WO2002092347A1

WO2002092347A1 - Image recording medium and image recording apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2002092347A1
Application number: PCT/JP2002/004648
Authority: WO
Inventors: Toyoaki Sugaya; Tetsuo Uno
Original assignee: Konika Corporation
Priority date: 2001-05-16
Filing date: 2002-05-14
Publication date: 2002-11-21

Abstract

An image recording medium and an image recording apparatus for making a high-quality image print from image data stored in any of plural types of recording media. Moreover, in order to provide an image recording medium capable of updating information related to the recording medium, information recording means is provided on the image recording medium and information related to image recording medium is written there, so that the operation condition of the image recording apparatus is controlled by the information. Moreover, information changed by use of the recording medium can be written in and updated, so that information of the image recording medium can accurately be detected.

Description

Image recording medium and image recording device

The present invention relates to an image recording medium on which information relating to a recording medium is recorded, and an ink jet recording apparatus having means for ejecting an ink to the image recording medium to record an image, and writing and reading information to and from the image recording medium. . Background art

In the inkjet recording method, dots are formed by ejecting minute ink droplets and attaching them to a recording medium such as paper to record images and characters. Since it has low noise, does not require processes such as development and fixing, and can easily perform full-color recording, it has rapidly spread to various fields such as various printers, facsimiles, and computer terminals.

In particular, in recent years, ink jet recording apparatuses employing the ink jet recording method, such as higher speed, higher definition, and higher image quality full color, have been spurred by higher performance. A wide variety of recording media have been used. Therefore, an inkjet recording apparatus that can perform recording on these various types of recording media under optimal conditions has been required.

Generally, the characteristics of a recording medium required for high-quality recording include the maximum ink absorption amount of the recording medium, ink absorption speed, ink drying time, ink dot diameter, etc. Of ink absorption characteristics.

The maximum amount of ink absorption is a parameter required when controlling the amount of ink ejected per unit area onto the recording medium. If the ink is ejected to the recording medium in an amount equal to or greater than the maximum ink absorption amount, the ink amount becomes excessive and ink overflows from the surface, causing a phenomenon of blurring. Conversely, if an image is formed with a small ink amount relative to the ink absorption amount, there arises a problem that the image density is reduced and the image quality is reduced. Therefore, it is necessary to appropriately control the ink ejection amount per unit area with respect to the ink absorption amount.

The ink absorption speed is a parameter required when controlling the amount of ink ejected per unit time for ejecting the recording medium. If printing is performed at a speed higher than the ink absorption speed, the next ink droplet will be ejected before the first ink droplet is absorbed by the recording medium. In this case, the ink droplets are merged. The problem is that large ink droplets are formed and are joined to adjacent ink dots. Therefore, it is necessary to appropriately control the amount of ink ejected per unit time with respect to the ink absorption speed of the recording medium.

The ink drying time is a parameter required when controlling the printing interval time during continuous printing. If printing is performed at a fast pace shorter than the ink drying time, the next image is output before the ink on the printing surface of the printing medium is completely dried, and ink is printed between the printing media horizontally placed on the output tray. However, there is a problem that the image is transferred or the image is disturbed by rubbing. Therefore, it is necessary to appropriately control the recording interval time with respect to the ink drying time of the recording medium.

Further, the ink dot diameter is a parameter required for controlling an ink ejection amount per unit area ejected to a recording medium. Unit area here The amount of the ejected ink per hit is determined by the volume of the ejected ink droplet and the set resolution. When the volume of the ink droplet is larger than necessary or when the resolution is set higher than necessary, adjacent ink dots are joined to each other, which causes a problem of deterioration in image quality. Also, if the volume of the ink droplets is too small, the image density will be reduced and the image quality will be impaired. Therefore, it is necessary to appropriately control the ink ejection amount per unit area (the volume of the ejected ink droplet and the set resolution) with respect to the ink dot diameter.

As described above, in such an inkjet recording apparatus, in order to perform high-quality recording on the various recording media, recording of the ink absorption amount, the ink absorption speed, the ink drying time, the ink dot diameter, and the like of the recording medium are performed. It became necessary to perform appropriate recording according to the ink absorption characteristics of the medium.

However, in the conventional inkjet recording apparatus, in order to cope with these various kinds of recording media, for example, it is necessary to perform operations such as resetting the optimum conditions every time the recording medium is changed. These tasks were very time-consuming and caused problems such as incorrect settings. Certainly, some conventional inkjet recording apparatuses perform recording under several recording conditions in accordance with the characteristics of the recording medium, but these are limited to several types of recording media. On the other hand, it was devised to deal only with limited conditions such as paper quality, and, of course, could not be adapted to a wide variety of recording media in recent years. Further, it was not possible to cope with complicated conditions such as the ink absorption amount, the ink absorption speed, the ink drying time, and the ink dot diameter.

The ink used in the ink jet recording apparatus is roughly classified into a dye ink and a pigment ink. Dye ink is soluble in solvent and shows high purity and vivid color Also, since there is no particle property, scattered light and reflected light are not generated, so the transparency is high and the hue is clear.On the other hand, if the dye molecules are destroyed by photochemical reaction, the number of molecules will decrease. However, there is a problem that light fastness is poor because it directly affects the coloring density. In contrast, pigment inks are insoluble in solvents, and dye molecules form particles and contribute to coloring in the state of being dispersed in the solvent.Even if the surface molecules are broken by photochemical reactions, etc. However, since there is a new dye molecule layer underneath, there is an advantage that the decrease in apparent coloring power is small and the image storability is superior to that of dye ink.

However, pigment ink has a problem of poor gloss due to the effects of scattered light and reflected light caused by particles. For this reason, the surface layer is used to impart gloss to the surface of the recording medium on which an image has been formed using a pigment ink containing a dispersant, to prevent bleeding of the image due to contact with water, and to improve scratch resistance. An image is recorded and formed using a recording medium having an ink receiving layer containing thermoplastic resin particles on the (image recording surface side) and a pigment ink solvent absorbing layer adjacent to the inside of the ink receiving layer, and then heating the recording medium. A technique has been proposed in which the thermoplastic resin particles in the above-mentioned ink-receiving layer are melted and smoothed by applying pressure to make the ink-receiving layer transparent (Japanese Patent Application No. 2000-1646486). No.)

In such a technique, a recording medium on which an image is recorded by a recording head is conveyed to a heating and pressurizing unit by a conveying unit to make the ink receiving layer transparent, and is heated and pressurized to make the ink receiving layer transparent. However, in order to produce high-quality image prints, it is necessary to make this ink-receiving layer transparent.

Therefore, in a conventional ink jet recording apparatus, a recording medium on which recording is to be performed is specified in advance, and optimal heating and pressurizing conditions in accordance with the characteristics of the recording medium are set in the ink jet recording apparatus. Creating high quality image prints And have realized.

However, in recent years, various types of recording media having a thermoplastic resin layer on the surface thereof have also appeared, and in the above-described conventional inkjet recording apparatus, each of the recording media has the following optimum characteristics. Heating and pressurizing conditions had to be set. This setting is a very time-consuming task, and has caused problems such as incorrect settings. Certainly, some conventional inkjet recording devices perform recording under several recording conditions in accordance with the characteristics of the recording medium, but these only correspond to the conditions such as the paper quality of the recording medium. However, it did not correspond to the above-described heating and pressing conditions of the recording medium having the thermoplastic resin layer on the surface layer.

In addition, in the ink jet image recording apparatus, an ink ejection amount, a conveyance amount for conveying the recording medium, and a recording medium and a recording head are used in accordance with characteristics of the recording medium used for recording a high-quality image. It controls distance and recording speed.

In such an inkjet image recording apparatus, it is necessary to detect the characteristics of the recording medium in order to record a high-quality image on the recording medium. It is also necessary to detect the remaining amount of the roll-shaped image recording medium.

A conventional method of detecting information on a roll-shaped image recording medium with the above-described ink jet image recording apparatus is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. HEI 4-511184. According to this method, the information on the recording medium is detected by recording information on the recording medium on a core material of a roll-shaped recording medium, and detecting the information with an optical sensor. Further, in this image recording apparatus, only the information of the recording medium is read.

By the way, as a method of detecting the remaining amount of the roll-shaped image recording medium, a method using a mark or the like at the rear end of the recording medium, or a method of detecting the remaining amount from the initial amount and the used amount of the recording medium. There is a calculation method. However, when the recording medium is replaced with a roll-shaped recording medium that has different characteristics during use, and the recording medium is held in the image recording device for reuse, the remaining amount of the recording medium is used. There is a problem that the state cannot be understood on the way.

The image recording apparatus controls the quality of the recorded image according to the characteristics of the recording medium so that the quality of the recorded image is high. Cannot be performed.

