JP2005349605A - Ink jet recording method and ink jet recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a smooth image free from unevenness while reducing white streaks caused by "end kink" as much as possible even in an ink jet recorder employing a recording head of small liquid drop. <P>SOLUTION: Ejection of a plurality of recording elements included in the first recording element array C1 of a plurality of recording element arrays is counted based on image data, and ejection data different from the image data is added to a part of the plurality of recording elements included in the second recording element array SC2 based on the count thus obtained. Since white streaks caused by "end kink" in the first recording element array C1 can be interpolated by the recording elements of the second recording element array SC2, streaks caused by "end kink" can be corrected effectively even if the recording rate distribution of mask pattern in multipass recording is not biased. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an ink jet recording method and an ink jet recording apparatus, and more particularly to a recording technique for forming a high-definition image using a recording head having a high integration density of recording elements and a small amount of ejected ink droplets. is there.

  In recent years, inkjet recording apparatuses have been rapidly increasing in image quality, speeding up, and cost reduction, and have been widely spread in the market. In such an ink jet recording apparatus, an image is recorded by ejecting ink droplets from a plurality of recording elements formed in the recording head. Therefore, in order to achieve higher resolution and higher speed, a technology that reduces the amount of ink droplets ejected from the recording head, improves the ejection frequency, and arranges a larger number of recording elements in a highly dense array. Etc. are required.

  When the amount of ink droplets ejected from one recording element is reduced, the area of dots formed by one ejection is also reduced. Therefore, particularly when a high-density image is recorded, the number of ejections per unit area may increase, leading to a decrease in recording speed.

  In response to such a problem, a configuration has been proposed in which high-definition and high-speed recording is realized by using two types of large and small ink droplets together (for example, see Patent Document 1). According to Patent Literature 1, when a document image such as text is recorded at high speed, a large ink droplet is mainly applied. On the other hand, when recording photographic images with high definition, small ink droplets are mainly applied. Furthermore, a technique for recording an image with higher gradation by using a plurality of dots of different sizes at the same time is also disclosed.

JP 09-48125 A JP 2002-254615 A JP 2002-96455 A

  However, in a recent inkjet recording apparatus using a recording head having a high integration density and a small droplet, when recording is performed at a high frequency, a new problem called “shaft edge” is confirmed. was there.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining the “end-to-end”. Here, a recording state in the case where a uniform cyan solid image is recorded on the recording medium is shown. The recording head 1100 includes a recording element array C1 in which a large number of recording elements are arranged at high density, and moves and scans in the direction of the arrow in the figure while ejecting ink droplets from each recording element at a predetermined frequency. ing. A hatched portion indicates an area recorded on the recording medium by the discharged cyan ink droplets. As can be seen from the drawing, at the beginning of the recording scan, an image having a width corresponding to the width of the recording element array is also formed on the recording medium. However, as the recording scan proceeds, the recording width of the image has shrunk in the direction of the arrow. This indicates that the ink droplets ejected from the recording elements located in the vicinity of both ends are injecting toward the center of the recording element array. Such a phenomenon will be referred to as “end-to-end” in this specification.

  It is believed that “end-to-end” is caused by the principle described below. The air around the ejected ink droplet moves in the same direction as the ink droplet, and forms a region where the pressure is reduced. On the other hand, the air in both side regions that are not decompressed becomes an air flow that moves in the decompression direction, and the ink droplets at both ends are curved from the side surfaces. It has also been confirmed that such a phenomenon appears particularly remarkably when a large number of recording elements are arranged at high density and driven at a high frequency. However, even when the ink is ejected at a lower frequency, the “edge deflection” does not occur. The degree of “shake edge” depends on the strength of the air flow with respect to the ejected ink droplets and the kinetic energy of the flying ink droplets. The stronger the air flow generated during recording, the more the kinetic energy of the ink droplets. It is thought that the smaller the amount of landing position deviation, the smaller. Further, it has been confirmed that the dot landing position by the recording element located at the extreme end is most easily shifted. If recording is continued in a state where such “edge deflection” has occurred, image defects such as white stripes will become conspicuous in the formed image at the connecting portion of each recording scan.

