JP4222325B2 - Recording apparatus and recording method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a recording apparatus that forms an image by ejecting ink droplets (dots), and more particularly to a recording apparatus that can form multicolor images using both dark and light inks.

  Some recording apparatuses can output multicolor images. However, when outputting a multi-color image, it is difficult to express gradation with dark ink alone. Therefore, multiple colors with pseudo gradation realized using inks with different densities for each color of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. Some devices can obtain an image output (hereinafter referred to as a recording device using dark / light ink).

  In a recording apparatus using dark and light inks, for example, dark black is K, cyan is C, magenta is M, yellow is Y, light black is k, cyan is c, magenta is m, and yellow is y. As shown in the example of FIG. 13A, a pair of dark and light recording head nozzles are arranged on the same line for each color in the main scanning direction, and a predetermined number of head nozzles are arranged in the sub scanning direction. The ink tanks arranged as shown in the example of (b) (in this example, each color and each dark and light ink tank are detachably formed as a cartridge type ink tank) are connected to the corresponding color via the supply unit. By obtaining the ink supply, it is configured to compensate for the decrease in the ink in the nozzle path due to the ejection of the ink droplets.

  Here, when an image is a set of a bivalent dot matrix of a certain size, it is possible to realize pseudo gradation expression for the entire image by associating the dot values in the dot matrix with dark ink or light ink. In a recording apparatus using dark / light ink, a dot matrix (dark / light raster data table) corresponding to dark ink or light ink is obtained for image data, and an array as shown in FIG. The carriage equipped with the recording head is reciprocated in the main scanning direction to eject ink droplets from nozzles corresponding to the recording material such as recording paper, and the recording motor is moved by a predetermined distance by driving the feed motor. By doing so, a multicolor image with gradation expression is output (recorded) on the recording material.

  When such a recording apparatus using dark and light inks is used, there is often a case where one density of ink is consumed earlier than the other density of ink for a certain color. In such a case, since the color component of the ink is not output on the recording material, it is configured to detect the remaining amount of ink, and a warning is displayed immediately before the ink runs out. In some cases, the recording apparatus can be used by replenishing the ink of the lost color.

  However, depending on the content of the document, there are cases where high-quality image output is not required, or there is a case where it is desired to continue recording without refilling or replacing light ink and to output the image quickly.

  In response to such a request, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 3-5156 discloses a method in which a user uses a certain color of light ink (low density ink) while using an ink jet recording apparatus using dark and light ink. The same applies to the following, but if it is determined that recording may be performed using dark ink (high density ink, hereinafter the same) depending on the content of the document, it can be switched to dark ink and recorded. Techniques to do this are disclosed.

  Here, the technique disclosed in the above publication is based on determination means for determining that recording using light ink cannot be performed in an ink jet recording apparatus using dark / light ink, and binary recording using dark ink at the time of the determination. By including the control means for performing the operation, for example, when the black light ink provided in two types of dark and light is used up, binary recording is performed using dark ink at least for the black, and the apparatus is in use. Even when the light ink runs out, the image can be output without replenishing ink.

  However, in the technique disclosed in the above publication, image output is started using dark / light ink regardless of the content of the document, and the user recognizes this by detecting the absence of light ink of a certain color on the way. Then, switching to dark ink or supplementing the light ink is performed depending on the content of the document or the desire for early image output, and when the image is output after switching to dark ink, the reproduced image is The overall impression received has a problem that it is impossible to avoid the influence (such as an unbalanced impression that only a certain color is dark from the middle) due to switching of the ink in the middle.

  In addition, it is empirically known that when dark and light ink is used for image output regardless of the content of the original, light ink is consumed more than dark ink. In the ink cartridge type ink tank configured so as to be detachable, when only light ink of a certain color is consumed, the whole must be replaced, which is disadvantageous in terms of economy.

  Here, when considering a manuscript, only a single color of dark ink is required as in a normal document, or a high-quality multicolor image output is required using dark and light ink as in a color photographic image. It is known that even color originals do not use dark / light ink.

  Therefore, since it is possible for the user to decide in advance whether to use dark / light ink or only dark ink for these documents, dark / light ink should only be used for documents that require dark / light ink. If you configure a recording device that uses dark and light ink so that it can be used from the beginning until the image reproduction output of the original document is finished, and the dark ink can be used from the beginning until the image reproduction output of the original document ends. In the middle of image output, there is no difference in the impression of the reproduced image due to switching from light ink to dark ink, and the cartridge is used only for those requiring high image quality reproduction output. Even in the case of using an ink tank of the type, it is possible to reduce the chance of cartridge replacement due to the consumption of only light ink, and to reduce the recording speed. It is preferable to be expected, which may be doubled.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems and has been devised to satisfy the above-described demands. It is an object of the present invention to provide a recording apparatus using dark and light inks that is superior to conventional ones.

  The present invention is also configured such that, for example, a recording apparatus using dark / light ink can supply any one of dark / light ink or dark ink to at least one pair of recording heads. An object of the present invention is to provide a recording apparatus that, when in use, has a recording speed that is twice that when using dark / light ink.

  Another object of the present invention is to be applicable not only to a recording apparatus using dark and light inks, but also to a recording apparatus using dry dye particles having different concentrations.

  In order to achieve the above object, for example, (a) a recording head provided with a dark ink nozzle row and a light ink nozzle row for at least one of a plurality of colors; (B) a dark / light recording mode in which dark ink is ejected from the dark ink nozzle row and light ink is ejected from the light ink row to perform recording with dark / light ink, and dark ink from the dark ink nozzle row. And a dark recording mode in which dark ink is also ejected from the light ink row and recording is performed with dark ink, and means for determining at the start of printing, (c), (d) The recording operation is performed after the determination by the determining means is performed.

