Recording apparatus and recording method

Abstract

A recording apparatus and a recording method are provided. The problem to be solved is that in the recording medium, the recording result in the OL recording area has a low degree of ink penetration, resulting in density unevenness. The recording apparatus includes: a recording head having a plurality of first nozzles that eject a first ink and a plurality of second nozzles that eject a penetration liquid that promotes the penetration of the first ink into the recording medium; and a control unit that ejects the first ink onto the recording medium by controlling the recording head, records an image formed by arranging a plurality of gate lines extending in a first direction in a second direction intersecting the first direction on the recording medium, the control unit records each gate line in the overlapping area of the image in the OL manner, ejects the penetration liquid through the second nozzles for at least a part of the overlapping area, and ejects a smaller amount of the penetration liquid for an area other than the overlapping area in the image than the amount of the penetration liquid ejected for at least a part of the overlapping area.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a recording apparatus and a recording method. Background Art

[0002] There is known a printer that records an image on a recording medium by alternately repeating scanning of a recording head in a main scanning direction and conveyance of the recording medium in a conveyance direction intersecting the main scanning direction, and the recording head has a nozzle row composed of a plurality of nozzles capable of ejecting ink. In such a printer, an image area recorded by a certain scan and an image area recorded by the next scan partially overlap, whereby recording can be performed so that no gap is generated between the image areas recorded by respective scans.

[0003] Each gate line extending in the main scanning direction that forms the overlapping area as described above is recorded using a plurality of nozzles. Such a recording method is called an overlap (OL) method. The overlap method is also described in Patent Document 1. Hereinafter, overlap is abbreviated as OL.

[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2014-31021 Summary of the Invention

[0005] In an OL recording area recorded in an OL manner in an image and an area other than the OL recording area, i.e., a normal recording area, a density difference is likely to occur in the recording result. Assuming that the total recording amount of ink per unit area is the same in the OL recording area and the normal recording area, the recording amount per unit area by one scan of the recording head is approximately half of the recording amount for the normal recording area for the OL recording area. Therefore, the degree of penetration of the ink into the recording medium is also lower in the OL recording area than in the normal recording area. Due to such a difference in the degree of penetration of the ink, the above-described density difference occurs. Specifically, when observing the recording surface, which is the surface of the recording medium that receives the ejection of the ink, among the two surfaces of the recording medium, the degree of penetration of the ink toward the non-recording surface on the opposite side of the recording surface is lower in the OL recording area than in the normal recording area, so the density is likely to increase. Such a density difference is recognized as density unevenness.

[0006] A recording apparatus includes: a recording head having a plurality of first nozzles that eject a first ink and a plurality of second nozzles that eject a penetration liquid, the penetration liquid promoting penetration of the first ink into a recording medium; and a control unit that controls the recording head to eject the first ink onto the recording medium, thereby recording an image on the recording medium, the image being formed by arranging a plurality of grid lines extending in a first direction in a second direction intersecting the first direction, the control unit causing the recording head to: record each grid line in an overlapping region of the image in an OL manner using the plurality of first nozzles to record one grid line, eject the penetration liquid through the second nozzles for at least a part of the overlapping region, and eject a smaller amount of the penetration liquid for a region of the image other than the overlapping region than the amount of the penetration liquid ejected for at least a part of the overlapping region.

[0007] A recording method controls a recording head to eject a first ink onto a recording medium, thereby recording an image on the recording medium, the recording head having a plurality of first nozzles that eject the first ink and a plurality of second nozzles that eject a penetration liquid, the penetration liquid promoting penetration of the first ink into the recording medium, the image being formed by arranging a plurality of grid lines extending in a first direction in a second direction intersecting the first direction, the recording method causing the recording head to: record each grid line in an overlapping region of the image in an OL manner using the plurality of first nozzles to record one grid line, eject the penetration liquid through the second nozzles for at least a part of the overlapping region, and eject a smaller amount of the penetration liquid for a region of the image other than the overlapping region than the amount of the penetration liquid ejected for at least a part of the overlapping region. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Figure 1 is a block diagram simply showing the configuration according to the present embodiment.

[0009] Figure 2 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between the recording medium and the recording head from a perspective of viewing from above.

[0010] Figure 3 is a flowchart showing a recording control process.

[0011] Figure 4 is a diagram showing the relationship between the allocation of nozzles and pixels.

[0012] Figure 5 is a diagram for explaining a conventional recording method.

[0013] Figure 6 is through comparison with Figure 5 to explain the present embodiment.

[0014] Figure 7 is a diagram showing a recording head with a left - right symmetric structure from the same perspective as Figure 2 the following.

[0015] Figure 8 is a flowchart showing step S120 including the ejection restriction process of the penetrant.

[0016] Figure 9 is a diagram showing a nozzle utilization rate table.

[0017] Figure 10 is a diagram showing another example of the relationship between a recording medium and a recording head from a perspective of viewing from above.

[0018] Reference Numeral Explanation

[0019] 10…Recording control device; 11…Control unit; 12…Recording control program; 12a…Recording data generation unit; 12b…Recording control unit; 13…Display unit; 14…Operation reception unit; 15…Communication IF; 20…Printer; 21…Transport mechanism; 22…Recording head; 23…Nozzle; 24…Carriage; 26, 26C, 26M, 26Y, 26K, 26A…Nozzle array; 30…Recording medium; 30a…Recording surface; 30b…Non - recording surface; 40…System / recording device; 50…Recording data; 60…Nozzle utilization rate table; 70…Recording head; 71…Nozzle plate. Detailed Embodiment

[0020] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the respective drawings. In addition, each drawing is merely an example for explaining the present embodiment. Since each drawing is an example, there are cases where the ratio and shape are inaccurate, or they are not integrated with each other, or a part is omitted.

[0021] 1. Schematic Explanation of the Device

[0022] Figure 1 The structure of the system 40 according to the present embodiment is simply shown. The system 40 includes a recording control device 10 and a printer 20. The system 40 can also be called a recording system, an image processing system, a printing system, etc. A recording method is implemented by at least a part of the system 40.

[0023] The recording control device 10 is implemented, for example, by a personal computer, a server, a smart phone, a tablet - type terminal, or an information processing device having a processing ability equivalent to them. The recording control device 10 has a control unit 11, a display unit 13, an operation reception unit 14, a communication interface 15, etc. The interface is briefly described as IF. The control unit 11 is configured to include a CPU 11a as a processor, one or more ICs or other non - volatile memories having a ROM 11b, a RAM 11c, etc.

[0024] In the control unit 11, the processor, i.e., the CPU 11a, uses the RAM 11c, etc. as a working area and executes arithmetic processing based on a program stored in the ROM 11b or other memories, etc. By executing the processing based on the recording control program 12, the control unit 11 operates in cooperation with the recording control program 12 to implement multiple functions such as the recording data generation unit 12a and the recording control unit 12b. In addition, the processor is not limited to one CPU, and may also be a structure in which processing is performed by multiple CPUs or hardware circuits such as ASICs, or a structure in which the CPU and the hardware circuit cooperate to perform processing.

