JP2010137516A - Recording head control device, recording device, and recording head control method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a recording head control device, a recording device, and a recording head control method which can carry out recording and idling discharge among different recording element arrays of a recording head in the same recording period. <P>SOLUTION: A drive signal is a signal in which first to fifth drive pulses DP1 to DP5 are arranged in a print period TA for determining one dot (drawing (a)). Print data SI and definition data SPf for flushing are transferred to the head drive circuit corresponding to the nozzle array which is to carry out flushing (drawing (c)). A decoder, to which 2-bit gradation information (HL) constituting the print data SI is input, always outputs pulse select information (10110) based on the definition data SPf regardless of the value of the gradation information (HL) (drawing (b)). As a result, the first, third, and fourth drive pulses DP1, DP3, and DP4 are applied to the discharge drive elements constituting the nozzle array which is to carry out flushing, and flushing is carried out (drawing (a)). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a recording head control apparatus, a recording apparatus, and a recording head control apparatus that drive-controls a plurality of recording element arrays corresponding to a plurality of nozzle arrays provided in a recording head, and selectively performs recording and idle ejection for each nozzle array The present invention relates to a recording head control method.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, in a serial printer, printing is performed on a sheet as a recording head reciprocates in the main scanning direction.
For example, in Patent Documents 1 to 4, in order to perform ejection control for ejecting ink droplets from a recording head, a driving signal including a plurality of driving pulses is output within one recording period, which is a formation period of one dot. By selecting one or a plurality of drive pulses from the drive pulses according to the print data and sending them to the piezoelectric vibrator (recording element), large, medium and small ink droplets can be ejected from the nozzles of the print head. It was. At this time, along with the print data, definition data (program (pattern) data) that defines the pulse selection information indicating the correspondence between the print data and the drive pulse is transferred to the head drive circuit together with the print data to define the print data and the definition. One or a plurality of drive pulses determined from the data are selected.

  Further, in Patent Document 5, in order to prevent ink clogging due to an increase in ink viscosity of a nozzle with low ejection frequency, flushing (in which ink droplets that are not related to recording are ejected from the nozzles of the recording head periodically during printing) A printing apparatus that performs (empty ejection) is disclosed. In this printing apparatus, waste liquid collection mechanisms (waste liquid collection caps) are arranged on both sides of the printing area, and by shortening the movement time during flushing that moves to the position corresponding to the waste liquid collection cap periodically during printing, The printing time including the flushing operation can be shortened.

In Patent Document 6, the calculation control unit calculates waveform data in which a waveform for reducing viscosity corresponding to the viscosity reducing mode instructed from the host computer is inserted into the ejection waveform. Then, the drive signal COM generated by the drive signal generator based on the waveform data is output to the head drive circuit. On the other hand, the arithmetic control unit outputs application pattern data obtained by adding the thinning mode data (4 bits) corresponding to the designated thinning mode to the ejection pattern data (180 bits) to the head drive circuit. The head drive circuit includes a switch circuit that opens and closes based on the ejection pattern data, and a digital processing unit. The digital processing unit is driven based on the viscosity reduction mode data when the switch circuit is closed. An open / close signal for selecting a waveform portion for reducing viscosity of the signal COM is output. As a result, the thinning waveform is applied to the open switch circuit. And it was the structure which can instruct | indicate a fine vibration and a flushing period as a viscosity reduction mode.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-1824 JP 2006-96010 A JP 2006-95863 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-81013 JP-A-8-281970 JP 2004-291458 A

  By the way, the size of the printer in the main scanning direction can be reduced by narrowing the interval in the main scanning direction between the flushing region (waste liquid recovery cap) and the printing region. In addition, if flushing is performed during the acceleration of the carriage until the printing (recording) speed is reached, the time required for the flushing operation is shortened compared to a configuration in which the carriage is moved to the flushing position during printing. Thus, the printing throughput can be improved. In this case, it is preferable to narrow the interval between the flushing area and the printing area in order to shorten the time required for the flushing operation. If the interval between the printing area and the flushing area is narrowed in this way, ink droplet ejection (printing) may be performed with the first (first) nozzle array in the carriage traveling direction, and flushing may be performed with the last nozzle array. .

  However, in the recording apparatuses of the cited documents 1 to 4, since the definition data for printing is commonly used in all nozzle arrays in the same recording period (printing period), the liquid for recording between different nozzle arrays Drop ejection and flushing could not be performed.

  Also in Patent Document 6, a drive signal including an ejection waveform and a flushing waveform is generated. However, since ejection and flushing are performed in different recording cycles, droplets for recording between different nozzle rows are recorded. Discharging and flushing could not be performed at the same discharging timing.

  Therefore, in these conventional recording apparatuses, printing of the first nozzle row cannot be started until the flushing of all nozzle rows of the print head is completed. As a result, there is a problem that it is necessary to secure a predetermined distance or more between the flushing area and the printing area. For this reason, for example, when it is difficult to reduce the size of the printer in the main scanning direction, or when flushing is performed during the acceleration of the carriage to improve the printing throughput, the acceleration distance becomes long until the carriage reaches the printing start speed. As a result, it is difficult to effectively improve the throughput.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problem, and the object thereof is a recording head control apparatus capable of performing recording and idle ejection at different recording rows between different nozzle arrays of the recording head, It is an object to provide a recording apparatus and a recording head control method.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention is a recording in which recording is performed by ejecting liquid based on recording data from a plurality of nozzle arrays provided in the recording head, and empty ejection in which liquid is ejected regardless of recording. A recording head control device in the apparatus, wherein the driving signal generating means generates a driving signal including a plurality of driving pulses within one recording period in order to drive a plurality of recording element arrays corresponding to the plurality of nozzle arrays; Definition data for idle ejection in which the correspondence between the drive pulse to be selected during idle ejection and recording data is defined, and recording data for which the correspondence between the drive pulse to be selected in recording and recording data is defined Storage means for storing definition data, and provided for each nozzle array so as to output one or a plurality of drive pulses determined based on the recording data and the definition data to corresponding recording elements. The recording head and the head drive unit corresponding to the nozzle row to be recorded are output to the head driving unit and the recording data for each nozzle row, and the recording data and the definition data for recording are output to the head driving unit. The gist of the invention is that the head driving means corresponding to the nozzle row to be subjected to is provided with control means for outputting recording data and definition data for idle ejection. Note that the recording cycle refers to one cycle in which a plurality of drive pulses prepared for recording one dot (one recording pixel) (a plurality of liquid ejections are possible) are arranged.

  According to the present invention, the control means determines whether printing or idle ejection is performed for each of the plurality of nozzle rows provided in the recording head. Then, the control means outputs the recording data and the definition data for recording to the head driving means corresponding to the nozzle row to be recorded, while recording is performed to the head driving means corresponding to the nozzle row to be idled. Output data and definition data for idle ejection. Control means. The head driving means corresponding to the nozzle row to be recorded outputs a recording driving pulse to the corresponding recording element based on the recording data and the definition data for recording. Further, the head driving unit corresponding to the nozzle row that should perform the idle ejection outputs the idle ejection drive pulse to the corresponding recording element based on the recording data and the idle ejection definition data. As a result, even in the case where the nozzle row to be printed and the nozzle row to be ejected coexist in the same printing cycle, the print head is used for printing with at least one nozzle row within the same printing cycle. And at least one other nozzle row can perform idle ejection. Accordingly, it is possible to perform recording and idle ejection at the same recording timing between different nozzle arrays of the recording head. For example, recording and idle ejection can be performed simultaneously (within the same recording cycle) between different nozzle arrays, such as a configuration in which the gap between the idle ejection area (flushing area) where idle ejection should be performed and the recording area where recording is to be performed is narrow Even if it is necessary to do so, it can respond. Therefore, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which the interval between the empty ejection area and the recording area is sufficiently narrowed in the recording apparatus. As a result, for example, the recording apparatus can be downsized, or the recording head can be accelerated or decelerated in the case of a serial recording apparatus. It is also possible to improve throughput by shortening the distance.

(First embodiment)
A first embodiment in which the present invention is applied to an ink jet recording apparatus will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an ink jet recording apparatus with an outer case removed. As shown in FIG. 1, an ink jet recording apparatus (hereinafter referred to as a printer 11) as a recording apparatus includes a main body case 12 having a substantially square box shape whose upper side is open, and a guide installed in the main body case 12. A carriage 14 is provided on the shaft 13 so as to be reciprocally guided in the main scanning direction (X direction in FIG. 1). An endless timing belt 15 to which the carriage 14 is fixed on the back side is wound around a pair of pulleys 16 and 17 disposed on the inner surface of the back plate of the main body case 12, and one pulley 16 and the drive shaft are connected. The carriage 14 is configured to reciprocate in the main scanning direction X by driving the carriage motor (hereinafter referred to as “CR motor 18”) forward and backward.

  A recording head 19 (recording means) that ejects ink is provided below the carriage 14, and in the lower position facing the recording head 19 in the main body case 12, the recording head 19 and the paper P (recording medium). The platen 20 defining the interval is arranged in a state extending in the X direction. In addition, on the carriage 14, black and color ink cartridges 21 and 22 are detachably loaded. The recording head 19 ejects (discharges) ink of each color supplied from the ink cartridges 21 and 22 from nozzles for each color. The on-carriage type shown in FIG. 1 in which the ink cartridges 21 and 22 are loaded on the carriage 14 is not limited, and an off-carriage type in which the ink cartridge is loaded in the cartridge holder on the printer main body side can also be adopted.

