JP2006326939A - Method of inkjet recording, inkjet recorder, ink tank, and recording head cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an inkjet recorder that can form an image on a recording medium in a state that the lacking of recording data is prevented as much as possible even if some recording elements brought into non-ejection states due to the progress of the consumption of ink, and a method of inkjet recording. <P>SOLUTION: When a residual amount of ink in an ink tank is predicted and it is determined that the predicted residual amount is less than a threshold, the number of multi-passes is changed to be one greater than that of a designated recording mode. As a result, the flowrate of the ink in the ink tank can be reduced and data can be compensated by the other recording elements even if non-ejection occurs. In the case that the residual amount of the ink becomes small, it is possible to maintain the high quality of images and to use the ink stored in the ink tank roughly to the end. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an inkjet recording method for forming an image on a recording medium by ejecting ink from a recording head. In particular, the present invention relates to recording control of an ink jet recording apparatus for reducing as much as possible image adverse effects as the remaining amount of ink decreases.

  In general, an ink jet recording apparatus uses a recording head including a plurality of recording elements capable of ejecting ink as droplets, and forms an image on a recording medium according to recording data. Therefore, it is a non-impact recording method and hardly generates noise during recording. Further, it has an advantageous feature that it can be recorded on various recording media at a relatively high speed. Therefore, ink jet recording apparatuses have become widespread in a wide range of fields in recent years as apparatuses having a recording mechanism such as a printer, a copying machine, a facsimile machine, and a word processor.

  In such an ink jet recording apparatus, an ink tank for supplying ink to the recording head is usually prepared. There are various methods for supplying ink from the ink tank to the recording head, but mainly, a cartridge type in which the recording head and the ink tank are integrally formed, and an ink tank for the recording head. Are classified as detachable types. When the ink is consumed, the cartridge itself is replaced in the former form. On the other hand, in the latter form, only the ink tank is replaced.

  In any type, the ink in the ink tank is gradually consumed with recording. Therefore, it is desirable to replace the ink tank or cartridge at an appropriate timing. In order to cope with this, a general ink jet recording apparatus has some means for detecting the remaining amount of ink in the ink tank, and notifies the user when the remaining amount of ink becomes small. It has been adopted.

  However, even if a notification is received, the user cannot always replace the ink tank immediately. Further, the means for detecting the remaining amount of ink may include some errors. Therefore, in recent inkjet recording apparatuses, various measures are taken to notify the user when the remaining amount of ink becomes small and to maintain normal recording for as long as possible. .

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a method of reducing the recording density or reducing the ejection amount per dot when the remaining amount of ink decreases. . If such a method is adopted, the ink consumption speed after detecting that the remaining amount of ink has become small is reduced, so that the period until the ink is completely consumed from this point is extended. I can do it. In other words, even if the user cannot replace the ink tank immediately after receiving the notification, or even if the ink remaining amount detecting means includes some errors, an appropriate period for replacing the ink tank is extended. It is.

JP-A-8-72228

  However, after the remaining amount of ink becomes small, even if recording is possible, ejection from some recording elements may become impossible. Then, data to be recorded by the recording element that has failed to be ejected is lost on the recording medium. In such a case, in the 1-pass printing mode for outputting an image at a high speed, even if the method of Patent Document 1 is employed to reduce the ink consumption speed, the lost data is not restored.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and the object of the present invention is that even when some of the plurality of recording elements become non-ejecting due to advanced ink consumption. It is another object of the present invention to provide an ink jet recording apparatus and an ink jet recording method capable of forming an image on a recording medium in a state where recording data is prevented from being lost as much as possible.

  For this purpose, in the present invention, a recording head having a recording element array in which a plurality of recording elements are arranged in a predetermined direction is used, and the recording head is moved and scanned in a direction different from the predetermined direction, and image data is converted. An ink jet recording method for forming an image on the recording medium by performing recording scanning for ejecting ink from the recording element m times (m is an integer of 1 or more) on the same image area on the recording medium. A specifying step of specifying the value of m, a prediction step of predicting the remaining amount of ink in an ink tank that supplies ink to the recording element, and the predicted remaining amount of ink is less than a threshold value When the determination is made, the change step of changing the value of m designated by the designation step to a larger value, and m pieces of image data that can be printed by one recording scan. And having a dividing step of dividing the loop, and a step of performing the recording scan on the basis of the image data divided by said dividing step.

