JP2004082412A - Inkjet recorder, inkjet recording method, program, and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an inkjet recorder capable of suppressing the occurrence of an unevenness in density due to a difference of use conditions between a discharge opening not used in previous recording scan and a discharge opening used in a previous recording scan, and further to provide an inkjet recording method, a program and a storage medium. <P>SOLUTION: During a period where such a recording scan as a discharge opening not used in previous recording scan is used in next recording scan is performed a specified number of times continuously, preliminary discharge is performed frequently as compared with other periods. Alternatively, preliminary discharge is performed prior to a next recording scan using a discharge opening not used in previous recording scan. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an inkjet recording device, an inkjet recording method, a program, and a storage medium.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, ink jet printers have become capable of high-quality recording comparable to silver halide photographs, and accordingly, similarly to silver halide photographs, recording without margins on a glossy recording material (hereinafter also referred to as “edgeless recording”) ), I.e., recording in which no margin is formed at the end of the recording material, is increasing, and an ink jet printer having such a function is provided.
[0003]
In order to perform borderless printing with an ink jet printer, it is basically necessary to discharge ink to an area protruding from the edge of the recording material so that no margin is generated at the edge of the recording material. is there. That is, in consideration of a transport error of the recording material, a size error of the recording material itself due to a cutting accuracy, and the like, an area (hereinafter, referred to as a “protruding portion”) that protrudes from an end position of the transported recording material according to the error. Recording is generally performed by ejecting ink to a "protruding area".
[0004]
In an inkjet recording apparatus such as an inkjet printer, a platen is provided at a position facing a recording head. The platen regulates a positional relationship between a recording material conveyed thereon and a recording head that ejects ink onto the recording material. For example, on the upper surface of the platen, a plurality of platen ribs extending along the scanning direction of the recording head are arranged, and the recording material is conveyed while maintaining a fixed distance from the recording head while being supported by the top of the platen rib. Is done.
[0005]
It is desirable that the ink discharged to the protruding region be collected. For example, in order to collect the ink discharged to the protruding area on the transport direction side of the recording material, the platen rib is provided with a notch having a predetermined width extending along the scanning direction of the recording head, and An ink absorber is provided at the bottom of the notch. Further, in order to collect the ink ejected to the protruding area on the side of the width of the recording material (scanning direction of the recording head), the ejection openings of the recording head are arranged at predetermined positions on the outer side in the width direction of the recording material. An ink absorber is provided over the area. As a result, it is possible to collect the ink that has protruded outside the four sides of the recording material and that has been ejected, and perform borderless recording without margins on the four sides of the recording material.
[0006]
By the way, in the configuration in which the notch is provided in the platen rib for collecting the ink, if the width of the notch is widened, there is a possibility that the end of the recording material conveyed on the platen rib falls into the notch. Such a drop in the end portion of the recording material changes the positional relationship between the recording head and the recording material, and shifts the position of dots formed on the recording material by ink ejected from the recording head. And causes deterioration of the recorded image. For this reason, it is desirable to minimize the width of the notch. On the other hand, when the width of the notch of the platen rib is reduced in this way, when recording is performed on the protruding area on the transport direction side of the recording material, it is used to eject ink in accordance with the width of the notch. In many cases, the number of ejection ports of the recording head is limited to reduce the recording width. In other words, in order to reliably recover the ink ejected from the end of the recording material on the transport direction side through the small notch, the recording used to eject the ink in accordance with the width of the notch. The number of head ejection ports is temporarily limited. The width of the notch is designed based on a transport error of the recording material.
[0007]
Further, during printing, an operation called so-called preliminary ejection is performed, in which ink irrelevant to printing (ejection of ink not contributing to printing) is performed outside the printing area at predetermined time intervals. One of the purposes of the preliminary ejection is to prevent the ink in the ejection openings of the recording head from evaporating during the recording, and to prevent the ejection openings from drying and making it impossible to eject the ink. When the preliminary ejection is performed every time each printing scan is performed, a good ejection state of the ink can be reliably ensured, but the time required for the printing becomes long. Therefore, generally, the time interval for performing the preliminary ejection is set so as not to affect the ejection of the ink, and the preliminary ejection is performed every time the print head scans several times.
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In performing the borderless printing as described above, the number of ejection ports used in a recording area (edge area) at the end of the recording material is limited, and the ejection ports used in other recording areas (normal areas). If the number is not limited, the following problem occurs. That is, when shifting from the end area where printing is performed with the number of ejection ports used to a limited area to the normal area where the number of ejection ports to be used is not limited, ink is ejected in the previous print scan of the print head. The ejection port where the ink ejection is not performed ejects ink in the next printing scan. In such a case, the amount of evaporation of the ink in the ejection port where the ink was not ejected in the previous printing scan is larger than the amount of evaporation of the ink in the ejection port where the ink was ejected in the previous printing scan. Such a difference in the evaporation amount of the ink causes density unevenness of a printed image at the time of printing in the next print scan.
[0009]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem, and an object of the present invention is to use a discharge port that is not used in a previous print scan and a discharge port that is used in a previous print scan. An object of the present invention is to provide an ink jet recording apparatus, an ink jet recording method, a program, and a storage medium that can suppress the occurrence of density unevenness due to a difference in a situation.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention for achieving the above object uses a recording head having a plurality of ejection ports capable of ejecting ink, and performing a recording scan in which the recording head ejects ink to a recording material while moving the recording head in a main scanning direction. An image is recorded on the recording material by repeating a transport operation of transporting the recording material in a sub-scanning direction that intersects with the main scanning direction, and the recording head is interposed between the recording scans. An ink jet recording apparatus capable of performing preliminary ejection of ejecting ink that does not contribute to image recording from a plurality of times of printing scans that newly use ejection ports that have not been used in the previous printing scan. In the first period which is continuously performed, the preliminary ejection is performed more frequently than in the other second periods.
[0011]
The present invention uses a recording head having a plurality of ejection ports capable of ejecting ink, performs a recording scan in which the recording head is moved in a main scanning direction and ejects ink to a recording material, An image is recorded on the recording material by repeating a conveyance operation of conveying in a sub-scanning direction intersecting a scanning direction, and the recording head does not contribute to image recording between the recording scans. An ink jet recording apparatus capable of performing preliminary ejection for discharging ink, wherein the preliminary ejection is performed before the next recording scan in which ejection ports that have not been used in the previous recording scan will be newly used. It is characterized by comprising control means for controlling the operation to be performed.
[0012]
The present invention uses a recording head having a plurality of ejection ports capable of ejecting ink, performs a recording scan in which the recording head ejects ink to a recording material while moving the recording head in a main scanning direction, and the recording material is used for the main scanning. An image is recorded on the recording material by repeating a conveyance operation of conveying in a sub-scanning direction intersecting a scanning direction, and the recording head does not contribute to image recording between the recording scans. An ink jet recording method capable of performing preliminary discharge for discharging ink, wherein a plurality of consecutive print scans in which discharge ports not used during the previous print scan are newly used are continuously performed. During the period, the preliminary ejection is performed more frequently than in the other second periods.
[0013]
The present invention uses a recording head having a plurality of ejection ports capable of ejecting ink, performs a recording scan in which the recording head is moved in a main scanning direction and ejects ink to a recording material, An image is recorded on the recording material by repeating a conveyance operation of conveying in a sub-scanning direction intersecting a scanning direction, and the recording head does not contribute to image recording between the recording scans. An ink jet recording method capable of performing a preliminary ejection of ejecting ink, wherein the preliminary ejection is performed before a next recording scan in which ejection ports not used in a previous recording scan are newly used. The feature is that it is always performed.
