JP5823797B2 - Inkjet printer and image recording method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an ink jet printer and an image recording method for recording an image in color.

  Conventionally, as one of inkjet printers that record images on printing paper, ink is ejected from a discharge unit provided over the entire width of the printing paper toward the printing paper that moves only once in a predetermined scanning direction. A one-pass type ink jet printer that records an image is known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a recording head in which a plurality of short heads each having a row of recording elements arranged in a predetermined arrangement direction are arranged in the arrangement direction over the entire width of the recording medium. In the recording head, adjacent short heads are arranged at different positions in a direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction.

  On the other hand, in Patent Document 2, in an inkjet printer that performs color printing with a plurality of colors of ink, C, LC, M, A technique for converting to multi-gradation data of each color of LN, Y, and K is disclosed. In the inkjet printer, an appropriate color conversion table is selected from a plurality of color conversion tables according to environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity.

JP 2002-144542 A JP 2001-105636 A

  By the way, in the ink jet printer of Patent Document 1, after a recording medium is heated by a heater arranged in front of the recording head, ink is ejected from the recording head to the recording medium, and ink dots are recorded by the heat of the recording medium. Fix to the medium. In the ink jet printer of Patent Document 1, the distance between the short head and the heater in the scanning direction differs between the two adjacent short heads. Therefore, the time from when the recording medium is heated to when the ink lands is different. The temperature of the recording medium at the time of landing will differ. As a result, wetting and spreading of the ink dots after landing differ, resulting in a difference in color development in the two areas corresponding to the two short heads on the recording medium.

  There is also known an ink jet printer in which a heater is provided on the rear side of the recording head and the ink ejected on the recording medium is heated and fixed by the heater. Similarly, in such an ink jet printer, if the time from ink landing to heating differs due to the arrangement of a plurality of short heads, there is a difference in color development in a plurality of regions on the recording medium corresponding to the plurality of short heads. It will occur.

  Furthermore, in an ink jet printer that performs color printing, a plurality of heads corresponding to a plurality of colors of ink are arranged in the scanning direction. The arrangement of the short heads of each color causes the landing of the first color ink and the second color. If the time between the landing of the color inks varies depending on the position in the width direction, the wetness of the ink dots after landing and the overlapping state of the ink dots of different colors differ, resulting in a difference in color development. These color differences are recognized as color unevenness by an observer of the printed matter. Such color unevenness cannot be suppressed even if the color conversion table is changed according to the temperature and humidity as in Patent Document 2.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and aims to suppress color unevenness.

  The invention according to claim 1 is an inkjet printer that performs color image recording, and is different from the first ink and a front ejection mechanism that ejects micro droplets of a first ink toward a recording medium. A rear discharge mechanism that discharges the fine droplets of the second color ink toward the recording medium, and the recording medium is moved relative to the front discharge mechanism and the rear discharge mechanism in a predetermined scanning direction. A moving mechanism that passes the position facing the front ejection mechanism and the position facing the rear ejection mechanism only once, and the position in the scanning direction is relative to the front ejection mechanism and the rear ejection mechanism. A fixing processing unit that fixes or assists the fixing of the ink applied on the recording medium to the recording medium, a storage unit that stores a color conversion table, and the color conversion table. An image data conversion unit that converts the color of image data used for image recording, and the front discharge mechanism is a plurality of discharge ports arranged along a width direction perpendicular to the scanning direction. A first front discharge port group and a second front discharge port group that is a plurality of discharge ports arranged along the width direction, and the rear discharge mechanism is arranged along the width direction. A plurality of discharge ports, a first rear discharge port group facing the first front discharge port group in the scanning direction, and a plurality of discharge ports arranged along the width direction, the scanning direction A second rear discharge port group facing the second front discharge port group, and a distance in the scanning direction between the first front discharge port group and the fixing processing unit is the second front discharge port group. Different from the distance in the scanning direction between the discharge port group and the fixing processing unit, or the front The distance in the scanning direction between the first front discharge port group and the first rear discharge port group is set in the scanning direction between the second front discharge port group and the second rear discharge port group. Unlike the distance, the storage unit includes a first color conversion table applied to the first front outlet group and the first rear outlet group, and the second front outlet group and the second rear part. A second color conversion table that is applied to the discharge port group and is different from the first color conversion table is stored.

  The invention according to claim 2 is the ink jet printer according to claim 1, wherein the front discharge mechanism includes a first front head provided with the first front discharge port group, and the second front. A second front head provided with a partial discharge port group, wherein the rear discharge mechanism is provided with a first rear head provided with the first rear discharge port group, and a second provided with the second rear discharge port group. And the first front head and the second front head are arranged adjacent to each other in the width direction and at different positions in the scanning direction, and the first rear head and the second rear head. Are arranged at different positions in the scanning direction and adjacent in the width direction.

  The invention according to claim 3 is the ink jet printer according to claim 2, wherein an end portion of the first front discharge port group and an end portion of the second front discharge port group have the width. Overlapping in the scanning direction in a predetermined overlapping range of the direction, the end of the first rear discharge port group and the end of the second rear discharge port group also overlap in the scanning direction in the overlapping range, The first ink ejection from the first front ejection port group and the second front ejection port group from the first front ejection port group with respect to the overlapping area corresponding to the overlapping range on the recording medium and extending in the scanning direction. The ejection of the first ink is performed while switching, and the ejection of the second ink from the first rear ejection port group and the ejection of the second ink from the second rear ejection port group in the overlapping region. Are performed while switching as in the case of the first ink. When converting the color of the data, ink is ejected from one ejection port of the first front ejection port group and one ejection port of the first rear ejection port group for each position of the overlapping region. When the first color conversion table is used and ink is ejected from one ejection port of the second front ejection port group and one ejection port of the second rear ejection port group The second color conversion table is used.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a front discharge mechanism that discharges micro droplets of the first ink, a rear discharge mechanism that discharges micro droplets of the second ink having a different color from the first ink, and recording. A moving mechanism that moves the medium relative to the front ejection mechanism and the rear ejection mechanism in a predetermined scanning direction; and a position in the scanning direction relative to the front ejection mechanism and the rear ejection mechanism. A fixing processing unit that fixes the ink applied on the recording medium to the recording medium or assists the fixing, and the front discharge mechanism is arranged in a width direction perpendicular to the scanning direction. A first front discharge port group that is a plurality of discharge ports arranged along the width direction; and a second front discharge port group that is a plurality of discharge ports that are arranged along the width direction, and the rear discharge mechanism. A plurality of discharges arranged along the width direction. A first rear discharge port group facing the first front discharge port group in the scanning direction, and a plurality of discharge ports arranged along the width direction, and the second in the scanning direction. A second rear discharge port group facing the front discharge port group, and a distance in the scanning direction between the first front discharge port group and the fixing processing unit is the second front discharge port group. Or the distance in the scanning direction between the first front discharge port group and the first rear discharge port group is different from the distance in the scanning direction between the first front discharge port group and the fixing processing unit. An image recording method for performing image recording in color by an ink jet printer different from the scanning direction distance between the partial discharge port group and the second rear discharge port group, comprising: a) a first color conversion table; Preparing a second color conversion table different from the first color conversion table And b) applying the first color conversion table to a portion corresponding to the first front discharge port group and the first rear discharge port group of image data used for image recording, and the second front discharge port. Converting the color of the image data while applying the second color conversion table to portions corresponding to the outlet group and the second rear outlet group; and c) moving the recording medium in the scanning direction by the moving mechanism. It moves relatively and passes the position facing the front ejection mechanism and the position facing the rear ejection mechanism only once, and in synchronization with the movement of the recording medium, the front ejection mechanism and the rear ejection And a step of ejecting fine droplets of the first ink and the second ink from the mechanism toward the recording medium.

