JP2006103059A - Recording apparatus and its controlling method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To catch a condition of a recording element and to perform an appropriate disposition without bringing about complication of a constitution and a cost increase and without forcing a special disposition to a user. <P>SOLUTION: When a print indicating sheet capable of printing a list of images and writing a check mark so that only an image of which printing is required among them can be selected, is outputted, a pattern for checking an existence of abnormality of the recording element is also recorded. As the check pattern is also read in thereby when the print indicating sheet is read in to specify the image to be selected, the condition of the recording element is caught thereby, and the appropriate disposition such as displaying generation of the abnormality and compensation of the action of the recording element in which abnormality is generated by the other recording element can be started. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a recording apparatus that performs recording using a plurality of recording elements and a control method thereof.

  With the widespread use of personal computers and digital cameras (in addition to those that perform their functions alone, including other devices such as those integrated into mobile phones), recording devices are now widely used even for personal users. It is popular. In addition, the diversification of input means (host device) for supplying image data to the recording apparatus is remarkable, and not only a personal computer but also a scanner, a digital camera, or a simple memory card is often used as the means. ing. Therefore, recent recording devices have an external image input terminal such as a digital camera and an external memory slot, and are equipped not only with instructions from a computer but also with a function to read image data directly from an external device or memory for printing. Often done.

  In such a widely used recording apparatus, a recording head in which a plurality of recording elements are arranged in a direction different from the main scanning direction is used, and the recording elements are driven by selectively applying an electrical signal. Along with this, what prints a desired image by forming dots on a recording medium is the mainstream. Here, the recording head includes a thermal transfer system and an inkjet system. For example, an inkjet recording head has a heating element that generates thermal energy as energy used for ejecting ink, or a machine. In some cases, more and more recording elements are arranged at high density in order to meet the demands for color printing, higher definition and higher speed. Tend to be.

  In such a recording apparatus, even a part of a plurality of recording elements is defective due to, for example, a failure of electrical wiring to the recording elements of the recording head or clogging of nozzles in an ink jet recording head. If this occurs, dot formation using the recording element may not be possible. As a result, a partially blurred image or an image having a streak-like missing portion is printed in the recording area corresponding to the recording element where the defect has occurred.

  If the user recognizes such a defect prior to printing a desired image, the degree of the problem is considered to be low. However, if printing is executed without recognizing this, the output printed matter is Only after confirmation will you notice a defect. If the deterioration of the quality of the printed product exceeds the allowable range of the user, unnecessary printing is performed, and the recording medium and the recording agent (ink, etc.) are merely wasted. This not only increases the running cost, but is not preferable in consideration of environmental characteristics.

  Therefore, it is conceivable to monitor the operating state of the recording element, add a sensor or function for detecting a defect to the recording apparatus main body, and activate this function before printing a desired image. However, there is a problem in that the configuration of the recording apparatus becomes complicated and the cost increases as the number of parts increases. In addition, as described above, under the circumstances where the host as the image data supply source is diversified and the usage environment of the recording apparatus and the proficiency level of the user are various, a defect of the recording element is discovered prior to printing a desired image. It is not preferable to force the user to start the function to start.

JP 2004-216559 A

  Here, the inventors of the present invention are configured so that the state of the recording head is grasped in accordance with an instruction from the user before printing a desired image, that is, in accordance with an action of the user issuing an instruction to the recording apparatus. For example, the above problem can be solved without forcing the user to perform special processing.

  Then, the present inventors display a list of image data or the like on a recent recording device in consideration of the convenience of the user, or perform a process for the user to select and specify a print target. We paid attention to the fact that there was something that was made to serve. In particular, a predetermined instruction such as writing a check mark on a list that has been printed out is given, and this is read by a scanner to identify the checked image (selected and specified image) and print it Attention was focused on those incorporating functions (see Patent Document 1). Note that examples of a recording apparatus that realizes such a function include a printer with a scanner that integrally includes a scanner that reads a document, and a so-called multi-function printer having a copying function. As a form of the scanner, there are a form in which a sensor is moved with respect to a fixed document, a form in which a document is moved with respect to a fixed sensor, and the like. In particular, serial-type printing apparatuses that are widely used for personal use can be mounted in such a manner that a sensor is simultaneously mounted on a carriage that reciprocally scans the print head, or the print head and the scanner unit can be exchanged on the carriage. Is used.

