Recording device, control method of recording device, and program

Abstract

To conduct an inspection of a discharge state of a head without causing downtime.SOLUTION: A recording device includes: a recording head which has a plurality of recording elements for discharging a recording material, to record an image on a recording medium by driving the plurality of recording elements; drive controlling means for driving the plurality of recording elements, while differentiating a drive timing for each block by dividing the plurality of recording elements into a plurality of blocks; generating means for generating drive recording data obtained by reflecting discharge inspecting patterns intended for inspecting a discharge state of the recording elements in recording data generated on the basis of image data; and inspecting means for inspecting a discharge state of the recording elements of an inspection object driven on the basis of the discharge inspecting patterns. The generating means generates drive recording data, such that the drive controlling means does not drive recording elements excluding the recording elements to be inspected, in a block including the recording elements to be inspected.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a recording apparatus, a control method for the recording apparatus, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, an inkjet recording apparatus that ejects ink droplets from a recording head to record an image on a recording medium is known. In a recording apparatus having such a configuration, a technique for inspecting the ejection state of an ink ejection nozzle (hereinafter referred to as a nozzle) provided in the recording head by using the ejection of ink droplets from the recording head has been proposed.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes a method for determining a ejection state in a recording head provided with a plurality of sensors for detecting an ejection state corresponding to each nozzle, in which, in addition to a first driving condition for recording an image, a second driving condition different from the first driving condition is provided based on inspection data. This makes it possible to determine the ejection state of the nozzles based on the outputs from each of the plurality of sensors under the second driving condition.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In continuous paper printing, when determining the ejection state of a recording head to ensure its reliability, it is difficult to provide an area for inspection on the medium. Therefore, each time a predetermined distance is printed, the printing is temporarily stopped to check the ejection. However, in this case, there is a problem that the occurrence of downtime cannot be avoided.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to perform an inspection of the ejection state of the head without causing downtime.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0007] A recording apparatus according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a plurality of recording elements for ejecting a recording material, and a recording head that records an image on a recording medium by driving the plurality of recording elements. Drive control means for driving the plurality of recording elements while dividing the plurality of recording elements into a plurality of blocks and varying the driving timing for each block; generation means for generating drive recording data in which an ejection inspection pattern for inspecting the ejection state of the recording elements is reflected in recording data generated based on image data; and inspection means for inspecting the ejection state of the recording elements to be inspected driven based on the ejection inspection pattern. The generation means generates the drive recording data such that the drive control means does not drive recording elements other than the recording elements to be inspected in a block including the recording elements to be inspected.

Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present disclosure, inspection of the ejection state of the head can be performed without downtime.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] <<Embodiment 1>> Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this embodiment, "recording" (sometimes referred to as "printing") refers not only to the case of forming significant information such as characters and figures, but also regardless of whether it is significant or not. Also, it is intended to represent the case of forming an image, pattern, pattern, etc. on a recording medium widely, or performing processing on the medium, regardless of whether it is manifested so that a human can perceive it visually.

[0011] In addition, the "recording medium" shall represent not only paper used in general recording devices, but also widely, materials such as cloth, plastic film, metal plate, glass, ceramics, wood, leather, etc. that can receive ink. Furthermore, the "ink" (which may also be referred to as "liquid") as the recording material shall be interpreted widely in the same manner as the definition of the above "recording (printing)". Therefore, it represents a liquid that can be used for forming images, patterns, etc. on the recording medium, processing the recording medium, or treating the ink (for example, coagulating or insolubilizing the colorant in the ink applied to the recording medium) by being applied onto the recording medium. Additionally, the "nozzle" shall be, unless otherwise specified, a discharge port or a liquid passage communicating therewith, and the "recording element" is used to refer to an element that is provided corresponding to the discharge port and generates energy for ink discharge. For example, a recording element may be provided at a position facing the discharge port. In this specification, a combination of a pair of "nozzles" and "recording elements" is called a "discharge element".

[0012] The element substrate (head substrate) for the recording head used hereinafter does not refer simply to a substrate made of silicon semiconductor, but refers to a configuration in which each element, wiring, etc. are provided. Furthermore, "on the substrate" not only indicates simply above the element substrate, but also indicates the surface of the element substrate and the inner side of the element substrate near the surface.

[0013] <Recording apparatus equipped with a full-line recording head> FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a recording apparatus 1000 using a full-line recording head that discharges ink for recording in the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the recording apparatus 1000 includes a conveyance unit 1 that conveys a recording medium 2, and a full-line recording head 3 disposed substantially orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the recording medium 2, and is a line-type recording apparatus that performs continuous recording while continuously or intermittently conveying a plurality of recording media 2. The full-line recording head 3 includes ink discharge elements (not shown) arranged in a direction intersecting the conveyance direction of the recording medium.

[0014] The full-line recording head 3 includes a discharge unit 100 in which discharge elements are arranged, a negative pressure control unit 230 that controls the pressure (negative pressure) of the ink supplied to the discharge unit 100, and a liquid supply unit 220 that connects the negative pressure control unit 230 and the discharge unit 100. The negative pressure control unit 230 and the liquid supply unit 220 are housed inside the housing 80. The discharge unit 100 is provided at the bottom of the housing 80 so as to face the recording medium 2. The liquid supply unit 220 is provided with a liquid connection portion 111 that serves as an ink supply and discharge port.

