JPH10181018A - Recording method and apparatus therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To shorten a driving time for a predetermined recording element for recording by preheating a recording element to be used for next recording during a recording operation using the other recording element. SOLUTION: A preheat signal output from a preheat generation part 402 is selected by a preheat selector 407, thereby feeding electricity preliminarily to heat-generating elements selected according to BE, ODD, EVEN signals output from a block signal generation part 408. A delay part 103 outputs BE', ODD', EVEN' signals delayed by a cycle T of the preheat signal (and a main heat signal). Heat-generating elements selected by the delay signal are driven with a timing of the main heat signal, so that images corresponding to image data are recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a recording method for recording an image on a recording medium by driving a recording head having a plurality of recording elements in accordance with image data, and an apparatus therefor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In thermal recording or thermal transfer recording using a thermal head, when recording is performed by energizing a heating element (heating resistor) based on image data, recording is performed immediately before the main heat signal. In general, a preheating drive is performed in which a minute pulse that is not actually recorded is applied to preheat the heating element.

In a line-type thermal head or the like having many such heating elements, a so-called block drive in which the heating elements are divided into a plurality of blocks and energized for each block to drive them in a time-division manner. Is being done.

When a plurality of heating elements are driven and recorded in a time-division manner as described above, first, a block of a heating element for which preheating operation and actual recording are performed is selected by a block selection signal. A preheat signal or a main heat signal for recording is applied to the heating element of the selected block to perform temperature control and recording.

[0005]

For this reason, in the above conventional example, the temperature control operation by the preheating and the recording operation by the main heating signal are performed on the same heating element selected by a block selection signal or the like. For this reason, when recording is performed by driving an arbitrary heating element, the heating element is selected, a pre-heat signal is output, and then a period of time from the output of the pre-heat signal to the output of the main heat signal is waited. A control for outputting a main heat signal in accordance with an image signal has to be performed, and the recording operation cannot be performed at high speed. Such a problem is not limited to a thermal recording method using a thermal head, but also occurs, for example, in an ink jet printer device that performs recording by discharging ink droplets by heating.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional example, and a recording element to be used for the next recording is preheated during a recording operation using another recording element, so that a predetermined recording element can be controlled. It is an object of the present invention to provide a recording method and a recording apparatus capable of recording with a reduced driving time.

Another object of the present invention is to separate a block selection signal for outputting a main pulse signal and a block selection signal for outputting a preheating signal, for example, during a recording operation by a preceding recording element block, for a next recording element. An object of the present invention is to provide a recording method and apparatus capable of performing high-speed recording by shortening the time required for recording in one recording element block by performing preheating on a block.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, a recording apparatus according to the present invention has the following arrangement. That is, a recording apparatus for recording an image on a recording medium by driving a recording head having a plurality of recording elements in accordance with image data, for pre-energizing the recording head before recording by the recording head. A pre-pulse signal generating means for generating a pre-pulse signal; a main pulse signal generating means for generating a main pulse signal for causing the recording head to perform recording; and a pre-energized recording element among the plurality of recording elements. Selection signal generation means for generating a first selection signal to be selected, delay means for generating a second selection signal obtained by delaying the selection signal by a predetermined time, and generation of the pre-pulse signal in response to the first selection signal Means for outputting a pre-pulse signal from the means to the recording head to perform preliminary energization; and generating the main pulse signal in response to the second selection signal. And a current recording means for performing recording in accordance with image data and outputs the main pulse signal from the means to the recording head.

To achieve the above object, the recording method of the present invention comprises the following steps. That is, a recording method for recording an image on a recording medium by driving a recording head having a plurality of recording elements according to image data, wherein a pre-energization of the recording head is performed before recording by the recording head. A pre-pulse signal generating step of generating a pre-pulse signal; a main pulse signal generating step of generating a main pulse signal for performing recording by the recording head; and a pre-energized recording element among the plurality of recording elements. A selection signal generation step of generating a first selection signal to be selected, a delay step of generating a second selection signal obtained by delaying the selection signal by a predetermined time, and the generation of the pre-pulse signal in response to the first selection signal Means for outputting a pre-pulse signal from the means to the recording head to perform pre-energization, and generating the main pulse signal in response to the second selection signal. And a current recording step of performing recording in accordance with image data and outputs the main pulse signal from the means to the recording head.

[0010]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Embodiment 1 Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Before describing the features of the ink jet printer of this embodiment, the structure of the ink jet printer of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

In FIG. 3, IJC is a recording head (FIG. 4).
104), which is integrally formed with the carriage 30 of the ink jet printer apparatus IJRA according to the present embodiment, and is detachably mounted in a predetermined manner. One or more ink-jet cartridges IJC can be provided according to the type of ink or the like to be used. The ink-jet cartridge IJC includes the recording head (ink-jet head) of the present embodiment, an ink tank, and an ink sensor for detecting the remaining amount of ink.

