JP5376981B2 - Inkjet recording apparatus and inkjet recording method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an inkjet recording device and an inkjet recording method which can uniformize the using frequency of nozzles in a recording head while suppressing the reduction of throughput to the minimum. <P>SOLUTION: In the case where specified nozzles N1, N3, N5, N7 repeat the discharge of inks continuous for a prescribed time or above, in accordance with the period at which the transportation amount of a recording medium is made larger than a prescribed amount, the specified nozzles are changed to N9, N11, N13, N15 and N17, N19, N21, N23. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus and an ink jet recording method capable of recording various images including ruled lines using a recording head capable of ejecting ink.

  Patent Document 1 describes a method of switching the used nozzles so as to suppress a decrease in the life of the ink jet recording head. Further, Patent Document 2 describes a method of measuring the use frequency of nozzles in an ink jet recording head and equalizing the use frequency of nozzles by shifting the feed amount of the recording medium according to the measurement result. .

JP 2005-35175 A JP-A-9-193398

  However, in the case of the method described in Patent Document 1, since the nozzles to be used are limited, the functions of all the original nozzles cannot be used, and there is a possibility that the throughput is reduced. Further, in the case of the method described in Patent Document 2, since the amount of recording medium fed is determined according to the frequency of nozzle use, there is a risk of extreme reduction in throughput.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an ink jet recording apparatus and an ink jet recording method capable of making the frequency of nozzle use in a recording head uniform while minimizing a decrease in throughput.

The inkjet recording apparatus of the present invention includes an operation of moving a recording head capable of ejecting ink from a plurality of nozzles in a scanning direction based on recording data, and a conveying operation of conveying a recording medium in a conveying direction intersecting the scanning direction. In the ink jet recording apparatus for recording an image on the recording medium, when recording a plurality of images in the scanning direction in one page of the recording medium based on the recording data in the transport direction, As the transport operation, a first transport operation for transporting the recording medium by a predetermined amount corresponding to the number of movements of the recording head necessary for forming an image of a predetermined area of the recording medium, and transporting the recording medium beyond the predetermined amount. A second conveying operation can be performed, and the specific nozzle performs a predetermined number of times or more of ink during a plurality of movements of the recording head intervening in the conveying operation. Leaving the determined based on whether it is necessary cormorants line on the recording data, wherein there is a particular nozzle is necessary to perform the discharge of the predetermined number of times or more of the ink, and in said plurality of times of movement of said recording head When the second transport operation is present, other nozzles eject ink instead of the specific nozzle after the second transport operation, and the specific nozzle does not eject the ink more than the predetermined number of times. comprising a determining means for determining the other nozzles as the amount the conveyance amount of the recording medium by the second conveying operation, corresponding to the position in the conveying direction of the other nozzles determined by said determining means It is characterized by being.

The inkjet recording method of the present invention includes an operation of moving a recording head capable of ejecting ink from a plurality of nozzles in a scanning direction based on recording data, and a conveying operation of conveying a recording medium in a conveying direction that intersects the scanning direction. In the ink jet recording method for recording an image on the recording medium, a plurality of images that are continuous in the scanning direction in one page of the recording medium based on the recording data are recorded in the transport direction. As the transport operation, a first transport operation for transporting the recording medium by a predetermined amount corresponding to the number of movements of the recording head necessary for forming an image of a predetermined area of the recording medium, and transporting the recording medium beyond the predetermined amount. A second conveying operation can be performed, and the specific nozzle performs a predetermined number of times or more of ink during a plurality of movements of the recording head intervening in the conveying operation. Leaving the determined based on whether it is necessary cormorants line on the recording data, wherein there is a particular nozzle is necessary to perform the discharge of the predetermined number of times or more of the ink, and in said plurality of times of movement of said recording head When the second transport operation is present, other nozzles eject ink instead of the specific nozzle after the second transport operation, and the specific nozzle does not eject the ink more than the predetermined number of times. As described above, the other nozzles are determined according to the transport amount of the recording medium by the second transport operation, and the transport amount of the recording medium by the second transport operation is determined by the determining means. The amount is in accordance with the position of the other nozzle in the transport direction .

  According to the present invention, when a specific nozzle repeats ejection of ink continuously for a predetermined number of times or more, the specific nozzle is changed in order to change the specific nozzle in accordance with the time when the conveyance amount of the recording medium becomes larger than the predetermined amount. Therefore, it is not necessary to change the conveyance amount of the recording medium specially. For this reason, it is possible to make the frequency of nozzle use in the print head uniform while minimizing a decrease in throughput.

