JP2017065078A - Inkjet recording device, inkjet recording method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To accurately determine a volume of power consumption to record at high speed as much as possible using the determination while preferably suppressing an increase in the power consumption.SOLUTION: An inkjet recording device obtains multiple ways of the number of discharge times with respect to a divided region, for each of multiple discharge port rows and calculates a representative value to determine a volume of power consumption based on the multiple ways of the number of discharge times.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

  The present invention relates to an inkjet recording apparatus, an inkjet recording method, and a program.

  A recording scan that discharges ink while moving a recording head having an ejection port array in which a plurality of ejection ports for ejecting ink are arranged relative to a unit area on the recording medium in the scanning direction, and a scanning direction Inkjet recording apparatuses that record an image by repeatedly performing sub-scanning in which a recording medium is conveyed in a conveyance direction that intersects with the recording medium are known.

  In such an ink jet recording apparatus, the power consumption for driving the recording element varies depending on the number of times of ejection in a short time during the recording scan for one unit region, that is, the number of times of driving of the recording element provided inside the ejection port. It will be a thing. Here, when the power source is designed in accordance with the maximum amount of the assumed power consumption, the size increases and the cost also increases.

  On the other hand, Patent Document 1 describes that when printing data with a large number of ejections in a short time is input, printing is performed by switching to a printing mode with low power consumption per unit time. Specifically, one unit area is divided into a plurality of divided areas, and the total value of the number of ejections of each ink is calculated for each divided area. When the maximum total value is lower than a predetermined threshold value, In other words, recording is performed by selecting a recording mode in which the power consumption is relatively high, and a recording mode in which the power consumption per unit time is relatively low when the recording mode is higher than a predetermined threshold. In this document, as a recording mode in which power consumption per unit time is relatively low, a recording mode in which the number of recording scans performed on a unit area is small compared to a recording mode in which power consumption per unit time is relatively large, or A recording mode with a slow scanning speed is used. According to this document, when there is no divided area where the number of ejections in a short time is large, the extension of the time required for printing is suppressed, and the power consumption is increased when there is a divided area where the number of times of ejection is large in a short time. It is described that it is possible to satisfy both of the above.

JP 2006-7759 A

  However, depending on the method described in Patent Document 1, there is a possibility that the determination of the power consumption for recording in a certain unit area may not be accurate.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a process when determining the level of power consumption according to the prior art. FIG. 1 schematically shows a state at the timing t0 before the start of recording scanning.

  Here, as an example, a case will be described in which a unit area 900 on which recording is performed on a recording medium 912 is divided into ten divided areas 901 to 910. In this case, in the divided areas 901 to 910, the number of ejections Sc1 to Sc10 from the ejection port array 913 that ejects cyan ink in the recording head, the number of ejections Sm1 to Sm10 from the ejection port array 914 that ejects magenta ink, and the yellow ink The ejection times Sy1 to Sy10 from the ejection port array 915 for ejecting ink and the ejection times Sk1 to Sk10 from the ejection port array 916 for ejecting black ink are respectively calculated.

  In the prior art, the sum of the number of ejections of each ink in one divided area is calculated, and the value is set as the total value Sn (n = 1 to 10) of the number of ejections of ink in that divided area. Specifically, the total value Sn is calculated by (Equation 1).

(Formula 1)
Sn = Scn + Smn + Syn + Skn (n = 1 to 10)
Then, the maximum value among the calculated total values S1 to S10 is used as a representative value for determining the power consumption in the unit area 900. When the representative value is lower than a predetermined threshold, the power consumption is large. When the recording mode is higher than a predetermined threshold, the recording mode with low power consumption is selected as the recording mode to be executed in recording on the unit area 900.

  However, since the ejection port arrays 913 to 916 are actually arranged at a certain distance from each other in the recording head, the conventional technique may cause an error in the determination of power consumption as described above. This point will be described in detail below.

  FIG. 2A is a diagram schematically showing a state at a certain timing t1 during recording scanning. FIG. 2B is a diagram schematically showing a range that needs to be monitored in order to calculate the power consumption associated with ejection from the ejection port arrays 913 to 917 at the timing t1.

  As can be seen from FIG. 2A, at the timing t1, the discharge port arrays 913 to 917 are located at positions corresponding to different divided regions. Specifically, the cyan ink ejection port array 913 is in the divided area 902, the magenta ink ejection port array 914 and the yellow ink ejection port array 915 are in the divided area 903, and the black ink ejection port array 916 is in the divided area 904. Each is in a corresponding position. That is, ink is not ejected from the ejection port arrays 913 to 916 to the same divided area at the timing t1.

  Therefore, in order to calculate the total value St1 of the number of ejections of each ink at the timing t1, it is actually necessary to follow (Equation 2). This formula is not derived from the above-described (Formula 1) which is a conventional technique.

(Formula 2)
St1 = Sc2 + Sm3 + Sy3 + Sk4
Furthermore, even if the total value St1 at the timing t1 is calculated according to (Equation 2), the power consumption cannot be determined with sufficient accuracy with the total value St1.

  In order to accurately determine the level of power consumption, it is necessary to calculate not only the number of ejections at a certain timing but also the total number of ejections in a time range from the timing until a predetermined time elapses. This is because the power consumption depends not only on the number of ejections at each timing but also on the number of ejections continuously within a predetermined time.

  For example, in the discharge from the discharge port array 913 of cyan ink, actually, in the range 917 from the position of the discharge port array 913 at the timing t1 to the position of the discharge port array 913 after the predetermined time has elapsed. It is necessary to monitor the number of discharges. Similarly, the number of ejections in the range 918 for ejection from the magenta ink ejection port array 914, the range 919 for ejection from the ejection port array 915 for yellow ink, and the number of ejections in the range 920 for ejection from the ejection port array 916 for black ink. Must be monitored.

  Here, the cyan ink monitor range 917 extends over the divided areas 902 and 903. Therefore, in actuality, the power consumption associated with cyan ink ejection cannot be determined without considering not only the cyan ink ejection count Sc2 for the divided area 902 but also the cyan ink ejection count Sc3 for the divided area 903. The same applies to magenta ink, yellow ink, and black ink.

  As described above, for various reasons, the conventional technology cannot accurately determine the power consumption.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to accurately determine the magnitude of power consumption and thereby suitably suppress the increase in power consumption while recording as fast as possible. To do.