  On the back side of the printer 11, only the topmost sheet among the paper feed tray 23 and the many sheets P stacked on the paper feed tray 23 is separated and supplied downstream in the sub-scanning direction Y. An automatic sheet feeder 24 (Auto Sheet Feeder) is provided.

  Further, a paper feed motor (hereinafter referred to as “PF motor 25”) disposed at the lower right side of the main body case 12 in FIG. The paper P is rotated and conveyed in the sub-scanning direction Y. Then, a printing operation for ejecting ink from the nozzles of the recording head 19 toward the paper P while reciprocating the carriage 14 in the main scanning direction X, and paper feeding for transporting the paper P by a predetermined transport amount in the sub-scanning direction Y. Characters and images are printed on the paper P by repeating the operation substantially alternately.

  Further, a linear encoder 26 that outputs a number of pulses proportional to the moving distance of the carriage 14 is installed in the printer 11 so as to extend along the guide shaft 13, and is obtained using the output pulse of the linear encoder 26. Based on the movement position, movement direction, and movement speed of the carriage 14, speed control and position control of the carriage 14 are performed. A flexible flat cable (hereinafter referred to as “FFC27”) for connecting the carriage 14 and the printer main body is provided, and the recording head 19 and the main body case 12 are provided via the FFC27. The controller 30 (shown in FIG. 5) is electrically connected.

  The paper P shown in FIG. 1 has the maximum width that can be printed by the printer 11, and in the printer 11 of this embodiment that can also handle borderless (no margin) printing, the main scanning direction of the maximum width paper. A range up to a position outside by a predetermined protrusion amount within a range of 1 to 5 mm outward from both ends is a print area where printing by the recording head 19 is possible.

  In the printer 11, one end (the right end position in FIG. 1) outside the printing area on the carriage 14 movement path is the home position of the carriage 14. A maintenance device 28 that performs cleaning and the like for preventing and eliminating nozzle clogging of the recording head 19 is disposed immediately below the carriage 14 at the home position. A waste liquid tank 29 is disposed below the platen 20 to discard the waste ink sucked from the nozzles of the recording head 19 by the maintenance device 28.

  Further, on both sides of the platen 20, the recording head 19 receives ink droplets when idle ejection (flushing) that ejects ink droplets unrelated to printing from all nozzles is performed periodically during printing. Two flushing boxes 31 are provided. As shown in FIG. 1, the two flushing boxes 31 are arranged at positions very close to the outside of the printing area PA (see FIG. 3). Therefore, the distance between the flushing area (see FIG. 3) corresponding to the opening 31A (see FIG. 4) of the flushing box 31 and the print area PA is considerably narrow. The ink droplets discharged into the flushing box 31 are also collected in the waste liquid tank 29.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the bottom surface (nozzle opening surface) of the recording head. As shown in FIG. 2, the bottom surface of the recording head 19 is a nozzle opening surface 19A through which a plurality of nozzles are opened. On the nozzle opening surface 19A, black (K) and cyan are respectively constituted by a total of 180 nozzles # 1 to # 180 arranged in a line at a constant nozzle pitch in the sub-scanning direction (vertical direction in FIG. 2). A total of four nozzle rows N1 to N4 corresponding to the respective colors (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y) are formed. In this example, printing is performed in four colors K, C, M, and Y using a total of four nozzle rows N1 to N4. The arrangement of the nozzles # 1 to # 180 constituting the nozzle row is not limited to a single row arrangement, and may be a staggered arrangement.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the recording head 19 includes the same number of ejection drive elements 34 corresponding to the nozzles # 1 to # 180 as the number of nozzles for each nozzle row. However, in FIG. 2, only the ejection drive elements 34 corresponding to the nozzles # 1 to # 180 constituting the nozzle row N1 are schematically drawn outside the recording head 19. The ejection drive element 34 is composed of, for example, a piezoelectric vibrator or an electrostatic drive element. When a drive pulse (voltage pulse) having a predetermined drive waveform is applied, the ink chamber communicates with the nozzle by an electrostrictive action or an electrostatic drive action. Ink droplets are ejected from the nozzles by vibrating the inner wall (vibrating plate) of the ink chamber and expanding and compressing the ink chamber. The ejection drive elements 34 are arranged, for example, at positions facing the nozzles, and are arranged in an arrangement pattern similar to the nozzle row (for example, a single row arrangement pattern). In this embodiment, the ejection drive element 34 corresponds to a printing element, and a group (row) of 180 ejection drive elements 34 corresponding to the nozzles # 1 to # 180 for one nozzle row corresponds to a printing element row. .

  FIG. 3 is a graph schematically showing the speed profile of the carriage 14. In this graph, the horizontal axis represents the carriage position x, and the vertical axis represents the carriage speed V. In the graph of FIG. 3, the hatched area is an area where printing (ink droplet ejection) is performed by the recording head 19, and in this figure, printing is performed when borderless printing is performed using the maximum width paper. An example is shown in which printing is performed in the entire area PA.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the speed profile (CR speed profile) of the carriage 14 includes an acceleration area until the carriage 14 reaches the constant speed Vo from the starting position, a constant speed area held at the constant speed Vo, and a constant speed. It consists of a deceleration area from Vo to the stop position. In the present embodiment, acceleration / deceleration printing is employed in which printing (ink ejection) is started by the recording head 19 in the middle of the acceleration region of the carriage 14 and printing is performed in the middle of the deceleration region. Since printing starts in the middle of the acceleration area, the acceleration area until reaching the printing start position (the left end position of the printing area PA in FIG. 3) is relatively narrow. Since the flushing area FA is set therein, the interval between the flushing area FA and the printing area PA is very narrow as described above. Therefore, the acceleration distance to the print start position is also relatively short.

  In the printer 11 of the present embodiment, printing is performed both on the forward path in which the carriage 14 moves (forwards) in a direction away from the home position (origin position) and on the return path in which the carriage 14 moves (reverses) in a direction approaching the home position. There are prepared a bidirectional printing mode for performing printing and a unidirectional printing mode for performing printing only in the process of moving in one direction (for example, in the forward path). Then, after it is determined that flushing is necessary, an acceleration process in which the carriage 14 is first placed at the start position and then accelerated from the start position to the print start position (the left end position of the print area PA) for printing the next pass. The flushing is performed in the flushing area in the middle of the above. Therefore, if the next path is a forward path, flushing is performed toward the opening of the flushing box 31 on the right side in FIG. 1 during the acceleration process of the forward path, while if the next path is a return path, acceleration of the return path is performed. In the middle of the process, flushing is performed toward the opening of the left flushing box 31 in FIG. Of course, a configuration in which flushing is performed during the deceleration process of the carriage 14 may be employed.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view when the recording head passes through the flushing region (above the opening of the flushing box 31). In FIG. 4, the nozzle row is depicted as a perspective view. As shown in FIG. 4, in the process in which the recording head 19 passes over the flushing box 31 in the acceleration region, the first (first) nozzle row N1 in the carriage traveling direction reaches the printing region PA and the last in the carriage traveling direction. There are cases where the recording head 19 comes to the ink droplet ejection timing in a state where the (fourth) nozzle row N4 is still positioned in the flushing area FA. In this case, the first (first) nozzle row N1 in the traveling direction discharges ink droplets for printing, and the last (fourth) nozzle row N4 in the traveling direction discharges ink droplets for flushing. Then, control is performed so that ink is not ejected from the nozzle rows (the second and third nozzle rows N2 and N3 in this example) located between the first row and the last row. The present embodiment is characterized in that it employs ejection control capable of performing ink ejection for printing and ink ejection for flushing at the same ejection timing. Details of this discharge control will be described later.

  Next, the electrical configuration of the printer 11 will be described. FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the printer 11. As shown in FIG. 5, the ink jet printer 11 includes a controller 30 and a head driving circuit 40 as a head driving unit connected to the controller 30 via the FFC 27. Note that the head drive circuit 40 in FIG. 5 shows only a portion that performs ejection drive control of one nozzle row, and the carriage 14 has the same number of head drive circuits 40 shown in FIG. 5 as the number of nozzle rows.

  The controller 30 includes an external interface (hereinafter referred to as “external I / F 41”) that receives print data from a host device (not shown) (for example, a personal computer). The controller 30 includes a memory 42 that temporarily stores various data, a ROM 43 that stores various programs and data, a memory control unit 44 that writes and reads data to and from the memory 42, and a control that includes a CPU and the like. A unit 45, a DMA control unit 46, a buffer 47 as a storage unit, and a data transfer unit 48 for transferring print data and the like. The memory 42 and the buffer 47 are composed of, for example, RAM, and the ROM 43 is composed of, for example, a mask ROM or a nonvolatile memory (for example, EEPROM).

  The controller 30 further includes a flushing timer 49, a drive signal generator 50 that generates a drive signal COM to be supplied to the head drive circuit 40, an oscillation circuit 51 that generates a clock CK (reference clock), Internal I / F 52). The control unit 45 controls driving of the CR motor 18 and the PF motor 25 via the motor driving circuits 54 and 55, respectively. Note that the control unit 45 of the present embodiment is specifically configured by a CPU and an ASIC (Application Specific IC), and includes an image processing unit (not shown) configured by the ASIC therein.

