JP5288722B2 - Recording apparatus and control method of the apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a recording apparatus that performs recording using a recording head that includes a plurality of nozzle arrays each including a plurality of nozzles, and a control method for the recording apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, printers that record information such as characters and images to be recorded and output on a sheet-like recording medium such as paper or film have been widely used as information output devices in word processors, personal computers, facsimiles, and the like.

  Various types of recording methods are known for printers, but inkjet methods have recently been used for reasons such as non-contact recording on recording media such as paper, ease of colorization, and quietness. Particular attention has been paid.

  In addition, as a configuration of an ink jet printer, a serial type recording system that performs recording while reciprocally scanning (main scanning) a recording head that ejects ink in a direction crossing the feeding (sub-scanning) direction of the recording medium with a carriage is inexpensive. In general, it is widely used because it is easy to downsize.

  In such a serial type ink jet printer, image data sent from a host computer is once stored in an internal storage device. Thereafter, print data for controlling ink ejection of the print head is generated based on the stored image data. Then, based on the conditions such as the recording resolution and the position information of the recording head obtained from the encoder mounted on the carriage, the recording data is transferred to the recording head and recording is performed at an optimal timing.

  As a method for driving the nozzles of such an ink jet recording head, a block division driving method is known in which a large number of nozzles provided in the recording head are divided into a plurality of blocks (for example, Patent Document 1 below). .

  In general, an ink jet recording head is provided with a recording nozzle row composed of a plurality of nozzles arranged in a direction intersecting the main scanning direction of the recording head.

In the block division driving method, a plurality of nozzles in the recording nozzle row are assigned a predetermined number of nozzles as one group, and each nozzle in the nozzle row is assigned to any group. Then, driving is performed in units of groups (blocks). For example, by making 8 nozzles into one group (block), 8 nozzles included in the same group are driven simultaneously.
For example, if the nozzle row is composed of 128 nozzles, 16 groups are provided in one nozzle row.

  In this way, the plurality of nozzles are divided into a plurality of drive units, and the drive is performed in units of blocks in order at predetermined timings. Such driving is performed while scanning the recording head.

Also, in the block division recording method, on the premise that all blocks of one nozzle row are driven, a method of driving the recording head so that the recording elements of adjacent nozzles are not continuously driven in order to improve the recording quality. (For example, see Patent Document 2 below).
JP-A-7-323610 JP-A-8-72245

  The conventional block division driving method as described above has the following various problems.

  First, in the conventional divided driving method as described above, when the number of nozzles in one row increases, the time required to drive all the blocks in one scan becomes long, and the recording speed cannot be improved. On the other hand, it is also desired to improve the durability of the recording head provided in the recording apparatus.

  Considering durability, for example, a method of recording by selecting a block to be used by using a recording head having a plurality of nozzle rows per color is assumed. With this assumed configuration, it can be expected that the drive time per nozzle row can be shortened by using, for example, half of the blocks instead of using all the blocks of one nozzle row.

  However, if this configuration is considered, there is a problem that the number of nozzle rows increases and the number of circuits for controlling block driving also increases.

  In addition, the recording apparatus has many opportunities to record on various recording media. There are various types of recording media, such as plain paper, coated paper, glossy paper, and various dedicated recording media.

  The recording device also has a speed priority mode that prioritizes speed and an image quality priority mode that prioritizes image quality even when recording on the same recording medium. As described above, various recording apparatuses are desired.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, many types of block division driving methods (for example, block driving methods) of the recording head are provided according to the recording medium, the recording mode, and the like.

  The conventional block division driving method of the recording head is driven in a predetermined order. The number of recording head driving methods to be selected was limited to some extent, and the patterns to be selected by the block division driving method were limited.