The recording head 104 is supplied with an ejection signal and various control signals corresponding to the recording data from a data supply source via a cable 29 and terminals connected thereto. The carriage 30 is connected to a part of a driving belt 33 that transmits the driving force of the driving (carriage) motor 8 and includes two guide shafts 3 arranged in parallel with each other.
By making it slidable with respect to 1A and 31B, IJ
C (recording head) can reciprocate over the entire width of the recording member. By controlling the relative movement between the carriage 30 and the recording member by inputting a predetermined recording signal, recording of the recording paper sent from the paper supply unit 34 onto the platen 35 by rotation of the transport motor 10 is performed. A desired recorded image is formed on the surface.

Reference numeral 32 denotes a head recovery device, which is provided at one end of the moving path of the recording head, for example, at a position facing the home position. Motor 1 via electric mechanism 36
The head recovery device 32 is operated by the driving force of No. 3 to cap the recording head. In connection with the capping of the recording head by the cap portion 32A of the head recovery device 32, ink suction by an appropriate suction means provided in the head recovery device 32 or appropriate pressurization provided in an ink supply path to the recording head. By performing pressure feeding by means and forcibly discharging the ink of the recording head from the discharge port, a discharge recovery process such as removing the thickened ink in the liquid path is performed. Also, by performing capping at the end of recording or the like, drying of the ink in the recording head is prevented.

Reference numeral 37 denotes a blade disposed on the side surface of the head recovery device 32 and formed of silicon rubber as a wiping member. The blade 37 is held in a cantilever form by a blade holding member 37A, and is operated by the motor 13 and the electric mechanism 36, like the head recovery device 32, to be able to engage with the ink ejection surface of the recording head.
Thus, at an appropriate timing in the recording operation of the recording head or at the time of ejection recovery using the head recovery device 32, the blade 37 is protruded into the moving path of the recording head, and the recording head moves along with the recording head moving operation. Wipe off condensation, wetness, dust, etc. on the discharge surface.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a schematic functional configuration of the ink jet printer of the present embodiment. In FIG. 4, the same reference numerals are used to designate portions common to the configuration shown in FIG. 3, and a description thereof is omitted.

In FIG. 4, reference numeral 101 denotes a control unit, for example, a CPU 110 such as a microprocessor, a program memory 111 which stores a control program executed by the CPU 110 and various data, and a work area when the CPU 110 executes various control processes. R used as
An AM 112 and the like are provided to control the operation of the entire inkjet printer of the present embodiment. 10
2 and 103 are controlled by an instruction from the control unit 101.
Each of the carriage motors 8 is a motor driver for rotatingly driving the transport motor 10 for transporting the recording paper. The recording head 104 includes a heater unit 411 including a heating element and a driver circuit (transistor) thereof.
(See FIG. 1), and is a recording head that performs recording by heating ink from an ink tank to eject ink droplets. Reference numeral 120 denotes an input unit for inputting image data to be recorded and various control signals.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main part of an ink jet printer according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It should be noted that the recording head 104 of FIG. 4 described above includes at least the shift register 101 and the latch circuit 40 of FIG.
5,406, selector 407, decoders 101 and 102
And an AND circuit and a heater unit 411.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 401 denotes a main heat generator, which receives a START signal and receives a heater 411;
To generate a main heat signal (MHEAT) for energizing and driving the heating elements (heaters: H0 to H127) for a predetermined period of time to generate a 2-input AND circuit (AND0 to AND12).
7). Reference numeral 402 denotes a preheat generation unit which outputs four types of preheat signals (PHEAT) for heating the heating elements of the heater unit 411 to such an extent that recording is not performed. A data transfer unit 403 transfers the serial recording data (DATA) and the preheat selection signal to the shift register 404 in synchronization with the shift clock (CLK). Reference numeral 405 denotes an image data latch unit which latches parallel recording data output from the shift register 404 in synchronization with a data latch signal (DLAT) from the block signal generation unit 408.

Reference numeral 406 denotes a preheat selection signal latch unit.
The preheat selection signal latched in the shift register 404 is latched in synchronization with the BLAT signal. Thus, a preheating signal can be selected for each heating element of the heater section 411 and preheating (preheating) can be performed.
Reference numeral 407 denotes a preheat selector, and a selection signal latch 406
In response to the preheat selection signal latched by the preheat generation unit 402, one of the four types of preheat signals (PREHEAT) input from the preheat generation unit 402 is selected and output. Reference numeral 408 denotes a block signal generation unit which receives a START signal, drives ODD and EVEN signals for driving odd-numbered or even-numbered heating elements of the recording head, and a heating element of a heater unit 411 composed of eight blocks. 3-bit BE signal for selecting each block of the shift register 40
A DLAT signal for latching the image (recording) data of No. 4 in the latch circuit 405 is generated and output.

Reference numeral 101 denotes a 3-8 decoder which applies the preheat signal selected by the preheat selector 407 to the block of the heating element selected by the BE signal in a time division manner. That is, the 3-bit BE signal output from the block signal generator 408 is decoded to generate an 8-bit block enable signal. This block enable signal is input to the subsequent 128 three-input AND circuits, and among these 128 AND circuits, 3AND0
~ 15,3AND16 ~ 31,3AND32 ~ 47,3
AND48-63, 3AND64-79, 3AND80
~ 95, 3AND96 ~ 111 and 3AND112 ~ 1
By inputting each bit of an 8-bit block enable signal to each of the 27 elements, 128 heating elements are divided and preheat driving is performed.

