JP2010167629A - Recording device and recording method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To suppress a recording throughput decrease even when both color image portion and monochrome image portion are present, in a recording device in which an n-number (n is an integer of 2 or greater) of line heads for the same color ink for monochrome recording and a plurality of line heads for a plurality of color inks for color recording are arranged in parallel in the direction of conveyance of a recording medium and used, an n-number recording heads are successively used for monochrome recording of different rasters and the recording heads are successively used for color recording of the same raster. <P>SOLUTION: An arrangement of a monochrome recording area on a recording medium and a color recording area on the recording medium is recognized. If they are separated in the direction of conveyance, the conveying speed of a recording medium is improved during the period of monochrome recording in the monochrome recording area on the recording medium. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a recording apparatus using a plurality of recording heads in which a plurality of recording elements (for example, nozzles for ejecting ink) are arranged in a predetermined direction intersecting with the recording medium conveyance direction, and juxtaposed in the recording medium conveyance direction It relates to a recording method. In particular, the present invention is suitably applied to a recording apparatus that uses a plurality (m) of recording heads for recording color images and a plurality (n) of recording heads for recording monochrome images. In the following, the recording head of the above embodiment is also referred to as a line head, and a recording apparatus using this is also referred to as a line printer. Further, in the present specification and claims, the “monochromatic image” means an image recorded with one color recording agent, and the color is not limited to black (Bk).

  For a general line printer that uses one line head for the same color recording agent (for example, ink), n line heads (n is an integer of 2 or more) are used for one color recording agent. There is a line printer that records data by dividing data corresponding to n line heads. In such a line printer, each of n line heads sequentially handles (shares) rasters corresponding to its own recording element array to record a monochromatic image. Therefore, since a recording operation exceeding the maximum driving frequency of one line head, for example, a recording operation while transporting a recording medium at a speed proportional to the number of line heads is possible, the recording speed is increased. Can be realized.

  Along with the above-mentioned n line heads, m (for example, yellow (Y), magenta (M) and cyan (C) corresponding to three recording agents for color image recording, or black (Bk) was added thereto. In the configuration using four line heads, the following problem may occur.

  That is, in the line printer having such a configuration, it is possible to record an image including a single color image portion and a color image portion recorded with a plurality of color recording agents. However, when such an image is recorded, there is a restriction on the maximum drive frequency of each of the m line heads involved in the recording of the color image portion, so that recording cannot be performed while the recording medium is being conveyed at high speed. .

  In view of the diversified needs of users as in recent years, not only a color image or a single color image but also an image in which both are arranged on a single recording medium is printed. There are many requests. For example, an increasing number of users expect an advertising effect by performing color printing at one point in addition to the address on the envelope, and even if a line printer is configured so that an image composed of only a single color image can be printed at high speed. , There will be fewer opportunities to take advantage of the benefits.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to improve the recording throughput by optimizing the conveyance speed of the recording medium in accordance with the contents of the image data.

For this purpose, the present invention provides n recording heads (n is an integer of 2 or more) for recording agents of the same color in order to perform monochromatic recording, in which recording elements are arranged in a predetermined direction intersecting the conveyance direction of the recording medium. In order to perform color recording, a plurality of recording agents having different color tones are used side by side in the transport direction, and in the monochrome recording, different raster recordings are sequentially assigned to the n recording heads. On the other hand, in the color recording, a recording apparatus that causes the plurality of recording heads to perform recording of the same raster,
Based on the content of the image data to be recorded on the recording medium, the arrangement state of the area on the recording medium where the monochrome recording is performed and the area on the recording medium where the color recording is performed is recognized, and these are A transport speed control means for improving the transport speed of the recording medium at the time of monochromatic recording to the area on the recording medium where the monochromatic recording is performed, if not overlapping in a predetermined direction;
It is characterized by comprising.

Further, the present invention relates to a recording head in which recording elements are arranged in a predetermined direction intersecting with the conveyance direction of the recording medium for n recording agents of the same color for performing monochromatic recording (n is an integer of 2 or more), and In order to perform color recording, a plurality of recording agents having different color tones are used side by side in the transport direction, and during the single color recording, the recording heads of n different numbers are sequentially assigned to the recording heads of different rasters. On the other hand, in the color recording, a recording method in which the plurality of recording heads are responsible for recording the same raster,
Based on the content of the image data to be recorded on the recording medium, the arrangement state of the area on the recording medium where the monochrome recording is performed and the area on the recording medium where the color recording is performed is recognized, and these are In the case where there is no overlap in a predetermined direction, the conveyance speed of the recording medium is improved at the time of monochrome recording to the area on the recording medium where the monochrome recording is performed.