  However, recently, for the reasons described above, it has been necessary to perform various block division driving. In the conventional circuit configuration for controlling the block division driving, there are problems such as circuit complexity and circuit scale increase.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to realize various recording head drive control and control circuits while avoiding the complexity of a circuit for controlling block division driving and suppressing an increase in circuit scale. is there.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the recording apparatus of the present invention includes a plurality of nozzle arrays each including a plurality of blocks, and blocks included in the plurality of blocks at different timings within the predetermined cycle every predetermined cycle. A recording apparatus that includes a recording head that is driven for each nozzle array and performs recording by scanning the recording head in the arrangement direction of the nozzle arrays, and stores the recording data and the storage means Generating means for generating for each nozzle array drive data including block data for each block generated based on the recording data and block information for designating a block to be driven; and drive data generated by the generating means. Transfer means for transferring to the recording head, and the generation means includes a predetermined number of nozzle rows of two or more of the nozzle rows of the recording head. Correspondingly, holding means to which a plurality of addresses for holding the block information are allocated over a plurality of the predetermined cycles, and the holding for acquiring the block information of the predetermined number of nozzle arrays, respectively. Designation means for independently designating the address of each means for each nozzle row; allocation for each of the two or more predetermined number of nozzle rows in a range for acquiring block information for one cycle of the predetermined cycle; and holding in the range Management means for managing the progress of the designation means in the range assigned to the holding means when setting the block information to be generated and generating drive data for one cycle of the predetermined period. It is characterized by.

  As described above, management of blocks to be driven for a plurality of nozzle arrays can be realized with a small circuit scale.

  Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<Configuration of recording apparatus>
FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a recording system of a recording apparatus employing the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a recording head, 2 denotes a carriage on which the recording head is mounted, 3 denotes a discharge roller used when a recorded recording medium is conveyed outside the recording apparatus, and 4 denotes a platen positioned on the bottom surface of the recording surface. It is.

  Reference numeral 5 denotes a paper pressing roller used for pressing the recording paper 15, 7 a paper feeding gear, and 8 a paper feeding motor that drives the paper feeding roller 6 via the paper feeding gear 7 and the paper feeding motor gear 9. The recording paper 15 is carried in from the rear of the apparatus and is conveyed on the platen 4 through the space between the paper pressing roller 5 and the paper feeding roller 6. After the recording head 1 forms an image by ejecting ink, it is discharged out of the apparatus by a discharge roller 3.

  Reference numeral 10 denotes an encoder film that rotates together with the paper feed roller 6. The encoder sensor 11 is used to detect a slit formed on the encoder film. The encoder sensor 11 outputs a signal about the rotation amount and rotation speed of the roller, and is used for controlling the conveyance of the recording medium.

  Reference numeral 12 denotes a shaft that supports the carriage 2, and the carriage 2 is driven by a carriage motor 14 via a belt 13. The carriage 2 moves left and right on the shaft 12, and ink jet recording is performed while the recording head 1 moves on a recording medium on the platen 4.

<Control configuration of recording apparatus>
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the control block of the recording apparatus. In FIG. 2, 16 is a host device. Reference numeral 200 denotes a recording control unit. The recording control unit 200 is an ASIC, for example. The recording control unit 200 includes an interface circuit (I / F circuit) 17, a CPU 18, a ROM 20, a motor drive circuit 21, a head drive control circuit 23, a memory control circuit 25, a data processing circuit 27, an HV conversion circuit 28, a RAM 29, and the like. The circuit block is provided.

  Supplementally, the memory control circuit 25 performs write processing and read processing on the index data, raster data, and column data for the print buffer. The data processing circuit 27 performs, for example, a process of converting index data into dot data or a thinning process on column data stored in the print buffer using a mask pattern.

  The memory control circuit 25 reads the column data in synchronization with the recording timing signal, and transfers it to the head drive control circuit 23 via the data processing circuit 27.

  Further, the HV conversion circuit 28 performs processing for converting raster format data into column format data.

  Reference numeral 19 denotes a RAM, for example, a DRAM. The RAM 19 has a print buffer for storing column data. The RAM 19 includes a work buffer for execution by the CPU 18 and a reception buffer that temporarily holds control data and recording data received from the host 16 via the interface circuit 17.

  The ROM 20 stores a control program executed by the CPU 18 and control tables such as head drive and motor drive. The RAM 29 is, for example, an SRAM. The RAM 29 includes a transfer buffer.

  The motor drive circuit 21 drives motors such as the carriage motor 14 and the paper feed motor 8. Reference numeral 26 denotes an encoder sensor. Based on the signal from the encoder sensor, the recording timing control circuit 22 generates a timing signal. The recording timing control circuit 22 generates a timing signal according to the movement of the carriage (recording head). Therefore, if the vehicle moves at a predetermined speed (predetermined speed), the timing signal is generated at a predetermined period (predetermined period). In other words, the timing signal is generated at intervals of a predetermined period (predetermined period). As shown in FIG. 2, a signal is supplied from the recording timing control circuit 22 to the head drive control circuit 23.