The invention according to claim 5 includes a plurality of front heads each having a plurality of ejection openings arranged along the width direction and arranged in a staggered manner along the width direction, and each of the front heads A plurality of rear heads arranged in a staggered manner along the width direction, and a recording medium with respect to the plurality of front heads and the plurality of rear heads. A moving mechanism that moves relatively in a scanning direction perpendicular to the width direction and a position in the scanning direction are fixed relative to the plurality of front heads and the plurality of rear heads, and are applied onto the recording medium. An image recording method for recording an image in color by an ink jet printer provided with a fixing processing unit for fixing the fixed ink on the recording medium or assisting fixing, wherein: a) From the present recording arrangement, a front head boundary position that is a position in the width direction of a number of front head boundaries deviates from a rear head boundary position that is a position in the width direction of the boundaries of the plurality of rear heads. Moving the plurality of front heads relative to the plurality of rear heads in the width direction to obtain a table acquisition arrangement in which the front head boundary position and the rear head boundary position coincide with each other; b) When the moving mechanism moves the recording medium relatively in the scanning direction and passes the position facing the plurality of front heads and the position facing the plurality of rear heads only once, The first ink micro droplets are ejected from the plurality of front heads toward the recording medium, and the second ink micro droplets different from the first ink are ejected from the plurality of rear heads to the recording medium. Plurality recording the color patch, from the data obtained by colorimetry the color patches corresponding to each front head in the scanning direction, a plurality of positional relationship between the rear head and the fixing process unit by discharging toward the C) moving the plurality of front heads relative to the plurality of rear heads in the width direction to obtain the front head boundary position and the rear head boundary position. Another table acquisition arrangement in which the distance in the scanning direction between the front head and the fixing processing unit or the distance in the scanning direction between the front head and the rear head is different from the table acquisition arrangement. And b) performing the step; d) moving the plurality of front heads relative to the plurality of rear heads in the width direction to form the main recording arrangement; e) The region between the front head and the fixing processing unit with respect to a region between two boundaries adjacent in the width direction among the boundaries of the plurality of front heads and the boundaries of the plurality of rear heads. Based on the distance in the scanning direction and the distance in the scanning direction between the front head and the rear head, from the plurality of color conversion tables acquired in the step b) and the step c) , the scanning direction Converting a color of image data used for image recording while selecting a color conversion table having the same positional relationship among the front head, the rear head, and the fixing processing unit, and f) moving the recording medium by the moving mechanism. It moves relatively in the scanning direction, passes the position facing the plurality of front heads and the position facing the plurality of rear heads only once, and in synchronization with the movement of the recording medium, Discharging the first ink microdroplets from a plurality of front heads toward the recording medium, and discharging the second ink microdroplets from the plurality of rear heads toward the recording medium; Prepare.

  In the present invention, color unevenness can be suppressed.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the inkjet printer which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows a part of bottom face of a print head. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure implement | achieved by computer. It is a figure which shows operation | movement of an inkjet printer. It is a figure which shows a threshold value matrix and an original image abstractly. It is a figure which shows a part of bottom face of the print head of the inkjet printer which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows a part of bottom face of the print head of the inkjet printer which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the mode of switching of the discharge of an ink. It is a figure which shows a part of bottom face of the print head of the inkjet printer which concerns on 4th Embodiment. It is a figure which shows operation | movement of an inkjet printer. It is a figure which shows a part of bottom face of another printing head. It is a figure which shows a part of bottom face of another printing head.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an ink jet printer 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The ink jet printer 1 is a sheet-fed image recording apparatus that sequentially performs color printing on a plurality of recording media 9 by an ink jet method (that is, records a color image). In the present embodiment, printing paper is used as the recording medium 9, and an image is recorded in color on the printing paper.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the ink jet printer 1 has a moving mechanism 2 that moves a plurality of recording media 9 in a scanning direction that is the (+ Y) direction in FIG. 1, and a recording medium 9 that is being conveyed by the moving mechanism 2. The print head 3 that discharges and fixes fine droplets of ink, the supply unit 51 that supplies the recording medium 9 to the moving mechanism 2, the discharge unit 52 that receives the recording medium 9 after printing from the moving mechanism 2, and these mechanisms A control unit 4 to be controlled and a computer 6 connected to the control unit 4 are provided.

  The moving mechanism 2 includes a plurality of stages 21 that suck and hold a sheet-like recording medium 9 (in this embodiment, printing paper), an annular guide 22 that guides the plurality of stages 21, and a guide. 1 is moved in the (+ Y) direction below the print head 3 (that is, on the (−Z) side) by moving the belt in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. A drive mechanism (not shown) is provided.

  The print head 3 includes four ejection mechanisms 31 a to 31 d that eject micro ink droplets from a plurality of ejection openings toward the recording medium 9. The ejection mechanisms 31a to 31d are arranged in the Y direction in FIG. 1 and eject inks of different colors. In the print head 3, the discharge mechanism 31a located on the most (-Y) side in FIG. 1 discharges K (black) colored ink, and the (+ Y) side discharge mechanism 31b of the discharge mechanism 31a is C (cyan). The (+ Y) side discharge mechanism 31c of the discharge mechanism 31b discharges M (magenta) color ink, and the (+ Y) side discharge mechanism 31d of the discharge mechanism 31c is Y (yellow) color. Ink is ejected. The print head 3 may be provided with an ejection mechanism that ejects ink of other colors.