  The dark ink nozzles and the light ink nozzles are arranged in a staggered pattern. That is, a preferred recording apparatus is a recording head composed of an array of a plurality of nozzles, and has a recording head in which the dark color nozzle array and the light color nozzle array are displaced by a predetermined distance in the sub-scanning direction.

  Specifically, the recording apparatus of the present invention is provided corresponding to a recording material composed of a plurality of colors of ink, and at least one of the plurality of colors is provided corresponding to a recording material having a different density. A recording apparatus for ejecting ink droplets by a head group to form a multicolor image, wherein a plurality of nozzles constituting the recording head group perform high-density recording for each pair of recording materials having a pair of different densities. The nozzles that are provided following the nozzles for ejecting the material and are arranged so that the nozzles for ejecting the recording material having a low density are displaced not in the same line but in the sub-scanning direction in the main scanning direction. When recording using a recording material having the same density or a recording material having the same density and a recording material having the same density, a nozzle for injecting a recording material having a higher density and a lower density are used. And a, a recording control means for causing the binary recording with a nozzle for injecting the recording material as a nozzle for injecting the same recording material density. In the embodiment, the recording material having the same density is desirably a recording material having a high density, but may be a recording material having a low density.

  Further, the recording apparatus for supplying the recording material to the recording apparatus of the present invention can selectively use both the dark and light recording material storage containers in which the storage portions for the recording materials of the respective colors are formed. It is desirable that the material container is detachably formed in the recording material supply unit of the recording apparatus.

  As an alternative to the recording material storage container, one of the recording materials of a plurality of colors is detachably formed in a part of the recording material supply unit as an independent storage container. Can selectively use both the dark and light recording material storage containers in which the recording material storage portions of the respective colors are formed, and these recording material storage containers are respectively provided in other parts of the recording material supply unit. You may form so that attachment or detachment is possible. In this case, a storage container in which the storage portions for the recording materials of these recording material storage containers are integrally formed may be used.

  Further, as a preferred embodiment of the recording apparatus of the present invention, K is a high density black recording material, C is a cyan recording material, M is a magenta recording material, and Y is a yellow recording material. A cyan recording material having a low cyan color and m as a magenta recording material, a first recording material container that is detachably formed in the first portion of the recording material supply unit and contains K; When the recording material supply unit is mounted with a second recording material storage container that is detachably formed in the second part of the recording material supply unit and stores C, c, M, m, and Y, six-color recording is performed. And a third recording material that is detachably formed in the first recording material storage container and the second portion of the recording material supply unit and stores C, M, and Y. A four-color recording apparatus capable of four-color recording when a storage container is mounted on the recording material supply unit. It can be configured to operate.

  In this case, a fourth recording material container is further detachably formed in the first recording material storage container storing K or k and the second portion of the recording material supply unit, and stores c, m, y or Y. The recording material container may be configured to operate as a four-color recording apparatus capable of four-color recording even when the recording material container is attached to the recording material supply unit.

  In the embodiments described below, at least the following matters are disclosed.

  A recording head comprising an array of a plurality of nozzles, comprising a set of dark color nozzle rows and light color nozzle rows alternately provided corresponding to a recording material comprising a plurality of colors of ink, the dark color nozzles A recording apparatus (recording apparatus No. 1) having a recording head in which the array and the light-color nozzle array are displaced by a predetermined distance in the sub-scanning direction.

  A plurality of colors are provided corresponding to a recording material composed of a plurality of colors of ink, and at least one of the plurality of colors is ejected by a recording head group provided corresponding to a recording material having a different density. A recording apparatus that forms an image, wherein a plurality of nozzles constituting the recording head group includes a pair of recording materials having different densities, and a nozzle that ejects a recording material having a high density in the main scanning direction. Subsequently, nozzles for ejecting recording materials having low density are arranged so as to be displaced in the sub-scanning direction instead of on the same line in the main scanning direction. When recording using a recording material having the same density and a recording material having the same density, a nozzle for ejecting a recording material having a higher density and a recording material having a lower density are ejected. Recording apparatus characterized by comprising a recording control means for causing the binary recording with a nozzle that emits the same recording medium and the concentration of the nozzle that (recording apparatus Part 2).

  In the recording apparatus 2, the recording material having the same density is a recording material having a high density.

  In the recording apparatus 2, the recording material having the same density is a recording material having a low density.

  A recording material storage container detachably formed in a recording material supply unit of a recording apparatus for supplying a recording material to each nozzle of the recording apparatus, wherein at least one of the recording materials of a plurality of colors has a different density Including a storage portion provided corresponding to each recording material, and a dark / light recording material storage container in which storage portions for recording materials of each color are formed, and only recording materials having the same concentration for the recording materials of multiple colors And a recording material storage container in which recording material storage portions of the respective colors are formed are detachably formed on the recording material supply unit, respectively. .

  A recording material storage container detachably formed in a recording material supply unit of a recording apparatus for supplying a recording material to each nozzle of the recording apparatus 2, wherein one of the recording materials of a plurality of colors is independent. As described above, each of the recording material supply units includes a storage unit that is detachably formed, and includes at least one of the other color recording materials provided corresponding to the recording materials having different densities. Each color includes a dark / light recording material storage container in which a recording material storage portion is formed, and a storage portion that stores only the recording material having the same concentration with respect to the recording materials of a plurality of colors among the recording materials of the other colors. A recording material storage container, in which the recording material storage portion is formed, is detachably formed in another part of the recording material supply portion.

  In the recording material container 1 or 2, the recording material having the same concentration is a recording material having a high concentration.

  In the recording material container 1 or 2, the recording material having the same concentration is a recording material having a low concentration.