[0025] The display unit 13 is a unit for displaying visual information and is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display, etc. The display unit 13 may also be a structure including a display and a drive circuit for driving the display. The operation reception unit 14 is a unit for receiving user operations and is implemented, for example, by physical buttons, a touch screen, a mouse, a keyboard, etc. Of course, the touch screen can also be implemented as a function of the display unit 13. The display unit 13 and the operation reception unit 14 together can be called the operation panel of the recording control device 10.

[0026] The display unit 13 and the operation reception unit 14 can be either a part of the structure of the recording control device 10 or peripheral devices external to the recording control device 10. The communication IF 15 is a general term for one or more IFs for the recording control device 10 to communicate with the outside in a wired or wireless manner according to a prescribed communication control protocol including a known communication standard. The control unit 11 communicates with the printer 20 via the communication IF 15.

[0027] The printer 20, which is a recording device controlled by the recording control device 10, is an inkjet printer that ejects a liquid such as ink for recording. The droplets of the liquid ejected by the printer 20 are called dots. A detailed description of the inkjet printer is omitted. Generally speaking, the printer 20 has a transport mechanism 21, a recording head 22, and a carriage 24.

[0028] The transport mechanism 21 has rollers for transporting the recording medium and a motor for driving the rollers, etc., and transports the recording medium in a prescribed transport direction.

[0029] As Figure 2As shown, the recording head 22 has a plurality of nozzles 23 capable of ejecting dots, and dots are ejected from each nozzle 23 onto the recording medium 30 conveyed by the conveying mechanism 21. The printer 20 is controlled according to the recording data described later to apply a drive signal to a drive element (not shown) provided in the nozzle 23, thereby causing dots to be ejected or not ejected from the nozzle 23. The printer 20 ejects inks of respective colors such as cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K), and inks of colors other than these colors for recording. In the present embodiment, each of the inks having these colors corresponds to the "first ink". In addition, the recording head 22 can eject a penetrant for promoting the penetration of the first ink into the recording medium 30. The penetrant is also referred to as a penetrant agent. The penetrant can also be understood as a kind of ink. In this case, the penetrant is referred to as the "second ink" to distinguish it from the "first ink".

[0030] Hereinafter, when simply referred to as ink, it refers to the first ink unless otherwise specified.

[0031] Figure 2 The relationship between the recording head 22 and the recording medium 30 is simply shown. The recording head 22 can also be referred to as a print head, a type head, a liquid ejector, etc. In the present embodiment, the recording medium 30 is a fabric (raw material: blank). The printer 20 capable of recording on the fabric can be referred to as a textile printer.

[0032] The recording head 22 is mounted on a carriage 24 capable of reciprocatingly moving along a first direction D1 and moves together with the carriage 24. That is, the carriage 24 can move in the first direction D1 and the direction opposite to the first direction D1. The movement of the carriage 24 in the first direction D1 is referred to as a forward movement, and the movement of the carriage 24 in the direction opposite to the first direction D1 is referred to as a return movement. The first direction D1 and the direction opposite to the first direction D1 are also referred to as the main scanning direction.

[0033] The conveying mechanism 21 conveys the recording medium 30 in a second direction D2 intersecting the first direction D1. The second direction D2 is the conveying direction. The intersection of the first direction D1 and the second direction D2 can also be understood as perpendicular. However, for example, due to various errors of the printer 20 as a product, the first direction D1 and the second direction D2 are sometimes not strictly perpendicular.

[0034] Reference numeral 25 denotes a nozzle surface 25 in the recording head 22 where the nozzles 23 are open. In Figure 2An example of the arrangement of the nozzles 23 in the nozzle surface 25 is shown. Each small circle within the nozzle surface 25 represents a nozzle 23. The recording head 22 receives the supply of inks of CMYK colors and the penetrant from an unillustrated liquid holding unit such as an ink carriage or an ink cartridge mounted on the printer 20, and ejects them from the nozzles 23. In such a structure, a plurality of nozzle rows 26 are provided. The nozzle row 26 composed of the nozzles 23 that eject C ink is also described as the nozzle row 26C. Similarly, the nozzle row 26 composed of the nozzles 23 that eject M ink is described as the nozzle row 26M, the nozzle row 26 composed of the nozzles 23 that eject Y ink is described as the nozzle row 26Y, the nozzle row 26 composed of the nozzles 23 that eject K ink is described as the nozzle row 26K, and the nozzle row 26 composed of the nozzles 23 that eject the penetrant is described as the nozzle row 26A. The nozzle rows 26C, 26M, 26Y, 26K, 26A are arranged along the first direction D1.

[0035] Each nozzle row 26 is composed of a plurality of nozzles 23 in which the interval between the nozzles 23 in the second direction D2, that is, the nozzle pitch, is set to be fixed or substantially fixed. The direction in which the plurality of nozzles 23 constituting the nozzle row 26 are arranged is called the nozzle row direction D3. In Figure 2 the example, the nozzle row direction D3 is parallel to the second direction D2 which is the conveyance direction. In the structure where the nozzle row direction D3 is parallel to the second direction D2, the nozzle row direction D3 and the first direction D1 are perpendicular. However, it may also be a structure in which the nozzle row direction D3 is not parallel to the second direction D2 but intersects obliquely with the first direction D1. In either structure, since the plurality of nozzles 23 constituting the nozzle row 26 are arranged in a state where the nozzle pitch in the second direction D2 is fixed or substantially fixed, it can be said that they are arranged along the second direction D2.

[0036] The positions of the nozzle rows 26C, 26M, 26Y, 26K, 26A in the second direction D2 coincide with each other. The nozzle rows 26C, 26M, 26Y, 26K that eject one kind of the first ink respectively correspond to the "first nozzle rows", and the respective nozzles 23 constituting the first nozzle rows respectively correspond to the "first nozzles". On the other hand, the nozzle row 26A that ejects the penetrant corresponds to the "second nozzle row", and the respective nozzles 23 constituting the second nozzle row respectively correspond to the "second nozzles". In Figure 2 the example, among the nozzle rows 26C, 26M, 26Y, 26K, 26A arranged along the first direction D1, the nozzle row 26A is located at the outermost position in the queue of the nozzle rows 26.

[0037] According to Figure 2For example, the printer 20 is a so-called serial printer that records an image on a recording medium 30 by alternately and repeatedly conveying the recording medium 30 by a predetermined conveyance amount (hereinafter referred to as the feed amount) in the second direction D2, and ejecting ink as the recording head 22 moves along the first direction D1 with the carriage 24. The operation of ejecting a liquid such as ink as the recording head 22 moves forward and backward with the carriage 24 is called "scanning" or "path".

[0038] The recording control device 10 and the printer 20 can be connected via a network (not shown). The printer 20 can be a multifunction machine that has multiple functions such as a scanning function and a facsimile communication function in addition to the printing function. The recording control device 10 can be implemented not only by an independent information processing device but also by a plurality of information processing devices communicably connected to each other via a network.