  In the print head 3, a heater 35 is provided on the (+ Y) side of the ejection mechanism 31d. The position of the heater 35 in the scanning direction is fixed relative to the ejection mechanisms 31a to 31d. The ink dots applied to the recording medium 9 from the ejection mechanisms 31 a to 31 d are fixed to the recording medium 9 by being heated by the heater 35. That is, the heater 35 is a fixing processing unit that fixes the ink on the recording medium 9 to the recording medium 9.

  In the inkjet printer 1, the ejection mechanisms 31 a to 31 d of the print head 3 and the heater 35 extend over the entire width of the recording medium 9 (that is, the total length in the X direction) in the width direction (X direction) perpendicular to the scanning direction (Y direction). The recording medium 9 is moved relative to the print head 3 in the scanning direction, and passes through the position facing the print head 3 only once, so that printing on the recording medium 9 can be performed. Complete. That is, the inkjet printer 1 performs printing (so-called one-pass printing) that does not involve reciprocal movement of the recording medium 9 in the X direction.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a part of the bottom surface of the print head 3. The discharge mechanism 31a includes a plurality of first heads 311a and a plurality of second heads 312a arranged in a staggered manner along the width direction. The first head 311a is provided with a plurality of first discharge ports 317a arranged along the width direction, and the second head 312a is provided with a plurality of second discharge ports 318a arranged along the width direction. It is done. The number of ejection ports provided in the first head 311a and the second head 312a is actually larger than that shown in FIG. 2 (the same applies to other heads described later).

  The first head 311a and the second head 312a are adjacent to each other in the width direction and are arranged at different positions in the scanning direction. The plurality of first heads 311a are arranged at the same position in the scanning direction, and the plurality of second heads 312a are also arranged at the same position in the scanning direction. The plurality of first heads 311a are located on the (−Y) side of the plurality of second heads 312a, that is, on the front side in the direction in which printing on the recording medium 9 proceeds (hereinafter also referred to as “upstream side”). The plurality of first discharge ports 317a of each first head 311a are also positioned on the (−Y) side from the plurality of second discharge ports 318a of each second head 312a. Accordingly, the distance in the scanning direction between the plurality of first ejection ports 317a and the heater 35 is longer than the distance in the scanning direction between the plurality of second ejection ports 318a and the heater 35.

  The discharge mechanisms 31b to 31d have the same structure as the discharge mechanism 31a. The discharge mechanisms 31b to 31d include a plurality of first heads 311b to 311d and a plurality of second heads 312b to 312d arranged in a staggered manner along the width direction. The first heads 311b to 311d are provided with a plurality of first discharge ports 317b to 317d arranged along the width direction, and the second heads 312b to 312d are provided with a plurality of first discharge ports arranged along the width direction. Two discharge ports 318b to 318d are provided. The first heads 311b to 311d and the second heads 312b to 312d of the ejection mechanisms 31b to 31d are respectively arranged adjacent to each other in the width direction and at different positions in the scanning direction. The distance in the scanning direction between the plurality of first discharge ports 317b to 317d and the heater 35 is longer than the distance in the scanning direction between the plurality of second discharge ports 318b to 318d and the heater 35, respectively.

  Here, the ejection mechanism 31a, the first head 311a, the second head 312a, the plurality of first ejection ports 317a, and the plurality of second ejection ports 318a are respectively a front ejection mechanism and a first front portion that eject the first ink. A head, a second front head, a first front discharge port group, and a second front discharge port group, and a discharge mechanism 31b, a first head 311b, a second head 312b, a plurality of first discharge ports 317b, and a plurality of first discharge ports. When the two discharge ports 318b are respectively a rear discharge mechanism that discharges a second ink different from the first ink, a first rear head, a second rear head, a first rear discharge port group, and a second rear discharge port group, The distance in the scanning direction between the first front discharge port group provided on the first front head of the front discharge mechanism and the heater 35 is the second front discharge provided on the second front head of the front discharge mechanism. Scanning direction of outlet group and heater 35 Distance and different. The distance in the scanning direction between the first front discharge port group and the first rear discharge port group provided in the first rear head of the rear discharge mechanism is the distance between the second front discharge port group and the rear discharge mechanism. This is equal to the distance in the scanning direction between the second rear discharge port group provided in the second rear head.

  In the inkjet printer 1, the positional relationship among the heater 35, the first front discharge port group, the first rear discharge port group, the second front discharge port group, and the second rear discharge port group described above is based on the discharge mechanism 31a and the discharge mechanism. It is also established between 31c. Further, the positional relationship is such that between the discharge mechanism 31a and the discharge mechanism 31d, between the discharge mechanism 31b and the discharge mechanism 31c, between the discharge mechanism 31b and the discharge mechanism 31d, and between the discharge mechanism 31c and the discharge mechanism 31d. It is also established between.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration realized by the computer 6. The computer 6 includes a storage unit 61 and an image data conversion unit 60, and the image data conversion unit 60 includes a first image conversion unit 62 and a second image conversion unit 63. The storage unit 61 stores first image data 81 to be printed by the inkjet printer 1, a first color conversion table 851, a second color conversion table 852, and a threshold matrix 710. The first image data 81 is data composed of three colors of R (red), G (green), and B (blue). The threshold value matrix 710 is data for forming halftone dots, and is also called SPM (Screen Pattern Memory) data.

  Next, the operation of the inkjet printer 1 will be described with reference to FIG. In the inkjet printer 1, first, the first color conversion table 851 and the second color conversion table 852 are acquired and stored in the storage unit 61 (step S11). In acquiring the color conversion table, fine droplets of ink are ejected from the print head 3 onto the recording medium 9 that moves in the scanning direction by the moving mechanism 2, and color patches are recorded on the recording medium 9. Then, a color conversion table is acquired from data obtained by measuring the color patch with the colorimeter. At this time, the first color conversion table 851 is acquired from the data obtained by measuring the color of the first area recorded by the first heads 311a to 311d on the recording medium 9, and the second head 312a is acquired on the recording medium 9. A second color conversion table 852 that is different from the first color conversion table 851 is acquired from the data obtained by measuring the color of the second area recorded by the ˜312d. Note that the color measurement of the color patch may be performed by a colorimeter provided outside the inkjet printer 1 or may be performed by providing the colorimeter on the inkjet printer 1.

  Subsequently, the first image data 81 stored in advance in the storage unit 61 and used for image recording (that is, drawing) by the first image conversion unit 62 shown in FIG. The image data is converted into second image data consisting of four colors C, M, and Y (step S12). The second image data is sent to the second image conversion unit 63.