It is explanatory drawing of the method for recording the same ruled line on several pages as a 1st comparative example. It is explanatory drawing of the method for recording the same ruled line on several pages as the 1st recording example of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the method for recording several same ruled lines on the same page as a 2nd comparative example. It is explanatory drawing of the method for recording several same ruled lines on the same page as the 2nd recording example of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the example of a restriction | limiting of the use nozzle at the time of borderless recording. (A), (b), (c) is explanatory drawing of the relationship between the allocation position of a use nozzle, and the scan number of a recording head. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the 1st example of the shift process of the use nozzle in this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the 2nd example of the shift process of the use nozzle in this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the 3rd example of the shift process of the use nozzle in this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the 1st example of the determination method of the recording data in this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the 2nd example of the determination method of the recording data in this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the 3rd example of the determination method of the recording data in this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the 4th example of the determination method of the recording data in this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the 4th example of the shift process of the use nozzle in this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the 5th example of the shift process of the use nozzle in this invention. FIG. 2 is a block configuration diagram of a control system of the recording apparatus in the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of mechanical components of the recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 16 is a block diagram of a control system of the recording apparatus in the present embodiment.

  The recording apparatus 1600 of this example obtains recording data from the outside through the communication I / F 1601 and obtains recording data from an external storage represented by a memory card or the like through the memory card I / F 1602. And. However, the I / F provided is not indispensable for the embodiment of the present invention, and it is sufficient that at least one I / F is provided.

  Data acquired from the I / F is analyzed by the data processing unit 1603, and recording data generated based on the analysis result is accumulated in the recording data storage area 1604. The operation control unit 1605 starts processing upon receiving a notification from the data processing unit 1603 that the recording data has been accumulated in the recording data storage area 1604. The operation control unit 1605 controls the sequence of the recording operation, and issues a recording operation command to the recording control unit 1606 that controls each device in the recording apparatus. The recording control unit 1606 controls the paper transport device 1607 and the paper feed device 1608 based on the recording operation command to transport the paper as a recording medium. At that time, the sheet conveyance status is confirmed based on information from the sensor 1609. The recording control unit 1606 controls the recording device 1610 to execute a recording operation.

  FIG. 17 is a perspective view for explaining a mechanical configuration example of the recording apparatus. The recording apparatus of this example is a so-called serial scan type inkjet recording apparatus.

  Reference numeral 1704 denotes a carriage 1704 on which the inkjet recording head H can be mounted. The recording head H ejects ink from the ejection ports using ejection energy generating elements such as electrothermal conversion elements (heaters) and piezo elements. When the electrothermal conversion element is used, the ink is foamed by the heat generation, and the ink can be ejected from the ejection port using the foaming energy. The arrow Y is the conveyance direction (sub-scanning direction) of the paper (recording medium) P, and the arrow X is the main scanning direction that intersects (in this example, orthogonal) the conveyance direction. The carriage 1704 is supported by a guide shaft 1706 and a guide rail so as to be reciprocally movable in the main scanning direction. The guide rail maintains the gap between the recording head H and the paper P by holding the rear end of the carriage 1704. The guide shaft 1706 is attached to the chassis 1701, and the guide rail is formed integrally with the chassis 1701.

  The carriage 1704 is driven via a timing belt by a carriage motor 1708 attached to the chassis 1701. In order to detect the movement position of the carriage 1704, a code strip 1707 in which lines are marked at a pitch of 150 to 300 lpi (line / inch) is provided in parallel with the timing belt. The carriage substrate mounted on the carriage 1704 is provided with an encoder sensor for reading the line of the code strip 1707. The carriage 1704 is provided with a flexible substrate for transmitting signals from the electric substrate provided on the chassis 1701 side to the recording head H.

  In such a configuration, by repeating the operation of ejecting ink while the recording head H moves in the main scanning direction together with the carriage 1704 and the operation of transporting the paper P in the sub-scanning direction, an image is formed on the paper P. Record. The recording head H ejects ink toward the paper P based on a signal from the electric substrate. The roller 1705 conveys the paper P so that the position of the image P in the row direction (the position of the paper P in the sub-scanning direction) of the paper P on which the image is recorded is aligned with the recording position of the image by the recording head H. The carriage motor 1708 moves the carriage 1704 so that the recording head H faces the position in the row direction of the paper P on which an image is recorded (the position of the paper P in the main scanning direction).

(Comparative Example 1)
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram for recording ruled lines on a sheet as Comparative Example 1 with the present invention.