[0014]
The present invention uses a recording head having a plurality of ejection ports capable of ejecting ink, performs a recording scan in which the recording head ejects ink to a recording material while moving the recording head in a main scanning direction, and the recording material is used for the main scanning. An image is recorded on the recording material by repeating a conveyance operation of conveying in a sub-scanning direction intersecting a scanning direction, and the recording head does not contribute to image recording between the recording scans. A control program for controlling an ink jet recording apparatus capable of performing preliminary ejection for ejecting ink, wherein a plurality of recording scans that newly use ejection ports that have not been used in the previous recording scan are performed. Causing the computer to execute a step of controlling the preliminary ejection to be performed more frequently during the first period that is performed continuously than during the other second period. It is an feature.
[0015]
The present invention uses a recording head having a plurality of ejection ports capable of ejecting ink, performs a recording scan in which the recording head is moved in a main scanning direction and ejects ink to a recording material, An image is recorded on the recording material by repeating a conveyance operation of conveying in a sub-scanning direction intersecting a scanning direction, and the recording head does not contribute to image recording between the recording scans. A control program for controlling an ink jet recording apparatus capable of performing preliminary ejection for ejecting ink, wherein a discharge port that has not been used in the previous recording scan is newly used for the next recording scan. Before that, the computer is made to execute a control step in which the preliminary ejection is always performed.
[0016]
The present invention is a storage medium storing the control program.
[0017]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0018]
First, an inkjet printer, which is an embodiment of the inkjet recording apparatus of the present invention, will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0019]
In this specification, the term “record” refers to not only a case where significant information such as characters and figures are formed, but also a matter that is significant or insignificant, and is also manifested so that humans can perceive it visually. Regardless of whether or not the image is formed, a case where an image, a pattern, a pattern, or the like is widely formed on a recording medium or a medium is processed is also referred to.
[0020]
Here, the “recording material” is not limited to paper used in a general printing apparatus, but is widely applicable to cloth, plastic films, metal plates, etc., glass, ceramics, wood, leather, etc., which can accept ink. Things are also referred to.
[0021]
Further, “ink” is to be interpreted broadly as in the definition of “recording” described above, and is applied to a recording material to form an image, a pattern, a pattern, or to process a recording material. Alternatively, it refers to a liquid that can be subjected to ink processing (for example, solidification or insolubilization of a coloring material in the ink applied to the recording material).
[0022]
[Apparatus body]
1 and 2 show a schematic configuration of a printer using an ink jet recording system. In FIG. 1, the outer periphery of the apparatus main body M1000 of the printer in this embodiment includes an outer member including a lower case M1001, an upper case M1002, an access cover M1003, and a discharge tray M1004, and a chassis M3019 (FIG. 2).
[0023]
The chassis M3019 is composed of a plurality of plate-shaped metal members having a predetermined rigidity, forms a skeleton of a recording apparatus, and holds each recording operation mechanism described later.
[0024]
Also, the lower case M1001 forms a substantially lower half of the exterior of the apparatus main body M1000, and the upper case M1002 forms a substantially upper half of the exterior of the apparatus main body M1000. Has a hollow body structure having a storage space for storing therein. Openings are formed in the upper surface and the front surface of the apparatus main body M1000, respectively.
[0025]
Further, one end of the discharge tray M1004 is rotatably held by the lower case M1001, and the rotation allows the opening formed in the front surface of the lower case M1001 to be opened and closed. Therefore, when the recording operation is performed, the recording sheet (recording material) P can be discharged from here by rotating the discharge tray M1004 toward the front side to open the opening, thereby discharging the recording sheet. Recording sheets P can be sequentially stacked. Further, the paper discharge tray M1004 contains two auxiliary trays M1004a and M1004b. By pulling out each tray as needed, the sheet support area can be expanded or reduced in three stages. It has become.
[0026]
One end of the access cover M1003 is rotatably held by the upper case M1002, and can open and close an opening formed on the upper surface of the upper case M1002. By opening the access cover M1003, the recording head cartridge H1000 or the ink tank H1900 housed inside the main body can be replaced. Although not shown here, when the access cover M1003 is opened and closed, a projection formed on the back surface rotates the cover opening / closing lever, and the rotation position of the lever is detected by a microswitch or the like. Thereby, the open / close state of the access cover M1003 can be detected.
[0027]
On the rear upper surface of the upper case M1002, a power key E0018 and a resume key E0019 are provided so as to be able to be pressed, and an LED E0020 is provided. When the power key E0018 is pressed, the LED E0020 is turned on to enable recording. This is to inform the operator that there is something. The LED E0020 has various display functions such as changing the blinking method and color, and notifying an operator of a printer trouble or the like. Further, the buzzer E0021 (FIG. 6) can be smoothed. When the trouble or the like is solved, the recording is restarted by pressing the resume key E0019.
[0028]
[Recording operation mechanism]
Next, a recording operation mechanism according to the present exemplary embodiment that is stored and held in the apparatus main body M1000 of the printer will be described.
[0029]
The recording operation mechanism according to the present embodiment includes an automatic feeding unit M3022 that automatically feeds the recording sheet P into the apparatus main body, and a recording sheet P that is sent one by one from the automatic feeding unit. And a recording unit that performs desired recording on the recording sheet P conveyed to the recording position, and a recovery unit that recovers the recording unit and the like. A recovery system unit (recovery unit) M5000 for performing processing.
[0030]
The recovery system unit M5000 is provided at the home position of the carriage M4001. The recovery system unit M5000 is provided with a cap capable of capping the ejection port of the recording head H1001, a suction pump capable of introducing a negative pressure into the cap, and the like. By introducing the pressure, the ink is suctioned and discharged from the discharge port, and a suction recovery process is performed to maintain a good ink discharge state of the recording head H1001. In addition, by discharging ink that does not contribute to an image from the discharge port toward the inside of the cap, preliminary discharge can be performed in order to maintain a favorable ink discharge state of the print head H1001. In addition, the recovery system unit M5000 includes a blade that can move relative to the surface on which the ejection port is formed in the print head H1001, so that the surface on which the ejection port is formed can be wiped.
[0031]
(Recording unit)
Here, the recording unit will be described. The recording unit includes a carriage M4001 supported by a carriage shaft M4021 so as to be movable in the main scanning direction indicated by an arrow X, and a recording head cartridge H1000 detachably mounted on the carriage M4001. (FIG. 3).
[0032]
[Recording head cartridge]
First, a recording head cartridge used in the recording section will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0033]
As shown in FIG. 3, a print head cartridge H1000 according to this embodiment includes an ink tank H1900 that stores ink and a print head H1001 that discharges ink supplied from the ink tank H1900 from nozzles according to print information. Have. The recording head H1001 employs a so-called cartridge system which is detachably mounted on a carriage M4001 described later.
[0034]
In the print head cartridge H1000 shown here, for example, black, light cyan, light magenta, cyan, magenta and yellow independent ink tanks H1900 are prepared as ink tanks in order to enable high-quality color printing of photographic tone. As shown in FIG. 4, each is detachable from the recording head H1001.
[0035]
As shown in the exploded perspective view of FIG. 5, the recording head H1001 includes a recording element substrate H1100, a first plate H1200, an electric wiring substrate H1300, a second plate H1400, a tank holder H1500, a flow path forming member H1600, It is composed of a filter H1700 and a seal rubber H1800.
[0036]
On the printing element substrate H1100, a plurality of printing elements for ejecting ink to one surface of a Si substrate and electric wiring of Al or the like for supplying power to each printing element are formed by a film forming technique. A plurality of corresponding ink flow paths and a plurality of discharge ports H1100T are formed by photolithography, and an ink supply port for supplying ink to the plurality of ink flow paths is formed so as to open on the back surface. . The printing element substrate H1100 is bonded and fixed to a first plate H1200, and an ink supply port H1201 for supplying ink to the printing element substrate H1100 is formed here. Further, a second plate H1400 having an opening is adhesively fixed to the first plate H1200, and the electric wiring board H1300 is electrically connected to the recording element substrate H1100 via the second plate H1400. It is held to be connected to. The electric wiring board H1300 is for applying an electric signal for discharging ink to the recording element substrate H1100. The electric wiring corresponding to the recording element substrate H1100 and the electric wiring located at the end of the electric wiring and from the main body. An external signal input terminal H1301 for receiving a signal is provided, and the external signal input terminal H1301 is positioned and fixed on the back side of a tank holder H1500 described later.