  In addition, a recording head having a recording element array in which a plurality of recording elements that eject ink based on image data are arranged in a predetermined direction is used, and the recording head is moved and scanned in a direction different from the predetermined direction. An inkjet recording apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium by performing recording scanning for ejecting ink from the recording element m times (m is an integer of 1 or more) on the same image area on the recording medium. Determining means for specifying the value of m, predicting means for predicting the remaining amount of ink in the ink tank that supplies ink to the printing element, and determining that the predicted remaining amount of ink is less than a threshold value. In this case, the changing means for changing the value of m designated in the designation step to a larger value and the image data that can be printed by one recording scan are grouped into m groups. Dividing means for dividing the, characterized in that it comprises a means for executing the recording scan on the basis of the image data divided by said dividing means.

  Furthermore, it is detachable from the recording head, has a memory for storing the remaining amount of ink predicted by the prediction means, and is applicable to the ink jet recording apparatus.

  Furthermore, the recording head and the ink tank are integrally configured, and a memory for storing the remaining amount of ink predicted by the prediction unit is provided, which is applicable to the ink jet recording apparatus. It is characterized by.

  With the above configuration, according to the present invention, the ink flow rate in the ink tank can be reduced, and at the same time, even if non-ejection occurs, data can be supplemented by other recording elements. As a result, even in a situation where the remaining amount of ink is small, the image quality can be maintained, and the ink stored in the ink tank can be used up to almost the entire amount.

(First embodiment)
The first embodiment of the present invention will be described below.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view for explaining a mechanical configuration of an ink jet recording apparatus applicable to the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 604 denotes a paper feed roller for feeding or transporting a recording medium 602 into the recording apparatus. The paper feed roller 604 is rotated by driving the paper feed motor 603. Reference numeral 605 denotes a carriage on which the recording head and the ink tank 606 can be mounted. The carriage 605 is guided and supported by a guide rail 607 and a guide shaft 608, and can be moved and scanned in the main scanning direction in the figure. The carriage 605 and a main body substrate (not shown) are connected by a flexible cable (not shown) for transmitting and receiving an electric signal and a power supply voltage accompanying recording data.

  When the recording start command is received, the paper feed motor 603 rotates the paper feed roller 604, so that the recording medium 602 is fed and conveyed into the recording apparatus. When the recording medium 602 is transported to a recordable position by a recording head (not shown) mounted on the carriage 605, the carriage 605 moves and scans in the main scanning direction in the figure, and the recording head moves at a predetermined timing according to the recording data. Ink is ejected from a plurality of recording elements arranged in the sub-scanning direction in the figure. When one recording main scan by the recording head is completed, the paper feed roller 604 rotates, and the recording medium 602 is conveyed in the sub-scanning direction by an amount corresponding to the recording width by the recording head. Images are sequentially formed on the recording medium 602 by alternately repeating the recording main scan of the recording head and the conveying operation of the recording medium 602 as described above.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view for explaining a recording head cartridge 700 applied to this embodiment. The recording head cartridge 700 according to this embodiment is configured to be mounted on the carriage 605 shown in FIG. Then, an electrical signal such as recording data transmitted to the carriage 605 by the flexible cable is received by the contact surface 702 of the electric wiring board, and ink is received from the recording chip 704 provided with a plurality of recording elements according to the received data. It is the structure which discharges.

  Reference numeral 704 denotes a recording chip including recording element arrays for four colors. The ink jet recording head according to this embodiment includes an ejection port for ejecting ink droplets, an ink channel that supplies ink to the ejection port, and an electrothermal conversion element provided in the ink channel. A plurality of printing elements are arranged to form a printing element array for one color. Ink is supplied to each ink flow path by a capillary phenomenon from a common liquid chamber behind which is provided in common to these ink flow paths. When discharging from the recording element, a predetermined voltage pulse is applied to the electrothermal conversion element. As a result, the electrothermal conversion element generates heat rapidly, and foaming occurs in the ink in the ink flow path in contact therewith. The ink in the vicinity of the ejection port is pushed out of the ejection port by the growth energy of the foam and ejected toward the recording medium.