  In the recording material storage container 1 or 2, the dark and light recording material storage containers are storage containers in which the storage portions for the recording materials of the respective colors are integrally formed. A recording material storage container, No. 5, wherein the storage container is formed integrally with a color recording material storage portion.

  The recording apparatus No. 2 has a recording material supply unit provided for supplying a recording material to each nozzle, and K for a high density black recording material, C for a cyan recording material, and magenta recording When the material is M, the yellow color recording material is Y, the low density cyan recording material is c, and the magenta color recording material is m, it is detachably formed in the first part of the recording material supply unit. , K and a second recording material storage container that is detachably formed in the second portion of the recording material supply unit and stores C, c, M, m, and Y. Are attached to the recording material supply section, and operate as a six-color recording apparatus capable of recording six colors, and can be attached to and detached from the first recording material storage container and the second portion of the recording material supply section. A third recording material storage container formed and containing C, M, Y is connected to the recording material supply section. Recording apparatus that 5, characterized by being configured to operate as a four-color printing apparatus capable of 4-color recording when respectively mounted.

  In the recording apparatus 5, the first recording material storage container that stores K or k and the second portion of the recording material supply unit are detachably formed, and the c, m, y, or Y is stored. A recording apparatus No. 6 configured to operate as a four-color recording apparatus capable of performing four-color recording even when each of the four recording material storage containers is attached to the recording material supply unit.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the basic configuration of the recording apparatus of the present invention. The recording apparatus 100 stores control data and raster data (binarized data) received from the host computer 200 in the reception buffer memory 101, and FIG. The control data is sent to the system controller 102, and the raster data for each color is stored in the image buffer 108 provided for each color via the gate array 107.

  The system controller 102 sends a drive system control signal out of the control signals to the main scanning drive driver 103 or the sub-scanning drive driver 105 to drive the carriage (CR) motor 102 and the paper feed motor 103, thereby moving the carriage in the main scanning direction. While reciprocating, the recording material such as recording paper is conveyed in the sub-scanning direction. Also, the drawing system control data is sent to the recording head drive driver 109.

  The recording head drive driver 109 receives the drawing system control data, sequentially reads out the raster data stored in the image buffer 108, and the dot values (1 or 0) corresponding to the plurality of ink droplet ejection nozzles constituting the recording head array 111. Control is performed so that the ink droplet ejection is ejected or not ejected according to the above.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the individual nozzles constituting the recording head array 111 are arranged as a pair of dark and light nozzles for each color in the main scanning direction, and the respective nozzles are arranged in the sub-scanning direction.

  FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of the arrangement of ink droplet ejection nozzles of a recording apparatus according to the present invention. As a characteristic arrangement of the present invention, a set of dark and light nozzles is arranged on the same line in the main scanning direction as in the prior art. Rather than being arranged, a pair of dark and light nozzles is arranged in a kind of staggered manner by displacing the light nozzle line positioned next to the dark nozzle line in the sub-scanning direction.

  For example, in FIG. 1, dark black is K, cyan is C, magenta is M, yellow is Y, light black is k, cyan is c, magenta is m, and yellow is y. Are arranged in the order of K, k, C, c, M, m, Y, y in the main scanning direction, and K, k, C, c, M, m, Y, y in the sub-scanning direction. N nozzles are arranged for each row of K, k, C, c, M and m, and Y and y, which are pairs of dark and light nozzles, k, c, m, and y. Are arranged so as to be displaced by a distance z in the sub-scanning direction with respect to K, C, M, and Y, respectively (z may be 0 <z ≦ Z / 2).

  By disposing the light ink nozzle in the sub-scanning direction from the dark ink nozzle in this way, the recording speed is doubled when the light ink nozzle is used as the dark ink nozzle as will be described later. be able to. It goes without saying that the same effect can be obtained even if the dark ink nozzle is displaced from the light ink nozzle in the sub-scanning direction.

  FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the types of ink tanks of the recording apparatus 100 that uses dark and light inks. FIG. 2A is a dark ink storage portion that stores high-density ink (K, C, M, Y) for each color. And a low-density ink (k, c, m, y) containing a pair of light ink containing portions, and an integrated ink tank that is configured as a whole, in a fixed type tank (see FIG. 9) or an ink supply portion. It can be configured as a removable cartridge. In the case of a fixed tank, it is suitable for a commercial recording apparatus that records a reproduced color image in a large amount and at high speed. (B) is a partially separated type ink tank in which an ink tank 23 for storing a frequently used color (black (K, k) in the figure) is separated and other ink storage portions 24 are integrated. Suitable for handling as a cartridge type (see FIGS. 7 and 8). (C) is a case where the storage unit is separated for each color, and each storage unit is made into a cartridge type, and the frequency of colors used varies greatly depending on the image, or in particular, when high-quality ink is temporarily used. It is suitable for such as.

  2 (a) to 2 (c), an ink supply port (not shown) is provided in each of the dark ink container and the light ink container, and a supply member such as an ink supply tube is provided. Ink is supplied to corresponding nozzles of a recording head formed at a high density, which will be described later, through the ink supply unit.

  In FIG. 2, dark ink (K), light ink (k), dark ink (C), light ink (c), dark ink (M), light ink (c), dark ink (Y), light ink ( y), a dark ink and a light ink are configured as a pair for each color. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as in a recording apparatus (see FIG. 7) using a 6-color / 4-color switching ink described later. For black (K), which is frequently used, and yellow (Y) where the distinction between dark and light colors does not appear remarkably when the reproduced image is viewed as a whole, only dark colors can be used. That is, a dark ink and a light ink may be configured as a pair for at least one of the colors.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the correspondence between the ink tank and the nozzle arrangement after switching from dark / light ink to dark ink.