  According to the present invention, during the recording operation to the recording medium, the conveyance speed of the recording medium is appropriately changed according to the content of the image data, and the conveyance speed is increased for areas other than the area including the color image portion. Recording can be performed. Therefore, the overall recording throughput can be improved.

1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a schematic configuration example of a recording system to which the present invention is applicable. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining an internal configuration of the ink jet recording apparatus in FIG. 1. It is a typical perspective view which shows the principal part of FIG. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a recording operation by two recording heads for recording a monochrome image in the configuration of FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a control system of the recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the recording processing procedure which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. (A)-(c) is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the usage condition of the print buffer in one Embodiment of this invention. (A) And (b) is a figure for demonstrating an example of conveyance speed control at the time of recording on an envelope as a recording medium. It is a figure for demonstrating the other example of the conveyance speed control at the time of recording on an envelope as a recording medium. It is a figure for demonstrating the other example of the conveyance speed control at the time of recording on an envelope as a recording medium.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
In the following, the case where the present invention is applied to an ink jet recording apparatus using a line head in the form of an ink jet recording head in which nozzles for ejecting ink are arranged in a direction crossing the conveyance direction of the recording medium will be described.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing a schematic configuration example of a recording system to which the present invention can be applied. Such a system includes an inkjet recording apparatus 2002 that performs recording (image formation) on a recording medium, and a host apparatus 1000 that exchanges various data with the inkjet recording apparatus. Connected through. Then, a drawing command and other required commands corresponding to the image data processed by the host apparatus 1000 are transmitted to the inkjet recording apparatus 2002, whereby recording and other required operations are performed. Further, the printer status such as error information of the inkjet recording apparatus 2002 is transmitted to the host apparatus 1000 so that the host apparatus 1000 can recognize the status of the inkjet recording apparatus.

  The host device 1000 can be realized as a general personal computer (PC). That is, it can include a PC main body 1007, a display device 1009 such as a CRT or LCD, a keyboard 1010 and a mouse 1011 as input means.

  On the front surface of the ink jet recording apparatus 2002, a power switch 2003 for receiving a power ON / OFF operation by a user and an operation panel 2001 for receiving other required operations and displaying a required message are provided. Yes. A main body door 2000 that is opened when maintenance such as ink replacement or paper jam is performed is also provided on the front surface of the ink jet recording apparatus 2002. A sheet feeding port 2021 is provided on one side surface of the ink jet recording apparatus 2002, and a recording medium 2005 having a predetermined size, such as a cut sheet, inserted therein is directed toward a sheet ejection port 2022 provided on the opposite side surface. It is conveyed in the direction of the arrow using the conveyance roller 2006 as a drive source.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining the internal configuration of the ink jet recording apparatus 2002, and FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing the main part thereof.

The inkjet recording apparatus 2002 generally includes the following units. That is,
A paper detection sensor 2303 for detecting whether or not the recording medium 2005 is placed on the deck 2004 of the paper feed slot 2021;
A transport motor 2306 that rotationally drives the transport roller 2006;
A conveying belt 2305 that conveys the recording medium 2005 according to the driving of the conveying roller 2006, a TOF (Top Of Form) sensor 2304 for detecting the tip position of the recording medium 2005,
A head that raises and lowers the recording heads 2301A1, 2301A2, 2301Bk, 2301C, 2301M, and 2301Y (hereinafter denoted by reference numeral 2301 if not specified) between a retracted position during non-recording and the illustrated recording position during recording. Lifting motor 2307,
An ink tank unit 2300 that supplies ink to the recording head 2301 and a door sensor 2302 that detects opening and closing of the main body door 2000
Etc.

  The ink tank unit 2300 is connected to the recording head 2301 via a tube (not shown), and supplies ink to the recording head 2301 by controlling a recovery motor 2308 described later.