  In an ink jet recording head having an electrothermal conversion element as in the present embodiment, a plurality of recording elements can be integrated and arranged with high density and high precision on one support base 701, so that high definition and high quality are achieved. It is possible to output a simple image. In addition, since the electric wiring board having the contact surface 702 and the electric wiring tape 703 that connects the recording chip 704 and the electric wiring substrate can be integrally disposed, the number of parts of the recording head cartridge can be reduced, and the cost can be reduced. It can also contribute to space saving.

  In the recording apparatus of the present embodiment, four color ink tanks of black (Bk), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y) are provided for the recording head cartridge 700 including the recording chip 704. It is configured to be detachable independently in the direction. The ink tank of the present embodiment is filled with urethane sponge as an absorber for holding ink.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram for explaining a control configuration of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present embodiment. A CPU 302 controls the entire recording apparatus, such as performing a recording operation in accordance with an image signal input from an externally connected host apparatus 301 and performing maintenance processing in the apparatus. A processing program executed by the CPU 302 is stored in the ROM 303, and the RAM 304 is used as a work area for temporarily storing an image signal being processed.

  Reference numeral 305 denotes a recording head driver for driving the recording head 300. Reference numeral 307 denotes a carriage motor for moving and scanning the carriage 605 on which the recording head cartridge 700 is mounted. Reference numeral 308 denotes a carriage motor driver for driving the carriage motor. Reference numeral 603 denotes a paper feed motor for transporting the recording medium, and reference numeral 306 denotes a paper feed motor driver for driving the paper feed motor 603. The CPU 302 controls the recording head driver 305 according to the image signal input from the host device 301 to cause the recording head 300 to eject ink. At the same time, the carriage motor driver 308 is controlled to move and scan the carriage 605 in the main scanning direction, thereby forming an image for one recording scan on the recording medium. An image is sequentially formed on the recording medium by alternately performing the main recording scanning once and conveying a predetermined amount of the recording medium by the paper feed motor 603.

  Reference numeral 309 denotes a counter for counting the number of times the recording element ejects ink, for example, for each color. The CPU 302 counts the number of ejections made by printing or the like and temporarily stores it in the RAM 304 or reads the stored data and compares it with a threshold value stored in advance in the ROM 303.

  By the way, in recent inkjet recording apparatuses, there are various types of recording media and required recording quality and recording speed. Therefore, in order to cope with this, a plurality of recording modes are often provided in advance. In order to obtain a relatively good image, a recording method called multi-pass recording is generally employed. The multipass recording method will be briefly described below.

  The multi-pass recording method records only data thinned out according to a predetermined thinning rate without performing recording of all data that can be recorded by the recording head in one recording main scan. For example, in the case of 2-pass multi-pass printing, about 50% of all data is recorded. Thereafter, in the sub-scan, a transport operation is performed with an amount smaller than the recording width of the recording head. In the next recording scan, the remaining 50% of data not recorded last time is recorded in the same image area. In an image formed by repeating such a recording operation, a line on which one recording element can be recorded by one recording scan is formed by two types of recording elements. Therefore, even if one of the recording elements cannot be ejected, ejection by the other recording element is executed, so that the data on the line is not completely lost.

  In addition, even when there are no non-ejection printing elements, the multi-pass printing method can function effectively to improve image quality. The plurality of recording elements arranged in the recording head inevitably include some variation in the discharge amount and the discharge direction, and this may cause image defects such as stripes and unevenness. However, if multi-pass printing is employed, the ejection characteristics of each printing element are dispersed without being concentrated on one line, so that a smoother image can be obtained.

