JP2008137230A - Recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a recorder capable of suppressing an increase in memory capacity even when the numbers of recording passes are different from each other depending on kinds of recording media or recording modes in the case where an amount of ink to be applied on an end portion of a recording medium is reduced. <P>SOLUTION: This recorder records an image without providing a margin on an end portion of a recording medium by a method wherein the ink is applied based on a recording mask for completing the recording by one or more times of scanning the recording medium at an identical region and a reduction mask for reducing an amount of ink to be applied to a region including a region protruding outside of the recording medium. The number of pixels of the reduction mask in the arrangement direction of recording elements provided on a recording head is smaller than the number of the recording elements. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a recording apparatus that records an image by applying ink to a recording medium. More specifically, the present invention relates to a recording apparatus that performs recording while reducing the amount of ink applied to at least one of a recording medium and an area other than the recording medium.

  Various recording apparatuses such as an ink jet system, an electrophotographic system, a thermal transfer system, and a sublimation system have been developed as recording apparatuses for recording images, characters, and the like on a recording medium such as paper or a plastic sheet. These recording apparatuses perform color recording using three colors of cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y), or four colors obtained by adding black (K) to these three colors. In addition, there are recording apparatuses that perform color recording using light colors of light cyan (LC), light magenta (LM), light yellow (LY), and light black (LK).

  Among the recording apparatuses, the inkjet recording apparatus is capable of recording high-resolution and high-quality images at high speed and at low cost, and is widely used. An ink jet recording apparatus performs recording by flying ink and applying ink to a recording medium. For example, Patent Documents 1 to 3 disclose that an electrothermal converter is used as a discharge energy supply unit, and a droplet (ink droplet) is discharged by generating thermal bubbles by applying thermal energy to ink.

  Some ink jet recording apparatuses, such as silver salt photographs, enable full-surface recording (recording without margins) on a recording medium. For example, Patent Document 4 discloses an ink jet recording apparatus and a recording method that are devised so that the recording medium is not soiled by ink ejected outside the recording medium. Hereinafter, the outline of the prior art disclosed in Patent Document 4 will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the platen 206 that supports the recording medium 1 is provided with a hole 207, and the ink 208 discharged from the recording head 5 to the outside of the recording medium 1 is guided to the hole 207, thereby preventing contamination by the ink 208. To do. As described above, in the ink jet recording apparatus, the ink 208 protrudes from the recording medium 1 and is ejected, and the absorber 209 is further provided in the hole 207 of the platen 206 to absorb the ink 208 ejected outside the recording medium 1. Has become commonplace. This is because, if recording is not performed so that the recording medium 1 protrudes from the recording medium 1 and is ejected, margins may occur due to problems such as conveyance accuracy and ejection accuracy of the recording medium 1 even if recording without margins is desired. Because there is.

However, in the case of marginless recording, there is a problem that the capacity of the absorber 209 for absorbing the ink 208 ejected outside the recording medium has to be increased. In order to solve this problem, Patent Document 5 discloses a recording method that reduces the amount of ink applied to the edge of an image in the case of marginless recording. In Patent Document 5, the amount of ink applied is reduced by processing image data, reducing ejection energy, and a recording mask.
Japanese Patent Publication No.61-059911 Japanese Patent Publication No.61-059912 Japanese Patent Publication No. 61-059914 JP 2000-351205 PR JP 2002-086701 A Nikkei Electronics May, 1978 issue P50-P65

  For example, in the case of the ink jet recording method disclosed in Patent Document 4, since the amount of ink ejected outside the recording medium increases, the capacity of the absorber must be increased. In order to solve this problem, there is a recording method that reduces the amount of ink applied to the edge of the image as in Patent Document 5.

  However, in the case of recording without margins, the present inventors have found that there is a problem that a part of the ink ejected outside the recording medium becomes a mist and floats although it is not described as a problem in Patent Document 5. ing. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view around the hole 207 and the absorber 209 provided in the platen 206 shown in FIG. As shown in the drawing, the distance between the hole 207 and the absorber 209 provided in the platen 206 from the recording head 5 that ejects the ink 208 is longer than that of the recording medium 1. In addition, an airflow is generated that wraps around the back side of the end of the recording medium. Ink that has lost its kinetic energy in the flight direction immediately after ejection acts as one of the causes due to receiving an air resistance different from that of the ink on the recording medium. Furthermore, the ink droplets ejected by the ink jet recording apparatus tend to be small in order to make the graininess inconspicuous. As ink droplets become smaller, kinetic energy tends to be lost quickly and mist tends to increase.

  As disclosed in Patent Document 5, reducing the amount of ink applied to the end portion has the effect of reducing the absorber capacity and reducing mist. However, the recording mask which is a means for reducing the ink application amount disclosed in Patent Document 5 uses a recording mask different from the non-end portion at the end portion. For this reason, the number of pixels in the direction (sub-scanning direction) perpendicular to the main scanning direction that is the scanning direction of the recording head 5 is the number of nozzles (number of recording elements), and at least two recording masks for the end portion and the non-end portion are used. It is necessary to prepare one. Further, in a general ink jet recording apparatus, the number of recording passes differs depending on the type of recording medium and the recording mode. Therefore, it is necessary to prepare recording masks for end portions and non-end portions for each number of passes. Thus, in order to prepare the recording mask for the end portion and the non-end portion for each pass number with the same number of pixels in the sub-scanning direction, it is necessary to increase the memory capacity. An increase in memory capacity increases costs.

  Further, the present inventors have found that it is necessary to set a reduction in the ink application amount in accordance with the recording conditions. For example, the conveyance accuracy of the recording medium varies depending on the type of the recording medium. Depending on the recording medium, the recording medium may be transported obliquely (skew). Therefore, in the case of a recording medium that tends to skew, the size of the area where the ink is ejected and ejected (the amount of protrusion) Need to be increased. That is, since the range of the end region increases, it is necessary to change the pattern (size and type) setting for reducing the ink application amount. In addition, depending on the image data to be recorded, when the recording duty (recording density per unit area) in the edge region is high, problems such as absorber capacity and mist may occur. Mist may also be generated by rebounding on the recording medium, but the amount of mist generated may vary because the recording mode, ink absorption speed, and the like differ depending on the type of recording medium. Under conditions where mist is likely to occur, it is necessary to change the ink application amount reduction setting. In addition, since the amount of mist generated differs between the light and dark portions, and the amount of ink absorbed by the absorber also differs, it is necessary to change the setting for reducing the ink application amount. Furthermore, since the amount of mist generated differs depending on the type of ink, temperature, and humidity, the setting for reducing the optimum ink application amount differs. Patent Document 5 discloses that ink application amount reduction means such as image data processing, drive energy reduction, or print data thinning pattern processing is set according to the type of recording medium. However, the setting of the pattern found by the present inventors is not disclosed.