  In such a recording apparatus, the configuration of the recording head is grasped and an action corresponding thereto is performed in accordance with an event of outputting a sheet for selection of an image prior to printing a desired image while using the configuration as it is. This is preferable.

  An object of the present invention is to grasp the state of the recording element or the recording head without complicating the configuration and increasing the cost, and without forcing the user to perform special processing. Therefore, the waste of the recording medium and the recording agent is prevented.

Therefore, the present invention is a recording apparatus for recording an image on a recording medium using a recording head having a plurality of recording elements,
Means for outputting an instruction recording medium on which a pattern indicating the state of the recording head is recorded together with information for entering an instruction for the recording apparatus;
Detecting means for detecting a state of the recording head based on the pattern obtained by reading the recording medium for indication;
It is characterized by comprising.

The present invention also provides a control method for a recording apparatus that records an image on a recording medium using a recording head having a plurality of recording elements,
A step of outputting an instruction recording medium on which a pattern indicating a state of the recording head is recorded together with information for entering an instruction for the recording apparatus;
Detecting the state of the recording head based on the pattern obtained by reading the instruction recording medium;
It is characterized by comprising.

  Furthermore, the present invention resides in a control program for causing a recording apparatus to execute the control method, and a storage medium storing the control program.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to grasp the state of the recording head (such as an abnormality in the recording element) in accordance with the action of the user issuing an instruction to the recording apparatus without adding special parts or forcing the user to perform special processing. As a result, appropriate measures can be taken, and waste of the recording medium and the recording agent can be prevented. This also makes it possible to provide a recording apparatus that is inexpensive and simple and that does not place a burden on the environment.

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

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an outline of a recording apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
In FIG. 1, an ink jet recording head 12 that performs recording by discharging ink is mounted on a carriage 11. The recording head 12 is equipped with ejection units (for example, for four colors of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black) that eject inks of different colors, and color printing is possible. Each ejection unit is formed by arranging a plurality of nozzles in a direction different from the movement (main scanning) direction of the recording head 12, and can perform recording with a width corresponding to the arrangement range in one main scanning. . Further, an ink tank that stores ink of the corresponding color may be integrated with each ejection unit so as to be separable or non-separable. Or the ink of a corresponding color may be supplied through the tube etc. from the ink tank provided in the fixed site | part of the apparatus with respect to each discharge part.

  The carriage 11 reciprocates along a slide shaft 13 and a slide rail 14 fixed to both side plates (not shown) while facing a recording medium 50 (which can be in various forms such as paper, fabric, and plastic sheet). Movement (main scanning) is possible. Power is transmitted to the carriage 11 from a carriage motor 16 through a transmission mechanism including a pulley 17 and a carriage belt 15. That is, when the carriage motor 16 is operated, the pulley 17 connected to the rotation shaft is rotationally driven, and the endless carriage belt 15 wound around the pulley 17 rotates. Since the carriage 11 is fixed to a part of the carriage belt 15, the carriage 11 reciprocates with forward / reverse rotation of the carriage belt 16 as the carriage motor 16 is driven.

  The recording medium 50 that receives the ink ejected from the recording head 12 has a line feed (LF) roller 18, a pinch roller 19, a transport motor 20, a gear train 21, and a paper discharge roller 22 with respect to the recording position facing the recording head 12. It is moved (sub-scanned) by a recording medium transport mechanism consisting of the above. That is, when the motor 20 is operated, the LF roller 18 connected thereto is rotationally driven, and the pinch roller 19 held in pressure contact with the LF roller 18 is also driven accordingly. If the recording medium 30 is sandwiched between the press contact portions, the recording medium 50 moves. Further, the rotation of the LF roller 18 is transmitted by the gear train 21, and the paper discharge roller 22 rotates at a rotational speed substantially equal to that of the LF roller 18 to move the recording medium 50.

  The movement of the recording medium 50 in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 1 due to the rotation of the LF roller 18 and the paper discharge roller 22 is intermittently performed by a predetermined amount corresponding to the main recording scan by the recording head 12 during the recording operation. That is, printing on the recording medium 50 is performed while the main scanning of the recording head 12 and the predetermined amount of sub-scanning of the recording medium are alternately repeated.

  The external storage medium reading unit 31 mainly includes an external storage medium insertion slot 32 and a reading contact portion (not shown) provided therein. That is, when an external storage medium (not shown) is inserted from the insertion port 32, the storage content of the external storage medium can be referred to via the internal contact portion.