  In the multipass printing described above, a smoother and higher quality image can be obtained as the number of multipasses is increased. However, increasing the number of multipaths also increases the recording time. Therefore, in a normal ink jet recording apparatus, one-pass recording and a multi-pass recording method of a plurality of stages are prepared in advance, and the recording mode is switched according to the application.

  For example, in the case of a document whose main content is text, a large number of sheets are often output at high speed, but the ejection variation of each printing element does not cause a significant image problem. Therefore, in such a case, it can be said that one-pass recording is appropriate. However, as a result of intensive studies by the present inventors, in a situation where the ink in the ink tank is low, if the 1-pass printing mode is executed, non-ejection occurs frequently and image quality deteriorates significantly. It was confirmed. On the other hand, when multi-pass printing was performed under the same conditions, it was confirmed that non-ejection did not occur as much as during one-pass printing.

  This phenomenon is thought to be due to the following reasons. That is, in the one-pass printing mode, the amount of ink consumed per unit time is large, so that the negative pressure generated in the ink tank increases rapidly when the printing scan is started. The absorber such as the urethane sponge filled in the ink tank of the present embodiment tends to particularly increase the negative pressure when supplying ink to the ink jet recording head when the ink remaining amount decreases. If this negative pressure exceeds the capillary force of each recording element, non-ejection tends to occur. On the other hand, in the multi-pass printing mode, the amount of ink consumed per unit time is smaller than that in one-pass printing. Therefore, the negative pressure applied to the ink tank in each printing scan does not increase as in the case of one-pass printing, and the ink is smoothly filled into the individual printing elements.

  Based on the above knowledge, the present inventors have tried to reduce the flow rate of ink consumed from the tank in order to prevent non-ejection that occurs when the remaining amount of ink in the ink tank decreases. It was determined that changing the number of multipaths was effective, and the present invention was achieved.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining processing steps performed by the CPU when one job is input from the host device 301 to the inkjet recording apparatus of the present embodiment. Here, a case where a monotone image using only black ink is recorded will be described.

  When a job is input, first, in step S11, it is determined whether or not the total dot count number N is equal to or less than a threshold value Np. Here, the total dot count number N is the number of black ink ejections since the last time a new black ink tank was mounted. The number of ejections is counted by the counter 309 described with reference to FIG. 3, and is appropriately overwritten and stored in the memory in the main body. On the other hand, the threshold value Np is the number of ejections for determining whether or not the remaining amount in the ink tank has decreased. If N> Np, the remaining ink amount in the currently installed ink tank is very small. To be judged.

  When N <Np in step S11, that is, when the total dot count is still less than the threshold value Np, the process proceeds to step S12, and whether the current job is designated for the 1-pass printing mode or the multi-pass printing mode. Judging. If the 1-pass recording mode is designated, the process proceeds to step S14, and an image for one page is recorded in the designated 1-pass recording mode. If it is determined in step S12 that the multipass printing mode is designated, the process proceeds to step S13, and an image for one page is formed in the multipass printing mode.

  On the other hand, when N ≧ Np in step S11, that is, when the total dot count number N exceeds the threshold value Np, the process proceeds to step S13, and multipass printing is executed regardless of the printing mode specified by the job. Note that the dot count by the counter 309 continues during the recording operation in step S13 and step S14.

  When the recording for one page is completed in step S13 or step S14, the process proceeds to step S15, and the current total dot count value N is overwritten and stored in a predetermined area of the main body.

  In step S16, it is determined whether there is a next page to be recorded in the current job. If it is determined that the next page exists, the process returns to step S11, and the newly overwritten total dot count number N is compared with the threshold value Np. If it is determined in step S16 that the next page does not exist, this process ends.

  FIGS. 5A and 5B are diagrams for explaining the effect of this embodiment when the 1-pass printing mode is designated in a situation where the ink remaining amount in the tank is small. Here, FIG. (A) shows an image obtained when printing is performed in one pass even though the remaining amount of ink is small. On the other hand, FIG. (B) shows an image obtained when printing is executed in multipass with the remaining amount of ink under the same conditions. As is apparent from the figure, it can be seen that the image subjected to the multi-pass recording has less image loss and the quality is maintained. This is because the original effect of multi-pass printing that suppresses image loss by forming one line extending in the main scanning direction by a plurality of printing elements, and the ink flow rate per printing main scan is reduced, and the ink absorber This is a result obtained in combination with the effect of reducing the occurrence frequency of non-ejection due to the suppression of the negative pressure generated in the above.