[0037]
On the other hand, a flow path forming member H1600 is fixed to the tank holder H1500 that detachably holds the ink tank H1900, for example, by ultrasonic welding, and forms an ink flow path H1501 extending from the ink tank H1900 to the first plate H1200. ing. In addition, a filter H1700 is provided at an end portion of the ink flow path H1501 on the ink tank side which engages with the ink tank H1900, so that intrusion of dust from the outside can be prevented. Further, a seal rubber H1800 is attached to an engagement portion with the ink tank H1900, so that evaporation of ink from the engagement portion can be prevented.
[0038]
Further, as described above, the tank holder portion including the tank holder H1500, the flow path forming member H1600, the filter H1700, and the seal rubber H1800, the recording element substrate H1100, the first plate H1200, the electric wiring substrate H1300, and the second The print head H1001 is configured by bonding the print element unit including the plate H1400 with an adhesive or the like.
[0039]
[carriage]
Next, the carriage M4001 on which the recording head cartridge H1000 is mounted will be described with reference to FIG.
[0040]
As shown in FIG. 2, the carriage M4001 engages with the carriage cover M4002 for engaging the carriage M4001 and guiding the recording head H1001 to a predetermined mounting position on the carriage M4001, and engaging with the tank holder H1500 of the recording head H1001. A head set lever M4007 for pressing the recording head H1001 to a predetermined mounting position is provided.
[0041]
That is, the head set lever M4007 is provided on the carriage M4001 so as to be rotatable with respect to the head set lever shaft, and a spring-biased head set plate (not shown) is provided at an engagement portion with the recording head H1001. The recording head H1001 is mounted on the carriage M4001 while being pressed by the spring force.
[0042]
A contact flexible print cable (refer to FIG. 6, hereinafter referred to as a contact FPC) E0011 is provided at another engagement portion of the carriage M4001 with the recording head H1001, and the contact portion on the contact FPC E0011 and the recording head H1001 are provided. The provided contact portion (external signal input terminal) H1301 is in electrical contact, and is capable of transmitting and receiving various information for recording, supplying power to the recording head H1001, and the like.
[0043]
Here, an elastic member such as rubber (not shown) is provided between the contact portion of the contact FPC E0011 and the carriage M4001, and the elastic force of the elastic member and the pressing force of the headset lever spring act on the contact portion and the carriage. M4001 can be reliably contacted. Further, the contact FPC E0011 is connected to a carriage substrate E0013 mounted on the back of the carriage M4001 (see FIG. 6).
[0044]
[Configuration of electrical circuit of printer]
Next, an electric circuit configuration according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically showing an example of the overall configuration of an electric circuit according to this embodiment.
[0045]
The electric circuit in this embodiment mainly includes a carriage board (CRPCB) E0013, a main PCB (Printed Circuit Board) E0014, a power supply unit E0015, and the like.
[0046]
Here, the power supply unit E0015 is connected to the main PCB E0014 and supplies various driving powers.
[0047]
The carriage substrate E0013 is a printed circuit board unit mounted on the carriage M4001 (FIG. 2), functions as an interface for transmitting and receiving signals to and from the recording head through the contact FPC E0011, and has an encoder associated with the movement of the carriage M4001. Based on the pulse signal output from the sensor E0004, a change in the positional relationship between the encoder scale E0005 and the encoder sensor E0004 is detected, and the output signal is output to the main PCB E0014 via a flexible flat cable (CRFFC) E0012.
[0048]
Further, a main PCB E0014 is a printed circuit board unit that controls the driving of each unit of the ink jet recording apparatus in this embodiment, and includes a paper edge detection sensor (PE sensor) E0007, an ASF (automatic paper feeder) sensor E0009, and a cover sensor E0022. , A parallel interface (parallel I / F) E0016, a serial interface (serial I / F) E0017, a resume key E0019, an LED E0020, a power key E0018, a buzzer E0021, and the like. Further, a motor (CR motor) E0001 as a driving source for causing the carriage M1400 to perform main scanning in the main scanning direction indicated by an arrow X in FIG. 2 and a drive for conveying a recording medium in the sub-scanning direction indicated by an arrow Y in FIG. A motor (LF motor) E0002 serving as a power source and a motor (PG motor) E0003 used for rotating the print head and feeding the print medium are connected to control these drives. In addition, an ink empty sensor E0006, It has a connection interface with the GAP sensor E0008, PG sensor E0010, CRFFC E0012, and power supply unit E0015.
[0049]
FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the main PCB E0014. In the figure, reference numeral E1001 denotes a CPU. The CPU E1001 includes a clock generator (PCG) E1002 connected to an oscillation circuit E1005, and generates a system clock by an output signal E1019. The CPU E1001 is connected to the ROM E1004 and an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) E1006 via the control bus E1014, and controls the ASIC E1006 according to a program stored in the ROM, an input signal E1017 from a power key, and a resume key. Of the input signal E1016, the cover detection signal E1042, and the head detection signal (HSENS) E1013, and the buzzer E0021 is driven by the buzzer signal (BUZ) E1018 to be connected to the built-in A / D converter E1003. While detecting the state of the inempty detection signal (INKS) E1011 and the temperature detection signal (TH) E1012 by the thermistor, various other logical operations Performs condition determination and controls the driving of the inkjet recording apparatus.
[0050]
Here, the head detection signal E1013 is a head mounting detection signal input from the recording head cartridge H1000 via the flexible flat cable E0012, the carriage substrate E0013, and the contact flexible print cable E0011, and the ink empty detection signal E1011 is An analog signal output from the empty sensor E0006, and the temperature detection signal E1012 is an analog signal from a thermistor (not shown) provided on the carriage substrate E0013.
[0051]
E1008 is a CR motor driver, which uses a motor power supply (VM) E1040 as a drive source, generates a CR motor drive signal E1037 according to a CR motor control signal E1036 from the ASIC E1006, and drives the CR motor E0001. E1009 is an LF / PG motor driver, which uses a motor power supply E1040 as a drive source, generates an LF motor drive signal E1035 in accordance with a pulse motor control signal (PM control signal) E1033 from the ASIC E1006, and drives the LF motor. At the same time, a PG motor drive signal E1034 is generated to drive the PG motor.
[0052]
A power control circuit E1010 controls power supply to each sensor having a light emitting element according to a power control signal E1024 from the ASIC E1006. The parallel I / F E0016 transmits the parallel I / F signal E1030 from the ASIC E1006 to the externally connected parallel I / F cable E1031, and transmits the signal of the parallel I / F cable E1031 to the ASIC E1006. The serial I / F E0017 transmits a serial I / F signal E1028 from the ASIC E1006 to an externally connected serial I / F cable E1029, and transmits a signal from the cable E1029 to the ASIC E1006.
[0053]
On the other hand, from the power supply unit E0015, a head power supply (VH) E1039, a motor power supply (VM) E1040, and a logic power supply (VDD) E1041 are supplied. Further, a head power supply ON signal (VHON) E1022 and a motor power supply ON signal (VMOM) E1023 from the ASIC E1006 are input to the power supply unit E0015 to control ON / OFF of the head power supply E1039 and the motor power supply E1040, respectively. The logic power supply (VDD) E1041 supplied from the power supply unit E0015 is voltage-converted as necessary, and then supplied to various parts inside and outside the main PCB E0014.
[0054]
The head power supply signal E1039 is sent to the flexible flat cable E0011 after being smoothed on the main PCB E0014, and is used for driving the recording head cartridge H1000.