  The memory 42 shown in FIG. 5 includes an input buffer area in which print data received from the host device is temporarily stored, a work memory area in which data being processed by the image processing unit in the control unit 45 is temporarily stored, and necessary processing. An output buffer area (none of which is shown) is provided for temporarily storing print data SI (print image data) obtained after completion of the printing. In the output buffer area of the memory 42, print data SI (C), SI (M), SI (Y), and SI (K) for each ink color are stored. In this example, the print data SI corresponds to the recording data.

  Further, the memory 42 stores definition data SP (pattern data) in which the correspondence relationship for associating the print data SI with one or a plurality of drive pulses among the plurality of drive pulses constituting the drive signal COM is defined. The In this embodiment, as the definition data SP, the definition data SPi for printing that associates the print data SI with the drive pulse for printing, the definition data SPf for flushing that associates the print data SI with the drive pulse for flushing, There is definition data SPv for fine vibration that associates the print data SI with the drive pulse for fine vibration. These definition data SPi, SPf, and SPv are stored in advance in the ROM 43, and are read from the ROM 43 by the control unit 45 and written in the memory 42 prior to the start of print execution by the printer 11, for example. Details of the print data SI, the drive signal COM, and the definition data SP will be described later.

  The control unit 45 reads and analyzes the print data received from the host device and temporarily stored in the memory 42, refers to the font data or graphic function in the ROM 43, or performs image processing as necessary. Thus, the print data SI (C), SI (M), SI (Y), and SI (K) are developed for each ink color. The developed print data SI (C), SI (M), SI (Y), and SI (K) are stored in the output buffer area for each nozzle row (for each ink color) in the memory 42, respectively.

  The DMA control unit 46 transfers the print data SI (C), SI (M), SI (Y), and SI (K) in the memory 42 to the buffer 47 by a predetermined data amount in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 45. The buffer 47 is a buffer unit 47C having a capacity capable of storing print data SI (C), SI (M), SI (Y), and SI (K) for each nozzle row (for each ink color) by one DMA transfer. 47M, 47Y, and 47K are provided for each ink color. In this example, the DMA control unit 46 alternately transfers the print data SI to the two buffer units 47C, 47M, 47Y, and 47K by a predetermined amount of data.

  The data transfer unit 48 operates according to an instruction from the control unit 45, and print data SI for each ink color read from the buffer units 47C, 47M, 47Y, and 47K of the buffer 47 and the definition data SP read from the memory 42 are internally stored. Serial transfer is performed via the I / F 52 and the FFC 27 to the head drive circuit 40 for each corresponding ink color.

  The drive signal generation unit 50 generates a drive signal COM, a latch signal LAT, and a channel signal CH based on an instruction (trigger signal) from the control unit 45, and drives the head for each ink color via the internal I / F and the FFC 27. Output to the circuit 40. As shown in FIG. 7 to be described later, the drive signal generation unit 50 repeatedly generates a drive signal COM in which the first to fifth drive pulses DP1 to DP5 are arranged in time series for each print cycle TA.

  The head drive circuit 40 is one or a plurality (two in this example) selected based on the print data SI and the definition data SP among the first to fifth drive pulses DP1 to DP5 constituting the drive signal COM. This is a circuit that outputs a drive pulse to the ejection drive element 34 at the timing of each pulse of the latch signal LAT and the channel signal CH. The head drive circuit 40 includes a first shift register (hereinafter referred to as “first SR61”), a second shift register (hereinafter referred to as “second SR62”), a third shift register (hereinafter referred to as “third SR63”), a first shift register. A latch circuit 64, a second latch circuit 65, a control logic 66, a decoder 67, a level shifter 68, and a switch circuit 69 are provided.

  The print data SI from the controller 30 is serially transmitted from the internal I / F 52 to the first SR 61 and the second SR 62 via the FFC 27 in synchronization with the clock CK from the oscillation circuit 51. This print data SI is data in which 180 bits of 2-bit gradation information are collected per dot (1 nozzle). However, the print data SI is composed of upper bit data SIH in which only the upper bits H are collected for 180 nozzles and lower bit data SIL in which only the lower bits L are collected for 180 nozzles in each 2-bit gradation information (HL). Composed. As shown in FIG. 5, when the print data SI and the definition data SP are transferred to the head drive circuit 40, the upper bit data SIH of the print data SI is input to the first SR 61, and the lower bit data SIL is the second SR 62. The definition data SP is further input to the third SR 63. Further, each gradation information (HL) of 2 bits can represent four gradations including no dots (non-recording), small dots, medium dots, and large dots.

  As shown in FIG. 5, a first latch circuit 64 is electrically connected to the first SR 61, and a second latch circuit 65 is electrically connected to the second SR 62. When the latch signal LAT from the controller 30 is input to the latch circuits 64 and 65, the first latch circuit 64 latches the upper bit data SIH, and the second latch circuit 65 latches the lower bit data SIL. The set of the first SR 61 and the first latch circuit 64 and the set of the second SR 62 and the second latch circuit 65 that perform the above operation constitute a storage circuit, and the print data SI before being input to the decoder 67 is obtained. Memorize temporarily.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the head drive circuit. In FIG. 6, the head drive circuit 40 shows only a portion that performs ejection drive control for one nozzle row, and the third SR 63, the control logic 66, and the level shifter 68 (see FIG. 5) are omitted. As shown in FIG. 6, the head driving circuit 40 includes first SR 61A to 61N, second SR 62A to 62N, first latch circuits 64A to 64N, second latch circuits 65A to 65N, decoders 67A to 67N, switch circuits 69A to 69N, And the ejection drive elements 34A to 34N are provided in the same number as the number of nozzles for one row (180 in this example). The 180 first SRs 61A to 61N are sequentially input with the upper bits H for 180 nozzles constituting the upper bit data SIH one by one, and the 180 second SRs 62A to 62N are configured with the lower bit data SIL. The lower bits L for 180 nozzles are input one bit at a time.

  FIG. 7 is a timing chart of output data and output signals from the drive signal generation unit 50 and the data transfer unit 48. As shown in FIG. 7, the drive signal COM includes five first to fifth drive pulses DP1 to DP5 that are generated in time series during the printing cycle TA that is secured to form one dot. Signal. The first drive pulse DP1 is a pulse with a slightly larger waveform, the second drive pulse DP2 is a pulse with a slightly smaller waveform, the third drive pulse DP3 is a drive pulse with a slightly larger waveform, and the fourth drive pulse. DP4 is a pulse with the largest amplitude waveform, and the fifth drive pulse DP5 is a pulse with the smallest amplitude waveform. In the present embodiment, the printing cycle TA corresponds to the recording cycle.

  The latch signal LAT generates a pulse at the start timing of the drive signal COM (start timing of the printing cycle TA). That is, a pulse of the latch signal LAT is generated at the start of the printing cycle TA. The channel signal CH is a pulse indicating the timing of switching from the previous drive pulse to the next drive pulse within the printing cycle TA. Therefore, in this example in which the drive signal COM is composed of the five drive pulses DP1 to DP5, the first drive pulse DP1 is switched to the second drive pulse DP2, the second drive pulse DP2 is switched to the third drive pulse DP3, the first At each timing of switching from the third driving pulse DP3 to the fourth driving pulse DP4 and switching from the fourth driving pulse DP4 to the fifth driving pulse DP5, a pulse of the channel signal CH is generated. In this example, the rising edge of the pulse of the channel signal CH is the switching timing of the driving pulse DP. The rising edge of the latch signal LAT pulse is the switching timing of the printing cycle TA (that is, the first drive pulse DP1).

  The data transfer unit 48 uses the instruction data pulse from the control unit 45 as a trigger to transfer the print data SI and the definition data SP from the buffer units 47C, 47M, 47Y, 47K in synchronization with the clock CK. At this time, the print data SI and the definition data SP are transferred within the period of the print cycle TA in synchronization with the output timing of the drive signal COM from the drive signal generator 50. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, black print data SI (K) and its definition data SP, cyan print data SI (C) and its definition data SP, magenta print data SI (M) and its definition data The SP and yellow print data SI (Y) and the definition data SP are transferred in parallel within the print cycle TA in synchronization with the clock CK.

  In this embodiment, when instructing the transfer of the print data SI and the definition data SP, the control unit 45 determines whether flushing is necessary for each nozzle row or fine vibration, and then performs the printing process. It is supposed to migrate. Then, if the nozzle row requires flushing, the control unit 45 instructs the data transfer unit 48 to transfer the definition data SPf for flushing. Further, the control unit 45 instructs the data transfer unit 48 to transfer the definition data SPv for fine vibration if the nozzle row requires fine vibration. Furthermore, the control unit 45 instructs the data transfer unit 48 to transfer the definition data SPi for printing in the case of a nozzle row that does not require flushing or fine vibration (that is, in the case of a nozzle row for printing). Therefore, in FIG. 7, definition data subsequent thereto among the four colors of print data SI (K), SI (C), SI (M), and SI (Y) transferred in parallel within the same printing cycle TA. The SP may be different depending on the determination result of the control unit 45. For example, when the ejection timing is at the recording head position shown in FIG. 4, the definition data SP following the four-color print data SI transferred in parallel at the same print cycle TA is the print definition data in the print data SI (K). SPi, print data SI (C) and SI (M) are microvibration definition data SPv, and print data SI (Y) are flushing definition data SPf.