  P1 is the first page paper, 102 is the second page paper, 103 is the third page paper, and L1, L2, L3, and L4 are ruled lines recorded on these papers. In the recording head H, a plurality of nozzles are arranged in a direction crossing the main scanning direction (in this example, a sub-scanning direction (arrow Y direction) orthogonal to the main scanning direction). Ink can be ejected from the ejection port, and the nozzle located downstream in the sub-scanning direction (arrow Y direction) in the recording head H is a first nozzle N1, and is arranged upstream from the nozzle N1 in the sub-scanning direction. The nozzles to be used are the second nozzle N2, the third nozzle N3, the fourth nozzle N4,.

  The ruled line L1 is recorded by ink ejected from the first nozzle N1 in the first scan of the recording head H. Thereafter, after the sheet is conveyed in the sub-scanning direction by the length of the nozzle row in the recording head H, the ruled line L2 is recorded by the ink ejected from the third nozzle N3 in the second scan of the recording head H. Thereafter, after the sheet is conveyed in the sub-scanning direction by the length of the nozzle row in the recording head H, the ruled line L3 is recorded by the ink ejected from the fifth nozzle N5 in the third scan of the recording head H. Thereafter, after the sheet is conveyed in the sub-scanning direction by the length of the nozzle row in the recording head H, the ruled line L4 is recorded by the ink ejected from the seventh nozzle N7 in the fourth scan of the recording head H. In this way, the ruled lines L1, L2, L3, and L4 are continuously recorded on each page by four continuous scans that involve the conveyance of the sheet for the length of the nozzle row in the recording head H.

  In Comparative Example 1, in any of the first, second, third and fourth pages, the nozzle N1 is used for the first scan, the nozzle N3 is used for the second scan, and the nozzle N5 is used for the third scan. For the fourth scan, nozzle N7 is used. Therefore, the nozzle to be used is biased.

(Rule line recording example 1)
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of recording example 1 according to the present invention. In this example, ruled lines L1, L2, L3, and L4 similar to those in comparative example 1 are recorded by shifting the nozzles used for each recording page of the paper. .

  When recording the first page P1, as in Comparative Example 1 in FIG. 1, the first nozzle N1 in the first scan, the third nozzle N3 in the second scan, the fifth nozzle N5 in the third scan, the fourth scan The seventh nozzle N7 is used. When recording the second page P2, the positional relationship between the recording head and the second page paper at the start of recording is changed so that the nozzles at the recording start position in the first scan are shifted by 8 nozzles. Accordingly, in the second page P2, the ninth (1 + 8) nozzle N9 is used for the first scan. Similarly, the eleventh (3 + 8) nozzle N11 for the second scan, the thirteenth (5 + 8) nozzle N13 for the third scan, and the fifteenth (7 + 8) nozzle N15 for the fourth scan.

  When recording the third page P2, the positional relationship between the recording head and the second page paper at the start of recording is further changed so that the nozzle at the recording start position in the first scan is further shifted by 8 nozzles. . Therefore, in the third page P3, the seventeenth (1 + 16) nozzle N17 is used for the first scan. Similarly, the 19th (3 + 16) nozzle N19 for the second scan, the 21st (5 + 16) nozzle N21 for the third scan, and the 23th (7 + 16) nozzle N23 for the fourth scan are used.

  By using the nozzles in this way, the used nozzles can be dispersed. Also in this example, as in Comparative Example 1, the ruled lines L1, L2, L3, and L4 are continuously generated on each page by four continuous scans that involve the conveyance of the paper corresponding to the length of the nozzle row in the recording head H. Recorded.

(Comparative Example 2)
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram when a ruled line is recorded on a sheet as Comparative Example 2 of the present invention, in which the used nozzles are biased within the same page.

  The first scan uses the first nozzle N1, the second scan uses the third nozzle N3, the third scan uses the fifth nozzle N5, the fourth scan uses the seventh nozzle N7, and the ruled lines L1, L2, L3, L4 One group G1 is recorded. If an interval occurs between the recording position of the first group G1 and the recording position of the second group G2 of the next ruled lines L1, L2, L3, and L4, when recording the second group G2, The same nozzles as those used for recording in the first group G1 are used. That is, the sheet P exceeds the length of the nozzle row in the recording head H between the fourth scan that records the ruled line L4 of the first group G1 and the fifth scan that records the ruled line L1 of the second group G2. The same nozzle is repeatedly used.

  Similarly, when there is an interval between the recording position of the second group G2 and the recording position of the third group G3 of the next ruled lines L1, L2, L3, and L4, the recording of the second group G3 is performed. Sometimes the same nozzles are used as when recording in the first group G1. That is, the sheet P exceeds the length of the nozzle row in the recording head H between the eighth scan that records the ruled line L4 of the second group G2 and the ninth scan that records the ruled line L1 of the third group G3. The same nozzle is repeatedly used.