[0039] Alternatively, the recording control device 10 and the printer 20 can also be an integrated recording device. That is, the system 40 can be a single recording device 40 including the recording control device 10 and the printer 20 as entities. Therefore, the processing performed by the recording control device 10 described below can also be understood as the processing performed by the recording device 40.

[0040] 2. Recording control processing:

[0041] Figure 3 The recording control processing implemented by the control unit 11 according to the recording control program 12 is shown in a flowchart. Through the recording control processing, the control unit 11 controls the printer 20 to record an image formed by arranging a plurality of "raster lines" extending in the first direction D1 in the second direction on the recording medium 30. And, in the present embodiment, the overlapping area of the image is recorded by the OL method. Through the recording control processing, the recording method according to the present embodiment is realized.

[0042] The control unit 11 starts the recording control processing upon receiving an instruction to record an input image. In step S100, the recording data generation unit 12a acquires the input image. For example, the user operates the operation reception unit 14 by visually observing the UI screen displayed on the display unit 13, arbitrarily selects the input image, and gives an instruction to record the input image. UI is an abbreviation for user interface. The recording data generation unit 12a acquires the input image thus selected from a storage source such as a predetermined memory.

[0043] The input image obtained in step S100 is, for example, image data in a bitmap format in which each pixel is represented by a combination of gray-scale values of red (R), green (G), and blue (B). The gray-scale value of one color is represented by, for example, 256 gray-scales from 0 to 255. Of course, it may also be that the recording data generation unit 12a converts the format of the input image as needed and generates image data representing each pixel in RGB.

[0044] In step S110, the recording data generation unit 12a generates recording data for the printer 20 to record the input image by performing image processing on the input image. In this case, the recording data generation unit 12a performs color conversion processing on the image data that is the input image. That is, the color system of the image data is converted to the color system of the ink used by the printer 20 for recording. In the case where the printer 20 is a model that uses CMYK ink as the first ink, as in Figure 2 such an example, the recording data generation unit 12a converts the gray-scale value of RGB to the gray-scale value of CMYK for each pixel. The color conversion processing can be performed by referring to an arbitrary color conversion lookup table that defines the conversion relationship from RGB to CMYK.

[0045] The recording data generation unit 12a performs halftone processing on the image data after color conversion, that is, the image data in which each pixel has a gray-scale value representing the ink amount of each of CMYK, and generates recording data for the first ink. The halftone processing is performed, for example, using a dithering method or an error diffusion method. The recording data for the first ink is data that defines whether to eject (DOT ON) or not eject (DOT OFF) dots for each pixel and for each of CMYK. Of course, the DOT ON information may be information that defines which of a plurality of predefined dot sizes, such as large dots, medium dots, and small dots, is to be ejected.

[0046] In step S120, the recording data generation unit 12a generates penetrant data corresponding to the overlapping region, that is, the "OL recording region", in the input image. The OL recording region is an image region formed by grid lines recorded in the OL method, that is, "OL grid lines". According to the OL method, when focusing on the recording of one grid line based on one color ink, a plurality of nozzles 23 that eject this one color ink share the recording of the grid line. If the printer 20 is a serial printer, one OL grid line is recorded through multiple passes. For convenience, a grid line that is not an OL grid line is called a "normal grid line", and the image region formed by the normal grid lines in the input image is called the "normal recording region". If the printer 20 is a serial printer, the normal grid line is recorded through one pass.

[0047] The penetrant data refers to image data with the same number of pixels as the recording data of the first ink in the horizontal and vertical directions respectively, and is image data in which DOT ON of the penetrant is specified only for the pixels corresponding to the OL recording area. The penetrant data is also referred to as the recording data of the penetrant. The penetrant data can be data in which DOT ON of the penetrant is specified for all the pixels corresponding to the OL recording area, or data in which DOT ON of the penetrant is specified for a part of the pixels among the pixels corresponding to the OL recording area.

[0048] In step S130, the recording control unit 12b performs an output process to cause the printer 20 to execute recording based on the recording data generated through step S110 and step S120. The recording data mentioned here refers to the recording data of the first ink and the recording data of the penetrant. Specifically, the recording data is re-sorted according to a preset feed amount and nozzle utilization rate and in the order to be sent to the printer 20. This re-sorting process is also referred to as a rasterization process. In the rasterization process, for the OL raster lines among the raster lines constituting the recording data, the recording control unit 12b distributes each pixel constituting these OL raster lines to multiple paths according to the nozzle utilization rate. The path that precedes among the multiple paths for recording a certain OL raster line is called the leading path, and the subsequent path is called the trailing path. The nozzle utilization rate refers to the ratio of the number of pixels allocated to the leading path and the number of pixels allocated to the trailing path in the OL raster line.

[0049] Through the rasterization process, the dots of the ink and penetrant specified by the recording data can be determined, according to the types of their pixel positions and colors, etc., which nozzle 23 sprays them and at what timing in which path. The recording control unit 12b sends the rasterized recording data and the information of the feed amount to the printer 20. The printer 20 drives the conveying mechanism 21, the recording head 22, and the carriage 24 according to the received recording data and feed amount, thereby recording the input image together with the penetrant on the recording medium 30.

[0050] Figure 4 Indicates the correspondence between the nozzle 23 and the allocation of pixels. Reference numeral 50 represents a part of the recording data. Each rectangle constituting the recording data 50 represents each pixel of the recording data 50. In Figure 4 The recording data 50 represents data in a state where the recording data of the first ink generated in step S110 and the recording data of the penetrant generated in step S120 overlap. In Figure 4 The correspondence between the recording data 50 and the directions D1 and D2 is also shown. Reference numeral RL represents a raster line, which is a pixel column formed by arranging a plurality of pixels corresponding to the first direction D1.

[0051] In Figure 4 A nozzle row 26 composed of a plurality of nozzles 23 that spray ink of one color is shown. InFigure 4 In this case, the nozzle row 26 is constituted by arranging 80 nozzles 23 in the second direction D2. For ease of understanding, in Figure 4 each nozzle 23 constituting the nozzle row 26 is sequentially assigned nozzle numbers #1 to #80 in the order from the downstream to the upstream in the second direction D2, which is the conveyance direction. The upstream and downstream in the conveyance direction are simply referred to as the upstream and downstream. Of course, the structure in which the number of nozzles in the nozzle row 26 is 80 is an example, and the number of nozzles in the nozzle row 26 is not limited. As described above, the recording head 22 has a plurality of nozzle rows 26 corresponding to various types of liquids such as CMYK inks and penetrants. In Figure 4 the positional relationship between the nozzle row 26 corresponding to one color ink and the recording data 50 described in is common to the nozzle rows 26 of each ink and penetrant.