  In the above-described flowchart, the configuration is such that the total dot count number is confirmed and the recording mode is set in units of one page, but in actuality, depending on the value of the total dot count number N even during the page. It is possible to change the recording method. However, changing the number of multi-passes in one page may cause problems such as uneven color and density changes in the output image. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the recording method is switched for each page.

  Further, the threshold value Np is not a marginal value at which non-ejection may be immediately concerned, but to the extent that the output result does not fade regardless of the recording density data input. It is preferable to set with a margin.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, if it is determined that the current total dot count N number exceeds the threshold value Np and the remaining amount of ink is small, even if the recording is designated by the host device. Even if the mode is one-pass recording, the recording is executed by switching to the multi-pass mode. As a result, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of non-ejection caused by a small amount of ink remaining and to prevent data loss on the recording medium as much as possible. In addition, by switching to multi-pass printing, it is possible to consume ink little by little while suppressing the ink flow rate, so that the ink stored in the ink tank can be used to almost the total amount, It will also lead to lower running costs.

(Second Embodiment)
The second embodiment of the present invention will be described below. Also in this embodiment, the configuration of the ink jet recording apparatus described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 is the same as that of the first embodiment. However, in this embodiment, when recording a black monotone image, it is possible to select one of three types of recording modes of 1 pass, 2 pass, and 4 pass, and appropriately record depending on the total dot count value. The mode is automatically switched.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining processing steps performed by the CPU when one job is input from the host device 301 to the inkjet recording apparatus of the present embodiment.

  When a job is input, first, in step S21, it is determined whether or not the current job recording mode is designated as a 1-pass or 2-pass recording mode. If the designated recording mode is 4 passes, the process proceeds to step S27 as it is, and 4-pass multipass printing is executed as designated. On the other hand, if the one-pass or two-pass recording mode is designated, the process proceeds to step S22.

  In a succeeding step S22, it is determined whether or not the total dot count number N is equal to or less than a threshold value Np2. In the present embodiment, two threshold values are prepared, and the threshold value Np2 is a threshold value for detecting a state in which ink consumption has progressed more than the two threshold values. If N ≧ Np2 in step S22, it is determined that the remaining amount of ink in the currently installed ink tank is small, and the process proceeds to step S27. Then, regardless of the recording mode designated as a job, an image for one page is formed by 4-pass multi-pass printing.

  When it is determined in step S22 that N <Np2, that is, when the total dot count number is still less than the threshold value Np2, the process proceeds to step S23, and whether or not the total dot count number N is equal to or less than the threshold value Np1 (<Np2). to decide. Here, the threshold value Np1 is a threshold value that is not as high as Np2, but is used to detect a situation where there is a concern that image degradation may occur in order to continue one-pass recording.

  If N ≧ Np1 is determined in step S23, it is determined that one-pass printing is inappropriate for the remaining amount of ink in the currently installed ink tank, and the process proceeds to step S25. Even if the recording mode designated as a job is one pass, an image for one page is formed by two-pass multi-pass printing.

  On the other hand, when N <Np1 in step S23, that is, when the total dot count number is still less than the threshold value Np1, the process proceeds to step S24 to determine whether or not the current job specifies the 1-pass printing mode. . If it is determined that the one-pass recording mode is designated, the process proceeds to step S26, and an image for one page is recorded in one pass as designated. On the other hand, if it is determined that the two-pass recording mode is designated, the process proceeds to step S25, and an image for one page is recorded with two passes as designated. Note that the dot count by the counter 309 continues during the recording operations in step S25, step 26, and step S27.

  When the recording for one page is completed in step S25, step 26, or step S27, the process proceeds to step S28, and the current total dot count value N is overwritten and stored in a predetermined area of the main body.