128 three-input AND circuits (3 AND0
To 3 AND 127) will be described. To one of the three inputs, one bit is input to the above-described block enable signal in common for every 16 AND circuits. To the next input, the preheat signal selected by the preheat selector 407 is commonly input as one bit for every four AND circuits. The third input includes the ODD signal output from the block signal generation unit 408 or the EVEN signal.
Signals are alternately input from the smaller number (3AND0). Thus, the preheat signal selected by the block enable signal and the ODD / EVEN signal output from the 3-8 decoder 101 is output to a subsequent circuit. Thus, the 3AND circuit (3A
The preheat signal output from the ND0 to 3AND127) is sent to the heater unit 411 through the OR circuit (OR0 to OR127), and the corresponding transistor (TR) in the heater unit 411 is turned on. The connected heating element (H) is energized and heated to perform a preheating operation.

With the above operation, the heater section 411
Eight heating elements (heaters) are provided by the block signal generation unit 40.
The blocks are divided into 16 blocks by the BE signal and the ODD and EVEN signals output from 8 and the preheating operation is performed in a time-division manner for each block.

Reference numeral 103 denotes a delay unit, and the block signal generation unit 4
08 and the block signals BE and ODD, EV
The EN signal is delayed for a predetermined time, and each of the three bits B
It outputs as E 'signal, ODD', and EVEN 'signal.
The amount of delay by the delay unit 103 is, for example,
1 can be set from the CPU 110 or the like.
The D and EVEN signals are delayed from "1" to "0" (from "0" to "1"), that is, one cycle of the main heat and preheat signals. .

Reference numeral 102 denotes a 3-8 decoder for decoding the main heat signal,
The bit BE 'signal is decoded to generate an 8-bit block enable signal. This 8-bit block enable signal is provided by 128 subsequent 3-input ANDs.
Input to the circuits (3AND128 to 3AND255) and 3AND128 to 143, 3AND144 to 15
9,3 AND 160 to 175,3 AND 176 to 19
1,3 AND 192 to 207, 3 AND 208 to 22
3,3AND224-239,3AND240-255
, One bit of the block enable signal is input. Thereby, the heater section 41
One heating element is divided into eight blocks and driven to generate heat.

A two-input AND circuit (AND0 to AN)
D127), the main heat generation unit 40
The main heat signal (MHEAT) output from 1 is 1
The signals are commonly input to the 28 AND circuits, and the other input receives 128 outputs from the image data latch unit 405 to the corresponding AND circuits (AND0 to AND127). As a result, a two-input AND circuit (AND
0 to AND 127), the main heat signal is output when “1” is set as image (recording) data in the image data latch unit 405, and the main heat signal is output when “0” is set as recording data. The heat signal is masked and no longer output.

A three-input AND circuit (3 AND 128 to 3 A)
ND255), one input terminal has 3-
Each bit of the 8-bit block enable signal output from the 8 decoder 102 is input. The second input terminal is connected to an AND circuit (AND0 to AND12).
The output (image data) of 7) is input, and a delayed ODD 'signal or EVEN' signal is input to a third input terminal. Here, each bit of the 8-bit block enable signal output from the 3-8 decoder 102 is divided into 16 3AND circuits (3AND128 to 3AND).
255), and the ODD 'or EVEN' signal is supplied to a 3 AND circuit (3 AND 128 to 3 AND 25).
5) Connected every other, 64 total 3A
It is connected to the ND circuit. Thus, the 3A selected by the 8-bit block enable signal output from the 3-8 decoder 102 and the ODD '/ EVEN' signal.
In the ND circuit, a main heat signal is output from a gate circuit whose image signal is “1”. Thus 3AND
The main heat signal output from the circuit is an OR circuit (OR
0 to OR 127) to the heater unit 411, and by turning on the corresponding transistor (TR) of the heater unit 411, the corresponding heating element is energized and heated to perform a printing operation.

With the above configuration, the heater section 411
The eight heaters (H0 to H127) are divided into 16 blocks by the BE ′ signal, the ODD ′, and the EVEN ′ signal output from the delay unit 103, and the blocks are time-divisionally driven to perform a printing operation. .

