Image recording device, control method and program

Abstract

To provide a technique for preventing degradation of a quality of recorded articles in accordance with switching of a cassette during recording.SOLUTION: An image recording device includes recording means in which a plurality of recording elements for imparting a recording material are aligned in an arrangement direction crossing a conveyance direction of conveying a recording medium, and a plurality of cassettes for holding the recording medium for recording an image by the recording means, acquires positional information on deviation of a recording position of the fed recording medium in a direction crossing the conveyance direction for each of the plurality of cassettes, acquires correction information on variation of an imparting amount of recording materials of each of recording element groups including at least one recording element, corrects an amount of the recording material imparted to a unit region on the recording medium from the plurality of recording elements on the basis of the correction information, selects a cassette of a paper feeding source among the plurality of cassettes on the basis of the positional information and the correction information of every plurality of cassettes, and switches the cassette of the paper feeding source to the selected cassette in image recording.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 12

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus including a plurality of cassettes, a control method, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, image recording apparatuses such as inkjet printers have been known. The image recording apparatus shown in FIG. 1 includes a recording head 8 having ejection ports arranged in an array for ejecting ink respectively. A recording medium S is conveyed by a conveyance roller 7 below the recording head, and recording is performed by ejecting ink from the ejection ports. In such an inkjet image recording apparatus, the amount of ink ejected onto the recording medium varies due to variations in the manufacture of the ejection ports for ejecting ink. This causes density unevenness in the recorded matter output. A method of performing image processing for correcting this density unevenness has been proposed.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes the following technique. Correction data for correcting the density characteristics of each ejection port calculated based on a pattern formed on a recording medium by ejecting ink from each ejection port of a recording head is obtained. A correction RAM that stores data at addresses corresponding to each ejection port and a counter that holds an address corresponding to image data sequentially input corresponding to each ejection port are provided. It is described that the address generated by the counter is input to the correction RAM, and the image data sequentially input corresponding to each ejection port is corrected based on the correction data of each ejection port stored in the correction RAM. Thereby, it becomes possible to perform comprehensive density correction including the characteristics of the ejection ports.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Recording devices are known that can hold multiple cassettes and insert recording media into them. Furthermore, if a cassette runs out of recording media, the device can switch to another cassette for recording. This is called an auto-cassette change function.

[0006] On the other hand, because there is variation in the position of the recording medium being transported for each of the multiple cassettes, there is a possibility that the desired image may not be recorded on the recording medium.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide an image recording device that can record images while taking into account variations in the transport position of each cassette. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To solve the above-mentioned problems, the image recording device according to the present invention is A recording means comprising multiple recording elements for imparting recording material, arranged in an array direction intersecting the transport direction in which the recording medium is transported, Multiple cassettes holding recording media for recording images by the recording means, For each of the plurality of cassettes, a first acquisition means acquires positional information relating to the displacement of the recording position of the fed recording medium in a direction intersecting the transport direction, A second acquisition means for acquiring correction information regarding the variation in the amount of recording material applied to each recording element group, which includes at least one recording element, A correction means for correcting the amount of recording material applied to a unit area on a recording medium from the plurality of recording elements based on the correction information acquired by the second acquisition means, A selection means for selecting the paper source cassette from among the plurality of cassettes based on the position information for each of the plurality of cassettes acquired by the first acquisition means and the correction information acquired by the second acquisition means, In recording images, a switching means is provided to switch the paper source cassette to the cassette selected by the selection means, It is characterized by having the following features. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image recording device that can record images desired by the user, taking into account variations in the transport position of each cassette. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This figure schematically shows an inkjet-type image recording device according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] This figure shows the recording system according to this embodiment. [Figure 3] Block diagram showing the configuration of the image processing performed by the image recording device according to this embodiment. [Figure 4] (a) and (b) are diagrams illustrating the dot arrangement pattern of recording heads with equal ejection volume. [Figure 5] (a) and (b) are diagrams illustrating the dot arrangement patterns of recording heads with different ejection volumes. [Figure 6] (a) and (b) are diagrams illustrating the dot arrangement pattern after HS processing on the recording head in Figure 5. [Figure 7] Flowchart of the automatic cassette change function [Figure 8] A schematic diagram showing how the recording position is changed according to the location information of the recording medium for each cassette. [Figure 9] Diagram showing the relationship between the recording head, correction information, and recording medium. [Figure 10] (a) to (c) are flowcharts for generating correction information. [Figure 11] A schematic diagram illustrating the density unevenness that occurs when an automatic cassette change occurs. [Figure 12] A schematic diagram illustrating a cassette switching method that takes automatic cassette changing into consideration. [Figure 13] A schematic diagram illustrating a cassette switching method that takes into account multiple automatic cassette changes.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the present invention according to the claims, and not all combinations of the features described in this embodiment are essential for the solution means of the present invention.

[0012] <First Embodiment> Hereinafter, the first embodiment will be described. Although the following description is made assuming image processing inside the main body of an image recording apparatus (printer), it is merely shown as one form of the embodiment, and the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments.

[0013] Note that in this embodiment, an image recording apparatus of a so-called inkjet method that discharges ink as a recording material will be described, but the present invention is not limited to this. The method of applying the recording material is not limited to the inkjet method, and the recording element does not have to be a discharge element. Also, although paper is used as the recording medium for explanation, the present invention is not limited to this.

[0014] The image recording apparatus according to this embodiment has a plurality of cassettes for paper feeding. Here, in each cassette of the image recording apparatus 1 that holds a plurality of cassettes, variations in mechanical accuracy may occur. The cassette can be set with recording media of various sizes, and there is a guide for aligning the size of the recording media to a specified position when each recording media is set. The guide has some margin in consideration of variations in the cutting of the recording media and the like, and errors occur due to variations during manufacturing. Specifically, a deviation of several millimeters in the y direction shown in FIG. 1 occurs. For this reason, a bias may occur in the left and right margin amounts of the recorded matter, or the recording may protrude from the recording medium.

[0015] To prevent this, there is a function to set an adjustment value for the recording medium position for each cassette. This adjustment value will be referred to as the recording medium position adjustment value below. The position adjustment value is the amount of deviation in the y-direction from the center position of the recording medium, which takes into account predetermined variations in mechanical precision. By changing the ejection port position where the recorded data is recorded, taking this position adjustment value into consideration, the deviation in the y-direction of the recording area can be corrected.

[0016] As mentioned earlier, it is necessary to perform density unevenness correction to compensate for variations in the amount of ink ejected, and this correction is performed for each group of ejection nozzles. Therefore, it is necessary to match the position of the ejection nozzle with the ejected position in the image data.