  8 to 10 illustrate the data structure of (a) drive signal, (b) translation rule of decoder, (c) print data SI and definition data SP. FIG. 8 shows the definition data for printing. 9 shows the case where the definition data for flushing is attached, and FIG. 10 shows the case where the definition data for fine vibration is attached.

  First, the data structure of the drive signal, the translation rule of the decoder, the print data SI, and the definition data SP will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8A shows drive pulses constituting the drive signal COM, FIG. 8B shows a table showing translation rules by the decoder, and FIG. 8C shows print data SI and definition data SP.

  As shown in FIG. 8A, the first to fourth drive pulses DP1 to DP4 have an amplitude between the maximum potential VP and the minimum potential VL with respect to the reference potential Vm, and ink droplets can be ejected from the nozzles. Each voltage level is set to a certain level. The fifth drive pulse DP5 is set to a voltage level at which ink droplets cannot be ejected from the nozzles. The drive signal COM of the present embodiment is commonly used for printing, flushing, and fine vibration. That is, as shown in FIG. 8A, the first and third drive pulses DP1 and DP3 are shared for printing and flushing, the second drive pulse DP2 is dedicated for printing, and the fourth drive pulse DP4 is dedicated for flushing. In addition, the fifth drive pulse is for fine vibration.

  In this embodiment, as shown in the translation rule table of FIG. 8B, the 2-bit gradation information (HL) of the print data SI is “00” for non-recording (fine vibration) and “01” for small dots. ”, The medium dot is“ 10 ”, and the large dot is“ 11 ”. The definition data SP shown in FIG. 8C defines the correspondence between these 2-bit gradation information (HL) and the first to fifth drive pulses (however, in FIG. 8, the definition data for printing is defined). SPi). 8B corresponding to the print data SI (gradation information HL) by the translation processing according to the translation rule shown in FIG. 8B via the control logic 66 and the decoder 67 based on the definition data SP. The pulse selection information shown is output from the decoder 67.

  As shown in FIG. 8C, the print data SI is composed of the above-described upper bit data “SIH” (180 bits) and lower bit data “SIL” (180 bits). Definition data SP is attached. In the definition data SP, 4-bit information is set for each of the first to fifth drive pulses DP1 to DP5, and each 4-bit information is arranged in the order of the fifth to first drive pulses DP5 to DP1. It is 20-bit data. In the 4-bit information, “0” indicates whether or not the corresponding drive pulse is selected in the order of large “11”, medium “10”, small “01”, and slight vibration “00” from the upper bits. This is indicated by “1”, and takes a value of “1” when the corresponding drive pulse is selected and “0” when it is not selected. For example, the 4-bit information “0001” of the fifth drive pulse shown in FIG. 8C is “000” in the upper 3 bits, so the fifth “11”, medium “10”, and small “01” dots are the fifth. The drive pulse is not selected, and since the least significant bit corresponding to the minute vibration is “1”, the minute vibration “00” means that the fifth drive pulse is selected.

  Accordingly, in the example shown in FIG. 8C, the definition data SPi includes the fifth drive pulse “0001”, the fourth drive pulse “0000”, the third drive pulse “1000”, and the second drive pulse “0010”. ”And“ 1100 ”of the first drive pulse, and the information consists of 20 bits [00010000100000101100].

  Here, as shown in FIG. 6, the 180 first SRs 61 </ b> A to 61 </ b> N sequentially store one bit of the high-order bit data SIH (that is, the high-order bit (H) of the gradation information “HL”). The 180 second SRs 62 </ b> A to 62 </ b> N sequentially store one bit of the lower bit data SIL (that is, the upper bit (L) of the gradation information “HL”).

  Then, the 20-bit definition data SP following the print data SI is set in the third SR 63 shown in FIG. The data SIH and SIL set in the first SR 61 and the second SR 62 are respectively latched in the first and second latch circuits 64 and 65 at the pulse rising timing of the latch signal LAT. On the other hand, the definition data SP is set in the third SR 63 and then input to the control logic 66 in synchronization with the latch signal LAT. The control logic 66 can use a known configuration similar to, for example, a combinational circuit.

  The print data SI (SIH and SIL) latched by the first and second latch circuits 64 and 65 is input to the decoder 67. The decoder 67 functions as a translation means, and based on the translation rule information from the control logic 66, the decoder 67 is composed of combinations of upper bits H and lower bits L for 180 nozzles (one nozzle row) constituting the print data SI. The key information is translated, and pulse selection information (D1, D2, D3, D4, D5) of a plurality of bits (5 bits in this example) is output for 180 nozzles. That is, as shown in FIG. 6, the upper bit H and the lower bit L latched by the 180 first latch circuits 64A to 64N and the second latch circuits 65A to 65N are input to the corresponding decoders 67A to 67N, respectively. Is done. Each of the decoders 67A to 67N translates the gradation information (HL) and outputs 5-bit pulse selection information (D1, D2, D3, D4, D5).

  The decoder 67 is pulse selection information (00001) when the input print data (gradation information) is “00”, pulse selection information (01000) when “01”, and pulse selection information when “10”. When (10000) or “11”, pulse selection information (10100) is output to the switch circuit 69, respectively. The pulse selection information (D1, D2, D3, D4, D5) corresponds to each of the first to fifth drive pulses DP1 to DP5 input to the switch circuit 69 in the order from the upper bit to the lower bit. Yes.

  Accordingly, from the switch circuit 69, the fifth drive pulse DP5 is input when the micro-vibration print data “00” is input, and the second drive pulse DP2 is input when the small dot print data “01” is input. The first drive pulse DP1 is output when 10 "is input, and the first and third drive pulses DP1 and DP3 are output when large dot print data" 11 "is input. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8B, in the case of large dot print data “11”, the first and third drive pulses DP1 and DP3 are selected, and are relatively large as shown in FIG. 8A. A large dot is formed by ejecting two ink droplets. Further, as shown in FIG. 8B, in the case of medium dot print data “10”, the first drive pulse DP1 is selected, and as shown in FIG. By ejecting individual dots, medium dots are formed. Further, as shown in FIG. 8B, in the case of small dot print data “01”, the second drive pulse DP2 is selected, and as shown in FIG. Small dots are formed by ejecting individual dots. Further, as shown in FIG. 8B, in the case of the print data “00” of the minute vibration, the fifth drive pulse DP5 is selected, and as shown in FIG. At this time, the ink in the nozzle is vibrated slightly to suppress the increase in the viscosity of the ink, thereby preventing the ejection failure of the ink droplets.

  FIG. 9C shows print data SI and flushing definition data SPf transferred from the controller 30 to the head drive circuit 40 in order to control ejection of the ejection drive element 34 row corresponding to the nozzle row to be flushed. As shown in FIG. 9C, the flushing definition data SPf is composed of 20-bit data in which 4-bit information for each drive pulse is arranged in the order of the fifth to first drive pulses DP5 to DP1. The 4-bit information is arranged in the order of large “11”, medium “10”, small “01”, and minute vibration “00” from the upper bits, and “1” when the corresponding drive pulse is selected. It consists of data that takes a value of “0” when not selected.

  As shown in FIG. 9C, the flushing definition data SPf includes the fifth drive pulse “0000”, the fourth drive pulse “1111”, the third drive pulse “1111”, and the second drive pulse “ “0000” and “1111” of the first drive pulse are sent in this order, and the information consists of 20 bits of [000011111111100001111]. Based on the definition data SPf, pulse selection information corresponding to the gradation information “H, L” of the print data SI is obtained using the table shown in FIG. 9B as a truth table.

  In the definition data SPf shown in FIG. 9C, “0000” does not depend on the gradation information value of the print data SI (that is, large “11”, medium “10”, small “01”, slight vibration “00”). Means that the corresponding driving pulse is not selected, and “1111” means that the corresponding driving pulse is always selected regardless of the gradation information value of the print data SI. . Therefore, in the flushing definition data SPf, the first, third, and fourth drive pulses having the 4-bit information “1111” are always selected regardless of the gradation information value of the print data SI. . Therefore, when the flushing definition data SPf is used, the first and third data are always displayed according to the translation rule regardless of the gradation information (HL) value of the print data SI, as shown in FIG. 9B. The pulse selection information “10110” indicating that the fourth drive pulse is selected is output from the decoder 67. That is, common print selection information (10110) is obtained for all print data “00”, “01”, “10”, and “11”.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9A, when the definition data SPf for flushing is used, the first and third from the switch circuit 69, regardless of the gradation information (HL) value of the print data SI. The fourth drive pulses DP1, DP3, DP4 are output. As a result, ink droplets based on the application of the first drive pulse DP1, ink droplets based on the application of the third drive pulse DP3, and ink droplets based on the application of the fourth drive pulse DP4 are continuously ejected from the nozzle. Flushing is performed. That is, as shown in FIG. 9A, flushing is performed by ejecting three relatively large ink droplets.

  Further, FIG. 10C shows the print data SI and fine vibration definition data SPv transferred from the controller 30 to the head drive circuit 40 in order to control the ejection of the ejection drive element 34 row corresponding to the nozzle row to be subjected to the fine vibration. Indicates.

