recording element is relatively moved on a recording medium, and the recording head is moved. A reading step of reading the image recorded by the reading means, a difference data calculating step of obtaining difference data between the data to be originally recorded and the data read in the reading step, and the difference data, the recorded image And a correction recording step of recording on the above.

Further, the above object can be achieved also by a storage medium storing a program code for realizing the recording method of the present invention.

That is, according to the present invention, when recording is performed by the recording scan in which the recording head having the recording element is relatively moved on the recording medium, the image recorded by the movement of the recording head is read and the original recording is performed. Find the difference data between the data to be read and the read data, and
Overwrite on the recorded image.

By carrying out such recording, no matter what kind of image data is to be recorded, stripes and unevenness are surely reduced, and the recording characteristics of one recording element vary with time. Even in this case, it is possible to surely reduce streaks and unevenness and obtain a faithful recorded image based on the image data to be originally recorded.

[0029]

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

In the embodiments described below, a printer using an ink jet recording system will be described as an example.

In the present specification, "recording" (sometimes referred to as "printing") means not only the formation of significant information such as characters and figures, but also significant insensitivity and human visual perception. Regardless of whether or not it is actualized so as to be possible, it also represents a case where an image, a pattern, a pattern, etc. is widely formed on a recording medium or the medium is processed.

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 shall also be represented.

Further, "ink" (which may be referred to as "liquid") is to be broadly construed in the same manner as the definition of "recording (printing)", and when applied on a recording medium, A liquid that can be used for forming an image, a pattern, a pattern, or the like, processing a recording medium, or treating an ink (for example, solidifying or insolubilizing a coloring agent in the ink applied to the recording medium).

[First Embodiment] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an outline of an ink jet printer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the ink jet printer 100,
The carriage 101 slidably engages with two guide shafts 104 and 105 extending in parallel with each other. As a result, the carriage 101 can be moved along the guide shafts 104 and 105 by a driving motor and a driving force transmission mechanism (not shown) such as a belt that transmits the driving force of the driving motor. The carriage 101 is equipped with an inkjet unit 103 having an inkjet recording head, a reading unit for reading a recording state from the recording head, and an ink tank for storing ink ejected from the recording head.

The ink jet unit 103 comprises a recording head for ejecting ink, a reading unit for reading the recording state of the recording head, and a tank as a container for accommodating the ink supplied to the recording head. That is, four recording heads having a plurality of ejection ports (nozzles) as recording elements for ejecting respective inks of four colors of black (Bk), cyan (C), magenta (M) and yellow (Y), An ink jet unit 103 is provided with an optical reading unit including a light emitting unit for reading a recording state by the head and a reading unit, and an ink tank provided corresponding to each of the recording heads.
Is mounted on the carriage 101.

The paper 106 as a recording medium is inserted from an insertion opening 111 provided at the front end of the apparatus, the conveyance direction is finally reversed, and the paper 106 is conveyed to the lower part of the moving area of the carriage 101 by the feed roller 109. It As a result, the print head mounted on the carriage 101 prints on the print area on the paper 106 supported by the platen 108 as the print head moves.

At the left end of the movable area of the carriage 101, there is provided a recovery system unit 110 which can face the recording heads on the carriage 101 and the lower portion thereof so that the recording heads can be ejected during non-printing. It is possible to perform a recovery operation such as capping the outlet (nozzle) or sucking ink from the ejection port of each recording head.

FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view showing the ink jet unit 103 described with reference to FIG. The inkjet unit 103 is an optical reading unit including four recording heads for respectively ejecting black, cyan, magenta, and yellow inks as described above, and a light emitting unit and a reading unit for reading the recording state. have.

That is, the head case 1 for detachably mounting each recording head on the carriage 101.
02, a tank 20K for Bk, a tank 20C for C, a tank 20M for M, a tank 20Y for Y, and an optical reading unit 21 are mounted. Recording heads 30K, 30C, 30M, and 30Y (not shown) for ejecting Bk, C, M, and Y inks are mounted on the head case 102. Each tank supplies ink to the corresponding recording head via the connection part.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the control arrangement of the ink jet printer of this embodiment.

Character and image data to be printed (hereinafter referred to as image data) is input to the reception buffer 401 of the printer 100 from the host computer. Further, the data for confirming that the data has been transferred correctly and the data notifying the operating state of the printer are transferred from the printer to the host computer. Receive buffer 4
The data input to 01 is transferred to the RAM type memory unit 403 and temporarily stored under the control of the control unit 402 having a CPU.

The mechanical control section 404 is the control section 40.
In response to a command from 2, the carriage 101 and the feed roller 1
The mechanical unit 405 such as a carriage motor or a line feed motor, which serves as a power source for the motor 09 (see FIG. 3) is driven. The sensor / SW control unit 406 sends signals from the sensor / SW unit 407 including various sensors and SWs (switches) to the control unit 402. The display element control unit 408 controls the display of the display element unit 409 including the LEDs of the display panel group, the liquid crystal display element, and the like according to a command from the control unit 402. The head control unit 410 receives each of the recording heads 30K, 30C,
30M, 30Y, and 31 are individually controlled. In addition, temperature information indicating the state of each of these recording heads is transmitted to the reading control unit 402.