The recording apparatus of the present invention is made in view of the above-mentioned problems,
A recording head having a plurality of recording elements for ejecting ink is scanned with respect to the recording medium and a region protruding outside the recording medium to apply the ink to the recording medium. A recording apparatus capable of recording an image without providing a margin at the edge of the medium,
A recording mask for completing the recording of the same area of the recording medium by a plurality of scans and a reduction mask for reducing the amount of ink applied to the area including the area protruding outside the recording medium are stored. Storage means
Recording means for recording an image by applying ink based on the recording mask and the reduction mask;
Have
The number of pixels of the reduction mask with respect to the arrangement direction of the printing elements is smaller than the number of printing elements.

  In the present invention, the ink application amount at the edge of the recording medium is reduced by using a reduction mask in which the number of pixels in the arrangement direction of the recording elements is smaller than the number of recording elements. As a result, even if the number of recording passes differs depending on the type of recording medium and the recording mode, the memory capacity can be increased without preparing recording masks for end portions and non-end portions for each number of passes. Can be suppressed.

  Furthermore, in the present invention, the size of the reduced mask, the pattern characteristics, etc. can be set according to the recording conditions. The amount of ink applied to the outside of the recording medium in accordance with changes in the recording conditions such as the size of the area for ejecting ink outside the recording medium and the recording duty for the area including the area protruding outside the recording medium. May increase. Even in such a case, it is possible to alleviate problems related to mist generation and absorbers.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of a recording apparatus and a recording method of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  In this specification, “recording” not only forms significant information such as characters and figures, but also forms images, patterns, patterns, etc. on a wide recording medium regardless of significance. Or it shall represent also when processing a medium. It does not matter whether it has been made obvious so that humans can perceive it visually.

  The “recording medium” includes not only paper used in general recording apparatuses but also a wide range of cloth, plastic film, metal plate, glass, ceramics, wood, leather, etc. that can accept ink. It shall represent.

  Furthermore, “ink” should be interpreted broadly as in the definition of “recording”, and by being applied on the recording medium, formation of an image, pattern, pattern, etc., or processing of the recording medium, Alternatively, it represents a liquid that can be subjected to ink processing. Examples of the ink treatment include solidification or insolubilization of the colorant in the ink applied to the recording medium.

[Constitution]
FIG. 3 is an overview of an ink jet recording apparatus (hereinafter also simply referred to as a recording apparatus).

  The recording medium 1 is supplied to the recording apparatus one by one by a paper feed roller (not shown) from a cassette (not shown) capable of stacking a plurality of recording media 1 made of paper or plastic sheets. The conveyance roller pairs 3 and 4 are arranged at a predetermined interval and are driven by conveyance motors 25 and 26, respectively, to convey the recording medium 1 supplied by the paper feed roller in the direction of arrow A.

  An ink jet recording head 5 for recording an image on a recording medium 1 ejects ink supplied from an ink cartridge (not shown) from a nozzle provided with a recording element according to an image signal. The recording head 5 has a configuration in which a plurality of nozzles are provided for each color along the direction of the arrow A. Here, the recording element means each element that gives ejection energy to ink, such as an electrothermal converter (heater) or a piezoelectric body (piezoelectric element). The heater acts to convert electricity into heat, generate bubbles in the ink, and eject ink droplets. A piezoelectric element acts on ejecting ink droplets by applying mechanical pressure to ink and applying pressure to the ink. The recording head 5 and the ink cartridge are mounted on a carriage 6 connected to a carriage motor 23 via a belt 7 and pulleys 8a and 8b. The carriage 6 is driven by the carriage motor 23 and reciprocates (reciprocates) along the guide shaft 9.

  With the above configuration, the recording head 5 ejects ink onto the recording medium 1 according to the image signal while moving in the direction of the arrow B or C, and records an image. Further, if necessary, the recording head 5 is returned to the home position, the nozzle clogging is eliminated by the ink recovery device 2, the transport roller pairs 3 and 4 are driven, and the recording medium 1 is moved in the direction of arrow A. Are conveyed by one line (recording by one scanning). By repeating the above operation, an image recorded on the recording medium 1 is completed.

  A direction in which the carriage 6 moves along the guide shaft 9 is referred to as a main scanning direction, and a direction of an arrow A that conveys the recording medium 1 is referred to as a sub scanning direction.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a control system for driving each unit of the ink jet recording apparatus.

  4, the control unit 20 includes a CPU 20a such as a microprocessor, a ROM 20b, a RAM 20c, and the like. The ROM 20b stores a recording control program for the CPU 20a and various data. The RAM 20c is used as a work area for the CPU 20a, and temporarily stores various data such as recording data, a recording mask, and a reduction mask for reducing the ink application amount.

  The control unit 20 is connected to an operation panel 22, a driver 27 that drives various motors, and a driver 28 that drives the recording head 5 via an interface 21.

  The control unit 20 controls various information such as a character pitch and a character type input from the operation panel 22 via the interface 21 and inputs / outputs information such as a recording mode and recording data with the external device 29. . The control unit 20 also drives a motor driver 27 to drive a carriage motor 23 that drives the carriage, a paper feed motor 24 that drives the paper feed roller, and transport motors 25 and 26 that drive the transport roller pairs 3 and 4. Outputs an on / off signal. Further, the control unit 20 outputs recording data corresponding to one scanning of the recording head 5 to the recording head drive driver 28, and performs recording control to record an image. Note that image processing is performed by an external device 29 (for example, a personal computer (PC) as a host device) connected to the ink jet recording apparatus. Among ink jet recording apparatuses, there is also a direct ink jet recording apparatus that includes an image processing program in the ROM 20b, executes image processing without using a PC, and records an image on a recording medium. In the case of a direct inkjet recording device, image data is temporarily stored in the RAM 20c from a storage device included in the direct inkjet recording device or a connected storage device. Then, information relating to the recording mode such as the type and size of the recording medium, whether or not to record without margins, and the recording quality is input from the operation panel 22 or the external device 29. Then, according to the information regarding the recording mode, the image processing program stored in the ROM 20b performs image processing on the image data in the RAM 20c to create recording data, and records the image on the recording medium while controlling recording. To do.