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the timing of a recording operation in the recording head shown in FIG. For the sake of simplicity, all the image data latched by the image data latch circuit 405 (this image data is assumed to be latched in advance by the DLAT signal before the timing shown in FIG. 2) "1" (recording by all elements). Also, in FIG. 2, the BE signal output from the block signal generation unit 408 and the ODD and EVEN signals
The time interval during which the block enable signal is output from the 3-8 decoder 101 is represented by T, and the time over which the recording time by all the elements is controlled for 16 minutes is indicated by areas 0 to 15, respectively. Times divided by 16 by the BE ′ signal, the ODD ′, and the EVEN ′ signal output from the delay unit 103 are indicated by areas 0 ′ to 15 ′, respectively.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 201 denotes a preheat signal output from the preheat generator 402. The preheat signal is output in four types, one of which is shown here. Reference numeral 202 denotes a main heat pulse output from the main heat generation unit 401. Reference numeral 203 denotes a delay unit 103, which is an ODD 'signal delayed by the period (T), 204 denotes the same delayed EVEN' signal, and 205 to 207 denote block enable signals delayed by the period (T) by the delay unit 103. The signal is shown. Reference numeral 208 denotes a period in which the block enable signal output from the block signal generation unit 408 indicates a “0” block, and reference numeral 209 denotes a period in which the block enable signal output from the block signal generation unit 408 is delayed by the delay unit 103. This shows a period in which the delayed block enable signal indicates the “0” block. Furthermore,
Reference numeral 210 denotes the energization timing of the first block of the heating elements of the heater unit 411, wherein the upper side indicates the energization timing of the odd-numbered heating elements, and the lower side indicates the energization timing of the even-numbered heating elements. Similarly, 211 is the energization timing to the second block, and 212 is the energization timing to the third block.

Hereinafter, description will be made step by step. ST from outside
When the ART signal is input, the recording operation is started in synchronization with the fall of the START signal. In addition, this ST
DATA transmitted after the ART signal is image data recorded in the next cycle.

When the recording operation is started, first, the BE signal from the block signal generator 408 is "000 (selection of the first block 0)" and the ODD signal is "1" (selection of the odd-numbered heating element). (Area 0). In this area 0, a 3-input AND circuit (3AND0 to 3AND) is input by a block enable signal output from the 3-8 decoder 101.
AND15) is selected. Further, when the ODD signal is “1”
, The EVEN signal is “0”, and among these selected three-input AND circuits, even-numbered three-input AND circuits
That is, eight of 3AND0, 2, 4,... 14 are selected,
A preheat signal is output to the heater unit 411 through the OR circuits (OR0, 2, 4,..., 14). Here, in this region 0, the output of the delay unit 103 is an ODD 'signal,
Since both the EVEN 'signal is "0", the main heat signal is not output. The preheat pulse energized by this is indicated by 213.

Next, "0" as an ODD signal, EVEN
“1” (odd-numbered heating element selection) is output as a signal (region 1). In this area 1, as in the case of area 0, 3AND0 to 15 are selected by the block enable signal output from the 3-8 decoder 101. Since the ODD signal is "0" and the EVEN signal is "1", eight of the three-input AND circuits 3, AND1, 3, 5,..., 15 are selected and passed through the OR circuits OR1, 3, 5,. A preheat signal is output to heater section 411.
This is the preheat pulse indicated by 214.

At this time, similarly, in the area 1, the BE ′ signal delayed by the cycle T by the delay section 103 becomes “0”.
00 "and the ODD 'signal is" 1 "
The EN 'signal is output as "0" (area 0'). In this region 0 ', the 3AN of the 3-input AND circuit is output by the block enable signal output from the 3-8 decoder 102.
D128 to D143 are selected. Further, since the ODD 'signal is "1" and the EVEN' signal is "0", three-input A
The even-numbered circuit of the first block of the ND circuit, ie,
.. 142 are selected, and a main heat signal is output to the heater unit 411 via the OR circuit (OR0, 2, 4,... 14) to perform recording. This main heat pulse is indicated by 215.

In the next stage, the BE signal is output as "001 (second block selection)", the ODD signal is "1", and the EVEN signal is "0" from the block signal generator 408 (region 2). ). In this area 2, similarly to the above, the three-input AND circuits 3AND16, 18, 20,
.. 8 (corresponding to the second block) of 30 are selected,
A preheat signal (217) is output to the heater section 411 from ORs 16, 18, 20,... 30 of the OR circuit. At the same time, the BE ′ signal from the delay unit 103 is “000”.
And the ODD 'signal is "0" and the EVEN' signal is "1".
(Area 1 '), thereby selecting eight of the three-input AND circuits 129, 131, 133, and 143. The main heat signal is supplied to the heater unit 411 through the OR circuits OR1, 3, 5,. Is output. This is shown at 216.

In the same manner, preheating is performed for each of the eight heating elements in regions 3, 4, 5,..., And in region 15, 8 of 3ANDs 113, 115, 117,.
, And OR113, 115, 117,... 127
The preheating operation is terminated by outputting a preheating signal from the CPU.

On the other hand, in the recording operation by the main heat signal, the areas 2 ', 3', 4 ',.
And the recording operation is performed for each of the eight heating elements.
At 5 ′, 3ANDs 241, 243, 245,.
55, and OR gates 113 and 11 of the OR circuit are selected.
127, the main heat signal is output, and the recording operation ends.

FIG. 5 shows an ink jet printer of this embodiment.
5 is a flowchart showing a printing process in the printer device.
Only the output processing of image data is shown, omitting control processing parts such as.

First, in step S1, preheat selection data for determining which one of the four types of preheat signals (PREHEAT0-3) output from the preheat generation unit 402 is selected in correspondence with each heating element is output by a clock signal. (CL
The data is transmitted serially to the shift register 404 in synchronization with K), and the BLAT signal is output in step S2, so that the signal is latched by the preheat selection signal latch unit 406.
Next, proceeding to step S3, data of 128 pixels corresponding to the 128 pixels of the recording head is serially transmitted to the shift register 404 in the same manner as in step S1, and the latch signal DLAT is output in step S4. , And latched by the image data latch 405.