  Although signal lines are omitted for easy understanding of the description, this timing signal is configured to be supplied to the memory control circuit 25 and the data processing circuit 27.

  Reference numeral 201 denotes a head portion. The head unit 201 is provided on the carriage. The head portion includes the recording head 1 and the head driver 24.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the head drive control circuit 23. The head drive control circuit 23 includes a drive data generation unit (circuit) 33, a drive order control circuit 35, and a transfer buffer control circuit 34.

  4A and 4B show the configuration of the nozzle row of the recording head 1. The recording head includes a plurality of nozzle rows.

  FIG. 4A includes two odd nozzle rows composed of odd nozzles and two even nozzle rows composed of even nozzles. These nozzle rows are arranged in the recording head scanning direction. FIG. 4B includes four odd nozzle rows composed of odd nozzles and four even nozzle rows composed of even nozzles. These nozzle rows are arranged in the recording head scanning direction.

  An image is completed by performing complementary recording using the odd nozzle rows and the even nozzle rows. Therefore, even if recording is performed on the recording medium using only the odd nozzle rows, dots are recorded only every other nozzle in the nozzle row direction.

<Description of Data in Recording Control Unit 200>
FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the flow of data in the recording control unit 200. In FIG. 5, column format data 51 is stored in a print buffer provided in a RAM 27 (for example, DRAM). The memory control circuit 25 reads column data 51 corresponding to one block from the print buffer, processes the data, and transfers it to the head drive control circuit 23.

  From this nozzle data 51, block data corresponding to one nozzle row is generated (converted). The nozzle data 51 is column format data. For example, block data 52odd1 is generated for the nozzle row odd1. Similarly, block data 52odd2 is generated for the nozzle row odd2. The even nozzle row is generated in the same manner. The block data 52 has a format corresponding to the nozzle row block.

  The block data 52 is generated for the number of blocks constituting the nozzle row. In this embodiment, 40 block data are generated.

  Drive data (drive information) 53 is generated by adding a block number to the block data 52. The drive data 53 includes dot data corresponding to the nozzles included in the block and a block number. In other words, the data for driving the nozzles included in the block is converted into data with tag information (identification information) indicating the block number added thereto.

  This drive data 53 is transferred to a nozzle row (for example, odd1) provided in the recording head 1. FIG. 5 shows that processing is performed in order from the top to the bottom of the figure, but this order is the driving order.

  Reference numeral 54 denotes a state in which the drive data 53 transferred to the recording head 1 is stored in the transfer buffer. It shows that drive data for 20 blocks is stored. As for the capacity of the transfer buffer, for example, 40 columns of data for one nozzle row can be stored for three columns.

<Description of nozzle row block>
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a nozzle row block. The nozzle row (for example, odd1) is composed of a plurality of nozzles. Then, as shown in FIG. 6, four nozzles are made one block (group). This block is a group of nozzles that are driven simultaneously.

  For example, the block 1 is “0101”. Similarly, the data as shown in 52 is formed for each block.

  In addition, in order to simplify description, the example in which 4 nozzles are used as one block has been described. However, 8 nozzles may be used as one block, or 16 nozzles may be used as one block. In this way, so-called time-division driving is performed using a block composed of a predetermined number of nozzles as a driving unit.

  As described above, the transfer buffer control circuit 34 reads the data of the block number corresponding to the counter value of the drive order counter circuit 43 provided in the drive order control circuit 35 described later, and adds the block number to the data. The data is written (stored) in the transfer buffer 29 in order. Accordingly, the recording data is converted into a form in which tag information indicating a block number is added, and the converted information is stored in the transfer buffer 29.

  In addition to the above-described example, as another example, if one block has one nozzle, the data is represented by one bit, and is converted into 8-bit information in which 7-bit tag information is added to the 1-bit recording data (generated). ).

  Or if it is 1 nozzle 8 nozzles, recording data will be represented by 3 bits, and it will convert into 10 bits information which added 7 bits tag information to this 3 bits recording data. By having such a data format, even when the driving order is random, the data can be transferred to the recording head according to the driving order.