  In the present invention, a dark / light ink cartridge (FIG. 4 (a)) and dark ink are used so that at least a pair of dark / light inks of a recording apparatus that records a reproduced image using dark / light ink can be replaced with dark ink. An ink cartridge (FIG. 4 (a) ′), or a dark / light ink fixed tank and a dark ink fixed ink tank (FIG. 9) are configured. For reproduced images that do not require high image quality, dark ink is used from the beginning. Record the playback image. In the case of using a fixed tank, it is desirable that two fixed tanks are provided in advance in the apparatus or outside of the apparatus for the dark / light recording mode and the dark recording mode.

  In FIG. 4A, the dark / light cartridge 41 has dark ink (K), light ink (k), dark ink (C), light ink (c), dark ink (M), light ink (m), dark ink. Ink (Y) and light ink (y) are filled, and each nozzle corresponding to each ink is arranged in the recording head array 111 as shown in FIG. When the value of the raster data of the image buffer 108 taken in by the recording head drive driver 109 controlled by the above is 1, ink droplets are ejected from the corresponding nozzle.

  If the user uses a dark ink cartridge 42 as shown in FIG. 4A 'instead of the dark / light cartridge, the configuration and arrangement of the recording head array 111 are fixed, so that FIG. 4B remains unchanged. Although the same, the nozzles used as the light ink nozzles in FIG. 4B (second nozzles in the case of black) will be used as the dark ink nozzles after the cartridge replacement. The nozzle row becomes (K, K, C, C, M, M, Y, Y) as shown in FIG. 4 (b) '. In this case, the capacities of the inks K, C, M, Y in the cartridge are doubled. Will be.

  The ink concentration is determined by the amount of dye or pigment in the solution, and the viscosity of the ink changes as the concentration changes. Therefore, when the light nozzle is used as a dark ink nozzle, the viscosity of the light ink and the dark ink And other fluid properties should be consistent.

  FIG. 5 is a comparative explanatory view of the recording speed before and after switching from dark / light ink to dark ink.

  Taking a recording apparatus with a recording density of 720 dpi (dot / inch) as an example, the distance between nozzles in the sub-scanning direction is preferably 1/720 inch. However, by design, the distance between nozzles in the sub-scanning direction is 1/720 inch. For example, it is set to 1/90 inch as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 5A shows an example of arrangement of dark ink nozzles (indicated by black circles) and light ink nozzles (indicated by black triangles in the figure) in the sub-scanning direction of the recording apparatus using dark and light inks. The nozzle distance between the dark ink nozzle and the light ink nozzle in the sub-scanning direction is set to 1/90 inch, and the light ink nozzle is shifted in the sub-scanning direction to 1/180 inch (that is, the upper and lower two dark ink nozzles are arranged). This is an example (arranged at a position corresponding to the middle of the ink nozzles) (hereinafter the same in FIGS. 5B and 5C).

  FIG. 5B is an explanatory diagram of the number of passes when only the dark ink nozzles are driven in the recording head having the arrangement of FIG. 5A, and the operation for one row in the first pass. After the operation is completed, the paper is fed by 1/720 inch, and the second and subsequent operations are the same. Since the distance between the nozzles is 1/90, if this operation is repeated 8 times, recording is performed every 1/720 inch, and 720 dpi is recorded in 8 passes (numbers 1 to 8 in the figure). Indicates the path order).

  Even when only the light ink nozzle is driven, 720 dpi is recorded in 8 passes in the same manner as when only the dark ink nozzle is driven. Therefore, a multicolor image is printed using the dark ink nozzle or the light ink nozzle. 720 dpi is also recorded in 8 passes.

  FIG. 5C is an explanatory diagram of the number of passes when the dark ink is supplied to the light ink nozzles and used as the dark ink nozzles in the recording head having the arrangement of FIG. In the pass, the operation is performed for two lines, one line for the dark ink nozzle and one line for the light ink nozzle that uses dark ink. After the operation is completed, the paper is fed by 1/720 inch, and the second and subsequent operations. Is the same. Since the inter-nozzle distance is 1/90, if this operation is repeated four times, recording is performed every 1/720 inch, and 720 dpi is recorded in four passes (numbers 1 to 4 in the figure). Indicates the path order). Therefore, when recording with only dark ink using the light ink nozzle as the dark ink nozzle, it is twice as much as when recording with dark / light ink (8 pass / 4 pass = 2). Recording speed.

  In this example, for the sake of explanation, the case where the light ink nozzles are shifted in the sub-scanning direction of 1/180 inches has been described. However, even if the displacement of the light ink nozzles is smaller than 1/180 inches, the same applies. It goes without saying that the effect of can be obtained.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart as an explanatory diagram of a basic configuration of ink switching control in the recording apparatus of the present invention.

  In step S1 of FIG. 6, the user selects whether to perform high-quality image reproduction recording with dark / light ink or reproduction recording only with dark ink when reproducing and recording a document.

  In the case of a fixed ink tank, when a selection button or an operation switch provided on an operation panel or the like (not shown) of the recording apparatus 100 is operated to select an ink tank for dark / light ink or dark ink. Used ink tank information is transmitted from the printing apparatus 100 to the printer driver of the host computer 200.

  On the other hand, when the ink tank is a cartridge type, the user sets a desired cartridge in the ink supply unit 112 that also serves as a cartridge housing unit, and selects a selection button or an operation switch provided on the operation panel or the like of the recording apparatus 100. When the information indicating which of the dark / light ink tank or dark ink tank is selected is operated, the used ink tank information is transmitted from the printing apparatus 100 to a printer driver (not shown) of the host computer 200. .