  Therefore, the present invention is an ink jet recording apparatus that performs recording on a recording medium by discharging ink, and includes a first type in which a plurality of discharge ports for discharging a first type of ink are arranged in a predetermined direction. An ejection port array and a second ejection port array in which a plurality of ejection ports for ejecting the second type of ink are arranged in the predetermined direction are arranged side by side in an intersecting direction intersecting the predetermined direction. A recording head, scanning means for scanning the recording head in the intersecting direction with respect to the recording medium, and a width substantially the same as the width of the first and second ejection port arrays on the recording medium in the predetermined direction. A first acquisition unit that acquires recording data corresponding to each of the plurality of unit regions, and a first value relating to a representative value in each of the plurality of unit regions based on the recording data acquired by the first acquisition unit. 1 Based on the first acquisition mode for acquiring information, and the first information in each of the plurality of unit areas acquired by the second acquisition unit, the first recording mode and the first recording mode And a second recording mode that consumes less power per unit time, a selection unit that selects one recording mode for each unit area from a plurality of recording modes including at least the second recording mode, and the first acquisition unit. Control means for controlling to perform recording on each of the plurality of unit areas with scanning by the scanning means according to the recording data and the recording mode selected by the selection means, and The second acquisition means relates to a plurality of divided areas obtained by dividing one unit area into a plurality of the crossing directions, and the recording head is arranged in the crossing direction. (I) each of the M first divided regions that includes at least the first divided region corresponding to the first ejection port array at the predetermined position and that is continuous in the intersecting direction. Second information relating to the number of ejections of the first type of ink is obtained based on the number of ejections of the first type of ink, and (ii) the second ejection port array at the predetermined position Based on the number of ejections of the second type of ink to each of the N second divided regions that include at least the corresponding second divided region and are continuous in the intersecting direction, (Iii) acquiring the first information on the basis of the second information and the third information, and the selecting means is obtained by the second acquiring means. The obtained number When the representative value indicated by the first information is lower than the first threshold, the first recording mode is selected, and the representative value indicated by the first information acquired by the second acquiring means is the first value. The second recording mode is selected when higher than the threshold value.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to determine the magnitude of power consumption with high accuracy, thereby suitably suppressing the increase in power consumption while recording as fast as possible.

It is a figure for demonstrating the determination method of the magnitude of the power consumption in a prior art. It is a figure for demonstrating the determination method of the magnitude of the power consumption in a prior art. 1 is a perspective view of an ink jet recording apparatus according to an embodiment. It is a schematic diagram of the recording head applied in the embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows the recording control system in embodiment. It is a figure which shows the process of the data in embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the calculation process of the representative value of the frequency | count of discharge in embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the calculation process of the representative value of the frequency | count of discharge in embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the recording data in the division area in embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the calculation process of the representative value of the frequency | count of discharge in embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the selection process of the recording mode in embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the recording mode which can be set in embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the recording mode which can be set in embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the recording mode which can be set in embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the recording mode which can be set in embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the recording mode which can be set in embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the calculation process of the representative value of the frequency | count of discharge in embodiment.

  Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 3 shows the appearance of an ink jet recording apparatus (hereinafter also referred to as a printer) according to this embodiment. This is a so-called serial scanning type printer that records an image by scanning a recording head in an intersecting direction (X direction) orthogonal to the conveyance direction (Y direction) of the recording medium P.

  The configuration of the ink jet recording apparatus and an outline of the operation during recording will be described with reference to FIG. First, the recording medium P is transported in the Y direction from the spool 6 holding the recording medium P by a transport roller driven via a gear by a transport motor (not shown). On the other hand, the carriage unit 2 is scanned along the guide shaft 8 extending in the X direction by a carriage motor (not shown) at a predetermined transport position. In this scanning process, the discharge operation is performed from the discharge ports of a recording head (described later) that can be mounted on the carriage unit 2 at a timing based on the position signal obtained by the encoder 3, and corresponds to the array range of the discharge ports. Record a certain unit area. In the present embodiment, scanning is performed at a scanning speed of 40 inches per second, and the ejection operation is performed at a resolution of 600 dpi (1/600 inch). Thereafter, the recording medium P is transported, and further recording is performed for the next unit area.

  A carriage belt can be used to transmit the driving force from the carriage motor to the carriage unit 2. However, instead of the carriage belt, for example, a lead screw that is rotationally driven by a carriage motor and extends in the X direction, and an engagement portion that is provided in the carriage unit 2 and engages with a groove of the lead screw, etc. Other driving methods can also be used.

  The fed recording medium P is nipped and conveyed between a paper feed roller and a pinch roller, and is guided to a recording position on the platen 4 (main scanning area of the recording head). Since the face surface of the recording head is capped in the normal resting state, the cap is opened prior to recording, so that the recording head or carriage unit 2 can be scanned. After that, when data for one scan is accumulated in the buffer, the carriage unit 2 is scanned by the carriage motor, and recording is performed as described above.

  Here, a flexible wiring substrate 19 for supplying a driving pulse for ejection driving, a head temperature adjusting signal, and the like is attached to the recording head. The other end of the flexible substrate is connected to a control unit (not shown) including a control circuit such as a CPU that executes control of the printer. A thermistor (not shown), which is a temperature sensor for detecting the ambient temperature in the ink jet recording apparatus, is provided in the vicinity of the control unit.

  FIG. 4 shows a recording head used in this embodiment.

  The recording head 7 has four ejection port arrays 22C, 22M, 22Y, and 22K (hereinafter referred to as these) that can eject cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K) inks, respectively. One discharge port row of the discharge port rows is also referred to as a discharge port row 22), which is arranged in this order in the X direction. These ejection port arrays 22 are configured by arranging 1280 ejection ports (hereinafter also referred to as nozzles) 30 that eject the respective inks in the Y direction (predetermined direction) at a density of 1200 dpi.

  An electrothermal conversion element is provided at a position facing the ejection port 30, and a drive pulse is applied to the electrothermal conversion element to generate thermal energy for ejecting ink from the ejection port. Can do. Although the case where an electrothermal conversion element is used as the recording element has been described here, a piezoelectric element or the like can also be used.

  The discharge ports 30 located at positions adjacent to each other in the Y direction are arranged at positions shifted from each other in the X direction. Here, the amount of ink ejected at one time from one ejection port 30 in the present embodiment is about 4.5 ng.