[0055]
A reset circuit E1007 detects a drop in the logic power supply voltage E1041, supplies a reset signal (RESET) E1015 to the CPU E1001 and the ASIC E1006, and performs initialization.
[0056]
The ASIC E1006 is a one-chip semiconductor integrated circuit, which is controlled by the CPU E1001 through the control bus E1014, and which has the above-described CR motor control signal E1036, PM control signal E1033, power control signal E1024, head power ON signal E1022, and motor power. It outputs an ON signal E1023 and the like to exchange signals with the parallel I / F E0016 and the serial I / F E0017, as well as a PE detection signal (PES) E1025 from the PE sensor E0007, and an ASF detection signal (from the ASF sensor E0009). (ASFS) E1026, a GAP detection signal (GAPS) E1027 from a sensor (GAP) sensor E0008 for detecting a gap between the recording head and the recording medium, and a PG detection signal (PGS) E1032 from a PG sensor E0010. Is transmitted to the CPU E1001 via the control bus E1014, and based on the input data, the CPU E1001 controls the driving of the LED driving signal E1038 to blink the LEDE0020.
[0057]
Further, the state of the encoder signal (ENC) E1020 is detected to generate a timing signal, and the head control signal E1021 is used to interface with the print head cartridge H1000 to control the printing operation. Here, the encoder signal (ENC) E1020 is an output signal of the CR encoder sensor E0004 input through the flexible flat cable E0012. The head control signal E1021 is supplied to the print head H1000 via the flexible flat cable E0012, the carriage board E0013, and the contact FPC E0011.
[0058]
FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the internal configuration of the ASIC E1006.
[0059]
In the figure, the connection between the blocks shows only the flow of data related to the control of the head and the mechanical components such as the recording data and the motor control data, and the reading and writing of the registers built in each block are shown. Related control signals, clocks, control signals related to DMA control, and the like are omitted to avoid complication in the drawings.
[0060]
In the figure, reference numeral E2002 denotes a PLL controller, which is a clock supplied to most of the ASIC E1006 by a clock signal (CLK) E2031 and a PLL control signal (PLLON) E2033 output from the CPU E1001, as shown in FIG. Not).
[0061]
E2001 is a CPU interface (CPU I / F), which is controlled by a reset signal E1015, a soft reset signal (PDWN) E2032 output from the CPU E1001, a clock signal (CLK) E2031, and a control signal from the control bus E1014. It controls register read / write for each block as described, supplies a clock to some blocks, accepts an interrupt signal, etc. (none of them are shown), and outputs an interrupt signal (INT) E2034 to the CPU E1001. Then, the occurrence of an interrupt in the ASIC E1006 is notified.
[0062]
Reference numeral E2005 denotes a DRAM, which has areas such as a reception buffer E2010, a work buffer E2011, a print buffer E2014, and a development data buffer E2016 as recording data buffers, and has a motor control buffer E2023 for motor control. Further, the buffer used in the scanner operation mode includes areas such as a scanner fetch buffer E2024, a scanner data buffer E2026, and a transmission buffer E2028 which are used in place of the recording data buffers described above.
[0063]
The DRAM E2005 is also used as a work area necessary for the operation of the CPU E1001. In other words, reference numeral E2004 denotes a DRAM control unit, which switches between access from the CPU E1001 to the DRAM E2005 via the control bus and access from the DMA control unit E2003 to the DRAM E2005, which will be described later, to perform a read / write operation to the DRAM E2005.
[0064]
The DMA control unit E2003 receives a request (not shown) from each block, and receives an address signal and a control signal (not shown), and in the case of a write operation, write data E2038, E2041, E2044, E2053, E2055, and E2057. Are output to the DRAM control unit E2004 to perform DRAM access. In the case of reading, the read data E2040, E2043, E2045, E2051, E2054, E2056, E2058, and E2059 from the DRAM control unit E2004 are transferred to the requesting block.
[0065]
E2006 is an IEEE 1284 I / F, which performs a bidirectional communication interface with an external host device (not shown) through a parallel I / F E0016 under the control of the CPU E1001 via the CPU I / FE 2001, and also performs a parallel operation during recording. The reception data (PIF reception data E2036) from the I / F E0016 is transferred to the reception control unit E2008 by DMA processing, and the data stored in the transmission buffer E2028 in the DRAM E2005 (1284 transmission data (RDPIF) E2059) at the time of scanner reading. Is transmitted to the parallel I / F by the DMA processing.
[0066]
E2007 is a universal serial bus (USB) I / F, which performs a bidirectional communication interface with an external host device (not shown) through the serial I / F E0017 under the control of the CPU E1001 via the CPU I / F E2001. At the time of printing, the reception data (USB reception data E2037) from the serial I / F E0017 is transferred to the reception control unit E2008 by DMA processing, and at the time of scanner reading, the data (USB transmission data (RDUSB)) stored in the transmission buffer E2028 in the DRAM E2005. E2058) is transmitted to the serial I / F E0017 by DMA processing. The reception control unit E2008 writes the reception data (WDIF) E2038 from the selected I / F of the 1284 I / F E2006 or the USB I / F E2007 into the reception buffer write address managed by the reception buffer control unit E2039. Put in.
[0067]
Reference numeral E2009 denotes a compression / decompression DMA controller, which controls the reception data (raster data) stored in the reception buffer E2010 under the control of the CPU E1001 via the CPU I / FE 2001 to read the reception buffer read address managed by the reception buffer control unit E2039. And compresses / decompresses the data (RDWK) E2040 in accordance with the designated mode, and writes the data (RDWK) E2041 in the work buffer area as a recording code string (WDWK) E2041.
[0068]
A print buffer transfer DMA controller E2013 reads a print code (RDWP) E2043 on the work buffer E2011 under the control of the CPU E1007 via the CPU I / F E2001, and transfers each print code to the print head cartridge H1000 in the data transfer order. (WDWP E2044). Reference numeral E2012 denotes a work clear DMA controller, which controls the CPU E1001 via the CPU I / FE 2001 to control the write buffer transfer DMA controller E2013 to transfer the specified work fill data (WDWF) to the area on the work buffer to which the transfer has been completed. E2042 is repeatedly written.
[0069]
Reference numeral E2015 denotes a print data development DMA controller, which is rearranged and written on the print buffer under the control of the CPU E1001 via the CPU I / FE 2001, using the data development timing signal E2050 from the head control unit E2018 as a trigger. The code and the data for development written on the data buffer for development E2016 are read, and the development record data (RDHDG) E2045 is written to the column buffer E2017 as column buffer write data (WDHDG) E2047. Here, the column buffer E2017 is an SRAM for temporarily storing transfer data (expanded print data) to the print head cartridge H1000, and a handshake signal (not shown) between the print data expanded DMA controller E2015 and the head control unit E2018. ) Is shared and managed by both blocks.
[0070]
Reference numeral E2018 denotes a head control unit which controls the CPU E1001 via the CPU I / F E2001 to interface with the recording head cartridge H1000 or the scanner via a head control signal, and to output a head drive timing signal from the encoder signal processing unit E2019. Based on E2049, a data development timing signal E2050 is output to the print data development DMA controller.
[0071]
Further, at the time of printing, in accordance with the head drive timing signal E2049, the developed print data (RDHD) E2048 is read from the column buffer, and the data is output to the print head cartridge H1000 as a head control signal E1021.
[0072]
In the scanner reading mode, the fetched data (WDHD) E2053 input as the head control signal E1021 is DMA-transferred to the scanner fetch buffer E2024 on the DRAM E2005. Reference numeral E2025 denotes a scanner data processing DMA controller which reads the capture buffer read data (RDAV) E2054 stored in the scanner capture buffer E2024 under the control of the CPU E1001 via the CPU I / FE 2001, and performs processing such as averaging. The written data (WDAV) E2055 is written to the scanner data buffer E2026 on the DRAM E2005.