  When the recording medium 2005 is placed on the deck 2004 of the sheet feeding port of the recording apparatus 2002 and detected by the paper detection sensor 2303, the recording head 2301 is set to the recording position. Subsequently, by rotating the conveyance motor 2306, one recording medium 2005 is fed in the direction indicated by the arrow in the drawing by the conveyance belt 2305. When the recording medium 2005 is detected by the TOF sensor 2304, the conveyance of the recording medium 2005 is temporarily stopped and image data is developed in a VRAM 2403 described later. When the image development is completed, the recording medium 2005 is conveyed again, and ink is ejected from the recording head 2301 in accordance with the image data at a recording position facing the recording head 2301, thereby recording an image on the surface of the recording medium 2005. .

  As shown in FIG. 3, the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present embodiment includes six long ink jet recording heads (hereinafter simply referred to as recording heads) in which nozzles are arranged over a range corresponding to the width of the recording medium to be conveyed. (Also referred to as a line head) 2301 is juxtaposed in the recording medium conveyance direction. Here, the recording heads 2301Bk, 2301C, 2301M, and 2301Y are for recording color images, and eject black (Bk), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y) inks, respectively. The recording heads 2301A1 and 2301A2 are for ejecting the same color ink to record a single color image at high speed. The recording head 2301 uses, for example, an electrothermal conversion element (ejection heater) that generates thermal energy that causes film boiling in the ink in response to energization as energy used to eject the ink. can do.

  Recording on the recording medium 2005 is performed based on a detection signal at the tip by the TOF sensor 2304 and a horizontal synchronization signal synchronized with conveyance. Here, the horizontal synchronization signal is a signal used to determine the drive timing of each recording head 2301.

  A recording operation by the recording heads 2301A1 and 2301A2 at the time of recording a monochromatic image will be described with reference to FIG.

  When a horizontal synchronization signal is detected, data for one raster stored in a monochrome image print buffer (described later) in the VRAM is transferred to the recording head 2301A1 located upstream in the recording medium conveyance direction. One raster image 301 is recorded. Next, when a horizontal synchronization signal is detected, the image data for the next raster read from the print buffer is transferred to the recording head 2301A2 to form an image 302. When the next horizontal synchronization signal is detected, the image data for the next one raster read from the print buffer is transferred to the recording head 2301A1 to form a raster image 303. Thereafter, similarly, the recording heads 2301A1 and 2301A2 are used alternately (sequentially), and image data divided into raster units is recorded.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the monochrome image data developed in the print buffer is sequentially read out in raster units in synchronization with the horizontal synchronization signal, and sequentially supplied to the two recording heads 2301A1 and 2301A2 to obtain the monochrome image data. Image sharing recording is performed. As a result, it is possible to record a monochromatic image at a frequency that is twice as high as the maximum drive frequency of a single recording head. As a result, it is twice that when a recording operation is performed using a single recording head. That is, the recording throughput can be obtained.

  On the other hand, when recording a color image, the recording heads 2301Bk, 2301C, 2301M, and 2301Y can be involved in recording the same raster. Accordingly, each color data developed in the print buffer provided for each color is sequentially read out in raster units in synchronization with the horizontal synchronizing signal, and is supplied to the four recording heads as appropriate, thereby recording a color image on the same raster. Done. That is, in this case, recording is performed at the maximum drive frequency of one recording head.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a control system of the recording apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  The MPU 2400 is a main control unit of the recording apparatus according to the present embodiment, and controls each unit by executing a control program stored in a flash ROM 2401 that is electrically rewritable in block units, for example. Reference numeral 2402 denotes a RAM that is used for temporary storage and work of data during the control process.

  Reference numeral 2407 denotes a CG (character generator) ROM, which stores font data of characters, numbers, symbols, etc. (characters) in a bitmap format. In addition to the control program, the flash ROM 2401 can store image data corresponding to a drawing command. Reference numeral 2403 denotes a V (video) RAM, which has an area used as a print buffer for developing image data to be recorded on the recording medium 2005 corresponding to each of the recording heads 2301A1, 2301A2, 2301Bk, 2301C, 2301M, and 2301Y.

  Reference numeral 2404 denotes a communication driver that exchanges data with the host apparatus 1000 via the communication cable 2008.