  FIG. 21 is a block diagram illustrating a control system for driving each unit when the external device 29 is a host device such as a PC.

  In FIG. 21, the external device 29 includes, for example, a CPU 101 such as a microprocessor, a RAM 102, a hard disk (HD) 106, and the like. Further, it is connected to a keyboard (KB) 103, a pointing device (PD) 104, and a display (DPY) 105, and is connected to an ink jet recording apparatus via an interface (I / F) 107.

  The hard disk 106 stores various application software, a printer driver for the ink jet recording apparatus, and the like. The application software performs processing for generating image data to be recorded by the ink jet recording apparatus, and passes the generated image data to the printer driver. The user can select information related to the recording mode, such as the type and size of the recording medium, whether to record without margins, and the recording quality, from the printer driver. Then, the printer driver performs image processing according to the image data according to the information regarding the recording mode, and generates recording data. The printer driver is loaded into the RAM 102 and executed under the control of the CPU 101. The generated recording data is supplied to the ink jet recording apparatus via the I / F 107.

[Image processing]
FIG. 5 is a block diagram for explaining image processing in a PC or a direct ink jet recording apparatus. In the figure, the processing flow is to output 8-bit (256 gradations) image data of R, G, and B colors that are input as 1-bit print data of each color of the ink jet recording apparatus. The number of bits is not limited to the above. In addition, the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present embodiment includes inks of C, M, Y, and K colors, and image processing according to this form will be described.

  First, the color processing unit will be described. 8-bit data for each color of R, G, B is converted into 8-bit data for each color of R ', G', B 'by a three-dimensional lookup table (LUT). This processing is called color space conversion processing (previous color processing), and is conversion processing for correcting a difference between the color space of the input image (color space) and the reproduction color space of the output device.

  The R ′, G ′, and B ′ color 8-bit data subjected to the preceding color processing is converted into C, M, Y, and K color 8-bit data by the following three-dimensional LUT. This process is called a color conversion process (second-stage color process), and is a color conversion process for converting an input RGB color to an output CMYK color. The input data is often the additive primary color (RGB) of a light emitter such as a display, but a subtractive color primary color (CMY) color material is used when the color is expressed by reflection of light such as a printer. Therefore, the subsequent color processing is performed.

  The three-dimensional LUT used for the pre-stage color processing and the three-dimensional LUT used for the post-stage color processing hold data discretely, and the obtained data is obtained by interpolation processing. This processing is a known technique. Since there is, detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

  The 8-bit data of each color C, M, Y, and K subjected to the subsequent color processing is subjected to output γ correction by a one-dimensional LUT. Since the relationship between the number of recording dots per unit area and output characteristics (reflection density, etc.) is not a linear relationship in many cases, by applying output γ correction, the input levels of C, M, Y, and K8 bits Assures a linear relationship with the output characteristics at that time.

  The above is an explanation of the operation of the color processing unit. Input R, G, and B 8-bit image data is converted into 8-bit image data for each of the C, M, Y, and K inks of the inkjet recording apparatus that is the output device. .

  Next, data of 8 bits for each color of C, M, Y, and K is sent to the quantization processing unit. Since the ink jet recording apparatus of the present embodiment is a binary recording apparatus, 8-bit data for each color of C, M, Y, and K is finally quantized to 1-bit data for each color of C, M, Y, and K. The

  In this embodiment, a quantization method using an error diffusion method (ED) that can smoothly express a photographic tone halftone image by a binary recording apparatus is used. The ED quantizes the data of 8 bits for each color of C, M, Y, and K into recording data of 1 bit for each color of C, M, Y, and K. The details of the quantization method using the error diffusion method are various techniques such as Non-Patent Document 1, and various documents and papers have already been published.

[Recording control]
In an ink jet recording apparatus, the ink application position ejected from a certain nozzle may deviate from a desired position, and unevenness may occur in a line recorded by this nozzle. Therefore, a so-called multi-pass printing is known in which the same area is printed by a plurality of scans so that each line is applied with ink by a plurality of different nozzles. According to multi-pass printing, ink is applied to each line by a plurality of different nozzles, so even if there is a nozzle whose ink application position deviates from a desired position, unevenness of the line can be made inconspicuous. .

  FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining recording control in multi-pass recording. Recording control in multipass recording is performed by using recording data generated by image processing and a recording mask. Here, an example will be described in which the recording head is composed of 16 nozzles for each color and image recording in the same region is completed by two scans (two-pass recording). FIG. 6A is a diagram schematically showing a recording mask M1 used for two-pass printing. The recording mask M1 is composed of 16 pixels in the sub-scanning direction (vertical direction), which is equal to 16 nozzles for each color. The main scanning direction (horizontal direction) of the recording mask M1 is described as 32 pixels, but the number of pixels is not limited to this. In the first pass, the data area M11 for the upper half 8 pixels is used in the recording mask M1, and in the second pass, the data area M12 for the lower half 8 pixels is used.

  FIG. 6B is a diagram schematically showing a part of the recording data D1. An image corresponding to data of three areas (each band data from the first band to the third band) divided into 8 pixels from the top of the recording data D1 is recorded on the recording medium in two passes using the recording mask M1. To be recorded. In FIG. 6A, each pixel in the data areas M11 and M12 corresponds to each pixel in the recording data D1. Also, black pixels shown in the recording mask M1 and the recording data D1 indicate pixels that perform recording (apply ink), and white pixels indicate pixels that do not perform recording. In terms of data, for example, a black pixel is “1” and a white pixel is “0”. In printing in each pass, when both the pixel of the recording mask M1 and the pixel of the recording data D1 corresponding thereto are “1”, ink is ejected from the corresponding nozzle to apply the ink to the recording medium. If either is “0”, ink is not applied. That is, a logical product is calculated for the corresponding pixels of the recording mask M1 and the recording data D1, and ink is applied when the logical product is “1”, and ink is not applied when the logical product is “0”. Thus, an image is recorded on the recording medium.

  When the number of pixels in the main scanning direction of the recording mask M1 is less than the number of pixels in the main scanning direction of the recording data D1, the recording mask M1 is repeatedly applied as it is in the main scanning direction. Alternatively, the recording mask M1 can be applied while being shifted in the main scanning direction.

  The first pass of the data area D11 of the first band was recorded by associating the data area D11 (first band data area) of 8 pixels from the top of the recording data D1 with the data area M11 of the recording mask M1. After that, the recording medium is conveyed for one scanning (for eight pixels) in the sub-scanning direction. Then, the data area D11 of the first band is made to correspond to the data area M12 of the recording mask M1, and the second pass is recorded. At the same time, the next band data area D12 (second band data) is made to correspond to the first pass recording mask M11, and the first pass of the second band data area D12 is recorded. Thereafter, the control described above is repeated to record an image corresponding to the recording data D1 on the recording medium.