  As shown in FIG. 10C, the micro vibration definition data SPv is composed of 20-bit data in which 4-bit information for each drive pulse is arranged in the order of the fifth to first drive pulses DP5 to DP1. . The 4-bit information is arranged in the order of large “11”, medium “10”, small “01”, and minute vibration “00” from the upper bits, and “1” when the corresponding drive pulse is selected. It consists of data that takes a value of “0” when not selected.

  As shown in FIG. 10C, the minute vibration definition data SPv includes the fifth drive pulse “1111”, the fourth drive pulse “0000”, the third drive pulse “0000”, and the second drive pulse. It is sent in the order of “0000” and “0000” of the first drive pulse, and becomes information consisting of 20 bits of [1111000000000000]. Based on the definition data SPv, pulse selection information corresponding to each print data SI “H, L” is obtained using the table shown in FIG. 10B as a truth table. That is, common print selection information (00001) is obtained for all the print data “00”, “01”, “10”, and “11”.

  In the definition data SPv shown in FIG. 10C, “0000” means that the corresponding drive pulse is not selected regardless of the gradation information value of the print data SI, and “1111” is the level of the print data SI. This means that the corresponding drive pulse is always selected regardless of the value of the key information. Therefore, in the definition data SPv of the minute vibration, only the fifth drive pulse having the 4-bit information “1111” is always selected regardless of the gradation information value of the print data SI. Therefore, when the definition data SPv of micro vibration is used, as shown in FIG. 10B, the fifth drive is always performed according to this translation rule regardless of the gradation information (HL) value of the print data SI. Pulse selection information “00001” indicating that a pulse is selected is output from the decoder 67.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 10A, when the definition data SPv of the minute vibration is used, the fifth drive pulse is output from the switch circuit 69 regardless of the value of the gradation information (HL) of the print data SI. Only DP5 is output, ink droplets are not ejected, and only slight vibration is performed in a non-ejection (no dot) state. By causing the ink in the nozzles to vibrate slightly during non-ejection, the increase in the viscosity of the ink in the nozzles is suppressed, and ink droplet ejection defects during subsequent ink ejections are prevented.

  Next, the printer head control process will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. For example, when print data is received from the host device, the control unit 45 of the printer 11 starts preparation for printing. That is, the control unit 45 feeds the paper P to the print start position obtained by interpreting the command in the print data. Further, the control unit 45 starts the head control process shown in FIG. In addition to the processing by the control unit 45, the flowchart in FIG. 11 includes part of the processing of the head drive circuit 40 (steps S50, S80, S110) based on the data transferred from the control unit 45.

  First, in step S10, the definition data SPi for printing, the definition data SPf for flushing, and the definition data SPv for fine vibration are written in the memory 42 (RAM). That is, the control unit 45 reads the definition data SPi, SPf, SPv from the ROM 43 and writes them in the memory 42. However, this process only needs to be performed once when printing is performed for the first time after the printer 11 is turned on. Of course, each definition data SPi, SPf, SPv may be written in the memory 42 every time printing is started.

  In step S20, the print data SI is written in the memory 42. That is, the control unit 45 reads the print data received from the host device and stored in the input buffer area of the memory 42 and performs a predetermined process to develop the print data SI on the memory 42. At this time, the control unit 45 writes the print data SI generated by performing image processing or the like as a predetermined process in the memory 42 as necessary.

  In step S30, it is determined whether flushing is necessary. Here, during printing, the flushing timer 49 counts the count value corresponding to the interval time at which the regular flushing should be executed, and the count value corresponding to the interval time set at the end of the previous regular flushing is counted down. As a result, when it becomes zero, a time-up signal is output to the control unit 45. When the time-up signal is input from the flushing timer 49, the controller 45 sets a flushing flag (not shown). In this step S30, the control unit 45 looks at the value of the flushing flag. If it is “1”, it is determined that flushing is necessary. If the flag value is “0”, flushing is not necessary. Judge.

  In step S40, print data SI and flushing definition data SPf are transferred to the head drive circuit 40. Here, for the transfer of the print data SI to the head drive circuit 40, the control unit 45 instructs the data transfer unit 48 to specify the read start addresses in the buffer units 47C, 47M, 47Y, 47K and to instruct the data transfer. Is done. In accordance with an instruction from the control unit 45, the data transfer unit 48 prints data SI (C), SI for each nozzle row (ink color) from the read start address in the buffer units 47C, 47M, 47Y, 47K designated by the control unit 45. (M), SI (Y), and SI (K) are read and transferred to the head drive circuit 40 (however, only the portion corresponding to one nozzle row is shown in FIG. 5). Therefore, the print data SI transferred at this time is the print data used in the previous printing remaining in the buffer 47. Specifically, the buffer 47 is configured so that the original print data SI is erased only when the print data SI transferred from the memory 42 is overwritten. In this step S40, the new print data SI is written. The used print data SI remaining in the buffer portion of the corresponding ink color is transferred until it is displayed.

  In step S50, the head drive circuit 40 outputs a drive pulse based on the flushing definition data SPf and the print data SI. That is, the upper bit data SIH of the print data SI is input to the first SR 61, the lower bit data SIL is input to the second SR 62, and the flushing definition data SPf is input to the third SR 63. The upper bit data SIH is latched from the first SR 61 to the first latch circuit 64, and the lower bit data SIL is latched from the second SR 62 to the second latch circuit 65.

  The control logic 66 sequentially outputs a pulse selection signal based on the flushing definition data SPf to the decoder 67 at an output timing synchronized with the latch signal LAT and the channel signal CH. The decoder 67 inputs and translates the pulse selection signal from the control logic 66, the upper bit data SIH from the first latch circuit 64, and the lower bit data SIL from the second latch circuit 65, respectively. The pulse selection information (D1, D2, D3, D4, D5) is output to the switch circuit 69 via the level shifter 68. The switch circuit 69 receives “0” or “1” based on the pulse selection information in synchronization with the first to fifth drive pulses DP1 to DP5 that are sequentially input in the printing cycle TA, so that the print data A drive pulse based on SI and flushing definition data SPf is output.

  At this time, the first, third, and fourth drive pulses DP1, DP3, and DP4 are output from the switch circuit 69 based on the flushing definition data SPf shown in FIG. 9 regardless of the value of the print data SI. Therefore, when the nozzle row reaches the carriage position where flushing is to be performed, the first, third, and fourth drive pulses DP1, DP3, and DP4 are triggered by the ejection drive element 34 (piezoelectric element) using the pulse of the print timing signal PTS as a trigger. As a result, a plurality of ink droplets of ink dot size based on the drive pulses DP1, DP3, and DP4 as shown in FIG. As a result, a predetermined amount of ink droplets necessary for flushing is ejected from all the nozzles of the corresponding nozzle row toward the flushing box 31 (preliminary ejection) before printing of the current pass. As a result, the thickened ink in the nozzle is discarded, and the nozzle is replaced with ink having a relatively low viscosity.

  In step S60, it is determined whether or not fine vibration is necessary. Here, when the nozzle row that has been flushed exceeds the flushing area FA and is located at the interval between the flushing area FA and the printing area PA, non-ejection that does not eject ink droplets from the nozzle row is selected. When this non-ejection is selected, the control unit 45 determines that fine vibration is necessary. Specifically, when the flushing is executed, the control unit 45 sets the flushing executed flag to “1”. In step S60, the value of the flushing executed flag is checked. If the value is “1”, it is determined that a slight vibration is necessary. If the value is “0”, the slight vibration is necessary. Judge that is not.

  In step S70, the print data SI and the fine vibration definition data SPv are transferred to the head drive circuit 40. That is, the control unit 45 instructs the data transfer unit 48 to specify the read start address in the buffer units 47C, 47M, 47Y, and 47K to transfer the print data SI, and the fine vibration definition data SPv from the memory 42 is transferred. This is done by instructing transfer. In accordance with an instruction from the control unit 45, the data transfer unit 48 prints data SI (C), SI for each nozzle row (ink color) from the read start address in the buffer units 47C, 47M, 47Y, 47K designated by the control unit 45. (M), SI (Y), and SI (K) are read and transferred to the head drive circuit 40 (however, only the portion corresponding to one nozzle row is shown in FIG. 5). Therefore, the print data SI transferred at this time is the print data SI used in the previous printing remaining in the buffer portion of the corresponding ink color. As a result, the used print data SI and fine vibration definition data SPv are transferred to the head drive circuit 40.

  In step S80, the head drive circuit 40 outputs a drive pulse based on the print data SI and the fine vibration definition data SPv. That is, in the print data SI, the upper bit data SIH is input to the first SR 61, the lower bit data SIL is input to the second SR 62, and the fine vibration definition data SPv is input to the third SR 63, respectively. The upper bit data SIH is latched from the first SR 61 to the first latch circuit 64, and the lower bit data SIL is latched from the second SR 62 to the second latch circuit 65.

  The control logic 66 sequentially outputs a pulse selection signal based on the microvibration definition data SPv to the decoder 67 at an output timing synchronized with the latch signal LAT and the channel signal CH. The decoder 67 inputs and translates the pulse selection signal from the control logic 66, the upper bit data SIH from the first latch circuit 64, and the lower bit data SIL from the second latch circuit 65, respectively. The pulse selection information (D1, D2, D3, D4, D5) is output to the switch circuit 69 via the level shifter 68. The switch circuit 69 receives “0” or “1” based on the pulse selection information in synchronization with the first to fifth drive pulses DP1 to DP5 that are sequentially input in the printing cycle TA, so that the print data A drive pulse based on the SI and microvibration definition data SPv is output.