  Reference numeral 2405 denotes a motor driver that drives the above-described transport motor 2306, head lifting motor 2307, and recovery motor 2308. An encoder 2306 A is attached to the transport motor 2306, and its output is input to the MPU 2400. Then, based on the output signal of the encoder 2306A after the front end of the recording medium is detected by the TOF sensor 2304, a horizontal synchronization signal synchronized with the recording medium conveyance can be generated. The recovery motor 2308 operates to recover or maintain the ink ejection performance of the recording head to a good state by driving a pump or the like provided in the ink supply system between the ink tank unit 2300 and the recording head 2301. Used when. For example, the operation may be performed by forcibly discharging ink by applying an appropriate pressure to the ink supply system in a state where the nozzle formation surface of the head is capped, circulating ink in the ink supply system, or recording at the start of use. For example, the head is filled with ink.

  Reference numeral 2406 denotes a head driving circuit which is provided corresponding to each of the recording heads 2301A1, 2301A2, 2301Bk, 2301C, 2301M and 2301Y, and drives the recording head based on the image data developed in the print buffer for each recording head. To do.

  Reference numeral 2409 denotes an input / output port that receives detection signals from the main body door sensor 2302, the paper detection sensor 2303, and the TOF sensor 2304 described above. The input / output port 2409 is a display provided on the operation panel 2001 (a ready LED 2101 indicating that the apparatus is in an operable state (ready state), an error / warning LED 2102 for notifying the apparatus of an abnormality, etc.). A drive signal is output. The input / output port 2409 also includes an input unit (an apparatus reset key 2103, an upper key 2104 for selecting and confirming an operation menu, a lower key 2105, an enter key 2106) and a power switch 2003 provided on the operation panel. Monitor operational status periodically.

  Reference numeral 2408 denotes an LCD driver, which displays a message for the user by driving the LCD 2100 as necessary.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a recording processing procedure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  When data including a drawing command corresponding to an image is supplied from the host apparatus 1000 and a recording instruction is given, first, the presence or absence of the recording medium 2005 is confirmed by the paper detection sensor 2303 (step S1). If the recording medium 2005 is not placed on the deck 2004 of the paper feed slot, the error / warning LED 2102 is turned on or a message is displayed on the LCD 2100 to notify the user of that fact. To do.

  When the presence of the recording medium 2005 is confirmed, the motor driver 2405 is controlled, the head lifting motor 2307 is driven to set the recording head 2301 to the recording position, and the conveyance motor 2306 is driven to convey the recording medium. Is started (step S3). When the leading edge of the conveyed recording medium 2005 is detected by the TOF sensor 2304 (step S5), the driving of the conveying motor 2306 is stopped and the conveying of the recording medium 2005 is temporarily stopped (step S7).

  Therefore, based on the drawing command supplied from the host apparatus 1000, the image data is developed in the VRAM 2403 while referring to the bitmap font data stored in the CGROM 2407 and the data stored in the flash ROM 2401 (step S9). ). This expansion is performed for each print buffer as shown in FIG. 7 corresponding to each print head. That is, color image data is decomposed into four color components Bk, C, M and Y, and a total of four layers of print buffers 7002Bk prepared for each color recording head as shown in FIG. Expanded to 7002C, 7002M and 7002Y, respectively. In addition, the monochrome image data corresponding to the ink ejected by the recording heads 2301A1 and 3011A2 is distributed to a total of two layers of print buffers 7001A1 and 7001A2 corresponding to each recording head as shown in FIG. , Each will be deployed. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 5C, a single-layer print buffer for developing single-color image data is prepared as indicated by reference numeral 7001, and data is alternately displayed in raster units for the recording heads 2301A1 and 2301A2 during recording. May be distributed and supplied.

  Based on the contents of each print buffer in which the data is expanded in this way, the position of the recording medium on which the image portion is recorded or the arrangement state of the color image portion and the monochrome image portion is recognized, and recording is performed accordingly. Hour speed profile is created (step S11). The processing in step S11 constitutes a conveyance control unit. For example, the speed profile can be created as follows.

  First, consider a case where the recording position of the color image portion and the recording position of the monochrome image portion overlap in the width direction of the recording medium. In this case, both the recording heads 2301Bk, 2301C, 2301M, and 2301Y for recording color images and the recording heads 2301A1 and 2301A2 for recording monochrome images may be involved in recording the raster corresponding to the overlapped portion. Accordingly, when such a raster is recorded, the recording medium is conveyed at a speed (V1) corresponding to the driving frequency of one recording head.