<Embodiment 1>
FIG. 4A shows the configuration of the nozzle row of the recording head 1. There are two odd nozzle rows (odd1, odd2) and two even nozzle rows (even1, even2) for each color. By selecting and driving these four nozzle rows, one row of dots can be formed on the recording medium.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, the nozzles of the odd-numbered nozzle rows and the even-numbered nozzle rows (represented by circles) of the recording head 1 intersect with the main scanning direction of the head (left and right in the figure) (up and down in the figure: (In the sub-scanning direction). Then, odd-numbered / even-numbered pixels are printed alternately (for example, counted from the head) in these odd-numbered nozzle rows and even-numbered nozzle rows. Further, in the illustrated example, the nozzles of the odd nozzle row and the even nozzle row are arranged in a staggered manner so that the pixels recorded on the paper surface are somewhat overlapped. Note that this staggered nozzle arrangement is not necessarily implemented.

  The corresponding block data is extracted in accordance with the driving order determined in advance by the driving order counter circuit 43 provided in the head drive control circuit 23. The block data and the block number are combined as drive data. This drive data is stored in the RAM 19 (eg, SRAM) in FIG. In the case of the recording head 1 shown in FIG. 4, the RAM 19 is provided with regions corresponding to the nozzle row odd1 and the nozzle row odd2.

  The head drive control circuit 23 includes two drive order counter circuits 43. One drive order counter circuit 43 is used for the nozzle row odd1 and nozzle row odd2, and the other drive order counter circuit 43 is used for the nozzle row even1 and nozzle row even2.

  The concept of the operation of the drive sequence counter circuit 43 that performs block selection of two nozzle rows (nozzle row odd1 and nozzle row odd2) will be described with reference to FIG. This counter circuit is a ring-shaped table having 40 addresses. As shown in FIG. 7, the drive order counter circuit 43 includes a table composed of addresses corresponding to the number of blocks.

  Information (block number) specifying a block can be written in each address. The driving order can be determined by writing the block number at each address before driving.

  The pointer reads the information stored at each address, and the read number is stored in the transfer buffer together with the block data.

  When driving is started, the pointer is moved one address at a time, and the block number stored at each address is read. As a result, information on the block to be driven can be obtained.

  The drive order counter circuit 43 includes a pointer P1 for the nozzle row odd1 and a pointer P2 for the nozzle row odd2. A register for holding a start address and an end address for driving for one column is provided.

  When the control unit that controls the position of the pointer starts this driving, the pointers P1 and P2 advance the pointer each time one block is driven. Then, the pointer 1 and the pointer 2 are respectively compared with the current position and the end position to manage the progress of the pointer.

  FIG. 7A is a diagram for explaining the progress of the pointer P1 for the nozzle row odd1. FIG. 7B is a diagram for explaining the progress of the pointer P2 for the nozzle row odd2. In FIG. 7A, in the drive order counter circuit 43, the start position of the pointer P1 is set to the address 0 and the end position of the pointer P1 is set to the address 19 before starting the operation. As a result, the first drive block can be designated as 1, 2 for the third drive, 3 for the third drive, 5 for the third drive, and 39 for the last drive.

  As shown in FIG. 7A, odd block numbers are set for counter addresses 0 to 19 in the drive order counter circuit 43, and even block numbers are set for counter addresses 20 to 39. ing.

  In FIG. 7B, in the driving order counter circuit 43, the start position of the pointer P2 is set to the address 20 and the end position of the pointer P2 is set to the address 39 before starting the operation. As a result, the first drive block can be designated as 0, the second drive block as 2, the third drive block as 4,..., And the last drive block as 38.

  The movement of the pointer will be described. When the first block for the nozzle row odd1 is driven, the pointer P1 advances to address 1. When the driving of the nozzle row odd2 is started and the first block for the nozzle row odd2 is driven, the pointer P2 advances to the address 21.

  Since the nozzle row odd1 and the nozzle row odd2 are driven in synchronization with the same timing signal (block trigger signal), the pointers P1 and P2 update their addresses in synchronization with the block trigger signal. Therefore, when driving is started, the table advances so that the pointer P1 and the pointer P2 chase each other in one address table.