  Several recording methods have already been proposed for the purpose of reducing the adverse effects of the image on the edge (see, for example, Patent Document 2 and Patent Document 3). According to Patent Document 2, a colorless liquid serving as a windproof liquid droplet is discharged from a recording element located in the vicinity of the end of the recording element array in order to suppress the influence of the airflow on the inner recording element. The structure to be made is disclosed. With such a configuration, the dots of colored ink that actually form an image are not ejected from the extreme end of the printing element array. Therefore, since it becomes difficult to be influenced by the air current, it is landed at a substantially regular position even on the recording medium, and it is difficult to confirm image adverse effects such as white stripes in the formed image. On the other hand, the dots in the vicinity of the end where displacement is most likely to occur are formed by a colorless and transparent liquid that is irrelevant to the actual image, and thus does not affect the image.

  However, according to the method of Patent Document 2, a transparent liquid that is unrelated to an actual image must be prepared separately from normal ink. Therefore, a new problem occurs when the recording apparatus becomes large in size or the cost increases due to an increase in consumables. In recent years, in the ink jet recording apparatus for personal users, it has been particularly important to provide a small size at a low cost. Therefore, the method disclosed in Patent Document 2 is not very practical.

  Patent Document 3 discloses a recording method that makes white stripes due to “end edge” inconspicuous by using a commonly applied mask pattern for multi-pass recording. Multi-pass recording is a recording method in which an image is formed on the same image area of a recording medium by a plurality of recording scans of the recording head. In each recording scan, not all image data to be recorded is recorded, and generally whether or not to record image data is determined by a mask pattern. Applying such a multi-pass printing method records an image with two different types of printing elements in the same image area of the printing medium, thus reducing recording variations between printing elements that are inevitably generated in the manufacturing process. And a smooth image can be formed. According to Patent Document 3, a configuration is disclosed in which a mask pattern in which a recording rate from a recording element located in the vicinity of the endmost portion is set low with respect to other regions is applied. By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to suppress the number of dots whose landing positions have shifted due to “end edge” and reduce white stripes. Therefore, many recording apparatuses that employ the configuration of Patent Document 3 are currently provided.

  However, according to the method described in Patent Document 3, since the recording rate is concentrated on the portion other than the end portion (mainly the central portion) of the recording element array, the original multipass recording effect tends to be suppressed. In other words, even when there is a recording element that is likely to cause landing or non-ejection at the center of the recording element array, the recording rate of this area is set higher because the recording rate of the recording elements at both ends is suppressed. This is because it is not possible to sufficiently suppress the number of recordings of the recording element in which landing or non-ejection occurs. As a result, it was inevitable that either a white streak caused by “edge shading” or a streak caused by landing or non-ejection would occur to a visually noticeable level.

  Furthermore, the deviation in the distribution of the recording rate in each region of the recording element array causes a difference in the number of ejections between the recording elements. In this case, the recording element having a large number of ejections proceeds earlier in the deterioration of ejection characteristics than others. In the recording head, when even one recording element has an ejection failure, it is determined to be inappropriate for use. Therefore, the method described in Patent Document 3 where the recording frequency of some recording elements is locally high is This leads to shortening of the life of the recording head.

  As described above, in an inkjet recording apparatus using a recent recording head of small droplets, the problem of “end edge” has not been solved in a suitable state.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and the object of the present invention is white streaks caused by “end-to-end” even in an ink jet recording apparatus using a small droplet recording head. Is to provide a smooth image without unevenness.

  Therefore, in the present invention, an ink jet recording head comprising a plurality of recording element arrays in which a plurality of recording elements that eject ink of the same color are arranged in a predetermined direction and arranged in parallel in a direction different from the predetermined direction. In the ink jet recording method for forming an image on a recording medium based on image data, a plurality of recording elements included in a first recording element array of the plurality of recording element arrays is based on the image data. Based on the process of counting ejection data to be ejected and the value obtained by the counting process, a part of a plurality of recording elements included in a second recording element array different from the first recording element array Recording is performed by ejecting ink onto a recording medium by the step of adding ejection data different from the image data, and the first recording element array and the second recording element array. And Cormorant recording step consists, in the recording step, the second recording element array, and performing printing in accordance with ejection data after the addition by said adding step.