[0073]
Reference numeral E2027 denotes a scanner data compression DMA controller which reads out the processed data (RDYC) E2056 on the scanner data buffer E2026 under the control of the CPU E1001 via the CPU I / FE 2001 to perform data compression, and compresses the compressed data (WDYC) E2057. Is written to the transmission buffer E2028 and transferred.
[0074]
E2019 denotes an encoder signal processing unit which receives an encoder signal (ENC), outputs a head drive timing signal E2049 in accordance with a mode determined by the control of the CPU E1001, and outputs the position and speed of the carriage M4001 obtained from the encoder signal E1020. The related information is stored in a register and provided to the CPU E1001. The CPU E1001 determines various parameters in controlling the CR motor E0001 based on this information. E2020 denotes a CR motor control unit which outputs a CR motor control signal E1036 under the control of the CPU E1001 via the CPU I / FE 2001.
[0075]
E2022 is a sensor signal processing unit which receives the detection signals E1033, E1024, E926, and E1027 output from the PG sensor E0010, the PE sensor E0007, the ASF sensor E0009, the GAP sensor E0008, and the like, and is determined by the control of the CPU E1001. In addition to transmitting these sensor information to the CPU E1001 in accordance with the set mode, it also outputs a sensor detection signal E2052 to the LF / PG motor control DMA controller E2021.
[0076]
The LF / PG motor control DMA controller E2021 reads the pulse motor drive table (RDPM) E2051 from the motor control buffer E2023 on the DRAM E2005 under the control of the CPU E1001 via the CPU I / FE E2001, and outputs the pulse motor control signal E1033. In addition to the output, a pulse motor control signal E1033 is output using the sensor detection signal as a control trigger depending on the operation mode.
[0077]
Reference numeral E2030 denotes an LED control unit which outputs an LED drive signal E1038 under the control of the CPU E1001 via the CPU I / F E2001. Reference numeral E2029 denotes a port control unit which outputs a head power ON signal E1022, a motor power ON signal E1023, and a power control signal E1024 under the control of the CPU E1001 via the CPU I / FE 2001.
[0078]
[Printer operation]
Next, the operation of the inkjet printer of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0079]
When the apparatus main body 1000 is connected to the AC power supply, first, in step S1, first initialization processing of the apparatus is performed. In this initialization process, a check of the electric circuit system such as a check of the ROM and RAM of the present apparatus is performed to confirm whether the present apparatus can be normally operated electrically.
[0080]
Next, in step S2, it is determined whether or not the power key E0018 provided on the upper case M1002 of the apparatus main body M1000 has been turned on. If the power key E0018 has been pressed, the process proceeds to the next step S3. Here, a second initialization process is performed.
[0081]
In the second initialization processing, various drive mechanisms and the recording head of the apparatus are checked. That is, when the various motors are initialized and the head information is read, it is confirmed whether the apparatus can operate normally.
[0082]
Next, in step S4, an event is waited. That is, the apparatus monitors command events from the external I / F, panel key events due to user operations, internal control events, and the like, and executes a process corresponding to the event when these events occur.
[0083]
For example, if a print command event (print command event) from the external I / F is received in step S4, the process proceeds to step S5. If a power key event by a user operation occurs in step S4, the process proceeds to step S5. The process proceeds to S10, and if another event occurs in step S4, the process proceeds to step S11.
[0084]
Here, in step S5, a print command (recording command) from the external I / F is analyzed, and the designated paper type, paper size, printing quality (recording quality), paper feeding method, and the like are determined. Is stored in the RAM E2005 in the apparatus, and the process proceeds to step S6.
[0085]
Next, in step S6, paper feeding is started by the paper feeding method designated in step S5, the paper is fed to the recording start position, and the process proceeds to step S7.
[0086]
In step S7, a recording operation is performed. In this print operation, print data sent from the external I / F is temporarily stored in a print buffer, and then the CR motor E0001 is driven to start moving the carriage M4001 in the main scanning direction, and the print buffer E2014 Is supplied to the print head H1001 to print one row, and when the printing operation of one row of print data is completed, the LF motor E0002 is driven, and the LF roller M3001 is rotated to form a sheet. In the sub-scanning direction. Thereafter, the above operation is repeatedly performed, and when the recording of the recording data for one page from the external I / F is completed, the process proceeds to step S8.
[0087]
Note that in edge recording of a recording material, which will be described later with reference to FIG. 11 and subsequent drawings, generation of print data by print data processing and mask processing accompanying the restriction of the ejection port to be used is performed by a host via an external I / F. Performed by the device. In addition, the conveyance control of the recording material according to the limitation of the ejection port to be used is performed by the recording control in step S7.
[0088]
In step S8, the paper discharge roller M2003 is driven by the LF motor E0002, and the paper feed is repeated until it is determined that the paper has been completely fed out of the apparatus. At the time of completion, the paper is completely placed on the paper discharge tray M1004a. The paper is discharged.
[0089]
Next, in step S9, it is determined whether or not the recording operation of all pages to be recorded has been completed, and if there are pages to be recorded remaining, the process returns to step S5. Is repeated. The recording operation ends when the recording operation of all pages to be recorded ends, and thereafter, the process proceeds to step S4 to wait for the next event.
[0090]
On the other hand, in step S10, a printer termination process is performed, and the operation of this apparatus is stopped. That is, in order to turn off the power of various motors and heads, the state is shifted to a state where the power can be turned off, then the power is turned off, and the process proceeds to step S4 to wait for the next event.
[0091]
In step S11, other event processing other than the above is performed. For example, processing corresponding to various panel keys of the apparatus, a recovery command from an external I / O, an internally generated recovery event, and the like are performed. After the process is completed, the process proceeds to step S4 and waits for the next event.
[0092]
The form of the recording head in which the present invention is effectively used is such that film boiling occurs in the ink using thermal energy generated by the electrothermal transducer, and the ink is discharged from the discharge port using the foaming energy. It is a form.
[0093]
[Borderless record]
Hereinafter, marginless printing performed in the above-described inkjet printer of the present embodiment will be described.
[0094]
FIG. 10 is a side view showing a portion of a recording area where the scanning of the recording head H1001 is performed in the transport path of the recording material P in the printer of the present embodiment. This figure shows a state in which borderless printing is performed on the rear end of the recording material P in the transport direction. It is apparent from the following description that the borderless printing of the present embodiment can be applied not only to the trailing end of the recording material P in the transport direction but also to the leading end in the transport direction. Therefore, in the following description, unless otherwise specified, the “end” refers to any of the recording areas related to the front end and the rear end of the recording material P.
[0095]
10, a platen is provided at a position facing the recording head H1001, and a platen rib M3003 is provided on the upper surface thereof. The platen regulates the positional relationship between the recording material P conveyed thereon and the recording head H1001 that discharges ink onto the recording material P. A plurality of platen ribs M3003 are arranged along the scanning direction of the recording head H1001 (the direction of the front and back of the paper in FIG. 10), and the recording material P is kept at a fixed distance from the recording head H1001 while being supported by the top of the platen rib M3003. The sheet is conveyed in the sub-scanning direction indicated by the arrow Y while keeping it. The platen rib M3003 is provided with a notch M3004 extending in the scanning direction of the recording head H1001. Thereby, when printing is performed on the edge of the recording material P by scanning of the recording head H1001, ink ejected from the edge of the recording material P and ejected is guided to the inside of the notch M3004. The ink can be captured by the absorber M3005 provided there.
[0096]
If the width of the notch M3004 is too wide, the end of the recording material P conveyed on the platen may fall into the notch M3004 as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. Such a drop changes the positional relationship between the recording head H1001 and the recording material P, and shifts the position of the dot formed on the recording material P by the ink ejected from the recording head H1001. This causes deterioration of the recorded image. Therefore, the width of the notch M3004 is kept to a minimum.