[0015] Note that the recording medium 2 is not limited to a continuous roll sheet and may be a cut sheet. The full-line recording head (hereinafter referred to as the recording head) 3 is capable of full-color recording using cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K) inks. A main tank (not shown) is connected to the liquid supply unit 220 via the liquid connection portion 111. Further, an electric control unit (200) that transmits power and a discharge control signal to the recording head 3 is electrically connected to the recording head 3. The conveyance unit 1 includes two conveyance rollers 81 and 82 provided at a distance F apart from each other, and a conveyance belt 83 spanned around the circumferences of the conveyance rollers 81 and 82. When a motor (not shown) rotates the two conveyance rollers 81 and 82, the conveyance belt 83 rotates, and the recording medium 2 placed on the conveyance belt 83 is conveyed.

[0016] The recording head of the present embodiment employs an inkjet method in which ink is discharged using thermal energy. For this reason, each discharge element of the recording head 3 includes an electrothermal conversion element (heater) as a recording element. This electrothermal conversion element is provided corresponding to each discharge port, and by applying a pulse voltage to the corresponding electrothermal conversion element according to a recording signal, the ink is heated and discharged from the corresponding discharge port. Note that the recording apparatus 1000 is not limited to a recording apparatus using a full-line recording head having a recording width corresponding to the width of the recording medium described above. For example, it can also be applied to a so-called serial type recording apparatus in which a recording head having discharge elements arranged in the conveyance direction of the recording medium is mounted on a carriage, and ink is discharged onto the recording medium while the carriage is reciprocally scanned for recording.

[0017] <Description of Control Configuration> FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control circuit of the recording apparatus 1000. As shown in FIG. 2, the recording apparatus 1000 mainly includes a print engine unit 417 that oversees the recording unit, a scanner engine unit 411 that oversees the scanner unit, and a controller unit 410 that oversees the entire recording apparatus 1000. A print controller 419 incorporating an MPU or a nonvolatile memory (such as an EEPROM) controls various mechanisms of the print engine unit 417 according to instructions from the main controller 401 of the controller unit 410. Various mechanisms of the scanner engine unit 411 are controlled by the main controller 401 of the controller unit 410. Hereinafter, the details of the control configuration will be described.

[0018] In the controller unit 410, the main controller 401 composed of a CPU functions to control the entire recording apparatus 1000 while using the RAM 406 as a work area according to the programs and various parameters stored in the ROM 407. For example, when a print job is input from the host device 400 via the host I / F 402 or the wireless I / F 403, the image processing unit 408 performs predetermined image processing on the received image data according to the instructions of the main controller 401. Then, the main controller 401 transmits the image data subjected to the image processing to the print engine unit 417 via the print engine I / F 405. Note that the recording apparatus 1000 may acquire image data from the host device 400 via wireless communication or wired communication, or may acquire image data from an external storage device (such as a USB memory) connected to the recording apparatus 1000. The communication method used for wireless communication or wired communication is not limited. For example, as the communication method used for wireless communication, Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) (registered trademark) or Bluetooth (registered trademark) is applicable. Also, as the communication method used for wired communication, USB (Universal Serial Bus) or the like is applicable. Further, for example, when a read command is input from the host device 400, the main controller 401 transmits this command to the scanner engine unit 411 via the scanner engine I / F 409.

[0019] The operation panel 404 is a unit for the user to perform input / output operations on the recording apparatus 1000. The user can instruct operations such as copy or scan, set the recording mode, or recognize the information of the recording apparatus 1000 via the operation panel 404.

[0020] In the print engine unit 417, the print controller 419 composed of a CPU controls various mechanisms of the print engine unit 417 while using the RAM 421 as a work area according to the programs and various parameters stored in the ROM 420.

[0021] When various commands and image data are received via the controller I / F 418, the print controller 419 temporarily stores them in the RAM 421. To enable the recording head 3 to perform a recording operation, the print controller 419 causes the image processing controller 422 to convert the stored image data into recording data. That is, in this specification, the image data refers to data received by the recording apparatus 1000 from the host apparatus 400 via wireless communication or wired communication. Also, the recording data refers to data obtained by converting the received image data so that it can be recorded by the recording head 3. When the recording data is generated, the print controller 419 causes the recording head 3 to perform a recording operation based on the recording data via the head driver 427. At this time, the print controller 419 drives the conveyance rollers 81 and 82 (see FIG. 1) via the conveyance control unit 426 to convey the recording medium 2. In accordance with the instructions of the print controller 419, a recording operation by the recording head 3 is performed in conjunction with the conveyance operation of the recording medium 2, and a recording process is carried out.

[0022] The head carriage control unit 425 changes the orientation or position of the recording head 3 according to the operating state such as the maintenance state or the recording state of the recording apparatus 1000. The ink supply control unit 424 controls the liquid supply unit 220 so that the pressure of the ink supplied to the recording head 3 is within an appropriate range. The maintenance control unit 423 controls the operation of a cap unit that covers the discharge port surface of the recording head 3 in a maintenance unit (not shown) or a wiping unit that wipes the discharge port surface of the recording head 3 with a wiper when performing a maintenance operation on the recording head 3.

[0023] The scanner engine unit 411 controls the hardware resources of the scanner controller 415 while using the RAM 406 as a work area according to the programs or various parameters stored in the ROM 407 by the main controller 401. Thereby, various mechanisms included in the scanner engine unit 411 are controlled. For example, the main controller 401 controls the hardware resources in the scanner controller 415 via the controller I / F 414, conveys the document loaded on the ADF (not shown) by the user via the conveyance control unit 413, and reads it by the sensor 416. Then, the scanner controller 415 stores the read image data in the RAM 412. Note that the print controller 419 can execute a recording operation based on the image data read by the scanner controller 415 on the recording head 3 by converting the image data acquired as described above into recording data.