  On the other hand, consider a case where the recording position of the color image portion and the recording position of the monochrome image portion do not overlap in the width direction of the recording medium, that is, both portions are separated in the transport direction. In this case, when the color image portion is recorded, the recording medium is conveyed at a speed corresponding to the driving frequency of one recording head, while the monochrome image portion is twice as fast (V2 = 2 ×). The recording medium can be conveyed in V1). It should be noted that a speed equivalent to that of a monochromatic image portion can be set for an area on the recording medium where no image portion exists, that is, a blank area.

  After the development of the image data and the setting of the speed profile as described above, the conveyance of the recording medium 2005 is started again. Then, the head drive circuit 2406 is controlled in accordance with position information or a horizontal synchronization signal based on the position of the leading end of the recording medium detected by the TOF sensor 2304 and each recording head 2301 is driven, whereby the image data developed in the VRAM 2403 is displayed. Is recorded (step S13). At this time, the recording medium is transported based on the speed profile set in step S11, thereby recording at a speed suitable for the image data portion.

  Next, specific conveyance speed control will be described.

  FIGS. 8A and 8B are diagrams for explaining an example of conveyance speed control when recording is performed on an envelope as a recording medium, for example. The upper part of FIG. 5A shows the contents of the VRAM 2403 corresponding to certain image data, and the part corresponding to the head of the recording medium is data such as a destination name (company address, company name, name) which is a monochrome image part. IM is stored. On the other hand, a data IC of a color image portion (such as a logo mark) is stored in a portion corresponding to the rear end side of the recording medium. Actually, each image portion is divided for each color or each recording head and developed in the corresponding print buffer. In the figure, the recording position of the color image portion and the recording position of the monochrome image portion are arranged in the transport direction. In order to explain the separation, the image is projected on an integrated VRAM 2403. The lower part of FIG. 8A shows a recording medium (envelope) 2005 on which recording is performed based on the developed image data. Here, if the monochrome image portion is recorded in black (Bk), the recording apparatus can use recording heads 2301A1 and 2301A2 that eject Bk ink.

  In FIG. 8A, reference numeral 6001 denotes a region including a monochrome image portion and a blank portion, and 6002 denotes a region including a color image portion. Accordingly, the conveyance speed can be switched with these boundaries 6003 as shown in FIG. That is, the conveyance speed can be set to V2 for the region 6001, and the conveyance speed can be set to V1 (= V2 / 2) for the region 6002.

  9 and 10 are diagrams for explaining another example of the conveyance speed control when recording on an envelope as a recording medium, for example. The upper part of FIG. 9 shows the contents of the VRAM 2403 corresponding to a certain image data, and the part corresponding to the head of the recording medium (print buffers 7002Bk to 7002Y) is a color image part (sender name, address, logo mark, etc.). The data has been expanded. On the other hand, in the portion corresponding to the rear end side of the recording medium (print buffer 7001), the data of the monochrome image portion (imprint) is developed. In this example, a single-layer print buffer for developing image data of a single color is prepared, and data is alternately distributed and supplied in units of rasters to the recording heads 2301A1 and 2301A2 during recording. . In addition, if the imprint that is a monochrome image portion is recorded in vermilion colors, the recording apparatus may be configured to eject M ink, for example, instead of or in addition to the recording heads 2301A1 and 2301A2. Can be used. Alternatively, n recording heads that eject ink of a color closer to that used for general imprinting may be used.

  The lower part of FIG. 9 shows a recording medium (envelope) 2005 on which recording is performed based on the developed image data. As shown in this figure, a region 8001 including a monochrome image portion and a region 8002 including a color image portion are separated in the recording medium conveyance direction. Therefore, as shown in the left part of FIG. 10, the conveyance speed is V1 for an area 8002 including a color image portion, and the conveyance speed is V2 (= V1 × 2) for an area 8001 including a monochrome image portion. The recording operation can be performed.

  In the case where the recording operation is continuously performed on the plurality of recording media 2005, the speed control can be continuously performed as shown in the right part of FIG. The same applies to the cases of FIGS. 8A and 8B.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, during the recording operation on the same recording medium, the conveyance speed of the recording medium is appropriately changed according to the content of the image data, and the area other than the area including the color image portion is applied. In this case, recording can be performed at an increased conveyance speed. Therefore, the overall recording throughput can be improved.

(Other embodiments)
In the above example, the case where m = 4 recording heads corresponding to the four colors Bk, C, M, and Y is used to record a color image has been described. However, the number is limited to this. Absent. For example, m = 3 recording heads corresponding to the three colors C, M, and Y may be used, and recording heads corresponding to other colors may be used.