In addition, some inkjet image recording apparatuses record a test pattern on a recording medium, measure the recorded color gradation, and calculate a color gradation correction curve in order to optimize a recorded image with high image quality and color gradation. Some perform color proofing to calculate. However, when the recording medium is replaced with an image recording medium that has different characteristics during use, and the used image recording medium is stored again in the image recording device for reuse, the color proofing is not performed. It has to be performed every time the recording medium is replaced. This resulted in waste of recording media and time.

As described above, in the image recording apparatus, when an image recording medium having a different type or characteristics is used after being exchanged as needed, the image recording medium in use is exchanged for an image recording medium having a different type or characteristics. Information stored in the image recording device is lost because information such as the remaining amount and characteristics related to the use of the image recording medium used up to now is removed from the image recording device. . As a result, if the recording medium is stored again in the image recording apparatus for reuse, the information of the image recording medium before the exchange becomes unclear in the image recording apparatus. There is wasted time in wasting media and redoing color proofing.

Therefore, a first object of the present invention is to provide a recording medium with its ink absorption characteristics in advance. Information indicating a certain amount of ink absorption, ink absorption speed, ink drying time, ink dot diameter, and the like is recorded, and the information is read by an ink jet recording apparatus that performs recording on the recording medium, and the information is read. It is an object of the present invention to provide an ink jet recording medium and an ink jet recording apparatus capable of coping with recent various kinds of recording media and realizing creation of high-quality image prints by appropriately performing recording based on the information.

A second object of the present invention is to record in advance information indicating heating and / or pressurization conditions according to the characteristics on a recording medium containing thermoplastic resin particles in the surface layer, and to record the information on the recording medium. In the ink jet recording apparatus for performing recording by heating, the information indicating the heating and Z or pressurizing conditions is read, and the heating and pressurizing process is performed under the heating and / or pressurizing conditions. An object of the present invention is to provide an ink jet recording medium and an ink jet recording apparatus which can produce a high-quality image print that is compatible.

A third object of the present invention is to provide an image recording medium capable of accurately detecting information relating to an image recording medium, writing and updating information relating to the use of the recording medium, and providing information relating to the recording medium of the image recording medium. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image recording apparatus provided with an access means capable of reading and writing data. Another object of the present invention is to provide an image recording apparatus having an identification unit for judging the suitability of an image recording apparatus for a recording medium.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an image recording medium capable of accurately detecting information relating to the image recording medium, writing and updating information relating to the use of the recording medium and color calibration information, and providing information relating to the recording medium of the image recording medium. Another object of the present invention is to provide an image recording apparatus having an access means for reading and writing data and a function for performing color proofing. Disclosure of the invention The above object can be achieved by the following means.

(1) A recording medium used in an ink jet recording apparatus that performs recording by ejecting an ink to a recording medium, wherein information relating to ink absorption characteristics of the recording medium is recorded in advance. Medium.

(2) A recording medium stored in a storage member used for an ink jet recording apparatus that ejects an ink to a recording medium to perform recording, wherein information on an ink absorption characteristic of the recording medium is previously stored in the storage member. An ink jet recording medium characterized by being recorded.

(3) A recording medium wound around a core material used in an ink jet recording apparatus that performs recording by ejecting an ink to the recording medium, wherein the core material has an ink absorption characteristic of the recording medium in advance. An ink jet recording medium on which information is recorded.

(4) The ink jet recording apparatus uses the ink jet recording medium according to any one of (1) to (3), and the information on the ink absorption characteristics of the recording medium is the ink absorption amount and / or the ink absorption speed and / or the ink absorption speed of the recording medium. It is characterized by Z or ink drying time and no or ink dot diameter.

(5) An ink jet recording apparatus is a recording head that ejects ink to a recording medium to perform recording, and the recording medium that is recorded in advance on the recording medium or a core material of the recording medium or a storage member of the recording medium. In an ink jet recording apparatus having at least a sensor for reading the information on the ink absorption characteristic of the ink jet recording apparatus, a setting condition for recording is controlled based on the information on the ink absorption characteristic of the recording medium read by the sensor.

(6) The ink jet recording apparatus according to (5), wherein the setting conditions for performing the recording are such that an ink jet per unit area ejected to a recording medium is performed. It is characterized in that it is the ejection amount of ink and / or the ejection amount of ink per unit time and / or the recording interval time for continuous recording.

(7) The ink jet recording apparatus is the ink jet recording apparatus according to (5) or (6), wherein the recording head ejects ink to the recording medium to perform recording, the recording medium or a core material of the recording medium or the recording medium. In an ink jet recording apparatus having at least a sensor for reading information on the ink absorption characteristics of the recording medium recorded in advance on a medium storage member, a unit area for predetermined input data based on the information on the ink absorption amount read by the sensor The feature is to control the amount of per-ink injection.

(8) The inkjet recording apparatus according to (5) or (6), wherein the recording head ejects ink onto the recording medium to perform recording, and a recording medium or a core material of the recording medium. Alternatively, in an ink jet recording apparatus having at least a sensor for reading information on the ink absorption characteristics of the recording medium recorded in advance in a storage member of the recording medium, based on the information on the ink absorption speed read by the sensor, a predetermined input data It is characterized by controlling the amount of ink ejected per unit time.

(9) The ink jet recording apparatus according to (5) or (6), wherein the recording head ejects ink to the recording medium to perform recording, and the recording medium or a core material or recording medium of the recording medium. In an ink jet recording apparatus having at least a sensor for reading information on the ink absorption characteristics of the recording medium recorded in advance in a medium storage member, a unit for predetermined input data based on information on an ink dot diameter read by the sensor. It is characterized in that the amount of ejected ink per area, particularly the ink droplet volume or the recording density, is controlled. (10) The inkjet recording device according to (5) or (6), wherein the recording head ejects ink onto the recording medium to perform recording, and a recording medium or a core of the recording medium. And an ink jet recording device having at least a sensor for reading information on the ink absorption characteristics of the recording medium recorded in advance in a material or a storage member for the recording medium, based on the information on the ink drying time read by the sensor. It is characterized in that the recording interval time when performing the recording is controlled.

(11) An ink jet recording medium having a thermoplastic resin-containing layer as a surface layer, wherein information indicating heating and / or pressure conditions is recorded in advance.

(12) The ink jet recording medium according to (11), wherein the recording medium is wound in a roll shape, and a side portion of the roll indicates the heating, Z, or pressure condition. The information is recorded in advance.

(13) In an ink jet recording medium having a thermoplastic resin-containing layer on the surface layer, the recording medium is wound around a core material, and information indicating heating, Z, or pressure conditions is recorded on the core material in advance. An ink jet recording medium characterized in that:

(14) In an ink jet recording medium having a thermoplastic resin-containing layer on the surface layer, the recording medium is stored in a storage member, and information indicating heating and / or pressure conditions is recorded in the storage member in advance. An ink jet recording medium characterized in that:

(15) A recording head for performing recording by ejecting an ink to a recording medium having a thermoplastic resin-containing layer on a surface layer, a conveying means for conveying the recording medium, and a recording medium after recording. A heating and pressurizing unit for performing heating and pressurizing processing, a sensor for reading information indicating heating and / or pressurizing conditions pre-recorded on a recording medium, and heating based on information from the sensor. And control means for controlling Z or pressurizing conditions; An ink jet recording apparatus comprising:

(16) The inkjet recording apparatus according to (15), wherein the recording medium is wound in a roll, and the information indicating the heating, Z, or pressure conditions is a side surface of the roll. The information is recorded in advance in the section.

(17) A recording head that performs recording by ejecting ink to a recording medium having a thermoplastic resin-containing layer on a surface layer wound around a core material, a transport unit that transports the recording medium, In an ink jet recording apparatus having a heating and pressurizing unit for performing a heating and pressurizing process on a recording medium, a sensor for reading information indicating heating and / or pressurizing conditions prerecorded on the core material, and Control means for controlling heating and / or pressurizing conditions based on the above information.

(18) A recording head for performing recording by ejecting ink to a recording medium having a thermoplastic resin-containing layer on a surface layer stored in a storage member, a conveying unit for conveying the recording medium, and after recording An ink jet recording apparatus having a heating and pressurizing unit for performing a heating and pressurizing process on the recording medium, a sensor for reading information indicating heating and pressing or pressurizing conditions pre-recorded in the storage member; An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: control means for controlling heating and / or pressurizing conditions based on information from a sensor.

(19) An image recording medium used in an image recording apparatus that records an image by using a recording head, comprising a holding member that holds the image recording medium, wherein the recording medium is attached to the holding member. An image recording medium provided with a non-volatile memory in which information relating to information is recorded.