[0097]
On the upstream side of the platen rib M3003 in the transport direction of the recording material P, a transport roller M3001 and a pinch roller M3002 for pressing the recording material P against this to generate a transport force are provided. Further, on the downstream side in the transport direction, a paper discharge roller M2003 and a spur M2004 for generating a transport force are provided. Hereinafter, an area on the recording material P where the ink can be ejected from the recording material P without protruding in the transport direction is referred to as a “normal area”. On the other hand, a region on the recording material P that may protrude from the recording material P in the transport direction and discharge ink for borderless recording is referred to as an “edge region”.
[0098]
Specifically, on the basis of the so-called cueing process of the recording material P or the detection of the leading end of the recording material P, the recording head H1001 is moved on the recording material P in accordance with the rotation amount of the transport motor that drives the transport roller M3001. The boundary position or region width between the normal region and the end region is managed. When the end of the recording material P on the transport direction side is at a position facing the recording head H1001, the end region is located at the end of the recording material P on the transport direction side. It is defined as an area having a size obtained by adding the transport error and the size error of the recording material P to the upstream side and the downstream side in the transport direction. Note that the errors added to the upstream side and the downstream side in the transport direction need not be equal, and may differ depending on, for example, a transport error of the recording material P that may occur in the printer or a size error of the recording material P to be used. Of course.
[0099]
In the borderless printing, it is necessary to perform printing so as to protrude in the length direction and the width direction of the conveyed recording material P. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 11, a position corresponding to the end of the recording material P conveyed on the platen rib M3003 in the length direction (vertical direction in FIG. 11) and the width direction of the recording material P (see FIG. 11). 11, an integrated absorber M3005 is provided at a position corresponding to the end portion in the left-right direction. The absorber M3005 used in the present embodiment has a portion corresponding to an edge in the width direction of each size so as to enable borderless printing on a recording material P of A4 size, postcard size, 2L size, or L size. Is set to a width L1 corresponding to the length of the ejection port array of the print head H1001.
[0100]
If the absorber M3005 at a position corresponding to the end of the recording material P in the transport direction is set to have a width L1 corresponding to the length of the ejection opening array of the recording head H1001, as shown in FIG. The width of M3004 increases and the length of platen rib M3003 decreases. In this case, when the recording material P is conveyed, the leading end and the rear end of the recording material P easily fall into the notch M3004, and the recording quality at the leading end and the rear end of the recording material P deteriorates, The material P may be clogged. Therefore, in this example, as shown in FIG. 11, the absorber M3005 at the position corresponding to the end of the recording material P in the transport direction has a width corresponding to １ ／ of the length of the ejection opening array of the recording head H1001. L2.
[0101]
In the present embodiment, extra print data is created for the print to be printed out of the recording material P in the width direction. The recording data may be created by simply enlarging the data so that the recording data protrudes from the recording material P and is recorded.
[0102]
Here, in the marginless recording of the recording material P in the transport direction, a recording operation on the above-described end region will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of a borderless recording method for an A4-size recording material P according to the present embodiment. PA is the end of the recording material P on the leading end side in the transport direction, and PB is the end of the recording material P in the width direction. Further, the area A is an end area that may protrude from the recording material P in the transport direction and eject ink, and the area B is an area where the ink can be ejected from the recording material P without protruding in the transport direction. Area. Further, the recording head H1001 of this example has 512 ejection ports for ejecting ink of the same color. In FIG. 12, the 512 ejection ports are divided into 128 ejection ports of 1/4 each. It is divided into outlets, and the 128 outlets are represented by a total of eight outlet blocks for 16 outlets. In FIG. 12, the ejection port blocks indicated by oblique lines are portions where ejection ports capable of ejecting ink are located, that is, the use range of the ejection ports, and the ejection port blocks in the white portions are ranges where the ejection ports are not used.
[0103]
In the case of this example, the recording head H1001 scans the same raster region of the recording material four times to complete the recording in the above-described region, and the discharge ports used in each scan are different, so-called 4-pass multi-pass. Make a record. In FIG. 12, for simplicity of illustration, the position of the print head H1001 is represented so as to change every scan. Actually, the position of the recording head H1001 in the transport direction is fixed, and the recording material P is transported intermittently in the sub-scanning direction indicated by the arrow Y.
[0104]
In the four-pass printing of this example, the print width printed by each scan of the print head H1001 differs between the area A and the area B. In the case of the present example, in the end area A, the range of the ejection ports used in one scan is set to 1/4 (128 ejection ports) of all the ejection ports in accordance with the width L2 of the absorber M3005 of the platen. In a limited manner, 4-pass printing is performed. On the other hand, in the normal area B, 4-pass printing is performed using all the ejection ports (512 ejection ports) without limiting the ejection ports to be used. At the boundary between the end area A and the normal area B, the number of discharge ports to be used is switched by gradually changing the range of discharge ports to be used.
[0105]
Such a recording method can be realized by switching the transport amount of the recording material P at the boundary between the end area A and the normal area B and controlling the range of the ejection openings to be driven, as shown in FIG. . Accordingly, the ink ejected to the protruding areas on the upstream and downstream sides in the transport direction of the recording material P can be reliably stored in the platen absorber M3005.
[0106]
In the present embodiment, the execution interval of the preliminary ejection during printing is set to 1.8 seconds (corresponding to the time required for the printing head H1001 to scan the recording material P having an A4 size width approximately two reciprocations). As described above, the preliminary ejection is a process for ejecting ink not contributing to image printing from the ejection port of the print head H1001, and for example, a recovery system unit M5000 (FIG. 2) provided on the home position side of the carriage M4001. 9), the ink droplets are preliminarily ejected nine times from each ejection port toward the inside of the cap of FIG. If 1.8 seconds have elapsed since the previous preliminary ejection during the scanning of the print head H1001, preliminary ejection is performed in the cap or toward the preliminary ejection port after the current scan is completed.
[0107]
In the present embodiment, all of the printing scans indicated by arrows A in FIG. 12 are scans in which the ejection ports that were not included in the use range during the previous print scan are included in the use range. Therefore, before these scans A, the preliminary ejection is performed in the cap or toward the preliminary ejection port regardless of the time interval of the preliminary ejection. During the subsequent recording, preliminary ejection is performed at intervals of 1.8 seconds. By performing the preliminary ejection in this manner, the density unevenness caused by the difference between the ink evaporation amount in the ejection openings not used in the previous print scan and the ink evaporation amount in the ejection openings used in the previous print scan is reduced. Occurrence can be suppressed.
[0108]
According to the present embodiment described above, preliminary ejection is performed based on the relationship between the ejection port used at the time of the previous print scan and the ejection port used at the next print scan. It is possible to suppress the occurrence of density unevenness due to a difference in the use state between the ejection port that has not been used and the ejection port that has been used in the previous print scan.
[0109]
Further, according to the present embodiment, the first period in which the printing scan (the printing scan A in FIG. 12) in which the ejection port not used in the previous printing scan is newly used is continuously performed a plurality of times. During the middle (period during which the printing scan A is continuous), the preliminary ejection is performed more frequently than in the second period other than the first period (the period after the printing scan A, in which the printing scan for the normal area B is performed). ing. That is, the frequency of preliminary ejection during the first period in which density unevenness is relatively likely to occur is increased, while the frequency of preliminary ejection during the second period in which density unevenness is relatively unlikely to occur is reduced. . By doing so, the time required for recording can be minimized in addition to the suppression of the density unevenness. That is, if only emphasis is placed on suppressing the occurrence of the density unevenness, it is most effective to perform the preliminary ejection in each of all the printing scans during the printing operation. However, if the preliminary ejection is performed every time each printing scan is performed, the time required for printing will be correspondingly increased. Thus, in the present embodiment, the number of preliminary ejections is set to the minimum number required to suppress density unevenness in order to sufficiently reduce density unevenness while minimizing the time required for printing. More specifically, preliminary ejection is performed more frequently during a continuous printing scan in which an ejection port that has not been used in the previous printing scan is to be newly used as compared to other periods. It is. According to this configuration, it is possible to simultaneously solve the contradictory problems of "suppressing density unevenness caused by a difference in the use state of the ejection port" and "minimizing the recording time".