[0017] If the cassette to be recorded on is predetermined, it is possible to generate density unevenness correction data that takes into account variations in the cassettes. However, as mentioned above, the image recording device stores the quantized data after density unevenness correction. Therefore, if the auto cassette change function is activated and the cassette is changed during recording, the recording data will be density corrected considering the positional shift of the cassette before the change. As a result, depending on the positional shift of the recording media between the cassette before the change and the cassette after the change, the relationship between the ejection port position and the position on the image data used to correct density unevenness may be misaligned, resulting in incorrect correction and a decrease in the quality of the recorded material. The following describes a recording device that records images while taking into account the positional shift of the recording media between the cassette before the change and the cassette after the change.

[0018] (Description of an inkjet recording device) Figure 1(a) is an internal configuration diagram of the inkjet-type image recording device 1 (hereinafter referred to as "recording device 1") according to this embodiment. In Figure 1(a), the x direction (horizontal direction of the paper surface) is the transport direction of the recording medium, the y direction (vertical direction of the paper surface) is the arrangement direction in which the ejection ports of the recording head 8, which will be described later, are arranged and are perpendicular to the transport direction of the recording medium, and the z direction is the vertical direction. In this embodiment, the recording device 1 will be described assuming that the arrangement direction is perpendicular to the transport direction, but any intersecting direction is acceptable.

[0019] The recording device 1 is a multifunction device comprising a recording unit 2 and a scanner unit 3, and various processes related to recording and reading operations can be performed individually or in conjunction between the recording unit 2 and the scanner unit 3. The scanner unit 3 is equipped with an ADF (Automatic Document Feeder) and an FBS (Flatbed Scanner), and can read documents automatically fed by the ADF and read (scan) documents placed on the FBS platen by the user. In this embodiment, the recording device 1 is described as a multifunction device comprising a recording unit 2 and a scanner unit 3, but it is not necessary to include a scanner unit 3.

[0020] In the recording unit 2, a first cassette 5A and a second cassette 5B (hereinafter sometimes referred to simply as cassette 5) for housing recording media (paper such as cut sheets) S are detachably installed at the bottom of the housing 4 in the vertical direction. The first cassette 5A is shown to contain relatively small recording media up to A4 size, and the second cassette 5B contains relatively large recording media up to A3 size, both stacked flat. In this embodiment, both the first cassette 5A and the second cassette 5B are assumed to contain A4 size recording media.

[0021] In this embodiment, the number of paper feed cassettes is described as being two, but a configuration of three or more cassettes is also possible. Near the first cassette 5A, a first feeding unit 6A is provided for separating and feeding the contained recording media one by one. Similarly, near the second cassette 5B, a second feeding unit 6B is provided. When a recording operation is performed, the recording media S is fed using either cassette as the paper feed source, and an image is recorded from the recording head 8 onto the fed recording media.

[0022] The transport roller 7, discharge roller 12, pinch roller 7a, spur 7b, guide 18, inner guide 19, and flapper 11 constitute a transport mechanism for guiding the recording medium S in a predetermined direction. The transport roller 7 is located upstream of the recording head 8 and is a driven roller driven by a transport motor (not shown). The pinch roller 7a is a driven roller that nips and rotates the recording medium S together with the transport roller 7. The discharge roller 12 is located downstream of the recording head 8 and is a driven roller driven by a transport motor (not shown). The spur 7b grips and transports the recording medium S together with the discharge roller 12.

[0023] Guide 18 is provided in the transport path of the recording medium S and guides the recording medium S in a predetermined direction. Inner guide 19 is a member that extends in the y direction and has a curved side surface, which guides the recording medium S along this side surface. Flapper 11 is a member that switches the direction in which the recording medium S is transported during double-sided recording. Discharge tray 13 is a tray for stacking and holding the recording medium S that has been discharged by the discharge roller 12 after the recording operation is completed.

[0024] Next, Figure 1(b) shows the positional relationship between the recording head 8 and the recording medium S. Each of the recording heads 8 has a row of ejection ports (recording elements) arranged at a pitch of 1200 dpi in the x direction (a predetermined direction), each ejecting the same type of ink corresponding to the width of the recording medium S. Each of the recording heads 8 ejects black (K), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y) inks. These recording heads 8, which eject multiple types of ink, are arranged in parallel along the x direction as shown in Figure 1 to form the recording head of this embodiment. In other words, the recording head 8 according to this embodiment is a line head in which the ejection ports are arranged in a direction intersecting the transport direction of the recording medium.

[0025] The recording medium S is transported in the x-direction of Figure 1 by the rotation of the transport rollers 7 (and other rollers not shown) driven by the motor. While the recording medium S is being transported, ejection operations are performed from multiple ejection ports of the recording head 8 at a frequency corresponding to the transport speed of the recording medium S, according to the recording data. As a result, dots of each color are recorded at a predetermined resolution corresponding to the recording data, forming an image for one page of the recording medium S.

[0026] Although this embodiment uses an example where a recording head is provided for each ink color, a configuration in which multiple colors of ink are ejected from a single recording head is also possible. Furthermore, a configuration in which rows of ejection ports corresponding to multiple colors of ink are arranged on a single ejection substrate is also possible.

[0027] When the recording head 8 is in the standby position, the ejection port surface 8a of the recording head 8 is capped by the cap unit 10 as shown in Figure 1. When performing a recording operation, the orientation of the recording head 8 is changed by the recording controller 202, which will be described later, so that the ejection port surface 8a faces the platen 9. The platen 9 is made up of a flat plate extending in the y direction and supports the recording medium S on which the recording operation is performed by the recording head 8 from the back.

[0028] The ink tank unit 14 stores the four colors of ink supplied to the recording head 8. The ink supply unit 15 is located in the middle of the flow path connecting the ink tank unit 14 and the recording head 8, and adjusts the pressure and flow rate of the ink in the recording head 8 to an appropriate range. In this embodiment, a circulating ink supply system is employed, and the ink supply unit 15 adjusts the pressure of the ink supplied to the recording head 8 and the flow rate of the ink recovered from the recording head 8 to an appropriate range.

[0029] The maintenance unit 16 includes a cap unit 10 and a wiping unit 17, and operates these at predetermined timings to perform maintenance operations on the recording head 8.

[0030] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the control configuration of the recording device 1. The control configuration of the recording device 1 mainly consists of a recording engine unit 200 that oversees the recording unit 2, a scanner engine unit 300 that controls the scanner unit 3, and a controller unit 100 that controls the entire recording device 1.

[0031] The various mechanisms of the recording engine unit 200 are controlled via the recording engine interface (I / F) 105 according to instructions from the main controller 101 of the controller unit 100. The various mechanisms of the scanner engine unit 300 are controlled by the main controller 101 of the controller unit 100 via the scanner engine I / F 109. The details of the control configuration are described below.

[0032] In the controller unit 100, the main controller 101, which is composed of a CPU, controls the entire recording device 1 using the RAM 106 as the work area, according to the program and various parameters stored in the ROM 107. For example, when a job is input as input data from the host device 400 via the host I / F 102 or wireless I / F 103, the main controller 101 stores the input data in the RAM 106. Subsequently, it analyzes the input data and stores the job attributes necessary for job processing and the page attributes necessary for page processing in the RAM 106.