(20) The image recording medium is the image recording medium according to (19), wherein the holding member is a core material on which the recording medium is wound and held, and the core material holds the recording medium. And a fixed portion supporting the fixed portion, and the non-volatile memory is provided on the fixed portion. It is characterized by being provided.

(21) The image recording medium is an image recording medium used for an image recording apparatus that records an image using a recording head, and has a storage member that stores the image recording medium, and the storage member And a non-volatile memory in which information on the recording medium is recorded.

(22) An image recording medium according to any one of (19) to (21), wherein the non-volatile memory is an RFID.

(23) The image recording medium is any one of (19) to (22), wherein the information on the recording medium is information on a remaining amount or a used amount of the recording medium. .

(24) The image recording medium is any one of (19) to (22), and the information on the recording medium is information on color calibration of the recording medium.

(25) The image recording apparatus is an image recording apparatus that records an image on an image recording medium using a recording head, wherein the image recording medium has a holding member that holds the image recording medium. A nonvolatile memory in which information on the recording medium is recorded on a holding member is provided.

(26) The image recording device is an image recording device that records an image on the image recording medium by using a recording head, and the information of the image recording medium is attached to a core material that winds and holds the image recording medium. And a memory access means for writing and reading information to and from the nonvolatile memory.

(27) An image recording apparatus is an image recording apparatus that records an image on an image recording medium by using a recording head, wherein the image recording is performed on a housing member that houses the image recording medium. A nonvolatile memory in which information on a medium is recorded is provided, and memory access means for writing and reading information to and from the nonvolatile memory is provided. (28) The image recording device according to any one of (25) to (27), wherein the image recording device records an image on an image recording medium using a recording head. A non-volatile memory storing information on the image recording medium is provided on a holding member for holding the image recording medium, and the information on the image recording medium read from the non-volatile memory by the memory access means is displayed. It is characterized by further comprising a display means.

(29) The image recording device according to any one of (25) to (28), wherein the image recording device records an image on an image recording medium using a recording head. A nonvolatile memory for recording information on the image recording medium is provided on a holding member or the like for retaining the image recording medium, and based on the information on the image recording medium read from the nonvolatile memory by the memory access means. Means for determining whether or not the image recording medium is compatible with the image recording apparatus, and controlling not to perform image recording when the image recording medium is not suitable.

(30) The image recording device according to any one of (25) to (29), wherein information regarding the remaining amount of the image recording medium is recorded in the nonvolatile memory. And updating means for updating the information in the nonvolatile memory according to the usage of the memory.

(31) The image recording device according to any one of (25) to (29), wherein information relating to an initial amount and a used amount of the image recording medium is recorded in the nonvolatile memory. And updating means for updating the used amount according to the use of the recording medium. (32) The image recording apparatus is an image recording apparatus that records an image on an image recording medium by using a recording head, and information about the image recording medium is provided on a holding member that holds the image recording medium. A non-volatile memory storing the test pattern, a color calibration test pattern generating means, a color characteristic measuring means for measuring color characteristics of an image recording medium on which the test pattern is recorded, and color information measured by the measuring means. A color proofing means for generating color proofing information by referring to the color proofing information, recording the color proofing information in the non-volatile memory, and performing color proofing of the image recording information based on the color proofing information recorded in the non-volatile memory. Color proofing means for performing the color correction.

(33) The image recording apparatus according to (32), further comprising means for rewriting color calibration information.

(34) The image recording device according to any one of (25) to (33), wherein the nonvolatile memory is an RFID. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

【Figure 1】

1 is an overall view illustrating a basic configuration of an ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention.

【Figure 2】

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a recording medium used in the ink jet recording apparatus shown in FIG.

[Figure 3]

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating another example of an ink jet recording medium and an ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention.

[Fig. 4]

Still another ink jet recording medium and ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention It is a figure showing an example.

[Figure 5]

FIG. 9 is a view showing still another example of the ink jet recording medium and the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention.

[Fig. 6]

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a basic control configuration of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention.

[Figure 7 (a) and Figure 7 (b)]

FIG. 8 is a relationship diagram showing a relationship between an ink absorption amount and an ink ejection amount used in the LUT when changing the number of dots per unit area.

[Fig. 8]

FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged view showing a nozzle portion of a recording head.

[Fig. 9]

FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged view showing a nozzle portion of a recording head having a plurality of heads.

[Fig. 10]

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a control configuration of an ink jet recording apparatus having a line head as a recording head, which is another example of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention.

[Fig. 11]

[Fig. 1 2]

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a recording medium 1 used in the ink jet recording apparatus shown in FIG. 11 ₍ FIG. 13)

FIG. 3 is a control explanatory diagram showing a control configuration of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention.

[Fig. 14] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing another example of an ink jet recording apparatus and an ink jet recording medium used in the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention.

[Fig. 15]

1 is a partially enlarged view illustrating a basic configuration of an ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention and an ink jet recording medium used in the apparatus.

[Fig. 16]

An ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention and an ink jet recording apparatus

FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged view illustrating a basic configuration of a jet recording medium.

[Fig. 17 (a) and Fig. 17 (b)]

It is the front sectional view and the side view which show the image recording medium wound around the core material.

[Fig. 18]

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an image recording medium stored in a storage member.

[Fig. 19]

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of non-volatile memory address allocation.

[Fig. 20]

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image recording apparatus.

[Fig. 21]

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image recording apparatus having a color proofing function.

[Fig. 22]

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating functions of a transmission / reception unit according to the present invention.

[Fig. 23]

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view in which an RFID film is installed on a roll core material of an image recording medium.

[Fig. 24] FIG. 2 is a perspective view in which an RFID film is installed on a roll core material of an image recording medium.

[Figure 25 (a) to Figure 25 (c)]

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of the RFID film of the present invention.

[Fig. 26]

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view in which an RFID film is installed on a core material of an image recording medium. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, a mechanical configuration and a control configuration in the image recording medium and the image recording apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail.

[Embodiment 1]

As shown in FIG. 1, the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention mainly includes a recording medium support portion 21 for supporting the original roll 2 of the recording medium 1, a reading sensor 3 provided in the vicinity thereof, A recording medium transporting means 4 for transporting a recording medium 1 comprising a transport roller 42 and a driven port roller 41; a recording section 5 comprising a recording head 51 and a guide 52; a cutter 61; It comprises a cutting section 6 comprising a guide 62, a discharge tray 7 for storing the recording medium 1 after recording and cutting, and a control component section 8 (not shown) for controlling these.

The recording medium 1 is pulled out of the main winding 2 by the recording medium transport means 4, and after reading information 11 on the ink absorption characteristics of the recording medium by the reading sensor 3, the recording head 5 1 in the recording unit 5. Be recorded. The recording head 51 is configured to be able to reciprocate on the recording medium 1 along a guide 52. The recording medium 1 after recording is cut into a predetermined size by a cutting unit 61 at a cutting unit 6 provided downstream of the recording medium. This cutter 6 1 moves the recording medium 1 along the guide 6 2 It is configured to be able to reciprocate above. The recording medium 1 cut to a desired size in the cutting section 6 is discharged to a paper discharge tray 7.

As shown in FIG. 2, near the end of the recording medium 1, information 11 relating to the ink absorption characteristics of the recording medium is recorded using, for example, a code, and the like. The information 11 is read when the recording medium 1 pulled out from the main roll 2 passes near a reading sensor 3 using, for example, a reflection photo sensor provided near the recording medium 1. I have. The information 11 relating to the ink absorption characteristics of the recording medium may be recorded on the side surface of the original roll 2 as shown in FIG. At this time, the reading sensor 3 is provided in the vicinity. In this way, by recording the information 11 on the ink absorption characteristics of the recording medium on the side surface of the main roll 2, the information 11 on the ink absorption characteristics of the recording medium can be obtained at a lower cost than the recording medium 1. Can be recorded.

4 and 5 show another example of a method of recording the information 11 on the ink absorption characteristics of the recording medium and a method of reading the information.

As shown in FIG. 4, the ink jet recording medium 1 in this example is wound around a core 12, and information 11 relating to the ink absorption characteristics of the recording medium is recorded at an end of the core 12. ing. Further, a reading sensor 3 for reading the information 11 is provided in the vicinity thereof. The information 11 relating to the ink absorption characteristics of the recording medium is read from the recording medium 1 by the reading sensor 3, and appropriate recording is performed under the control described later.

In this way, by recording information on the ink absorption characteristics of the recording medium on the core material around which the recording medium is wound, the information can be read and used without contaminating the recording medium itself and even on a recording medium that is being used. Can be. As shown in FIG. 5, the ink jet recording medium 1 in this example is stored in a storage member 13, and information 11 on the ink absorption characteristics of the recording medium is recorded in advance on the outer wall of the storage member 13. ing. Further, a reading sensor 3 for reading the information 11 is provided in the vicinity thereof. In the recording medium 1, information 11 relating to the ink absorption characteristics of the recording medium is read by the reading sensor 3, and appropriate recording is performed under the control described later.