The reading control unit 411 controls the reading unit 21 according to a command from the control unit 402, and controls the signal from the reading unit 21 by the control unit 4.
Send to 02.

A method of recording using the above recording apparatus according to the present invention will be described below.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the recording method according to the present invention, and schematically shows the correspondence between the recording medium conveyance amount and the ejection ports used in each scan. It should be noted that here, ink is ejected while the recording head is main-scanned in a direction (main scanning direction) substantially orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the ejection ports, and the recording medium is relatively moved with respect to the recording head for each main scanning. A predetermined amount (one block composed of four ejection ports) is conveyed in the approximately ejection port array direction. Also, in the figure,
Reference numeral 1 is a schematic representation of a recording head,
In this example, 16 discharge ports N1 to N16 are provided. As will be described in detail below, each of these ejection ports is divided into four blocks, and each block scans one printing area once, and a total of four scans results in one printing area. The print for is completed.

In the following description, G, Y and S are
Represents image data to be originally recorded, read image data, and difference data between image data (G) to be originally recorded and read image data (Y), the subscripts of which are the recording area on the recording paper and the scan. It means a number (number of scans). For example, G12 means image data recorded by the second scan on the first recording area on the recording paper, and G21 means image data recorded by the first scan on the second recording area on the recording paper. The number of scans indicates how many times the print head passes through a specific print area. For example, in the current scan described here, N13 to N
16 is in charge of the first scan, and N9 to N12 are in charge of the second scan.

<First Scan and First Back Scan> First, in the first scan in which the carriage is moved in the forward direction in the main scanning direction, only the ejection openings N13 to N16 are used, and the ejection openings assigned based on the image data. The ink droplets are ejected from the recording area A1 to perform recording. The image data is information as to what position and what density should be recorded on the recording paper, and this is referred to as G11.

Next, while moving the carriage in the backward direction in the main scanning direction (back scanning), the recording area A
The image recorded in the first scan 1 is read by the reading unit. The read data is information about what kind of density is recorded at which position on the recording paper, and this is Y11.

Now, if recording is ideally performed, G
11 and Y11 should match, but in reality there are variations in the ejection direction and ejection amount for each ejection port, and because there are variations in the ejection direction and ejection amount from one ejection port,
In reality, there is a difference between G11 and Y11. This difference data is set as S11, and is calculated by the equation: S11 = G11-Y11.

<Second Scan and Second Back Scan> Next, as shown in FIG. 6, the recording paper is fed in the conveying direction for four ejection ports (upward in the drawing) (for the sake of convenience, the recording head is moved downward in the drawing). The print area A1 is printed in the second scan using the discharge ports N9 to N12, and the second print area is printed in the first scan using the discharge ports N13 to N16. I do. As a result, the recording areas A1 recorded by the ejection openings N13 to N16 in the previous scan are printed by the ejection openings N9 to N12, and the new recording areas A2 are printed by the ejection openings N13 to N16. Records are made.

At this time, using the discharge ports N9 to N12,
Data obtained by adding the difference data S11 to the image data G12,
That is, the data of G12 + S11 is recorded. In addition,
G12 is data output as a result of image processing and is always positive. For example, when G12 has a small positive value and S11 has a large negative value, G1
If 2 + S11 is 0 or negative, nothing is recorded.

On the other hand, by using the discharge ports N13 to N16,
Recording is performed in the recording area A2 based on the image data G21.

Next, while the carriage is back-scanned in the backward direction with respect to the main scanning direction, the reading unit reads the images (first recording area A1 and second recording area A2) recorded in the first scan and the second scan. Let the read data be Y12 and Y21.

Then, S12 and S21 are obtained as the difference data between the ideal recording and the actual recording, respectively, by the equation: S12 = G11 + G12-Y12 S21 = G21-Y21.

<Third Scan and Third Back Scan> Next, the recording paper is fed again by the ejection openings, and the same printing is performed by using the ejection openings N5 to N8 in the third scan with respect to the recording area A1. N9 to N in the second scan for A2
Recording is performed using 12 ejection ports, and recording is performed using the ejection ports N13 to N16 in the first scan for the recording area A3.

At this time, G1 is discharged by using the discharge ports N5 to N8.
3 + S12 is recorded in the recording area A1 (when negative or 0, recording is not performed). In addition, G22 + S21 is recorded in the recording area A2 using the discharge ports N9 to N12 (when the value is negative or 0, recording is not performed). The image data G31 is recorded in the recording area A3 using the ejection ports N13 to N16.

Next, while the carriage is back-scanned, the reading unit reads the images (recording areas A1 to A3) recorded in the first, second, and third scans.
Let the read data be Y13, Y22, and Y31.

Then, S13, S22, and S31 are obtained as the difference data between the ideal recording and the actual recording, respectively, by the formula: S13 = G11 + G12 + G13-Y13 S22 = G21 + G22-Y22 S31 = G31-Y31.