  A scanner unit 40 that captures an image mainly includes a line sensor (image reading sensor) 41 for reading an image formed on a document (not shown), a guide shaft 42 that guides the movement of the line sensor 41 at the time of reading, In addition, it includes a document table 43 for placing a document, which is formed of a transparent material such as glass so that the sensor 41 can read an image document from the lower side of the figure. That is, the image information is formed on the document by setting the document with the image forming surface facing downward and facing the reading sensor 41 and moving the reading sensor 41 along the guide shaft 42 by a moving means (not shown). Can take in.

  The external storage medium reading unit 31 and the scanner unit 40 and the recording apparatus main body control unit are connected by means (not shown) such as a flexible print cable for the purpose of sending and receiving control signals and data, and further supplying power for driving. Of course.

  The recovery system mechanism 60 is provided at a position that can face the ejection portion of the recording head 12 and is a preliminary that does not contribute to the formation of an image on the recording medium or the ink that is ejected as the ink is sucked from the ejection portion. It has a cap member used for receiving ink ejected along with the ejection operation and protecting the nozzle forming surface of the ejection section. The cap member can be set at a joining / detaching position with respect to the nozzle forming surface, and a suction recovery operation or the like is performed by generating a negative pressure inside the cap member by a suction pump (not shown) in the joined state. Further, the nozzle forming surface can be protected by keeping the cap member in the joined state even when the recording apparatus is not used. Further, the recovery system mechanism 60 has a flexible wiper, and by performing a wiping operation after a preliminary discharge or a suction recovery operation is performed, ink or dust adhered to the nozzle formation surface of the discharge unit is removed. Wipe off.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a control system of the recording apparatus of FIG.
When image data or the like is input from the external storage medium reading unit 31 or from the external connection device (host) via the interface 73, the MPU 61 appropriately performs recording using the storage area of the gate array 64 while recording for printing. The data is converted into data and developed in the gate array 64. The interface 73 exchanges signals with a host (personal computer, digital camera, separate external storage medium, etc.) that is an image data supply source, and a plurality of interfaces 73 may be provided depending on the form of the host. .

  During the recording operation, the transport motor 20 and the carriage motor 16 are appropriately driven via the motor drivers 66 and 67, and the recording head 12 is driven in accordance with the recording data sent to the head driver 65 to perform recording.

  The data read by the line sensor 41 of the image capturing scanner unit 40 is subjected to processing such as image extraction and image correction by the scanner driver 68 and then stored in the RAM 63, and is processed by the gate array 64 as necessary. After that, it is sent to an external host via the interface 73 or used for a recording operation.

  The ROM 62 stores a control program corresponding to the processing procedure shown in FIG. 3 executed by the MPU 61 and other fixed data (check pattern formation data, which will be described later). Instead of storing the control program in the ROM 62, the control program is stored in a separately provided erasable / writeable storage medium such as an EEPROM, and is appropriately selected from a personal computer connected to the recording device via the interface 73. You may make it changeable.

  In the recording apparatus using the inkjet recording head 12 as in this example, as described above, if a defect such as clogging occurs in some of the plurality of nozzles, the recording area corresponding to the nozzle in which the defect has occurred. Ink is not applied to the ink (no discharge), or the landing position of the ink droplets ejected from the defective nozzle is shifted (deviation), resulting in white streaky unrecorded areas in the recorded image. As a result, the recording quality deteriorates. In view of this, in the present embodiment, first of all, a user is made aware of the ejection state of the recording head in accordance with the act of giving an instruction to the recording apparatus and appropriate measures are taken according to the ejection state. It is possible to perform printing in an optimum state without forcing processing and without the user being particularly conscious.

  Also, the recording apparatus of the present embodiment having a scanner function and an external storage medium reading function can print, for example, a list of images stored in the external storage medium, and the user can select only images that the user desires to print from among them. It is possible to output a sheet (print instruction sheet) that allows the check mark to be entered, and by reading this with a scanner, the image that has been checked (selected and specified image) can be specified and printed. Is possible. In the present embodiment, in accordance with the occurrence of an event for outputting a print instruction sheet, the state of the recording head is grasped and a treatment corresponding to that is performed. A print instruction sheet for printing a list of images is also referred to as an index print or a thumbnail print.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure performed in the present embodiment, and FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a print instruction sheet output in the present embodiment.