  Each of these ejection port arrays 22 is connected to an ink tank (not shown) that stores the corresponding ink, and ink is supplied. Note that the recording head 7 and the ink tank used in the present embodiment may be configured integrally, or may be configured such that each can be separated.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a control system in the present embodiment. The main control unit 300 includes a CPU 301 that executes processing operations such as calculation, selection, discrimination, and control, a ROM 302 that stores a control program to be executed by the CPU 301, a RAM 303 that is used as a buffer for recording data, and an input / output Port 304 etc. are provided. The memory 313 stores image data, a mask pattern, ejection failure nozzle data, and the like, which will be described later. The input / output port 304 is connected to drive circuits 305, 306, 307, and 308 such as a conveyance motor (LF motor) 309, a carriage motor (CR motor) 310, the recording head 7, and an actuator in the cutting unit. . Further, the main control unit 300 is connected to a PC 312 which is a host computer via an interface circuit 311.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining a process of image data executed by the CPU according to the control program in the present embodiment.

  When the recording apparatus receives image data corresponding to an image to be recorded from the host computer 312 via the interface (S101), the main control unit 300 performs color conversion processing S102, γ correction processing S103, and 2 on the image data. Each of the value processing S104 is executed.

  In the color conversion processing S102, color gamut conversion is performed to convert the color gamut (R, G, B) of the display of the host computer 312 into the ink color gamut (C, M, Y, K). Thus, ink color data that is 8-bit data C, M, Y, and K is generated from the image data that is 8-bit data R, G, and B. In the γ correction process S103, γ correction is performed for each of the ink color data obtained in the color conversion process S102. Here, conversion is performed so that each of the ink color data is linearly associated with the gradation characteristics of the ink jet recording apparatus. In the binarization processing S104, each of the ink color data, which is 8-bit data obtained in the γ correction processing S103, is converted into 1-bit data, and quantization processing for generating binary data is performed. As the quantization means, a density pattern method, a dither method, an error diffusion method, or the like is preferably used.

  As described above, the print data is generated by executing the color conversion process S102, the γ correction process S103, and the binarization process S104 on the image data (S105).

(Calculation method of representative value of the number of ink ejections in each unit area)
A method for calculating the number of ink ejections in each unit area, which is used to determine the amount of power consumed when printing is performed in each unit area in the present embodiment, will be described in detail below. In the following, for the sake of simplicity, the size of each unit region in the Y direction is 32 pixels, that is, the discharge port arrays 22C, 22M, 22Y, and 22K are configured from 32 discharge ports.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a method for calculating a representative value of the number of ink ejections in each unit area, which is executed by the CPU according to the control program in this embodiment.

  First, in step S201, the unit area is divided into a plurality of small areas of 16 pixels × 16 pixels, and the number of discharges of cyan ink, magenta ink, yellow ink, and black ink for each small area is calculated. Then, the sum of the number of ink ejections for a plurality of small regions continuous in the Y direction in each unit region is calculated for each ink, and the value is set as the number of ink ejections for each divided region.

  FIG. 8A is a diagram schematically showing the above-described small region in one unit region. Here, an area composed of 96 pixels in the X direction in the unit area is shown, but in reality there are more pixels in the X direction.

  The unit area shown in FIG. 8A is a small area 61-1, 62-1, 63-1, 64-1, 65-1, 66-1, 61-2, 62 each having 16 pixels × 16 pixels. -2, 63-2, 64-2, 65-2, 66-2. Then, as shown in FIG. 8B, the number of ejections of each ink in each small region is calculated.

  For the sake of simplicity in the following description, as shown in FIG. 8B, the number of cyan ink ejections to the small area 61-1 is Sc (1-1), and the number of magenta ink ejections is Sm (1-1). The number of yellow ink ejections is denoted as Sy (1-1), and the number of black ink ejections is denoted as Sk (1-1). Further, the number of cyan ink ejections to the small area 61-2 is Sc (1-2), the number of magenta ink ejections is Sm (1-2), the number of yellow ink ejections is Sy (1-2), The number of discharges is described as Sk (1-2). The same applies to other small regions.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a method of calculating the number of ejections of each ink for each small region. Here, in FIG. 9, pixels that are blacked out indicate pixels that are determined to be ejected by the recording data, and pixels that are outlined are pixels that are determined to be not ejected by the recording data. ing.

  For example, when recording data corresponding to cyan ink as shown in FIG. 9A is input in the small area 61-1, the number of pixels determined to be ejected by ink is 16, so Sc (1 -1) = 16. For example, when magenta ink recording data as shown in FIG. 9B is input in the small area 62-1, the number of pixels determined to eject ink is 249, so Sm (2-1 ) = 249.

  After the number of ink ejections for each small region is calculated in this way, the number of ink ejections in each of the divided regions composed of a plurality of regions that are continuous in the Y direction, that is, at the same position in the X direction. The total is calculated. Here, one divided region is composed of two small regions adjacent in the Y direction. For example, one divided area 61 is configured by the small area 61-1 and the small area 61-2. In addition, one divided area 62 is configured by the small area 62-1 and the small area 62-2. Similarly, the divided regions 63 to 66 are configured.

  Here, one divided region is a region where ejection is performed at a close timing. Therefore, in order to see the power consumption in a short time, it is first necessary to calculate the total number of ejections of each ink for one divided area.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8C, the sum of the number of ink ejections for two small regions continuous in the Y direction is calculated. For example, the cyan ink discharge count Sc (1) for the divided area 61 is the cyan ink discharge count Sc (1-1) for the small area 61-1 and the cyan ink discharge count Sc (1-2) for the small area 61-2. Is calculated according to the formula of Sc (1) = Sc (1-1) + Sc (1-2). Similarly, the number of cyan ink ejections Sc (2) to Sc (6) for each of the divided regions 62 to 66 is also calculated. Similarly, magenta ink ejection times Sm (1) to Sm (6), yellow ink ejection times Sy (1) to Sy (6), black ink ejection times Sk ( 1) to Sk (6) are also calculated.

  Next, in step S202, it is determined for each ink which divided area is included in the monitor frame for determining the power consumption. The size of the monitor frame in the X direction can be set as appropriate depending on the power supply capacity in the recording apparatus. Here, it is assumed that the size of the power consumption can be suitably measured if it has a size of 16 pixels in the X direction.

  FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram for explaining which divided region is used for each ink in order to determine the power consumption when the recording head 7 is located at a certain position in the X direction.

  When the recording head 7 is located at the position shown in FIG. 10, the cyan ink ejection port array 22C is in the divided area 61, the magenta ink ejection port array 22M is in the divided area 62, and the yellow ink ejection port array 22Y is in the divided area 64. In addition, the black ink ejection port array 22 </ b> K is located at a position corresponding to each of the divided regions 65. At this position, as can be seen from FIG. 10, the cyan ink monitor frame 51C is divided into divided areas 61 and 62, the magenta ink monitor frame 51M is divided into divided areas 62 and 63, and the yellow ink monitor frame 51Y is divided. The black ink monitor frame 51K spans the divided areas 65 and 66 in the divided areas 64 and 65, respectively.