[0110]
According to FIG. 12, the first period is a period from a predetermined printing scan (first printing scan A) in the first printing mode in which an image is printed while restricting the ejection openings used in the printing scan. This includes a period up to the first printing scan (the last printing scan A) in the second printing mode in which an image is printed without restricting the use ejection port at times.
[0111]
FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of a borderless printing method for a 2L-size recording material P according to the present embodiment. As in the case of FIG. 12, printing is completed by four scans of the print head H1001, and so-called four-pass multipass printing is performed in which the ejection ports used in each scan are different. Since the time required for scanning the 2L-size recording material P is approximately half the time required for scanning the A4-size recording material P, the time required for the scanning near the switching area between the end area A and the normal area B is reduced. Discharge is performed as follows.
[0112]
In the case where the preliminary ejection during printing performed at intervals of 1.8 seconds is performed before the printing scan indicated by the arrow D in FIG. 13, the preliminary ejection is surely performed once every two printing scans. As before, the preliminary ejection is performed in the cap or toward the preliminary ejection port before the scanning of the arrow C in the drawing. If the preliminary ejection during recording, which is performed at 1.8-second intervals, is not performed before the recording scan indicated by the arrow D, before the recording scan indicated by the arrow B in FIG. The preliminary ejection is performed toward. During the subsequent recording, preliminary ejection is performed at 1.8-second intervals.
[0113]
As described above, by performing the preliminary ejection in the vicinity of the switching area between the end area A and the normal area B, the amount of ink evaporation in the ejection port not used in the previous printing scan and the ejection amount used in the previous printing scan are obtained. It is possible to suppress the occurrence of density unevenness due to the difference between the amount of ink evaporated in the mouth and the ink. In addition, it is possible to minimize an increase in the recording time due to the preliminary ejection operation.
[0114]
In the present embodiment, when the recording material having a width smaller than the 2L plate size and the data size are smaller than the size corresponding to the width of the 2L plate size recording material, as shown in FIG. Preliminary ejection is performed once every two times. However, when the recording material having a width smaller than the 2L plate size and the data size are further smaller than the size corresponding to the width of the recording material having the 2L plate size, the switching region between the end region A and the normal region B is used. The timing of the preliminary ejection in the vicinity is set so as to reliably perform the preliminary ejection once every three printing scans, or to perform the preliminary ejection once every four printing scans. You may.
[0115]
The illustrated example relates to a marginless recording method for the leading end of the recording material P. For example, the conveyance direction of the recording material P in FIGS. If the position of the front end is the rear end, it can be easily understood that borderless recording can be similarly performed on the rear end.
[0116]
Further, this embodiment is an application example of the present invention to a borderless recording method. However, in addition to the borderless printing method, the present invention can also be effectively applied to a printing method that switches between an area where printing is performed by restricting the ejection ports to be used and a printing area that does not have the restriction. it can.
[0117]
(Other embodiments)
As described above, the present invention can be applied to a system including a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, etc.) or to an apparatus including one device (for example, a copying machine or a facsimile machine). May be.
[0118]
Further, a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiment is stored in an apparatus or a computer in a system connected to the various devices so as to operate the various devices so as to realize the functions of the above-described embodiments. The present invention also includes those which are supplied and implemented by operating a computer (CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus according to a stored program and operating the various devices.
[0119]
In this case, the program code itself of the software realizes the function of the above-described embodiment, and the program code itself and a unit for supplying the program code to the computer, for example, a storage storing the program code The medium constitutes the present invention.
[0120]
As a storage medium for storing such a program code, for example, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, or the like can be used.
[0121]
When the computer executes the supplied program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also the OS (Operating System) in which the program code runs on the computer, or other application software. It goes without saying that such a program code is also included in the embodiment of the present invention when the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized in cooperation with the above.
[0122]
Further, the supplied program code is stored in a memory provided on a function expansion board of the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, and then, based on an instruction of the program code, a CPU or the like provided on the function expansion board or the function expansion unit. It is needless to say that the present invention includes a case in which the functions of the above-described embodiments are implemented by performing part or all of the actual processing.
[0123]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the preliminary ejection is performed based on the relationship between the ejection port used at the time of the previous print scan and the ejection port used at the next print scan, so that the previous print is performed. It is possible to suppress the occurrence of density unevenness due to a difference in the use state between the ejection port not used in the scan and the ejection port used in the previous print scan.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an external configuration of an inkjet printer according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state where an exterior member of the printer shown in FIG. 1 is removed.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a recording head cartridge used in the printer of FIG.
FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the recording head cartridge of FIG.
FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the recording head of FIG. 4 as viewed obliquely from below.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram schematically showing an overall configuration of an electric circuit in the printer of FIG.
FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an internal configuration of a main PCB in FIG. 6;
8 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an internal configuration of an ASIC in the main PCB of FIG. 7;
FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of the printer in FIG. 1;
FIG. 10 is a schematic side view of a conveyance path portion of a recording material in the printer of FIG.
11 is an explanatory diagram of a relationship between a platen, an absorber, and a recording material in the printer of FIG.
12 is an explanatory diagram of a method for recording on an A4-size recording medium by the printer of FIG. 1;
13 is an explanatory diagram of a recording method for recording on a 2L-size recording material by the printer of FIG. 1;
FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of a relationship between a platen, an absorber, and a recording material in an inkjet printer as a comparative object of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
M1000 device body
M1001 Lower case
M1002 Upper case
M1003 access cover
M1004 discharge tray
M2015 paper gap adjustment lever
M2003 discharge roller
M3001 LF roller
M3003 Platen rib
M3004 Notch
M3005 absorber
M3019 chassis
M3022 Automatic feeding unit
M3029 transport unit
M3030 discharge unit
M4000 recording unit
M4001 carriage
M4002 Carriage cover
M4007 Headset lever
M4021 Carriage shaft
M5000 recovery unit
E0001 Carriage motor
E0002 LF motor
E0003 PG motor
E0004 Encoder sensor
E0005 Encoder scale
E0006 Ink end sensor
E0007 PE sensor
E0008 GAP sensor (paper gap sensor)
E0009 ASF sensor
E0010 PG sensor
E0011 Contact FPC (Flexible Printed Cable)
E0012 CRFFC (flexible flat cable)
E0013 Carriage substrate
E0014 Main board
E0015 Power supply unit
E0016 Parallel I / F
E0017 Serial I / F
E0018 Power key
E0019 Resume key
E0020 LED
E0021 Buzzer
E0022 Cover sensor
E1001 CPU
E1002 OSC (CPU built-in oscillator)
E1003 A / D (A / D converter with built-in CPU)
E1004 ROM
E1005 oscillation circuit
E1006 ASIC
E1007 Reset circuit
E1008 CR motor driver
E1009 LF / PG motor driver
E1010 Power supply control circuit
E1011 INKS (ink end detection signal)
E1012 TH (Thermistor temperature detection signal)
E1013 HSENS (head detection signal)
E1014 control bus
E1015 RESET (reset signal)
E1016 RESUME (Resume key input)
E1017 POWER (Power key input)
E1018 BUZ (Buzzer signal)
E1019 Oscillator circuit output signal
E1020 ENC (Encoder signal)
E1021 Head control signal
E1022 VHON (Head power ON signal)
E1023 VMON (Motor power ON signal)
E1024 Power control signal
E1025 PES (PE detection signal)
E1026 ASFS (ASF detection signal)
E1027 GAPS (GAP detection signal)
E0028 Serial I / F signal
E1029 Serial I / F cable
E1030 Parallel I / F signal
E1031 Parallel I / F cable
E1032 PGS (PG detection signal)
E1033 PM control signal (pulse motor control signal)
E1034 PG motor drive signal
E1035 LF motor drive signal
E1036 CR motor control signal