  Since the address table is in a ring shape, when the block trigger signal is input 40 times, the pointer P1 and the pointer P2 each go around the address table.

  The control for the nozzle row even1 and the nozzle row even2 can be similarly performed using the drive order counter circuit 43. For this reason, the drive sequence circuit 35 shown in FIG. 3 includes two drive sequence counter circuits 43. Of the two drive order counter circuits 43, one is used for the nozzle row odd1 and the nozzle row odd2, and one is used for the nozzle row even1 and the nozzle row even2.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a block for driving the nozzle row odd1 and the nozzle row odd2 based on the trigger signal with the horizontal axis as a time axis. It is assumed that time elapses from left to right in FIG.

  The lower side of FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram showing the block positions to be driven by the nozzle row odd1 and the nozzle row odd2. Here, for ease of understanding visually, the downstream side in the transport direction is arranged in the order of block 0, block 1, and block 2, and the upstream side in the transport direction is block 39.

  In this embodiment, 20 blocks out of 40 blocks are used for one odd row in one period of the heat trigger. Therefore, the odd1 row and the odd2 row each drive 20 blocks in one heat trigger cycle (within one cycle). This heat trigger is a periodic signal generated periodically.

  The driving order of the nozzle row odd1 is the order set in the driving order counter circuit 43 of FIG. That is, in synchronization with the generation timing of the first heat trigger signal, odd-numbered blocks are driven in order of 1, 3, 5,. In synchronization with the generation timing of the next heat trigger signal, the even-numbered blocks 0, 2, 4,. Further, in synchronization with the generation timing of the next heat trigger signal, odd-numbered blocks are driven in order of 1, 3, 5,.

  Thus, the odd-numbered block is driven in the first column, the even-numbered block is driven in the second column, the odd-numbered block is driven in the third column, and the even-numbered block is in the fourth column. Is driven. Thereafter, similar block driving is performed.

  Supplementing the address update of the pointer P1 and the pointer P2, when two heat triggers are input, the pointer P1 and the pointer P2 each circulate the address table of the drive order counter circuit 43 once.

  Similarly, the nozzle row odd2 is driven in the order set in the drive order counter circuit 43 of FIG.

  As described above, four nozzle rows each having 40 blocks (two odd nozzle rows and two even nozzle rows) are used to sequentially drive the number of blocks that is 1/2 of the number of blocks of each nozzle row. By doing so, one row (one column) of dots can be formed on the recording surface by performing one scan to perform recording by the recording head.

  At this time, if attention is paid to one nozzle of the recording head, it is driven every other column. As a result, the nozzle usage frequency is halved and the nozzle usage frequency is equalized. Further, both improvement in scanning speed and durability can be achieved.

  Of course, also in this embodiment, the arrangement of the nozzle rows of odd1, odd2, even1, and even2 in the recording head is arranged at a different position in the scanning direction of the recording head. Therefore, the recording dots formed by each nozzle row are controlled so as to overlap (align) one row on the recording surface. For this purpose, control of the scanning speed of the recording head, block trigger timing, and heat trigger timing is performed.

  As described above, the management of the order of blocks to be driven for a plurality of nozzle arrays can be realized with a small circuit scale by the configuration described above. In addition, the time required for controlling the order of blocks to be driven can be shortened.

<Modification of Embodiment 1>
In the above description, with respect to the block number to be driven, an odd number is assigned for driving the odd1 column, and an even number is assigned for driving the odd2 column. However, in practice, it is only necessary to perform complementary driving. Therefore, when a block is allocated to the odd1 column and the odd2 column, the allocation is not limited as long as there is a complementary relationship.

  Further, the driving order set for the odd1 column and odd2 column may be different from the driving order set for the even1 column and even2 column.

  Further, the driving order set for the odd1 and odd2 columns and the driving order set for the even1 and even2 columns may be changed for each scan of the recording head.

  Further, when the recording apparatus has a plurality of recording modes, the driving order set for the odd1 column and odd2 column and the driving order set for the even1 column and even2 column may be changed for each recording mode. I do not care.

<Embodiment 2>
FIG. 4B shows the configuration of the nozzle row of the recording head 1. There are four odd nozzle rows (odd1, odd2, odd3, odd4) for each color, and four even nozzle rows (even1, even2, even3, even4).