  In this manner, the ruled lines L1, L2, L3, and L4 in the first group G1 are continuously recorded by four continuous scans that involve the conveyance of the sheet for the length of the nozzle row in the recording head H. Similarly, each of the second and third groups G2 and G3 is continuously recorded. However, between the first, second, and third groups G1, G2, and G3, the conveyance of a sheet having a length different from the length of the nozzle row in the recording head H is interposed.

  In the comparative example 2, the use nozzles are biased in the same page.

(Rule line recording example 2)
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of recording example 2 according to the present invention. In this example, the used nozzles are shifted within one page, and groups G1, G2 of ruled lines L1, L2, L3, L4 similar to those in comparative example 2 are shown. , G3.

  In this example, when an interval occurs between the recording positions of the ruled line groups G1, G2, and G3, the nozzle at the recording start position is shifted between the groups G1, G2, and G3.

  The first scan uses the first nozzle N1, the second scan uses the third nozzle N3, the third scan uses the fifth nozzle N5, the fourth scan uses the seventh nozzle N7, and the ruled lines L1, L2, L3, L4 One group G1 is recorded.

  Between the fourth scan for recording the ruled line L4 of the first group G1 and the fifth scan for recording the ruled line L1 of the second group G2, the paper P exceeds the length of the nozzle row in the recording head H. Are transported. In this case, the positional relationship between the recording position of the ruled line L1 of the second group G2 and the recording head H is changed so that the used nozzles in the fifth scan are shifted by 8 nozzles. Accordingly, the ruled line L1 is recorded in the fifth scan using the ninth (1 + 8) nozzle N9. Thereafter, after the sheet P is conveyed by the length of the nozzle row in the recording head H, the ruled line L2 of the second group G2 is recorded using the eleventh (3 + 8) nozzle N11 in the sixth scan. Similarly, the ruled lines L3 and L4 of the second group G2 are recorded using the thirteenth (5 + 8) nozzle N13 in the seventh scan and the fifteenth (7 + 8) nozzle N15 in the eighth scan.

  Between the eighth scan for recording the ruled line L4 of the second group G2 and the ninth scan for recording the ruled line L1 of the third group G3, the sheet P exceeds the length of the nozzle row in the recording head H. Are transported. In this case, the positional relationship between the recording position of the ruled line L1 of the third group G2 and the recording head H is changed so that the nozzles used in the ninth scan are further shifted by 8 nozzles. Accordingly, the ruled line L1 is recorded in the ninth scan using the seventeenth (1 + 16) nozzle N17. Thereafter, the paper P is conveyed by the length of the nozzle row in the recording head H, and then the ruled line L2 of the third group G3 is recorded using the 19th (3 + 16) nozzle N19 at the 10th scan. Similarly, the ruled lines L3 and L4 of the third group G3 are recorded using the 21st (5 + 16) nozzle N21 in the 11th scan and the 23rd (7 + 16) nozzle N23 in the 12th scan.

  By using the nozzles in this way, the used nozzles can be dispersed. Also in this example, as in Comparative Example 2, the ruled lines L1, L2, L3, and L4 in the respective groups G1, G2, and G3 are continuously performed four times with the conveyance of the sheet for the length of the nozzle row in the recording head H. It is recorded continuously by scanning. Similarly to Comparative Example 2, the conveyance of the paper for a length different from the length of the nozzle row in the recording head H is interposed between the G1, G2, and G3.

(Rule line recording example 3)
When recording an image without margins at the leading edge and the trailing edge of the paper by borderless recording, in order to maintain the recording accuracy for the leading edge and the trailing edge of the paper, There are cases where a method of limiting the nozzles to be used or reducing the transport amount of the paper is used.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 5, when an image is recorded without margins being formed at the leading end (upper end in the figure) of the paper P (the borderless recording), the paper P is placed in a region A near the leading edge. And a region C closer to the center and a region B between them. When recording the area A, the nozzles in a part of the range La in the nozzles of the entire range L in the recording head H are limited as the use nozzles. Then, when recording the area B, the used nozzle range La is gradually expanded so as to gradually release the restriction on the use nozzle, and until the area C is recorded, the restriction on the use nozzle is completely solved and used. The range of the nozzle is returned to the entire range L. Further, the transport amount of the paper P can be changed according to the restriction of the use nozzle.

  In the area C, the used nozzles are fixed to the entire range L. Therefore, when a ruled line is recorded in this area C, the recording position of the ruled line and the recording head H are recorded as in the recording examples shown in FIGS. The nozzle used cannot be shifted by changing the positional relationship with On the other hand, in the regions A and B where the range of the used nozzles changes, the used nozzles are shifted by changing the positional relationship between the ruled line recording position and the recording head H as in the recording examples of FIGS. It is possible.