In this manner, by recording the information on the ink absorption characteristics of the recording medium on the outer wall of the storage member that stores the recording medium, the information can be obtained without soiling the recording medium itself and even when the recording medium is in use. Can be used for reading.

The information 11 on the ink absorption characteristics of the recording medium may be a magnetic pattern or the like in addition to an optical pattern such as a barcode. In this case, the reading sensor

For 3, a magnetic head or the like will be used.

FIG. 6 shows a control configuration of the inkjet recording apparatus according to the present invention. As shown in the figure, the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention mainly comprises an image data input section 81 for inputting image data to be recorded, and a LUT for managing the number of dots per unit area. (Lookup Table) 82, error diffusion processor 83, head driver 84 for controlling recording head 51, and transport for controlling transport motor 43, which is the drive source for transport rollers 42. A motor driver 85, a driving motor 53 for controlling the driving motor 53 for scanning the recording head 51, a driving driver 86, a cutter driving unit 88 for driving the cutter 61, and reading. The control unit 87 controls these components based on the data detected by the sensor 3.

Information on the ink absorption characteristics of the recording medium detected by the reading sensor 3 (ink absorption amount, ink absorption speed, ink drying time, ink dot diameter, etc.) 1 1 The control unit 87 performs control for performing recording according to each characteristic.

Specifically, the amount of ink ejected per unit area ejected to the recording medium is controlled according to the amount of ink absorbed. Further, the amount of ink ejected per unit time for ejecting the recording medium is controlled in accordance with the ink absorption speed. Then, the recording interval time during continuous recording is controlled according to the ink drying time. Further, the amount of ink ejected per unit area (volume of ejected ink droplets and set resolution) per unit area ejected to the recording medium is controlled according to the ink dot diameter.

First, the process of controlling the amount of ink ejected per unit area on the recording medium based on the data on the amount of ink absorbed by the recording medium will be described.

The amount of ink emission per unit area with respect to the recording medium can be controlled by the following two control methods.

Method 1. Control by changing the number of dots per unit area for J self-recording media.

Method 2. A method of controlling by changing the volume of the ink droplet ejected to the J self-recording medium.

In the method of controlling by changing the number of dots per unit area with respect to the recording medium according to the method 1, the control unit 87 controls the parameter of the number of dots per unit area by the LUT 82 and the error diffusion processing unit 83. It is done by changing. For example, when ink droplets are 10 p and recording is performed with monochromatic ink under the condition of recording resolution 1200 dp i xl 200 dp i, if all dot recording is performed, 10 / (25.4 / 1200) ² = 22.3 m 1 Zm ² of ink will be ejected. Therefore, when the maximum ink absorption amount of the recording medium for recording Ru der 22. 3 ml / m ² or more, as the data of LUT 82, and the use of a relational diagram shown in FIG. 7 (a), of the recording medium If the ink absorption amount is 22.3 mlZm ² or less, for example, 15 ml / m ² , the correction diagram shown in FIG. 7 (b) is used because 152.32 = 67%. The dots are formed by performing error diffusion processing based on the output value of the LUT 82, so if the ink absorption amount of the recording medium is less than the specified value, the number of dots per unit area according to its ratio to the specified value Will be changed.

Therefore, in the above case, the parameter of the number of dots per unit area is changed so that printing is performed with the total number of dots χ θ. 67 minutes, and the head driver 84 controls the recording head 51 based on this data. By doing so, the ink ejection amount per unit area is controlled.

The method of controlling by changing the volume of the ink droplet ejected to the recording medium according to the method 2 described above is as follows. The control section 87 controls the driving waveform supplied to the recording head 51 by a head driver 84. It is done by changing in. In general, it is known that when a driving waveform such as a driving voltage or a driving time changes, the size of an ink drop at the time of ejection also changes. By utilizing this characteristic, the ink ejection amount per unit area can be reduced. Controlled.

For example, the maximum ink absorption amount of the recording medium is a 22. 3 ml Roh m ^2, the recording medium body to, when recording Ri by the monochromatic Inku under the conditions of the recording resolution _{1200 dp i x 1 200 dp i} , ink The droplet is 22.3 × (25.4 / 1200) ² = 10 p 1, and the driving voltage supplied to the recording head 51 is controlled so as to form such an ink droplet. Similarly, for example, the ink absorption amount of the recording medium is 15 ml Z For m ^2, the ink _{^{droplets, 15 x (25. 4/1200) 2}} = 6. 7p l , and the driving waveform supplied to the head 51 to the recording so as to be such an ink droplet is controlled You.

In this way, by controlling the amount of ink ejected per unit area based on the data on the amount of ink absorbed by the recording medium, the ink overflows and contaminates the recording medium and the recording device, and the ink on the recording medium aggregates. As a result, it is possible to prevent the image graininess from deteriorating.

Next, the process of controlling the amount of ink ejected per unit time on the recording medium based on the data on the ink absorption speed of the recording medium will be described.

The amount of ink ejected to the recording medium per unit time can be controlled by the following five control methods.

Method 1: A method of controlling by changing the scanning speed of the recording head 51 and the ink ejection cycle.

Method 2: Control by changing the standby time at both ends of the recording head 51.

Method 3: A method in which the recording by the recording head 51 is controlled by selecting whether to perform the recording only on the outward or return trip or on both the outward and return trips.

Method 4: Control by changing the number of nozzles used for one scan of the recording head 51.

Method 5: When using multiple recording heads 5, control by changing the number of heads used during one scan.

The method of controlling by changing the scanning speed and the ink ejection cycle of the recording head 51 according to the method 1 described above is as follows. The control unit 87 controls the driving motor driver 86 and the head. This is done by controlling the Dodrino 84. The drive motor driver 86 controls the number of rotations of the drive motor 53 that drives the recording head 51, and the control unit 87 controls the drive motor driver 86 to The running speed of the recording head 51 is controlled. The control unit 87 controls the head driver 84 so that the ink is ejected in synchronization with the scanning of the recording head 51, whereby the amount of ink ejection per unit time is controlled.

The method of controlling by changing the standby time at both ends of the recording head 51 according to the method 2 described above, wherein the control unit 87 controls the driving motor 53 which is the driving source of the recording head 51 This is performed by controlling the driving motor driver 86 to be activated. In general, in an ink jet recording apparatus having a reciprocating scanning type recording head, the standby time of the recording head 51 is set at the end of the scanning path at the end of each scan, and by controlling this standby time. The amount of ink ejected to the recording medium 1 per unit time is controlled.

According to the method described in the above-mentioned method 3, the method of controlling by selecting whether to perform the recording by the recording head 51 only in the forward path or the return path or in both the forward path and the backward path, the control unit 87 controls the head driver 84 This is done by controlling.

For example, when the ink absorption speed of the recording medium is high, printing is performed on both the forward and backward paths during scanning, and when the ink absorption rate of the recording medium is low, the forward or backward path during scanning is performed. Recording is performed only in any one of the above cases, and by setting and controlling the head dryino 84 in such a manner, the amount of ink ejected to the recording medium per unit time is controlled.

The method of controlling by changing the number of nozzles used in one scan of the recording head 51 according to the method 4 described above, wherein the control unit 87 controls the head dryno 84 This is done by:

As shown in FIG. 8, since the recording head 51 has a plurality of nozzles, for example, when the ink absorption speed of the recording medium is high, recording is performed using all the nozzles. When the ink absorbing speed of the recording medium is low, the nozzles are used for every other nozzle or every other nozzle to perform printing, and the head driver 84 is set and controlled accordingly. Thereby, the amount of ink ejected per unit time to the recording medium is controlled.

The method of controlling by changing the number of heads used in one scanning when using a plurality of recording heads 5 according to the method 5 described in the above method 5, wherein the control unit 87 controls the head driver 84 It is done by doing.

As shown in Fig. 9, a plurality of recording heads 51 are used (in this example, one recording head is used for each color of Y: yellow, M: yellow, C: cyan, and K: black). For example, if the ink absorption speed of the recording medium is high, recording should be performed using all the heads Υ, Μ, C, 同時に simultaneously.If the ink absorption speed of the recording medium is medium, In the forward scan, only Y and C are recorded on the outward pass, and only Μ and Κ are recorded on the return pass.If the ink absorption speed of the recording medium is slow, only Υ is recorded on the forward pass of the first scan. Only the Μ is recorded on the return path, only the C is recorded on the outward path of the second scan, and only the Κ is recorded on the return path, and recording is performed by setting and controlling the head driver 84 as described above. Controls the amount of ink ejected to the medium per unit time It is.