  As described in the description of FIG. 8, when the dark / light recording ink cartridge and the dark recording ink cartridge are attached / detached, the ink supply unit 112 may be configured to automatically detect the type of the attached / detached cartridge. In this case, information indicating whether the detected cartridge is for dark / light ink or dark ink is transmitted to a printer driver (not shown) of the host computer 200 as used ink tank information.

  In step S2, the printer driver of the host computer 200 checks the received used ink tank information, and if that means that dark / light ink is used, the process proceeds to step S3, where only dark ink is used. If so, the process proceeds to step S5.

  In step S3, the dark / light ink table is selected by the color separation processing of the printer driver, and the control signal for recording with dark / light ink is selected as the paper feed control signal. In step S4, the table-processed data is rasterized and transmitted to the recording apparatus 100 together with a paper feed control signal.

  In step S5, the dark ink table is selected by the color classification processing of the printer driver, and the control signal for recording with dark ink is selected as the paper feed control signal. In step S6, the table-processed data is rasterized and transmitted to the recording apparatus 100 together with a paper feed control signal.

In step S7, the recording apparatus 100 performs the same recording processing operation as described in the description of FIG.
In the above description, the printer driver is on the host computer 200 side. However, the printer driver may be placed on the recording apparatus 100 side.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the dark / light ink and the dark ink are exchanged has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the same applies to the case where the dark / light ink and the light ink are exchanged. it can.

  That is, when the user uses a light ink cartridge 43 as shown in FIG. 12A 'instead of the dark / light cartridge, the configuration and arrangement of the recording head array 111 are fixed, so that the structure shown in FIG. ), But the nozzle used as the dark ink nozzle in FIG. 12B (the nozzle in the first row when black is taken as an example) is used as the light ink nozzle after replacement of the cartridge. Therefore, the nozzle row is (k, k, c, c, m, m, y, y) as shown in FIG. 12 (b) '. In this case, the capacities of the inks k, c, m, y in the cartridge are Will be doubled. In the explanation of FIG. 5, the recording speed before and after switching from dark / light ink to light ink is twice as high as the recording speed before and after switching from dark / light ink to dark ink. It is clear if “dark ink” is read as “light ink” and “light ink” is read as “dark ink”, and the same applies to FIG. These can also be applied in the same way when replacing dark ink and light ink.

  FIG. 7 is an explanatory view of a six-color ink jet printer as an embodiment of the recording apparatus of the present invention. The six-color ink jet printer is a four-color ink only for dark color printing from a six-color ink cartridge capable of dark / light printing. It is configured to be replaceable with a cartridge.

  FIG. 7A is a diagram showing a color configuration example of the six-color ink cartridge used in this embodiment. The six-color ink cartridge is different from the black (K) cartridge 71 that is frequently used for document recording or the like. The two cartridges 72 are integrated into the body, and the housings of five colors in which cyan (C, c) and magenta (M, m) are each a dark / light pair and yellow is a dark (Y) color. It consists of a cartridge type ink tank. It should be noted that the yellow (Y) color only has a sufficiently high lightness (the dark color (Y)) and does not stand out even when dots are placed in the low density area, so that it is not particularly necessary to use the light ink (y). It depends.

  7A is a four-color ink cartridge. The four-color ink cartridge includes a black (K) cartridge 71, dark cyan (C), dark magenta (M), And two cartridge type ink tanks of a cartridge 72 ′ in which three color yellow (Y) storage portions are integrated.

  FIG. 7B shows an array of 6-color dark / light ink nozzles, which is the same array as the dark / light ink nozzle array of the recording head array 111 described in the description of FIG. Light color black (b) and light color yellow (y) are not used. In other words, the print head drive driver is controlled not to use the nozzles for the black (b) and yellow (y) rows during six-color printing.

  When the cartridge is switched to dark four colors, the dark ink nozzle and the light ink nozzle both eject dark ink as dark ink nozzles as shown in FIG. In the case of four-color printing, as described in the description of FIGS. 5 and 6, printing is performed using the dark ink nozzles replaced by the dark ink nozzles and the light ink nozzles. Can print at double speed.

  As a result, when a high-quality reconstructed image such as a color photograph is desired, printing is performed using a six-color ink cartridge. In other cases, the cartridge 72 is replaced with a cartridge 72 'and high-speed printing is performed as a four-color ink cartridge. Can be performed. Further, since the black (K) cartridge 71 is provided as a separate body, it is not necessary to replace the entire cartridge even if the black is consumed due to document printing or the like.

  In this embodiment, black (K) is a separate cartridge, but any one of cyan (C, c), magenta (M, m), yellow (Y) or a combination thereof is independent and independent. You may comprise as a cartridge. Also, instead of a cartridge type in which the ink tank can be replaced, a tank that contains six colors of ink (K, C, c, M, m, Y) as a fixed ink tank (K, C, M, Y) A tank for storing the four colors of ink may be provided.

Printing can be performed twice as fast as in the case of 6-color printing.
In this embodiment, the six-color ink jet printer is configured to be replaceable from a six-color ink cartridge capable of dark / light printing to a four-color ink cartridge only for dark color printing. The four-color ink cartridge may be configured to be replaceable. That is, from a six-color ink cartridge capable of dark / light printing, or a light-color black (k) cartridge for light-color printing only and three colors of light-colored cyan (c), light-colored magenta (m), and light-colored yellow (y) The cartridge may be configured to be exchangeable with two light four-color cartridges in which the housing portion is integrated. In this case, the light black k may be black K and the light yellow y may be yellow Y.