  When the user instructs the output of the print instruction sheet as a pre-stage for printing a desired image, first, in step S101 of FIG. 3, a print instruction sheet 201 as shown in FIG. 4 is printed. On this sheet 201, sample images 202 of a predetermined number of image data stored in the external storage medium are printed as a list, and a check box 203 corresponding to each image 202 is recorded. The sample image 202 is printed with a smaller size than the original image data so that a plurality of image data in the external storage medium are printed as a list. Particularly in the present embodiment, a check pattern (specific pattern) 204 for inspecting a printing element (inspection of ejection / non-ejection for each nozzle) is simultaneously printed on the print instruction sheet 201 on a blank portion or the like. . The check pattern 204 is recorded based on fixed data stored in the ROM 62.

  In this embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the check pattern 204 is a pattern in which nozzles are driven one by one for each ejection unit provided in the recording head 12, and the number corresponds to the number of colors used. Are formed (four in this example). This pattern is not limited to that shown in the figure as long as it can identify the dots formed by each nozzle in the scanner unit 40. For example, a pattern in which one dot is recorded from each nozzle, a pattern in which the density distribution is easily determined by changing the recording density of a plurality of dots formed from a predetermined number of nozzles, or a combination thereof may be used. . Further, a printer that can perform optimum management in accordance with the characteristics of the recording head may be selectively employed. Furthermore, the number of check patterns can also be set to a number corresponding to the number of types of ink colors used in the printing apparatus, and the formation location is also an appropriate portion using the margin of the sheet 210. Can do.

  In step S102 of FIG. 3, the user checks the check box 203 corresponding to the image sample desired to be printed (for example, filling in or filling in a check mark) while confirming the contents of the print instruction sheet 201. In addition to the check box for requesting printing on the print instruction sheet 201, a column for instructing the recording medium size and type to be printed, the number of printed sheets, the presence or absence of marginless recording, and the like may be provided. These can be set in consideration of user convenience.

  In step S103, the scanner unit 40 reads the print instruction sheet 201 on which the instruction content has been entered by the user. By transmitting the read content to the MPU 61, it is possible to recognize that the instruction content is recognized, an image with a check mark is specified, and this is to be printed. Depending on the setting items of the print instruction sheet 201, the size and type of recording medium to be printed, the number of printed sheets, and the like may be grasped.

  At this time, the check pattern 204 is also read simultaneously by the reading operation by the scanner unit 40. The read content is transmitted to the MPU 61, and the read check pattern 204 is compared with the original data (fixed data) used for the printing, thereby detecting whether or not a defect has occurred in the recording element ( Step S104). This makes it possible to recognize the position and state of the recording element (nozzle) in which a defect (non-ejection) has occurred. Here, of course, the check pattern and its recording position are associated with the data read and supplied by the scanner unit 40.

  If there is no defective element, the process proceeds to step S107, and a desired image printing operation is executed for the instructed content.

  On the other hand, if there is an element having a problem, the process proceeds to step S105 to select an appropriate measure, and this is executed in step S106. Appropriate measures include, for example, shifting to an automatic maintenance mode, displaying a message, changing a recording operation, and the like.

  The automatic maintenance mode can include an operation of positioning the recording head 12 at the site of the recovery system mechanism 60 and forcibly discharging ink to the cap member, or an operation of preliminarily ejecting the ink. By performing recovery operations such as forced ejection (suction recovery) or preliminary ejection for the recording element where the problem has occurred, the problem can be resolved and the ink ejection state from the ejection part is kept good. It becomes possible.

  In addition to a message indicating that a defect has occurred in the recording element, a message requesting replacement or repair of the recording head or a message prompting ink replenishment (replacement of the ink tank) if the problem is severe Etc. can be included. Further, when it is detected in S104 that a failure has occurred, the automatic maintenance mode is executed in S106, but it is detected that a failure has occurred in the same nozzle at the next detection. May be configured to display a message. By displaying a message prompting you to replace the print head after performing multiple automatic maintenance modes, it is possible to prompt the user to replace the print head based on the life of the print head. Can be suppressed.