[0024] <Description of the configuration of the temperature detection element> FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a configuration corresponding to one ejection element arranged in the ejection unit 100. The ejection unit 100 has a multilayer wiring structure formed on a silicon substrate. FIG. 3(a) is a top view showing that the temperature detection element 306 in the ejection element is arranged in a sheet shape via the interlayer insulating film 307 below the recording element 309. FIG. 3(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the broken line IIIb-IIIb in the top view shown in FIG. 3(a). FIG. 3(c) is a cross-sectional view taken along the broken line IIIc-IIIc shown in FIG. 3(a).

[0025] The ejection element 300 includes an ejection port 313 formed by a nozzle forming material 312 and a pressure chamber 314 capable of accommodating the liquid ejected from the ejection port. Further, the ejection element 300 includes a recording element 309 which is an electrothermal conversion element. When a voltage is applied to the recording element 309 according to ejection data, film boiling occurs in the liquid accommodated in the pressure chamber 314, and the liquid is ejected from the ejection port 313 by the growth energy of the generated bubbles. A temperature detection element 306 capable of detecting the temperature of the recording element 309 is arranged at a position on the side opposite to the pressure chamber 314 with respect to the recording element 309. Hereinafter, the manufacturing process of the layer structure in the ejection element 300 will be described.

[0026] As shown in the IIIb-IIIb cross-sectional view shown in FIG. 3(b) or the IIIc-IIIc cross-sectional view shown in FIG. 3(c), a wiring 303 made of aluminum or the like is formed on an insulating film 302 laminated on a silicon substrate, and an interlayer insulating film 304 is further formed on the wiring 303. The wiring 303 and the temperature detection element 306 of a thin film resistor made of a titanium and titanium nitride laminated film or the like are electrically connected via a conductive plug 305 made of tungsten or the like embedded in the interlayer insulating film 304.

[0027] Next, an interlayer insulating film 307 is formed below the temperature detection element 306. Then, the wiring 303 and the recording element 309 of the electrothermal conversion element made of a tantalum silicon nitride film or the like are electrically connected via a conductive plug 308 made of tungsten or the like that penetrates the interlayer insulating film 304 and the interlayer insulating film 307. When connecting the lower conductive plug and the upper conductive plug, it is common to connect them with a spacer made of an intermediate wiring layer in between. When applied to this embodiment, since the film thickness of the temperature detection element 306 serving as the intermediate wiring layer is a thin film of about several tens of nm, the accuracy of overetch control with respect to the temperature detection element film serving as the spacer is required during the via hole process. Also, it is disadvantageous for the miniaturization of the pattern of the temperature detection element layer. In view of such circumstances, in this embodiment, the conductive plug 308 that penetrates the interlayer insulating film 304 and the interlayer insulating film 307 is adopted. Further, in order to ensure the reliability of conduction according to the depth of the plug, in this embodiment, the conductive plug 305 that penetrates one layer of the interlayer insulating film has a diameter of 0.4 μm, and the conductive plug 308 that penetrates two layers of the interlayer insulating film has a larger diameter of 0.6 μm.

[0028] Next, a protective film 310 such as a silicon nitride film, and a cavitation-resistant film such as tantalum are formed on the protective film 310 to form a head substrate (element substrate). Further, a discharge port 313 is formed with a nozzle forming material 312 made of a photosensitive resin or the like. In this way, a multilayer wiring structure is provided with an intermediate layer of an independent temperature detection element 306 between the layer of the wiring 303 and the layer of the recording element 309.

[0029] From the above configuration, the element substrate used in this embodiment can obtain temperature information by the temperature detection element 306 provided corresponding to each recording element 309. Then, from the temperature information detected by the temperature detection element 306 and its temperature change, a determination result signal RSLT indicating the ink ejection state from the corresponding recording element can be obtained by a logic circuit (inspection unit) provided inside the element substrate. The determination result signal RSLT is a 1-bit signal, where "1" indicates normal ejection and "0" indicates ejection failure.

[0030] <Description of the temperature detection configuration> FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a control configuration for temperature detection using the element substrate shown in FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 4, the print engine unit 417 includes a print controller 419 incorporating an MPU, a head driver 427 connected to the recording head 3, and a RAM 421 in order to detect the temperature of the recording element 309 mounted on the recording element substrate 5. The head driver 427 also includes a signal generation unit 7 that generates various signals for transmission to the recording element substrate 5 of the recording head 3, and a determination result extraction unit 9 that inputs a determination result signal RSLT output from the recording element substrate 5 based on the temperature information detected by the temperature detection element 306.

[0031] For inspecting the recording or ejection state of an image, the print controller 419 issues an instruction to the signal generation unit 7. As a result, the signal generation unit 7 outputs a clock signal CLK, a latch signal LT, a block signal BLE, a recording data signal DATA, and a heat enable signal HE to the recording element substrate 5. In particular, when inspecting the ejection state, the signal generation unit 7 outputs a sensor selection signal SDATA, a constant current signal Diref, and an ejection inspection threshold signal Ddth.

[0032] The sensor selection signal SDATA includes selection information for selecting a temperature detection element that detects temperature information from among a plurality of temperature detection elements 306 arranged on the recording element substrate 5. Further, the sensor selection signal SDATA includes energization amount designation information for the selected temperature detection element 306 and information related to an output instruction for the determination result signal RSLT. For example, in a configuration where the recording element substrate 5 mounts five rows of a recording element row composed of a plurality of recording elements 311, the selection information included in the sensor selection signal SDATA includes column selection information for designating a column and recording element selection information for designating the recording element 311 in that column. On the other hand, a 1-bit determination result signal RSLT based on the temperature information detected by the temperature detection element 306 corresponding to one recording element 311 in the column designated by the sensor selection signal SDATA is output from the recording element substrate 5. Therefore, in a configuration where the recording element substrate 5 mounts ten rows of recording element rows, the determination result signal RSLT is 2 bits, and this 2-bit signal is output serially to the determination result extraction unit 9 via a single signal line.