Then, the process proceeds to a step S5, wherein the block enable signal BE is set to "000" and outputted, and a step S6 is executed.
To set the ODD signal to "1" and the EVEN signal to "0". As a result, as shown by 213 in FIG. 2 described above, the selected preheat signal is applied to block 0 (the first block).
Are applied to the even-numbered heating elements. Next, step S7
Waits for the time corresponding to the cycle T to elapse,
When the time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S8, in which the ODD signal is set to "0" and the EVEN signal is set to "1" for output. As a result, as shown by 214 in FIG. 2, the odd-numbered heating elements in block 0 are preheated.

At this time, at the same time, the delayed block enable BE 'signal output from the delay unit 103 and the OD
In response to the D 'and EVEN' signals, the even-numbered heating elements in block 0 are energized and driven in accordance with the image data, and recording is performed. This corresponds to 215 in FIG. As shown in the timing chart of FIG. 2, the drive of the odd-numbered heating elements in this block is performed after a lapse of time corresponding to the period T, that is, the ODD 'signal delayed from the delay unit 103 and the EVEN'. It is performed based on the signal.

In step S9, the process waits until the time corresponding to the cycle T elapses. When the time T has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S10, and the number of the next block to be selected is set to "00".
1 "(second block). Hereinafter, step S6
And the same processing is executed, and the block number is set to “00”.
0 ", that is, when the energization of all eight blocks is completed, the process proceeds to step S12, and it is determined whether or not all the printing is completed. Wait for the progress of step S3
To execute the above-described processing.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, while a recording operation is performed by outputting a main heat signal by an arbitrary heating element (recording element), the preheating operation of another recording element is performed. By doing so, the time width (T) required for recording using an arbitrary heating element can be reduced to the time corresponding to the main heat width. Thereby, the speed of the recording operation can be increased.

In the first embodiment, for the sake of simplicity, the delay in the delay unit 103 is set to the time T required for recording in each stage, but the present invention is not limited to this. A similar effect can be obtained by delaying only the time between the rise of the preheat signal and the rise of the main heat signal.

[Second Embodiment] FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the main part of an ink jet printer according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Portions in common with the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals. And its explanation is omitted.

In FIG. 6, the preheat selector 407 is
According to the selection signal latched by the preheat selection signal latch 406, any one (or not) of the plurality of preheat pulse signals output from the preheat generation unit 402 is output. The preheat signal selected in this manner is directly connected in common to four OR circuits (OR0 to OR127) independently of the BE signal, the ODD signal, and the EVEN signal output from the block signal generation unit 408. I have. Therefore, in this case, regardless of the output of the block signal generation unit 408, the preheat generation unit 402
Each time a preheat signal is output from the
0 to OR 127).

On the other hand, a three-input AND circuit (3AND0 to 3AND0)
3AND127) includes a 3-8 decoder 102 and an OD
D signal and EVEN signal are input.
28 heating elements consist of 16 blocks (one block is 8
), And each block is driven in a time-division manner by a main heat signal to perform recording.

With the above configuration, the main heat signal is applied to the heating elements of the selected block in accordance with the image data, recording is performed, and at the timing when the preheat signal is output, the OR circuit (OR0 to 127) All heating elements are simultaneously operated by the preheat signal output from
Alternatively, it is configured to perform a preheating operation in units of a plurality of elements.

[Embodiment 3] FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main part of an ink-jet printer apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. In FIG. The description is omitted.

In FIG. 7, reference numeral 301 denotes an image data latch circuit. Now, when the recording operation by the time-division recording is completed, the DLA
A T signal is output. Accordingly, the image data latch unit 405 latches the image data transferred from the data transfer unit 403 to the shift register 404 and held in the shift register 404 in advance as the next recording data. At the same time, the image data latch unit 301 latches the recording data (recorded data) latched by the image data latch circuit 405 by the previous DLAT signal.

Thereafter, when the START signal is input again, the data transfer unit 403 sends the image data (DATA) to the shift register 404 in synchronization with the clock signal (CLK).
Of the block signal generation unit 408
Output a 3-bit BE signal, ODD signal, and EVEN signal to start the recording operation.

First, the BE signal, the ODD signal, and the EVEN signal output from the block signal generation unit 408 output eight (3 ANDs 0, 2, 4,..., 14) of an even number of one block of a three-input AND circuit. A preheat signal is output from the output of the 3AND circuit. The output preheat signal is a preheat signal output from the preheat generation unit 402 and selected by the preheat selector 407 based on the selection signal latched by the latch 406.

The preheat signals output from these three AND circuits are respectively applied to AND circuits AND128 and AND13.
., 142 are input to one of the input terminals. Further, an inverted signal of the corresponding output (previous recording data) of the image data latch 301 is input to the other input terminal of each of the AND circuits (AND128 to 255), and the output of the image data latch 301 is “ In the case of "1", the preheat signal is masked, and only in the case of "0", the preheat signal is output through the AND circuit, the transistor of the heater section 411 is turned on through the OR circuit, and the heating element is energized to perform the preheating operation. Do.