  In the above description, multi-pass printing has been described by taking two passes as an example, but the number of passes is not limited to this. In multi-pass printing in cases other than two passes, the print mask M1 may be divided in the sub-scanning direction according to the number of print passes and applied to the print data D1. For example, in the case of four passes, the print mask M1 may be divided into four in the sub-scanning direction, and printing may be performed using data for four pixels in the sub-scanning direction in each pass. Further, when the recording mask M1 is divided according to the number of passes, the number of pixels in the sub-scanning direction in each data area does not have to be the same. For example, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, two recording masks M2 and M3 are prepared. Then, in the data area D21 of the first band of the recording data D2 shown in FIG. 7C (data area for 6 pixels in the sub scanning direction), the data area M21 of the recording mask M2 (for 6 pixels in the sub scanning direction). Data area) and the first pass of the data area D21 of the first band is recorded. Next, the recording medium is conveyed for the second band (for 10 pixels in the sub-scanning direction). The second band data area D22 (data for 10 pixels in the sub-scanning direction) is made to correspond to the data area M31 (data for 10 pixels in the sub-scanning direction) of the recording mask M3. One pass of the data area D22 is recorded. At the same time, the data area M32 of the recording mask M3 (data area for 6 pixels in the sub-scanning direction) is associated with the data area D21 of the first band, and the second pass of the data area D21 of the first band. Record. Further, the recording medium is conveyed by 6 pixels in the sub-scanning direction, the data area M21 of the recording mask M2 is made to correspond to the first pass of the data area D23 of the third band, and the data area M22 of the recording mask M2 is changed to the first area. Corresponding to the second pass of the data area D22 of the second band. Thereafter, an image can be completed by repeating similar control.

[Reduction mask]
Next, the size and pattern characteristics in the reduction mask will be described. In this embodiment, the amount of ink applied to the outside of the recording medium is reduced by using a reduction mask. The reduction mask has an advantage of suppressing an increase in memory capacity compared to a case where pixels to which ink is not applied are determined by a recording mask.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram schematically showing the reduction mask R1 in order to explain the size of the reduction mask. The reduction mask R1 is characterized in that the number of pixels corresponding to the sub-scanning direction is equal to or less than the number of recording elements that perform recording in one pass. In the reduction mask R1 shown in FIG. 8, the number of pixels in the sub-scanning direction is equal to the number of printing elements when printing is performed in one pass, and white pixels are pixels to be reduced. In the recording control using the recording mask M1 in FIG. 6A, the number of pixels in the sub-scanning direction in one scan is 8, so the number of pixels in the sub-scanning direction of the reduction mask may be set to 8. When two recording masks M2 and M3 are used as shown in FIG. 7, a reduction mask having 6 pixels in the sub-scanning direction and a reduction mask having 10 pixels may be prepared. The number of pixels in the main scanning direction of the reduction mask may be set as appropriate, and the reduction mask may be used repeatedly in the main scanning direction, offset, or partially used as necessary. You can also.

  9 and 10 are diagrams for explaining pattern characteristics of the reduction mask. When recording is performed using a reduction mask, if all the pixels of the recording data are “1” indicating that ink is applied, the portion where recording is performed using the reduction mask applies ink according to the pattern of the reduction mask. The amount is reduced. The pixel position of the reduction mask corresponds to the pixel position of each recording related data such as image data, recording data, and recording mask. FIG. 9 schematically shows a reduction mask R2 for a regular pattern (regular pattern), and FIG. 10 schematically shows a reduction mask R3 for an irregular pattern (irregular pattern). When all the pixels of the recording data are “1” or when the pixels indicating “1” are irregularly arranged, the ink is used in both the regular pattern reduction mask R2 and the irregular pattern reduction mask R3. There is a high possibility that the applied amount can be reduced. However, for example, in the case of an image centered on a ruled line, there is a high possibility that pixels indicating “1” are regularly arranged as compared with a photographic image. At this time, if the reduction mask R2 has a fixed pattern, there is a high possibility that the recording position (pixel position indicating “1”) of the recording data and the thinning position by the reduction mask are synchronized (matched). As a result, the ink application amount may not be reduced. On the other hand, in the case of the reduced mask R3 having an irregular pattern, the possibility of tuning is low even if the recording data is regular. Further, when the regular pattern reduction mask R2 is used, a regular pattern may be generated in the thinned image. Therefore, the irregular pattern reduction mask R3 is more preferable. As the irregular pattern, there are a random pattern using random numbers, a pattern in which randomness has a blue noise characteristic, and the like. Among these, an irregular pattern having a plurality of regions with irregular reduction ratios in the pattern and in which the number of masked pixels changes stepwise is particularly preferable.

  11 and 12 are also diagrams for explaining pattern characteristics of the reduction mask. When performing recording without margins, ink is also ejected to the edge of the recording medium and outside the recording medium (the area that protrudes outside the recording medium), which causes an increase in absorber capacity and an increase in mist. It has become. Therefore, it is effective to reduce the amount of ink applied to a region (end region) including at least one of the end portions of the recording medium or the outside of the recording medium. Further, when the ink application amount in the edge area is reduced by the reduction mask, there is a density difference at the boundary with the area inside the recording medium (non-edge area) where the reduction mask is not used, and this density difference causes image degradation. May be invited. Therefore, in order to make this density difference inconspicuous, it is preferable to gradually reduce the reduction rate as the non-end region is approached in the reduction mask as in the reduction mask R4 shown in FIG. Note that stepwise means that the reduction rate changes stepwise and the reduction rate changes continuously.

  In addition, since the positional relationship between the end region and the non-end region changes depending on the position of each recording related data to which the reduction mask is applied, it is preferable to change the reduction mask according to the position of each recording related data. For example, FIG. 12A shows a reduction mask R4 that is applied to recording-related data in which the left side in the drawing corresponds to the end region and the right side in the drawing corresponds to the non-end region. In this case, it is preferable to reduce the reduction rate in the right direction in the drawing (from the end region to the non-end region). Similarly, as shown in FIGS. 12B to 12D, the reduction masks applied to the positions of the right end, upper end, and lower end of the recording-related data in the drawings are also changed from the end region to the non-end region. It is preferable to reduce the reduction rate. The same applies to the case of application to the four corner regions. As shown in FIG. 12E, it is preferable to reduce the reduction rate from each corner to the inside. Note that the reduction rate indicates a ratio occupied by “0” pixels (pixels to which ink is not applied) among pixels having the same distance from the edge of the edge region. For example, the reduction rate for the edge region in the left-right direction is a value obtained by dividing the sum of “0” of each pixel column in the sub-scanning direction by the total number of pixels in the sub-scanning direction.