<Fourth Scan and Fourth Back Scan> Next, the recording sheet is again fed upward by the amount corresponding to the ejection port, and the same printing is performed using the ejection ports N1 to N4 in the fourth scan with respect to the recording area A1. N in the third scan for recording area A2
5 to N8 are used to perform printing, the printing area A3 is printed in the second scan using N9 to N12 ejection openings, and the printing area A4 is printed to N13 in the first scan.
Recording is performed using the discharge ports of N16 to N16.

At this time, by using the discharge ports N1 to N4, G
14 + S13 is recorded in the recording area A1 (when negative or 0, recording is not performed). In addition, G23 + S22 is recorded in the recording area A2 using the ejection ports N5 to N8 (when the value is negative or 0, recording is not performed). G32 + S31 is recorded in the recording area A3 using the discharge ports N9 to N12 (when the value is negative or 0, the recording is not performed). N13 ~ N
The image data G41 is recorded in the recording area A by using 16 ejection ports.
Record in 4.

Next, while the carriage is back-scanned, the reading unit reads the images (recording areas A2 to A4) recorded in the second, third, and fourth scans.
Let the read data be Y23, Y32, and Y41.

Then, S23, S32, and S41 are obtained as the difference data between the ideal recording and the actual recording, respectively, by the formula: S23 = G21 + G22 + G23-Y23 S32 = G31 + G32-Y32 S41 = G41-Y41.

Recording on all the images on the recording medium is completed by sequentially performing recording by four scans on each recording area as described above.

Here, the recording operation for one recording area A1 according to this embodiment will be described again with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, image data G11 is obtained by using the first ejection port blocks (N13 to N16) as the first scan.
According to the above, recording is performed in the forward direction (the forward direction in the main scanning direction) (step S101). Next, the image recorded while scanning in the reverse direction (backward direction) as the first back scan is read to obtain read data Y11 (step S102). Then, the difference data S11 is calculated from the image data G11 and the read data Y11 using the formula: S11 = G1
1-Y11 is obtained (step S103).

The recording paper is conveyed in the conveying direction by the amount corresponding to the ejection port, and the second
As the scan, the data obtained by adding the difference data S11 to the image data G12 is used as the second ejection port block (N9 to N12).
To record (step S104). However, recording is not performed when the sum of the two is negative or 0. Next, the image recorded while scanning in the reverse direction as the second back scan is read to obtain read data Y12 (step S105). Then, the image data G11
And difference data S1 from G12 and read data Y12
2 is calculated by the equation, S12 = G11 + G12−Y12 (step S106).

The recording paper is conveyed in the conveying direction by the amount corresponding to the ejection port, and the third
As the scan, data obtained by adding the difference data S12 to the image data G13 is recorded using the third ejection port blocks (N5 to N8) (step S107). However, recording is not performed when the sum of the two is negative or 0. next,
As the third back scan, the image recorded while scanning in the reverse direction is read to obtain read data Y13 (step S108). Then, the image data G11, G
12 and G13 and the difference data S13 from the read data Y13 is calculated by the following formula: S13 = G11 + G12 + G13−Y1
3 is obtained (step S109).

Finally, the recording paper is conveyed in the conveying direction by the amount corresponding to the ejection port, and as the fourth scan, the data obtained by adding the difference data S13 to the image data G14 is used as the fourth ejection port block (N1 to N1).
It records using N4) (step S110). However, recording is not performed when the sum of the two is negative or 0.

As described above, according to this embodiment,
The images printed in the first to third scans are read after printing, and the difference from the data to be originally printed is corrected in the subsequent scans. Since this correction is performed based on the image actually recorded, there is an effect that it is possible to surely reduce streaks and unevenness, as compared with various recording methods according to the related art.

In the present embodiment, reading is performed in each of the first to third scans and correction is performed in the second to fourth scans. However, reading is performed only once after the third scan, Corrections corresponding to the first to third scans may be performed in the fourth scan. That is, in the case where N times (where N is a positive integer) print scan is performed on the same print area,
The read scan is performed only after the (N-1) th print scan, the image printed by the (N-1) th print scan is read, and the correction is performed only by the Nth print scan. As a result, the number of times of reading and correction is reduced, so that the load on the hardware and software of the device can be reduced and the recording time can be shortened.

However, in this case, since the correction is performed only once in the fourth scan, the correction may not be sufficient in some cases. Therefore, this method is suitable when the recording speed and the cost are prioritized over the image quality.

Further, in the present embodiment, the correction is not performed on the recording in the fourth scan. Therefore, if there is a large variation in the ejection direction or ejection amount in the printing of the fourth scan, streaks or unevenness may occur.
On the other hand, if the print variation in the fourth scan is slight,
Since the correction is performed on the prints performed in the first to third scans, the print data is almost the same as the original print data (the data to be originally printed). Therefore, the variation in the fourth scan is considerably large. Is reduced, making it less noticeable.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the ejection ports (N5 to N16) used in the first to third scans may have variations in ejection direction and ejection amount, and the ejection ports used in the fourth scan. For (N1 to N4), it is more preferable to use a recording head with a small variation in the ejection direction and ejection amount.