  Therefore, when the recording head 7 is located at the position shown in FIG. 10, in order to determine the power consumption associated with the number of discharges from the cyan ink discharge port array 22C, the cyan ink discharge count Sc (1) and It is necessary to see the number of cyan ink ejections Sc (2) for the divided region 62. On the other hand, when the recording head 7 is located at the position shown in FIG. 10, in order to determine the power consumption associated with the number of ejections from the magenta ink ejection port array 22M, the number of ejections of magenta ink Sm (2) to the divided region 62 is determined. Then, the magenta ink ejection number Sm (3) for the divided area 63 is seen. Further, in order to determine the power consumption associated with the number of ejections from the yellow ink ejection port array 22Y when the recording head 7 is located at the position shown in FIG. The number of yellow ink ejections Sy (5) for the divided area 65 is examined. Further, in order to determine the power consumption associated with the number of ejections from the black ink ejection port array 22K when the recording head 7 is at the position shown in FIG. The number of black ink ejections Sk (6) for the divided area 66 is examined.

  Next, in step S203, the maximum value of the number of ejections for the divided areas included in each monitor frame is acquired for each ink. For example, when the recording head 7 is located at the position shown in FIG. 10, the divided areas included in the cyan ink monitor frame 51C are the divided areas 61 and 62. Therefore, the maximum number of cyan ink ejections for the divided areas 61 and 62 is determined. Max (Sc (1), Sc (2)) is acquired. Similarly, when the recording head 7 is located at the position shown in FIG. 10, the maximum value Max (Sm (2), Sm (3)) of the number of magenta ink ejections to the divided areas 62 and 63 and the divided area 64. , 65, the maximum value Max (Sy (4), Sy (5)) of the yellow ink ejection number, and the maximum value Max (Sk (5), Sk (6) of the black ink ejection number for the divided regions 65, 66. ) And get.

  In step S204, the total value of the number of ejections of the plurality of types of ink acquired in step S203 is calculated. For example, the total value Sum (1) corresponding to the monitor frames 51C, 51M, 51Y, and 51K illustrated in FIG. 10 is Sum (1) = Max (Sc (1), Sc (2)) + Max (Sm (2), Sm (3)) + Max (Sy (4), Sy (5)) + Max (Sk (5), Sk (6)). The total value Sum (1) is a value corresponding to the power consumption when recording is performed for 16 pixels in the X direction when the recording head 7 is located at the position shown in FIG.

Thereafter, the monitor frame corresponding to each ink is similarly shifted by 16 pixels in the X direction, and a total value Sum (n) is calculated at each position as schematically shown in FIG. In this embodiment, since the size of the monitor frame in the X direction and the size of the divided area in the X direction are equal to 16 pixels, the total value Sum (n) at each position can be calculated according to (Equation 3). .
(Formula 3)
Sum (n) = Dc1 (n) + Dm1 (n) + Dy1 (n) + Dk1 (n)
Dc1 (n) = Max (Sc (n), Sc (n + 1))
Dm1 (n) = Max (Sm (n + 1), Sm (n + 2))
Dy1 (n) = Max (Sy (n + 3), Sy (n + 4))
Dk1 (n) = Max (Sk (n + 4), Sk (n + 5))
Finally, in step S205, the maximum value of the total values Sum (n) for each monitor frame divided by the predetermined position interval obtained in step S204 is obtained, and the value is obtained for the unit area. Obtained as a representative value D for determining power consumption.

  Using the representative value D in each unit area calculated in this way, a recording mode to be described later is selected for each unit area and recording is performed.

(Recording mode)
In the present embodiment, one of the five recording modes is selected as a recording mode to be executed in the unit area in accordance with the representative value D in each unit area calculated as described above.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a recording mode selection process executed by the CPU in accordance with the control program in the present embodiment.

  When the recording mode selection process for a certain unit area is executed, it is first determined in step S301 whether or not the representative value D in that unit area is smaller than the first threshold value Th1. If it is determined that the representative value D is smaller than the first threshold Th1, the process proceeds to step S305, where the first recording mode in which the power consumption per unit time is large but the time until recording is completed is the unit. The recording mode is selected when recording is performed on the area. If it is determined that the representative value D is greater than the first threshold value, the process proceeds to step S302.

  Next, in step S302, it is determined whether or not the representative value D in the unit area is smaller than the second threshold Th2. Here, the second threshold Th2 is a value larger than the first threshold. If it is determined that the representative value D is smaller than the second threshold value Th2, the process proceeds to step S306, where the second recording is relatively short in time until the recording is completed although the power consumption per unit time is relatively large. The mode is selected as a recording mode when recording is performed on the unit area. When it is determined that the representative value D is larger than the second threshold value, the process proceeds to step S303.

  Next, in step S303, it is determined whether or not the representative value D in the unit area is smaller than the third threshold Th3. Here, the third threshold Th3 is a value larger than the second threshold. If it is determined that the representative value D is smaller than the second threshold value Th3, the process proceeds to step S307, and the third recording mode in which the power consumption per unit time and the time until recording is medium is medium. The recording mode is selected when recording is performed on the area. When it is determined that the representative value D is larger than the third threshold value, the process proceeds to step S304.

  In step S304, it is determined whether or not the representative value D in the unit area is smaller than the fourth threshold Th4. Here, the fourth threshold Th4 is larger than the third threshold. If it is determined that the representative value D is smaller than the fourth threshold Th4, the process proceeds to step S306, and although it takes a relatively long time to complete the recording, the fourth power consumption is relatively small per unit time. The recording mode is selected as a recording mode when recording is performed on the unit area. On the other hand, if it is determined that the representative value D is larger than the fourth threshold value, the fifth recording with less power consumption per unit time although it takes a longer time to complete the recording in step S309. The mode is selected as a recording mode when recording is performed on the unit area.

  Details of the first to fifth recording modes in this embodiment will be described.

  In the present embodiment, the number of scans to be performed on the unit area and the scan speed are made different in each of the first to fifth recording modes. Specifically, the number of scans and the scan speed are set in each recording mode as shown in FIG.

  In the first recording mode and the second recording mode, recording is performed with only one scan for one unit area 70. FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing a state when an image is recorded in the unit area 70 in accordance with the first recording mode and the second recording mode. In the following description, the blackened portion in the recording head 7 schematically shows the position of the ejection port that ejects ink in the scanning.