In this way, by controlling the amount of ink ejected per unit time based on the data on the ink absorption speed of the recording medium, it is possible to prevent the ink on the recording medium from aggregating and deteriorating the image granularity. Can be. Next, a process in which the recording interval time during continuous recording is controlled based on data on the ink drying time of the recording medium will be described.

As shown in FIG. 1, in the recording section 5, the recording medium 1 recorded by the recording head 51 is used until the ink of the recording medium 1 recorded immediately before and stored in the discharge tray 7 is dried. During the period, the ink is dried, and after the elapse of the ink drying time, the sheet is cut by the cutting unit 6 and is stacked on the recording medium 1 stored on the sheet discharge tray 7.

To control the recording interval time, the control unit 87 monitors the elapsed time after the recording of the recording medium 1 ′ recorded immediately before, and does not cut the next recording medium until the drying time of the recording medium 1 has elapsed. It is performed by controlling as follows.

In this way, by controlling the time interval during continuous recording based on the data regarding the ink drying time of the recording medium, the next recording medium can be used in the output tray before the ink on the recording medium after recording has dried. It is possible to prevent the transfer of the ink and the disturbance of the image due to the rubbing or the like due to the stacking.

Next, a process of controlling the ink ejection amount per unit area (ink droplet volume or recording resolution) based on the data on the ink dot diameter of the recording medium will be described. The term “ink dot diameter” as used herein refers to the diameter of a unit dot of ink recorded on a recording medium. (Note: Even if the droplet volume of the unit dot of ink is the same, recording is performed according to the characteristics of the recording medium. The diameter of the dots formed on the medium is different.

As described above, a control method for changing the volume of ink droplets ejected to a recording medium, which is an element for determining the amount of ink ejected per unit area, is as follows. This is performed by changing the drive waveform supplied to 1 in the head driver 84. In general, when the drive waveform changes, the It is known that the size also changes, and the volume of the ink droplet is controlled by using this characteristic.

That is, based on data on the ink dot diameter of the recording medium, recording is performed so as to control the volume of the ink droplet so that the ink spreads to the designated dot diameter when the ink is ejected onto the recording surface of the recording medium. The drive waveform supplied to the head 51 is controlled.

The control of the recording resolution, which is an element that determines the amount of ink ejected per unit area, includes the resolution of the recording head 51 in the scanning direction (main scanning direction) and the resolution of the recording medium 1 in the transport direction (sub-scanning direction). This is performed by controlling the resolution.

The control of the resolution in the main scanning direction is performed by the control unit 87 that controls the drive motor driver 86 and the head so that the number of ink dots ejected in synchronization with the scanning of the recording head 51 per unit length is controlled. This is performed by controlling the read driver 84. The control of the resolution in the sub-scanning direction is performed by the control unit 87 controlling the transport motor driver 85 so as to control the transport amount of the recording medium 1 for each scan of the recording head 51. You.

In this way, by controlling the amount of ink ejected per unit area (ink droplet volume or recording resolution) based on the data on the ink dot diameter of the recording medium, the spread of the ink dots on the recording medium can be controlled. Recording can be performed with an optimal ink droplet volume or recording resolution, and a necessary and sufficient density can be secured with a necessary and sufficient ink amount.

The above-described inkjet recording apparatus according to the present invention has been described by taking as an example a recording head having a reciprocating scanning type head, but as shown in FIG. 10, a recording medium is used as a recording head. A line head with a length equivalent to the width of A recording device can also be used.

For example, the following describes an example in which the amount of ink ejected to a recording medium per unit time is controlled based on data on the ink absorption speed of the recording medium.

The amount of ink ejected to the recording medium per unit time can be controlled by changing the recording medium transport speed or the ink ejection cycle.

The recording medium conveyance speed is determined by the number of rotations of the conveyance motor 43 that is a driving source of the conveyance port roller 42. Since the number of rotations of the transport motor 43 is controlled by the transport motor driver 85, it can be controlled by the control unit 87 controlling the transport motor driver. Further, the ink ejection cycle can be controlled by the control unit 87 controlling the head driver 84 as described above. Therefore, the ink ejection amount per unit time with respect to the recording medium can be controlled by such means.

Thus, the present invention can be applied to an inkjet recording apparatus having a line head as a recording head.

As described above, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the ink jet recording medium determines in advance the ink absorption characteristics such as the ink absorption amount, the ink absorption speed, the ink drying time, the ink dot diameter, and the like. Since the information shown is recorded, there is no need to perform setting work every time the recording medium is replaced. Therefore, it is possible to save the trouble of the setting operation and to prevent a problem such as an incorrect setting accompanying the setting operation. In addition, it is possible to use the recording medium in use without any problem.

Further, as described above, the ink jet recording medium and the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention record information indicating the ink absorption characteristics on the recording medium in advance. In addition, in an ink jet recording apparatus that performs recording on the recording medium, information indicating the ink absorption characteristics of the recording medium is read, and recording is performed in accordance with the characteristics. In each case, optimum recording can be performed according to the characteristics. Therefore, it is possible to cope with various kinds of recording media in recent years, and it is possible to efficiently create a high-quality image print.

Embodiment 2 of the present invention

As shown in FIG. 11, the ink jet recording apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention is mainly provided with a recording medium support portion 21 for supporting the original roll 2 of the recording medium 1 and in the vicinity thereof. A recording medium transporting means 4 for transporting the recording medium 1 comprising a driving roller 41 and a driven roller 42, and a recording section 5 comprising a recording head 51 and a guide 52. And a cutting unit 6 including a cutter 1 and a guide 62, and a heating and pressing unit 7 including a heating roller 71 and a pressing roller 72 having a heating element 73. The recording head 51 may be configured to include an ink tank, or may be configured to be supplied with ink from an external ink tank, for example. The recording medium 1 is pulled out from the main winding 2 by the recording medium transport means 4, and after reading information 11 indicating the heating and / or pressing conditions by the reading sensor 3, the recording head 5 1 in the recording section 5. Recorded by The recording head 51 is configured to be able to reciprocate on the recording medium 1 along a guide 52. The recording medium 1 after recording is cut into a predetermined size by cutters 1 at a cutting section 6 provided downstream in the transport direction. The cutter 61 is configured to be reciprocally movable on the recording medium 1 along a guide 62. The recording medium 1 cut to a desired size in the cutting section 6 is further conveyed to a heating / pressing section 7, where the recording medium 1 is heated and pressed by a heating roller 71 and a pressing roller 72. The processing is given. To the heating and pressurizing section 7 The recording medium 1 subjected to the heating and pressurizing process is discharged to a tray (not shown) provided outside the ink jet recording apparatus.

As shown in FIG. 12, near the end of the recording medium 1, information 111 indicating heating and / or pressure conditions at the time of fixing is recorded using, for example, a bar code or the like. A mechanism by which the information is read when the recording medium 1 pulled out from the main roll 2 by the transport means 4 passes near a reading sensor 3 provided in the vicinity thereof, for example, using a reflection photosensor or the like. It has become. The information showing the heating and pressurizing conditions is shown in Fig. 1.

As shown in FIG. 4, the information may be recorded on the side surface of the original roll 2. It should be noted that a reading sensor 3 is provided in the vicinity as shown in FIG.

Further, as the information 111 indicating the heating and Z pressing conditions, a magnetic pattern or the like may be used instead of the optical pattern such as the barcode. Note that a magnetic head or the like is used for the reading sensor 3 at this time.

As shown in FIG. 13, information 111 indicating the heating and / or pressing conditions read by the reading sensor 3 is transmitted to the heating control unit 81 and the pressing control unit 82.

Upon receiving the information 111, the heating control unit 81 controls the amount of heat generated by the heating element 73 provided in the heating roller 71, and adjusts the heating temperature of the recording medium 1. For example, the heating element 73 is an electric heater, and the heating control section 81 adjusts the heating temperature by controlling the value of the current supplied to the heating element 73 divided by the conduction time.

The temperature of the heating port roller 71 is detected by a sensor (not shown), and the value is fed back to the heating controller 81. In response to this, the heating control section 81 adjusts the heating temperature of the recording medium 1 again based on this value.

Upon receiving the information 111, the pressure control unit 82 controls the pressure of the pressure means 74 connected to the pressure roller 72 to adjust the pressure applied to the recording medium 1. . In the figure As shown, for example, the pressurizing means 74 is a spring, and controls the rotational position of the eccentric cam 75 arranged at the lower end thereof by controlling the rotation of the motor 6 to pressurize the recording medium 1. Adjust the pressure.