[0052] Figure 4 All the nozzle rows 26 shown in are the same nozzle row 26. That is, in Figure 4 for each path of the recording head 22, the change in the relative positional relationship between the nozzle row 26 and the recording data 50 in the second direction D2 is shown. In Figure 4 the numbers such as 1, 2, 3... shown in parentheses together with the reference numeral 26 indicate which path the nozzle row 26 corresponds to at this time. In Figure 4 it can be observed that the nozzle row 26 moves upstream whenever the number of paths increases. Actually, by the conveyance mechanism 21 feeding the recording medium 30 downstream by a feed amount between paths, as Figure 4 the positional relationship between the nozzle row 26 of each path and the recording data 50 shown in is reproduced on the recording medium 30 as a recording result. In Figure 4 the nozzle rows 26 of each path are described with a shift in the first direction D1 in order to make the drawings easier to read, and the difference in the position of the nozzle rows 26 of each path in the first direction D1 is meaningless.

[0053] In Figure 4 the example, the feed amount of the conveyance mechanism 21 between paths is a distance 72 times the nozzle pitch. Thus, each grid line RL recorded by each of the nozzles 23 with nozzle numbers #73 to #80 at the upstream in the nozzle row 26 of a certain path can be recorded by each of the nozzles 23 with nozzle numbers #1 to #8 at the downstream in the nozzle row 26 of the next path. That is, each of the nozzles 23 with nozzle numbers #1 to #8 and each of the nozzles 23 with nozzle numbers #73 to #80 are in a positional relationship where they can record the common grid line RL, realizing the recording in the OL method. According to Figure 4 it can be known that, for example, the grid line RL recorded by the nozzle 23 with nozzle number #73 in a certain path can be recorded by the nozzle 23 with nozzle number #1 in the next path.

[0054] InFigure 4 In [the figure], the shaded areas 51, 52, and 53 in the recording data 50 are specific examples of the OL recording areas, and the areas other than the OL recording areas 51, 52, and 53 are normal recording areas. Each grid line RL constituting the OL recording areas 51, 52, and 53 is an OL grid line. The slashes in the recording data 50 are notations for facilitating the identification of the OL recording areas 51, 52, and 53 and have nothing to do with the DOT ON / OFF of each pixel represented by the recording data 50. Additionally, if limited to the recording data of the penetrant in the recording data 50, DOT ON is defined only within these shaded OL recording areas 51, 52, and 53.

[0055] In Figure 4 the example, the nozzle ranges of nozzle numbers #1 to #8 are referred to as the "downstream OL nozzle range", and the nozzle ranges of nozzle numbers #73 to #80 are referred to as the "upstream OL nozzle range". The recording control unit 12b assigns pixels to each nozzle 23 in the upstream OL nozzle range of the nozzle column 26 of the first path and each nozzle 23 in the downstream OL nozzle range of the nozzle column 26 of the second path for each grid line RL constituting the OL recording area 51 according to the above-mentioned nozzle usage rate. For example, for the lowermost grid line RL in the OL recording area 51, according to the nozzle usage rate, a part of the pixels constituting the grid line RL is assigned to the nozzle 23 of nozzle number #73 of the first path, and the remaining pixels constituting the grid line RL are assigned to the nozzle 23 of nozzle number #1 of the second path.

[0056] Similarly, according to Figure 4 , the recording control unit 12b assigns pixels to each nozzle 23 in the upstream OL nozzle range of the nozzle column 26 of the second path and each nozzle 23 in the downstream OL nozzle range of the nozzle column 26 of the third path for each grid line RL constituting the OL recording area 52. Similarly, the recording control unit 12b assigns pixels to each nozzle 23 in the upstream OL nozzle range of the nozzle column 26 of the third path and each nozzle 23 in the downstream OL nozzle range of the nozzle column 26 of the fourth path for each grid line RL constituting the OL recording area 53. In Figure 4 the [figure], the nozzle columns 26 of the paths starting from the fourth path are not described due to space limitations on the paper.

[0057] For each grid line RL constituting the normal recording area in the recording data 50, since one grid line RL is recorded in one path, all the pixels in the grid line RL are assigned to the nozzle 23 of a corresponding nozzle number. According to Figure 4, the recording control unit 12b assigns all the pixels constituting the gate line RL adjacent to the position downstream of the OL recording area 51, for example, to the nozzle 23 with the nozzle number #72 of the first path. Further, for example, for the gate line RL adjacent to the position downstream of the OL recording area 52, all the pixels constituting the gate line RL are assigned to the nozzle 23 with the nozzle number #72 of the second path.

[0058] As a result of the step S130 including such an assignment process, in the input image represented by the recording data of the first ink, as Figure 4 shown, each gate line RL of the OL recording areas 51, 52, 53 is recorded on the recording medium 30 in the OL manner, and each gate line RL of the normal recording area is recorded on the recording medium 30 in one path. Moreover, corresponding to each gate line RL of the OL recording areas 51, 52, 53, dots of the penetrant liquid are recorded on the recording medium 30 according to the recording data of the penetrant liquid. Further, the dots of the penetrant liquid defined corresponding to each gate line RL of the OL recording areas 51, 52, 53 are also assigned to the first path and the second path and recorded in the OL manner in the same way as each dot of the first ink.

[0059] Figure 5 is a diagram for explaining a conventional recording method, Figure 6 is a diagram for explaining the recording method of the present embodiment in comparison with Figure 5 . In Figure 5 , a part of the recording medium 30 is shown from the perspective facing the first direction D1. Reference numeral 30a denotes the recording surface 30a of the two surfaces of the recording medium 30 that receives the ejection of the ink by the recording head, and reference numeral 30b denotes the non-recording surface 30b on the opposite side of the recording surface 30a of the two surfaces of the recording medium 30. The distance between the recording surface 30a and the non-recording surface 30b is the thickness of the recording medium 30. The actual recording medium 30 does not have Figure 5 the thickness shown.

[0060] The regions 31, 32, 33 arranged from downstream to upstream on the recording surface 30a are regions of the recording medium 30 that are recorded through a certain set of the first path and the second path. Further, the region 32 sandwiched between the regions 31 and 33 is recorded in the OL manner. Here, it is assumed that a solid image of the same color is recorded along the regions 31, 32, 33. In Figure 5 , a state is shown in which the ink is recorded in the regions 31 and 32 through the first path, and after being conveyed based on the feed amount, the ink is recorded in the regions 32 and 33 through the second path. Further, in Figure 5 , the situation where the position of the recording medium 30 changes downstream due to the conveyance is not shown.

[0061] In Figure 5 it, each rectangle shown by blackening in the thickness of the recording medium 30 simply represents the concentration and penetration degree of the ink respectively recorded in the regions 31, 32, and 33. In Figure 5 the example, the recording amount of the ink per unit area at the time of the post-pass path is the same in the regions 31, 32, and 33. However, the regions 31 and 33 are each recorded with all of the necessary amount of ink in one pass, while the region 32 is recorded with the necessary amount of ink in two passes. Therefore, the penetration degree of the ink ejected onto the recording surface 30a in one pass is lower in the region 32 than in the regions 31 and 33. The penetration degree of the ink indicates how much the ink penetrates from the recording surface 30a toward the non-recording surface 30b, and is also called the back penetration of the ink. The ink with a higher penetration degree is called good back penetration, and the ink with a lower penetration degree is called poor back penetration.