  In addition, an image is formed by using an ink jet recording head in which a plurality of recording element arrays in which a plurality of recording elements ejecting the same color ink are arranged in a predetermined direction are arranged in parallel in a direction different from the predetermined direction. In an ink jet recording apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium based on data, a plurality of recording elements included in a first recording element array of the plurality of recording element arrays discharges based on the image data Based on the means for counting data and the value obtained by the counting step, the image data and a part of the plurality of recording elements included in the second recording element array different from the first recording element array Adding means for adding different ejection data, and in the recording on the recording medium by the first recording element array and the second recording element array, the second recording element It is characterized by performing printing in accordance with ejection data after being added by the adding means.

  According to the present invention, white streaks caused by “end edge” generated in the first recording element array can be interpolated by the recording elements in the second recording element array. Even if there is no bias in the recording rate distribution, it is possible to effectively correct white streaks caused by “edge deflection”.

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

  FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining an internal configuration of an ink jet recording apparatus applicable to the present invention. The recording apparatus main body includes a casing 3000, a carriage 2000 that reciprocally scans in the a direction, a paper feed mechanism 4000 that supplies a recording medium 5000 (mainly paper), and a discharge that discharges the recording medium 5000 on which an image has been recorded in the c direction. It has a paper mechanism. The paper discharge mechanism conveys the recording medium 5000 supplied from the paper feeding mechanism 4000 by a predetermined amount as the carriage 2000 moves and moves, and finally the recording medium 5000 that has completed recording is transferred to the outside of the housing 3000. To discharge. A recording head cartridge 1000 can be mounted on the carriage 2000 in the direction of arrow b, and the recording head cartridge 1000 is fixedly supported in a predetermined state by positioning means and electrical contacts.

  FIG. 3 is a perspective view for explaining the configuration of the recording head cartridge 1000. The recording head cartridge 1000 mainly includes a recording head 1100, a tank holder 1200, ink tanks 1300 to 1600, and the like. The recording head 1100 is provided with a plurality of recording elements for ejecting ink as droplets. From each recording element, ink is ejected at a predetermined timing in accordance with recording data received from an electrical contact with the carriage 2000. At the same time, the carriage 2000 moves and scans in the direction a shown in FIG. 2 at a predetermined speed, whereby an image is recorded on the recording medium 5000.

  The ink tanks 1300 to 1600 for the respective colors are detachable from the tank holder 1200. Here, 1300 is black (Bk) ink, 1400 is cyan (C) ink, 1500 is magenta (M) ink, and 1600 is Each of the yellow (Y) inks is stored. The ink tanks 1300 to 1600 are independently mounted on the tank holder 1200, so that they are fluidly connected to the recording head 1100. In this state, ink can be supplied to each recording element.

  FIG. 4 is a plan view for explaining the ejection port array of the recording head 1100 applied in this embodiment. On the ejection surface of the recording head 1100, a plurality of ejection openings for ejecting cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (Bk) inks are arranged as shown in the figure. In the present embodiment, cyan (C) and magenta (M) are capable of ejecting ink droplets of two levels of volume, and C1 and C2 have a relatively large ejection amount (hereinafter referred to as large recording). SC1 and SC2 are cyan discharge ports (hereinafter referred to as small recording elements), M1 and M2 are magenta large recording elements, and SM1 and SM2 are magenta small recording elements. Each is shown. C1 and C2 and SC1 and SC2 have a positional relationship shifted from each other by a half pitch, and the recording medium can be recorded with a density twice the arrangement pitch. The same applies to magenta.

  On the other hand, black (Bk), which is mainly used for text documents and hardly used for photographic images, and yellow (Y), which is difficult to visually confirm recorded dots and has little influence on image granularity. Is configured to eject ink droplets of a single volume by one type of ejection port array. However, black (Bk) has an ejection port array having a width larger than that of other colors, and an image can be printed at a higher speed when recording is performed using only black (Bk) as in a text document. Considered to be completed.