[First Embodiment]
Hereinafter, a recording method using a reduction mask will be described. First, in the present embodiment, a method for first calculating the logical product of a recording mask and a reduction mask will be described. That is, first, a logical product of the recording mask and the reduction mask is calculated to generate a reduced recording mask that realizes ink reduction. Next, a logical product of the generated reduced recording mask and recording data is calculated to perform recording with a reduced ink application amount.

  A method for generating a reduced recording mask will be described with reference to FIG. Here, a case will be described as an example where the ink application amount in the end region of the recording medium corresponding to the thick line frame in FIG. 13A or 13C is reduced. A recording mask M0 in FIG. 13A is a recording mask for performing four-pass printing using a 128-nozzle printing head. It is composed of 256 pixels in the main scanning direction, 128 pixels in the sub-scanning direction, and 32 pixels in the sub-scanning direction of each pass. Each pixel is 1 bit, and “0” (no ink is applied) or “1”. ”(Apply ink).

  Further, the reduction mask R0 in FIG. 13B is composed of 64 pixels in the main scanning direction and 32 pixels in the sub-scanning direction, and extends in the right direction (from the end region to the non-end region) in the drawing. The reduction rate is gradually decreasing. This reduction mask R0 has a reduction rate of 20% on the end region side with the highest reduction rate and 0% on the non-end region side with the lowest reduction rate. The reduction mask R0 is one bit for each pixel, and is “0” (ink is not applied) for ink reduction or “1” (ink is applied) for ink reduction. Note that the reduction rate here is a value obtained by dividing the sum of “0” in a column having the reduction mask R0 by the total number of pixels (32 pixels) in the sub-scanning direction.

  The reduced recording mask RM0 shown in FIG. 13C is generated by calculating the logical product of the data in the left end area E1 (inside the thick line frame) of the recording mask M0 and the reduction mask R0 for each pass. Similarly, reduced recording masks are generated for the other end regions.

  Next, the flow of the recording method using the reduction mask in the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  First, in step S110, a recording mask M0 to be applied to recording in each pass is provided. The recording mask M0 may be stored in either the external device 29 or the ink jet recording device.

  Next, a reduction mask R0 is provided in step S120. Similarly to the recording mask M0, the reduction mask R0 may be stored in either the external device 29 or the ink jet recording apparatus.

  Next, in step S130, the logical product of the recording mask M0 and the reduction mask R0 is calculated to generate a reduced recording mask RM0. Here, the reduction mask R0 is applied to the end region of the recording mask M0, and a reduced recording mask RM0 is generated by calculating a logical product in the overlapping region of the recording mask M0 and the reduction mask R0.

  Next, in step S140, the recording data D0 is input. As described above, the recording data D0 is obtained by converting 8-bit image data of R, G, and B colors into C, M, Y, and K colors 1 through the pre-stage color process, the post-stage color process, the quantization process, and the like. It can be obtained by converting into bit-quantized data.

  Further, in step S150, the logical product of the reduced recording mask RM0 obtained in step S130 and the recording data D0 is performed, and in step S160, recording is performed on the recording medium based on the S150 calculation result.

  Note that the reduction mask not only reduces the ink application amount in the end region, but also applies it to the desired position in each pass of the recording mask to reduce the ink application amount in the entire image and the desired region. Can also be used. In this case, a reduction mask having a constant reduction rate may be used instead of the reduction mask in which the reduction rate changes stepwise. It is preferable to execute the recording control for reducing the ink application amount in the recording mode for saving the amount of ink used and improving the recording speed. Furthermore, it is not essential to execute the above control together with the control for reducing the amount of ink applied to the end region, and it is also possible to execute it alone.

  In the present embodiment, the memory capacity required for the reduction mask can be reduced to ¼ as compared with the case where the end recording mask is prepared separately from the non-end recording mask as described in the background art. .

  It is also possible to realize ink reduction by performing a logical product of print data and print data after performing a logical product of print mask and reduction mask for each band area.

  The size and pattern characteristics of the reduction mask include image characteristics (image type, recording duty, etc.), recording mode (number of passes, etc.), protrusion amount (area that protrudes from the recording medium and ejects ink), recording mask, etc. It is preferable to change this according to the recording conditions, which will be described in detail later.

[Second Embodiment]
In the first embodiment, the recording method for reducing the ink application amount by first calculating the logical product of the recording mask and the reduction mask has been described. In the second embodiment, a recording method for reducing the ink application amount by first calculating the logical product of the recording data and the reduction mask will be described. In addition, about the structure similar to 1st Embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  In the present embodiment, the logical product of print data and a reduction mask is first calculated to generate reduced print data that realizes a reduction in ink application amount. Next, a logical product of the generated reduced recording data and the recording mask is calculated to perform recording with a reduced ink application amount.

  In the recording data D0 of FIG. 14A, the logical product of the data of the end area (inside the bold line frame) E2 of each band area of the 4-pass recording and the reduction mask R0 is calculated, thereby obtaining FIG. 14C. Reduced recording data RD0 that realizes the ink reduction shown is generated. Similarly, reduced recording data is generated for the other end regions.

  In this embodiment, since the logical product of the recording data D0 and the reduction mask R0 is calculated for each band, even in the case of multi-pass printing with a large number of passes, the logical product is performed once for each end region. Just do it. That is, when the number of passes in multi-pass recording is large, there is an effect of reducing the number of logical products compared to the first embodiment, and high-speed recording is possible.

  The recording method of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. Detailed description of steps common to the first embodiment will be omitted.

  First, in step S210, recording data D0 is input.

  Next, a reduction mask R0 is provided in step S220.

  Next, in step S230, the reduction mask R0 is applied to the recording data D0, the logical product of the recording data D0 and the reduction mask R0 is calculated, and the reduction recording data RD0 is generated.

  Next, a recording mask M0 for multi-pass recording is provided in step S240. The region masked by the recording mask M0 is characterized by being larger than the region masked by the reduction mask R0.

  In step S250, the logical product of the reduced recording data RD0 generated in step S230 and the recording mask M0 is performed, and recording is performed on the recording medium in step S260 based on the calculation result.