  The second image conversion unit 63 performs fine adjustment (that is, color conversion) on the second image data while using the first color conversion table 851 and the second color conversion table 852, and K, C, M, Y The third image data consisting of the four colors is generated (step S13). In the color conversion to the third image data, the first color conversion table 851 is applied to a portion corresponding to the first heads 311a to 311d (see FIG. 2) of the second image data, and the second head 312a of the second image data. The second color conversion table 852 is applied to portions corresponding to ˜312d. In other words, the first color conversion table 851 is applied to the plurality of first discharge ports 317a to 317d, and the second color conversion table 852 is applied to the plurality of second discharge ports 318a to 318d. The generated third image data is sent from the computer 6 to the control unit 4 together with the threshold value matrix 710.

  In the control unit 4, based on the third image data and the threshold value matrix 710, a signal of a halftone image representing an image corresponding to the third image data (so-called drawing data, hereinafter referred to as “halftone image data”). ) Is generated (step S14). The halftone dot image data is generated by dividing the third image data into K, C, M, and Y colors and converting the separated image data into halftone dots using a threshold matrix. Y has halftone dot image data.

  At the time of halftoning (that is, when generating a halftone image), as shown in FIG. 5, the image 70 corresponding to the third image data is divided into a plurality of regions of the same size to form halftone dots. A repetitive area 71 as a unit of is set. The SPM of the control unit 4 has a matrix space (matrix region) that is a storage area corresponding to one repeating area 71, and each address of the matrix space (that is, the coordinates of the matrix space corresponding to each pixel of the repeating area 71). A threshold value matrix is set by setting a threshold value in (pixel)).

  Conceptually, each repeating area 71 of the image 70 and the threshold matrix 710 are overlapped, and the gradation level of each pixel in the repeating area 71 is compared with the corresponding threshold value of the threshold matrix 710, so that a halftone dot is obtained. Whether or not drawing is performed at the position of the pixel on the recording medium 9 as a recording medium (that is, whether or not ink droplets are ejected) is determined. Therefore, if the gradation level of the image 70 is uniform, drawing is performed on the pixel of the address for which a threshold value smaller than the gradation level is set in the threshold value matrix 710, and the macroscopically uniform level. A halftone dot will be generated. Actually, since the image 70 has light and shade (that is, portions having various gradation levels), the state of the halftone dot changes in the repetitive area 71 according to the light and shade of the image 70.

  Next, the recording medium 9 shown in FIG. 1 is supplied and held on the stage 21 from the supply unit 51, and is moved in the (+ Y) direction by the moving mechanism 2 controlled by the control unit 4. Then, based on the halftone image data, the ejection mechanisms 31a to 31d of the print head 3 are controlled by the control unit 4, so that the K, C, M, and Y inks are finely synchronized with the movement of the recording medium 9. A droplet is ejected and an image is recorded (step S15). In the inkjet printer 1, images are continuously recorded on a plurality of recording media 9. The acquisition of the first color conversion table 851 and the second color conversion table 852 in step S11 is normally performed at the time of shipment of the inkjet printer 1 or the like.

  As described above, in the inkjet printer 1, the distance in the scanning direction between the plurality of first ejection ports 317 a and the heater 35 is the distance in the scanning direction between the plurality of second ejection ports 318 a and the heater 35. Unlike the above, the same applies to the plurality of first discharge ports 317b to 317d and the plurality of second discharge ports 318b to 318d. For this reason, if the same color conversion table is applied to the first ejection ports 317a to 317d and the second ejection ports 318a to 318d, the ink ejected onto the recording medium 9 from the first ejection ports 317a to 317d A color difference occurs between the ink discharged from the second discharge port 318a onto the recording medium 9 and the color unevenness is recognized.

  Therefore, in the inkjet printer 1, as described above, the first color conversion table 851 is applied to the plurality of first discharge ports 317a to 317d, and the first color conversion table 851 is applied to the plurality of second discharge ports 318a to 318d. By applying a different second color conversion table 852, the occurrence of color difference can be suppressed, and as a result, color unevenness in the image recorded on the recording medium 9 can be suppressed. Such a structure of the inkjet printer 1 is an inkjet including each of the ejection mechanisms 31a to 31d including a plurality of first heads 311a to 311d and a plurality of second heads 312a to 312d arranged in a staggered manner along the width direction. Especially suitable for printers.

  In the inkjet printer 1, the heater 35 may be disposed on the (−Y) side of the discharge mechanisms 31 a to 31 d, and ink may be discharged from the discharge mechanisms 31 a to 31 d onto the recording medium 9 that is preheated by the heater 35. . The ink applied on the recording medium 9 is fixed on the recording medium 9 by the heat previously applied from the heater 35 to the recording medium 9. That is, the heater 35 functions as a fixing processing unit that assists in fixing the ink applied on the recording medium 9. Also in this case, the distances in the scanning direction between the plurality of first discharge ports 317a to 317d and the heater 35 are different from the distances between the plurality of second discharge ports 318a to 318d and the heater 35, respectively. By applying the first color conversion table 851 to the first discharge ports 317a to 317d and applying the second color conversion table 852 different from the first color conversion table 851 to the plurality of second discharge ports 318a to 318d, Occurrence of color difference can be suppressed. As a result, color unevenness in the image recorded on the recording medium 9 can be suppressed.

  In the inkjet printer 1, heaters may be provided on both the (−Y) side and the (+ Y) side of the ejection mechanisms 31a to 31d. In this case, the two heaters function as a fixing processing unit that assists in fixing the ink applied on the recording medium 9 to the recording medium 9 and fixes the ink on the recording medium 9.

  Next, an ink jet printer according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 6 is a view showing a part of the bottom surface of the print head 3a of the ink jet printer according to the second embodiment. The print head 3a is configured such that the first heads 311a and 311c are (+ Y) side of the second heads 312a and 312c in the ejection mechanisms 31a and 31c, that is, the rear side in the direction in which printing on the recording medium 9 proceeds (hereinafter referred to as “downstream”). 2), and has the same structure as the print head 3 shown in FIG. The structure of the ink jet printer according to the second embodiment is the same as that of the ink jet printer 1 shown in FIG. 1 except for the print head 3a, and is denoted by the same reference numerals in the following description.