  For changing the recording operation, a process may be performed in which a normal image is printed by forming dots that should be formed by a defective recording element with other normal elements. In the apparatus of this example, printing on the recording medium 50 is performed while alternately repeating the main scanning of the recording head 12 and the predetermined amount of sub-scanning of the recording medium. For example, as shown in FIG. When the sub-scan for the range of the nozzle (ejection port) array A is performed between the first and second main scans, if there are some nozzles F that are not ejecting, they should be formed by this. Missing parts will occur. Therefore, when such a nozzle F is detected in step S104, for example, as shown in FIG. 5B, the sub-scan amount after one main scan is made small, and the normal nozzle becomes the dot formation position by the defective nozzle F. By performing main scanning at this position, the recording operation can be supplemented. In addition, as another method of forming dots that should be formed by a defective recording element with other normal recording elements, a recording operation is performed by forming dots from recording elements adjacent to the defective recording element. There is a way to complement. This complementary method using the adjacent recording elements cannot be formed in the recording area corresponding to the recording element in which the defect has occurred, so it is formed in comparison with the method of supplementing the recording operation by reducing the sub-scanning amount. Although the quality of the image is slightly lowered, there is an advantage that the time required for recording is the same as that during normal recording without complementing the recording operation. Complementing these recording operations is preferable because the printing operation can be performed without the user being particularly aware that a discharge failure has occurred in the recording head.

  Note that any treatment can be selectively performed according to the situation, or a combination of possible treatments may be performed.

  In step S107, a printing operation is executed based on a user instruction. That is, even if there is a defect, the defective recording element is recognized in the previous steps S105 and S106, and processing for dealing with it is performed, so that an image desired by the user can be printed faithfully.

  As described above, the quality of the recording element is checked prior to the operation of printing the user-desired image, and appropriate measures are taken. The recording agent (ink) is not wasted. Also, it does not force the user to prepare a separate recording medium and give a special check pattern recording instruction or to read the recording medium output based on this, but to print a desired image Since this is a process performed based on an instruction act normally performed by the user as a previous step, it is not necessary for the user to be particularly conscious.

  In addition, if it is predicted that normal printing will not be possible due to the above-mentioned automatic maintenance or a change in the recording operation so that complementation with a normal recording element is performed, a message to that effect is displayed and printing is performed. It may be left to the user to determine whether or not it is possible. If the user instructs printing, this is based on the user's recognition, so it can be said that the recording medium and the recording agent are not wasted, not an unintentional recorded matter. .

  Further, there may be provided setting means that allows the user to set whether to execute automatic maintenance, display a message, or execute complementary recording when a defective recording element is detected. With this configuration, it is possible to perform an operation desired by the user when a recording element having a defect is detected.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view showing an outline of a recording apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Here, about each part which can be comprised similarly to 1st Embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to a corresponding location, and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  In the first embodiment, the scanner unit 40 is provided separately from the recording operation portion of the recording apparatus. In the present embodiment, the reading sensor 91 is mounted on the carriage 11 together with the recording head 12, and the carriage 11 moves. The original image is read. That is, when reading a document image (print instruction sheet), a print instruction sheet is set in place of the recording medium 50, and the carriage 11 movement and print instruction are substantially the same as the main scanning and sub scanning for recording. The sheet is conveyed and the contents written on the instruction sheet are read. Other control system configurations and control procedures for defective recording element detection and treatment are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  Also according to the present embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment described above can be obtained. Further, in the case of this example, the mechanism can be shared for the recording operation and the reading operation, and the same control can be performed for both operations, so that no special dedicated parts are required, and therefore the device configuration is simplified and inexpensive. Can be achieved.

  In the case of this example, the reading sensor 91 and the recording head 12 may be exchanged and mounted on the carriage 11.

(Other)
In each of the above embodiments, the recording apparatus in which the recording head 12 is mounted on the carriage 11 has been exemplified. However, the present invention can also be applied to a recording apparatus in which the recording head and the carriage are configured integrally. . In this case, as one of the measures when a defect is detected, it is not possible to easily prompt the user to replace the recording head, but it is possible to display a repair request message. Even in such a case, if a defect is detected in a plurality of recording elements, the recording head may be replaced. In addition, it is naturally possible to perform processing such that an image to be recorded by the defective element is complemented by another normal nozzle. This is preferable because the printing operation can be performed without making the user particularly aware.

  Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the case where an ink jet type is used as the recording head has been exemplified, but the present invention can also be applied to the case where a thermal transfer type other recording head is used.

  Furthermore, in the above example, as an example of grasping the state of the recording head, the case of grasping the abnormality of the recording element (nozzle ejection failure) is illustrated. However, the grasping or treatment of the state of the recording head is not limited to this. By grasping the recording density by the recording head, the recording position in the main scanning direction with respect to the predetermined recording head, or the recording position between the recording heads when using a plurality of recording heads, an appropriate treatment (the amount of recording agent applied to the input data) Adjustment and dot alignment) may be performed.