  As in the first embodiment, for the non-end region, the reduction mask is calculated on the desired position of each band of the recording data, thereby calculating the entire image or the desired region. On the other hand, the ink application amount can be reduced.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, it is possible to perform printing with a reduced ink application amount in the edge region using the reduced recording data generated from the logical product operation of the recording data and the reduction mask. In particular, in the present embodiment, since the logical product of the recording data and the reduction mask is calculated for each band, high-speed recording is possible in multi-pass recording with a large number of passes.

[Third Embodiment]
In this embodiment, the logical product of the print data and print mask logical product data for multi-pass printing and the reduction mask is calculated to perform printing with a reduced ink application amount. The same components as those already described in the first and second embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

  First, a logical product of the recording mask M0 and the recording data D0 is calculated to generate logical product data (hereinafter, masked data MD0) of the recording mask M0 and the recording data D0. Then, the logical product of the masked data MD0 and the reduction mask R0 is calculated to perform recording with a reduced ink application amount.

  The logical product of the masked data MD0 and the reduction mask R0 will be described with reference to FIG. Here, a case will be described in which the ink application amount in the end region of the recording medium corresponding to the thick line frame in FIG. 15A or FIG. 15C is reduced. The recording data D0 is recorded in four passes using a 128 nozzle recording head. The recording mask M0 is a recording mask for use in control when performing four-pass recording using a 128-nozzle recording head. Further, the recording mask M0 is composed of 256 pixels in the main scanning direction, 128 pixels in the sub-scanning direction, and 32 pixels in the sub-scanning direction of each pass, and each pixel is 1 bit and “0” ( No ink is applied) or “1” (ink is applied).

  First, the masked data MD0 is generated by calculating the logical product of the recording data D0 and the recording mask M0. Then, in the masked data MD0 shown in FIG. 15A, the logical product of the data of the area E3 (in the thick line frame) corresponding to the end area and the reduction mask R0 is calculated for each pass. In this way, as shown in FIG. 15C, data MRD0 that has been subjected to mask processing for multi-pass printing and that realizes a reduction in ink application amount can be generated. Similarly, for other end regions, mask processing for multipass printing is completed and data for reducing the ink application amount is generated.

  Here, the flow of the recording method of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. Detailed description of steps common to the first and second embodiments is omitted.

  First, in step S310, recording data D0 is input.

  Next, in step S320, a recording mask M0 that is applied to the recording of each pass in multi-pass printing is provided.

  Next, in step S330, the logical product of the recording data D0 and the recording mask M0 is calculated to generate logical product data (masked data) MD0.

  Next, a reduction mask R0 is provided in step S340. The region masked by the reduction mask R0 is smaller than the region masked by the recording mask M0.

  Further, in step S350, the logical product of the end region of the masked data MD0 generated in step S330 and the reduction mask R0 is performed. Then, recording is performed in step S360 based on the calculation result in step S350.

  Similar to the above-described embodiment, for the non-end region, the reduction mask R0 is ANDed with respect to a desired position in each band region of the masked data MD0, so that the entire recording medium or desired It is possible to reduce the amount of ink applied to the region.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, it is possible to perform printing with a reduced amount of ink applied to the edge region using the logical product data of the printing data and the printing mask.

[Fourth Embodiment]
In the present embodiment, a method for performing printing with a reduced ink application amount from image data and a reduction mask for changing the data value of a partial area of the image data will be described.

  Here, the image data is data before the quantization process, and the data value of this image data is changed (thinned out) by the reduction mask, thereby performing recording with a reduced ink application amount to the edge region.

  The change of the image data using the reduction mask will be described with reference to FIG. Here, a case where the ink application amount in the end region of the recording medium corresponding to the thick line frame in FIG. 16A or FIG. 16C is reduced will be described as an example. The image data G0 shown in FIG. 16A is composed of 8 bits of R, G, and B, and is data that has not been subjected to decompression and compression processing to match the recording medium size.

  Further, the reduction mask R′0 in FIG. 16B changes the data value of a part of the image data G0, and is composed of 32 pixels in the main scanning direction and 16 pixels in the sub-scanning direction. ing. This is because it is determined that the end region of the image data G0 corresponds to 32 pixels in the main scanning direction. The end area can be determined from the relationship between the image data size, the recording size on the recording medium, and the amount of protrusion. The reduction rate of the reduction mask R′0 gradually decreases in the right direction in the figure (from the end region to the non-end region). Here, the reduction rate on the end region side is 10%, and the non-end region side is 0%. In the reduction mask R′0, a small number in the range of 0 to 1 is set for each pixel, the end region having a reduction rate of 10% is 0.1, and the non-end region having a reduction rate of 0% is 0. .0 is set.

The thick frame shown in FIG. 16A is an end region of the image data G0, and the reduction mask R′0 of FIG. 16B is sequentially applied to the end region for each number of pixels in the sub-scanning direction. (See FIG. 16C). Here, the leftmost pixel in the figure of the image data G0 corresponds to the leftmost pixel in the figure of the reduction mask R′0, and the calculation of the ink application reduction amount corresponding to the leftmost pixel in the figure of the image data G0 will be described. . Assume that the data values of a pixel in the end region at the left end of the image data G0 are R = 25, G = 40, and B = 32. The reduction rate r of the reduction mask R′0 is r = 0.1. In this case, if R, G, and B after reduction are Rr, Gr, and Br,
Rr = R + (255−R) × r = 48 (after rounding off)
Gr = G + (255−G) × r = 62 (after rounding off)
Br = B + (255−B) × r = 54 (after rounding off)
It becomes.

Further, when the image data G0 is C, M, Y, and K8-bit image data, and the pixels in the left end side region in the figure are C = 230, M = 215, Y = 223, and K = 0, the reduction is performed. Later Cr, Mr, Yr, Kr are
Cr = C−C × r = 207 (after rounding off)
Mr = M−M × r = 194 (after rounding off)
Yr = Y−Y × r = 201 (after rounding off)
Kr = K−K × r = 0 (after rounding off)
It becomes.

  The reduction calculation described here is an example, and the reduction ratio may be indicated by putting an integer value in the value of the reduction mask R′0 and dividing it by the maximum value. High-speed and small-scale calculation may be realized by calculation. Further, when the image data G0 is R, G, B, a method of adding a specific value to R, G, B of the corresponding pixel by the reduction mask R′0 may be used. When the image data is C, M, Y, or K, a method of subtracting a specific value from the reduction mask R′0 from C, M, Y, or K of the corresponding pixel may be used. Further, it is not limited to the four arithmetic operations, for example, a method of adding a value obtained by bit-shifting the value in the reduction mask R′0, the value of the reduction mask R′0 and the table (lookup table) are associated with each other, It can also be realized by a method of changing the data value of the image data G0 according to the table.