  When the cartridge is switched to light four colors, the dark ink nozzle and the light ink nozzle both emit light ink as light ink nozzles. In the case of light four-color printing, as described in the description of FIGS. 5 and 6, printing is performed using the light ink nozzle and the light ink nozzle replaced from the dark ink nozzle. Printing can be performed at twice the speed.

  In this embodiment, a printer is used as an example of a recording apparatus, but it goes without saying that the present invention can also be applied to a facsimile or other image output apparatus.

  FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing an appearance of an example of the ink supply unit 80 of the six-color ink jet printer of FIG. 7, and is divided into a storage unit 81 for the black cartridge 71 and a storage unit 82 for another cartridge 72 or 72 ′. Yes. Reference numeral 83 denotes a protruding introduction member that is inserted or inserted into a supply port (not shown) of the black cartridge and introduces ink in the cartridge to the ink supply unit 112 side, and 84-1 to 84-5 are (C , C, M, m, and Y) are inserted into or inserted into a supply port (not shown) of the cartridge 72 that accommodates the five colors of ink (C, M, Y), or the cartridge 72 'that contains the three colors of ink (C, M, and Y). It is a protruding introduction member that introduces ink in the cartridge to the ink supply unit 112 side.

  The cartridge 72 ′ is provided with supply ports corresponding to the same positions as the cyan C and c and magenta M and m for the cartridge 72 as supply ports for cyan C and magenta M.

85 and 86 are switches. When the cartridge 71 is inserted, the switch 85 is turned on, and when the cartridge 72 or 72 'is inserted, the switch 86 is turned on.
In this case, it is desirable to configure the switch 86 as a switch for the cartridge 72 and a switch for the cartridge 72 ′ (both not shown). With this configuration, the switch for the cartridge 72 is turned on / off corresponding to the attachment / detachment of the cartridge 72, and the switch for the cartridge 72 ′ is turned on / off corresponding to the attachment / detachment of the cartridge 72 ′. It is preferable that “used ink information” can be automatically input. Further, in this case, instead of the switch 86, a contact for the cartridge 72 and a contact for the cartridge 72 'are provided on the accommodating portion 82 and the cartridge 72, 72' side, respectively, and the conduction of the current is detected to detect the cartridge 72, 72. It may be configured to automatically detect 'attachment / detachment of' and automatically transmit “used ink information”.

  FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing an appearance of an example of a fixed ink tank. FIG. 9 shows a lid 91, an ink storage unit main body 92, and an ink supply port 93 of the fixing ink tank 90. The fixing ink tank 90 is attached inside or outside the recording apparatus 100, and the ink supply unit 112 and the ink supply port 93 are connected by an appropriate conduit such as a tube. The ink storage unit main body 92 is divided into ink storage units that store ink for each color, and an inner lid or an ink injection member with a backflow prevention valve is provided in each ink storage unit to prevent ink from mixing although not shown in the drawing. Is provided.

  10 and 11 are flowcharts added to FIG. 1 when the ink remaining amount detection method is added.

  In the present invention, when the recording apparatus is configured to use an ink cartridge, if the cartridge replacement frequency is high, the remaining amount of ink in the cartridge cannot be grasped on the recording apparatus side (and the host computer), so the cartridge replacement frequency is high. However, the recording apparatus may be configured so that the remaining ink amount can be grasped by storing the remaining ink amount for each cartridge in a nonvolatile memory.

  In FIG. 10, the number of dots is counted (S41), the remaining ink levels of the dark and light ink cartridges and the dark ink cartridge are stored in a memory (not shown) (S42), and the remaining ink level is compared with a predetermined value p ( In this example, a warning is issued when the ink remaining amount is equal to or less than the predetermined value p (S44), and the ink remaining amount is reset to 100% (S46) after replacing the ink cartridge (S45). In the figure, S4 and S6 are branch points from the flowchart of FIG. 6, and S7 is a return point.

  In FIG. 11, the ink remaining amount in the ink tank is detected from the light transmittance using physical means, for example, optical means, or is detected based on the electrical conductivity using electrical means (S81). Is compared with a predetermined value P (S82), a warning is issued when the ink remaining amount is equal to or less than the predetermined value P (S83), and the ink cartridge is replaced (S84), and then the process returns to step S1. In the figure, S8 indicates a continuation point from the flowchart of FIG.

  As mentioned above, although the Example of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to each Example mentioned above, It cannot be overemphasized that various deformation | transformation implementation is possible.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the dark / light ink is used only from the beginning until the image reproduction output of the original is completed, and the dark ink is used for the other originals. Since the recording apparatus using the dark and light ink is configured so that it can be used from the beginning until the image reproduction output of the original document is finished, the reproduced image caused by switching from the light ink to the dark ink in the middle of the image output is uncomfortable. In addition, when a cartridge type ink tank is used, dark ink and light ink are used only for those that require high quality image reproduction output. The opportunity for cartridge replacement due to only consumption can be reduced.

  In addition, since the dark / light noise arrangement of the print head array is staggered, the print speed can be doubled when dark ink is used only when dark ink is used.

  Furthermore, since the ink amount of the cartridge when only dark ink is used can be larger than that of the dark / light ink cartridge, the cartridge replacement frequency does not increase even if the recording speed is doubled.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of an arrangement of ink droplet ejection nozzles of the recording apparatus according to the present invention. It is explanatory drawing of an integral type and a separation type ink tank. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a basic configuration of a recording apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a correspondence relationship between an ink tank and a nozzle arrangement after switching from dark / light ink to dark ink. FIG. 6 is a comparative explanatory diagram of recording speeds before and after switching to dark ink. 3 is a flowchart as an explanatory diagram of a basic configuration of an ink switching control method in the recording apparatus of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing of the 6-color inkjet printer which is one Example of the recording device of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of an example of the ink supply part of a 6-color inkjet printer. It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of an example of a fixed type ink tank. 6 is a flowchart added to FIG. 1 when an ink remaining amount detection method is added. 6 is a flowchart added to FIG. 1 when another ink remaining amount detection method is added. It is a figure which shows the correspondence of the ink tank and nozzle arrangement after switching from dark and light ink to light ink. It is a conventional example of a nozzle arrangement of a recording apparatus using dark and light ink.