[0033] Following instructions from the main controller 101, the recording cassette selection unit 110 selects one or more recordable cassettes by referring to job attributes and page attributes stored in RAM 106, as well as recording medium information for cassettes 5A and 5B, also stored in RAM 106. The recording medium information for the first cassette 5A and the second cassette 5B includes the size, type, and remaining capacity of the recording medium, and the values ​​detected by sensors on the cassettes are stored in RAM 106. The user can also reset this information via the operation panel 104, which will be described later.

[0034] The quantization data generation unit 111 requests the image processing unit 108 to quantize the data in order to generate quantization data corresponding to the cassette selected by the recording cassette selection unit 110. The image processing unit 108 generates quantization data through raster imaging, correction processing, and quantization processing. The correction processing utilizes the recording medium position adjustment value. The position adjustment value is position information used to adjust the recording position by setting the amount of displacement of the recording medium position in the direction parallel to the recording head 8 and adjusting the generation position of quantization data relative to the ejection port. The first cassette 5A and the second cassette 5B each have their own position adjustment values. The position adjustment values ​​are set when the product is shipped from the factory and stored in the RAM 106. The user can also reset the position adjustment values ​​via the operation panel 104 described later.

[0035] The image processing unit 108 determines the recording position on the recording head 8 for each pixel of the generated raster image by referring to the position adjustment value of the paper source cassette instructed by the quantization data generation unit 111, and performs correction processing for the recording position for each output port. The image processing unit 108 quantizes the corrected raster image to generate quantized data and stores it in the RAM 106 as spool data.

[0036] After generating the quantized data, the main controller 101 deletes the job data from the RAM 106. The main controller 101 obtains information about the recording media stored in the first cassette 5A and the second cassette 5B via the recording engine I / F 105 and determines which cassette to record on. Subsequently, the main controller 101 transmits various parameters necessary for recording and the quantized data corresponding to the determined cassette to the recording engine unit 200. These various parameters include some job attributes and page attributes stored in the RAM 106, such as the size of the recording media and the position adjustment value of the recording media.

[0037] The recording device 1 may acquire quantized data from the host device 400 via wireless or wired communication, or it may acquire quantized data from an external storage device (such as a USB memory stick) connected to the recording device 1. The communication method used for wireless or wired communication is not limited. For example, Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) (registered trademark) and Bluetooth (registered trademark) can be used as communication methods for wireless communication. For example, USB (Universal Serial Bus) can be used as a communication method for wired communication. Also, when a read command is input from the host device 400, the main controller 101 transmits this command to the scanner unit 3 via the scanner engine I / F 109.

[0038] The control panel 104 is an input / output interface for the user to perform input and output operations to the recording device 1. Through the control panel 104, the user can instruct operations such as copying and scanning, set recording modes, and access information from the recording device 1.

[0039] In the recording engine unit 200, the recording controller 202, which is composed of a CPU, controls various mechanisms of the recording unit 2, using the RAM 204 as the work area, according to the program and various parameters stored in the ROM 203. When various commands and image data are received via the controller I / F 201, the recording controller 202 temporarily stores them in the RAM 204. To make the recording head 8 available for recording, the recording controller 202 instructs the image processing controller 205 to convert the stored quantized data into recording data. Once the recording data is generated, the recording controller 202 instructs the recording head 8 to perform a recording operation based on the recording data via the head I / F 206. At this time, the recording controller 202 drives the feeding units 6A and 6B, the transport roller 7, the discharge roller 12, and the flapper 11 shown in Figure 1 via the transport control unit 207 to transport the recording medium S. In accordance with the instructions of the recording controller 202, the recording operation by the recording head 8 is performed in conjunction with the transport operation of the recording medium S, and the recording process is carried out.

[0040] The head carriage control unit 208 changes the orientation and position of the recording head 8 according to the operating status of the recording device 1, such as the maintenance status and recording status. The ink supply control unit 209 controls the ink supply unit 15 so that the pressure of the ink supplied to the recording head 8 is within an appropriate range. The maintenance control unit 210 controls the operation of the cap unit 10 and the wiping unit 17 in the maintenance unit 16 when performing maintenance operations on the recording head 8.

[0041] In the scanner engine unit 300, the main controller 101 controls the hardware resources of the scanner controller 302, using the RAM 106 as the work area, according to the program and various parameters stored in the ROM 107. This controls the various mechanisms of the scanner unit 3. For example, the main controller 101 controls the hardware resources in the scanner controller 302 via the controller I / F 301, so that the document placed in the ADF by the user is transported via the transport control unit 304 and read by the sensor 305. The scanner controller 302 then stores the read image data in the RAM 303. The recording controller 202 converts the acquired image data into recording data as described above, so that the recording head 8 can perform a recording operation based on the image data read by the scanner controller 302.

[0042] Furthermore, in order to realize one or more functions of the recording device 1 or the host device 400 in this embodiment, the main controller 101 of the recording device 1, the recording controller 202, the scanner controller 302, or the computer of the host device 400 may execute a program. For example, a program may be provided to the recording device 1 or the host device 400 via a network or various storage media, and the computer (CPU, MPU, etc.) provided in them may read the program and execute the function. Alternatively, the program may be made to execute various elements. In addition, this program may be executed by a single computer or by the coordinated execution of multiple computers. Moreover, it is not necessary to realize all of the above processing in software; some or all of the processing may be realized by hardware such as an ASIC. Furthermore, it is not limited to a configuration in which one CPU performs all processing, but rather a configuration in which multiple CPUs perform processing in appropriate cooperation, or a configuration in which one CPU performs one of the processes and multiple CPUs perform the other processes in cooperation.

[0043] In business settings such as offices, multiple people may use image recording devices simultaneously. Furthermore, for confidentiality reasons, some systems require a security card or similar device to be held over the image recording device to initiate recording. Such systems require the image recording device to store a large amount of recorded data. Storing image data in RGB format results in a large file size, necessitating a large amount of RAM or HDD memory, thus increasing costs. Therefore, recording device 1 can store a large amount of recorded data with less memory by storing quantized data. Quantized data refers to data that has undergone quantization after image processing, such as color conversion, for recording by the recording head.

[0044] (Overall Flow Overview) Next, the overall recording process performed by the recording device 1 will be described with reference to Figure 3. The process shown in Figure 3 will be described as being performed by the main controller 101 of the recording device 1, but as mentioned above, one or more processes may be performed by processes other than the main controller 101. In addition, the process shown in Figure 3 is started when the main controller 101 receives input image data from the host device 400.

[0045] In this embodiment, the input image data is data representing the color coordinates (R, G, B) within a color space such as sRGB, which is the color representation of the monitor.

[0046] In S3001, the main controller 101 converts the input R, G, and B 8-bit data into image data (R', G', B') corresponding to the color reproduction range of the image recording device using known methods such as matrix operations and processing using a three-dimensional LUT. In this embodiment, a three-dimensional lookup table (3D LUT) is used, and interpolation operations are used in conjunction with it to perform the conversion process.