  As described above, the size of the unit region 70 in the Y direction is the same as the length of the discharge port array 22 in the Y direction. Accordingly, in the first and second recording modes, recording is performed by ejecting ink from all the ejection ports in the ejection port array 22 in one scan. Thereby, it is possible to record an image on the unit area 70 by only one scanning.

  Here, in the first recording mode and the second recording mode, the number of scans performed on the unit area 70 is the same as one, but the scanning speeds are different from each other. In the second recording mode, recording is performed at a slower scanning speed than in the first recording mode. Accordingly, although the time until the recording is completed in the second recording mode is longer than that in the first recording mode, the number of times the recording element is driven per unit time decreases as the scanning speed decreases. Is less than in the first recording mode.

  In the third recording mode, recording is performed by scanning twice for one unit area 70. Note that the scanning speed in the third recording mode is the same as the scanning speed in the second recording mode. FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing a state when an image is recorded in the unit area 70 in accordance with the third recording mode.

  In the third recording mode, as shown in FIG. 14A, the first half of the two scans with respect to the unit area 70 is started from the half of the discharge ports on the upstream side in the Y direction in the discharge port array 22. Ink is ejected only from the half ejection ports on the downstream side in the Y direction in the ejection port array 22 without ejecting ink. As a result, in the first scan, an image is recorded in a half area in the Y direction downstream in the unit area 70. Next, the second scan is performed without conveying the recording medium. In the second scanning, as shown in FIG. 14B, ink is not ejected from the half ejection port on the downstream side in the Y direction in the ejection port array 22, and the half on the upstream side in the Y direction in the ejection port array 22. Ink is discharged only from the discharge port. As a result, as shown in FIG. 14B, recording can be performed in the unit area 70 by two scans.

  Here, the scanning speed of the third recording mode is the same as that of the second recording mode, but the number of scans performed on the unit region 70 is increased, and the number of ink ejections per scan (recording element). Drive count) is low. Therefore, the third recording mode takes a longer time to complete the recording than the second recording mode, but the power consumption can be reduced as the number of ejections per scan decreases.

  In the fourth recording mode, recording is performed by scanning four times for one unit area 70. Note that the scanning speed in the fourth recording mode is the same as the scanning speed in the second recording mode. FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram showing a state when an image is recorded in the unit area 70 in accordance with the fourth recording mode.

  In the fourth recording mode, in the first scan of the four scans with respect to the unit area 70, as shown in FIG. 15A, the 1/4 ejection port on the downstream side in the Y direction in the ejection port array 22 Only eject ink. As a result, in the first scan, an image is recorded in a quarter area of the unit area 70 on the downstream side in the Y direction. Thereafter, the second to fourth scans of the unit area 70 are performed with the ejection port used for recording shifted by ¼ downstream in the Y direction without transporting the recording medium. FIGS. 15B to 15D show a process of recording an image when the second to fourth scans are performed on the unit area 70, respectively. As can be seen from FIG. 15D, according to the fourth recording mode, recording can be performed in the unit area 70 by four scans.

  In the fifth recording mode, recording is performed by scanning 8 times for one unit area 70. Note that the scanning speed in the fifth recording mode is the same as the scanning speed in the second recording mode. FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram showing a state when an image is recorded in the unit area 70 in accordance with the fifth recording mode.

  In the fifth recording mode, 1/8 of the 8 scans of the unit area 70, as shown in FIG. 16A, the 1/8 ejection port on the downstream side in the Y direction in the ejection port array 22. Only eject ink. As a result, in the first scan, an image is recorded in a 1/8 area downstream of the unit area 70 in the Y direction. Thereafter, the second to eighth scans of the unit area 70 are performed with the ejection port used for recording shifted by 1/8 each downstream without carrying the recording medium. FIGS. 16B to 16H show a process of recording an image when the second to eighth scans are performed on the unit area 70, respectively. As can be seen from FIG. 16 (h), according to the fifth recording mode, recording can be performed in the unit area 70 by eight scans.

  The fourth recording mode has a higher number of scans per unit area than the third recording mode, and the fifth recording mode has a smaller number of ink ejections per scan than the fourth recording mode. Yes. Therefore, it can be seen that the power consumption is smaller in the fourth recording mode than in the third recording mode, and is further smaller in the fifth recording mode than in the fourth recording mode.

  From the above description, the time taken to complete recording on the unit area in the order of the first recording mode, the second recording mode, the third recording mode, the fourth recording mode, and the fifth recording mode. It turns out that it becomes long and power consumption becomes small. Therefore, by using the representative value D in each unit area calculated as described above, the thresholds Th1 to Th4 are compared, and the recording mode to be executed for each unit area is selected, so that the time required for recording is reached. Thus, it is possible to perform recording in which suppression of increase in power consumption and suppression of increase in power consumption are suitably achieved.

(Second Embodiment)
In the present embodiment, a case where the allowable power load is larger than that in the first embodiment will be described.

  The description of the same parts as those in the first embodiment described above will be omitted.

  In this embodiment, a power source is used that does not cause power problems even when a solid image is recorded from all four ejection port arrays in one divided region. However, a system that causes a power problem when the total number of ejections for two divided regions continuous in the X direction is large will be described.

  In the present embodiment, the monitor frame is applied by extending twice in the X direction as compared with the first embodiment. FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram for explaining to which divided region the number of ejections is used in each ink in order to determine the power consumption when the recording head 7 in this embodiment is located at a certain position in the X direction. It is. Although omitted in FIG. 10, FIG. 17 also shows a divided region 60 adjacent to the upstream side of the divided region 61 in the X direction and a divided region 67 adjacent to the downstream side of the divided region 66 in the X direction.

  When the recording head 7 is located at the position shown in FIG. 17, as in the first embodiment, the cyan ink ejection port array 22C is in the divided area 61, the magenta ink ejection port array 22M is in the divided area 62, and the yellow ink. The discharge port array 22Y is located in a position corresponding to the divided region 64, and the black ink discharge port row 22K is located in a position corresponding to the divided region 65.

  Here, as described above, in this embodiment, the allowable power load is larger than that in the first embodiment, and therefore, the monitor frame is expanded in the X direction as compared with FIG. As can be seen by comparing FIG. 17 and FIG. 10, the monitor frames 52C, 52M, 52Y, and 52K in the present embodiment are twice the size in the X direction of the monitor frames 51C, 51M, 51Y, and 51K in the first embodiment. have.

  At this position, as shown in FIG. 17, the cyan ink monitor frame 52 </ b> C is divided into the divided regions 61, 62, and 63, and the magenta ink monitor frame 52 </ b> M is divided into the divided regions 62, 63, and 64. The yellow ink monitor frame 52Y extends over the divided areas 64, 65 and 66, and the black ink monitor frame 52K extends over the divided areas 65, 66 and 67.