Explanation of symbols

41 Dark / Light ink cartridge (Container for dark / light recording material)
71 Dark ink cartridge (first recording material container)
72 dark and light ink cartridges (second recording material container)
72 'dark ink cartridge (third recording material container))
80, 112 Ink supply unit (recording material supply unit)
81 Black ink cartridge housing (first part)
82 Other ink cartridge storage (second part)
85, 86 Switch 100 Recording device 111 Recording head array 113 Ink tank 200 Host computer

Claims (10)

A recording head provided with a dark ink nozzle row and a light ink nozzle row for each of the first color and the second color of the plurality of colors, wherein the dark ink nozzle row of the first color and A pair of the light ink nozzle row and a pair of the dark ink nozzle row and the light ink nozzle row of the second color are arranged side by side in the main scanning direction, and each of the first color and the second color is arranged. The dark ink nozzle row and the light ink nozzle row each have a plurality of nozzles arranged in the sub-scanning direction at a predetermined inter-nozzle distance, and the dark ink nozzle row between the nozzles of the dark ink nozzle row in the sub-scanning direction. The recording head in which the dark ink nozzle row and the light ink nozzle row are shifted in the sub-scanning direction so that the nozzles of the light ink nozzle row are positioned ;
A dark / light recording mode in which dark ink is ejected from the dark ink nozzle row and light ink is ejected from the light ink nozzle row to perform recording with dark / light ink, and dark ink is ejected from the dark ink nozzle row. And a dark recording mode in which dark ink is ejected from the light ink nozzle array to perform recording with the dark ink, and dark ink is ejected from the dark ink nozzle array without using the light ink nozzle array. A controller for controlling the mode to be
Have
Dark ink is ejected from the dark ink nozzle row of the first color and the second color, respectively, and light ink is ejected from the light ink nozzle row of the first color and the second color, respectively. If possible, the shade recording mode is executed for the first color and the second color;
Dark ink is ejected from the dark ink nozzle row of the first color and the second color, respectively, and dark ink is also ejected from the light ink nozzle row of the first color and the second color, respectively. The dark recording mode is executed for the first color and the second color,
Dark ink can be ejected from the dark ink nozzle row of the first color and the second color, respectively, and dark ink can be ejected from the light ink nozzle of the first color. When the light ink can be ejected without ejecting the dark ink from the light ink nozzle, the dark ink nozzle array is not used for the first color without using the light ink nozzle array. In the recording apparatus, recording is performed by ejecting dark ink from the recording medium, and the light / dark recording mode is executed for the second color. The recording apparatus according to claim 1,
For the first color and the second color, each has a dark and light ink tank having a dark ink container and a light ink container, and a dark ink tank having only a dark ink container,
An operation panel is provided for an operator to select the ink tank for dark and light ink or the ink tank for dark ink,
The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein it is determined whether the operator has selected the dark ink tank or the dark ink tank based on an operation content on the operation panel. The recording apparatus according to claim 1,
An ink supply unit for supplying ink to the nozzles;
The ink supply unit includes, for the first color and the second color, a dark and light ink container that includes a dark ink container and a light ink container, and a dark ink container that includes only a dark ink container that stores dark ink. Each container is detachable,
An operation panel is provided for an operator to select the dark and light ink container or the dark ink container,
Based on the operation content on the operation panel, it is determined whether the ink supply unit is mounted with the dark ink storage container or the dark ink storage container. Recording device. The recording apparatus according to claim 1,
An ink supply unit for supplying ink to the nozzles;
The ink supply unit includes, for the first color and the second color, a dark and light ink container that includes a dark ink container and a light ink container, and a dark ink container that includes only a dark ink container that stores dark ink. Each container is detachable,
A recording apparatus that automatically detects which of the dark and light ink storage containers and the dark ink storage container is installed in the ink supply unit. A recording head provided with a dark ink nozzle row and a light ink nozzle row for each of the first color and the second color of the plurality of colors, wherein the dark ink nozzle row of the first color and A pair of the light ink nozzle row and a pair of the dark ink nozzle row and the light ink nozzle row of the second color are arranged side by side in the main scanning direction, and each of the first color and the second color is arranged. The dark ink nozzle row and the light ink nozzle row each have a plurality of nozzles arranged in the sub-scanning direction at a predetermined inter-nozzle distance, and the dark ink nozzle row between the nozzles of the dark ink nozzle row in the sub-scanning direction. The recording head in which the dark ink nozzle row and the light ink nozzle row are shifted in the sub-scanning direction so that the nozzles of the light ink nozzle row are positioned ;
A dark / light recording mode in which dark ink is ejected from the dark ink nozzle array and light ink is ejected from the light ink nozzle array to perform recording with dark / light ink, and light ink is ejected from the light ink nozzle array And a light recording mode in which light ink is ejected from the dark ink nozzle array to perform recording with the light ink, and light ink is ejected from the light ink nozzle array without using the dark ink nozzle array. A controller for controlling the mode to be
Have
Light ink is ejected from the light ink nozzle row of the first color and the second color, respectively, and dark ink is ejected from the dark ink nozzle row of the first color and the second color, respectively. If possible, the shade recording mode is executed for the first color and the second color;
Light ink is ejected from the light ink nozzle row of the first color and the second color, respectively, and light ink is also ejected from the dark ink nozzle row of the first color and the second color, respectively. The light recording mode is executed for the first color and the second color,