  By selecting and driving these eight nozzle rows, one row of dots can be formed on the recording medium.

  Regarding the print head, the difference from the description of the first embodiment is the number of nozzle rows, and the other points are the same as in the first embodiment. Therefore, description of the recording head is omitted.

  FIG. 9 is an explanatory view similar to FIG. 5 described in the first embodiment.

  This nozzle data 91 is the same as the nozzle data 51. The block data 92 is the same as the block data 52. The drive data 93 is the same as the drive data 53. Therefore, description of drive data is omitted.

  To supplement FIG. 9, the second embodiment is different in that the number of blocks to be driven is ten. For this reason, the number of generated drive data is ten, and the number stored in the transfer buffer is ten.

  FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of the drive order counter circuit 43 similar to that of FIG. 7 described in the first embodiment. FIG. 10 shows a dynamic order counter circuit for odd columns.

  In the present embodiment, 10 blocks out of 40 blocks are used for one odd row in one period of the heat trigger. Therefore, the odd1 row, odd2 row, odd3 row, and odd4 row each drive 10 blocks in one heat trigger cycle.

  Since the operations of the even nozzle rows even1 to even4 are the same as those of the odd1 row to odd4 row, the description thereof is omitted.

  In FIG. 10, block numbers are stored in order from the address 0 in the counter address. The block numbers are stored as 0, 4, 8, 12, 16,.

  In the present embodiment, four pointers P1, P2, P3, and P4 are used to manage four odd nozzle rows. The pointer P1 manages blocks in the odd1 column. The pointer P2 manages blocks in the odd2 column. The pointer P3 manages blocks in the odd3 column. The pointer P4 manages blocks in the odd4 column.

  As in the first embodiment, the start and end positions of the pointer are set in the drive order counter circuit 43 before starting the operation.

  For example, in FIG. 10A, the start position of the pointer P1 is set to address 0, and the end position of the pointer P1 is set to address 9. As a result, the first drive block can be designated as the first drive block, the third drive block as 3, the third drive block as 5, ..., and the last drive block as 36.

  The pointer P2 is shown in FIG. The pointer P3 is shown in FIG. The pointer P4 is shown in FIG. In either case, the same setting as P1 is performed.

  Therefore, in the first heat trigger cycle, the pointer P1 starts at the counter address 0 and ends at the counter address 9. The pointer P2 starts at the counter address 10 and ends at the counter address 19. The pointer P3 starts at the counter address 20 and ends at the counter address 29. The pointer P4 starts at the counter address 30 and ends at the counter address 39.

  In the next heat trigger cycle, the pointer P1 starts at the counter address 10 and ends at the counter address 19. The pointer P2 starts at the counter address 20 and ends at the counter address 29. The pointer P3 starts at the counter address 30 and ends at the counter address 39. Pointer P4 starts at counter address 0 and ends at counter address 9.

  As described above, printing by the odd1 nozzle row can be performed by driving in the order of blocks 0, 4, 8,... It is possible to execute printing by the odd2 nozzle array by driving in the order of blocks 1, 5, 9,. It is possible to execute recording by the odd3 nozzle row by driving in the order of blocks 2, 6, 10... It is possible to execute printing by odd4 nozzle arrays by driving in the order of blocks 3, 7, 11...

  Also in the present embodiment, the description of the control related to the even nozzle rows even1 to even4 is the same as the control related to the odd nozzle rows odd1 to odd4, and is therefore omitted.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining blocks driven by the nozzle row odd1 to nozzle row odd4 based on the trigger signal with the horizontal axis as a time axis. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram similar to FIG. 8 except that the number of nozzle rows is four.

  The lower side of FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram showing the block positions driven by the nozzle row odd1 to nozzle row odd4. Here, for ease of understanding visually, the downstream side in the transport direction is arranged in the order of block 0, block 1, and block 2, and the upstream side in the transport direction is block 39.

  In the present embodiment, 10 blocks out of 40 blocks are used for one odd row in one period of the heat trigger. Accordingly, each nozzle row from the odd1 row to the odd4 row is driven for 10 blocks in one heat trigger cycle.