  In this way, by changing (thinning out) the data value corresponding to a partial area of the image data G0, the ink application amount can be reduced with respect to the recording on the end area of the recording medium without using the recording mask. it can.

  Further, by applying the reduction mask R′0 to the image data before decompressing the image data, it is possible to reduce the calculation amount and reduce the size of the reduction mask R′0. On the contrary, when the image data needs to be compressed, the reduction mask R′0 is applied to the compressed image data to reduce the amount of calculation and the size of the reduction mask R′0. Can do. Even if the reduction mask R′0 is applied after the image data is expanded, the ink application amount can be reduced.

  Further, the ink application amount can be reduced for the other end portions by the same method as described above. Further, by applying the reduction mask R'0 to the desired position of the image data also for the non-end region, the ink application amount can be reduced for the entire image or the desired region.

  A recording data generation method according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG.

  First, in step S410, image data G0 that is data before quantization processing is generated by the host device. In the case of a direct ink jet recording apparatus, it is generated by the recording apparatus main body.

  Next, in step S420, the data value is changed (thinned out) by applying the reduction mask R'0 to a partial region (end region) of the image data G0.

  Next, in step S430, the image data from which the data values in the end region are thinned is quantized and converted into recording data.

  As described above, in this embodiment, it is possible to perform recording with a reduced ink application amount by applying a reduction mask to the image data end region and thinning out the data value of the image data.

[Fifth Embodiment]
In the present embodiment, a configuration for setting the size, pattern characteristics, etc. of the reduction mask according to the information regarding the recording conditions in the step of providing the reduction mask in each of the above-described embodiments will be described. The information regarding the recording condition is information acquired by at least one of the inkjet recording apparatus or the external apparatus 29 (printer driver in the external apparatus 29). The reduction mask setting may be executed by preparing a plurality of reduction masks having different sizes and pattern characteristics and selecting from the plurality of reduction masks according to the printing conditions. Alternatively, the control unit 20 may change the size of the reduction mask, the pattern characteristics, or the like according to the recording conditions.

  During marginless recording, the amount of mist generated increases with an increase in the amount of ink that protrudes from the recording medium and may cause image deterioration. Further, when the amount of ink applied outside the recording medium increases, there is a problem that the ink overflows from the absorber or that the absorber capacity must be increased in advance. Therefore, it is preferable that the control unit 20 sets the size of the reduced mask, the pattern characteristics, and the like in accordance with the increase in the amount of ink applied to the outside of the recording medium accompanying the change in the recording condition such as the amount of protrusion and the recording duty. It is. Hereinafter, the size, pattern characteristics, etc. of the reduction mask suitable for each recording condition will be described.

(image data)
From the image data, it can be determined by various methods whether the image to be recorded is an image centered on characters or ruled lines or a photographic image. In the case of a character or ruled line image, since the recording duty is relatively low, the amount of ink that protrudes from the recording medium and the amount of mist generated therewith tend to be small. Therefore, it is preferable to set a reduction mask having a size and pattern characteristics that reduce the amount of ink to be reduced. On the other hand, in the case of a photographic image, since the recording duty is often higher than that of a character or ruled line image, it is preferable to set a size or pattern characteristic reduction mask that reduces the amount of ink to be reduced. Thereby, reduction of the problem regarding the above-mentioned mist generation and an absorber can be aimed at.

(Recorded data)
Since the recording duty of the image to be recorded can also be determined from the recording data, as described in the section of image data, when the recording duty is high, it is possible to set a size or pattern characteristic reduction mask with a large amount of ink to be reduced. Is preferred.

(Recording mask)
The number of passes for multi-pass printing can be determined from the correspondence table of printing masks and printing modes. When comparing the case where the number of passes is small and the case where the number of passes is large, the recording duty in one scan tends to be higher when the number of passes is small. Although the recording duty varies depending on the pattern characteristics of the recording mask, the recording duty can be determined from the pattern characteristics of the recording mask. Therefore, in accordance with the recording mask, when the recording duty is high, it is preferable to set a reduction mask having a size and pattern characteristics with a large amount of ink to be reduced.

(Logical data of recording data and recording mask)
It is possible to determine the recording duty from the logical product data of the recording data and the recording mask. When the recording duty of the image to be recorded is high, it is preferable to set a reduction mask with a large amount of ink to be reduced and a pattern characteristic. is there.

(Recording mode)
Depending on the recording mode, the three-dimensional LUT and the output γ table for the subsequent color processing are changed, and the ink application amount and the recording duty differ accordingly. The number of passes and the recording mask may be changed according to the recording mode, but the number of passes and the recording mask can be determined from the selected recording mode. In view of this, it is preferable to set a reduction mask having a pattern characteristic that reduces the size and the amount of ink when the printing duty is high, depending on the printing mode.

(Recording quality)
Depending on the recording quality, the three-dimensional LUT, the output γ table, and the recording mask are changed. Therefore, it is preferable to set a reduction mask having a size and pattern characteristics that reduce the amount of ink when the recording duty is high, depending on the recording quality.

(With or without margins)
When printing without margins, the amount of mist generated and the amount of ink absorbed by the absorber tend to increase. For this reason, when performing recording without margins, that is, when performing recording without providing margins on the recording medium, it is preferable to set a size or pattern characteristic reduction mask with a large amount of ink to be reduced.

(Type of recording medium)
The conveyance accuracy varies depending on the type of the recording medium, and a recording medium with low conveyance accuracy may set a large amount of protrusion so that no margin is generated even when the recording medium is skewed. Also, the amount of mist generated due to rebound from the recording medium varies depending on the type of recording medium. Therefore, depending on the type of recording medium, if the amount of ink that protrudes outside the recording medium and the amount of mist generated due to splashing are large, a reduction mask with a large amount of ink to be reduced and a pattern characteristic reduction mask is set. Is preferred.

(Size of recording medium)
When recording the same image data on recording media of different sizes, the amount of ink that protrudes from the recording medium varies depending on the size of the recording medium. In other words, when the size of the recording medium is small and the amount of ink that is ejected out of the recording medium is large, it is preferable to set a size or pattern characteristic reduction mask with a large amount of ink to be reduced.