The light ink can be ejected from the light ink nozzle row of the first color and the second color, respectively, and the light ink can be ejected from the dark ink nozzle of the first color. When the dark ink can be ejected without ejecting the light ink from the dark ink nozzle, the dark ink nozzle array is not used for the first color. The recording apparatus is characterized in that the recording is performed by ejecting light ink from the recording medium, and the light / dark recording mode is executed for the second color. The recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein
For the first color and the second color, respectively, a dark and light ink tank having a dark ink container and a light ink container, and a light ink tank having only a light ink container,
An operation panel is provided for an operator to select the dark ink ink tank or the light ink ink tank,
2. A recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein whether the operator has selected the dark ink tank or the light ink ink tank is determined based on an operation content on the operation panel. The recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein
An ink supply unit for supplying ink to the nozzles;
The ink supply unit includes, for the first color and the second color, a light ink container including only a dark and light ink container that includes a dark ink container and a light ink container, and a light ink container that stores light ink. Each container is detachable,
An operation panel is provided for an operator to select the dark and light ink container or the light ink container,
Whether the ink supply container for the dark ink or the ink container for the light ink is mounted is determined based on the operation content on the operation panel. Recording device. The recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein
An ink supply unit for supplying ink to the nozzles;
The ink supply unit includes, for the first color and the second color, a light ink container including only a dark and light ink container that includes a dark ink container and a light ink container, and a light ink container that stores light ink. Each container is detachable,
A recording apparatus that automatically detects which of the dark and light ink storage containers and the light ink storage container is installed in the ink supply unit. A recording head provided with a dark ink nozzle row and a light ink nozzle row for each of the first color and the second color of the plurality of colors, wherein the dark ink nozzle row of the first color and A pair of the light ink nozzle row and a pair of the dark ink nozzle row and the light ink nozzle row of the second color are arranged side by side in the main scanning direction, and each of the first color and the second color is arranged. The dark ink nozzle row and the light ink nozzle row each have a plurality of nozzles arranged in the sub-scanning direction at a predetermined inter-nozzle distance, and the dark ink nozzle row between the nozzles of the dark ink nozzle row in the sub-scanning direction. Using the recording head in which the dark ink nozzle row and the light ink nozzle row are shifted in the sub-scanning direction so that the nozzles of the light ink nozzle row are located ;
A dark / light recording mode in which dark ink is ejected from the dark ink nozzle row and light ink is ejected from the light ink nozzle row to perform recording with dark / light ink, and dark ink is ejected from the dark ink nozzle row. And a dark recording mode in which dark ink is ejected from the light ink nozzle array to perform recording with the dark ink, and dark ink is ejected from the dark ink nozzle array without using the light ink nozzle array. A recording method for performing
Dark ink is ejected from the dark ink nozzle row of the first color and the second color, respectively, and light ink is ejected from the light ink nozzle row of the first color and the second color, respectively. If possible, the shade recording mode is executed for the first color and the second color;
Dark ink is ejected from the dark ink nozzle row of the first color and the second color, respectively, and dark ink is also ejected from the light ink nozzle row of the first color and the second color, respectively. The dark recording mode is executed for the first color and the second color,
Dark ink can be ejected from the dark ink nozzle row of the first color and the second color, respectively, and dark ink can be ejected from the light ink nozzle of the first color. When the light ink can be ejected without ejecting the dark ink from the light ink nozzle, the dark ink nozzle array is not used for the first color without using the light ink nozzle array. The recording method is characterized in that recording is performed by ejecting dark ink from the recording medium, and the light / dark recording mode is executed for the second color. A recording head provided with a dark ink nozzle row and a light ink nozzle row for each of the first color and the second color of the plurality of colors, wherein the dark ink nozzle row of the first color and A pair of the light ink nozzle row and a pair of the dark ink nozzle row and the light ink nozzle row of the second color are arranged side by side in the main scanning direction, and each of the first color and the second color is arranged. The dark ink nozzle row and the light ink nozzle row each have a plurality of nozzles arranged in the sub-scanning direction at a predetermined inter-nozzle distance, and the dark ink nozzle row between the nozzles of the dark ink nozzle row in the sub-scanning direction. Using the recording head in which the dark ink nozzle row and the light ink nozzle row are shifted in the sub-scanning direction so that the nozzles of the light ink nozzle row are located ;
A dark / light recording mode in which dark ink is ejected from the dark ink nozzle array and light ink is ejected from the light ink nozzle array to perform recording with dark / light ink, and light ink is ejected from the light ink nozzle array And a light recording mode in which light ink is ejected from the dark ink nozzle array to perform recording with the light ink, and light ink is ejected from the light ink nozzle array without using the dark ink nozzle array. A recording method for performing
Light ink is ejected from the light ink nozzle row of the first color and the second color, respectively, and dark ink is ejected from the dark ink nozzle row of the first color and the second color, respectively. If possible, the shade recording mode is executed for the first color and the second color;
Light ink is ejected from the light ink nozzle row of the first color and the second color, respectively, and light ink is also ejected from the dark ink nozzle row of the first color and the second color, respectively. The light recording mode is executed for the first color and the second color,
The light ink can be ejected from the light ink nozzle row of the first color and the second color, respectively, and the light ink can be ejected from the dark ink nozzle of the first color. When the dark ink can be ejected without ejecting the light ink from the dark ink nozzle, the dark ink nozzle array is not used for the first color. The recording method is characterized in that the recording is performed by ejecting light ink from the recording medium, and the light / dark recording mode is executed for the second color.

Images