As described above, the information indicating the heating and / or pressurizing conditions corresponding to the characteristics of the recording medium is recorded in advance on the recording medium, and in the ink jet recording apparatus for recording on the recording medium, the heating and the Z Alternatively, by reading the information indicating the pressurizing condition and performing the heat and pressurizing process under the heating and Z or pressurizing conditions, it is possible to always perform appropriate fixing process and create high quality image prints. it can. Further, the information indicating the heating and Z or pressurizing conditions is automatically read every time the recording medium is attached, so that it is possible to deal with a plurality of types of recording media or a recording medium in use. Further, it is not necessary to input the heating and Z or pressurizing conditions every time the recording medium is attached, so that the labor can be saved. Accordingly, it is not necessary to set the heating and / or pressurizing conditions under wrong conditions.

The ink jet recording apparatus shown in FIG. 11 shows an example in which a recording medium wound in a roll shape is used. In addition, for example, the heating and / or pressurizing conditions may be changed. In some cases, a recording medium cut into a sheet and having the indicated information recorded thereon may be used.

Next, an ink jet recording apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention and an ink jet recording medium used therein will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 15, the recording medium 1 used in the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present embodiment is wound around a core 12, and the end of the core 12 is heated and / or heated. Information 1 1 1 indicating the pressure condition is recorded. In addition, a reading sensor 3 for reading the information 111 is provided in the vicinity thereof. Parts omitted in the figure For the components, those of the ink jet recording device shown in Fig. 11 shall be applied mutatis mutandis, and the control configuration shown in Fig. 13 shall also apply mutatis mutandis.

By recording the information indicating the heating and / or pressing conditions at the end of the core material around which the recording medium is wound, the recording surface of the recording medium is not wasted and the recording medium being used is not wasted. Can read and use information.

It should be noted that the information 111 indicating the heating and / or pressurizing conditions may use a magnetic pattern or the like instead of an optical pattern such as a bar code and provide a reading sensor corresponding thereto. It is also possible to use a semiconductor memory or the like as the information 11 indicating the heating and / or pressing conditions.

Next, an ink jet recording apparatus and an ink jet recording medium used in the ink jet recording apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 16, the recording medium 1 used in the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present embodiment is stored in a storage member 13, and the information 11 1 indicating the heating and Z or pressure conditions is It is recorded in advance on the outer wall of the storage member 13. Further, a reading sensor 3 for reading the information 111 is provided in the vicinity thereof. In addition, the parts of the ink jet recording apparatus shown in FIG. 11 shall be applied mutatis mutandis to the parts omitted in the figure, and the control configuration shown in FIG. 13 shall also be applied mutatis mutandis. .

By recording information indicating the heating and / or pressing conditions on the outer wall of the storage member that stores the recording medium, the recording surface of the recording medium can be used without wasting and the recording medium that is being used. Can read and use information.

It should be noted that the information 111 indicating the heating and / or pressurizing conditions may use a magnetic pattern or the like instead of an optical pattern such as a barcode and provide a reading sensor corresponding thereto. And it is good. Further, it is also possible to use a semiconductor memory or the like for the information 111 indicating the heating, heating or pressing conditions.

Further, the ink jet recording apparatus shown in FIG. 16 shows an example in which a recording medium wound in a roll shape is stored in the storage member 13. In addition, for example, the storage member There is a case where the recording medium cut into a sheet shape is stored in 13. As described above, according to the second embodiment of the present invention, such an ink jet recording medium and an ink jet recording apparatus preliminarily store information indicating heating and / or pressurizing conditions according to the characteristics of the recording medium. In an inkjet recording apparatus for recording and recording on the recording medium, information indicating the heating and Z or pressure conditions is read, and the information is heated and compressed under the heating and Z or pressure conditions. By performing the process, it is possible to always perform an appropriate fixing process, and a high-quality image print can be created. In addition, since information indicating heating and / or pressurizing conditions is automatically read each time a recording medium is attached, it is possible to deal with a plurality of types of recording medium or a recording medium that is being used. Further, it is not necessary to input the heating and Z or pressurizing conditions every time the recording medium is attached, so that labor can be saved. Further, it is possible to prevent the heating and / or pressurizing conditions from being set under wrong conditions.

Embodiment 3 of the present invention

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. Figure 17 (a) is an exploded front view. FIG. 17 (b) is a side view of the side on which the support member is mounted. FIGS. 17A and 17B show an embodiment using a roll-shaped recording medium in which the recording medium 1 is wound around a core material. The core is divided into a part 122 that rotates with the recording medium 1 and a part 122 that does not rotate (122a, 122b). The non-volatile memory 14 is attached to the non-rotating part 1 2 2 a side. I have. Examples of non-volatile memory include EEPROM and flash memory. The non-volatile memory access means 15 is also provided at the non-rotating part 122a.

The roll-shaped recording medium is held by the image recording apparatus using the recording medium holding member 20. The recording medium holding member 20a is provided with nonvolatile memory access means 21. The information recorded in the non-volatile memory 14 is stored between the non-volatile memory access means 15 of the non-rotating part 1 2 2 a and the non-volatile memory access means 21 provided in the recording medium support member 2 O a. The data is read by the control unit 30 of the image recording apparatus. Writing to the non-volatile memory 14 is performed between the non-volatile memory access means 21 and the non-volatile memory access means 15.

FIG. 18 shows an embodiment in which the recording medium 1 is accommodated in a recording medium accommodation member. The nonvolatile memory 14 is mounted on the recording medium housing member 13. Further, the recording medium accommodating member 13 is also provided with a nonvolatile memory access means 15.

In the image recording apparatus, the recording medium holding the recording medium 1 is held by the recording medium holding unit 20. A non-volatile memory access unit 21 is provided in the recording medium holding unit 20. The information recorded in the non-volatile memory 14 is transferred between the non-volatile memory access means 15 of the recording medium accommodating member 13 and the non-volatile memory access means 21 of the recording medium holding unit 20 by the image recording apparatus. Read by the control unit 30. Writing to the non-volatile memory 14 is performed between the non-volatile memory access means 21 and the non-volatile memory access means 15.

FIG. 19 shows an example of the contents of the recording medium information stored in the nonvolatile memory 14. The recording of the recording medium 1 in the nonvolatile memory 14 is performed by recording the recording medium name at the memory addresses 0 to 3 and the recording medium width at the memory addresses 4 to 7. At memory addresses 8 to 11, addresses such as the length of the recording medium are set, such as the length of the recording medium.

Set the memory address for writing and updating information that changes by using the recording medium 1 from memory address X to Y. If there are several types of information record update items, set the memory address address so that each information item can be written and updated for memory address address assignment.

When recording information on the recording medium 1 in the non-volatile memory 14, the occupied address of the recording address is determined by the amount of information to be recorded and the order of the information to be recorded, relative to the memory address for recording the information. The width may be changed as needed. By attaching the non-volatile memory 14 to the image recording medium, it is possible to not only provide information on the recording medium 1 to the image recording apparatus but also to rewrite and update the information on the recording medium 1 by the image recording apparatus. Becomes Furthermore, the contents recorded in the non-volatile memory 14 are information regarding the recording medium 1 of the image recording medium to which the non-volatile memory 14 is attached, so that various types of image recording media can be used while being exchanged. Even in such a situation, information on the recording medium 1 including the rewritten information can be provided to the image recording apparatus.

FIG. 20 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image recording apparatus as another embodiment of the present invention.

The roll-shaped recording medium described above is held by the image recording apparatus via the recording medium holding member 20. The recording medium 1 is transported by the transport rollers 600 and an image is recorded by the recording head 5. The recorded image is subjected to color correction from the image input unit 300 to the color gradation conversion unit 310, processed by the error diffusion processing unit 320, and sent to the recording head 5 via the head driver 330. The recording image is recorded on the recording medium 1 by the recording head 5. The image recording apparatus reads information on the recording medium 1 recorded in the nonvolatile memory 14 into the control unit 30. Based on this information, the control unit 30 controls the color gradation conversion unit 310, the error diffusion processing unit 320, and the head driver 330 so that the quality of the recorded image on the recording medium 1 to be used is high. This is controlled, and the conveyance amount of the recording medium 1 is controlled by the motor driver 620. '

The image recording apparatus includes a display section 220 for displaying information read from the nonvolatile memory 14. Thereby, the recording medium 1 for recording the image held in the image recording device can be easily known.

The control unit 30 determines whether or not the recording medium 1 stored from the information read from the nonvolatile memory 14 is suitable for the image recording apparatus, and

When 1 is not suitable for an image recording apparatus, control is performed such that an image is not recorded. By determining the suitability of the recording medium 1, it is possible to prevent the recording medium 1 from being wasted due to deterioration of the quality of the recorded image due to holding the wrong recording medium 1 in the image recording apparatus. In addition, by displaying on the display section 820 that the recording medium 1 is not suitable, it is possible to easily know that the held image recording medium is not suitable for the image recording apparatus.