  In the print head 3a, as described above, in the ejection mechanisms 31a and 31c, the first heads 311a and 311c are located on the (+ Y) side of the second heads 312a and 312c, and a plurality of the first heads 311a and 311c are provided. The first discharge ports 317a and 317c are also located on the (+ Y) side of the plurality of second discharge ports 318a and 318c of the second heads 312a and 312c. Accordingly, the distance in the scanning direction between the plurality of first discharge ports 317 a and 317 c and the heater 35 is shorter than the distance in the scanning direction between the plurality of second discharge ports 318 a and 318 c and the heater 35.

  In the ejection mechanisms 31b and 31d, like the print head 3, the first heads 311b and 311d are positioned on the (−Y) side of the second heads 312b and 312d, and a plurality of first heads 311b and 311d are provided. The discharge ports 317b and 317d are also located on the (−Y) side of the plurality of second discharge ports 318b and 318d of the second heads 312b and 312d. Accordingly, the distance in the scanning direction between the plurality of first discharge ports 317 b and 317 d and the heater 35 is longer than the distance in the scanning direction between the plurality of second discharge ports 318 b and 318 d and the heater 35.

  The distance in the scanning direction between the plurality of first ejection ports 317a and the plurality of first ejection ports 317b is the distance in the scanning direction between the plurality of second ejection ports 318a and the plurality of second ejection ports 318b. The distance in the scanning direction between the plurality of first ejection ports 317b and the plurality of first ejection ports 317c is shorter than the scanning direction between the plurality of second ejection ports 318b and the plurality of second ejection ports 318c. Longer than the distance. The distance in the scanning direction between the plurality of first ejection ports 317c and the plurality of first ejection ports 317d is larger than the distance in the scanning direction between the plurality of second ejection ports 318d and the plurality of second ejection ports 318d. The distance in the scanning direction between the plurality of first ejection ports 317a and the plurality of first ejection ports 317d is also short, and the distance in the scanning direction between the plurality of second ejection ports 318a and the plurality of second ejection ports 318d is also short. Shorter than.

  Here, similarly to the above, the ejection mechanism 31a, the first head 311a, the second head 312a, the plurality of first ejection ports 317a, and the plurality of second ejection ports 318a are respectively connected to the front ejection mechanism and the first front head. The second front head, the first front discharge port group, and the second front discharge port group, and the discharge mechanism 31b, the first head 311b, the second head 312b, the plurality of first discharge ports 317b, and the plurality of second discharge ports. When each of the discharge ports 318b is a rear discharge mechanism, a first rear head, a second rear head, a first rear discharge port group, and a second rear discharge port group, the discharge ports 318b are provided in the first front head of the front discharge mechanism. The scanning direction distance between the first front discharge port group and the heater 35 is different from the scanning direction distance between the second front discharge port group provided on the second front head of the front discharge mechanism and the heater 35. And the first front outlet group and the first rear Length of the scanning direction between the outlet groups also differ from the length of the scanning direction between the second front discharge port group and the second rear outlet group.

  In the print head 3a, the positional relationship between the first front discharge port group, the first rear discharge port group, the second front discharge port group, and the second rear discharge port group described above is the same between the discharge mechanism 31b and the discharge mechanism 31c. It also holds in between. The positional relationship is also established between the discharge mechanism 31c and the discharge mechanism 31d and between the discharge mechanism 31a and the discharge mechanism 31d.

  In the ink jet printer according to the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, fine droplets of ink are ejected from the print head 3a onto the recording medium 9 (see FIG. 1) moving in the scanning direction. The color patch is recorded, and a color conversion table is acquired and prepared from the data obtained by measuring the color patch with the colorimeter (FIG. 4: Step S11). At this time, the first color conversion table 851 is acquired from the data obtained by measuring the color of the first area recorded by the first heads 311a to 311d on the recording medium 9, and the second head 312a is acquired on the recording medium 9. A second color conversion table 852 that is different from the first color conversion table 851 is acquired from the data obtained by measuring the color of the second area recorded by the ˜312d. Thereafter, steps S12 to S15 are performed, and an image is recorded on the recording medium 9.

  In the ink jet printer according to the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the first color conversion table 851 is applied to the plurality of first ejection ports 317a to 317d, and the plurality of second ejection ports 318a to 318a. By applying a second color conversion table 852 different from the first color conversion table 851 to 318d, the occurrence of color difference can be suppressed, and as a result, color unevenness in the image recorded on the recording medium 9 can be suppressed. Can be suppressed.

  Next, an ink jet printer according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 7 is a view showing a part of the bottom surface of the print head 3b of the ink jet printer according to the third embodiment. The structure of the ink jet printer according to the third embodiment is the same as that of the ink jet printer 1 shown in FIG. 1 except that the print head 3 b has a structure different from that of the print head 3. Attached.

  In the print head 3b shown in FIG. 7, in each of the ejection mechanisms 31a to 31d, the end portions of the first heads 311a to 311d and the end portions of the second heads 312a to 312d overlap in the scanning direction. The end portions of the first discharge ports 317a to 317d and the end portions of the plurality of second discharge ports 318a to 318d are in a predetermined overlapping range 340 in the width direction (in FIG. 7, surrounded by a two-dot chain line). Overlap in the scanning direction. In the present embodiment, in each overlapping range 340, the four first discharge ports 317a to 317d and the four second discharge ports 318a to 318d overlap in the scanning direction (that is, they are located at the same position in the width direction). .)

  In the ink jet printer according to the third embodiment, on the recording medium 9, an area corresponding to the above-described overlapping range 340 (hereinafter referred to as “overlapping area”) extends in the scanning direction. Then, ink ejection from the plurality of first ejection ports 317 a and ink ejection from the plurality of second ejection ports 318 a are switched by the control by the control unit 4 with respect to the overlapping region. Switching between ejection of ink from the plurality of first ejection ports 317b to 317d and ejection of ink from the plurality of second ejection ports 318b to 318d is performed by switching between ejection of ink from the plurality of first ejection ports 317a and a plurality of ejections. This is performed in the same manner as switching to the ejection of ink from the second ejection port 318a. That is, ink is discharged from the first discharge ports 317b to 317d on the dots formed by the ink from the first discharge port 317a, and on the dots formed by the ink from the second discharge port 318a. Ink is discharged from the second discharge ports 318b to 318d. Note that the actual dot formation position may be slightly shifted depending on the color of the ink.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a state of switching between ejection of ink from the first ejection ports 317a to 317d and ejection of ink from the second ejection ports 318a to 318d with respect to one overlapping region 340a. In FIG. 8, when the number in the dot 95 indicated by a circle is “1”, the dot 95 is formed by the ink ejected from the first ejection ports 317a to 317d, and the number is “2”. In this case, the dot 95 is formed by the ink ejected from the second ejection ports 318a to 318d. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the plurality of dots 95 arranged in the scanning direction in the overlapping region 340a are formed by variously switching the ink ejection from the first ejection ports 317a to 317d and the second ejection ports 318a to 318d. It's okay.