Further, in this embodiment, simple addition and subtraction are used to calculate the difference data and the correction data, but some conversion (for example, exponential conversion, logarithmic conversion, other conversion) is performed on the image data and the read data. You may add and subtract from.

[Second Embodiment] The second embodiment of the present invention will be described below. In the following, description of the same parts as those in the first embodiment will be omitted, and only the characteristic parts of the second embodiment will be described.

The present embodiment has almost the same construction as the ink jet printer of the first embodiment, but the construction of the ink jet unit is different. As shown in FIG. 7, the inkjet unit used in this embodiment is equipped with two reading units 21A and 21B on both sides of the recording head. As a result, in the present embodiment, in each scan, the reading unit performs reading immediately after printing by the print head. Hereinafter, a method of performing recording in this embodiment will be described.

<First Scan and First Back Scan> As in the first embodiment, N13 is obtained in the first scan in the forward direction.
The ink droplets are ejected from the ejection ports assigned based on the image data G11 by using only the ejection ports No.

The images recorded in the recording area A1 are read by the reading unit 21A almost simultaneously in the same scan. That is, the image recorded in the first scan is read in the first scan. This read data is set to Y11, and S11 is calculated as the difference data between ideal recording and actual recording by the formula: S11 = G11-Y11.

Next, as shown in FIG. 6, the recording paper is fed in the conveying direction (upward) for four ejection ports, and while the carriage is back-scanned in the backward direction (first back-scan), N9-
Recording is performed on the recording area A1 and the recording A2 using the discharge port of N16. As a result, the data of G12 + S11 is printed by overlapping the printing area A1 printed in the previous scan by using the discharge ports of N9-N12 (when the value becomes negative or 0, the printing is not performed), and the data of N13-N16 The image data G21 is recorded in the new recording area A2 by using the ejection port of.

Then, in the same back scan, immediately after recording, the image recorded by the reading unit 21B in the first scan and the first back scan (recording area A1).
And the recording area A2) are read. The read data is Y1
2, Y21.

S12 and S21 are obtained as the difference data between the ideal recording and the actual recording, respectively, by the equation: S12 = G11 + G12-Y12 S21 = G21-Y21.

<Second Scan and Second Back Scan> Next, the recording paper is again fed upward by four ejection ports, N5 to N16.
Recording is performed in the same manner using the ejection port of.

At this time, in the second scan in the main scanning direction,
G13 + is applied to the recording area A1 using the ejection ports N5 to N8.
S12 is recorded (when it becomes negative or 0, recording is not performed). In addition, the recording area A is formed by using the discharge ports N9 to N12.
In G2, G22 + S21 is recorded (when it becomes negative or 0, recording is not performed). The image data G31 is recorded in the recording area A3 using the ejection openings N13 to N16.

In the same scan, immediately after the recording, the image recorded by the reading unit 21A in the first scan, the first back scan, and the second scan (recording area A
1 to A3) are read. The read data is Y13, Y
22 and Y31.

S13, S22, and S31 are obtained as the difference data between ideal recording and actual recording, respectively, by the equation: S13 = G11 + G12 + G13-Y13 S22 = G21 + G22-Y22 S31 = G31-Y31.

Next, the recording paper is again fed upward by four ejection ports, and while the carriage is back-scanned, N1 to N
Recording is similarly performed using 16 ejection ports.

At this time, in the second back scan in the backward direction, G1 is printed in the recording area A1 using the ejection ports N1 to N4.
Record 4 + S13 (do not record when negative or 0). In addition, the recording area A is formed by using the discharge ports N5 to N8.
In G2, G23 + S22 is recorded (when it becomes negative or becomes 0, recording is not performed). G32 + S31 is recorded in the recording area A3 using the discharge ports N9 to N12 (when the value is negative or 0, the recording is not performed). The image data G41 is recorded in the recording area A4 using the ejection openings N13 to N16.

In the same back scan, immediately after printing, the reading unit reads the images (areas A2 to A3) printed by the first back scan, the second scan, and the second back scan. The read data is Y23,
These are Y32 and Y41.

As differential data between ideal recording and actual recording, S23, S32, and S41 are respectively calculated by the equation: S23 = G21 + G22 + G23-Y23 S32 = G31 + G32-Y32 S41 = G41-Y41.

By sequentially repeating such recording, recording for all images on the recording medium is completed. As a result, the first
Similar to the embodiment described above, an image with less streaks and unevenness can be recorded.

Here, the recording operation for one recording area A1 according to the present embodiment will be described again with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, image data G11 is obtained by using the first ejection port blocks (N13 to N16) as the first scan.
According to the above, recording is performed in the forward direction (the forward direction in the main scanning direction). At this time, at the same time, the image is read immediately after being recorded by the reading unit to obtain the read data Y11 (step S111). Then, the difference data S11 is calculated from the image data G11 and the read data Y11 using the formula, S1.
1 = G11-Y11 (step S11)
2).