Further, the control unit 30 has a function of calculating the remaining amount and the usage amount of an image recording medium such as a mouth-shaped recording medium in which the recording medium 1 is wound around a core material, and uses the image recording medium. The writing to the non-volatile memory 14 such as the remaining amount and the used amount of the recording medium 1 that changes according to the above is performed using the non-volatile memory access means 15 for the image recording medium and the non-volatile memory access means 21 for the image recording apparatus.

For example, as a result of using the recording medium 1, the image recording apparatus reduces the usage of the recording medium 1 from the memory address X of the nonvolatile memory shown in FIG. 19 to the address Y. Perform write update. If the memory address for writing and updating information is the remaining capacity of the recording medium 1, the image recording apparatus writes and updates the remaining capacity of the recording medium 1 to the determined memory address.

Further, in the image recording apparatus, information on the remaining amount and the usage amount of the recording medium 1 which is information on the recording medium 1 in the nonvolatile memory 14 is read, and after the image recording medium is used, the remaining amount and the usage amount of the recording medium 1 are Perform a write update of the quantity.

By displaying information on the remaining amount and used amount of the image recording medium read out from the non-volatile memory 14 of the image recording medium held in the image recording apparatus on the display section 820 of the image recording apparatus, image recording is performed. The remaining amount of the medium and the like can be easily known.

Since the information on the remaining amount and used amount of the recording medium 1 is recorded in the non-volatile memory 14 provided in the image recording medium, even if the image recording medium is removed from the image recording device during use, it is reused. In this case, the remaining amount and used amount of the recording medium 1 of the image recording medium can be accurately detected by reading from the nonvolatile memory 14. Also, when such information is displayed on the display section 820, the remaining amount of the image recording medium and the like can be easily known.

FIG. 21 shows a schematic configuration of an image recording apparatus for performing color calibration of an image recording medium according to another embodiment.

The roll-shaped recording medium described above is held by the image recording apparatus via the recording medium holding member 20. The recording medium 1 is conveyed by a conveying port 600 and a recording head 5 records an image. The recorded image is subjected to color correction from the image input unit 300 to the color gradation conversion unit 310, processed by the error diffusion processing unit 320, and sent to the recording head 5 via the head driver 330. The recorded image is recorded on the recording medium 1 by the recording head 5 as a recorded image.

The image recording apparatus stores information about the recording medium 1 recorded in the nonvolatile memory 14. The information is read into the control unit 30. Based on this information, the control unit 30 controls the color gradation conversion unit 310, the error diffusion processing unit 320, and the head driver 330 so that the recorded image on the recording medium 1 to be used has high quality. The control is performed by controlling the transport amount of the recording medium 1 by the motor driver 620.

To calibrate the color of the image recording medium, the test pattern for the recording medium 1 is converted from the test pattern generating means 910 to the color gradation conversion section 310, the error diffusion conversion section 320, and the head driver 33. Record through record head 5 through 0. The color gradation of the test pattern recorded on the recording medium 1 is measured by the color characteristic measuring section 920. Based on the measured color gradation, the color calibration means 920 calculates an ideal color gradation correction curve for color calibration. The control section 30 outputs the color gradation correction curve information to the color gradation conversion section 310 so that the image recorded on the recording medium 1 has the optimum color gradation. The color gradation conversion unit 310 changes the color gradation of the recorded image in the image to be recorded in accordance with the color gradation correction curve.

In the image recording apparatus, the color calibration information calculated by the color calibration means 920 is transmitted from the control section 30 to the nonvolatile memory access means 15 for the recording medium to the nonvolatile memory 14 of the image recording medium, and the image recording is performed. Write and update using the device non-volatile memory access means 21.

The image recording apparatus reads the color calibration information from the non-volatile memory 14 of the image recording medium using the non-volatile memory access means 15 of the recording medium and the non-volatile memory access means 21 of the image recording apparatus, thereby reading the recorded image. Color correction can be performed accurately.

By recording the color calibration information of the image recording medium in the non-volatile memory 14 in this manner, various types of image recording media can be exchanged according to the purpose while being held in the image recording apparatus for use. Color calibration information must be read from the non-volatile memory 14 of the image recording medium every time the image recording medium is replaced, even when the Disappears. For this reason, waste of the recording medium 1 for color calibration and time for color calibration can be saved.

According to the image recording medium described in the third embodiment described above, information about the recording medium can be provided accurately, and information that changes by using the recording medium can be rewritten and updated.

Further, according to the image recording medium described in Embodiment 3, information on the recording medium can be provided accurately, and information that changes by using the recording medium can be rewritten and updated.

Further, according to the image recording medium described in the third embodiment, information on the recording medium can be provided accurately, and information that changes by using the recording medium can be rewritten and updated.

Further, according to the image recording medium described in the third embodiment, it is possible to accurately provide information about the recording medium, and to accurately provide the remaining amount and the amount of the recording medium that change by using the recording medium. It is possible to rewrite and update the remaining amount and usage amount that change by using the recording medium.

Further, according to the image recording medium described in the third embodiment, information on the recording medium can be provided accurately, and further, color calibration information of the recording medium can be provided accurately, and by using the recording medium, The changing information can be rewritten and updated.

Further, according to the image recording apparatus described in the third embodiment, information on the recording medium in the nonvolatile memory can be accurately read, and information that changes by using the recording medium can be written and updated.

Further, according to the image recording apparatus described in the third embodiment, the information regarding the recording medium can be accurately read from the non-volatile memory, and the information changed by using the recording medium can be obtained. Can be written and updated.

Further, according to the image recording apparatus described in the third embodiment, information on the recording medium can be accurately read from the non-volatile memory, and information that changes by using the recording medium can be written and updated.

Further, according to the image recording apparatus described in Embodiment 3, information on the recording medium can be accurately read from the non-volatile memory, and information that changes by using the recording medium can be written and updated. Information can be easily confirmed. Further, according to the image recording apparatus described in the third embodiment, it is determined whether or not the characteristics of the recording medium of the image recording medium held in the image recording apparatus conform to the image recording apparatus. In addition, since the image can be prevented from being recorded, it is possible to prevent the quality of the recorded image from deteriorating when the image is recorded on the recording medium.

Further, according to the image recording apparatus described in the third embodiment, information on the recording medium can be accurately read from the non-volatile memory, and information that changes by using the recording medium can be written and updated. By knowing the remaining amount of the medium accurately, the remaining amount of the recording medium can be rewritten and updated in the non-volatile memory, and when the size of the image to be recorded is larger than the remaining amount of the recording medium, the image recording can be performed. Can not be done.

Further, according to the image recording apparatus described in the third embodiment, information on the recording medium can be accurately read from the non-volatile memory, and information that changes by using the recording medium can be written and updated. By knowing the initial amount and used amount of the medium accurately, the used amount of the recording medium can be rewritten and updated in the non-volatile memory, and the size of the image to be recorded can be determined from the initial amount and the used amount of the recording medium. If it is larger than the remaining capacity, it is possible to prevent image recording.

Further, according to the image recording apparatus described in the third embodiment, data can be stored from the non-volatile memory. The information about the recording medium can be read accurately, and the information that changes by using the recording medium can be written and updated, and the color gradation of the recorded image becomes appropriate for the recording medium. It becomes quality. Furthermore, since the color calibration information of the recording medium is written and updated in the nonvolatile memory, when the color-calibrated image recording medium is reused, the color calibration information is read from the nonvolatile memory to perform the color calibration again. You do not have to do it.

Next, a transmitting / receiving means according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 22 is a block diagram showing functions of the transmitting / receiving means according to the present invention. In the figure, upon receiving radio waves from the reader antenna 200 (downlink), the above various data stored in the IC chip 220 of the tag type transbonder T arranged on the image recording medium side is transmitted to the antenna coil. Sent from 210 (uplink). The data is read by the RFID controller 230 and output to the CPU 501 of the control means 500 of the inkjet recording apparatus. Here, the tag-type transponder T is composed of an RFID chip (IC chip 220) and an antenna (antenna coil 210).

The ink pack, recording paper roll, and ink jet head type determination means 502 refers to the various information stored in the storage means 503 via the CPU 501, and loads the loaded ink pack, recording paper, and the like. The arithmetic processing is performed on various data related to the ink roll and the ink jet head, the types such as the remaining amount, quality, and characteristics are determined. If necessary, the data stored in the storage means 503 is rewritten by the CPU. This is done via 501.

Further, the type determining means 502 causes the CPU 501 to refer to the image forming data based on the determination result of the remaining amount of the ink pack and the recording paper roll, and determines whether or not the scheduled work can be completed. If it is determined that the operation is impossible, a display input unit (not shown) in the main unit of the device or a PC connected to the device directly or via an intranet is used. On any display, the warning display means 504 displays "Not enough recording paper for the scheduled work."