  In the ink jet printer according to the third embodiment, when the computer 6 converts the second image data into the third image data, a plurality of first discharge ports are provided for each position in the width direction of each overlapping region 340a. When ink is ejected from one of the first ejection ports 317a to 317d among 317a to 317d, the first color conversion table 851 acquired in step S11 in FIG. 4 is used. In addition, when ink is discharged from each of the second discharge ports 318a to 318d among the plurality of second discharge ports 318a to 318d with respect to each position in the width direction of each overlapping region 340a, the second A color conversion table 852 is used.

  In this way, in the overlapping range 340 where the end portions of the plurality of first discharge ports 317a to 317d and the end portions of the plurality of second discharge ports 318a to 318d overlap in the scanning direction, the color is adjusted according to the discharge port that discharges ink. By switching and applying the conversion table, the occurrence of color difference can be suppressed, and as a result, color unevenness in the image recorded on the recording medium 9 can be suppressed. Note that the number of overlapping discharge ports in the overlapping range 340 is not necessarily limited to four, and may be one or two or more.

  Next, an ink jet printer according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 9 is a view showing a part of the bottom surface of the print head 3c of the ink jet printer according to the fourth embodiment. The structure of the ink jet printer according to the fourth embodiment is the same as that of the ink jet printer 1 shown in FIG. 1 except that the print head 3 c has a structure different from that of the print head 3. Attached.

  In the print head 3c shown in FIG. 9, the ejection mechanisms 31a to 31d are individually moved in the width direction along the rails 33a to 33d by an ejection mechanism moving unit (not shown). In the discharge mechanisms 31a to 31d, a plurality of heads 310a to 310d each having a plurality of discharge ports 320a to 320d arranged along the width direction are arranged in a staggered manner along the width direction. A first head boundary position 300a that is a position in the width direction of the boundary of the plurality of heads 310a in the ejection mechanism 31a; a second head boundary position 300b that is a position in the width direction of the boundary of the plurality of heads 310b in the ejection mechanism 31b; The third head boundary position 300c, which is the position in the width direction of the boundaries of the plurality of heads 310c in 31c, and the fourth head boundary position 300d, which is the position in the width direction of the boundaries of the plurality of heads 310d in the ejection mechanism 31d, respectively. It is shifted in the width direction. In the following description, the arrangement of the heads 310a to 310d shown in FIG. 9 is referred to as “main recording arrangement”.

  In the print head 3c, regions between the two head boundary positions 300a to 300d adjacent in the width direction are a plurality of regions in which the positional relationships of the heads 310a to 310d are different from each other. For example, in a region 341 surrounded by a two-dot chain line, the head 310a is located on the downstream side (that is, the (+ Y) side of the plurality of heads 310a arranged in a staggered manner) in the ejection mechanism 31a, and the heads 310b to 310d are also included. It is located downstream in the discharge mechanisms 31b to 31d. In the region 342, the heads 310a, 310b, and 310d are located on the downstream side, and the head 310c is located on the upstream side. In the region 343, the heads 310a and 310d are located on the downstream side, and the heads 310b and 310c are located on the upstream side. In the region 344, the heads 310a to 310c are located on the upstream side, and the head 310d is located on the downstream side.

  In the region 345, the heads 310a to 310d are all located on the upstream side. In the region 346, the heads 310a, 310b, and 310d are located on the upstream side, and the head 310c is located on the downstream side. In the region 347, the heads 310a and 310d are located on the upstream side, and the heads 310b and 310c are located on the downstream side. In the region 348, the heads 310a to 310c are located on the downstream side, and the head 310d is located on the upstream side.

  Here, the head 310a of the ejection mechanism 31a and the head 310b of the ejection mechanism 31b are respectively called a front head and a rear head, and the first head boundary position 300a and the second head boundary position 300b are respectively a front head boundary position and a head head position. Speaking of the rear head boundary position, in the present recording arrangement, the front head boundary position is shifted from the rear head boundary position in the width direction. The above positional relationship among the front head, the rear head, the front head boundary position, and the rear head boundary position is also established between the discharge mechanism 31a and the discharge mechanism 31c. Further, the positional relationship is such that between the discharge mechanism 31a and the discharge mechanism 31d, between the discharge mechanism 31b and the discharge mechanism 31c, between the discharge mechanism 31b and the discharge mechanism 31d, and between the discharge mechanism 31c and the discharge mechanism 31d. It is also established between.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a part of the operation of the ink jet printer according to the fourth embodiment. In the inkjet printer, some or all of the ejection mechanisms 31a to 31d are moved in the width direction by the ejection mechanism moving unit, and the first head boundary position 300a, the second head boundary position 300b, the third head boundary position 300c, and the first head boundary position 300c. The four head boundary positions 300d are arranged to coincide with each other in the width direction (step S31). In the following description, the arrangement of the plurality of heads 310a to 310d in a state where the first head boundary position 300a, the second head boundary position 300b, the third head boundary position 300c, and the fourth head boundary position 300d coincide with each other is described as “table acquisition. It is called “arrangement”. The table acquisition arrangement is, for example, the same as the arrangement of the head shown in FIG.

  Subsequently, a color patch is recorded on the recording medium 9, and a plurality of color conversion tables are acquired from the data obtained by measuring the color patch with a colorimeter, similarly to step S11 (step S32).

  Next, the ejection mechanisms 31a to 31d are relatively moved in the width direction, and the arrangement of the plurality of heads 310a to 310d is set as another table acquisition arrangement in which the head boundary positions coincide with each other (steps S33 and S34). The other table acquisition arrangement has, for example, a head arrangement similar to that of the area 343 and the area 347. Thereafter, returning to step S32, printing of a color patch and acquisition of a plurality of color conversion tables are performed. The color conversion table obtained at this time is different from the color conversion table acquired in the first table acquisition arrangement because the arrangement of the heads 310a to 310d is different from the initial table acquisition arrangement.

  In the inkjet printer according to the fourth embodiment, steps S32 to S34 are repeated until a color conversion table corresponding to the positional relationship in the scanning direction of the heads 310a to 310d in each of the above-described regions 341 to 348 is obtained. When the color conversion tables of the areas 341 to 348 are acquired and stored in the storage unit 61 (see FIG. 3), the ejection mechanisms 31a to 31d are moved in the width direction to obtain the main recording arrangement shown in FIG. S35).