  Accordingly, when the recording head 7 is located at the position shown in FIG. 17, in order to determine the power consumption associated with the number of times of ejection from the cyan ink ejection port array 22C, the cyan ink ejection number Sc (1) with respect to the divided region 61 In addition to the cyan ink ejection number Sc (2) for the divided area 62, it is also necessary to see the cyan ink ejection number Sc (3) for the divided area 63. On the other hand, when the recording head 7 is located at the position shown in FIG. 17, in order to determine the power consumption associated with the number of ejections from the magenta ink ejection port array 22M, the number of ejections of magenta ink Sm (2) to the divided region 62. In addition to the number of magenta ink ejections Sm (3) for the divided area 63, it is also necessary to see the number of magenta ink ejections Sm (4) for the divided area 64. In order to determine the power consumption associated with the number of ejections from the yellow ink ejection port array 22Y when the recording head 7 is at the position shown in FIG. 17, the number of yellow ink ejections Sy (4) for the divided region 64 is In addition to the yellow ink discharge count Sy (5) for the divided area 65, it is also necessary to see the yellow ink discharge count Sy (6) for the divided area 66. Further, in order to determine the power consumption associated with the number of times of ejection from the black ink ejection port array 22K when the recording head 7 is located at the position shown in FIG. In addition to the black ink discharge count Sk (6) for the divided area 66, the black ink discharge count Sk (7) for the divided area 67 also needs to be observed.

  In the present embodiment, in step S203, among a plurality of divided areas included in the monitor frame, a plurality of divided areas that are continuous with each other in the X direction are regarded as one large large divided area, and the number of ejections for the large divided area ( That is, the total number of ejection times for a plurality of divided areas constituting the large divided area is calculated, and the maximum value of the number of ejections for the large divided area included in each monitor frame is obtained for each ink. For example, when the recording head 7 is at the position shown in FIG. 17, the divided areas included in the cyan ink monitor frame 52 </ b> C are the divided areas 61, 62, and 63. Accordingly, the monitor frame 52C includes two large divided areas including divided areas 62 and 63 and large divided areas including divided areas 63 and 64. Therefore, in step S203, the maximum value Max (Sc (1) + Sc (2), Sc (2) + Sc (3)) of the number of ejections is acquired. Similarly, when the recording head 7 is located at the position shown in FIG. 17, the maximum value Max (Sm (2) + Sm (3), Sm) of the number of magenta ink ejections corresponding to the divided regions 62, 63, 64 is obtained. (3) + Sm (4)), the maximum number Max (Sy (4) + Sy (5), Sy (5) + Sy (6)) of the number of yellow ink ejections for the divided areas 64, 65 and 66, and the divided areas. The maximum value Max (Sk (5) + Sk (6), Sk (6) + Sk (7)) of the black ink ejection count for 65, 66, and 67 is acquired.

  Here, there are three (M) divided areas included in the monitor frame 52C and two (K divided areas) continuous divided areas in the X direction (divided areas constituting the large divided area). Therefore, in order to calculate the maximum value of the number of cyan ink ejections, the maximum value among 2 (M−K + 1) values (Sc (1) + Sc (2) and Sc (2) + Sc (3)) Was obtained as the maximum value for the divided regions 61, 62, 63. Further, there are three (N) divided areas included in the monitor frame 52M, and two (L) divided areas that are continuous in the X direction (divided areas constituting the large divided area). Therefore, in order to calculate the maximum value of the number of magenta ink ejections, the maximum value among 2 (N−L + 1) values (Sm (2) + Sm (3) and Sm (3) + Sm (4)) is divided. Obtained as the maximum value for regions 62, 63, 64. Needless to say, in this embodiment, N = M and L = K.

  In step S204, the total value of the number of ejections of the plurality of types of ink acquired in step S203 is calculated. For example, the total value Sum (1) corresponding to the monitor frames 52C, 52M, 52Y, and 52K shown in FIG. 10 is Sum (1) = Value Max (Sc (1) + Sc (2), Sc (2) + Sc (3 )) + Max (Sm (2) + Sm (3), Sm (3) + Sm (4)) + Max (Sy (4) + Sy (5), Sy (5) + Sy (6)) + Max (Sk (5) + Sk ( 6), Sk (6) + Sk (7)). This total value Sum (1) is a value corresponding to the power consumption when recording is performed in the X direction by 16 × 2, ie, 32 pixels, when the recording head 7 is located at the position shown in FIG.

Thereafter, the monitor frame corresponding to each ink is shifted 32 pixels in the X direction in the same manner, and the total value Sum (n) is calculated at each position as schematically shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, the size of the monitor frame in the X direction is 32 pixels, which is an integral multiple of 16 pixels, which is the size of the divided region in the X direction. Therefore, the total value Sum (n) at each position is (Expression 4). ).
(Formula 4)
Sum (n) = Dc2 (n) + Dm2 (n) + Dy2 (n) + Dk2 (n)
Dc2 (n) = Max (Sc (n) + Sc (n + 1), Sc (n + 1) + Sc (n + 2))
Dm2 (n) = Max (Sm (n + 1) + Sm (n + 2), Sm (n + 2) + Sm (n + 3))
Dy2 (n) = Max (Sy (n + 3) + Sy (n + 4), Sy (n + 4) + Sy (n + 5))
Dk2 (n) = Max (Sk (n + 4) + Sk (n + 5), Sk (n + 5) + Sk (n + 6))

  Finally, in step S205, the maximum value among the total values Sum (n) obtained in step S204 is acquired, and that value is acquired as a representative value D for determining power consumption for the unit area. To do.

  Using the representative value D in each unit area calculated in this way, a recording mode to be described later is selected for each unit area and recording is performed.

  According to the above configuration, even when the allowable power load is larger than that in the first embodiment, it is possible to perform recording in which the suppression of the increase in the required time during recording and the suppression of the increase in power consumption are suitably achieved. Can be done.

(Third embodiment)
Description of the same parts as those in the first and second embodiments described above will be omitted.

  As disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-240146 or Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-331315, in order to obtain an image having no misalignment, a reference for the distance in the opposite direction between the ink discharge portion of the print head and the print medium When the ink ejection timing is controlled based on displacement information relating to the displacement of the recording medium from the value, the ejection timing may be shifted even if the scanning speed of the recording head is constant.

  In other words, when the ejection timing is shifted as described above, the position in the X direction where printing is performed using each print data is also shifted. Therefore, it is impossible to perform control in consideration of the shift of the discharge timing.