  In step S29, it is determined whether there is a next page to be recorded in the current job. If it is determined that the next page exists, the process returns to step S21, and the above-described series of steps is executed for the newly overwritten total dot count number N. If it is determined in step S29 that the next page does not exist, this process ends.

  Also in this embodiment, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained. However, making it possible to cope with a multi-pass printing method using a plurality of thresholds using a plurality of threshold values as in this embodiment can consume ink more efficiently than in the first embodiment. That is, even when the remaining amount of ink is low and there is a concern about non-ejection of the printing element, it is possible to print an image with a quality and printing speed as close as possible to the designated printing mode. .

  In the present embodiment described above, the types of recording modes are three types of 1-pass, 2-pass, and 4-pass, but it is of course possible to prepare more types of recording modes and threshold values.

(Third embodiment)
The third embodiment of the present invention will be described below. Also in this embodiment, the configuration of the ink jet recording apparatus described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 is the same as that of the first embodiment. However, in the above-described embodiment, only the black ink in which the one-pass printing mode is likely to be applied has been described. In the present embodiment, the color ink is also dot-counted, and the number of multi-passes is changed according to the obtained count value. To do.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining a process performed by the CPU when one job is input from the host apparatus 301 to the inkjet recording apparatus of the present embodiment.

  When a job is input, first, in step S51, it is determined whether or not there is data for ejecting black ink in the page. If it is determined that there is black data, the process proceeds to step S52. If it is determined that there is no black data, the process jumps to step S53.

  In step S52, the total dot count number N1 related to black data is compared with the threshold value Np1. If the total black dot count value N1 is smaller than the threshold value Np1, the process proceeds to step S53 as it is. On the other hand, if the total dot count value N1 ≧ Np1, it is determined that the remaining ink in the black ink tank is very small, and the process proceeds to step S56, and the current page is subjected to multi-pass printing regardless of the designated printing mode. An image for one page is formed.

  In step S53, it is determined whether there is data for ejecting color ink in the page. If it is determined that there is color data, the process proceeds to step S54. If it is determined that there is no color data, the process jumps to step S55.

  In step S54, the total dot count number N2 relating to the color data is compared with the threshold value Np2. If the total color dot count value N2 is smaller than the threshold value Np2, the process proceeds directly to step S55. On the other hand, if the total dot count value N2 ≧ Np2, it is determined that the remaining ink in the color ink tank is very small, and the process proceeds to step S56, and the current page is subjected to multipass printing regardless of the designated printing mode. An image for one page is formed.

  In step S55, it is determined whether the current job specifies the 1-pass printing mode or the multi-pass printing mode. If it is determined that the one-pass recording mode is designated, the process proceeds to step S57, and an image for one page is recorded in one pass as designated. On the other hand, if it is determined that the multi-pass recording mode is designated, the process proceeds to step S56, where an image for one page is recorded by the designated multi-pass as well. Note that the count of the total dot counts N1 and N2 by the counter 309 continues during the recording operation in step S56 and step S57.

  When the recording for one page is completed in step S56 or step S57, the process proceeds to step S58, and the current total dot count values N1 and N2 are overwritten and stored in a predetermined area of the main body.

  In step S59, it is determined whether there is a next page to be recorded in the current job. If it is determined that the next page exists, the process returns to step S51, and the above-described series of steps is executed using the newly overwritten total dot count numbers N1 and N2. If it is determined in step S59 that the next page does not exist, this process ends.

  In the above description, the black threshold value Np1 and the color threshold value Np2 are set independently. However, these values may be set to appropriate values depending on the ink capacity that can be stored in the ink tank. For example, Np1 = Np2 may be satisfied.

  In the above description, the total dot count number of colors is N2, and a plurality of colors are collectively described. However, since there are actually a plurality of color inks, there are various methods for determining N2. For example, the number of dots may be counted for each mounted color, and the maximum value among them may be N2, or the configuration may be such that each color is counted together. In addition, when there is a color that tends to cause non-ejection or an ink color that has a particularly large influence on the image when it occurs, the total dot count value of the ink color may be N2.