As described above, since the image data latch 301 has latched the image data recorded by the previous recording operation, the main heat pulse was output and the recording was performed in the immediately preceding recording operation. The heating element is controlled so as not to perform the preheating operation.

FIG. 8 is a timing chart showing the operation timing of the circuit of FIG. However, FIG. 8 shows only the outputs of the OR circuits OR0, OR4, OR6 in FIG. 7 to simplify the description. In the first recording operation (S1) shown in FIG. 8, the outputs of the image data latch 301 are all "0". The image data recorded in the recording operation S1 is previously stored in the shift register 404.
The image data that has been transferred and stored during the recording operation S1 is image data that is recorded in the subsequent recording operation S2.

In FIG. 8, when the START signal is input and the first recording operation S1 is started, the 3-bit BE signal from the block signal generator 408 is "000" and the O
The DD signal is output as “1” and the EVEN signal is output as “0”. As a result, the pre-heat signals are output from the OR circuits (OR 0, 2, 4, 6) as indicated by 80 in FIG. Thereafter, when the ODD signal becomes “0” and the EVEN signal becomes “1”, the BE ′ signal, the ODD ′ signal, and the EVE signal delayed by one cycle T output from the delay unit 103 are output.
In response to the N ′ signal, a main heat signal is output to the heater unit 411 in accordance with the image data latched by the image data latch 405, and recording is performed. Here, according to the image data output from the image data latch unit 405, 2
The input AND circuits (AND0, 2) are both "1", and the two-input AND circuits (AND4, 6) are both "0".
Is output. As a result, 81 in FIG.
As shown by, a main heat signal is output from OR0 and OR2, and recording is performed by energizing the heating elements H0 and H2. On the other hand, the main heat signal is not output to the OR circuit (OR4, 6), and the recording by the heating elements H4, H6 is not performed.

Thereafter, the recording is performed in a time-division manner in the same manner. When the recording of one line (or column) by the 128 heating elements is completed, the block signal generator 408 outputs a DL signal.
The AT signal is output, and the image data to be recorded next (image data transferred to the shift register 404 during the recording operation S1) is latched in the image data latch unit 405. Simultaneously, the image data latch 301 latches the image data recorded in the previous recording operation S1, and the first recording operation S1 ends.

At 82, the START signal is input again, and the second recording operation (S2) is started.
At this time, as in the case of the first recording operation S1, the BE signal from the block signal generation unit 408 is “000” and the OD
The D signal is output as "1" and the EVEN signal is output as "0", and the preheating operation is performed as indicated by 83. Here, the image data latch 301 holds the image data recorded in the previous recording operation S1, and performs the recording operation S1.
"1" from the bit that outputs the main heat signal
, And “0” from the other bits. Therefore, "1" is output as an output corresponding to AND128, 130 (OR0, OR2), and this "1" is inverted by the inverter and AND128, AND13.
Input to 0. Therefore, the preheat signals input to ANDs 128 and 130 are masked, and no preheat signals are output from OR0 and OR2.

On the other hand, ANDs 132 and 134 (OR4, O
The output of the image data latch 301 corresponding to R6) includes:
Since the previous recording data was “0”, “0” is output, and these ANDs 132 and 1 are output by the inverter circuit.
"1" is input to one of the inputs of 34. Thus,
As indicated by reference numeral 83, preheat signals are output from the ANDs 132 and 134, and the heating elements H4 and H6 are preheat-driven through ORs 4 and 6, respectively.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, it is considered that the temperature and the ink temperature are appropriate for the heating elements on which printing was performed in the immediately preceding printing operation. Do not perform the preheating operation. In this way, the control is performed so that the temperatures of all the heating elements and the ink become substantially uniform.

The present invention brings about an excellent effect particularly in a recording head and a recording apparatus using a thermal energy among ink jet recording methods.

The typical configuration and principle are described in, for example, US Pat. Nos. 4,723,129 and 4,740.
It is preferable to use the basic principle disclosed in the specification of Japanese Patent No. 796. This method can be applied to both the so-called on-demand type and continuous type. In particular, in the case of the on-demand type, liquid (ink)
By applying at least one drive signal corresponding to the recorded information and providing a rapid temperature rise exceeding the nucleate boiling to an electrothermal transducer arranged corresponding to the sheet or the liquid path holding the Then, heat energy is generated in the electrothermal transducer, causing film boiling on the heat acting surface of the recording head. As a result, air bubbles in the liquid (ink) can be formed in one-to-one correspondence with the drive signal. It is valid. The liquid (ink) flows through the ejection opening due to the growth and contraction of this bubble.
To form at least one droplet. If the drive signal is formed into a pulse shape, the growth and shrinkage of the bubbles are performed immediately and appropriately.
Discharge can be achieved, which is more preferable.