[0047] Next, in S3002, the main controller 101 converts the 8-bit R', G', and B' image data processed in S3001 into image data consisting of color signal data for the inks used in the image recording device. In this embodiment, since black (K), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y) inks are used, the RGB signal image data is converted into image data consisting of 8-bit color signals for K, C, M, and Y. This color conversion is also performed using interpolation operations on a three-dimensional lookup table, similar to the input color conversion processing unit described above. As for other conversion methods, methods such as matrix arithmetic processing can also be used, as described above. In addition, although the number of inks was given as an example of four colors, K, C, M, and Y, other inks such as light cyan (Lc), light magenta (Lm), and gray (Gy) inks with low densities may be added in the ink color conversion in S3002.

[0048] Next, in S3003, the main controller 101 performs TRC (Tone Reproduction Curve) processing. In S3003, processing is performed on the image data consisting of each 8-bit ink color signal processed in S3002. Here, correction is performed to adjust the number of dots recorded for each ink color in S3007, which will be described later. Since there is no linear relationship between the number of dots recorded on the recording medium and the optical density on the recording medium achieved by that number of dots, the number of dots recorded on the recording medium is adjusted by correcting each 8-bit image data to make the relationship linear. A one-dimensional lookup table (LUT) is used as a method for converting input data into output data. In this embodiment, a LUT is used as the correction parameter for the TRC processing unit.

[0049] Next, in S3004, the main controller 101 performs head shading (HS) processing. In HS processing, image data of the ink color signal is input, and 8-bit data for each ink color is converted into image data of the ink color signal corresponding to the ejection amount (amount applied) of each ejection port that constitutes the recording head 8. One method for converting input data into output data is a one-dimensional lookup table (LUT). In this embodiment, the LUT will be used as the correction parameter of the HS processing unit for explanation.

[0050] Next, in S3005, the main controller 101 performs quantization processing. In quantization processing, the main controller 101 performs quantization processing on each 8-bit 256-value ink color image data processed in S3004, generating 1-bit binary data representing either recorded "1" or unrecorded "0". The output of the quantization processing may also be the number of ink droplets per unit area of ​​the recording medium or the number of ejections, and is not limited to 1-bit binary data representing recorded "1" or unrecorded "0". In this embodiment, the case of binary data will be used for explanation. Quantization methods include error diffusion and dithering, but any other arbitrary quantization method can be applied.

[0051] Next, we will explain the processes S3006 to S3008, which involve storing and recording the image-processed data.

[0052] In S3006, the main controller 101 performs an encoding process, encoding the binary data processed in S3005 and compressing the data so that more data can be stored in the image recording device. Any known compression technique, such as JBIG compression, can be applied as the method for compressing the binary data.

[0053] In S3007, the main controller 101 performs spooling. In S3007, the compressed image data compressed in S3006 is spooled. Upon receiving a record command, the main controller 101 reads the compressed image data and uses it for processing in S3008, which will be described later.

[0054] In S3008, the main controller 101 performs a decoding process, converting the compressed image data back to its original binary data. The binary data is controlled for each color and sent to the respective color output ports of the default recording head as either record "1" or non-record "0" data for recording.

[0055] After the above processing, ink is ejected from the recording head 8 based on the binary data, and the recording process is performed.

[0056] (HS Processing 3004) Next, the HS treatment, which corrects concentration variations caused by differences in discharge characteristics between multiple discharge ports, will be explained in detail with reference to Figures 4 to 6.

[0057] Figures 4(a) and 4(b) illustrate a recording head and the dot arrangement pattern represented by the ink ejected from it, when the ejection amount is the same at each ejection port on the ejection substrate.

[0058] In Figure 4(a), 401 shows the ejection port row of the recording head that ejects the first ink, K ink. For the sake of explanation and illustration, only eight of the ejection ports in the recording head are shown in this figure.

[0059] Figure 4(b) shows the recording state of a solid image with a 50% duty cycle recorded on the recording medium 402 using the nozzle row 401 of Figure 4(a). That is, it is a model in which ink dots are ejected at a ratio of one in two compared to a 100% duty cycle. In the recording medium 402, the area recorded using the four nozzles 4011 on the left side of Figure 4(a) is called the first area 4021, and the area recorded using the four nozzles 4012 on the right side is called the second area 4022. The first area 4021 and the second area 4022 are examples of unit areas to which recording material is applied from the recording element. In this figure, the size of each nozzle and the size of the dots recorded by each nozzle are shown as being the same size, but this is for explanatory purposes to show a correspondence between the two, and their sizes are not actually equal. Furthermore, the discharge volume from each outlet may differ due to factors other than the outlet diameter, so the outlet diameters are not necessarily different. However, in this diagram, outlets with larger discharge volumes are indicated by larger circles for explanation.

[0060] The eight ejection ports 40111-40114 and 40121-40124 of the ejection port row 401 are all capable of ejecting a standard amount of ink in a standard direction, and dots of the same size are recorded on the recording medium 402 at regular intervals. On the other hand, Figures 5(a) and 5(b) show the recording heads and the dot arrangement patterns represented by the ink ejected from each ejection port on the ejection substrate when the ejection amount differs for each ejection substrate. Figure 5(a) shows the ejection ports of each recording head, and Figure 5(b) shows the recording state of a solid image with a 50% duty cycle recorded on the recording medium 402 using the ejection ports shown in Figure 5(a).

[0061] Here, of the eight discharge ports in the discharge port row 401, the four discharge ports 40111-40114 on the left side of the figure have a standard discharge rate, while the four discharge ports 40121-40124 on the right side have a discharge rate higher than standard. When using a recording head with varying discharge rates, as in this discharge port row 401, even if the same color image is recorded on the recording medium 402, the density may differ depending on the area. In this figure, the area recorded using the four discharge ports shown on the left side of the figure (first area 4021) records a solid image with standard density. On the other hand, in the area recorded using the four discharge ports shown on the right side of the figure (second area 4022), the individual dots are larger, resulting in a solid image with higher density compared to the first area 4021. In other words, the density of the solid image may differ between the first area 4021 and the second area 4022.

[0062] When using a recording head with such ejection characteristics, image data correction is performed by HS processing. Image data correction will be explained with reference to Figures 6(a) and 6(b).

[0063] In Figure 6(a), the four rightmost outlets 40121 to 40124 of the outlet row 401 are treated as a single outlet group (recording element group), and the corresponding image data is corrected to reduce its density. Specifically, the number of dots recorded by the four rightmost outlets 40121 to 40124 is controlled to be less than the number of dots recorded by the four leftmost outlets 40111 to 40114, and dot data (binary data) is generated that determines whether a dot is recorded as "1" or not recorded as "0".