  At this time, the fifth drive pulse DP5 is output from the switch circuit 69 regardless of the value of the print data SI based on the microvibration definition data SPv shown in FIG. Therefore, in a period in which the corresponding nozzle row is located at the interval between the flushing area FA and the print area PA, the fifth drive pulse DP5 is output to the ejection drive element 34 (piezoelectric element) using the pulse of the print timing signal PTS as a trigger. The As a result, when the drive pulse DP5 shown in FIG. 10 is applied to the ejection drive element 34, ink droplets are not ejected, and the ink in the nozzles slightly vibrates. Therefore, the ink meniscus in the nozzle is adjusted.

  Then, after the data transfer process (S40 to S80) is performed to perform the flushing and the fine vibration, or when the processes of S40, S50, S70, and S80 are skipped without the flushing and the fine vibration being performed in the first place, Next, the process proceeds to step S90 for printing.

  In step S90, the print data SI is DMA-transferred from the memory 42 to the buffer 47. That is, the control unit 45 sets the print data SI (C), SI (M), SI (Y), SI (K) start address (transfer start address) and transfer data length in the memory 42 to the DMA control unit 46. Designation is made to instruct transfer of the print data SI (C), SI (M), SI (Y), SI (K) to the corresponding buffer units 47C, 47M, 47Y, 47K of the buffer 47. As a result, the DMA control unit 46 reads the print data SI (C), SI (M), SI (Y), and SI (K) for the designated transfer data length from the head address designated in the memory 42. The data is transferred to the buffer units 47C, 47M, 47Y, 47K for each ink color in the buffer 47. Here, the print data SI from the memory 42 is transferred to one of the buffers 47C, 47M, 47Y, 47K prepared for each ink color, while all the data has been transferred to the head drive circuit 40. The print data SI is transferred from the other buffer units 47C, 47M, 47Y, 47K to the head drive circuit 40.

  In step S100, the print data SI and the print definition data SPi are transferred to the head drive circuit 40. Note that the print data SI transferred at this time has been DMA-transferred from the memory 42 to the buffer 47 in order to execute the next pass printing.

  In step S110, the head drive circuit 40 outputs a drive pulse based on the print data SI and the print definition data SPi. That is, in the print data SI, the upper bit data SIH is input to the first SR 61, the lower bit data SIL is input to the second SR 62, and the print definition data SPi is input to the third SR 63, respectively. The upper bit data SIH is latched from the first SR 61 to the first latch circuit 64, and the lower bit data SIL is latched from the second SR 62 to the second latch circuit 65.

  The control logic 66 sequentially outputs a pulse selection signal based on the print definition data SPi to the decoder 67 at an output timing synchronized with the latch signal LAT and the channel signal CH. The decoder 67 inputs and translates the pulse selection signal from the control logic 66, the upper bit data SIH from the first latch circuit 64, and the lower bit data SIL from the second latch circuit 65, respectively. The pulse selection information (D1, D2, D3, D4, D5) is output to the switch circuit 69 via the level shifter 68. Then, the switch circuit 69 receives “0” or “1” based on the pulse selection information in synchronization with the first to fifth drive pulses DP1 to DP5 that are sequentially input in the printing cycle TA. A drive pulse based on the SI and microvibration definition data SPv is output.

  At this time, based on the print definition data SPi shown in FIG. 8, a drive pulse corresponding to the value of the print data SI is selected, and the selected drive pulse is output from the switch circuit 69. Therefore, after the corresponding nozzle row reaches the print start position in the print area PA, a drive pulse corresponding to the print data SI is output to the ejection drive element 34 (piezoelectric element) using the pulse of the print timing signal PTS as a trigger. Is done.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 8, in the case of print data “00”, the pulse selection information (00001) is output from the decoder 67, so that the fifth drive pulse DP5 is output from the switch circuit 69 to the ejection drive element 34 (piezoelectric element). ) And the ink in the nozzle vibrates slightly. In the case of print data “01”, pulse selection information (01000) is output from the decoder 67, so that the second drive pulse DP2 is output from the switch circuit 69 to the ejection drive element 34, and a small size is output from the corresponding nozzle. Ink droplets are ejected. As a result, small-sized ink dots are formed on the paper P.

  Further, in the case of print data “10”, the pulse selection information (10000) is output from the decoder 67, whereby the first drive pulse DP1 is output from the switch circuit 69 to the ejection drive element 34, and the medium size is output from the corresponding nozzle. Ink droplets are ejected. As a result, medium-sized ink dots are formed on the paper P. In the case of the print data “11”, the pulse selection information “10100” is output from the decoder 67, so that the first and third drive pulses DP1 and DP3 are output from the switch circuit 69 to the ejection drive element 34. Two medium-sized ink droplets are ejected from the nozzle. As a result, large-sized ink dots are formed on the paper P.

  When the carriage 14 performs one-pass printing, the process shown in FIG. 11 is performed for each nozzle row. For example, when printing a pass for the first time after the flushing timer 49 has expired, if the leading nozzle row N1 reaches the flushing area FA during the acceleration process of the carriage 14, it is determined that flushing is necessary (S30). Affirmative determination). At this time, since only the first nozzle row reaches the flushing region and it is determined that flushing is necessary, the flushing definition data SPf is selected for the first nozzle row N1, and the subsequent three nozzle rows N2 to N2 are selected. For N4, microvibration definition data SPv is selected. As a result, flushing is performed in the head nozzle row N1, and slight vibration is performed in the non-ejection state in the subsequent three nozzle rows N2 to N4. At this time, the used print data SI remaining in the buffer 47 may be transferred to the nozzle row where flushing and fine vibration are performed. Therefore, it is not necessary to generate the print data SI for flushing and microvibration, and it is not necessary to secure a storage area for each print data SI in the memory 42.

  Thereafter, the first nozzle row passes through the flushing area FA. For example, the first and second nozzle rows N1 and N2 are located at the interval between the flushing area FA and the printing area PA, and the third and fourth rows. Assume that the nozzle rows N3 and N4 of the eye are located in the flushing area FA. At this time, it is determined that fine vibration is necessary for the first and second nozzle arrays N1 and N2 (affirmative determination in S60), and the definition data SPf for fine vibration is selected (S70). For the fourth nozzle row N3, N4, it is determined that flushing is necessary (Yes in S30), and the flushing definition data SPf is selected (S40). As a result, the first and second nozzle rows N1 and N2 perform fine vibration in a non-ejection state, and the third and fourth nozzle rows N3 and N4 perform flushing. At this time, the used print data SI remaining in the buffer 47 may be transferred to the nozzle rows N1 to N4 where flushing and fine vibration are performed. Therefore, it is not necessary to generate the print data SI for flushing and microvibration, and it is not necessary to secure a storage area for each print data SI in the memory 42.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4, when the first nozzle row N1 reaches the printing area PA, the fourth nozzle row N4 is in the flushing area FA, and the second and third nozzle rows N2 are present. , N3 are located in the interval between the flushing area FA and the printing area PA. Therefore, the print definition data SPf is selected for the first nozzle row N1, the flushing definition data SPf is selected for the fourth nozzle row N4, and the second and third nozzles are further selected. Fine vibration definition data SPv is selected for columns N2 and N3. As a result, the first nozzle row N1 performs printing based on the print data SI, the second and third nozzle rows N2 and N3 perform slight vibration, and the fourth nozzle row N4 performs flushing. Is done. Also in this case, since the used print data SI remaining in the buffer 47 is transferred to the nozzle rows N1 to N4 where the flushing and the fine vibration are performed, the respective print data SI for the flushing and the fine vibration are transferred. There is no need to generate such a storage area for each print data SI.

  Then, when the fourth nozzle row N4 passes through the flushing area FA, the first and second nozzle rows N1 and N2 are positioned in the printing area PA, and the third and fourth nozzle rows N3 and N3. N4 is located in the interval between the flushing area FA and the printing area PA. At this time, the print definition data SPf is selected for the first and second nozzle rows N1 and N2, and the fine vibration definition data SPv for the third and fourth nozzle rows N3 and N4. Is selected. As a result, the first and second nozzle rows N1 and N2 perform printing based on the print data SI, and the third and fourth nozzle rows N3 and N4 have slight vibrations in the non-ejection state. Done. Also in this case, since the used print data SI remaining in the buffer 47 is transferred to the nozzle rows N3 and N4 where the fine vibration is performed, it is not necessary to generate the print data SI for the fine vibration. It is not necessary to secure such a storage area for the print data SI in the memory 42.

  Thus, when all four nozzle rows N1 to N4 are positioned in the print area PA, the print definition data SPi is selected for all four nozzle rows N1 to N4. As a result, printing based on the print data SI is performed in all four nozzle rows N1 to N4.

As described above in detail, according to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) Rules for selecting one or two drive pulses corresponding to the print data SI from among the drive signals COM having a plurality of drive pulses DP1 to DP5 within the printing cycle TA (one recording cycle) As the definition data SP in which is defined, printing definition data SPi and flushing definition data SPf are provided. Therefore, it is possible to individually select the print definition data SPi and the flushing definition data SPf between different ink rows in the same printing cycle TA, thereby simultaneously performing printing and flushing between different nozzle rows. Can do. Therefore, for example, the interval between the flushing box 31 and the print area PA is narrowed, so that it is possible to cope with the need for the head nozzle row N1 to perform printing in the carriage traveling direction and the subsequent nozzle row to perform flushing.