  Furthermore, in FIG. 7, the process of performing the data presence / absence check and the comparison with the threshold value is described in two stages of black and color, but these processes are prepared independently for all colors to be applied. May be.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, even in an ink jet recording apparatus that can form an image using a plurality of inks, the occurrence of non-ejection caused by a small amount of ink remaining is suppressed for each color. Thus, it is possible to prevent data loss on the recording medium as much as possible. Also, by switching to multi-pass printing, the ink can be consumed little by little while suppressing the ink flow rate, so that the usage rate of the ink stored in the ink tank is increased and the running cost is reduced.

(Fourth embodiment)
The fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described below. Also in this embodiment, the configuration of the ink jet recording apparatus described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 3 is the same as that of the first embodiment. However, in this embodiment, a recording head cartridge in which an ink tank and a recording head are integrally formed is used, and the recording head cartridge is detachable from the main body of the recording apparatus.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, a memory means for storing information of the total dot count value N is provided in the recording head cartridge. Then, the CPU of the main body of the printing apparatus compares the memory means with a threshold value, or adds the newly counted dot count number to the content stored in the memory means. By adopting such a configuration, even when the recording head cartridge is detached from the main body and used in another recording apparatus, another recording head cartridge is temporarily mounted on the removed main body to perform recording. Even when the original recording head cartridge is mounted, the switching of the recording mode as described in the above embodiment can be realized in a state adapted to each cartridge. The memory means for obtaining the effects described above may be any rewritable means, and may be, for example, an EEPROM or a fuse ROM configured as such.

  In the above description, the recording head cartridge has been described as having a single memory means. However, even if the ink tanks of a plurality of colors are detachably attached to the ink jet recording head, the effect of this embodiment can be obtained. It is done. For example, if a memory means is installed in each ink tank, the remaining amount information of ink can be managed in units of ink colors, and the same effect as in the third embodiment can be obtained.

  In the above embodiment, the description has been given of the configuration in which the printing mode is switched to the multi-pass printing mode mainly when the 1-pass printing mode is designated and the ink remaining amount is low. However, the present invention is not limited to this. . Even when the m-pass (m is an integer of 1 or more) recording mode is set, if it is determined that it is preferable to set a larger number of multi-passes as a result of estimating the remaining ink amount, The recording mode may be automatically switched to a multi-pass number greater than m. For example, the case where the recording mode designated as 4 passes is switched to 8 passes according to the remaining amount of ink is also included in the scope of the present invention.

  In the four embodiments described above, the total dot count number is rewritten at the timing of counting the number of ejections for recording, and the content of predicting the remaining ink amount in the ink tank has been described. However, actually, the ink in the ink tank is not consumed only in connection with the recording operation. During the print head maintenance process, the cap is pressed against the print element array of the print head and the ink is forcibly ejected. It is known to perform a preliminary discharge operation. Therefore, the threshold determination using the total dot count value described above is a determination in consideration of such another ink consumption.

  Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, as a means for predicting the remaining amount of ink, a method of obtaining a total dot count value and comparing it with a threshold value is adopted. However, the present invention is not limited to such a method. If it is determined whether or not the remaining amount of ink is very small, the recording mode can be switched. Therefore, for example, a means capable of appropriately measuring the weight of the ink tank, a means for detecting a negative pressure state in the ink tank, and the presence / absence of ink contained in the transparent ink tank are provided. The present invention works effectively even if the remaining amount of ink is detected by providing means for optically detecting ink.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the ink jet recording apparatus in which the ink jet recording head using the electrothermal transducer is mounted has been described with reference to FIG. However, the method for ejecting ink from the recording head is not limited to this. For example, those using an electromechanical transducer such as a piezo element, and those that generate heat by irradiating an electromagnetic wave such as a laser and eject ink droplets by the action of this heat generation, are all methods. However, a color image can be suitably recorded on the recording medium. Further, the adverse effect when the remaining amount of ink in the ink tank is reduced is the same as in the above-described embodiment. The present invention can effectively exhibit any ink ejection method.