[0064] Figure 6(b) illustrates the image recorded on the recording medium 402 after HS processing has been performed on image data of a solid image in which ink is recorded at a 50% duty cycle using the four ejection ports 40121 to 40124 on the right. In the figure, 40211 indicates a dot recorded by ejection port 40111, and 40221 indicates a dot recorded by ejection port 40121.

[0065] For example, let's assume that the area of ​​dots ejected from the four right-side nozzles 40121-10124 on the recording medium is twice the area of ​​dots ejected from the four left-side nozzles 40111-40114 on the recording medium. In this case, by using HS processing, the number of ejections from the four right-side nozzles 40121-40124 can be reduced to approximately half the number of ejections from the four left-side nozzles 40111-40114 (2 dots → 1 dot), thereby making the coverage area on the recording medium 402 almost equal.

[0066] In this way, HS processing adjusts the number of dots recorded in each region of each output port group using a one-dimensional lookup table so that the density detected in each region of the recording medium is nearly uniform. This one-dimensional lookup table will be called the HS correction table (correction information).

[0067] In reality, the coverage area and the density detected in each region on the recording medium are not necessarily proportional. However, in this embodiment, we will explain using an example where the number of dots in twice the coverage area is halved.

[0068] As described above, in the HS process, the number of dots recorded is adjusted so that the sum of the covered areas in the first area 4021 equals the sum of the covered areas in 4022. Therefore, if the density observed by the light absorption characteristics of 4021 is equal to the density observed by the light absorption characteristics of the second area 4022, the densities of both areas will appear to be approximately the same color.

[0069] Furthermore, such variations in ejection characteristics can also occur in multi-level recording devices where the dot size can be changed, such as quaternary recording devices that record using three levels of dots: large, medium, and small. Therefore, this can be applied not only to binary recording devices but also to multi-level recording devices with three or more levels.

[0070] (Automatic cassette change (ACC) function) Next, referring to the flowchart in Figure 7, the ACC processing procedure when there are two cassettes will be explained. The processing in Figure 7 starts when the main controller 101 receives the image data to be recorded (S701).

[0071] Once processing begins, the main controller 101 performs image processing as described in Figure 3 (S702) and spools the compressed data (S703).

[0072] Next, when the main controller 101 receives a recording command, it decodes the compressed data, feeds the recording medium from cassette C1, and starts recording (S704).

[0073] Here, we will refer to a group of data recorded at once as a recording job. For example, if you are recording a 5-page PDF or five copies of a 1-page document, the data for all 5 pages will be managed within the device as one recording job. A recording job is included in a recording instruction from an external information processing device, such as a personal computer used by the user.

[0074] In S705, the number of remaining recording jobs is denoted as A, and recording continues while checking whether the recording medium in cassette C1 is running out (S705, S706, S707, S705'). If the number of remaining recording jobs A becomes 0 before the recording medium in cassette C1 runs out, recording will naturally end. If the number of remaining recording jobs A > 0 and the recording medium in cassette C1 runs out of space (No in S707), recording will start by feeding a recording medium from cassette C2 (S708).

[0075] When feeding data from cassette C2 and recording to the recording medium, the same processing as in the case of cassette C1 is performed (S709, S709', S710, S711). If the remaining recording job count A remains but the remaining capacity of the recording medium in cassette C2 also reaches 0, an error is displayed (S712) and the process in Figure 7 is terminated. Although the example in Figure 7 describes the case with two cassettes, even if there are three or more cassettes, as long as the recording mediums set are the same size, it is possible to switch to the next cassette and continue recording in the same way.

[0076] In image recording devices that hold multiple cassettes, variations in mechanical precision occur in each cassette. Cassettes are designed to accommodate various sizes of recording media, and guides exist to align the size of each recording media to a specified position. These guides have some margin to account for variations in the cutting of the recording media, and errors occur due to variations during manufacturing. Specifically, a deviation of several millimeters occurs in the y-direction as shown in Figure 1. As a result, when recording with borders, this variation in cassettes can cause differences in the amount of margin on the left and right edges, which can affect the output. The recording media may overflow, resulting in loss of information in the recorded material, and in the case of image recording devices that do not support borderless recording, it may contaminate the device and potentially cause malfunction.

[0077] Furthermore, because variations differ from cassette to cassette, the position of the recording medium relative to the recording head 8 changes from cassette to cassette. To prevent this, there is a function to set an adjustment value for the position of the recording medium for each cassette. This adjustment value will be referred to as the position adjustment value below. This position adjustment value is the amount by which the recording medium is shifted in the y-direction relative to the center position of the recording medium, which takes into account predetermined variations in mechanical precision. By changing the ejection port position where the recorded data is recorded, taking this position adjustment value into consideration, the shift can be prevented.

[0078] The adjustment of the recording medium position will be explained using the schematic diagram in Figure 8. The recording medium fed from cassette 5A will be designated as 801, and the recording medium fed from cassette 5B will be designated as 802. The area to be recorded on each recording medium will be designated as 803, and the margin amount as 804. The position adjustment value for cassette 5A will be designated as 805, and the position adjustment value for cassette 5B will be designated as 806.

[0079] In this embodiment, the cassette position adjustment value is described so that it is in the positive direction with the left edge as the origin, but the origin may also be the center of the head, in which case both positive and negative values ​​exist.

[0080] If the position adjustment value 805 of cassette 5A is y=9mm, then ink is ejected from the ejection port group 807 of the recording head 8 corresponding to the y-direction position obtained by adding the position adjustment value 805 and the margin amount 804, and the data is recorded.

[0081] Furthermore, if the position adjustment value 806 for cassette 5B is set to y=3mm, the recording medium will be transported at a position shifted by -6mm in the y direction compared to the recording medium 801 of cassette 5A. Therefore, the recording is controlled to be recorded by the ejection port group 808 of the recording head 8.

[0082] This allows the system to store the position adjustment value for each cassette, and during recording, it can adjust the output port to take the cassette's position adjustment value into account, ensuring that the margin amount is the same for all cassettes.

[0083] In the image processing step S3004 explained in Figure 3, it is necessary to process the ejection port position and the image position in the same way. Therefore, when performing HS processing, it is necessary to consider this position adjustment value, calculate the relationship between the recorded ejection port and the pixel position of the image, and select the correction information to apply for processing.

[0084] Figure 9 shows the relationship between the recording head and the correction information. The ejection ports of the recording head 8 are divided into ejection port groups (recording element groups) with a predetermined number of ejection ports, as shown in 901 in Figure 9. N pieces of correction information 902 are set for each ejection port group. When processing the recorded image data 903, it is necessary to apply correction information appropriate to the recording area, taking into account the position adjustment value 904 and the margin amount 905.

[0085] Next, the process for generating correction information will be explained with reference to Figure 10(a). The process shown in Figure 10(a) generates correction information for all discharge ports in advance. The program shown in this figure is stored in the ROM 107 of the controller unit 100, and the generated correction information is also stored in the ROM 107.