  Accordingly, the nozzles used in the regions A and B before the nozzles used are fixed to the entire range L by shifting the switching point Pb between the regions B and C based on the relationship between the ruled line recording position and the regions A, B, and C. Can be shifted. At that time, the switching point Pa between the areas A and B may be shifted. Further, based on a plurality of patterns corresponding to the relationship between the ruled line recording position and the areas A, B, and C, it is possible to shift the used nozzles in the area B.

Further, based on the contents of the recording data, it can be determined whether or not the use nozzle is biased, or whether or not the use nozzle is shifted by checking the degree of the bias. In this case, the following example can be given as a method for determining the recording data.
(1) The recording data is determined using the raster data presence / absence information.
(2) The deviation of dot count for each raster is detected.
(3) The past recording history regarding the same recording data is used.
(4) The print data is determined using the accumulated information of the dot count.
(5) The recording data is determined based on information from the data creation side such as a printer driver or an application.
(6) When printing is performed according to form recording (recording in which the data arrangement is known in advance) built in the main body of the printing apparatus, the used nozzle is shifted when a bias of the used nozzle is assumed.
(7) In the case of a standard format for recording a large amount (for example, 50 pages or more), the used nozzles are shifted.

  In addition, such a displacement of the used nozzles does not increase the number of scans (number of passes) in one page by assigning the position of the scan in one page while considering the vertical size of the paper (size in the transport direction). Can be implemented.

  For example, when the ruled lines L1, L2, L3, and L4 as shown in FIG. 6A are recorded on the paper P, the number of scans is increased when the used nozzles are shifted as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B. The number of scans increases to 5 when the nozzle used is shifted as shown in FIG. It is desirable to shift the nozzles used without increasing the number of scans (passes).

(Use nozzle displacement processing (1))
FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining a first example of the used nozzle shifting process. In this example, when the used nozzle is shifted as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the used nozzle is randomly selected. change.

  First, it is determined whether there is ruled line data that is not continuously recorded (step S1). When the second ruled line is recorded by the next scan after the paper for the length of the nozzle row in the recording head H is conveyed after the previous scan for recording the first ruled line, the second ruled line is recorded. The ruled lines are recorded continuously. On the other hand, when the second ruled line is recorded by the next scan after transporting a sheet having a length different from the length of the nozzle row in the recording head H after the previous scan for recording the first ruled line. The second ruled line is not recorded continuously.

  In the case of the recording example 1 in FIG. 2, it is determined that the ruled line L1 in each page is a ruled line that is not continuously recorded. In the case of the recording example 2 in FIG. 4, the ruled line L1 in each group G1, G2, G3 is determined as a ruled line that is not continuously recorded. Whether or not the ruled lines are continuously formed can be determined based on whether or not the sheet is conveyed by an amount larger than the length (nozzle length) of the nozzle row of the recording head H. Alternatively, in the case of a multi-pass recording method in which ruled lines are recorded by a plurality of scans of the recording head, the determination can be made based on the presence or absence of an in-process portion of the ruled line recording data assigned to the plurality of scans. . That is, information on whether or not the nozzle used for recording a part of the ruled line has already been assigned to at least one of the multiple scans of the recording head, or a part of the ruled line has already been recorded. The determination can be made on the basis of information on whether or not it has been performed.

  If there is a ruled line that is not continuously recorded, the nozzles used for recording the ruled line are randomly changed (step S2). After that, when there are ruled lines to be continuously recorded, as described above, the nozzles determined by the transport amount of the paper for the length of the nozzle row in the recording head and the recording position of the ruled lines are used as the nozzles used. assign. On the other hand, if there is no ruled line that is not continuously recorded, the ruled line is recorded using the nozzles assigned in the normal manner under normal recording control (step S3).

  The method of changing the used nozzles at random is arbitrary, for example, a method using a dedicated random table, a method using another table, etc., and is not particularly limited. The process returns to step S1 until there is no remaining record data of all ruled lines (step S4).

(Use nozzle displacement processing (2))
FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining a second example of the used nozzle shifting process. In this example, when the used nozzle is shifted as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the used nozzle is determined in advance. Change the nozzle.