  For example, if the recording head is located at the position shown in FIG. 17, ink is ejected from the ejection port array 22 </ b> C with the recording data corresponding to the divided region 61 unless the ejection timing is shifted, but the ejection timing is shifted in the direction of delaying the ejection timing. In this case, ink is ejected with recording data corresponding to the divided area 60.

  In view of this point, in the present embodiment, for example, in the case of the monitor frame 52C extending over the divided areas 61, 62, and 63 in FIG. 17, the divided areas 60 adjacent to the outside thereof are also monitored.

In the present embodiment, (Equation 4) of the second embodiment is changed to (Equation 5) below.
(Formula 5)
Sum (n) = Dc3 (n) + Dm3 (n) + Dy3 (n) + Dk3 (n)
Dc3 (n) = Max (Sc (n-1) + Sc (n) + Sc (n + 1), Sc (n) + Sc (n + 1) + Sc (n + 2))
Dm3 (n) = Max (Sm (n) + Sm (n + 1) + Sm (n + 2), Sm (n + 1) + Sm (n + 2) + Sm (n + 3))
Dy3 (n) = Max (Sy (n + 2) + Sy (n + 3) + Sy (n + 4), Sy (n + 3) + Sy (n + 4) + Sy (n + 5))
Dk3 (n) = Max (Sk (n + 3) + Sk (n + 4) + Sk (n + 5), Sk (n + 4) + Sk (n + 5) + Sk (n + 6))

  For example, in (Equation 4) in the second embodiment, Dc2 (n) = Max (Sc (n) + Sc (n + 1), Sc (n + 1) + Sc (n + 2)), whereas in this embodiment ( In Expression 5, Dc3 (n) = Max (Sc (n-1) + Sc (n) + Sc (n + 1), Sc (n) + Sc (n + 1) + Sc (n + 2)). As can be seen from this, in the present embodiment, a segment of Sc (n−1) that was not in the second embodiment is added in order to take into account a divided region outside the monitor frame 52c. For this reason, even if the discharge position fluctuates in the X direction due to a shift in the discharge timing, the fluctuation can be covered.

  In the present embodiment, the control range for controlling the ejection timing is considered to be ± several pixels. For this reason, it is determined that it falls within one divided region, and only one divided region to be considered is added. If the range for controlling the discharge timing is increased, it can be dealt with by increasing the number of divided areas to be considered.

In the present embodiment, the case where the discharge timing is shifted in the direction of delaying the discharge timing is considered, and the outer divided area on the upstream side in the X direction is used. However, the shift of the discharge timing in the direction of increasing the discharge timing is also considered. A region may be used. When considering whether the ejection timing is shifted in the direction of slowing down or in the direction of speeding up, the total value Sum (n) can be calculated according to (Equation 6) below.
(Formula 6)
Sum (n) = Dc4 (n) + Dm4 (n) + Dy4 (n) + Dk4 (n)
Dc4 (n) = Max (Sc (n-1) + Sc (n) + Sc (n + 1), Sc (n) + Sc (n + 1) + Sc (n + 2), Sc (n + 1) + Sc (n + 2) + Sc (n + 3))
Dm4 (n) = Max (Sm (n) + Sm (n + 1) + Sm (n + 2), Sm (n + 1) + Sm (n + 2) + Sm (n + 3), Sm (n + 2) + Sm (n + 3) + Sm (n + 4))
Dy4 (n) = Max (Sy (n + 2) + Sy (n + 3) + Sy (n + 4), Sy (n + 3) + Sy (n + 4) + Sy (n + 5), Sy (n + 4) + Sy (n + 5) + Sy (n + 6))
Dk4 (n) = Max (Sk (n + 3) + Sk (n + 4) + Sk (n + 5), Sk (n + 4) + Sk (n + 5) + Sk (n + 6), Sk (n + 5) + Sk (n + 6) + Sk (n + 7))

  In each of the embodiments, a so-called thermal jet type ink jet recording apparatus and a recording method for ejecting ink by foaming energy generated by heating have been described. However, the present invention is not limited to the thermal jet type ink jet recording apparatus. For example, the present invention can be effectively applied to various image recording apparatuses such as a so-called piezo-type ink jet recording apparatus that discharges ink using a piezoelectric element.

  In each embodiment, the image recording method using the image recording apparatus is described. However, the image processing apparatus, the image processing method, or the computer that generates data for performing the image recording method described in each embodiment is described above. The present invention can also be applied to a mode in which a program that functions as an image processing apparatus is prepared separately from the image recording apparatus. Needless to say, the present invention can be widely applied to a configuration provided in a part of the image recording apparatus.

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

  Furthermore, “ink” is applied onto a recording medium to form an image, a pattern, a pattern, or the like, process the recording medium, or process ink (for example, the colorant in the ink applied to the recording medium). It shall represent a liquid that can be subjected to solidification or insolubilization.

7 Recording Head 22 Discharge Port Array 30 Discharge Port 61-66 Divided Area 301 CPU

Claims (16)