[0086] In S1001, a uniform primary color gradation pattern is recorded on the recording medium for each ink color at all ejection ports so that all ejection ports are recorded. Subsequently, the density is obtained by reading the recorded material with an optical sensor such as a scanner, and gradation characteristics can be obtained for each region that is designated as an ejection port group with a predetermined number of ejection ports (S1002).

[0087] Correction information (correction table) is generated for each region based on the grayscale characteristics (S1003). Regarding the generation method, the discharge amount may be estimated using a table that links grayscale characteristics and discharge amount in advance and adjusted to a target value for the discharge amount, or the discharge amount may be adjusted to a predetermined grayscale characteristic without estimation.

[0088] As explained in Figure 3, since the HS treatment is performed before spooling, if ACC occurs, HS correction that takes into account the position adjustment value of the cassette after switching is not performed. Therefore, a discrepancy occurs in the relationship between the discharge port and HS correction, resulting in incorrect correction and uneven concentration.

[0089] Referring to Figure 11, an example of a case where ACC occurs, causing an inconsistency between HS correction and the discharge port, resulting in erroneous correction, is explained. The upper part of Figure 11 shows a head 8 holding a group of discharge ports with low discharge volume and a group of discharge ports with high discharge volume. Each circle in the head 8 represents multiple groups of discharge ports, and in this embodiment, one circle is explained as 16 discharge ports.

[0090] 1101 shows the density on the paper surface before HS correction. With respect to the recording medium position before the ACC switch occurs, the area to the right is recorded with a large amount of ink droplets, and the area to the left is recorded with a small amount of ink droplets. The right side indicates higher density, and the left side indicates lower density. The correction target is represented by a dotted line, with the center of the ink droplet output as the center.

[0091] 1102 shows the density on the paper after HS correction. The arrows indicate the correction amount determined based on the correction information; an upward arrow increases the discharge rate, and a downward arrow decreases the discharge rate. One table is applied to each of the 32 discharge ports, and the target density is achieved by adjusting the number of discharges on the right side (where the discharge rate is high) to decrease the number of discharges, and on the left side (where the discharge rate is low) to increase the number of discharges.

[0092] Furthermore, when the HS processing performed in S3004 is executed, the correction information is applied as a correction amount for the ejection volume to the recording area, as shown in 1102. As a result, before switching cassettes, the correction amount for the ejection volume to the recording area is applied based on the position of the ejection port corresponding to the position adjustment value. However, when the cassette is switched and the position adjustment value changes, the position of the ejection port changes relative to the position of the recording area in the y direction. Therefore, the correction amount for the ejection volume to the recording area no longer corresponds to the ejection port, resulting in a false correction.

[0093] 1103 shows the density on the paper when ACC occurs. As mentioned above, HS correction is already performed considering the cassette position adjustment value before switching, and HS correction is not performed considering the position adjustment value after switching cassettes. However, the output ports that record are changed considering the position adjustment value after switching cassettes. Therefore, as shown in 11031, the amount and direction of correction information for the image do not change, so a correction is applied to reduce the number of ejections for the group of output ports with a low ejection amount. In this way, a correction that reduces the ejection amount for the group of output ports that should have increased the ejection amount, or increases the ejection amount for the group of output ports that should have decreased the ejection amount, is a miscorrection. Performing a miscorrection causes the density of that area to change significantly from other areas, resulting in density unevenness.

[0094] Therefore, the image recording device according to this embodiment provides a recording with minimal degradation of image quality by selecting a cassette with minimal impact from among multiple candidate cassettes. The method is described below.

[0095] Figure 10(b) shows the flow for generating correction information using the point of change with a large difference in discharge volume, the position adjustment value of the cassette before replacement, and the position adjustment value after replacement.

[0096] First, the HS pattern is recorded, similar to the generation of normal correction information (S1001). S1001 in Figure 10(b) is the same as S1001 in Figure 10(a), so the explanation is omitted. After that, the position adjustment value of the cassette before switching and the position adjustment value of the candidate cassette for switching are obtained (S1004, S1005), and the difference information X of the position adjustment value is obtained (S1006). For example, if the position adjustment value of the cassette before switching is 9 mm and the position adjustment value of the cassette after switching is 3 mm, the difference information for the cassette before switching will be -6 mm.

[0097] Next, as explained with reference to Figure 10(a), the HS pattern is read and correction information is generated (S1002, S1003). Basically, the correction information is generated for the entire width of the recording head 8.

[0098] Next, the processes in S1007 and S1008 will be explained with reference to Figure 12.

[0099] In Figure 12, 1201 represents the recording medium position of the cassette before switching, 1202 represents the recording medium position of the candidate cassette C1, and 1203 represents the recording medium position of the candidate cassette C2.

[0100] To simplify the explanation, we will assume that the position adjustment value of the recording medium position 1201 of the cassette before switching is y=0. However, in practice, it is acceptable to consider the cassette before switching, i.e., the cassette with the highest priority value when cassette selection is performed automatically, as the reference point. This is because HS processing is applied to the image assuming the cassette before switching, and in this case, the correspondence between the correction information and the output port is correct.

[0101] The recording medium position of 1202 is set to y = +18 mm relative to the recording medium position of 1201, and the difference information X of the recording medium position adjustment value is set to y = -9 mm relative to the recording medium position of 1201. In addition, the density difference between high and medium discharge rates is set to ΔE = 1.0, and the density difference between medium and low discharge rates is also set to ΔE = 1.0.

[0102] 1204 shows the density state on the paper after HS correction was applied to the cassette before switching. Compared to the recording medium position before switching, the left half is recorded at the center of the ejection volume, and the right half is recorded at the high ejection volume.

[0103] When the correction target is centered on the discharge volume, the left half is uncorrected, while the right half is adjusted to the same concentration as the center of the discharge volume by reducing the number of discharges. Therefore, the correction amount due to the correction information on the right side of the recording medium is ΔE = 1.0.

[0104] 1205 shows the density on the paper after HS correction for the image when recording at recording medium position 1202 of the candidate cassette C1. Correction information to increase the density by ΔE=1.0 is set in the right half of the recording area at recording medium position 1202. Therefore, it is assumed that the ejection port has a small ejection volume. Correction information applied in 1204 to decrease the density by ΔE=1.0 in the right half of the recording area is applied to that position. The density becomes even lower when a correction is applied to reduce the number of ejected particles in the area with a small ejection volume. The density becomes ΔE=2.0 lower than the target at the center of the ejection volume, and the maximum density difference on the paper can be estimated to be ΔE=3.0.

[0105] 1206 shows the density on the paper after HS correction for an image recorded at recording medium position 1203 of the candidate cassette C2. Since the recording medium position 1203 is entirely ejected within the ejection volume, it is an area where correction is not necessary, and therefore correction information that does not correct is set. The correction information for the right half applied in 1204 is applied to this position, so it can be seen that the density becomes even lower because a correction is applied that reduces the number of ejected particles in the area at the center of the ejection volume. As a result, the density becomes ΔE=1.0 lower than the target at the center of the ejection volume, and it can be estimated that the maximum density difference on the paper is ΔE=1.0.