  Steps S1, S3, and S4 in this example are the same as in the example of FIG. 7 described above. If it is determined in step S1 that there is a ruled line that is not continuously recorded, a predetermined nozzle is assigned as a nozzle used for recording the ruled line (step S2A). In addition, every time there is a ruled line that is not continuously recorded, different nozzles to be assigned as used nozzles are sequentially changed. For example, every time there is a ruled line that is not recorded continuously, the nozzles to be used are sequentially changed like nozzles N8, N16, N32, N64. When there is a ruled line to be recorded continuously after a ruled line that is not continuously recorded, as described above, the amount of paper transported by the length of the nozzle row in the recording head and the ruled line recording position are used as the nozzles used. And a nozzle determined by

  In the case of the recording example of FIG. 4 described above, when the ruled lines L1 of the groups G2 and G2 that are not continuously recorded are recorded, the nozzles used to record these ruled lines are shifted by 8 nozzles, and the nozzle N9 ( 1 + 8) and nozzle N17 (1 + 16). In the recording example of FIG. 4, when the next page is recorded, the shift amount of the used nozzle is restored. The timing for returning the shift amount of the used nozzles may be between the ruled line groups and may be during the recording operation within one page.

(Recording data shifting process (3))
FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining a third example of the used nozzle shifting process.

  First, it is determined whether or not there is a possibility that the nozzles to be used are likely to be biased by various recording data determination methods to be described later, and it is determined whether or not this has been detected (step S11). ). When there is a possibility that the use nozzle may be biased, the use nozzle is changed (step S12), and when there is no possibility, the use nozzle is assigned as usual by normal recording control (step S13).

(Recording data judgment method (1))
FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a first example of a method for determining recording data. In this example, presence / absence information of raster data is used.

  10, N1, N2, N3,... Are nozzles of the recording head H, and L11, L12, and L13 are ruled lines that are recorded based on the recording data. Data is “1” for nozzles corresponding to the raster data of the recording data, and data is “0” for nozzles not corresponding to the raster data. In FIG. 10, the data regarding the nozzles N2, N9, and N15 is “1”. Such information can be realized by a function such as ASIC when generating print data, and it is possible to detect the deviation of the nozzles used using this information.

(Recording data judgment method (2))
FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a second example of the recording data determination method. In this example, a deviation in dot count for each raster is detected.

  The white circles in the figure represent positions where dots are not formed without ejecting ink from the corresponding nozzles, and the black circles represent positions where dots are formed by ejecting ink from the corresponding nozzles. By counting the number of dots for each raster and associating them with the nozzles N1, N2, N3..., It is possible to detect the deviation of the nozzles in use. Such counting of the number of dots can be realized by a function such as ASIC when generating print data.

(Recording data judgment method (3))
FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining a third example of the recording data determination method. In this example, a past recording history is used.

  It is information on the presence or absence of ruled line recording data that uses information D1 associated with the position in the paper transport direction, and by detecting the information D1 associated with the nozzles of the recording head, it is possible to detect the deviation of the used nozzles. it can. When the ruled lines L21, L22, L23, L24 are recorded on a plurality of pages P1, P2, P3... Based on the same recording data, the information D1 detected at the time of recording the first page P1 is stored. The information D1 can be used when recording the second and subsequent pages. As shown in FIG. 6, this information D1 is used when assigning the position of scanning in one page while taking into account the vertical size of the paper P so as not to increase the number of scans (pass number) in one page. Can do.

(Recording data judgment method (4))
FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a fourth example of the recording data determination method. In this example, accumulated dot count information D2 is used. The accumulated information D2 is information obtained by accumulating the number of dot formations (dot count number) for each scan. By associating these accumulated values with the nozzles, it is possible to detect the deviation of the used nozzles. In FIG. 13, the dot count number per scan is extremely small. The cumulative unit of the dot count number is arbitrary for each data block such as blocks G1, G2, and G3, for each page, for each of a plurality of pages (for example, 10 pages).

(Recording data shifting process (4))
FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining a fourth example of the used nozzle shifting process. In the recording apparatus of this example, information (recording data determination information) is acquired from a printer driver, an application, or a standard recording data creation unit built in the main body of the recording apparatus, and the used nozzles are shifted based on the information. Process.

  First, it is determined whether or not the acquired information is information that there is a bias of the nozzles used (step S11A). If the acquired information is information indicating that the used nozzle is biased, the used nozzle is changed (step S12). On the other hand, when the acquired information is information indicating that there is no bias of the used nozzles, the used nozzles are assigned as usual by normal recording control (step S13).

(Recording data shifting process (5))
FIG. 15 is a flowchart for explaining a fifth example of the used nozzle shifting process. In this example, when recording ruled lines of the same format on a large amount of paper, the used nozzles are shifted.