E1037 CR motor drive signal
E0038 LED drive signal
E1039 VH (Head power supply)
E1040 VM (Motor power supply)
E1041 VDD (Logic power supply)
E1042 COVS (cover detection signal)
E2001 CPU I / F
E2002 PLL
E2003 DMA control unit
E2004 DRAM control unit
E2005 DRAM
E2006 1284 I / F
E2007 USB I / F
E2008 Reception control unit
E2009 compression / expansion DMA
E2010 receive buffer
E2011 Work buffer
E2012 Work area DMA
E2013 Recording buffer transfer DMA
E2014 print buffer
E2015 Recorded data expansion DMA
E2016 Data buffer for expansion
E2017 Column buffer
E2018 Head control unit
E2019 Encoder signal processing unit
E2020 CR motor control unit
E2021 LF / PG motor controller
E2022 Sensor signal processing unit
E2023 Motor control buffer
E2024 Scanner capture buffer
E2025 Scanner data processing DMA
E2026 Scanner data buffer
E2027 Scanner data compression DMA
E2028 send buffer
E2029 Port control unit
E2030 LED control unit
E2031 CLK (clock signal)
E2032 PDWM (soft control signal)
E2033 PLLON (PLL control signal)
E2034 INT (interrupt signal)
E2036 PIF reception data
E2037 USB reception data
E2038 WDIF (received data / raster data)
E2039 Receive buffer control unit
E2040 RDWK (Receive buffer read data / raster data)
E2041 WDWK (work buffer write data / recording code)
E2042 WDWF (work fill data)
E2043 RDWP (work buffer read data / record code)
E2044 WDWP (Sort recording code)
E2045 RHDHG (recording and development data)
E2047 WHDHG (column buffer write data / expansion record data)
E2048 RDHD (column buffer read data / expansion record data)
E2049 Head drive timing signal
E2050 Data expansion timing signal
E2051 RDPM (pulse motor drive table read data)
E2052 Sensor detection signal
E2053 WDHD (captured data)
E2054 RDAV (fetch buffer read data)
E2055 WDAV (data buffer write data / processed data)
E2056 RDYC (data buffer read data / processed data)
E2057 WDYC (transmission buffer write data / compressed data)
E2058 RDUSB (USB transmission data / compressed data)
E2059 RDPIF (1284 transmission data)
H1000 print head cartridge
H1001 Recording head
H1100 printing element substrate
H1100T outlet
H1200 first plate
H1201 Ink supply port
H1300 Electric wiring board
H1301 External signal input terminal
H1400 Second plate
H1500 tank holder
H1501 Ink flow path
H1600 channel forming member
H1700 filter
H1800 Seal rubber
H1900 ink tank
H1600d communication passage
P Recording material

Claims (14)

Using a recording head having a plurality of ejection ports capable of ejecting ink, a recording scan in which ink is ejected onto a recording material while the recording head is moved in the main scanning direction, and the recording material intersects with the main scanning direction. An image is recorded on the recording material by repeating a transport operation of transporting in the sub-scanning direction, and ink that does not contribute to image recording is ejected from the recording head between the recording scans. An ink jet recording apparatus capable of performing preliminary ejection,
During the first period in which a plurality of consecutive printing scans that newly use ejection ports that have not been used during the previous printing scan are performed, the preliminary ejection is performed more frequently than in the other second periods. An ink jet recording apparatus characterized by performing. A first recording mode in which an image is recorded by restricting a discharge port used in the recording scan, and a second recording mode in which an image is recorded without restricting a discharge port used in the recording scan,
The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first period includes a period from a predetermined print scan in the first print mode to a first print scan in the second print mode. The inkjet according to claim 1, wherein the preliminary ejection during the first period is performed every time each print scan is performed, and the preliminary ejection during the second period is executed at a predetermined time interval. Recording device. Using a recording head having a plurality of ejection ports capable of ejecting ink, a recording scan in which the recording head is moved in the main scanning direction to eject ink onto a recording material, and the recording material intersects with the main scanning direction. An image is recorded on the recording material by repeating a transport operation of transporting in the sub-scanning direction, and ink that does not contribute to image recording is ejected from the recording head between the recording scans. An ink jet recording apparatus capable of performing preliminary ejection,
An ink jet printing apparatus comprising: a control unit that controls the preliminary ejection to be performed before the next printing scan in which an ejection port that has not been used in the previous printing scan is newly used. A first printing mode in which an image is printed by restricting a discharge port used during the printing scan;
The next printing scan in which the ejection ports that have not been used in the previous printing scan will be newly used means that the use is restricted during the previous printing scan among the multiple printing scans in the first printing mode. 5. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the ejection port is a recording scan in which the usable ejection port becomes usable. During recording on one page of the recording material, the preliminary ejection is performed at predetermined time intervals,
If the ejection openings that have not been used during the previous printing scan are used in the next printing scan, the preliminary ejection is performed immediately before the next printing scan even before the predetermined time interval elapses. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the recording is performed. The printing operation for an end region including an end portion of the recording material in the transport direction is performed in a first printing mode for printing an image by restricting a discharge port to be used during printing scanning. Item 7. An ink jet recording apparatus according to any one of Items 1 to 6. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the end region includes a region inside the end of the recording material and a region protruding outside the end. 9. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the preliminary ejection ejects the ink toward a location other than on the recording material. 10. Using a recording head having a plurality of ejection ports capable of ejecting ink, a recording scan for ejecting ink to a recording material while moving the recording head in the main scanning direction, and intersecting the recording material with the main scanning direction. An image is recorded on the recording material by repeating a transport operation of transporting in the sub-scanning direction, and ink that does not contribute to image recording is ejected from the recording head between the recording scans. In an ink jet recording method capable of performing preliminary ejection, a first period in which recording scans in which ejection ports not used during the previous recording scan are newly used are continuously performed a plurality of times, An ink jet recording method, wherein the preliminary ejection is performed more frequently than in other second periods. Using a recording head having a plurality of ejection ports capable of ejecting ink, a recording scan in which the recording head is moved in the main scanning direction to eject ink onto a recording material, and the recording material intersects with the main scanning direction. An image is recorded on the recording material by repeating a transport operation of transporting in the sub-scanning direction, and ink that does not contribute to image recording is ejected from the recording head between the recording scans. An inkjet recording method capable of performing preliminary ejection,
An ink jet recording method, wherein the preliminary ejection is always performed before the next recording scan in which ejection ports not used in the previous recording scan are newly used. Using a recording head having a plurality of ejection ports capable of ejecting ink, a recording scan in which ink is ejected onto a recording material while the recording head is moved in the main scanning direction, and the recording material intersects with the main scanning direction. An image is recorded on the recording material by repeating a transport operation of transporting in the sub-scanning direction, and ink that does not contribute to image recording is ejected from the recording head between the recording scans. A control program for controlling an inkjet recording apparatus capable of performing preliminary ejection,
During the first period in which a plurality of consecutive printing scans that newly use ejection ports that have not been used during the previous printing scan are performed, the preliminary ejection is performed more frequently than in the other second periods. A control program for causing a computer to execute a step of controlling to be performed. Using a recording head having a plurality of ejection ports capable of ejecting ink, a recording scan in which the recording head is moved in the main scanning direction to eject ink onto a recording material, and the recording material intersects with the main scanning direction. An image is recorded on the recording material by repeating a transport operation of transporting in the sub-scanning direction, and ink that does not contribute to image recording is ejected from the recording head between the recording scans. A control program for controlling an inkjet recording apparatus capable of performing preliminary ejection,
A control program for causing a computer to execute a control step in which the preliminary ejection is always performed before a next printing scan in which an ejection port not used in the previous printing scan is newly used. A computer-readable storage medium,
A storage medium storing a control program for causing a computer to execute the inkjet recording method according to claim 10.

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