[0106] As explained above, steps S1007 and S1008 calculate the maximum value of the density difference that occurs when the correction amount based on the correction information before the switch is applied to the position adjustment value after the switch.

[0107] Next, step 1009 determines the priority order of the candidate cassettes based on the smallest maximum concentration difference. In the example in Figure 12, the maximum concentration difference of candidate cassette C1 is ΔE=3.0, and the maximum concentration difference of candidate cassette C2 is ΔE=1.0. Therefore, candidate cassette C2 has the highest priority among the candidate cassettes, and candidate cassette C1 has the next highest priority after candidate cassette C2.

[0108] In the above explanation, it was stated that ΔE should be estimated, but it is also acceptable to use the difference in correction information between the correction amount based on the correction information actually processed in the image and the correction information used to eliminate density unevenness in the candidate cassette. In other words, the maximum density difference should be determined based on the correction information determined solely on the recording medium position of the cassette before switching, the correction information determined solely on the recording medium position of the candidate cassette, and the difference in their respective adjustment position values.

[0109] Furthermore, although the method for generating correction information was explained, it is also possible to evaluate only the width of the recording medium when an image is actually input and HS correction processing is performed, and then determine the priority. By evaluating only the width of the recording medium, it is possible to make a more accurate judgment.

[0110] In this embodiment, the maximum density difference caused by HS correction was calculated by considering the position adjustment values ​​of the cassette before switching and the candidate cassette for switching. By determining the priority of the candidate cassettes based on this result, it is possible to suppress image degradation due to density unevenness as much as possible even when the auto cassette change function is activated.

[0111] <Second Embodiment> In the first embodiment, when there are two or more candidate cassettes for switching, the priority of the candidate cassettes was determined by calculating the maximum density difference amount caused by HS correction and then determining the priority of the candidate cassettes based on the result.

[0112] In the second embodiment, when there are two or more candidate cassettes for switching, a method for prioritizing candidate cassettes is described, in which priority is determined based on the total amount of correction difference caused by HS correction.

[0113] Figure 10(c) shows the processing flow according to this embodiment.

[0114] Since steps S1001 to S1007 are the same as those in the first embodiment, their explanation will be omitted.

[0115] In S1010, for each of the candidate cassettes for switching, the total amount of the expected correction deviation when the cassette is switched is calculated based on the correction information of the recording area corresponding to the recording medium position of the cassette before and after the switch.

[0116] Figure 13 shows a schematic diagram illustrating S1010 in Figure 10(c).

[0117] The recording head 8 is divided into recording areas with high, medium, and low discharge volumes. The density difference between high and medium discharge volumes is assumed to be ΔE = 1.0, and the density difference between medium and low discharge volumes is assumed to be ΔE = 1.0.

[0118] 1301 represents the recording medium position of the cassette before switching, 1302 represents the recording medium position of the candidate cassette C1, and 1303 represents the recording medium position of the candidate cassette C2.

[0119] 1301 is set to a position adjustment value y=±0, but in practice, it is acceptable to consider the cassette with the highest priority value when cassette selection is performed automatically as the reference point. This is because HS processing is applied to the image assuming the cassette before switching, and in this case, there is a correct correspondence between the correction information and the position of the output port.

[0120] The recording medium position of 1302 is set to a position adjustment value difference of -18 mm compared to the recording medium position of 1301, and the recording medium position of 1303 is set to +12 mm compared to the recording medium position of 1301. Here, the correction amount indicated in the correction information is represented by an arrow, with each arrow having a width of approximately 6 mm.

[0121] 1304 indicates the density state on the paper after HS correction has been applied to the cassette before switching. Areas with low ejection volume are corrected to increase the number of ejected shots and raise the density, while areas with high ejection volume are corrected to decrease the number of ejected shots and lower the density. In 1304, the correction amount is applied to each area of ​​the recorded image so as to increase the ejection volume in areas with low ejection volume and decrease the ejection volume in areas with high ejection volume, relative to the target value for uniform density in the y direction.

[0122] Figure 1305 shows the density on the paper when the candidate cassette C1 is processed using the correction amount determined for the pre-switch candidate cassette. For the target, there are six areas with ΔE=1.0 (36mm), indicated by arrows, and three areas with ΔE=2.0 (18mm), indicated by arrows.

[0123] Image 1306 shows the density on the recording medium when image processing is performed on the candidate cassette C2 using the correction information determined for the pre-switch candidate cassette. In image 1306, there are four areas with ΔE=1.0 (24mm) relative to the target (indicated by arrows), and two areas with ΔE=2.0 (indicated by arrows), totaling 12mm.

[0124] Next, we calculate the total difference in correction amounts for 1305 and 1306. The total difference in correction amounts for 1305 is 36mm area × (ΔE=1.0) + 18mm area × (ΔE=2.0), which is 72. On the other hand, the total difference in correction amounts for 1306 is 24mm area × (ΔE=1.0) + 12mm area × (ΔE=2.0), which is 48. In this way, the total difference in correction amounts can be expressed as the integral value of the correction amount and the area.

[0125] In step S1009 of Figure 10(c), the total difference in correction amounts of the candidate cassettes is compared, and priority is determined in order of the smallest total difference in correction amounts. In this embodiment, the total difference in correction amounts for candidate cassette C1 is 72, and the total difference in correction amounts for candidate cassette C2 is 48. Therefore, candidate cassette C2 has the highest priority among the candidate cassettes, and candidate cassette C1 has the next highest priority after candidate cassette C2.

[0126] In this embodiment, the maximum correction amount difference ΔE was the same for the candidate cassettes C1 and C2, but a method for prioritizing them based on the total amount of correction amount difference in the recording area was described. In the above description, it was stated that ΔE should be estimated, but it may also be the difference in correction amount between the correction information that is actually processed and the correction information that should be applied to eliminate density unevenness in the candidate cassettes.

[0127] Furthermore, although the method for generating correction information was explained, when an image is actually input and HS correction processing is performed, it is also possible to evaluate only the width of the recording medium and determine the priority of the candidate cassettes for switching. Evaluating only the width of the recording medium allows for a more accurate judgment. In this case, the correction information may be extracted using the width of the recording medium in the y direction, or the width of the recording area obtained by subtracting the margin in the y direction from the width of the recording medium in the y direction, and the difference in the correction amount for determining the priority may be calculated.

[0128] In this way, by determining the priority of cassettes from the candidate cassettes based on the above results, it is possible to minimize the degradation of image quality due to density unevenness even when the auto cassette change function is activated.

[0129] <Third Embodiment> In the third embodiment, a method for adding weights is described in order to take into account both the method of determining priority by the maximum value of the correction amount described in the first embodiment and the method of determining priority by the total difference in the correction amount described in the second embodiment.