  First, it is determined whether or not ruled lines of the same format are recorded continuously or intermittently on a predetermined number of sheets or more (in this example, 50 pages or more). When the number of recorded sheets is equal to or greater than the predetermined number, the used nozzles are changed (step S12). When the number is not equal to or greater than the predetermined number, the used nozzles are assigned as usual by normal recording control (step S13).

  By shifting the used nozzles as in the above examples, it is possible to reduce the deviation of the used nozzles while minimizing a decrease in throughput.

(Other embodiments)
The present invention includes an operation of moving a recording head capable of ejecting ink from a plurality of nozzles in a scanning direction based on recording data, and an operation of conveying a recording medium by a predetermined amount in a conveying direction crossing the scanning direction. The present invention can be widely applied to recording methods for recording images. In other words, the present invention can be widely applied to various so-called serial scan type ink jet recording apparatuses, and various ink ejection methods using electrothermal conversion elements (heaters), piezoelectric elements, etc. as recording heads. Can be used.

Further, a predetermined amount of the conveyance amount of the recording medium can be reduced etc. ho transfer times of the recording head increases needed to complete the recording of the image of a predetermined area on the recording medium. For example, in the one-pass recording method in which an image of a predetermined area is recorded by one scan of the recording head as in the recording example described above, the length L of the nozzle row in the recording head can be set to a predetermined amount. Further, in the two-pass recording method in which an image of a predetermined area is recorded by two scans of the recording head, ½ (= L / 2) of the length L of the nozzle row in the recording head can be set to a predetermined amount. That is, in an n-pass printing method in which an image in a predetermined area is printed by n scans of the print head, 1 / n (= L / n) of the length L of the nozzle row in the print head can be set to a predetermined amount.

  Further, in the present invention, during a plurality of continuous movements of the recording head, an image to be recorded by repeating specific ink ejection by a specific nozzle more than a predetermined number of times is not necessarily in the scanning direction as in the above-described recording example. It is not specified only for a plurality of continuous ruled lines. That is, the image is not specified only by the ruled line recorded by ejecting ink continuously for a predetermined number of times or more during one movement of the recording head. For example, it may be a band-like image that is continuous in the scanning direction with a width of two nozzles or more. In that case, the specific nozzle includes two or more adjacent nozzles. The specific nozzle includes a nozzle that ejects ink continuously for a predetermined number of times during one movement of the recording head and / or a plurality of nozzles that are repeatedly used during a plurality of continuous movements of the recording head. Can be included.

  According to the present invention, when such an image is recorded, the conveyance amount of the recording medium conveyed between the previous movement and the subsequent movement in a plurality of movements of the recording head exceeds a predetermined amount. Sometimes, it is only necessary to change the specific nozzle. In the embodiment described above, the nozzle used for recording ruled lines that are not continuously recorded is the specific nozzle. Such a specific nozzle may be changed at random or may be changed to a predetermined nozzle. Also, as in the recording example of FIG. 2, when a plurality of images such as ruled lines are recorded on one recording medium, the specific nozzle for recording the first image may not be changed.

In addition, as in the case of borderless recording in FIG. 5 described above, in the case where an image can be recorded by a recording mode that involves restriction of nozzles that can be used during movement of the recording head and change in the conveyance amount of the recording medium. When changing the limit of usable nozzles, the specific nozzle may be changed. Further, when such a recording mode is provided, the restriction on the usable nozzles may be changed so that the specific nozzles are changed. That is, the change in the restriction of the nozzles that can be used may be associated with the change in the specific nozzle so that the latter change can be realized by the change in the former.

  Also, when changing the specific nozzle, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the length of the recording medium is taken into consideration, so that one recording medium before and after the change of the specific nozzle. The specific nozzle can be changed so as not to increase the number of times of movement of the recording head.

  Further, whether or not the specific nozzle repeats the ejection of the ink that is continued a predetermined number of times or more during the continuous movement of the recording head can be determined based on the recording data. In this case, the determination can be made based on the presence / absence information of raster data, the dot count value for each raster, the past recording history, the accumulated information of the dot count, and the like. It can also be determined based on information from the outside. In addition, when recording is performed according to a fixed recording form built in the main body of the recording apparatus, the determination can also be made based on information relating to the fixed recording form.