The recording paper is conveyed in the conveying direction by the amount corresponding to the ejection port, and the first
As the back scan, the second ejection port block (N9 to N
12) is used to record the data obtained by adding the differential data S11 to the image data G12 in the reverse direction (backward direction). However,
When the sum of both is negative or 0, recording is not performed.
At this time, at the same time, the image is read immediately after being recorded by the reading unit to obtain the read data Y12 (step S113). Then, the difference data S12 is calculated from the image data G11 and G12 and the read data Y12 by the formula, S
12 = G11 + G12−Y12 (step S114).

The recording paper is conveyed in the conveying direction by the amount corresponding to the ejection port, and the second
Data obtained by adding the differential data S12 to the image data G13 is recorded in the forward direction by using the third ejection port blocks (N5 to N8) as a scan. However, the sum of both is negative or 0
Will not be recorded. At this time, at the same time, the image is read immediately after being recorded by the reading unit to obtain the read data Y13 (step S11).
5). Then, the difference data S13 from the image data G11, G12, and G13 and the read data Y13 is calculated by the formula, S
13 = G11 + G12 + G13−Y13 (step S116).

Finally, the recording paper is conveyed in the conveying direction by the amount corresponding to the ejection port, and the data obtained by adding the differential data S13 to the image data G14 is recorded using the fourth ejection port block (N1 to N4) as the second back scan. Yes (step S11
7). However, recording is not performed when the sum of the two is negative or 0.

As described above, according to this embodiment,
Since printing is performed bidirectionally in the forward direction and the backward direction, and reading is also performed at the same time in scanning for scanning or back scanning, the time required for moving the carriage is shortened and high-speed printing can be performed.

In the present embodiment as well, as in the first embodiment, reading is performed only by the second scan and the second scan is performed.
The correction may be performed only by back scanning. As a result, the number of times of reading and correction is reduced, so that the load on the hardware and software of the device can be reduced and the recording time can be shortened.

Further, similarly to the first embodiment, the ejection ports (N5 to N5) used in the first and second scans are also used in this embodiment.
N16) may have variations in the ejection direction and the ejection amount, and the ejection ports (N1 to N) used in the second back scan.
In 4), it is more preferable to use a recording head having a small variation in the ejection direction and the ejection amount.

The difference of this embodiment from the first embodiment is that the recording time is greatly shortened because the bidirectional (reciprocal) recording and reading are simultaneously performed. On the other hand, it is necessary to provide two reading units, which is disadvantageous in terms of cost. Further, since the image is read immediately after the ink droplets are ejected, there is a problem that the reading unit is easily soiled by the mist of the ink. However, this stain can be removed by a known method.

Further, in the present embodiment, the image is read immediately after the image is formed, and depending on the nature of the ink, it may not be sufficiently fixed on the recording paper. In such a case, the image after fixing may be different from the image before fixing, which causes a problem that accurate correction is difficult to perform. In order to solve this problem, correction data corresponding to the difference between the image before fixing and the image after fixing may be used in addition to the read data.

[Third Embodiment] The third embodiment of the present invention will be described below. In the following, description of the same parts as those in the above embodiment will be omitted, and only the characteristic parts of the third embodiment will be described.

The overall structure of the apparatus and the structure of the ink jet unit of this embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment, and like the first embodiment, one printing area is printed by four forward scans. To do.

However, in this embodiment, as in the second embodiment, reading is simultaneously performed in the same scan as recording. In addition, in the present embodiment, only the difference data is printed by back scanning using the same ejection port as that used to print the printing data.

The recording operation for one area A1 according to the present embodiment will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, image data G11 is obtained by using the first ejection port blocks (N13 to N16) as the first scan.
According to the above, recording is performed in the forward direction (main scanning direction). At this time, at the same time, the image is read immediately after being recorded by the reading unit to obtain the read data Y11 (step S12).
1). Then, the image data G11 and the read data Y1
The difference data S11 from 1 is calculated by the formula, S11 = G11-Y1
1 (step S122).

Only the difference data S11 is recorded in the reverse direction as the first back scan without transporting the recording paper (step S123). However, recording is not performed when S11 becomes negative or 0.

The recording sheet is conveyed in the conveying direction by the amount corresponding to the discharge port (step S124), and if all scans have not been completed (step S125), the next scan (here, the second scan) is similarly performed. When all the scans (four times) are completed by repeating such processing, the recording operation for this area is completed in step S125.

As described above, according to this embodiment,
Since the correction is performed for all scans, the first
In addition, a more faithful image is recorded by the recording data as compared with the second embodiment. However, on the other hand, since the number of scans increases, the recording time increases.

Further, unlike the first and second embodiments, it is necessary to make the ejection ports used in the fourth scan smaller in the ejection direction and ejection amount than the ejection ports used in the other scans. Therefore, the manufacturing cost of the recording head can be suppressed.

[Fourth Embodiment] The fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described below. In the following, description of the same parts as those in the above-described embodiment will be omitted, and only the characteristic parts of the fourth embodiment will be described.