[0062] The ink is recorded in the region 32 by the OL method through two passes. However, when the recordings with a lower penetration degree of the ink for each pass are overlapped twice, the result is as Figure 5 shown, and the penetration degree of the ink is in a state where the region 32 is lower than the regions 31 and 33. Thus, compared with the regions 31 and 33, the back penetration of the ink in the region 32 is poor, so more ink is biased toward the vicinity of the recording surface 30a. Therefore, when observing the recorded recording medium 30 from the recording surface 30a, the region 32 looks relatively darker in color than the regions 31 and 33, and uneven concentration is visually observed. Also, for the recording medium 30 that is a cloth, the image quality of the non-recording surface 30b is also evaluated. When observing the recorded recording medium 30 from the non-recording surface 30b, the back penetration of the region 32 is worse than that of the regions 31 and 33, and accordingly, the color looks relatively lighter, and uneven concentration is visually observed.

[0063] Next, refer to Figure 6 to describe the recording method of this embodiment. Figure 6 The method of viewing the figure is the same as that of Figure 5 . According to this embodiment, in the regions 31, 32, and 33 of the recording medium 30, in addition to the ink, a penetration liquid is also ejected in the region 32 recorded by the OL method. In Figure 6It is schematically shown that the point A of the permeate is ejected into the region 32 through the forward path and the backward path. By ejecting the point A of the permeate, the penetration of the ink is promoted in the region 32. That is, the state in which a large amount of ink tends to be biased near the recording surface 30a as in the past in the region 32 is eliminated, and the backside penetration is good. As a result, when observing the recorded recording medium 30 of the present embodiment from the recording surface 30a, there is almost no concentration difference between the region 32 and the regions 31 and 33, and no concentration unevenness is visually observable. Also, when observing the recorded recording medium 30 from the non-recording surface 30b, as with the recording surface 30a, there is almost no concentration difference between the region 32 and the regions 31 and 33, and no concentration unevenness is visually observable.

[0064] Thus, according to the present embodiment, the recording apparatus 40 includes: a recording head 22 having a plurality of first nozzles for ejecting a first ink and a plurality of second nozzles for ejecting a permeate for promoting the penetration of the first ink into the recording medium 30; and a control unit 11 that records an image formed by arranging a plurality of gate lines extending in a first direction D1 in a second direction D2 intersecting the first direction D1 on the recording medium 30 by controlling the recording head 22 to eject the first ink onto the recording medium 30. The control unit 11 causes the recording head 22 to record each gate line in the overlapping region of the image in an OL mode of using a plurality of first nozzles to record one gate line, and records the permeate through the second nozzles for at least a part of the overlapping region.

[0065] The control unit 11 causes the recording head 22 to record an amount of the permeate that is less than the amount of the permeate recorded in at least a part of the overlapping region in the region other than the overlapping region in the image. The "amount less than the amount of the permeate recorded in at least a part of the overlapping region" includes 0. That is, the present embodiment includes a mode in which no permeate is recorded in the region other than the overlapping region in the image.

[0066] According to the above structure, the recording apparatus 40 records a larger amount of the permeate for the overlapping region (i.e., the OL recording region) recorded in an OL mode in the image recorded by the first ink than in other regions. Thus, for the OL recording region recorded on the recording medium 30, the penetration degree of the first ink can be increased, and the occurrence of concentration unevenness can be suppressed in the recording result.

[0067] In addition, the present embodiment discloses a recording method. By controlling the recording head 22, a first ink is ejected onto the recording medium 30, and an image formed by arranging a plurality of gate lines extending in a first direction D1 in a second direction D2 intersecting the first direction D1 is recorded on the recording medium 30. The recording head 22 has a plurality of first nozzles for ejecting the first ink and a plurality of second nozzles for ejecting a penetration liquid for promoting the penetration of the first ink into the recording medium 30. According to the recording method, the recording head 22 records each gate line in the overlapping region of the image in an OL mode of using a plurality of first nozzles to record one gate line. For at least a part of the overlapping region, the penetration liquid is recorded through the second nozzles. For a region other than the overlapping region in the image, an amount of the penetration liquid less than that recorded in at least a part of the overlapping region is recorded.

[0068] 3. Characteristics of nozzle array configuration:

[0069] According to the present embodiment, the recording head 22 can eject a plurality of first inks of different colors. A first nozzle array is formed by arranging a plurality of first nozzles for each color of the first ink in the second direction D2, and a second nozzle array is formed by arranging a plurality of second nozzles in the second direction D2. Additionally, in the recording head 22, the first nozzle arrays and the second nozzle arrays for each color of the first ink may be arranged in the first direction D1, and the second nozzle array is located at the outermost position in the queue of the plurality of nozzle arrays 26.

[0070] According to the above structure, the recording device 40 can eject the penetration liquid in the preceding path before ejecting each first ink and eject the penetration liquid in the subsequent path after ejecting each first ink during the OL mode recording related to a certain OL recording region. Specifically, in the Figure 2 structure, when the preceding path for recording a certain OL recording region is the forward movement of the carriage 24, after ejecting the penetration liquid through the nozzle array 26A, the KYMC inks are ejected in the order of the nozzle arrays 26K, 26Y, 26M, 26C. In the subsequent path for recording this OL recording region, i.e., the return movement of the carriage 24, after ejecting the CMYK inks in the order of the nozzle arrays 26C, 26M, 26Y, 26K, the penetration liquid is ejected through the nozzle array 26A. Thus, by ejecting the penetration liquid at two timing points before and after ejecting the first ink, for the first ink in the OL recording region, the penetration degree of the recording medium 30 can be further improved, and the suppression effect on density unevenness can be enhanced.

[0071] In order to achieve the ejection order of penetration liquid → first ink → first ink → penetration liquid for all OL recording regions, as a preferred example, a recording head 22 with a left - right symmetric structure as shown in Figure 7 can be adopted. Figure 7 The viewing method ofFigure 2 The method of viewing the figure is the same. According to Figure 7 , the recording head 22 mounted on the carriage 24 has a nozzle array 26 with 10 columns in the arrangement order of nozzle columns 26A, 26K, 26Y, 26M, 26C, 26C, 26M, 26Y, 26K, 26A in the orientation of the first direction D1. Such a left-right symmetric structure is also a kind of structure in which the second nozzle column, that is, the nozzle column 26A for ejecting the penetrant, is located at the outermost position in the queue of the plurality of nozzle columns 26.

[0072] Regarding Figure 7 the recording head 22, the nozzle columns 26 in the right half, that is, the nozzle columns 26C, 26M, 26Y, 26K, 26A that are in front of the traveling direction when the carriage 24 moves forward, are collectively referred to as the first group 27. On the other hand, the nozzle columns 26 in the left half, that is, the nozzle columns 26A, 26K, 26Y, 26M, 26C that are in front of the traveling direction when the carriage 24 moves backward, are collectively referred to as the second group 28. Figure 2 The recording head 22 of can be said to have a structure with only the first group 27 among the first group 27 and the second group 28.

[0073] When the control unit 11 records in the OL recording area where the forward path is the forward movement of the carriage 24 and the backward path is the backward movement, the first group 27 can be used in both the forward path and the backward path. On the other hand, when recording in the OL recording area where the forward path is the backward movement of the carriage 24 and the backward path is the forward movement, the second group 28 can be used in both the forward path and the backward path.