As the pulse-shaped drive signal, those described in US Pat. Nos. 4,463,359 and 4,345,262 are suitable. Further, if the conditions described in US Pat. No. 4,313,124 relating to the temperature rise rate of the heat acting surface are adopted, more excellent recording can be performed.

As the configuration of the recording head, in addition to the combination of the discharge port, the liquid path, and the electrothermal converter (linear liquid flow path or right-angled liquid flow path) as disclosed in the above-mentioned respective specifications, A configuration using U.S. Pat. No. 4,558,333 or U.S. Pat. No. 4,459,600, which discloses a configuration in which a heat acting surface is arranged in a bent region, is also included in the present invention. In addition, for multiple electrothermal transducers,
JP-A-59-123670 which discloses a configuration in which a common slot is used as a discharge portion of an electrothermal converter, and JP-A-59-123670 which discloses a configuration in which an opening for absorbing a pressure wave of thermal energy corresponds to a discharge portion. The present invention is also effective as a configuration based on JP-A-138461.

Further, as a full-line type recording head having a length corresponding to the width of the maximum recording medium that can be recorded by the recording apparatus, the length is determined by combining a plurality of recording heads as disclosed in the above-mentioned specification. This may be either a configuration satisfying the above requirements or a configuration as a single recording head formed integrally.

In addition, the print head is exchangeable with a print head of a chip type which is electrically connected to the main body of the apparatus and can supply ink from the main body of the apparatus, or is integrated with the print head itself. Alternatively, a cartridge type recording head provided with an ink tank may be used.

It is preferable to add recovery means for the printhead, preliminary auxiliary means, and the like provided as components of the printing apparatus of the present invention, since the effects of the present invention can be further stabilized. . If these are specifically mentioned, capping means for the recording head, cleaning means, pressurizing or suction means, preheating means using an electrothermal transducer or another heating element or a combination thereof, and printing Performing a preliminary ejection mode for performing another ejection is also effective for performing stable printing.

Further, the recording mode of the recording apparatus is not limited to the recording mode of only the mainstream color such as black, but may be a single recording head or a combination of plural recording heads. Alternatively, the apparatus may be provided with at least one of full colors by color mixture.

In the embodiment of the present invention described above, the ink is described as a liquid. However, an ink that solidifies at room temperature or lower, or an ink that softens or liquefies at room temperature may be used. Or, in the ink jet system, the temperature of the ink itself is controlled within the range of 30 ° C. or more and 70 ° C. or less to control the temperature so that the viscosity of the ink is in the stable ejection range. The ink may be in a liquid state at the time of application.

In addition, in order to positively prevent the temperature rise due to thermal energy as energy for changing the state of the ink from the solid state to the liquid state,
Alternatively, in order to prevent evaporation of the ink, an ink which solidifies in a standing state and liquefies by heating may be used. In any case, the application of heat energy causes the ink to be liquefied by application of the heat energy according to the recording signal and the liquid ink to be ejected, or to start to solidify when reaching the recording medium. The present invention is also applicable to a case where an ink having a property of liquefying for the first time is used. In such a case, as described in JP-A-54-56847 or JP-A-60-71260, the ink is held in a liquid state or a solid state in the concave portion or through hole of the porous sheet. It is good also as a form which opposes an electrothermal transducer. In the present invention, the most effective one for each of the above-mentioned inks is to execute the above-mentioned film boiling method.

In addition to the above, the recording apparatus according to the present invention is not only provided as an image output terminal of an information processing apparatus such as a computer, but also integrally or separately, as well as a copying apparatus combined with a reader and the like. It may take the form of a facsimile machine having functions.

Even if the present invention is applied to a system including a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, etc.), an apparatus including one device (for example, a copying machine, a facsimile, etc.) Device).

Further, an object of the present invention is to provide a storage medium storing a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or an apparatus, and to provide a computer (or CPU) of the system or apparatus.
Or MPU) reads and executes the program code stored in the storage medium.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD
-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.

When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the OS (Operating System) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. ) Performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instruction of the program code, The case where the CPU of the function expansion board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by the processing.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the block that outputs the main heat signal and the block that outputs the preheat signal are separated, and the preheating operation of another block is performed during the recording operation of an arbitrary block. As a result, the time required for one block can be reduced to the time required for the main heat, and the speed of the recording operation can be increased.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the preheating drive is performed on the heating elements other than the heating element that was energized for the previous recording, so that the temperatures of all the heating elements or the heating elements The ink density in the vicinity can be kept substantially uniform.

[0080]

As described above, according to the present invention, a recording element to be used for the next recording is pre-heated during a recording operation using another recording element, thereby driving a predetermined recording element. You can save time and record.

According to the present invention, a block selection signal for outputting a main pulse signal and a block selection signal for outputting a preheating signal are separately provided, for example, during a recording operation by a preceding recording element block, a recording element of a next stage is used. By performing preheating on the block, there is an effect that the time required for recording in one recording element block can be reduced and high-speed recording can be performed.