  In short, as described above, appropriate measures may be performed in an appropriate combination in accordance with the configuration of the recording head or the recording apparatus and in consideration of user operability. In this sense, the present invention can be applied not only to the above-described serial type recording apparatus but also to a line printer type recording apparatus.

  Further, in the above example, the case where a print instruction sheet in which information for entering an instruction for recording an image selected from the list display is recorded together with an image list display is illustrated, but a special process is applied to the recording apparatus. It is also possible to use an instruction sheet for making it. For example, an instruction sheet for instructing the recording apparatus (contents such as a high-definition, normal, and high-speed recording mode) can be used.

  Furthermore, in the above example, the configuration in which the external storage medium reading unit is built in the recording apparatus has been described. However, the present invention can also be applied to the case where a separate external storage medium reading apparatus is connected via an interface. is there. In addition to receiving image data supplied from a built-in or separate external storage medium reading device, a digital camera connected via an interface, a device capable of storing a predetermined amount of images such as a video, or a personal computer Needless to say, the present invention can also be applied to the case where image data is supplied from the user.

  In addition, the recording apparatus main body does not necessarily have to include the scanner unit mechanically and integrally. As long as the result of reading by the reading means (scanner or the like) can be reflected in the operation of the recording apparatus by performing signal connection (whether wired or wireless), the two may be separate.

  In addition, as described in the first embodiment, the control program and check pattern formation data shown in FIG. 3 are not only fixedly stored in the ROM of the recording apparatus main body but also stored in the EEPROM or the like. Thus, the processing performed by the recording apparatus can be made flexible.

  In this case, software or program code for realizing the above-described functions is directly supplied to the recording apparatus or indirectly via a host that is a source of image data, and the above functions are performed by the program code. The recording apparatus realized is also included in the scope of the present invention.

  In this case, the program code itself realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the program code itself and means for supplying the program code such as a storage medium directly or indirectly are also included in the scope of the present invention.

  As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, or the like is used. be able to.

1 is a schematic perspective view showing an outline of a recording apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a control system of the recording apparatus in FIG. 1. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process sequence performed in 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the printing instruction | indication sheet output in 1st Embodiment. (A) And (b) is explanatory drawing for demonstrating an example of the treatment performed in 1st Embodiment, when the defect of a printing element is detected. It is a typical perspective view which shows the outline of the recording device by the 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Carriage 12 Recording head 16 Carriage motor 20 Conveyance motor 31 External storage medium reading unit 40 Scanner part 41 Line sensor 50 Recording medium 60 Recovery system mechanism 61 MPU
62 ROM
73 Interface 201 Print instruction sheet 204 Check pattern

Claims (10)

A recording apparatus for recording an image on a recording medium using a recording head having a plurality of recording elements,
Means for outputting an instruction recording medium on which a pattern indicating the state of the recording head is recorded together with information for entering an instruction for the recording apparatus;
Detecting means for detecting a state of the recording head based on the pattern obtained by reading the recording medium for indication;
A recording apparatus characterized by comprising:   The recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for reading the instruction recording medium.   The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit detects an abnormality of the recording element based on detection of a state of the recording head.   The recording apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising means for performing a measure to cope with the abnormality when the abnormality is detected.   The treatment includes at least one of recovery processing of the recording head, notification that the abnormality has occurred, and setting for complementing the operation of the recording element in which the abnormality has occurred with another recording element. The recording apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the recording apparatus is a recording apparatus.   6. The instruction recording medium includes information for entering an instruction for recording an image selected from the list display together with a list display of images. The recording device described in 1.   6. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein information for entering a recording mode instruction is recorded on the instruction recording medium. A control method for a recording apparatus for recording an image on a recording medium using a recording head having a plurality of recording elements,
A step of outputting an instruction recording medium on which a pattern indicating a state of the recording head is recorded together with information for entering an instruction for the recording apparatus;
Detecting the state of the recording head based on the pattern obtained by reading the instruction recording medium;
A method for controlling a recording apparatus, comprising:   A control program for causing a recording apparatus to execute the control method according to claim 8. A storage medium storing a control program for causing a recording apparatus to execute the control method according to claim 8.

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