[0074] As a specific example, assume that Figure 4 the first path, the third path... shown in are the forward movements of the carriage 24, Figure 4 the second path... shown in are the backward movements of the carriage 24. In this case, the forward path (the first path) for recording the OL recording area 51 is the forward movement. Therefore, the control unit 11 can use the upstream OL nozzle range of each nozzle column 26 of the first group 27 in the first path to record in the OL recording area 51, and use the downstream OL nozzle range of each nozzle column 26 of the first group 27 in the second path to record in the OL recording area 51. If such a structure is formed, when recording on the recording medium 30 in the OL recording area 51 in the OL method, the ejection order of penetrant → first ink → first ink → penetrant can be realized.

[0075] In addition, the leading path (second path) for recording the OL recording area 52 is a return path movement. Therefore, the control unit 11 can use the upstream OL nozzle range of each nozzle row 26 of the second group 28 in the second path to perform recording in the OL recording area 52, and use the downstream OL nozzle range of each nozzle row 26 of the second group 28 in the third path to perform recording in the OL recording area 52. If such a structure is formed, when recording on the recording medium 30 in the OL recording area 52 in the OL method, it is possible to achieve the ejection order of penetrant → first ink → first ink → penetrant.

[0076] Of course, Figure 2 and Figure 7 The configuration of the nozzle rows 26 shown is an example. As the disclosed scope of the present embodiment, it includes a structure in which the nozzle row 26A is not located at the outermost position in the queue of the plurality of nozzle rows 26. For example, the nozzle row 26A may be located at a position sandwiched between the nozzle rows 26 that eject the first ink in the first direction D1.

[0077] 4. Ejection restriction of penetrant:

[0078] In one mode of the present embodiment as described above, penetrant is recorded corresponding to the OL recording area in the input image, and penetrant is not recorded corresponding to the normal recording area, but it may also be that the ejection of penetrant is restricted under specified conditions even within the OL recording area.

[0079] Figure 8 The steps S120 including the ejection restriction process of penetrant are represented by a flowchart.

[0080] In step S121, the recording data generation unit 12a analyzes the ink recording amount based on the recording data of the first ink generated through step S110. The analysis of the ink recording amount refers to the process of analyzing how much ink is recorded at which position in the input image. Here, it is assumed that the recording data of the first ink is data that specifies any one of large DOT ON, medium DOT ON, small DOT ON, and DOT OFF for each of the CMYK inks for each pixel.

[0081] For example, when the recording data generation unit 12a specifies one large dot for one pixel, it calculates the ink recording amount of the pixel as 100%. For the medium dot and the small dot, they can be converted to large dots according to the known size ratio to the large dot. For example, one medium dot is converted to 0.5 large dots. For example, for a pixel where C ink = medium DOT ON, M ink = DOT OFF, Y ink = DOT OFF, and K ink = large DOT ON, the ink recording amount is 150%. In this way, the recording data generation unit 12a grasps the ink recording amount in the recording data of the first ink.

[0082] Then, in step S122, the recording data generation unit 12a generates image data having the same number of pixels as the recording data of the first ink in the horizontal and vertical directions, and sets "ink recording amount - specified value" as the recording amount of the penetrant for each pixel of the image data. Of course, the ink recording amount refers to the value of each pixel of the recording data of the first ink analyzed in step S121. The specified value is set to 30%, for example. Therefore, for the pixels at the same positions as the pixels with an ink recording amount of 100% in the recording data of the first ink, the recording data generation unit 12a sets the recording amount of the penetrant to 70%.

[0083] In this way, the recording data generation unit 12a generates penetrant data, which uses the value obtained by uniformly subtracting the specified value from the ink recording amount of each pixel of the recording data of the first ink as the recording amount of the penetrant for each pixel. In addition, the value obtained by subtracting the specified value from the ink recording amount itself is not information indicating ON / OFF of the points of the penetrant. Therefore, the recording data generation unit 12a can perform normalization and / or halftone processing on the value obtained by subtracting the specified value from the ink recording amount within the grayscale range of 0 to 255, thereby generating penetrant data that specifies DOT ON or DOT OFF of the penetrant for each pixel.

[0084] According to steps S121 and S122, for the pixels with an ink recording amount equal to or less than the specified value, since the recording amount of the penetrant is 0%, DOT OFF of the penetrant is specified. The area composed of the pixels with an ink recording amount equal to or less than the specified value in the input image is called the "low duty ratio area". On the contrary, the area composed of the pixels with an ink recording amount exceeding the specified value in the input image is called the "high duty ratio area". The specified value used in step S122 can be said to be a threshold value for distinguishing the high duty ratio area and the low duty ratio area.

[0085] In step S123, the recording data generation unit 12a masks all of the normal recording areas in the penetrant data. Masking means forcibly setting all the pixels in the area to be masked to DOT OFF of the penetrant. As a result of step S123, penetrant data is generated that specifies DOT ON of the penetrant only within the OL recording area and within the high duty ratio area.

[0086] The recording data generation unit 12a may execute step S124 after step S123, or may end step S120 after executing step S123.

[0087] By performing at least steps S121 to S123 in step S120, as a result, the control unit 11 causes the recording head 22 to record the penetration liquid in the high duty ratio region where the recording amount of the first ink in the OL recording region as the overlapping region is greater than a specified threshold value, and not to record the penetration liquid in the low duty ratio region where the recording amount of the first ink in the overlapping region is below the threshold value.

[0088] In a region where the amount of ink recorded on the recording medium 30 in the input image is relatively small to a certain extent, the user can hardly visually observe the density unevenness originally caused by the relatively low penetration degree of the ink. Therefore, even in the OL recording region, if it is a low duty ratio region, the effect of improving the image quality by recording the penetration liquid is almost negligible. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the penetration liquid is not recorded in the low duty ratio region in the OL recording region, thereby suppressing the consumption of the penetration liquid.

[0089] In step S124, the recording data generation unit 12a masks the OL gate lines in the OL recording region of the penetration liquid data where the difference in the usage rate between the multiple nozzles 23 used for the OL recording is greater than a specified difference.

[0090] Figure 9 It is a diagram of the nozzle usage rate table 60 showing the specified nozzle usage rate. The nozzle usage rate table 60 is pre-stored in a specified memory or the like. In the nozzle usage rate table 60, the OL gate number and the nozzle usage rate of the leading path to the trailing path are correspondingly specified. The so-called OL gate number is information used to conveniently identify each OL gate line forming one OL recording region. Referring to Figure 4 the example, the OL recording regions 51, 52, and 53 are each formed by 8 columns of OL gate lines, so correspondingly Figure 4 , the nozzle usage rate table 60 also specifies the OL gate numbers from 1 to 8.