The structure of the entire apparatus and the structure of the ink jet unit of this embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment, but the image recording is performed only in the forward direction, and the image reading and the difference data recording are the same. Back scan.

The recording operation for one area A1 according to the present embodiment will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, image data G11 is obtained by using the first ejection port blocks (N13 to N16) as the first scan.
Then, recording is performed in the forward direction (main scanning direction) (step S131).

Next, the image recorded by the reading unit is read by back scanning without conveying the recording paper.
The read data Y11 is obtained, and the difference data S11 is calculated from the image data G11 and the read data Y11 using the formula, S11 =
The difference data S11 is obtained by G11-Y11 and is recorded (step S132). However, S11 is negative or 0
Will not be recorded.

The recording sheet is conveyed in the conveying direction by the amount corresponding to the ejection port (step S133), and if the entire scan is not completed (step S134), the next scan (here, the second scan) is performed in the same manner. When all the scans (four times) are completed by repeating such processing, the recording operation for this area is completed in step S134.

As described above, according to this embodiment,
Similar to the third embodiment, since correction is performed for all scans, a faithful image is recorded by the recording data. Further, as compared with the third embodiment, since there is a time from recording to reading, there is no concern that the reading unit gets dirty with ink mist, and the recording time is long because the image fixed on the recording paper is read. However, the correction can be performed more correctly.

In the present embodiment, since the image reading, the differential data creation, and the differential data recording are performed at the same time by the same back scan, the load on the arithmetic unit (CPU etc.) inside the printing apparatus increases. It is necessary to use a higher performance computing device.

[Fifth Embodiment] The fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described below. In the following, description of the same parts as those in the above embodiment will be omitted, and only the characteristic parts of the fifth embodiment will be described.

The present embodiment shows an example in which the present invention is applied to binary recording in which one pixel is formed by one ink droplet.
The configuration of the entire device and the configuration of the inkjet unit are
Similar to the first embodiment, the image is recorded only in the forward direction, and the image is read by the back scan.

The recording operation for one area according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, recording is performed in the forward direction based on the image data as usual (step S141). Next, the recorded image is read while performing back scanning without carrying the recording paper (step S142). Then, the difference data between the print data and the read data is obtained (step S143). Recording is performed in the forward direction based on the obtained difference data (step S144).

After the above processing is completed, back scanning is performed to return the carriage to the original position, the recording paper is conveyed by the ejection opening (step S145), and the recording operation for one area is completed.

Here, recording is performed only in the forward direction,
I took the example of the configuration that the reading is done by the back scan,
Reading and recording may be performed in the same scan, and difference data may be recorded in the same back scan as reading.

[Sixth Embodiment] The sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described below. In the following, description of the same parts as those in the above embodiment will be omitted, and only the characteristic parts of the sixth embodiment will be described.

FIG. 8 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of this embodiment. Here, reference numeral 321 is a recording head having 280 ejection ports, the ejection ports are arranged in the lateral direction in the drawing, and the recording head is mounted on a carriage 324 and moves on a rail 325. A recording sheet 322 is wound around the drum 323. The drum 323 is rotated by a motor (not shown). A reading unit 326 reads a recorded image.

In this embodiment, recording with 8 gradations is performed by using a device having such a structure to form one pixel with 0 to 7 ink droplets. Therefore, the recording head 321 is divided into seven portions with 40 ejection ports, and each recording area is recorded by seven scans.

FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the recording method of this embodiment. The arrow A indicates the moving direction of the recording head and the reading unit in the figure.

Now, the recording operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, the recording head 321 is located at the rightmost end in FIG. 8, and recording is performed by rotating the drum once by using only the 40 ejection ports numbered 241-280. Meanwhile, the recording image is read by the reading unit 326 (Y11
Then, difference data (S11) between the image data to be recorded (G11) and the actual recording is obtained (step S15).
1).

Next, the recording head 321 is moved to the left (arrow A) by 40 ejection ports (step S152).
Since it is not the seventh scan (step S1
53), the process returns to step S151, and as the second scan, recording is performed by rotating the drum 323 once using 80 ejection ports numbered 201 to 280. Number 2 at this time
The ejection ports 01 to 240 record G12 + S11 (no recording is performed when the value is negative or 0), and the ejection ports numbered 241-280 record G21. The reading unit 326 is also moved to the left by 40 discharge ports to read the recorded image and obtain difference data from the image data.

Further, the recording head 321 is moved leftward by 40 discharge ports (step S152). And 7
Since it is not the second scan (step S153), the process returns to step S151, and the 120th discharge ports numbered 161 to 280 are used as the third scan and the drum 32 is used.
3 is rotated once to perform recording, and image reading and difference data calculation are performed in the same manner as described above.

The above processing is performed seven times for each recording area, and recording is performed on the entire surface of the recording paper.

The feature of this embodiment is that the recording unit and the reading unit are independent. Since they are separated from each other in position, there is an advantage that the influence of ink mist generated from the recording unit can be minimized.