  An electrothermal converter is provided inside the recording element that communicates with each discharge port. When the electrothermal converter is energized and heated, bubbles are generated in the ink, and the ink is discharged by the foaming pressure. In the two types of discharge port arrays having different discharge amounts, the size of the discharge port is different as shown in the figure, but the size of the electrothermal conversion element installed inside is also different. The recording operation is controlled so that ejection by a large recording element is mainly used for higher-speed recording, and the small recording element is mainly used for higher-definition recording.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram for explaining the recording state in the present embodiment in comparison with FIG. In the case of recording a uniform cyan image having a relatively high density, the recording is conventionally performed only by the large recording element, but in the present embodiment, recording is performed using both the large recording element and the small recording element. ing. That is, in the recording of only C1, as in the case of FIG. 1, the recording width is reduced as the recording scanning progresses, but the interpolation recording corresponding to the portion where the landing position is shifted is performed by SC2 following C1. For example, white streaks on the image are eliminated or reduced. Here, an example is described in which one recording element at the extreme end on both sides of the SC2 column is used as the recording element for interpolation. However, in actuality, the size of white stripes generated in the recording of the C1 column In consideration of the discharge amount of the SC2 row, the printing element arrangement pitch, and the like, an appropriate number of printing elements may be used depending on the situation. Here, for simplicity, the interpolation recording by SC2 for C1 has been described, but when actually recording a uniform cyan image, the interpolation recording by SC1 for C2 is also performed at the same time.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of the control system of the ink jet recording apparatus applied in this embodiment. A CPU 602 controls the entire recording apparatus such as a recording operation and maintenance in the apparatus in accordance with an image signal input from a host apparatus 601 connected to the outside. A processing program executed by the CPU 602 is stored in the ROM 603, and the RAM 604 is used as a work area for temporarily storing an image signal being processed. Reference numeral 605 denotes a recording head drive driver for driving the recording head 1101, and reference numeral 607 denotes a carriage motor driver for moving and scanning the carriage 2000 on which the recording head 1101 is mounted. A transport motor 610 transports the recording medium, and a transport motor driver 609 drives the transport motor 610. The CPU 602 performs predetermined image processing on the image signal input from the host device 601 and controls the recording head driver 605 to cause the recording head 1101 to eject ink. At the same time, the carriage motor driver 607 is controlled to move and scan the carriage 2000 in the main scanning direction, whereby an image for one recording scan is formed on the recording medium. Images are sequentially formed on the recording medium by alternately performing one main recording scan and conveying a predetermined amount of the recording medium by the conveyance motor 610.

  Reference numeral 612 denotes a recovery mechanism for performing maintenance on the recording head 1101. Reference numeral 611 denotes a recovery system driver for driving the recovery mechanism 612. The CPU 602 controls the recovery system driver 611 at a predetermined timing during non-recording or during recording, and performs maintenance processing on the recording head 1101.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a recording process performed by the CPU 602 of this embodiment when actually recording.

  When a recording start command is input from the host device 601, the CPU 602 inputs a predetermined amount of image data from the host device 601 (step S701). Subsequently, the input image data is expanded into raster data so as to correspond to each recording element of each recording head, and is temporarily stored in a print buffer in the RAM 604 (step S702). In the next step 703, it is determined whether or not image data for one recording scan has been stored in the print buffer. If not, the process returns to step S701 to store image data for one scan. Steps S701 to S703 are repeated.

  If it is determined in step S703 that image data for one scan has been stored, the process advances to step S704 to count the ejection data stored in the print buffer corresponding to the large printing element array (C1, C2, M1, M2). Do.

  In the subsequent step S705, interpolation data to be recorded by the small recording element arrays (SC1, SC2, SM1, SM2) is created corresponding to the count value obtained in step S704. The correspondence between the count value and the interpolation data corresponding thereto may be configured such that, for example, a table stored in the ROM 603 is referred to.

  Thereafter, new print data is created by adding the data interpolated in step S705 to the original data, and a single print scan is performed (step S706).

  In step S707, it is determined whether or not all of the recording for one page has been recorded. If it is determined that the recording has been completed, this mode is terminated. On the other hand, if it is determined that the recording for one page has not been completed yet, the process returns to step S701 to input image data for the next recording scan.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the image data to be recorded is counted for each recording scan, and an appropriate amount of interpolation data is created for each recording scan. As a result, it is possible to appropriately correct the interpolation to the white streak caused by the “edge shift” in each printing scan.