[0033] As can be seen from FIG. 4, the latch signal LT, the block signal BLE, and the sensor selection signal SDATA are fed back to the determination result extraction unit 9. On the other hand, the determination result extraction unit 9 receives the determination result signal RSLT output from the recording element substrate 5 based on the temperature information detected by the temperature detection element 306, and extracts the determination result during each latch period in synchronization with the fall of the latch signal LT. Then, when the determination result is a discharge defect, the block signal BLE corresponding to the determination result and the sensor selection signal SDATA are stored in the RAM 421 as information regarding the discharge defect nozzle. Then, when performing the recording operation, the print controller 419 refers to the information regarding the discharge defect nozzle stored in the RAM 421. Then, based on the block signal BLE and the sensor selection signal SDATA used to drive the discharge defect nozzle, a signal for driving the discharge defect nozzle is erased from the recording data signal DATA of the corresponding block.

[0034] <Explanation of the method for determining the discharge state> FIGS. 5(a) and (b) are diagrams showing the temperature waveform output from the temperature detection element and the temperature change signal of the waveform when a drive pulse is applied to the recording element. In FIG. 5(a), the temperature waveform (sensor temperature: T) is shown in degrees Celsius, but actually, a constant current is supplied to the temperature detection element 306, and the voltage (V) between the terminals of the temperature detection element is detected. Since this detected voltage is temperature-dependent, in FIG. 5, the detected voltage is converted into temperature and represented as temperature. Further, FIG. 5(b) is a diagram showing the time change (mV / sec) of the detected voltage as the temperature change signal (dT / dt). Here, the temperature waveform (sensor temperature: T) is shown as the waveform output after passing through a filter circuit (first derivative) and an inverting amplifier (positive and negative inversion).

[0035] As shown in FIG. 5(a), when a drive pulse 211 is applied to the recording element 309 and ink is ejected normally (in the case of normal ejection), the output waveform of the temperature detection element 306 becomes like waveform 201. In the temperature drop process of the temperature detected by the temperature detection element 306 indicated by waveform 201, as the satellite of the ink droplet ejected onto the interface of the recording element 309 during normal ejection falls and the interface is cooled, a feature point 209 appears. And after the feature point 209, the temperature drop rate of waveform 201 increases rapidly. For this reason, the temperature change signal (dT / dt) becomes like waveform 203 in FIG. 5(b).

[0036] On the other hand, in the case of ejection failure, the output waveform of the temperature detection element 306 changes gently like waveform 202 in FIG. 5(a), and the feature point 209 does not appear like waveform 201 during normal ejection. For this reason, the temperature change signal (dT / dt) becomes like waveform 204 in FIG. 5(b).

[0037] In waveform 203 in the case of normal ejection, a peak 210 appears due to the maximum temperature drop rate after the feature point 209 of waveform 201. On the other hand, no prominent peak appears in waveform 204 in the case of ejection failure. For this reason, by comparing the acquired waveform with the ejection inspection threshold voltage (TH) preset in the comparator mounted on the recording element substrate 5, it is possible to determine whether it is normal ejection or defective ejection. Specifically, when the acquired waveform exceeds the ejection inspection threshold voltage (TH) (dT / dt≧TH), the comparator outputs a pulse as the determination signal (CMP) 213. On the other hand, when the acquired waveform does not exceed the ejection inspection threshold voltage (TH), the comparator does not output the determination signal (CMP) 213.

[0038] Therefore, the determination result extraction unit 9 can grasp the ejection state of each nozzle based on the feedback sensor selection signal SDATA and the presence or absence of the corresponding determination signal (CMP) 213. This determination signal (CMP) becomes the determination result signal RSLT described above.

[0039] Note that the ejection determination threshold voltage (TH) may be set by reading out the value measured during head manufacturing, which was previously stored in the non-volatile memory of the head. Alternatively, an optimal ejection determination threshold voltage (TH) predicted from the peak value of the temperature change signal (dT / dt) on the printer main body may be set for each nozzle. It is set in an optimal way according to the system.

[0040] <Explanation of block driving> The recording head 3 used by the recording apparatus 1000 increases the number of recording elements, shortens the driving cycle of the recording head 3, and aims to increase the recording speed. In such a recording head, if all the recording elements 309 are driven simultaneously, the power consumption temporarily increases. Therefore, to cope with this, it is necessary to increase the power supply capacity. However, increasing the power supply capacity leads to an increase in the cost of the recording apparatus. Therefore, as a countermeasure, the driving of the recording elements is performed in a time-division manner to reduce the number of simultaneously driven recording elements. This suppresses the increase in instantaneous power consumption. In time-division driving, a plurality of recording elements are divided into a plurality of blocks, and at a certain timing, the maximum number of simultaneously driven recording elements included in each block is set to 1, and the recording elements for each divided block are driven in a certain order. In this way, all the recording elements are driven when the driving order makes one round.

[0041] FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the control configuration of time-division driving incorporated in the element substrate. In the driving circuit shown in FIG. 6, the recording head 3 includes 512 recording elements (Seg0 to Seg511), and these 512 recording elements are divided into 64 each and divided into 8 blocks for time-division driving. According to this configuration, each block includes 64 recording elements, and these 64 recording elements are driven simultaneously. For example, when the block driving order is set as 0, 1, 2,..., 5, 6, 7, the 8 blocks from block 0 to 7 are sequentially specified and driven by a 3-bit block enable signal BE. That is, the recording elements assigned to each block are driven in order. This block driving order can be set in an arbitrary order and is appropriately set according to the system.