In the present embodiment, the error in the preceding scan is recorded and the image is corrected in the following scan. At this time, there is a relative movement between the recording head and the recording paper between the preceding scan and the following scan. Although the correction method is the same as that of the first embodiment, similarly to the third embodiment, only the correction may be performed in the next scan without performing the relative movement between the recording head and the recording paper after recording. .

FIG. 16 shows a list of recording methods according to the first to sixth embodiments described above. In the figure, in the column of scanning method, horizontal means a method of scanning the recording head in a direction intersecting the conveying direction of the recording paper, and rotation means a method of rotating a drum around which the recording paper is wound.

As described above, according to the present invention, several methods are conceivable. The scanning method, the number of scans, the recording direction,
It can be applied to various recording methods in which any of the reading direction, reading, correction nozzle, and correction scan parameters is combined.

Of the above parameters, it is preferable that reading is not performed at the same time as recording in order to prevent the reading unit from being contaminated by the generated ink mist. Regarding the recording direction, color recording using multicolor ink is preferable. When performing the above, it is preferable to use one direction so that the color superposition order is constant, and it is preferable that the correction nozzle be different from the nozzle used for recording so that the multi-scan effect can be obtained. .

[Other Embodiments] Although the above embodiment has been described by taking an ink jet printer as an example, the present invention can be applied to a recording apparatus that performs recording according to another recording method.

Furthermore, the scanning method of each recording area and the structure of the recording head are not limited to those exemplified in the above embodiment, and various ones can be applied.

In the above-described embodiment, especially in the ink jet recording system, a means (for example, an electrothermal converter or a laser beam) for generating thermal energy as energy used for ejecting ink is provided. High density and high definition recording can be achieved by using a method of causing a change in ink state by energy.

Regarding its typical structure and principle, see, for example, US Pat. Nos. 4,723,129 and 4740.
What is done using the basic principles disclosed in 796 is preferred. This method can be applied to both the so-called on-demand type and continuous type, but especially in the case of the on-demand type, liquid (ink)
By applying at least one drive signal to the electrothermal transducer arranged corresponding to the sheet or liquid path in which is stored, which corresponds to the recorded information and gives a rapid temperature rise exceeding nucleate boiling. Since the electrothermal converter is caused to generate heat energy to cause film boiling on the heat-acting surface of the recording head, as a result, bubbles in the liquid (ink) corresponding to the drive signal in a one-to-one relationship can be formed. It is valid.

Due to the growth and contraction of the bubbles, the liquid (ink) is ejected through the ejection openings to form at least one droplet. It is more preferable to make this drive signal into a pulse shape, because the bubble growth and contraction are immediately and appropriately performed, so that the ejection of the liquid (ink) with excellent responsiveness can be achieved.

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

As the constitution of the recording head, in addition to the combination constitution of the ejection port, the liquid passage, and the electrothermal converter (the linear liquid passage or the right-angled liquid passage) as disclosed in the above-mentioned respective specifications, The present invention also includes the configurations described in US Pat. No. 4,558,333 and US Pat. No. 4,459,600, which disclose configurations in which the heat-acting surface is arranged in a bending region. In addition, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 59-123670 discloses a structure in which a common slot is used as a discharge portion of a plurality of electrothermal converters, and an opening for absorbing a pressure wave of thermal energy is discharged. A configuration based on Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 59-138461, which discloses a configuration corresponding to each section, may be adopted.

In addition to the cartridge type recording head in which the ink tank is integrally provided in the recording head itself described in the above embodiment, the recording head is mounted on the main body of the apparatus, so that it can be electrically connected to the main body of the apparatus. A replaceable chip-type recording head that enables various connections and supply of ink from the apparatus main body may be used.

Further, it is preferable to add a recovery means for the recording head, a preliminary means, etc. to the structure of the recording apparatus described above because the recording operation can be made more stable. Specific examples thereof include capping means for the recording head, cleaning means, pressurizing or sucking means, electrothermal converters or heating elements other than these, or preheating means by a combination thereof. Further, provision of a preliminary ejection mode for performing ejection different from recording is also effective for stable recording.

Further, the recording mode of the recording apparatus is not limited to the recording mode of only the mainstream color such as black, but the recording head may be integrally formed or a plurality of combinations may be used. Alternatively, the device may be provided with at least one of full-color mixed colors.

In the above-described embodiments, the explanation is made on the assumption that the ink is a liquid. However, even if the ink is solidified at room temperature or lower, it should be softened or liquefied at room temperature. Or, in the inkjet method, it is general that the temperature of the ink itself is adjusted within a range of 30 ° C. or higher and 70 ° C. or lower to control the temperature of the ink so that the viscosity of the ink is in a stable ejection range.
It suffices that the ink is in a liquid state when the use recording signal is applied.

In addition, in order to positively prevent the temperature rise due to thermal energy from being used as the energy for changing the state of the ink from the solid state to the liquid state,
Alternatively, in order to prevent the ink from evaporating, an ink that solidifies in a standing state and liquefies by heating may be used. In any case, by applying heat energy, such as ink that is liquefied by applying heat energy according to the recording signal and liquid ink is ejected, or that begins to solidify when it reaches the recording medium. The present invention can be applied to the case where an ink having a property of being liquefied for the first time is used.