  As described above, eight nozzle rows each having 40 blocks (four odd nozzle rows and four even nozzle rows) are used to sequentially drive the number of blocks that is 1/4 of the number of blocks of each nozzle row. By doing so, one row (one column) of dots can be formed on the recording surface by performing one scan to perform recording by the recording head.

  At this time, if attention is paid to one nozzle of the recording head, it is driven every three columns. As a result, the nozzle usage frequency becomes ¼, and the nozzle usage frequency becomes equal. Further, both improvement in scanning speed and durability can be achieved.

  Of course, also in this embodiment, the arrangement of the nozzle rows of odd1 to odd4 and even1 to even4 in the recording head is arranged at different positions in the scanning direction of the recording head. Therefore, the recording dots formed by each nozzle row are controlled so as to overlap (align) one row on the recording surface. For this purpose, control of the scanning speed of the recording head, block trigger timing, and heat trigger timing is performed.

<Modification of Embodiment 2>
In the above description, with respect to the block number to be driven, four different block numbers are assigned to the drive from the odd1 column to the odd4 column. However, in practice, it is only necessary to perform complementary driving. Therefore, when block numbers are assigned to each of the odd1 column to the odd4 column, the assignment is not limited as long as there is a complementary relationship.

  Further, the driving order set for the odd1 column to the odd4 column may be different from the driving order set for the even1 column to the even4 column.

  The driving order set for the odd1 column to odd4 column and the driving sequence set for the even1 column to even4 column may be changed for each scan of the recording head.

  Further, when the recording apparatus has a plurality of recording modes, the driving order set for the odd1 column to odd4 column and the driving order set for the even1 column to even4 column may be changed for each recording mode. I do not care.

  In addition, when the recording head includes the odd1 column to the odd4 column, the even1 column to the even4 column, the recording head may have a mode in which the odd1 column, the odd2 column, the even1 column, and the even2 column are used in one scan. I do not care.

<Processing Flow for Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 2>
Here, a control flow executed by the recording control unit 200 will be described with reference to FIG. This control is performed mainly by the CPU 18, for example. The processing procedure of FIG. 12 is stored in the ROM 20 or the like.

  In step S121, nozzle data is read from the print buffer. In step S122, the nozzle data is converted into block data. In step S123, drive data including a block number and block data is stored in the transfer buffer.

  In step S124, it is determined whether storage of drive data for the number of blocks to be used has been completed for the nozzle rows used in printing. For example, in the case of the first embodiment, it is determined whether storage processing for 20 pieces of drive data has been performed.

  If No in step S124, the process returns to step S123 and continues. If Yes in step S124, the process proceeds to S125.

In step S125, it is determined whether a recording timing (heat trigger) has occurred. If Yes, the process proceeds to step S126.
In step S126, drive data is read from the transfer buffer. In step S127, in synchronization with the heat trigger, the drive data of the first block is sequentially transferred to the recording head.

  If it supplements, these processing flows will be performed about the nozzle row used for recording, respectively. For this purpose, the block data generation unit includes a register for each nozzle row, and holds block data for each nozzle row.

  A transfer buffer 29 is also provided for each nozzle row. However, there is one transfer buffer control circuit, and one transfer buffer control circuit controls a plurality of transfer buffers.

  Next, a control flow related to the head drive control circuit 23 will be described with reference to FIG. This control is performed mainly by the CPU 18, for example. The processing procedure of FIG. 13 is stored in the ROM 20 or the like.

  This processing flow is processing executed in units of scanning of the recording head.

  In step S131, information about the recording mode is acquired. The recording mode information includes information such as speed priority mode and speed priority mode. The type of recording medium is also included in the recording mode information. Examples of the recording medium used for recording include code paper, plain paper, and glossy paper.

  Also included is information on whether or not to perform multi-pass printing, and information on how many scans are in the case of printing on one page.

  Also included is information about the number of times the block trigger is generated per cycle of the heat trigger, the length of time per cycle of the heat trigger, and the scanning speed of the recording head. By adopting a configuration in which the driving order is determined based on the above information, various driving specifications can be handled.

  In step S132, parameters for the driving sequential circuit are acquired based on the information about the recording mode.