An ink jet recording apparatus for recording on a recording medium by discharging ink,
A first ejection port array in which a plurality of ejection ports for ejecting the first type of ink are arranged in a predetermined direction, and a plurality of ejection ports for ejecting the second type of ink in the predetermined direction The second ejection port array arranged, and the recording heads arranged side by side in the intersecting direction intersecting the predetermined direction;
Scanning means for scanning the recording head with respect to the recording medium in the intersecting direction;
First acquisition means for acquiring recording data corresponding to each of a plurality of unit regions having substantially the same width as the width in the predetermined direction of the first and second ejection port arrays on the recording medium;
Second acquisition means for acquiring first information on representative values in each of the plurality of unit regions based on the recording data acquired by the first acquisition means;
Based on the first information in each of the plurality of unit areas acquired by the second acquisition unit, the first recording mode and the second power consumption less per unit time than in the first recording mode. Selecting means for selecting one recording mode for each unit region from a plurality of recording modes including at least the recording mode;
According to the recording data acquired by the first acquisition unit and the recording mode selected by the selection unit, control is performed so that recording is performed on each of the plurality of unit areas with scanning by the scanning unit. Control means, and
The second acquisition means relates to a plurality of divided regions obtained by dividing one unit region into a plurality of the crossing directions, and when the recording head is located at a predetermined position in the crossing direction, (i) The number of ejections of the first type of ink for each of the M first divided areas that include at least a first divided area corresponding to the first ejection port array at a predetermined position and that are continuous in the intersecting direction. And (ii) including at least a second divided region corresponding to the second ejection port array at the predetermined position, and obtaining second information related to the number of ejections of the first type of ink. Third information related to the number of ejections of the second type of ink is acquired based on the number of ejections of the second type of ink for each of the N second divided regions that are continuous in the intersecting direction. And (iii) based on said second information and said third information, and acquiring the first information,
The selection unit selects the first recording mode when the representative value indicated by the first information acquired by the second acquisition unit is lower than a first threshold, and the second acquisition unit The inkjet recording apparatus, wherein the second recording mode is selected when the representative value indicated by the first information acquired by the step is higher than a first threshold value.   The second acquisition unit acquires, as the second information, (i) information relating to a maximum value of the number of ejections of the first type of ink for each of the M first divided regions, (Ii) The information regarding the maximum value of the number of ejections of the second type of ink for each of the N second divided areas is acquired as the third information. The ink jet recording apparatus described.   (I-1) The first type of ink for K (K <M) first divided areas that are consecutive among the M first divided areas. (I-2) acquiring the second information based on the total number of ejections of the first type of ink of the plurality of types, and (ii-1) A total of the number of times of ejection of the second type of ink for L (L <N) consecutive second divided regions among the N second divided regions is acquired, and (ii− 2) The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the third information is acquired based on a total number of ejections of the plurality of first type inks.   The second acquisition means acquires (i-2) information on the maximum value of the total number of ejections of the first type of ink as the second information, and (ii−) 2) The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein information relating to a maximum value among the total number of ejections of the plurality of types of the second type of ink is acquired as the third information.   The second acquisition means acquires (i-1) M-K + 1 total number of ejections of the first type of ink, and (ii-1) total number of ejections of the second type of ink. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein N−L + 1 patterns are acquired.   The second acquisition unit acquires (iii) fourth information related to a total value of a value indicated by the second information and a value indicated by the third information, and (iv) based on the fourth information. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first information is acquired.   The second acquisition unit acquires (iii) a plurality of the fourth information at a predetermined position interval in the intersecting direction, and (iv) a maximum of a plurality of total values indicated by the plurality of fourth information The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 6, wherein information relating to a value of the image is acquired as the first information.   The M first divided regions are a plurality of continuous first downstream regions corresponding to the first ejection port arrays at the predetermined position downstream from the first scanning region by the scanning unit in the intersecting direction. The N second divided areas are scanned by the scanning means in the intersecting direction from the second divided area corresponding to the second ejection port array at the predetermined position. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of the divided regions that are continuous downstream of the first and second regions.   The M first divided areas are adjacent to the first divided area corresponding to the first ejection port array at the predetermined position on the upstream side in the scanning by the scanning unit in the intersecting direction. The N number of second divided areas are in the intersecting direction with respect to the second divided area corresponding to the second discharge port array at the predetermined position. 9. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising one of the divided regions adjacent to the upstream side in scanning by the scanning unit.   The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein M = N.   The first recording mode is a recording mode in which recording is performed by scanning the recording head by the scanning unit for the unit area a first number of times, and the second recording mode is the unit area. 11. The recording mode according to claim 1, wherein the recording unit is configured to perform recording by scanning the recording head by the scanning unit a second number of times greater than the first number of times. The ink jet recording apparatus described.   The first recording mode is a recording mode in which recording is performed by causing the scanning unit to scan the unit area at a first speed with respect to the unit area, and the second recording mode is performed on the unit area. The recording mode according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the recording unit is configured to perform recording by causing the scanning unit to scan the head at a second speed lower than the first speed. Inkjet recording device. The plurality of recording modes further includes a third recording mode that consumes less power per unit time than the second recording mode,
The selection means has a representative value indicated by the first information acquired by the second acquisition means that is higher than the first threshold and higher than a second threshold higher than the first threshold. The second recording mode is selected when low, and the third recording mode is selected when the representative value indicated by the first information acquired by the second acquisition unit is higher than the second threshold. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the inkjet recording apparatus is selected.   The first recording mode is a recording mode in which recording is performed by scanning the recording head at a first speed by the scanning unit for the unit area a first number of times, and the second recording mode. Is a recording mode in which recording is performed by scanning the recording head at a second speed slower than the first speed by the scanning unit with respect to the unit area for the first number of times. The recording mode is a recording mode in which recording is performed by scanning the recording head at the second speed by the scanning unit a second number of times larger than the first number of times for the unit area. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 13, characterized in that: A first ejection port array in which a plurality of ejection ports for ejecting the first type of ink are arranged in a predetermined direction, and a plurality of ejection ports for ejecting the second type of ink in the predetermined direction An inkjet recording method in which recording is performed on a recording medium by ejecting ink using a recording head arranged in a crossing direction in which the second ejection port array arranged and intersects the predetermined direction,
A scanning step of scanning the recording head with respect to the recording medium in the intersecting direction;
A first acquisition step of acquiring recording data corresponding to each of a plurality of unit regions having substantially the same width as the width in the predetermined direction of the first and second ejection port arrays on the recording medium;
A second acquisition step of acquiring first information relating to a representative value in each of the plurality of unit regions based on the recording data acquired by the first acquisition step;
Based on the first information in each of the plurality of unit areas acquired by the second acquisition step, the first recording mode and the second power consumption per unit time less than that of the first recording mode. A selection step of selecting one recording mode for each unit region from a plurality of recording modes including at least the recording mode;
According to the recording data acquired by the first acquisition step and the recording mode selected by the selection step, control is performed so that recording is performed for each of the plurality of unit regions with scanning by the scanning step. A control process,
The second acquisition step relates to a plurality of divided areas obtained by dividing one unit area into a plurality of the crossing directions, and when the recording head is located at a predetermined position in the crossing direction, (i) The number of ejections of the first type of ink for each of the M first divided areas that include at least a first divided area corresponding to the first ejection port array at a predetermined position and that are continuous in the intersecting direction. And (ii) including at least a second divided region corresponding to the second ejection port array at the predetermined position, and obtaining second information related to the number of ejections of the first type of ink. Third information related to the number of ejections of the second type of ink is acquired based on the number of ejections of the second type of ink for each of the N second divided regions that are continuous in the intersecting direction. And (iii) based on said second information and said third information, and acquiring the first information,
The selection step selects the first recording mode when the representative value indicated by the first information acquired by the second acquisition step is lower than a first threshold, and the second acquisition step The inkjet recording apparatus, wherein the second recording mode is selected when the representative value indicated by the first information acquired by the step is higher than a first threshold value.   A program for causing a computer of an ink jet recording apparatus to function in order to execute the ink jet recording method according to claim 15.

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