If the loaded ink pack or recording paper roll is a product that is not compatible with the recording device and the tag type transbonder T is not mounted, the data will be sent from the RFID controller 230 in spite of the loading. Is not output, the type determination means 502 determines from the information of no data output from the CPU 501 that a nonconforming product has been loaded, and similarly, the display unit in the main body of the apparatus or the apparatus directly or The warning display means 504 displays on the display of a PC or other device connected via an intranet, etc., such as "This is not an ink compatible with this model. The image quality may be poor." Next, a description will be given of an example of the arrangement of RFID means for realizing transmission and reception of information on the image recording medium of the present embodiment. FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view of the image recording medium roll. The image recording medium 1 is wound around a core 120. An RFID film is attached to the end surface of the core material. FIG. 24 shows a state in which the RFID film 130 is attached to the end surface of the core material 120 of the image recording medium (recording paper) roll.

FIGS. 25 (a) to 25 (c) show the RFID film before being wound around and attached to the end surface of the core material 120 of the recording paper roll. In FIG. 25 (a), the RFID chip 131 is arranged on the upper surface of the RFID film. Here, 3 2 4 and 3 2 5 are through holes for connecting the terminals of the RFID chip 13 1 and the antenna 13 2, and 3 2 1 a, 3 2 2 a, 3 2 3 a, 3 2 1 b, 3 2 2 b and 3 2 3 b are lands for connecting antennas. FIG. 25 (b) is a cross-sectional view of the RFID sheet in which the RFID chip is arranged on the upper surface, and FIG. 25 (c) shows the rear surface of the RFID sheet in which the antenna 13 is arranged.

FIG. 26 shows a state where the RFID sheet of FIGS. 25 (a) to 25 (c) is attached to the end surface of the core material 120 of the recording paper roll. Where each land 3 2 la and 3 2 1 b, 3 22a and 32b, 3223a and 32b are connected.

As described above, by arranging the RFID chip and the RFID antenna on the end surface of the recording paper roll, the RFID chip that stores the information of the image recording medium (recording paper) and the RFID installed on the image recording device side Information can be transmitted and received between controllers. In addition, there is an advantage that the structure of the image recording medium is not restricted by installing the RFID chip and the antenna on the core portion of the recording paper roll, which is an operating unit. That is, the structure of the image recording medium does not need to have a fixed portion (a portion that does not rotate) for mounting the memory device that records the information of the recording medium. The method of installing RFID is not limited to the above embodiment. Industrial applicability

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention is applicable to an image recording apparatus that records an image on an image recording medium using a recording head and the image recording medium, and among them, an image is recorded on an image recording medium using an ink head. The present invention can be suitably applied to an ink jet recording apparatus for recording and its image recording medium. By applying the present invention to these image recording devices and image recording media, it is possible to always provide good images under favorable conditions, and to provide a user-friendly image recording device and image recording medium. Can be provided.

Claims

The scope of the claims

1. An image recording medium used in an image recording apparatus that records an image on the image recording medium using a recording head, and having information recording means for recording information on the image recording medium. An image recording medium characterized by the above-mentioned.

2. The information about the image recording medium includes the heating and / or pressure conditions, ink absorption amount, ink absorption speed, ink dot gain (ink dot diameter), ink drying time, remaining amount of image recording medium, and color calibration data. 2. The image recording medium according to claim 1, wherein the image recording medium includes at least one of them.

3. The image recording medium according to claim 1, wherein said information recording means is a nonvolatile memory.

4. The information about the image recording medium includes the heating and / or pressure conditions, ink absorption amount, ink absorption speed, ink dot gain (ink dot diameter), ink drying time, remaining amount of image recording medium, and color calibration data. 4. The image recording medium according to claim 3, wherein the image recording medium includes at least one of them.

5. The image recording medium according to claim 3, wherein said information recording means is an RFID.

6. The information on the image recording medium includes heating and / or pressing conditions, ink absorption amount, and 6. The image according to claim 5, further comprising at least one of ink absorption speed, ink dot gain (ink dot diameter), ink drying time, remaining amount of image recording medium, and color calibration data. recoding media.

7. The image recording medium according to claim 5, wherein the recording medium is wound around a core material, and an antenna is provided on the core material.

8. The information about the image recording medium includes the heating and / or pressing conditions, ink absorption amount, ink absorption speed, ink dot gain (ink dot diameter), ink drying time, remaining amount of image recording medium, and color calibration data. 8. The image recording medium according to claim 7, wherein the image recording medium includes at least one of them.

9. An image recording apparatus for recording an image on an image recording medium by using a recording head, wherein a conveying means for conveying the image recording medium and information on the image recording medium of the image recording medium are recorded. An image recording apparatus comprising: information reading means for reading information from information recording means; and control means for controlling operating conditions of the image recording apparatus based on the read information.

10. The information on the image recording medium is information on heating and / or pressurizing conditions of the image recording medium, and controlling the heating and / or pressurizing conditions of the image recording medium as operating conditions of the image recording apparatus. 10. The image recording apparatus according to claim 9, wherein:

11. Information about the image recording medium is information on the ink absorption speed of the image recording medium. 10. The image recording apparatus according to claim 9, wherein an amount of ejected ink per unit time is controlled as an operation condition of the image recording apparatus.

12. Information on the image recording medium is information on an ink dot gain (ink dot diameter) of the image recording medium, and is used as an operating condition of the image recording apparatus to control an amount of ejected ink per unit area. Image recording according to claim 9, characterized in that:

13. The information on the image recording medium is information on the drying time of the image recording medium, and is characterized by controlling a recording interval time when performing continuous image recording as an operating condition of the image recording apparatus. 10. The image recording apparatus according to claim 9, wherein

14. The image recording apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said information recording means is a nonvolatile memory.

15. Information on the image recording medium is information on heating and / or pressurizing conditions of the image recording medium, and controlling the heating and / or pressurizing conditions of the image recording medium as operating conditions of the image recording apparatus. 15. The image recording device according to claim 14, wherein:

16. The information on the image recording medium is information on an amount of ink absorbed by the image recording medium, and the amount of ejected ink per unit area is controlled as an operating condition of the image recording apparatus. Item 15. The image recording device according to Item 14.

17. The information on the image recording medium is information on an ink absorption speed of the image recording medium, and controls an ejection amount of the ink per unit time as an operation condition of the image recording apparatus. Item 15. The image recording device according to Item 14.

18. The information relating to the image recording medium is information of an ink dot gain (ink dot diameter) of the image recording medium, and it is necessary to control the ejection amount of ink per unit area as an operating condition of the image recording apparatus. The image recording device according to claim 14,

19. The information relating to the image recording medium is information on a drying time of the image recording medium, and is characterized by controlling a recording interval time when performing continuous image recording as an operating condition of the image recording apparatus. 15. The image recording apparatus according to claim 14, wherein

20. The information relating to the image recording medium is information relating to the remaining amount of the image recording medium, and further comprising a rewriting means for rewriting the information relating to the remaining amount according to the usage fee of the recording medium. Item 15. The image recording apparatus according to Item 14.

21. The information according to claim 14, wherein the information on the image recording medium is color calibration data, further comprising means for rewriting the color calibration data, wherein color calibration is performed based on the color calibration data. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1.

22. The image recording apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said information recording means is an RFID.

23. The information on the image recording medium is information on heating and / or pressing conditions of the image recording medium, and controlling the heating and / or pressing conditions of the image recording medium as operating conditions of the image recording apparatus. The image recording apparatus according to claim 22, characterized in that:

2 4. The information on the image recording medium is information on an amount of ink absorbed by the image recording medium, and the amount of ejected ink per unit area is controlled as an operating condition of the image recording apparatus. Item 32. The image recording device according to Item 22.

25. The information on the image recording medium is information on an ink absorption speed of the image recording medium, and the amount of ejected ink per unit time is controlled as an operating condition of the image recording apparatus. Item 32. The image recording device according to Item 22.

26. The information relating to the image recording medium is information of an ink dot gain (ink dot diameter) of the image recording medium, and is used as an operating condition of the image recording apparatus to control an ejection amount of the ink per unit area. The image recording described in claim 22

27. The information on the image recording medium is information on a drying time of the image recording medium, and a recording interval time when continuously performing image recording is controlled as an operation condition of the image recording apparatus. 22. The image recording apparatus according to claim 22, wherein

28. The information on the image recording medium is information on the remaining amount of the image recording medium, 23. The image recording apparatus according to claim 22, further comprising a rewriting means for rewriting the information on the remaining amount according to a usage fee of the recording medium.

29. The information relating to the image recording medium is color calibration data, further comprising means for rewriting color calibration data, wherein color calibration is performed based on the color calibration data. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1.