[0091] A smaller number in the OL gate number corresponds to a more downstream OL gate line. Therefore, when the nozzle usage rate table 60 is applied to the OL recording region 51, the most downstream OL gate line in the OL recording region 51 is the OL gate line with the OL gate number = 1. Similarly, when the nozzle usage rate table 60 is applied to the OL recording region 52, the most downstream OL gate line in the OL recording region 52 is the OL gate line with the OL gate number = 1.

[0092] The nozzle usage rate table 60 is used for the recording control unit 12b to allocate the pixels of the OL gate lines in the recording data to the leading path and the trailing path in step S130. That is, the recording control unit 12b applies the nozzle usage rate corresponding to the OL gate number to each OL gate line forming the OL recording region for the above allocation. For example, in Figure 4The OL gate number of the rightmost downstream gate line RL in the OL recording area 52 = 1. According to the nozzle utilization rate table 60, the nozzle utilization rate of the forward path = 90%, and the nozzle utilization rate of the backward path = 10%. In this case, the recording control unit 12b allocates 90% of the pixels in all the pixels constituting the rightmost downstream gate line RL in the OL recording area 52 to the nozzle 23 with nozzle number #73 of the forward path, i.e., the second path, for this gate line RL, and allocates the remaining 10% of the pixels constituting this gate line RL to the nozzle 23 with nozzle number #1 of the backward path, i.e., the third path, for this gate line RL.

[0093] According to the characteristics of the nozzle utilization rate table 60, in the OL recording area, for the OL gate lines closer to the downstream, more pixels in the gate line are recorded in the forward path, and for the OL gate lines closer to the upstream in the OL recording area, more pixels in the gate line are recorded in the backward path. However, the ways of allocating pixels between the forward path and the backward path are various. For example, the recording control unit 12b can also randomly allocate each pixel constituting the OL gate line to the forward path and the backward path. Of course, each pixel allocated to the nozzles 23 of the forward path and the backward path is sometimes DOT ON and sometimes DOTOFF. Therefore, the nozzle utilization rate specified by the nozzle utilization rate table 60 does not strictly represent the actual working rate of each nozzle 23 used in the OL recording method.

[0094] The recording data generation unit 12a also refers to the nozzle utilization rate table 60 that is referred to in step S130 in step S124. The difference in utilization rate between the multiple nozzles 23 used in the OL recording method refers to the difference between the nozzle utilization rate of the forward path and the nozzle utilization rate of the backward path. According to the nozzle utilization rate table 60, for example, the difference related to the OL gate number = 2 is 60% of 80% - 20%. In Figure 9 this example, for the sake of easy understanding, the difference between the nozzle utilization rate of the forward path and the nozzle utilization rate of the backward path is described as part of the information in the nozzle utilization rate table 60. However, such a difference can be obtained by simple subtraction, so it can also not be described in the nozzle utilization rate table 60.

[0095] In step S124, the above-mentioned specified difference is set to 60% for example. In this case, the recording data generation unit 12a can mask the OL gate lines in each OL recording area forming the penetrant data where the difference in utilization rate known from referring to the nozzle utilization rate table 60 is 60% or more. The meaning of masking is as described in step S123. In Figure 9In the example, for easy understanding, the corresponding relationship between the OL grid number and the DOT ON / DOT OFF of the permeate is shown. According to the nozzle usage rate table 60, the recording data generating unit 12a can mask the OL grid lines corresponding to the OL grid numbers 1, 2, 7, and 8 among the OL grid lines forming the OL recording area of the permeate data. Figure 4 The example refers to the gate lines RL in the two downstream columns and the two upstream columns of the OL recording areas 51, 52, and 53. Among the OL gate lines forming the OL recording area, the OL gate line that is not masked in step S124 is called the "first gate line", and the OL gate line that is masked in step S124 is called the "second gate line".

[0096] By executing step S124 in step S120, the result is that the control unit 11 causes the recording head 22 to record the permeate for the first gate line in the OL recording area as the overlapping area, where the difference in usage rates between the plurality of first nozzles used in the OL recording is less than a specified difference, and not record the permeate for the second gate line in the overlapping area where the difference in usage rates is greater than the specified difference.

[0097] Even in the case of recording the OL grid line, when the nozzle usage rate is made to be biased toward one of the preceding path and the following path for recording, a recording result with a higher degree of ink penetration, which is basically the same as the recording result of the normal grid line, can be obtained. Therefore, for the OL grid line that is recorded by making the nozzle usage rate be biased toward one of the preceding path and the following path, the significance of recording the penetration liquid is relatively small. Based on such a viewpoint, in the present embodiment, the penetration liquid is not recorded for the second grid line in the OL recording area, thereby suppressing the consumption of the penetration liquid.

[0098] In addition, as a result of executing steps S121 to S124 in step S120 , the control unit 11 causes the recording head 22 to record the permeation liquid in the area corresponding to the high duty ratio area which is the first raster line in the OL recording area.

[0099] Furthermore, in step S120, the recording data generating unit 12a may generate the permeating liquid data for specifying DOT ON of the permeating liquid with respect to the first gate line regardless of whether the OL recording area is a high duty cycle area or a low duty cycle area.

[0100] Regarding such restriction of discharge of the permeated liquid, a modified example will be described.

[0101] Alternatively, the control unit 11 causes the recording head 22 to record the permeating liquid in the high-duty-ratio area of the OL recording area, which is the overlapping area, and to record an amount of the permeating liquid less than that recorded in the high-duty-ratio area in the low-duty-ratio area of the overlapping area. That is, in the low-duty-ratio area of the OL recording area, the permeating liquid is not completely not recorded, but an amount of the permeating liquid less than that recorded in the high-duty-ratio area of the OL recording area is recorded. The amount of the permeating liquid less than that recorded in the high-duty-ratio area means an amount less when compared per unit area. In addition, the amount of the permeating liquid less than that recorded in the high-duty-ratio area may also be a preset amount.

[0102] With such a structure, it is also possible to suppress the concentration unevenness while suppressing the consumption of the permeating liquid.

[0103] Alternatively, the control unit 11 causes the recording head 22 to record the permeating liquid in the first gate line of the gate lines in the OL recording area, which is the overlapping area, and to record an amount of the permeating liquid less than that recorded in the first gate line in the second gate line of the gate lines in the overlapping area. That is, in the second gate line of the OL recording area, the permeating liquid is not completely not recorded, but an amount of the permeating liquid less than that recorded in the first gate line of the OL recording area is recorded. The amount of the permeating liquid less than that recorded in the first gate line means an amount less when compared per unit area. In addition, the amount of the permeating liquid less than that recorded in the first gate line may also be a preset amount.

[0104] With such a structure, it is also possible to suppress the concentration unevenness while suppressing the consumption of the permeating liquid.

[0105] Alternatively, the control unit 11 records an amount of the permeating liquid less than that recorded in at least a part of the overlapping area in the area outside the overlapping area in the image. That is, in the area outside the overlapping area, i.e., the normal recording area, the permeating liquid is not completely not recorded, but an amount of the permeating liquid less than that recorded in at least a part of the overlapping area is recorded. The so-called "at least a part of the overlapping area", as can be seen from the previous description, refers to any one of the entire overlapping area, the high-duty-ratio area in the overlapping area, the first gate line in the overlapping area, and the area of the first gate line in the overlapping area and corresponding to the high-duty-ratio area. The amount of the permeating liquid less than that recorded in at least a part of the overlapping area means an amount less when compared per unit area. In addition, the amount of the permeating liquid less than that recorded in at least a part of the overlapping area may also be a preset amount.