  In the computer 6, the first image data 81 (see FIG. 3) composed of three colors R, G, and B is converted into second image data composed of four colors K, C, M, and Y (step S36). . Then, color conversion is performed on the second image data using the color conversion table stored in the storage unit 61, and third image data including four colors K, C, M, and Y is generated (step). S37). At this time, for each of the regions 341 to 348, based on the distance in the scanning direction between each of the heads 310a to 310d and the heater 35 and the distance in the scanning direction between the heads 310a to 310d, steps S32 to S32 are performed. A color conversion table having the same positional relationship between the heads 310a to 310d and the heater 35 in the scanning direction is selected and used from the plurality of color conversion tables acquired in S34. Thereafter, steps S14 and S15 shown in FIG. 4 are performed, and an image is recorded on the recording medium 9.

  In the ink jet printer according to the fourth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, even if the heads 310 a to 310 d have a plurality of regions with different arrangements and the widths of the regions are small, By repeating the arrangement change and the acquisition of the color conversion table, the color conversion table corresponding to each area can be easily acquired. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of color difference by performing image recording while applying different color conversion tables to each region, and as a result, it is possible to suppress color unevenness in the image recorded on the recording medium 9. it can.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention has been described, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, A various change is possible.

  For example, in the inkjet printer 1 according to the first embodiment, the first color conversion table 851 and the second color conversion table 852 are used to generate the third image data by the second image conversion unit 63 of the image data conversion unit 60. However, when the first image conversion unit 62 converts the first image data 81 to the second image data, a plurality of prepared images are prepared based on the positional relationship between the ejection port and the heater 35 in the scanning direction. The type of color conversion table may be used, and then the third image data may be generated.

  In the ejection mechanisms 31a to 31d of the inkjet printer 1, as shown in FIG. 11, the first heads 311a to 311d are arranged in a staggered manner along the width direction (that is, the (+ Y) side in each head). The first discharge ports 317a to 317d (alternately arranged along the width direction on the (−Y) side) and the second heads 312a to 312d are arranged in a staggered manner along the width direction, respectively. You may have 2 discharge outlets 318a-318d. Even in this case, as described above, the first color conversion table 851 is applied to the plurality of first discharge ports 317a to 317d, and the first color conversion table 851 is applied to the plurality of second discharge ports 318a to 318d. By applying a different second color conversion table 852, the occurrence of color difference can be suppressed, and as a result, color unevenness in the image recorded on the recording medium 9 can be suppressed.

  In the ejection mechanism 31a shown in FIG. 11, the distance in the scanning direction between the plurality of first ejection ports 317a located on the (−Y) side of the first head 311a and the heater 35, and the plurality located on the (+ Y) side. The distance in the scanning direction between the first discharge port 317a and the heater 35 is different. Accordingly, the (−Y) side plurality of first discharge ports 317a and the (+ Y) side plurality of first discharge ports 317a are respectively regarded as a first front discharge port group and a second front discharge port group. Of the first discharge ports 317b of the first head 311b (or the first discharge ports 317c and 317d of the first heads 311c and 311d), the first front discharge port group and the second front discharge port group are scanned in the scanning direction. A plurality of outlets facing each other as a first rear outlet group and a second rear outlet group, and applying one color conversion table to the first front outlet group and the first rear outlet group, The color unevenness in the image recorded on the recording medium 9 may be suppressed by applying another color conversion table to the two front discharge port groups and the second rear discharge port group. Similarly, two types of color conversion tables may be applied to the second heads 312a to 312d.

  Further, in the inkjet printer 1 according to the first embodiment, instead of the discharge mechanisms 31a to 31d, as shown in FIG. 12, a head 313 provided with first discharge ports 317a to 317d and a second discharge port 318a. The heads 314 provided with ˜318d may be arranged in a staggered manner along the width direction.

  In the ink jet printer, a fixing processing unit other than the heater 35 may be provided. For example, when the ink ejected from the print head 3 is an ultraviolet curable ink, a fixing processing unit that fixes the ink by irradiating the ink applied on the recording medium 9 with ultraviolet rays may be provided. In the ink jet printer, images may be recorded on various recording media 9 other than printing paper.

  In the above-described inkjet printer, as long as the recording medium 9 can be moved relative to the print head, for example, a moving mechanism that moves the print head in the scanning direction may be provided. In an inkjet printer, for example, image recording may be performed on a long recording medium such as roll paper.

  The configurations in the above-described embodiments and modifications may be combined as appropriate as long as they do not contradict each other.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Inkjet printer 2 Movement mechanism 9 Recording medium 31a-31d Discharge mechanism 35 Heater 60 Image data conversion part 61 Memory | storage part 300a 1st head boundary position 300b 2nd head boundary position 300c 3rd head boundary position 300d 4th head boundary position 310a- 310d, 313, 314 Head 311a to 311d First head 312a to 312d Second head 317a to 317d First discharge port 318a to 318d Second discharge port 320a to 320d Discharge port 340 Overlapping range 340a Overlapping region 851 First color conversion table 852 Second Color Conversion Table S11-S15, S31-S37 Step

Claims (5)