In this case, the ink is described in JP-A-54-5.
6847 or Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 60-71260, such that it is opposed to the electrothermal converter in the state where it is held as a liquid or solid in the recesses or through holes of the porous sheet. 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.

Even if the present invention is applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices (eg, host computer, interface device, reader, printer, etc.), a device composed of one device (eg, copying machine, facsimile device) Etc.) Further, an object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium recording a program code of software that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus stores the storage medium. It is needless to say that it is achieved by reading and executing the program code stored in.

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

A storage medium for supplying the program code is, for example, a floppy disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD.
-R, magnetic tape, non-volatile memory card, ROM, etc. can be used.

Further, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by executing the program code read by the computer, but also the OS (operating system) running on the computer based on the instructions of the program code. It is needless to say that this also includes a case where the above) performs a 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 in the memory provided in the function expansion board inserted into the computer or the function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instruction of the program code, It goes without saying that a case where the CPU or the like included in the function expansion board or the function expansion unit performs some or all of the actual processing and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is also included.

When the present invention is applied to the above storage medium, the storage medium stores the program code corresponding to the above-described flowcharts (shown in FIGS. 10 to 15).

[0158]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, stripes and unevenness can be surely reduced regardless of the image data to be recorded, and recording by one recording element is possible. Even when the characteristics vary with time, there is an effect that it is possible to reliably reduce streaks and unevenness and obtain a recorded image that is more faithful to the image data to be originally recorded.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a method of forming one line in a main scanning direction by ink droplets ejected from a plurality of ejection ports.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a case where a halftone image is formed by the method of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an outline of the inkjet printer according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view showing the inkjet unit of FIG.

5 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of the inkjet printer of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a recording method according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view showing an inkjet unit used in the second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of a sixth embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram for explaining a recording method according to a sixth embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a recording operation according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a recording operation according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a recording operation according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a recording operation according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a recording operation according to the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a recording operation according to the sixth embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a list of recording methods of the first to sixth embodiments.

Claims (23)

[Claims] 1. A recording apparatus for performing recording by a recording scan in which a recording head having a recording element is relatively moved on a recording medium, and a reading unit for reading an image recorded by the movement of the recording head. A difference calculating unit for obtaining difference data between image data to be recorded and the image data read by the reading unit; and a correction recording unit for recording the difference data on the recorded image. Recording device. 2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing scan is performed a plurality of times when printing each printing area. 3. The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the correction printing unit prints data obtained by adding the difference data to data to be printed in the subsequent printing scan. 4. The recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the correction recording unit does not record the correction data at the time of the last recording scan for each recording area. 5. The correction recording means records the data obtained by adding the correction data to the data to be recorded in the last recording scan for each recording area only in the last recording scan. The recording device described. 6. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image reading is performed at the same time as the recording scanning. 7. The image reading is performed by moving a print head on the print medium in a direction opposite to the print scan after the print scan.
The recording device according to any one of 1 to 5. 8. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reading unit is configured integrally with the recording head. 9. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording head has a plurality of recording elements. 10. The recording apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the correction recording unit records the correction data using a recording element different from the recording scan. 11. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording head is an inkjet recording head that ejects ink to perform recording. 12. The recording head is a recording head which ejects ink by utilizing thermal energy, and is provided with a thermal energy converter for generating thermal energy applied to the ink. Item 12. The recording device according to item 11. 13. A recording method for performing recording by a recording scan in which a recording head having a recording element is relatively moved on a recording medium, the reading step of reading an image recorded by the movement of the recording head by a reading means. A difference data calculating step of obtaining difference data between the data to be originally recorded and the data read in the reading step; and a correction recording step of recording the difference data on the recorded image. Recording method characterized by. 14. The recording method according to claim 13, wherein the recording scan is performed a plurality of times when recording each recording area. 15. The correction printing step prints data obtained by adding the difference data to data to be printed in a subsequent printing scan.
Recording method described in. 16. The recording method according to claim 15, wherein in the correction recording step, the correction data is not recorded in the last recording scan for each recording area. 17. The correction recording step records data obtained by adding the correction data to data to be printed in the last printing scan for each printing area, only in the last printing scan. Recording method described. 18. The recording method according to claim 13, wherein the reading step is performed simultaneously with the recording scan. 19. The reading step is performed by moving a print head on a print medium in a direction opposite to the print scan after the print scan.
The recording method according to any one of 3 to 17. 20. The recording head has a plurality of recording elements, and the correction data is recorded using a recording element different from the recording scan in the correction recording step. 19. The recording method according to any one of 1 to 18. 21. The recording method according to claim 13, wherein the recording head is an inkjet recording head that performs recording by ejecting ink. 22. The recording head is a recording head for ejecting ink by utilizing thermal energy, and is provided with a thermal energy converter for generating thermal energy applied to the ink. Item 21. The recording method according to Item 21. 23. A storage medium storing a program code for realizing the recording method according to any one of claims 13 to 22.