(Layout)
The position of an image having a high recording duty corresponding to the recording medium can be determined based on the layout of the image on the recording medium. When an image having a high recording duty is present in the end region, the above-described problem of mist generation and absorber can be reduced by increasing the ink application amount reduction rate for the end region. Therefore, it is preferable to set the size and pattern characteristics of the reduction mask according to the layout.

(Performance of recording device)
Regarding the performance of the recording apparatus, the amount of ink protruding from the recording medium varies depending on the conveyance accuracy and the size of the ink droplets ejected from the recording head. When the conveyance accuracy of the recording apparatus is low, the amount of ink that protrudes from the recording medium tends to increase. Also, the amount of bounce mist and the amount of ink protruding from the recording medium vary depending on the size of the ink droplets ejected by the recording head. That is, if the ink droplet size is large, the amount of ink protruding from the recording medium increases. On the other hand, when the ink droplet size is reduced, the kinetic energy is lost quickly, so that the amount of mist generated tends to increase. Therefore, it is preferable to set the size and pattern characteristics of the reduction mask according to the performance of the printing apparatus.

(ink)
The amount of mist generated varies depending on the type of ink, for example, the viscosity. In addition, when the remaining amount of ink is low, recording may be performed while saving ink. Therefore, it is preferable to set the size and pattern characteristics of the reduction mask according to the type of ink and the remaining amount of ink.

(Absorber)
When the amount of ink that can be absorbed by the absorber is small, the amount of ink overflowing from the recording medium can be delayed by reducing the amount of ink ejected from the recording medium. Therefore, the recording apparatus can be provided with a configuration that can directly detect the amount of ink held by the absorber. Further, the recording apparatus is provided with a configuration for estimating the amount of ink held in the absorber according to information (recording data, etc.) relating to the amount of ink ejected outside the recording medium and the elapsed time since the ink was ejected. be able to. In this way, it is preferable to set the size and pattern characteristics of the reduction mask according to the situation of the ink amount of the absorber.

(mist)
By providing detection means that can directly detect the amount of mist generated in the printing device, when a large amount of mist is detected, a reduction mask with a large amount of ink to be reduced and pattern characteristics can be set. Degradation of the image due to the occurrence of mist can be reduced. Therefore, it is preferable to set the size and pattern characteristics of the reduction mask according to the mist generation conditions.

(Environmental condition)
The amount of ink ejected at one time (the amount of ink per droplet) and the amount of mist generated vary depending on the temperature (ambient temperature of the recording device, temperature of the recording head, etc.) and humidity, which are environmental conditions for the recording device. For example, the amount of ink ejected once increases as the temperature of the recording head increases, so the amount of ink that protrudes outside the recording medium increases. Therefore, it is preferable to set the size and pattern characteristics of the reduction mask according to the environmental conditions.

(Recording result)
For example, as a result of recording with the ink application amount reduced, the ink reduction amount is too large, so that the density difference between the end region and the non-end region is conspicuous and image deterioration may occur. In such a case, the density difference can be mitigated by setting a size or pattern characteristic reduction mask with a small ink reduction amount. If the recording apparatus detects the recording density of the recording medium during recording and determines that the density difference is conspicuous, reduction masks having different sizes and pattern characteristics may be set in the middle of recording. Therefore, it is preferable to set a reduction mask having a different size and pattern characteristics depending on the recording result.

(Excess amount)
When performing printing without margins in a printing apparatus in which the amount of protrusion can be set freely by the user and the amount of protrusion is set large, the above-described mist or Problems related to the absorber can be reduced. Therefore, it is preferable to set the size and pattern characteristics of the reduction mask according to the amount of protrusion.

It is explanatory drawing of the marginless recording by an inkjet recording device. FIG. 2 is an enlarged explanatory view of FIG. 1. It is a general-view figure of an inkjet recording device. It is a block diagram explaining the control system of an inkjet recording device. It is a block diagram explaining image processing. It is a figure explaining recording control using a recording mask. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating recording control using a recording mask different from that in FIG. 6. It is a figure explaining the size of a reduction mask. It is a figure explaining the pattern characteristic (standard pattern) of a reduction mask. It is a figure explaining the pattern characteristic (irregular pattern) of a reduction mask. It is a figure explaining the pattern characteristic from which the reduction rate of a reduction mask changes in steps. It is a figure explaining the reduction mask according to the position with respect to recording related data. It is a figure explaining 1st Embodiment. It is a figure explaining 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure explaining 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure explaining 4th Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the flow of the recording method in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the flow of the recording method in 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the flow of the recording method in 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the flow of the recording method in 4th Embodiment. It is a block diagram explaining the control system of an external device.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Recording medium 2 Recording head recovery apparatus 3 1st conveyance roller pair 4 2nd conveyance roller pair 5 Recording head 6 Carriage 7 Belt 8a Pulley 8b Pulley 9 Guide shaft 20a CPU
20b ROM
20c RAM
21 Interface 22 Operation panel 23 Carriage drive motor 24 Paper feed motor 25 First transport roller drive motor 26 Second transport roller drive motor 27 Motor driver 28 Recording head drive driver 29 External device 206 Platen 207 Hole 208 Ink 209 Absorber

Claims (5)

A recording head having a plurality of recording elements for ejecting ink is scanned with respect to the recording medium and a region protruding outside the recording medium to apply the ink to the recording medium. A recording apparatus capable of recording an image without providing a margin at the edge of the medium,
A recording mask for completing the recording of the same area of the recording medium by a plurality of scans and a reduction mask for reducing the amount of ink applied to the area including the area protruding outside the recording medium are stored. Storage means
Recording means for recording an image by applying ink based on the recording mask and the reduction mask;
Have
The number of pixels of the reduction mask with respect to the arrangement direction of the recording elements is smaller than the number of recording elements. An acquisition means for acquiring recording conditions for recording an image by applying ink to the recording medium;
Changing means for changing the reduction rate of the reduction mask according to the recording conditions;
Further comprising
The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording unit records an image by applying ink based on the reduction mask having a reduced reduction rate.   The recording condition is a condition relating to at least one of a recording density with respect to an area including an area protruding outside the recording medium or a size of an area where ink is ejected to the outside of the recording medium. The recording apparatus according to claim 2.   The recording conditions include recording-related data, recording mode, recording quality, presence / absence of margin, type of recording medium, size of recording medium, image layout on recording medium, performance of recording apparatus, type of ink, absorption The recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the recording apparatus is a condition based on information on at least one of a body, a mist, a recording position, an environmental condition, and a recording result.   The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reduction rate of the reduction mask changes stepwise from the outside to the inside of the recording medium.