[0106] With such a structure, it is also possible to suppress the concentration unevenness while suppressing the consumption of the permeating liquid.

[0107] 5. Other explanations:

[0108] The printer 20 used in this embodiment may also not be a serial printer, but a so-called line printer as described below.

[0109] Figure 10 The relationship between the recording head 70 of the printer 20 as a line printer and the recording medium 30 is simply shown. The printer 20 as a line printer has a recording head 70 instead of the recording head 22 and does not have a carriage 24.

[0110] The relationship of the directions D1, D2, and D3 is as described above. However, when the printer 20 is a line printer, the second direction D2 is referred to as the main scanning direction or the width direction of the recording medium 30 instead of the conveying direction, and the first direction D1 is referred to as the conveying direction instead of the main scanning direction. The conveying mechanism 21 conveys the recording medium 30 in the first direction D1. The recording head 70 is a structure formed by connecting a plurality of nozzle plates 71 of the same structure along the second direction D2 so as to extend to a length capable of covering the width of the recording medium 30 and is fixed at a predetermined position on the conveying path of the recording medium 30. Each nozzle plate 71 constituting the recording head 70 can also be understood as having the same structure as the Figure 2 recording head 22 shown. The recording head 70 ejects dots onto the recording medium 30 conveyed in the first direction D1 by the respective nozzles 23.

[0111] That is, a plurality of nozzle plates 71 having nozzle columns 26C, 26M, 26Y, 26K, and 26A are connected along the second direction D2, and thus, as a whole, the recording head 70 is formed into a structure having a length capable of covering the width of the recording medium 30 and having nozzle columns for each of the CMYK inks and the penetration liquid. According to Figure 10 this structure, the grid lines are lines extending in the conveying direction. The mutually connected nozzle plates 71 are connected to overlap a part of the nozzle columns with each other in the nozzle column direction D3. Recording in the OL method is performed using the nozzles 23 in the nozzle range 72 where a part of the nozzle columns of the nozzle plates 71 overlap each other.

[0112] When the printer 20 is a serial printer, the printer 20 performs so-called bidirectional recording, that is, liquid is ejected from the recording head 22 regardless of whether it is the forward movement or the return movement of the carriage 24. Alternatively, the printer 20 may perform so-called unidirectional recording, that is, liquid is ejected from the recording head 22 only during either the forward movement or the return movement.

[0113] The recording medium 30 is not limited to media such as cloth that are evaluated for image quality unevenness such as density unevenness on both the recording surface 30a and the non-recording surface 30b, and may also be media such as paper that evaluate the image quality only on the recording surface 30a.

Claims

1. A recording device, characterized in that, Comprising: A recording head having a plurality of first nozzles for ejecting a first ink and a plurality of second nozzles for ejecting a penetration liquid, the penetration liquid promoting the penetration of the first ink into a recording medium; And A control unit that controls the recording head to eject the first ink onto the recording medium, thereby recording an image on the recording medium, the image being formed by arranging a plurality of gate lines extending in a first direction in a second direction intersecting the first direction; The control unit causes the recording head to: Record each gate line in an overlapping area of the image in an overlapping manner using a plurality of the first nozzles to record one gate line; For at least a part of the overlapping area, record the penetration liquid through the second nozzles; For an area other than the overlapping area in the image, record an amount of the penetration liquid less than that recorded in at least a part of the overlapping area.

2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The control unit causes the recording head to: Record the penetration liquid for a high duty cycle area in the overlapping area where the recording amount of the first ink is more than a specified threshold; Do not record the penetration liquid for a low duty cycle area in the overlapping area where the recording amount of the first ink is below the threshold.

3. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The control unit causes the recording head to: Record the penetration liquid for a high duty cycle area in the overlapping area where the recording amount of the first ink is more than a specified threshold; For a low duty cycle area in the overlapping area where the recording amount of the first ink is below the threshold, record an amount of the penetration liquid less than that recorded for the high duty cycle area.

4. The recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The control unit causes the recording head to: Record the penetration liquid for a first gate line in the overlapping area where the difference in usage rates between a plurality of the first nozzles used for recording in the overlapping manner is less than a specified difference; Do not record the penetration liquid for a second gate line in the overlapping area where the difference in usage rates is equal to or more than the specified difference.

5. The recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The control unit causes the recording head to: Record the penetration liquid for a first gate line in the overlapping area where the difference in usage rates between a plurality of the first nozzles used for recording in the overlapping manner is less than a specified difference; For a second gate line in the overlapping area where the difference in usage rates is equal to or more than the specified difference, record an amount of the penetration liquid less than that recorded for the first gate line.

6. The recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The control unit causes the recording head to: Do not record the penetration liquid for an area other than the overlapping area in the image.

7. The recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The recording head can eject a plurality of the first inks having different colors The recording head has a first nozzle row formed by arranging a plurality of the first nozzles in the second direction for each color of the first ink. The recording head has a second nozzle row formed by arranging a plurality of the second nozzles in the second direction. The first nozzle row for each color of the first ink and the second nozzle row are arranged and configured in the first direction. The second nozzle row is located at the outermost position in the queue of a plurality of nozzle rows.

8. The recording apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the recording head is capable of ejecting a plurality of the first inks having different colors. The recording head has a first nozzle row formed by arranging a plurality of the first nozzles in the second direction for each color of the first ink. The recording head has a second nozzle row formed by arranging a plurality of the second nozzles in the second direction. The first nozzle row for each color of the first ink and the second nozzle row are arranged and configured in the first direction. The second nozzle row is located at the outermost position in the queue of a plurality of nozzle rows.

9. The recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the recording head is capable of ejecting a plurality of the first inks having different colors. The recording head has a first nozzle row formed by arranging a plurality of the first nozzles in the second direction for each color of the first ink. The recording head has a second nozzle row formed by arranging a plurality of the second nozzles in the second direction. The first nozzle row for each color of the first ink and the second nozzle row are arranged and configured in the first direction. The second nozzle row is located at the outermost position in the queue of a plurality of nozzle rows.

10. A recording method, characterized in that, The recording head is controlled to eject a first ink onto a recording medium, thereby recording an image on the recording medium. The recording head has a plurality of first nozzles for ejecting the first ink and a plurality of second nozzles for ejecting a penetration liquid that promotes the penetration of the first ink into the recording medium. The image is formed by arranging a plurality of grid lines extending in a first direction in a second direction intersecting the first direction. The recording head is caused to: record each grid line in the overlapping region of the image in an overlapping manner using a plurality of the first nozzles to record one grid line. record the penetration liquid through the second nozzles for at least a part of the overlapping region. record an amount of the penetration liquid less than that recorded for at least a part of the overlapping region for a region other than the overlapping region in the image.

Images