[0130] Whether to adopt the maximum correction amount or the total correction amount difference can be determined from various perspectives, such as the characteristics of the recording head and how the human eye perceives the image. If it is difficult to decide which to adopt, both can be treated as evaluation values ​​and weighted to determine how much importance to give to each. In this embodiment, the lower the evaluation value, the lower the probability of density unevenness occurring, and the higher the priority given to this value.

[0131] First, let's describe the evaluation value of the maximum correction amount. When the evaluation value of the maximum correction amount X for all switching candidate cassettes for each individual product is set to 100, the evaluation value of the maximum correction amount Y can be considered as 100 × Y / X.

[0132] For example, suppose the maximum possible correction amount for cassette C1, a candidate for switching, is ΔE=5.0, and the maximum correction amounts for cassettes C2, C3, and C4, candidate for switching, are ΔE=2.0, ΔE=3.5, and ΔE=2.5, respectively.

[0133] In that case, the evaluation value of candidate cassette C1 will be set to 100, and the evaluation values ​​of candidate cassettes C2, C3, and C4 will be 40, 70, and 50, respectively.

[0134] Next, we will describe the evaluation value of the total correction amount difference. When the maximum value X of the total correction amount difference for all switching candidate cassettes for each individual product is set to an evaluation value of 100, the evaluation value of the total correction amount difference Y can be considered as 100 × Y / X.

[0135] For example, suppose the total possible difference in correction amount for candidate cassette C1 is 200, and the total difference in correction amount for candidate cassettes C2, C3, and C4 is 180, 100, and 50, respectively. In this case, the evaluation value for candidate cassette C1 is set to 100, and the evaluation values ​​for candidate cassettes C2, C3, and C4 are 90, 50, and 25, respectively.

[0136] Here, when the weighting of the maximum correction amount is α and the weighting of the total correction amount difference is β, the priority evaluation value, which is the evaluation value used to assign priority, can be expressed by the following formula.

[0137] Priority evaluation value = Maximum value of correction amount evaluation value × α + Total difference of correction amount evaluation value × β (Equation 2) Priority evaluation values ​​are calculated for each candidate cassette according to Equation 2, and the priority value is determined by comparing them.

[0138] For example, if α=0.8 and β=0.2, the evaluation value of candidate cassette C1 is 100, candidate cassette C2 is 50, candidate cassette C3 is 66, and candidate cassette C4 is 45. In this case, the priority order is cassette C4, C2, C3, and C1.

[0139] On the other hand, if, for example, α=0.2 and β=0.8, the evaluation value of candidate cassette C1 is 100, candidate cassette C2 is 80, candidate cassette C3 is 50, and candidate cassette C4 is 34. In this case, the priority order is cassette C4, C3, C2, and C1.

[0140] Thus, the priority changes depending on the weighting of the maximum value of the correction amount and the total difference amount evaluation value. In this way, depending on the product characteristics, it is possible to decide whether to give more importance to the maximum value of the correction amount or the total difference amount of the correction amount, evaluate them using the desired method, and then weight each, thereby enabling finer control.

[0141] Furthermore, although the method for generating correction information was explained, it is also possible to evaluate the correction amount only for the width of the recording medium when an image is actually input and HS correction processing is performed, and then determine the priority. By evaluating the correction amount only for the width of the recording medium, it is possible to make a more accurate judgment.

[0142] In this way, by determining the priority of candidate cassettes based on the above results, it is possible to minimize the degradation of image quality due to density unevenness even when the auto cassette change function is activated.

[0143] <Other Embodiments> The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that implements one or more of the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or storage medium, and by having one or more processors in the computer of that system or device read and execute the program. It can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., an ASIC) that implements one or more functions.

[0144] The invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications and variations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, claims are attached to disclose the scope of the invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0145] 1: Image recording device, 5A, 5B: Cassette, 8: Recording head

Claims

1. a recording means in which a plurality of recording elements for applying a recording material are arranged in an arrangement direction intersecting with a conveying direction in which the recording medium is conveyed; a plurality of cassettes holding recording media for recording images by the recording means; a first acquiring unit that acquires position information regarding a deviation of a recording position of a fed recording medium in a direction intersecting the conveying direction for each of the plurality of cassettes; a second acquisition unit that acquires correction information relating to variations in the amount of recording material applied to each of the recording element groups, each of which includes at least one recording element; a correction unit that corrects the amount of recording material applied to a unit area on a recording medium from the plurality of recording elements based on the correction information acquired by the second acquisition unit; a selection unit that selects a cassette as a paper feed source from among the plurality of cassettes based on the position information for each of the plurality of cassettes acquired by the first acquisition unit and the correction information acquired by the second acquisition unit; a switching means for switching the cassette from which paper is fed to the cassette selected by the selecting means during image recording; An image recording device comprising:

2. The image recording device described in claim 1, characterized in that the selection means obtains the difference in the amount of toner applied that is expected to occur for each of the multiple cassettes when switched as the paper feed cassette, relative to the target value of the amount of toner applied in the arrangement direction, and selects the paper feed cassette based on the difference.

3. 3. The image recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the selection means selects a cassette having a smallest maximum value of the difference as the paper feed cassette.

4. 4. The image recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the selection unit selects, as the cassette from which the paper is fed, a cassette having a small total difference between the application amount and the target value in the arrangement direction.

5. 5. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the selection unit determines a priority order of cassettes as paper feed sources from among the plurality of cassettes.

6. The printer further includes a third acquisition unit that acquires the remaining amount of recording media held in the cassette that is set as the paper feed source, 6. The image recording device according to claim 1, wherein the selection unit selects a cassette to be set as the next paper feed source when the amount acquired by the third acquisition unit is less than a predetermined amount.

7. 7. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a storage unit for storing the correction information.

8. 8. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a generating unit that generates the correction information based on a result of reading a pattern recorded by the recording unit.

9. 8. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of recording elements are ejection elements that eject ink as a recording material.

10. a recording means in which a plurality of recording elements for applying a recording material are arranged in an arrangement direction intersecting with a conveying direction in which the recording medium is conveyed; a plurality of cassettes holding recording media to be recorded by the recording means; A control method for an image recording device comprising: a first acquisition step of acquiring position information relating to a deviation of a recording position of a fed recording medium in a direction intersecting the conveyance direction for each of the plurality of cassettes; a second acquisition step of acquiring correction information relating to variations in the amount of recording material applied to each of the recording element groups, each of which includes at least one recording element; a correction step of correcting the amount of recording material applied to a unit area on a recording medium from the plurality of recording elements based on the correction information acquired in the second acquisition step; a selection step of selecting a cassette as a paper feed source from among the plurality of cassettes based on the position information for each of the plurality of cassettes acquired in the first acquisition step and the correction information acquired in the second acquisition step; a switching step of switching the cassette as a paper feed source to the cassette selected in the selection step during image recording; A control method comprising:

11. A program for causing a computer to execute each step of the control method according to claim 10.

Images