  In addition, the method for supplying ink from the ink tank to the recording head is such that the ink tank is detachable from the recording head cartridge as in the above-described embodiment, and the recording head and the ink tank are integrated. In addition, there are various types such as supplying ink to the recording head from an ink tank fixedly provided in the main body through a flexible ink tube capable of following the moving scanning of the carriage. Whatever type of ink supply is employed, when the remaining amount of ink in the ink tank is consumed, the above-mentioned problems are concerned, and the present invention can work effectively.

It is a perspective view for demonstrating the mechanical structure of the inkjet recording device applicable to this invention. It is a perspective view for demonstrating the head cartridge applied to embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram for demonstrating the structure of control of the inkjet recording device of embodiment applied to this invention. 6 is a flowchart for explaining a process performed by a CPU when one job is input from a host device to the inkjet recording apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. (A) And (b) is a figure for demonstrating the effect of this embodiment at the time of designating 1 pass printing mode in the condition where ink remaining amount is small. 10 is a flowchart for explaining a process performed by a CPU when one job is input from a host device to the inkjet recording apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. 10 is a flowchart for explaining a process performed by a CPU when one job is input from a host device to an inkjet recording apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

300 Recording head 301 Host mounting 302 CPU
303 ROM
304 RAM
305 Recording head driver 306 Feed motor driver 307 Carriage motor 308 Carriage motor driver 309 Counter 602 Recording medium 603 Feed motor 604 Paper feed roller 605 Carriage 606 Ink tank 607 Guide rail 608 Guide shaft 609 Cap 700 Recording head cartridge 701 Support base 702 Contact surface 703 Electrical wiring tape 704 Recording chip

Claims (8)

A recording head having a recording element array in which a plurality of recording elements are arranged in a predetermined direction is used, and ink is moved from the recording element based on image data while moving and scanning the recording head in a direction different from the predetermined direction. An ink jet recording method for forming an image on the recording medium by performing recording scanning for ejecting m times on the same image area on the recording medium (m is an integer of 1 or more),
A designation step for designating the value of m;
A prediction step of predicting the remaining amount of ink in an ink tank that supplies ink to the recording element;
A change step of changing the value of m designated by the designation step to a larger value when it is determined that the predicted ink remaining amount is less than a threshold;
A division step of dividing image data recordable by one recording scan into m groups;
And a step of performing the recording scan based on the image data divided by the dividing step.   The inkjet recording method according to claim 1, wherein the threshold value is set in a plurality of stages, and the value of m is increased stepwise in the changing step according to the plurality of threshold values.   The recording head includes a plurality of recording element arrays for ejecting different types of ink supplied from the plurality of ink tanks, and the predicting step predicts a remaining amount of ink in each of the plurality of ink tanks. The ink jet recording method according to claim 1, wherein the ink jet recording method is performed.   4. The ink jet recording method according to claim 1, wherein the changing step is not executed during recording on the recording medium for one page.   5. The ink jet recording method according to claim 1, wherein the predicting step predicts a remaining amount of the ink based on a number of times the recording head performs ejection. A recording head having a recording element array in which a plurality of recording elements that eject ink based on image data are arranged in a predetermined direction is used, and the recording head is moved and scanned in a direction different from the predetermined direction. An inkjet recording apparatus that forms an image on the recording medium by performing recording scanning for ejecting ink from an element m times (m is an integer of 1 or more) on the same image area on the recording medium,
A designation means for designating the value of m;
Predicting means for predicting the remaining amount of ink in an ink tank that supplies ink to the recording element;
Changing means for changing the value of m designated by the designation step to a larger value when it is determined that the predicted remaining amount of ink is less than a threshold;
Dividing means for dividing image data recordable by one recording scan into m groups;
An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: means for executing the recording scan based on the image data divided by the dividing means.   7. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising a memory that is detachable from the recording head and stores a remaining amount of ink predicted by the prediction unit. Ink tank. 7. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the recording head and the ink tank are integrally configured, and include a memory for storing the remaining amount of ink predicted by the prediction unit. A recording head cartridge characterized by the above.

Images