[0082]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a main part of an inkjet printer device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing operation timings in the block diagram of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a mechanism of the inkjet printer according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an inkjet printer according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a recording process in the ink jet printer of the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a main part of an inkjet printer according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main part of an inkjet printer according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a timing chart showing the timing of FIG. 7;

[Explanation of symbols]

 101, 102 Decoder 103 Delay unit 401 Main heat generation unit 402 Preheat generation unit 403 Data transfer unit 404 Shift register 405 Image data latch 406 Preheat selection signal latch 407 Preheat selector 408 Block signal generation unit 411 Heater unit

Claims (19)

[Claims] 1. A recording apparatus for recording an image on a recording medium by driving a recording head having a plurality of recording elements according to image data, wherein a pre-energization of the recording head is performed before recording by the recording head. A pre-pulse signal generating means for generating a pre-pulse signal for performing recording; a main pulse signal generating means for generating a main pulse signal for causing the recording head to perform recording; and the pre-energization among the plurality of recording elements. Selection signal generation means for generating a first selection signal for selecting a recording element; delay means for generating a second selection signal obtained by delaying the selection signal for a predetermined time; Means for outputting a pre-pulse signal from a pre-pulse signal generating means to the recording head to perform pre-energization; A recording device which outputs a main pulse signal from a loose signal generation unit to the recording head and performs recording in accordance with image data. 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first selection signal includes at least a block selection signal for dividing the plurality of recording elements into a plurality of blocks. 3. The recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the first selection signal further includes an odd / even signal for selecting an odd-numbered and an even-numbered recording element among a plurality of recording elements selected by the block selection signal. 3. The recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: 4. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined time delayed by the delay unit is at least a time longer than a pulse width of the main pulse signal. 5. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the periods of the pre-pulse signal and the main pulse signal correspond to the predetermined time delayed by the delay unit. 6. A pre-pulse signal generating means for generating a plurality of pre-pulse signals each having a different pulse width, and holding means for holding selection information for selecting the pre-pulse signal corresponding to each of the plurality of recording elements. And a means for selecting and outputting a pre-pulse signal corresponding to a recording element to be applied from the plurality of pre-pulse signals in accordance with the selection information held in the holding means. 2. The recording device according to 1. 7. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the means for performing the pre-energization further includes means for prohibiting the pre-energization to the recording element which has output the main pulse last time. 8. A recording apparatus for recording an image on a recording medium by driving a recording head having a plurality of recording elements according to image data, wherein a pre-energization of the recording head is performed before recording by the recording head. A pre-pulse signal generating means for generating a pre-pulse signal for performing recording; a main pulse signal generating means for generating a main pulse signal for causing the recording head to perform recording; and a pre-pulse signal generated from the pre-pulse signal generating means. Preliminary energizing means for outputting to the recording head and performing pre-energization, and energizing recording means for outputting a main pulse signal from the main pulse signal generating means to the recording head and performing recording in accordance with image data. A recording device characterized by the above-mentioned. 9. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording head is an inkjet recording head that performs recording by discharging ink. 10. The recording head according to claim 1, wherein the recording head ejects ink by using thermal energy, and includes a thermal energy converter for generating thermal energy to be applied to the ink. Item 10. The recording device according to Item 9. 11. A recording method for recording an image on a recording medium by driving a recording head having a plurality of recording elements in accordance with image data, wherein pre-energizing the recording head before recording by the recording head. A pre-pulse signal generating step of generating a pre-pulse signal for performing recording; a main pulse signal generating step of generating a main pulse signal for causing the recording head to perform recording; A selection signal generation step of generating a first selection signal for selecting a recording element; a delay step of generating a second selection signal obtained by delaying the selection signal by a predetermined time; Outputting a pre-pulse signal from a pre-pulse signal generation means to the recording head to perform pre-energization; A current recording step of outputting a main pulse signal from a pulse signal generating means to the recording head to perform recording according to image data. 12. The recording method according to claim 11, wherein the first selection signal includes at least a block selection signal for dividing the plurality of recording elements into a plurality of blocks. 13. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first selection signal further includes an odd / even signal for selecting an odd-numbered and an even-numbered recording element among a plurality of recording elements selected by the block selection signal. The recording method according to claim 12, wherein: 14. The recording method according to claim 11, wherein the predetermined time delayed in the delaying step is at least a time longer than a pulse width of the main pulse signal. 15. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the cycles of the pre-pulse signal and the main pulse signal correspond to the predetermined time delayed in the delaying step.
Or the recording method according to 14. 16. A holding step of generating a plurality of pre-pulse signals having different pulse widths in the pre-pulse signal generating step, and holding selection information for selecting the pre-pulse signal corresponding to each of the plurality of recording elements. And a step of selecting and outputting a pre-pulse signal corresponding to a recording element to be applied from the plurality of pre-pulse signals in accordance with the selection information held in the holding step. Item 12. The recording method according to Item 11. 17. The recording method according to claim 11, wherein, in the step of performing the pre-energization, the pre-energization to the recording element that previously output the main pulse is prohibited. 18. The recording method according to claim 11, wherein the recording head is an ink jet recording head that performs recording by discharging ink. 19. The recording head according to claim 1, wherein the recording head ejects ink by using thermal energy, and includes a thermal energy converter for generating thermal energy to be applied to the ink. Item 19. The recording method according to Item 18.