[0042] The recording data signal DATA is serially transferred to the element substrate 5 of the recording head 3 in synchronization with the clock signal CLK. After the recording data signal DATA is received by the 32-bit shift register 321, it is latched by the latch circuit 322 at the rising edge of the latch signal LT. The block to be driven is specified by the three-wire block enable signal BE, and the specified signal is decoded by the decoder 324 to select the recording element 309 of the specified block as the drive target. The recording element 309 corresponds to the recording elements (Seg0 to Seg511) shown in FIG. 9 described later.

[0043] As can be seen from the configuration of FIG. 6, only the recording elements specified by both the block enable signal BE and the recording data signal DATA are driven by the heat enable signal HE, and ink droplets are ejected from the corresponding nozzles. Specifically, the heat enable signal HE is input to the AND circuit 323 provided corresponding to each recording element at the timing when the recording data signal DATA, the decoded block enable signal BE, and the latch signal LT are input. Then, the logical product of these is calculated by the AND circuit, and the calculation result is output to the recording element 309. That is, a voltage pulse is applied to the electrothermal conversion element which is the recording element. More specifically, the value of the heat enable signal HE is inverted by the inverter circuit 325, and the inverted heat enable signal HE and the latch signal LT are logically multiplied by the AND circuit 326. Then, the calculation result is input to the AND circuit 323. In FIG. 6, the illustration of the drive transistor for each recording element 309 is omitted.

[0044] The input period of the latch signal required for high-speed recording in this embodiment will be described. To achieve high-speed recording as a recording device, it is required to increase the input period of the latch signal shown in FIG. 6 as much as possible. Signals necessary to drive a recording head, such as the aforementioned recording data signal DATA or the decoded block enable signal BE, need to be input within the input period of the latch signal. If various predetermined signals cannot be completely transferred within the input period of the latch, the driving of the recording element based on the correct recording data cannot be performed, and defects will occur in the image. Therefore, the time required to completely transfer the signals necessary for recording is the minimum latch signal input period, which is the upper limit of the recording speed. In this embodiment, the transfer frequency of various signals is 160 MHz, and the capacity of signals necessary at the time of recording such as the data signal DATA is 480 bits. The minimum input period of the latch at this time is 3.0 μsec (480 bits × 6.25 ns / bit).

[0045] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of the input timing of the latch signal. For the period (3.0 μsec) from the input timing of the latch signal to the input timing of the next latch, it is denoted as "blkN" in association with the number N (0 to 7) of the selected block enable signal BE. The column signal is output from the conveyance control unit in conjunction with the conveyance operation of the recording medium so that dots can be recorded on the recording medium at a resolution of 1200 dpi (21.2 μm). Based on this column signal, eight latch signals are output. Since the output period of the latch signal is 3.0 μsec, all the block enable signals BE are sequentially selected over 24.0 μsec. Also, since there is an error in the conveyance accuracy of the recording medium, the next column signal is output with a margin of approximately 10% (2.4 μsec) of this time. That is, the period of the column signal including eight latch signals and 2.4 μsec for margin is 26.4 μsec. The conveyance speed of the recording medium at this time is 0.8 m / sec, which is approximately the upper limit of the recording speed that can be achieved in this embodiment.

[0046] In this embodiment, in order to detect the ejection state of an arbitrary ejection element, it is necessary to drive the recording element corresponding to the ejection element and check for the presence or absence of characteristic points that occur after a certain period of time after the droplets are ejected. The required time is approximately 5.0 μsec. For this reason, it is not possible to determine the ejection state of an arbitrary ejection element within the block period of 3.0 μsec assigned to that ejection element. In order to detect the ejection state of an arbitrary ejection element, it is necessary to use the time from the block assigned to that ejection element to the next block. Note that when the maximum recording speed of the system is not required, for example, when recording the latch signal at a period of 5.0 μsec, the detection of the ejection state can be executed within one section of the drive block.

[0047] <Explanation of ejection detection pattern> An embodiment will be described in which an ejection detection pattern is inserted into the recording data for detecting the ejection state during the recording of arbitrary image data in a recording apparatus having the above configuration, and drive recording data finally ejected by the recording head is generated.

[0048] FIG. 8 is a block diagram of the signal generation unit 7 (see FIG. 4) in the present embodiment. The signal generation unit 7 of the present embodiment includes a spitting inspection timing generation unit 701, a spitting inspection pattern insertion unit 702, and a spitting inspection command generation unit 703. The spitting inspection timing generation unit 701 designates the timing for performing a spitting inspection on a block that is the target of detection of the spitting state based on a predetermined cycle or the like. The spitting inspection pattern in the present embodiment is a pattern in which, in the inspection block, the spitting data of the spitting element to be inspected is set to drive (ON), and the simultaneously-on nozzles other than the inspection target are set to non-drive (OFF). Further, the spitting inspection pattern insertion unit 702 sequentially designates the recording elements to be the targets of detection of the spitting state for each spitting inspection timing. For example, an instruction to execute detection of the spitting state in the second column is issued by the spitting inspection timing generation unit 701, and in response to this, the spitting inspection pattern insertion unit 702 determines to detect the spitting state of the recording element seg18 and changes the recording data signal DATA transmitted to the recording head. That is, among the recording data signals DATA based on the image data, the data that is the target of the spitting inspection pattern for the spitting inspection of the recording element seg18 is replaced with the spitting inspection pattern generated by the spitting inspection pattern insertion unit 702. The recording data thus obtained is called drive recording data. The spitting inspection timing is also transmitted to the spitting inspection command generation unit 703, and the inspection command generation unit 703 outputs a sensor selection signal SDATA, a constant current signal Diref, and a spitting inspection threshold signal Ddth that are matched to the recording element to be inspected according to the received spitting inspection timing.