  The combination of the recording element array mainly used for recording and the recording element array applied for interpolation is not limited to the relationship between the large recording element C1 and the small recording element SC2. If the condition that the ink colors to be ejected are the same as each other is satisfied, the effect of this embodiment can be obtained for all combinations of printing element arrays. For example, a defect due to “end-to-end” that occurs in the recording of the small recording element SC1 may be interpolated by the large recording element C2 row, or “end-to-end” that occurs in the recording of the large recording element C1 row. The large recording element C2 row having the same size may be used for the interpolation corresponding to. Further, in order to interpolate white stripes generated in the large recording element C1 in the first recording scan, recording may be performed using the end recording element of C1 in the second recording scan. Furthermore, the printing element rows applied for interpolation may be distributed not in one row but in two or more rows. In any case, if there is a printing element array with a relatively high number of ejections, printing is performed by adding recording data for interpolation to a printing element array with a relatively small number of ejections of ink of the same color. The effect of the present invention can be obtained as long as the configuration to be performed is provided.

  The second embodiment of the present invention will be described below. Also in the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the ink jet recording apparatus and the ink jet recording head having the configuration described in FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 6 are applied.

  FIGS. 8A and 8B are schematic diagrams for explaining the recording state in this embodiment while comparing it with FIG. However, here, as shown in FIG. 8A, high-density recording to the extent that “edge deflection” occurs is performed at two portions in the recording element array C1, and “ This shows the case where the “shaft edge” occurs. However, in such a case, in the method of counting the number of recordings in the entire printing element array as in the first embodiment and determining the presence / absence of “ends” by the obtained count number, “ends” is determined. In some cases, it is determined that the number of recordings is not so large that interpolation by SC2 is not required.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, a configuration is provided that counts according to the density of image data so that it can be appropriately pinpoint-interpolated even for “end-of-edge” that can occur in various regions in the printing element array C1. And Then, as shown in FIG. 8B, according to the obtained coarse / dense data, recording elements at appropriate locations in the recording element array SC2 are selected for interpolation and recording is performed.

  FIG. 8 shows an example in which the recording density is locally high at two portions as an example. For example, when only one portion in the recording element array C1 has a high recording density, the recording density exceeds two locations. Even in the case where there is a portion with a high recording density in the portion, of course, in the present embodiment, it can be handled in the same manner as in FIG.

  In general, the recording density varies not only in the recording element array direction but also in the scanning direction of the recording head. That is, a portion with a high recording density also shifts within the recording element array as the recording scan proceeds, and white spots due to “edge shift” appear at various locations on the recording medium. According to this embodiment, it is possible to cope with white spots that appear irregularly in the recording scanning direction. That is, from the recording element array SC2, an appropriate recording element is selected at an appropriate timing according to the density distribution of the recording data, and interpolation can be performed.

  In the present embodiment as well, as in the first embodiment, the flowchart described with reference to FIG. 7 can be applied. However, the count of print data performed in step S704 is to obtain the sum of print data for one print scan in the first embodiment. In this embodiment, however, the print data count in the main scan direction and the print element arrangement direction is as follows. A counting method that can grasp the density of the recording pixels is adopted. For example, a method may be used in which all print data included in one print scan is acquired in a bitmap format in units of one pixel, or divided into a plurality of blocks having a predetermined area, and the number of print pixels in each block is counted. It may be a method to do.

  In the subsequent step S705, interpolated recording data is created according to the distribution of the recording pixels obtained in step S704 and added to the original recording data. The additional data created here is irregularly present in all pixel regions included in one printing scan, including not only both ends but also the inside thereof.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the density distribution of recording pixels is acquired for each recording scan, and interpolation data having an appropriate position and amount is generated and recorded for each recording scan. As a result, it is possible to interpolate white spots caused by “edge deflection” at appropriate positions in each printing scan.

(Other examples)
In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the recording head 1100 having a relatively large width is used, and the interpolation for the “edge portion” generated in the recording element arrays C1 and M1 is performed at a relatively long distance. SC2 and SM2. This is because it is considered that the use of the recording element array located at a distance is less likely to be affected by the air flow that occurs in the recording element array C1 and the recording element array M1 and causes “end-to-end”. It is. However, the present invention is not limited to applying the recording head having such a configuration. The effect of the present invention can be obtained even when a recording head having a smaller and simpler configuration is applied.

  FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of a smaller recording head applicable to the present invention. The recording head 1101 has a cyan large recording element array only for C1, a small recording element array only for SC1 arranged next to C1, a magenta large recording element array for only M1, and a small recording element array for M1. It is only SM1 arranged in. In such a configuration, if the distance between the recording element array C1 and the recording element array SC1 is too short, the ink droplets ejected from the recording element array SC1 are affected by the airflow generated in the recording element array C1. There is a risk of causing a shift. Therefore, when the recording head 1101 shown in FIG. 9 is applied, it is preferable that the distance L between the recording element arrays C1 and SC1 and the recording element arrays M1 and SM1 is maintained so as not to be affected by the airflow. . Alternatively, the recording head drive frequency may be controlled so as to generate only an airflow that does not affect the recording element arrays SC1 and SM1 corresponding to the predetermined L.

  FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram for explaining the recording state when the recording head 1101 is used in comparison with FIG. 1 or FIG. 5, and shows a case where a uniform cyan image is recorded. In the figure, recording is performed using both the large recording element array C1 and the small recording element array SC1 adjacent thereto. In the recording of only C1, as in FIG. 1, the recording width is degenerated as the recording scanning proceeds. However, by performing interpolation recording corresponding to the portion where the landing position has been shifted by SC1 following C1, white streaks on the image are eliminated or reduced, and the defect of the image is greatly improved. Here, an example is described in which one recording element at the extreme end on both sides of the SC1 column is used as the recording element for interpolation. However, in actuality, In consideration of the ejection amount of the SC1 row and the printing element arrangement pitch, an appropriate number of printing elements may be used depending on the situation.

  However, the above-described conditions of L and drive frequency are required when interpolating the “edge portion” generated in a certain printing scan within the same printing scan, and are different as described in the first embodiment. This is not the case when correction is performed by recording scanning.

  Further, in the above embodiments, the description has been made with the configuration in which the same recording head has two types of recording element arrays, the large recording element array and the small recording element array. It is not limited to a simple configuration. Hereinafter, a configuration example of a recording head having a plurality of recording element arrays that eject the same amount of ink droplets for the same ink color will be briefly described.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a recording head provided with four recording element arrays (SC1, SC2, SC3, SC4) per color for ejecting a relatively small amount of ink droplets. In the drawing, the arrangement is such that the ejection openings face each other so that the ink droplets ejected from the ejection openings of each printing element array can land on the same position of the recording medium. In the case of a recording head having such a configuration, by applying a mask pattern complementary to each other in each printing element array, one printing scan can be performed without performing multi-pass printing as described in the problem section. Can obtain the same effect as multi-pass recording. In the figure, a yellow (Y) printing element array is centered, a magenta printing element array is arranged on both sides of the yellow (Y) printing element array, and a cyan printing element array is arranged on the outer side. With such a configuration, the recording medium is always cyan → magenta → yellow → magenta regardless of whether recording is performed while moving and scanning in the right direction or recording is performed while moving in the left direction. → Color ink is recorded in the order of cyan. In ink-jet recording, the difference in the ink ejection order with respect to the recording medium when reciprocal recording is performed causes an image detrimental effect such as reciprocal color unevenness. Therefore, by arranging the ink ejection order on the recording medium in the forward scanning and the backward scanning as described above, an effect of reducing the reciprocal color unevenness can be obtained. In this case, any recording element array may interpolate the “end edge” generated in each recording element array. The present invention is effective if it is appropriately selected and controlled in accordance with the arrangement interval of each printing element array, the drive frequency, and the occurrence state of “end edge”.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a recording head provided with four recording element arrays (C1, C2, C3, C4) per color for ejecting a relatively large amount of ink droplets. In the figure, adjacent printing element arrays (for example, C1 and C2) are arranged with their ejection port positions shifted from each other. That is, by using C1 and C2, recording can be performed at a pitch twice the arrangement pitch of each recording element array. However, C1 and C3, and C2 and C4 are arranged so that their discharge ports face each other so that they can land at the same position on the recording medium, and the yellow (Y) printing element array The configuration and effects in which the recording element arrays are arranged in the order of magenta and cyan on both sides of the center are the same as those in FIG. Also in the case of FIG. 12, the combination of the recording element arrays to be interpolated is not limited. However, for example, a combination having an arrangement configuration in which the discharge ports face each other, such as C3 with respect to C1, enables more accurate interpolation.