  As a result, the size of the printer 11 in the main scanning direction X can be reduced. Further, since acceleration / deceleration printing is performed, the interval between the flushing area FA and the printing area PA in the middle of the acceleration process becomes narrow, so that it is possible to cope with the case where it is necessary to perform flushing and printing simultaneously. As a result, the print area PA can be expanded widely to the limit of the flushing area FA in the acceleration area and the deceleration area, so that the print throughput can be effectively improved. Further, when the acceleration area from the start position of the carriage 14 to the start of printing and the deceleration area from the end of printing to the carriage stop are shortened to improve the print throughput, the acceleration area and the deceleration area are designated as the flushing area FA and the printing area PA. It is also possible to improve the printing throughput by shortening the interval until the interval is significantly reduced.

  (2) Since the print definition data SPi and the flushing definition data SPf only need to be common to all ink colors, the storage capacity required for the memory 42 (RAM) can be reduced.

  (3) In this embodiment, the flushing definition data SPf is prepared, and the value of the definition data SPf is set so that the flushing drive pulses DP1, DP3, and DP4 are always selected regardless of the value of the print data SI. Determined. Therefore, if the flushing definition data SPf is transferred to the head drive circuit 40 corresponding to the nozzle row on which flushing is to be performed, the ejection drive element of the corresponding nozzle row regardless of the value of the print data SI transferred at that time. The drive pulses DP1, DP3, DP4 for flushing are output to 34, and flushing can be performed with all nozzles in the corresponding nozzle row. Therefore, even if the print data SI dedicated to flushing is not added, for example, if the print data SI used in the previous printing and remaining in the buffer 47 is used, flushing can be performed for all nozzles in the corresponding nozzle row. . Since it is sufficient to use the print data SI remaining in the buffer 47 in this way, the generation process of the print data SI for flushing, which is necessary when the method of adding the print data SI dedicated to flushing is adopted, and the printing thereof There is no need to perform extra processing such as writing and reading of data SI, and it is not necessary to secure a storage area for the flushing print data SI in memory 42.

  (3) Since the ROM 43 is also provided with definition data SPv for fine vibration, the fine vibration definition data SPv is transferred to the nozzle row located at the interval between the flushing area FA and the print area PA. Fine vibration can be selected for the nozzle row. In the present embodiment, the definition data SPv of fine vibration is prepared, and the value of the definition data SPv is determined so that the drive pulse DP5 of fine vibration is always selected regardless of the value of the print data SI. Therefore, if the fine vibration definition data SPv is transferred to the portion of the head drive circuit 40 corresponding to the nozzle row on which the fine vibration is to be executed, the corresponding nozzle row regardless of the value of the print data SI transferred at that time. The ejection drive element 34 can output a slight vibration drive pulse DP5 to cause the ink in all nozzles of the corresponding nozzle row to slightly vibrate. Therefore, for print data SI, even if print data SI for microvibration (null data in which all nozzles in the nozzle array are “00”) is not generated, for example, print data remaining in the buffer 47 by using the previous print. If the data SI is transferred using the data SI, the ink in all the nozzles of the corresponding nozzle row can be vibrated. Since the print data SI remaining in the buffer 47 may be used in this way, there is no need to perform extra processing such as generation processing of print data SI (null data) dedicated to microvibration, and writing and reading processing of the print data SI. In addition, it is not necessary to secure a storage area for the print data SI (null data) in the memory 42.

(Second embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. This second embodiment is an example in which a configuration (hereinafter referred to as a multi-common configuration) in which two types of drive signals COMA and COMB are simultaneously transferred to select a drive pulse is employed. FIG. 12 shows a timing chart of drive signals and various signals employed in the multi-common configuration. FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of part of the printer. Since the configuration of the printer is basically the same as that of the first embodiment, particularly different portions will be described in detail.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the drive signal generator 70 (see FIG. 13) is configured to simultaneously generate and transfer in parallel two types of drive signals COMA and COMB within one printing cycle TA. The drive signal COMA includes three drive pulses, that is, a first drive pulse DP1, a second drive pulse DP2, and a third drive pulse DP3 arranged in time series. The drive signal COMB includes three drive pulses, that is, a fourth drive pulse DP4, a fifth drive pulse DP5, and a sixth drive pulse DP6 arranged in time series.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the first drive pulse DP1 and the fourth drive pulse DP4 are generated in the same period in the first period, the second drive pulse DP2 and the fifth drive pulse DP5 are generated in the second period, A third drive pulse DP3 and a sixth drive pulse DP6 are generated in the third period. Then, definition data SP described later is set so that a drive pulse corresponding to the print data SI is selected from the first to sixth drive pulses DP1 to DP6. Note that it is not possible to select both the drive pulses DP1 and DP4, DP2 and DP5, and DP3 and DP6 generated during the same period, and either one is selected.

  As in the first embodiment, a latch signal LAT pulse is generated at the start time of the printing cycle TA. A pulse of the channel signal CH serving as a trigger for switching the driving pulse is generated in accordance with the switching timing (period switching) of the driving pulse within the printing cycle TA.

  The electrical configuration in the second embodiment is basically the same as that in the first embodiment. FIG. 13 is a block diagram of a head drive circuit in the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 13, the head drive circuit 40 is basically the same as that of the first embodiment. The drive signal generation unit 70 generates two types of drive signals COMA and COMB, and the data transfer unit 48 transfers the generated drive signals COMA and COMB to the switch circuit 69 in the head drive circuit 40 in parallel. The switch circuit 69 receives the two drive signals COMA and COMB, and switches on / off based on pulse selection information input from the decoder 67 via the level shifter 68, thereby forming the first drive signals COMA and COMB. A driving pulse corresponding to the print data SI is selected from the sixth driving pulses DP1 to DP6 and output to the ejection driving element 34.

  FIG. 14 shows a correspondence table of the decoder based on the definition data SP in this embodiment, and a data structure diagram of print data and definition data. 14A and 14B are for printing, FIGS. 14C and 14D are for flushing, and FIGS. 14E and 14F are for fine vibration. Definition data SPi, SPf, and SPv shown in FIGS. 14B, 14D, and 14F are stored in the ROM 43 (see FIG. 5).

  The definition data SP shown in FIG. 14 is for selecting at least one drive pulse corresponding to the print data SI from the first to sixth drive pulses DP1 to DP6 constituting the drive signals COMA and COMB. . The control unit 45 transfers the print data SI and the print definition data SPi shown in FIG. 14B to the head drive circuit 40 corresponding to the nozzle row to be printed. Further, the control unit 45 transfers the print data SI and the flushing definition data SPf shown in FIG. 14D to the head drive circuit 40 corresponding to the nozzle row to be flushed. Further, the control unit 45 transfers the print data SI and the definition data SPv shown in FIG. 14F to the head drive circuit 40 corresponding to the nozzle row to be subjected to the fine vibration. The print data SI to be transferred together with the definition data SPf and SPv for flushing and microvibration use the used data remaining in the buffer 47 as in the first embodiment.

  The control unit 45 (CPU) grasps whether or not to perform flushing or fine vibration for each nozzle row, and selects definition data corresponding to the grasped contents. That is, when flushing is performed, the data transfer unit 48 is instructed to transfer the print data SI and the definition data SPf and SPv in advance for flushing and fine vibration before transferring the print data SI for printing. When flushing is not performed, the control unit 45 instructs the data transfer unit 48 to transfer the print data SI and the definition data SPi to the head drive circuit 40.

As described above, among the print data for one nozzle row (180 nozzles), the upper bit data SIH and the lower bit data SIL, followed by the definition data SP, are transferred.
For example, in the process in which flushing is performed during acceleration of the carriage 14, as shown in FIG. 4, for example, when the leading nozzle row is in the printing area PA and the trailing nozzle row is in the flushing area FA, Printing is performed and flushing is performed at the last nozzle row. At this time, slight vibration is performed in the nozzle row between the first nozzle row and the last nozzle row.

The said embodiment is not limited above, It can also change into the following aspects.
(Modification 1) The present invention is not limited to regular flushing performed in the middle of printing, but may be applied to flushing (power flushing) performed based on a user's operation of a flushing switch or a time measurement result of a cleaning timer.

  (Modification 2) The discharge control process shown in FIG. 11 may be employed only in the discharge control of the next pass in which the flushing is performed when the flushing timer 49 is timed up. Further, the discharge control process may be employed only in the acceleration region of the next pass where flushing is performed.

(Modification 3) A plurality of types of definition data SPf for flushing having different combinations of drive pulses to be selected may be prepared, and the strength of flushing may be selected.
(Modification 4) Print data SI for flushing may be generated. That is, the definition data SPf for flushing is defined so that a different drive pulse is selected depending on the print data SI, and a drive pulse corresponding to the print data SI is selected. According to this configuration, the strength of flushing can be selected by the print data SI.

  (Modification 5) The definition data SPv of micro vibration may be abolished. In the case of slight vibration, print data SI in which all nozzles constituting the nozzle row are “00” is created, and the fine vibration is selected using the print definition data SPi.

  (Modification 6) The flushing timer 49 may be eliminated. For example, flushing may be performed every pass. Further, the flushing time may be determined by counting the number of passes during continuous printing instead of counting the time by the flushing timer 49.