[0049] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a ejection inspection pattern. Using FIG. 9, the change of the recording data signal DATA by the signal generation unit 7 will be described. In the figure, Seg refers to the recording element as described in FIG. 6, and in FIG. 9, the recording head is assumed to have 512 from Seg0 to Seg511. Also, as described in FIG. 6, in FIG. 9, each recording element is assigned to 8 blocks (BE0 to BE7). In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, 64 recording elements are assigned to one block. Specifically, to BE0, Seg0, 8, 16, 24, 32, 40,... are regularly assigned to the recording elements every 7. Also for BE1 and later, the recording elements are regularly assigned as shown in FIG. 9.

[0050] The recording data input via the print controller 419 is allocated to the corresponding recording element and drive timing based on the numbers of BE and Seg in the signal generation unit 7. FIG. 9 shows the allocation state in the case of so-called solid recording. Solid recording is a state in which all ejection elements record one dot each in all columns. For example, focusing on the first column (Column1), all recording elements (Seg0 to Seg511) are driven at the timing of any of the 8 blocks (BE0 to BE7), and the black circles (●) indicate the timing (i.e., block) at which each recording element is driven.

[0051] The figure shows the case of detecting the ejection state for the recording element Seg18 assigned to BE2 in the second column (Column2). The position (Seg18, BE2) to be the object of ejection detection is indicated by a white circle (○).

[0052] Here, since the recording element Seg18 is inspected and driven in the third block (BE2) of the second column, in the ejection inspection pattern, the recording data signals DATA of the recording elements Seg2, 10, 26, etc. that may be driven simultaneously with Seg18 are set to non-driven. In the figure, this position is indicated by a cross (×). That is, in the present embodiment, recording elements assigned to the same block as the recording element for which ejection state detection is performed are set not to be driven even if the recording data indicates recording (driving).

[0053] The reason for not performing recording on the recording elements assigned to the same block as the recording element to be inspected is that if other recording elements are driven simultaneously with the recording element for which ejection state detection is performed, there is a risk that electrical noise will be introduced into the data acquired by the temperature detection element 306. If noise is introduced into the data, it may not be possible to correctly determine the ejection state as described with reference to FIG. 5.

[0054] Also, as shown in FIG. 9, in the present embodiment, subsequent blocks (for example, BE3 when the recording element to be detected is assigned to BE2) are also set to non-driven (×). Here, the reason is that the time required from driving the recording element to confirming the feature points is longer than the block period. For example, if the above-mentioned required time is shorter than the block period, subsequent blocks may not be included in the ejection inspection block, and the ejection inspection block may only be BE2. Conversely, if the above-mentioned required time is two times or more the block period, it is preferable to set more subsequent blocks included in the ejection inspection block to non-driven (×).

[0055] FIG. 10 is a flowchart of the ejection inspection in the present embodiment. This process is started by receiving an instruction for recording from the user and performing the recording process. That is, the ejection inspection is executed during the recording. This process is executed by the main controller 401 expanding the program stored in the ROM 407 into the RAM 406. Note that "S" in the description of each process below means a step in the sequence diagram.

[0056] In S1001, the main controller 401 determines whether the target block (BE) is a block to be inspected for ejection (a block to be inspected for the ejection state). The block to be inspected for ejection refers to a drive block including a nozzle to be inspected. In FIG. 9, the block 2 section including BE2 and BE3 in column 2 corresponds. The determination process is performed according to the ejection inspection timing generated by the ejection inspection timing generation unit 701. For example, when performing the inspection as shown in FIG. 9, until BE2 in the second column, this step is determined as No. In the blocks of BE2 and BE3 in the second column, this step is determined as Yes based on the ejection inspection timing generation unit 701. If it is determined that the block is a block to be inspected for ejection, the main controller 401 proceeds to S1003. If it is determined that the block is not a block to be inspected for ejection, the main controller 401 proceeds to S1002.

[0057] In S1002, the main controller 401 performs drive control based on the recording data and records an image for a non-ejection target block (normal recording block) that is not a block to be inspected for ejection without performing operations such as inserting an ejection inspection pattern for inspecting the ejection state.

[0058] In S1003, the main controller 401 inserts an ejection inspection pattern. That is, the recording data is replaced with a predetermined ejection inspection pattern. The ejection inspection pattern is, for example, a pattern such as that described in FIG. 9, which makes non-driven the simultaneously-on nozzles other than the nozzles to be inspected in the inspection block. In the case of FIG. 9, the data areas of Seg0 to Seg511 of BE2 and BE3 in Column2 become the ejection inspection pattern.

[0059] In S1004, the main controller 401 performs drive control on the ejection inspection block based on the ejection inspection pattern. As a result, the ink ejection operation is performed only on the recording element to be inspected. In S1005, the main controller 401 performs ejection determination using the temperature detection element 306. Specifically, it detects whether the temperature change signal (dT / dt) (see FIG. 5) acquired from the temperature detection element 306 exceeds the ejection inspection threshold signal Ddth output from the ejection inspection command generation unit 703. When the temperature change signal exceeds the ejection inspection threshold signal Ddth, the ejection state of the recording element to be inspected is determined to be "normal", and when the temperature change signal is equal to or less than the ejection inspection threshold signal Ddth, the ejection state of the recording element is determined to be "defective".