  As in some of the recording heads described above, a configuration having a plurality of recording element arrays having the same discharge amount, a configuration in which the adjacent recording element arrays face each other, and an ejection port in the adjacent recording element array The present invention can be applied to any configuration such as a configuration deviating from each other and a configuration combining them.

It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating "an end part". 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining an internal configuration of an ink jet recording apparatus applicable to the present invention. FIG. 4 is a perspective view for explaining a configuration of a recording head cartridge. FIG. 5 is a plan view for explaining an ejection port array of a recording head applied in an embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the recording state in the Example of this invention, comparing with FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining a configuration of a control system of an ink jet recording apparatus applied in an embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating an example of the recording process which CPU performs when recording. (A) And (b) is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the recording state in the Example of this invention, comparing with FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration example of a small recording head applicable to the present invention. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram for explaining a recording state when a recording head is used, in comparison with FIG. 1 or FIG. 5. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a recording head including four recording element arrays for ejecting a relatively small amount of ink droplets for each color. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a recording head including four recording element arrays for ejecting a relatively large amount of ink droplets for each color.

Explanation of symbols

601 Host device 602 CPU
603 ROM
604 RAM
605 Recording head driver 607 Carriage motor driver 609 Conveyance motor driver 610 Conveyance motor 611 Recovery system driver 612 Recovery system mechanism 1100 to 1104 Recording head 1200 Tank holder 1300 to 1600 Ink tank 2000 Carriage 3000 Housing 4000 Feed mechanism 5000 Recording medium

Claims (7)

Using an inkjet recording head configured by arranging a plurality of recording element arrays in which a plurality of recording elements that discharge ink of the same color are arranged in a predetermined direction in a direction different from the predetermined direction, In an inkjet recording method for forming an image on a recording medium based on:
Counting discharge data on which a plurality of recording elements included in the first recording element array of the plurality of recording element arrays discharge based on the image data;
Based on the value obtained by the counting step, ejection data different from the image data is added to some of the plurality of recording elements included in the second recording element array different from the first recording element array. Process,
A recording step of performing recording by ejecting ink to a recording medium by the first recording element array and the second recording element array;
In the recording step, the second recording element array performs recording in accordance with the ejection data added in the adding step.   When the value obtained in the counting step exceeds a predetermined value, ejection data different from the image data is added to at least one printing element located at both ends of the second printing element array. The inkjet recording method according to claim 1. Based on the counting result in the counting step, a recording element having a high density of ejection data among the recording elements arranged in the first recording element array is determined;
In the adding step, among the recording elements included in the second recording element array, ejection data different from the image data is applied to recording elements corresponding to both sides of the recording element determined to have a high density of ejection data. The inkjet recording method according to claim 1, wherein: is added.   4. The amount of ink ejected by a recording element included in the second recording element array is smaller than the amount of ink ejected by a recording element included in the first recording element array. The inkjet recording method according to any one of the above.   The inkjet recording according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein an image is formed on a recording medium using an inkjet recording head having the first recording element array and the second recording element array for a plurality of ink colors. Method.   The ink jet recording method includes a recording scan in which the ink jet recording head ejects ink while moving and scanning in a direction different from a direction in which the plurality of recording elements are arranged, and a recording medium is disposed in a direction intersecting the recording scan. A recording method in which an image is formed on the recording medium by alternately repeating a sub-scan that conveys a fixed amount, and an ejection operation based on ejection data of the first recording element array, 6. The ink jet recording method according to claim 1, wherein the ejection operation based on the ejection data is performed by the same recording scan. Using an inkjet recording head configured by arranging a plurality of recording element arrays in which a plurality of recording elements that discharge ink of the same color are arranged in a predetermined direction in a direction different from the predetermined direction, In an inkjet recording apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium based on
Means for counting ejection data on which a plurality of recording elements included in the first recording element array of the plurality of recording element arrays perform ejection based on the image data;
Based on the value obtained by the counting step, ejection data different from the image data is added to some of the plurality of recording elements included in the second recording element array different from the first recording element array. Additional means;
In the recording on the recording medium by the first recording element array and the second recording element array, the second recording element array records according to the ejection data after being added by the adding means. An ink jet recording apparatus characterized in that

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