  (Modification 7) The number (number of pulses) of drive pulses included in the drive signal for one printing cycle may be two or more pulses. For example, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which the gradation information of the print data SI is 1 bit that is “1” when ejecting and “0” when it is not ejecting, and the driving pulse composing the driving signal COM is two pulses. Further, the number of drive pulses constituting the drive signal COM may be 3 pulses, 4 pulses, or a plurality of 7 or more pulses. Further, the drive signals COMA and COMB may also be two pulses each or a plurality of four or more pulses. The number of pulses may be different between the drive signals COMA and COMB. Further, as in the second embodiment, the drive signals input in parallel to the switch circuit are not limited to two types such as COMA and COMB, and may be three or more types.

  (Modification 8) In each of the embodiments described above, the data transfer unit 48 is realized by hardware. However, the data transfer unit 48 may be configured by software realized by a CPU executing a program. Furthermore, the structure implement | achieved by cooperation with software and hardware may be sufficient.

  (Modification 9) The recording apparatus is not limited to a serial printer, and may be applied to a line printer. For example, in an inkjet line printer that performs flushing at a break between sheets, print data SI and print definition data SPf are stored in a head drive circuit corresponding to a nozzle row that performs printing on the sheet before the trailing edge of the sheet passes. The head drive circuit corresponding to the nozzle row that has been printed and passed through the trailing edge of the paper employs a configuration that outputs print data SI and flushing definition data SPf. Also with this configuration, printing and flushing can be performed between different nozzle arrays in the same recording cycle. For example, it is possible to improve the printing throughput by narrowing the interval between the sheets for flushing.

  (Modification 10) In the above-described embodiment, the recording apparatus is embodied as an ink jet printer. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and fluid other than ink (liquid or functional material particles are dispersed or mixed in the liquid). It is also possible to embody the present invention in a serial type liquid discharge device that discharges a liquid, a fluid such as a gel, or a solid that can be discharged as a fluid. For example, a liquid material ejecting apparatus that ejects a liquid material in the form of dispersed or dissolved materials such as electrode materials and color materials (pixel materials) used for manufacturing liquid crystal displays, EL (electroluminescence) displays, and surface-emitting displays. Further, it may be a liquid ejecting apparatus for ejecting a bio-organic material used for biochip manufacturing, or a liquid ejecting apparatus for ejecting a liquid as a sample used as a precision pipette. In addition, a transparent resin liquid such as UV curable resin is used to form a liquid ejection device that ejects lubricating oil pinpoint to precision machines such as watches and cameras, and micro hemispherical lenses (optical lenses) used in optical communication elements. A liquid ejecting apparatus for ejecting a liquid on the substrate, a liquid ejecting apparatus for ejecting an etching solution such as acid or alkali to etch the substrate, and a liquid ejecting apparatus for ejecting a fluid such as a gel (eg, physical gel). There may be. The present invention can be applied to any one of these liquid ejecting apparatuses (recording apparatuses). As described above, the recording performed by the recording apparatus according to the present invention includes the entire ejection of liquid or liquid droplets onto a medium beyond the printing area.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the printer according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a bottom surface of a recording head and an ejection driving element. The graph which shows the speed profile of a carriage. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a recording head when flushing and printing are performed simultaneously. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the printer. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a head drive circuit. Timing chart of drive signals, various signals and print data. (A) Drive signal, (b) Translation rule table, (c) Configuration diagram of print data and definition data when printing is selected. (A) Drive signal when flushing is selected, (b) Translation rule table, (c) Configuration diagram of print data and definition data. (A) Drive signal at the time of fine vibration selection, (b) Translation rule table, (c) Configuration diagram of print data and definition data. 6 is a flowchart showing a discharge control process by a control unit and a head drive circuit. 9 is a timing chart of drive signals and various signals in the second embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of a print data transfer unit. The translation rule table, print data, and definition data are shown. (A) and (b) are for printing, (c) and (d) are for flushing, and (e) and (f) are for fine vibration.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Printer as recording apparatus, 14 ... Carriage, 18 ... CR motor, 19 ... Recording head, 21, 22 ... Ink cartridge, 25 ... PF motor, 26 ... Linear encoder, 27 ... FFC, 30 ... Controller, 31 ... Flushing Box 31A ... Opening 34 ... Discharge driving element as recording element 40 ... Head driving circuit as head driving means 42 ... Memory constituting recording head control means and storage means 43 ... Recording head control means and storage means , 44... Memory control unit, 45... Control unit constituting control means, 46... DMA control part constituting control means, 47... Buffer as storage unit, 47 C, 47 M, 47 Y, 47 K. 48: Data transfer unit (transfer means) constituting the control means 49: A flash as a detection means , 50... Constituting a recording head control means and a drive signal generation unit as drive signal generation means, 51... Oscillating circuit, 61... First SR, 62... Second SR, 63. 65 ... second latch circuit, 66 ... control logic, 67 ... decoder, 68 ... level shifter, 69 ... switch circuit, 70 ... drive signal generation circuit as drive signal generation means, N1 to N4 ... nozzle row, COM ... drive signal, DP1 to DP5: first to fifth drive pulses, LAT: latch signal, CH: channel signal, CK: clock, SI: print data as recording data, SP: definition data, SPi: print definition data, SPf: flushing Definition data, SPv ... definition data of fine vibration, TA ... print cycle, COMA, COMB ... drive signal, DP1 to DP6 First to sixth driving pulse, P ... paper as a recording medium, flushing area as FA ... idle discharge region, the print region of the PA ... recording area.

Claims (9)

A recording head control device in a recording apparatus that performs recording based on recording data from a plurality of nozzle rows provided in the recording head and idle discharge that discharges liquid regardless of recording,
Drive signal generating means for generating a drive signal including a plurality of drive pulses within one recording period in order to drive a plurality of recording element arrays corresponding to the plurality of nozzle arrays;
Definition data for idle ejection in which the correspondence between the drive pulse to be selected during idle ejection and recording data is defined, and recording data for which the correspondence between the drive pulse to be selected in recording and recording data is defined Storage means for storing definition data;
A head driving means provided for each nozzle row so as to output one or a plurality of driving pulses determined based on the recording data and the definition data to the corresponding recording elements;
Judgment is made for each nozzle row, whether it is recording or idle ejection, and print data and definition data for recording are output to the head drive means corresponding to the nozzle row to be recorded, while corresponding to the nozzle row to be ejected idle A recording head control apparatus comprising: a control means for outputting recording data and definition data for idle ejection. Further comprising a detecting means for detecting that an empty discharge execution time has been reached for causing the recording head to perform empty discharge,
The control means makes the determination at every recording cycle when the idle ejection execution time is reached, and if there is a nozzle array that should perform idle ejection, print data and print data and the head drive means corresponding to the nozzle array are present. 2. The recording head control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein definition data for idle ejection is output. A storage unit that temporarily stores recording data from the storage unit and serves as an output source when the control unit outputs the recording data;
The definition data for idle ejection is defined to select the same drive pulse regardless of the value of the recording data,
The control means outputs the used recording data used for the previous output from the storage unit to the head driving means corresponding to the nozzle row determined to be idle ejection, together with the definition data for idle ejection. The recording head control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording head control apparatus has a configuration. The drive signal includes a drive pulse for fine vibration that vibrates at a strength that does not cause the liquid in the nozzle to be discharged.
The storage means further stores definition data for fine vibration in which a correspondence relationship between recording data and the drive pulse for fine vibration is defined,
When the control unit determines that the nozzle row is a non-ejection nozzle as a result of the determination for each nozzle row, the control unit outputs print data and definition data for fine vibration to a head driving unit corresponding to the nozzle row. The recording head control apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3. A storage unit that temporarily stores recording data from the storage unit and serves as an output source when the control unit outputs the recording data;
The definition data for the fine vibration is defined so as to select the same drive pulse regardless of the value of the recording data,
The control unit outputs the used recording data used for the previous output from the storage unit to the head driving unit corresponding to the nozzle row determined to be non-ejection together with the definition data for the fine vibration. The recording head control apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the recording head control apparatus is configured as described above.   6. The recording head control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the drive signal includes a drive pulse dedicated to idle ejection and a drive pulse shared for recording and idle ejection. .   A recording head control device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, and a recording head having the recording element driven based on a driving pulse output from the head driving means of the recording head control device. A recording device provided. In the middle of the acceleration area until the recording head reaches the recording area, or in the middle of the deceleration area after passing the recording area, an empty ejection area to which the idle ejection is to be performed is set,
The recording apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the recording apparatus is set so that the recording in the recording area and the idle ejection in the idle ejection area are performed in the same recording cycle between different nozzle arrays. A recording head control method in a recording apparatus that performs recording based on recording data from a plurality of nozzle rows provided in the recording head and performs idle discharge that discharges liquid irrespective of recording,
A determination step for determining whether to record or idle discharge for each nozzle row;
Recording data and definition data for recording are output to the head driving means corresponding to the nozzle row to be recorded, while recording data and empty data are output to the head driving means corresponding to the nozzle row to be idle-discharged. A control step for outputting definition data for discharge;
A driving step in which a head driving means for each nozzle row outputs a driving pulse determined based on the recording data and definition data to a corresponding recording element;
A recording head control method comprising:

Images