[0060] In S1006, the main controller stores the result of the above determination in the RAM 421 of the print engine unit 417 as a determination result signal RSLT. In S1007, the main controller 401 determines whether recording based on the image data is completed. If it is determined that the recording is not completed, the main controller 401 returns to S1001. That is, the recording continues. If it is determined that the recording is completed, the main controller 401 ends the processing of this flowchart. The above is the flowchart of the ejection inspection according to this embodiment. By inserting the ejection inspection pattern when the block to be ejected is the ejection inspection block, it becomes possible to execute the ejection inspection of the recording element even during the recording of the image data.

[0061] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining an example of the ejection inspection pattern. The ejection inspection timing generation unit 701 sets the number of columns in the image as the period for executing the inspection and stores it in the memory, and causes the ejection inspection to be executed every such period. Further, the ejection inspection timing generation unit 701 has a table in which all the nozzles of the recording head are set as inspection targets in an arbitrary order as the inspection order.

[0062] Figure 11 shows the dot arrangement recorded by the ejection inspection on the paper surface when the inspection period is 50 columns and the inspection order of the recording elements is in ascending order from the top (Seg0, 1, 2, ···). When inspection dots with a diameter of approximately 30 μm are arranged at a period of about 1 mm (1200 dpi, 50 columns), even on white paper, inspection dots unrelated to the image data are difficult to visually detect. Although it is possible to set a shorter inspection period, since many recording elements within the period are not driven, white spaces will become prominent, and there is a risk that the quality of the resulting product will deteriorate.

[0063] By performing an ejection inspection one nozzle at a time at an interval of approximately 1 mm, when inspecting all 4092 nozzles (512 nozzles × 8 columns) in the chip once, approximately 5 meters of image data will be passed. In the full-line recording head of Figure 1, 17 chips are arranged in parallel, and each of the 17 chips is equipped with equivalent nozzles and circuits and can be driven independently. The nozzle order and timing of the ejection inspection for each chip can be set independently. However, in this embodiment, since there are potential drawbacks such as the ejection inspection dots being close between adjacent chips, all the chips to be inspected perform the ejection inspection in the same order and at the same timing. Also, there may be chips outside the width of the recording medium being recorded and not used for recording. In that case, for the chips not used, the ejection inspection is individually set to be not performed according to the setting of the medium width. In addition, the nozzles at the ends of the nozzle chips at both ends are not used for recording the maximum-width recording medium that can be used in the recording device. The ejection inspection is always set to be not performed for the nozzles not used.

[0064] The ejection inspection results stored in S1006 of FIG. 10 are updated in the order of inspection as the recording of image data progresses. Continuing the recording with a head having a large number of non-ejections (abnormalities) may increase the risk of image defects. Therefore, using the time of the gap between pages, which is the delimiter of image data, the latest ejection inspection results (non-ejection nozzle information) are notified to a non-ejection compensation module (not shown) for processing as a non-ejection compensation target to avoid image defects. Specifically, the pixel data is distributed so that the image is recorded with normal nozzles that are not non-ejection (abnormal) nozzles. While it is assumed that this occurs multiple times per second between pages, the distance (5 meters as described above) is such that it takes more than ten seconds for the ejection inspection results to be updated for all nozzles. Therefore, considering the balance with the processing load, it is reasonable to acquire the non-ejection information and reflect it in non-ejection compensation after waiting for at least the cycle in which the inspection results of all nozzles are updated.

[0065] FIG. 12 is a partially enlarged view of the nozzle (recording element) arrangement of the recording head 3 in the present embodiment. In the above description, one nozzle row of the recording head 3 has been described, but in an actual line head, it is often the case that a chip provided with more nozzle rows is arranged in a configuration of multiple arrays.

[0066] FIG. 13 is a view showing the recording head 30 as seen from the side of the ink ejection surface. As shown in FIG. 12, the recording head 30 is configured by connecting a plurality of head chips (head substrates) 10 each having a parallelogram shape in the Y direction. 24 nozzle rows are arranged in each head chip, and the nozzles constituting each nozzle row are arranged obliquely in the X direction at a pitch of 600 dpi resolution. The nozzles in each nozzle row are arranged at a pitch of 600 dpi resolution, but between each row, the nozzles are shifted by 1 / 4 pitch in the nozzle arrangement direction. Therefore, by combining four consecutive nozzle rows, for example, by combining rows 0 to 3 and rows 4 to 7, etc., recording with a resolution of 2400 dpi in the y direction can be achieved. For this reason, the number of nozzles inspected simultaneously in parallel in a certain block can exist according to the number of chips. Also, by providing separate circuits so that they are not affected by inspection noise within the chip, simultaneous inspection of multiple systems is also possible. By using a recording head in which 8 nozzle rows are arranged substantially in parallel as shown in FIG. 12, recording with a resolution higher than the nozzle interval within the row becomes possible. Also, since a configuration is adopted in which a plurality of nozzles are arranged on the same raster, by overlapping the droplets ejected from these plurality of nozzles on the paper surface, higher density recording becomes possible.

[0067] When using such a multi-row head, it becomes possible to reduce the influence on the image when the above-described ejection inspection pattern is inserted. For example, even if the original recording data is thinned out by the ejection inspection pattern and dot omission (white omission) occurs on the actual image, with a multi-row head, the recording data can be supplemented (complemented) by the nozzles of other rows, so that dot omission is less likely to be visually recognized. Therefore, a recording head in which 8 or more nozzle rows are arranged as shown in FIG. 12 is preferable.