  As described above, the parameters for the driving sequence circuit are parameters set in the driving sequence counter circuit 43. For example, there are information on the driving order set in the driving order counter circuit 43, and the start position and end position of the pointer. In addition to this, there is information such as nozzle row information used in scanning recording and the number of nozzle row blocks used in scanning recording.

  In step S133, the information acquired in step S132 is set in the driving sequential circuit.

  In step S134, scanning recording is started. The process of step S133 may be any time as long as it is in time for the recording head drive start timing in one scan recording.

  If the scanning recording is finished in step S135, the process is finished.

<Other embodiments>
In the first embodiment and the second embodiment described above, the case has been described in which one row (one column) of dots can be formed on the recording surface by performing one scan to perform recording by the recording head. The present invention can also be applied to a form in which one row (one column) of dots is formed on the recording surface by performing scanning a plurality of times.

  In this mode (multi-pass printing mode) in which one row (one column) of dots is formed on the printing surface by performing a plurality of scans, when nozzle data is read out from the print buffer, a thinning process is performed for each nozzle. Good.

  Although the number of blocks per nozzle row of the print head is 40, the number of blocks is not limited to this value and may be 20 or 60.

  Further, the number of nozzle rows in the recording head is not limited to the above-described value.

  The present invention can be implemented in a recording apparatus that performs ink jet recording by scanning a recording head having a plurality of nozzle arrays including a plurality of nozzles that eject ink along a recording medium.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a main mechanism of a recording apparatus applied to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a control configuration of a recording apparatus. It is explanatory drawing of a head drive control circuit. It is a figure explaining arrangement | positioning in the recording head of a nozzle row. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of data processed by a recording control unit in the first embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of nozzle data. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a drive order control circuit in Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of block drive timing in the first embodiment. 10 is an explanatory diagram of data processed by a recording control unit in Embodiment 2. FIG. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a drive order control circuit in Embodiment 2. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of drive timing of blocks in the second embodiment. 4 is a flow of driving data processing in the first embodiment and the second embodiment. Process Flow for Head Drive Control Circuit in Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 2

Explanation of symbols

1, 32, 111 Recording head 2 Carriage 3 Paper discharge roller 4 Platen 5 Paper pressing roller 6 Paper feed roller 7 Paper feed gear 8 Paper feed motor 9 Paper feed motor gear 10 Paper feed motor encoder film 11 Optical encoder sensor 12 Carriage shaft 13 Carriage Drive Belt 14 Carriage Motor 15 Recording Paper 16 Host 17 Standard I / F Circuit 18 CPU
19 RAM
20 ROM
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 21 Motor drive circuit 22 Recording timing control circuit 23 Head drive circuit 24 Head driver 26 Encoder sensor 43 Drive order counter circuit 45A, 45B Nozzle data holding SRAM

Claims (5)

A plurality of nozzle rows composed of a plurality of blocks, each having a recording head that drives the blocks included in the plurality of blocks for each nozzle row at different timings within the predetermined cycle for each predetermined cycle; Is a recording apparatus that performs recording by scanning in the arrangement direction of the nozzle rows,
Storage means for storing recorded data;
Generating means for generating, for each nozzle row, drive data including block data in block units generated based on the recording data stored in the storage means and block information for designating blocks to be driven;
Transfer means for transferring the drive data generated by the generation means to the recording head,
The generating means includes
A holding unit that corresponds to a predetermined number of nozzle rows of two or more of the nozzle rows of the recording head, and is assigned a plurality of addresses for holding the block information over a plurality of the predetermined cycles;
Designation means for independently designating the address of the holding means for each nozzle row in order to obtain the block information of the predetermined number of nozzle rows,
Assigning for each of the two or more predetermined number of nozzle rows in a range for acquiring block information for one cycle of the predetermined cycle and setting the block information held in the range, and for one cycle of the predetermined cycle And a management means for managing the progress of the designation means within the range assigned to the holding means when generating the drive data.   The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the holding unit has a ring-shaped address format. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the designation unit includes a number of pointers corresponding to the number of the predetermined number of nozzle rows equal to or greater than two .   The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a range in which the block information for one period of the predetermined period is acquired is determined by a start address and an end address of the designation unit.   The recording apparatus includes a plurality of recording modes, and the management unit performs setting based on at least one of recording mode information and recording medium type information used for recording. The recording apparatus according to 1.

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