An inkjet printer that records images in color,
A front ejection mechanism that ejects micro droplets of the first ink toward the recording medium;
A rear ejection mechanism that ejects micro droplets of a second ink having a different color from the first ink toward the recording medium;
The recording medium is moved relative to the front ejection mechanism and the rear ejection mechanism in a predetermined scanning direction, and the position facing the front ejection mechanism and the position facing the rear ejection mechanism are set only once. A moving mechanism to pass through;
A fixing process in which a position in the scanning direction is fixed relative to the front discharge mechanism and the rear discharge mechanism, and the ink applied on the recording medium is fixed to the recording medium or assists fixing. And
A storage unit for storing a color conversion table;
An image data conversion unit that converts the color of image data used for image recording while using the color conversion table;
With
The front discharge mechanism is
A first front discharge port group that is a plurality of discharge ports arranged along the width direction perpendicular to the scanning direction;
A second front discharge port group that is a plurality of discharge ports arranged along the width direction;
With
The rear discharge mechanism is
A plurality of discharge ports arranged along the width direction, and a first rear discharge port group facing the first front discharge port group in the scanning direction;
A plurality of discharge ports arranged along the width direction, and a second rear discharge port group facing the second front discharge port group in the scanning direction;
With
A distance in the scanning direction between the first front discharge port group and the fixing processing unit is different from a distance in the scanning direction between the second front discharge port group and the fixing processing unit; or The distance in the scanning direction between the first front outlet group and the first rear outlet group is such that the scanning between the second front outlet group and the second rear outlet group. Unlike the direction distance,
The storage unit includes a first color conversion table applied to the first front outlet group and the first rear outlet group, and the second front outlet group and the second rear outlet group. An inkjet printer that is applied and stores a second color conversion table different from the first color conversion table. The inkjet printer according to claim 1,
The front discharge mechanism is
A first front head provided with the first front discharge port group;
A second front head provided with the second front discharge port group;
With
The rear discharge mechanism is
A first rear head provided with the first rear discharge port group;
A second rear head provided with the second rear discharge port group;
With
The first front head and the second front head are disposed adjacent to each other in the width direction and at different positions in the scanning direction,
The inkjet printer, wherein the first rear head and the second rear head are adjacent to each other in the width direction and are arranged at different positions in the scanning direction. The inkjet printer according to claim 2,
An end of the first front discharge port group and an end of the second front discharge port group overlap in the scanning direction within a predetermined overlapping range in the width direction, and the first rear discharge port group And the end of the second rear discharge port group also overlap in the scanning direction in the overlapping range,
The first ink ejection from the first front ejection port group and the second front ejection port group to the overlapping area corresponding to the overlapping range on the recording medium and extending in the scanning direction. The discharge of the first ink is switched while the discharge of the second ink from the first rear discharge port group and the second ink from the second rear discharge port group are performed in the overlapping region. The ejection is performed while switching as in the case of the first ink,
When the color of the image data is converted, ink from one ejection port of the first front ejection port group and one ejection port of the first rear ejection port group for each position of the overlapping region The first color conversion table is used when the discharge is performed, and ink is discharged from one discharge port of the second front discharge port group and one discharge port of the second rear discharge port group. The inkjet printer is characterized in that the second color conversion table is used when the printer is used. A front ejection mechanism that ejects micro droplets of the first ink; a rear ejection mechanism that ejects micro droplets of the second ink of a color different from the first ink; and a recording medium that includes the front ejection mechanism and the recording medium. A moving mechanism that moves relative to the rear discharge mechanism in a predetermined scanning direction, and a position in the scanning direction that is fixed relative to the front discharge mechanism and the rear discharge mechanism, and is on the recording medium. A fixing processing unit that fixes the applied ink to the recording medium or assists fixing,
The front discharge mechanism includes a first front discharge port group which is a plurality of discharge ports arranged along a width direction perpendicular to the scanning direction, and a plurality of discharge ports arranged along the width direction. A second front discharge port group, wherein the rear discharge mechanism is a plurality of discharge ports arranged along the width direction, and is opposed to the first front discharge port group in the scanning direction. 1 rear discharge port group, and a plurality of discharge ports arranged along the width direction, the second rear discharge port group facing the second front discharge port group in the scanning direction,
A distance in the scanning direction between the first front discharge port group and the fixing processing unit is different from a distance in the scanning direction between the second front discharge port group and the fixing processing unit; or The distance in the scanning direction between the first front outlet group and the first rear outlet group is such that the scanning between the second front outlet group and the second rear outlet group. An image recording method for recording an image in color with an ink jet printer different from a distance in a direction,
a) preparing a first color conversion table and a second color conversion table different from the first color conversion table;
b) applying the first color conversion table to portions corresponding to the first front discharge port group and the first rear discharge port group of image data used for image recording; and the second front discharge port group and Converting the color of the image data while applying the second color conversion table to a portion corresponding to the second rear discharge port group;
c) The moving mechanism relatively moves the recording medium in the scanning direction, passes the position facing the front ejection mechanism and the position facing the rear ejection mechanism only once, and A step of discharging fine droplets of the first ink and the second ink from the front discharge mechanism and the rear discharge mechanism toward the recording medium in synchronization with the movement;
An image recording method comprising: A plurality of front heads each having a plurality of discharge ports arranged along the width direction and arranged in a staggered manner along the width direction, and a plurality of discharge heads each arranged along the width direction A plurality of rear heads having outlets and arranged in a staggered manner along the width direction; and a recording medium relative to the plurality of front heads and the plurality of rear heads in a scanning direction perpendicular to the width direction. Moving mechanism and the position in the scanning direction are fixed relative to the plurality of front heads and the plurality of rear heads, and the ink applied on the recording medium is fixed to the recording medium Or an image recording method for recording an image in color using an inkjet printer including a fixing processing unit that assists fixing,
a) The main recording in which the front head boundary position, which is the position in the width direction of the boundaries of the plurality of front heads, deviates from the rear head boundary position, which is the position in the width direction of the boundaries of the plurality of rear heads From the arrangement, the plurality of front heads are moved relative to the plurality of rear heads in the width direction to obtain a table acquisition arrangement in which the front head boundary position and the rear head boundary position coincide with each other. Process,
b) When the moving mechanism moves the recording medium relatively in the scanning direction and passes the position facing the plurality of front heads and the position facing the plurality of rear heads only once, First ink droplets are ejected from the plurality of front heads toward the recording medium, and second ink droplets different from the first ink are directed from the plurality of rear heads to the recording medium. A plurality of colors respectively corresponding to a plurality of positional relationships of the front head, the rear head, and the fixing processing unit in the scanning direction from data obtained by recording a color patch by discharging the color patch and measuring the color patch Obtaining a conversion table;
c) The plurality of front heads are moved relative to the plurality of rear heads in the width direction so that the front head boundary position matches the rear head boundary position, and the front head and the fixing process are performed. The step b) is performed after the distance in the scanning direction between the front part and the distance in the scanning direction between the front head and the rear head is set to another table acquisition arrangement different from the table acquisition arrangement. Process,
d) moving the plurality of front heads relative to the plurality of rear heads in the width direction to form the main recording arrangement;
e) The region between the front head and the fixing processing unit with respect to a region between two boundaries adjacent in the width direction among the boundaries of the plurality of front heads and the boundaries of the plurality of rear heads. Based on the distance in the scanning direction and the distance in the scanning direction between the front head and the rear head, from the plurality of color conversion tables acquired in the step b) and the step c) , the scanning direction Converting the color of the image data used for image recording while selecting a color conversion table in which the positional relationship of the front head, the rear head, and the fixing processing unit is equal ;
f) The recording mechanism moves the recording medium relatively in the scanning direction, passes the position facing the plurality of front heads and the position facing the plurality of rear heads only once, and records the recording. In synchronization with the movement of the medium, the first ink microdroplets are ejected from the plurality of front heads toward the recording medium, and the second ink microdroplets are recorded from the plurality of rear heads. A process of discharging toward the medium;
An image recording method comprising:

Images