  Further, in the above example, the case where n = 2 recording heads are used to record a monochrome image has been described, but the number of recording heads is not limited to this. That is, three or more recording heads may be used. In this case, for an area including only a monochromatic image, the recording medium is at a speed n times the speed (V1) corresponding to the driving frequency of one recording head. Transport can be performed.

  Further, as long as the single color corresponds to one of the color inks, a part of the recording heads may be used both for color image recording and for monochrome image recording. For example, if Bk is the single color, three recording heads for C, M, and Y and two recording heads for Bk are provided, and one recording head for C, M, and Y is provided for color image recording. These Bk recording heads may use two Bk recording heads when recording a monochrome image.

  Further, the “monochrome” used for recording a monochromatic image can be determined as appropriate. For example, colors other than Bk, C, M, and Y, such as red, green, and blue, generally called “special colors” are used. May be. Furthermore, the number of types can be determined as appropriate. That is, n (n is an integer of 2 or more) recording heads may be prepared for each of two or more types of “monochrome”.

  In addition, in the above example, two types of conveyance speeds (V1, V2) can be set, but three or more types of conveyance speeds may be set. For example, a blank area where no image recording portion exists or a gap portion between continuously conveyed recording media may be conveyed at a speed V3 exceeding V2.

  In the above example, the description has been made on the assumption that n recording head groups for monochrome recording and m recording head groups for color recording are arranged in advance. However, it is arranged in advance that either one of the recording head groups performs a recording operation at a conveyance speed suitable for the recording head group, while the above-described control is performed when the other recording head group is added. Good.

  In addition, as a form of the recording medium, the cut sheet form is exemplified in the above example. However, the recording medium may be in the form of continuous paper such as roll paper or fanfold paper, or may be composed of a mount and a label or tag sheet carried thereon.

  In the above example, a recording head having an element that generates thermal energy that causes film boiling in the ink is used as energy used to eject the ink. However, a recording head having an element that ejects ink by generating mechanical energy in response to energization, such as a piezoelectric diaphragm, may be used.

2005 Recording medium 2301 Recording head 2301Bk, 2301C, 2301M, 2301Y Color image recording recording head 2301A1, 2301A2 Monochromatic image recording recording head 2403 VRAM

Claims (6)

In order to perform color recording with n recording heads having the recording elements arranged in a predetermined direction intersecting with the conveyance direction of the recording medium for the same color recording agent for performing monochromatic recording (n is an integer of 2 or more). A plurality of recording agents having different color tones are used side by side in the transport direction. In the monochrome recording, the n recording heads are sequentially assigned to perform recording of different rasters, while in the color recording. Is a recording apparatus that causes the plurality of recording heads to perform the recording of the same raster,
Based on the content of the image data to be recorded on the recording medium, the arrangement state of the area on the recording medium where the monochrome recording is performed and the area on the recording medium where the color recording is performed is recognized, and these are A transport speed control means for improving the transport speed of the recording medium at the time of monochromatic recording to the area on the recording medium where the monochromatic recording is performed, if not overlapping in a predetermined direction;
A recording apparatus characterized by comprising:   2. The recording according to claim 1, wherein the transport speed control unit improves the transport speed so that the transport is performed at a speed n times the transport speed corresponding to a driving frequency of one recording head. apparatus.   The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the color tone for performing the color recording includes cyan, magenta, yellow, and further black.   The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the single color is at least one of the plurality of color tones and the other color tones.   The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording head has a form of an ink jet recording head having, as the recording element, a nozzle that discharges ink as the recording agent. In order to perform color recording with n recording heads having the recording elements arranged in a predetermined direction intersecting with the conveyance direction of the recording medium for the same color recording agent for performing monochromatic recording (n is an integer of 2 or more). A plurality of recording agents having different color tones are used side by side in the transport direction. In the monochrome recording, the n recording heads are sequentially assigned to perform recording of different rasters, while in the color recording. Is a recording method in which the plurality of recording heads are in charge of recording the same raster,
Based on the content of the image data to be recorded on the recording medium, the arrangement state of the area on the recording medium where the monochrome recording is performed and the area on the recording medium where the color recording is performed is recognized, and these are A recording method characterized in that when there is no overlap in a predetermined direction, the transport speed of the recording medium is improved at the time of monochrome recording in the area on the recording medium where the monochrome recording is performed.

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