1600 Recording Device 1603 Data Processing Unit 1605 Operation Control Unit 1606 Recording Control Unit H Recording Head P, P1, P2, P3 Paper (Recording Medium)
L1, L2, L3, L4 Ruled Line G1, G2, G3 Group X Main scanning direction Y Sub-scanning direction

Claims (13)

The recording medium includes an operation of moving a recording head capable of ejecting ink from a plurality of nozzles in a scanning direction based on recording data, and a transporting operation of transporting the recording medium in a transporting direction intersecting the scanning direction. In an inkjet recording apparatus for recording an image on
When a plurality of continuous images in the scanning direction are recorded in the transport direction within one page of the recording medium based on the recording data, as the transport operation, the recording medium forms an image of a predetermined area of the recording medium. A first transport operation for transporting a predetermined amount corresponding to the number of movements of the recording head necessary for the recording head, and a second transport operation for transporting the recording medium beyond the predetermined amount,
Wherein the plurality of times a particular nozzle while moving the recording head is determined based on whether it is necessary cormorants row ejection of a predetermined number of times or more of the ink to the recording data, the specific nozzle wherein said transport operation-mediated When it is necessary to eject ink a predetermined number of times or more and the second transport operation is interposed during the plurality of movements of the recording head, instead of the specific nozzle after the second transport operation. and other nozzles are ejecting ink, comprising a determining means for the particular nozzle to determine the other nozzles so as not to discharge the predetermined number of times or more of the ink,
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the transport amount of the recording medium by the second transport operation is an amount corresponding to a position in the transport direction of the other nozzle determined by the determining means .   The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the specific nozzle includes a nozzle that ejects ink continuously a predetermined number of times or more during one movement of the recording head.   The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the specific nozzle includes a plurality of nozzles that are repeatedly used during the plurality of movements of the recording head. The determining means randomly determines the other nozzles,
4. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a conveyance amount of the recording medium by the second conveyance operation corresponds to a position of another nozzle determined by the determination unit. 5. The determining means determines the other nozzle as a predetermined nozzle,
4. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a conveyance amount of the recording medium by the second conveyance operation corresponds to a position of another nozzle determined by the determination unit. 5. A recording mode capable of recording an image with a restriction on nozzles that can be used during the movement of the recording head and a change in the conveyance amount of the recording medium;
The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines the other nozzle when changing the restriction of the usable nozzle. A recording mode capable of recording an image with a restriction on nozzles that can be used during the movement of the recording head and a change in the conveyance amount of the recording medium;
The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determining unit determines the other nozzles according to a restriction on the usable nozzles. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines the other nozzle so as not to increase the number of movements of the recording head in one page of recording medium. .   9. The specific nozzle records a ruled line continuous in the scanning direction by ejecting ink continuously for the predetermined number of times or more during one movement of the recording head. An ink jet recording apparatus according to any one of the above. 10. The recording apparatus according to claim 9, wherein when a plurality of ruled lines are recorded on one page of the recording medium, the determining unit does not determine the other nozzles for the specific nozzle that records the ruled lines first. Inkjet recording apparatus. Wherein the predetermined amount of the conveyance amount of the recording medium, of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that less The more the number of movements of the recording head necessary for the formation of the image of the predetermined area on the recording medium An ink jet recording apparatus according to any one of the above. As recording data for recording an image during the plurality of movements of the recording head, the first and second ruled lines along the main scanning direction are recorded at intervals exceeding the predetermined amount in the transport direction. When recording data is included, the second transport is performed between the movement of the recording head for recording the first ruled line and the movement of the recording head for recording the second ruled line. Movement intervenes,
The determining means determines the other nozzle as a nozzle for recording the second ruled line when the specific nozzle ejects the predetermined number of times or more during the plurality of movements of the recording head. An ink jet recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1, 4 to 8, 10, and 11 . The recording medium includes an operation of moving a recording head capable of ejecting ink from a plurality of nozzles in a scanning direction based on recording data, and a transporting operation of transporting the recording medium in a transporting direction intersecting the scanning direction. In an inkjet recording method for recording an image on
When a plurality of continuous images in the scanning direction are recorded in the transport direction within one page of the recording medium based on the recording data, as the transport operation, the recording medium forms an image of a predetermined area of the recording medium. A first transport operation for transporting a predetermined amount corresponding to the number of movements of the recording head necessary for the recording head, and a second transport operation for transporting the recording medium beyond the predetermined amount,
Wherein the plurality of times a particular nozzle while moving the recording head is determined based on whether it is necessary cormorants row ejection of a predetermined number of times or more of the ink to the recording data, the specific nozzle wherein said transport operation-mediated When it is necessary to eject ink a predetermined number of times or more and the second transport operation is interposed during the plurality of movements of the recording head, instead of the specific nozzle after the second transport operation. The other nozzle is determined according to the transport amount of the recording medium by the second transport operation so that the other nozzle ejects ink and the specific nozzle does not eject the ink more than the predetermined number of times. And
The inkjet recording method according to claim 1, wherein the conveyance amount of the recording medium by the second conveyance operation is an amount corresponding to the position of the other nozzle in the conveyance direction determined by the determination unit .

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