[0068] Also in the other head, as described above, the nozzles are sequentially inspected and the results are stored, and it is preferable to cooperate with the non-ejection compensation module at the stage of completing a full cycle of all nozzles. Specifically, it is set in the S1001 ejection inspection block at intervals of about 1 mm (50 columns), and non-ejection nozzle information is accumulated in S1003 to S1006. For example, for a page with a length of 1 meter, between the 5th page (5 meters) and the 6th page, the nozzle information to be subjected to non-ejection compensation is collectively replaced. Since there is a time lag of about 1 second for this memory transfer and it is impossible to reflect it in the data that has passed through the non-ejection compensation module, non-ejection compensation processing according to the updated non-ejection nozzle information will be performed from several seconds later (around the 8th page). That is, the non-ejection compensation processing reflects the inspection results by the inspection means in the compensation at predetermined page intervals.

[0069] As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to execute an inspection of the ejection state of the head during the recording of the real image. Specifically, an ejection inspection pattern is inserted into the target block at a specific cycle during the recording of the real image. Thereby, it is possible to perform an inspection of the ejection state of the recording element without degrading the quality of the product after recording.

[0070] Incidentally, the ejection state inspection in the real image described so far can of course also be executed by ejecting ink to the cap unit to perform an operation of simply repeating ejection only by, for example, the ejection inspection block in a state where the apparatus is waiting without performing a printing operation. By sequentially inspecting all nozzles inside the cap during the standby state or during job input, RIP processing, and main body preparation operation (for example, the time required for preheating the fixing and drying unit and stabilizing the conveyance of the roll media), non-ejection compensation can be performed from the leading end of the real image. Therefore, it is more preferable to perform the ejection state inspection in combination with the in-image ejection inspection in FIG. 10.

[0071] <<Other Embodiments>> The effects of the above-described embodiments are not limited to the use of a line head. For example, a serial recording head in which a nozzle array arranged at 600 dpi is shifted by 1200 dpi in the nozzle array direction and arranged in two rows may be used, and multi-pass recording in which this recording head is scanned a plurality of times with respect to the same image area of the recording medium may be employed. In this case, dots can be recorded at positions where dots have been thinned out by a ejection inspection pattern in a certain recording scan in another recording scan. Even in such a configuration, by inserting an ejection inspection pattern in the same manner as described in the above embodiment, it is possible to avoid downtime for inspection.

[0072] Furthermore, the present disclosure includes the following configurations. (Configuration 1) A recording head having a plurality of recording elements for ejecting a recording material, and recording an image on a recording medium by driving the plurality of recording elements; Drive control means for driving the plurality of recording elements while dividing the plurality of recording elements into a plurality of blocks and varying the driving timing for each block; Generating means for generating drive recording data in which an ejection inspection pattern for inspecting the ejection state of the recording elements is reflected in recording data generated based on image data; Inspection means for inspecting the ejection state of the recording elements to be inspected driven based on the ejection inspection pattern; and The generating means generates the drive recording data such that the drive control means does not drive recording elements other than the recording elements to be inspected in a block including the recording elements to be inspected. A recording apparatus characterized by the above. (Configuration 2) The recording apparatus according to Configuration 1, wherein the generating means generates the drive recording data such that the drive control means does not drive all the recording elements in a block that is driven following the block including the recording elements to be inspected. (Configuration 3) The generating means generates the drive recording data by reflecting a discharge inspection pattern for inspecting the discharge state of a predetermined recording element in the recording data, and after a specific period, generates the drive recording data by reflecting a discharge inspection pattern for inspecting the discharge state of a recording element different from the predetermined recording element in the recording data. The recording apparatus according to Configuration 1, characterized in that. (Configuration 4) The recording apparatus according to Configuration 3, characterized in that the specific period is 50 columns. (Configuration 5) The recording apparatus according to Configuration 3, characterized in that the specific period is about 1 mm. (Configuration 6) The inspection means inspects the discharge state of the recording element based on the change in the temperature of the recording element driven based on the discharge inspection pattern. The recording apparatus according to Configuration 1, characterized in that. (Configuration 7) The recording head has a nozzle row composed of a plurality of the recording elements. The recording apparatus according to Configuration 1, characterized in that. (Configuration 8) The recording head has a plurality of the nozzle rows. The recording apparatus according to Configuration 7, characterized in that. (Configuration 9) When the discharge state of the recording element to be inspected is determined to be abnormal by the inspection means, the recording apparatus according to Configuration 8, characterized in that the recording element to be inspected is not driven during image recording. (Configuration 10) When the discharge state of the recording element to be inspected is determined to be abnormal by the inspection means, the recording apparatus according to Configuration 8, characterized in that it has a complementing means for complementing the recording element to be inspected using the recording elements of other nozzle rows. (Configuration 11) The complementing means reflects the inspection results of all the recording elements in the complementing after the inspection of all the recording elements of the recording head by the inspection means. The recording apparatus according to Configuration 10, characterized in that. (Configuration 12) The recording apparatus according to configuration 10, wherein the complementing means reflects the inspection result by the inspection means in complementing every predetermined page. (Configuration 13) The recording head has a plurality of chips in which a plurality of recording elements are arranged. The drive control means drives the plurality of recording elements according to the recording data while varying the driving timing for each of the blocks by dividing the ejection inspection pattern into a plurality of the blocks for each of the chips. The recording apparatus according to configuration 7, wherein the ejection inspection pattern is generated so as to target for inspection the recording elements that eject at the same timing of another chip. (Configuration 14) The recording apparatus according to configuration 7, wherein the inspection means does not target for inspection the nozzles outside the width of the recording medium on which an image is recorded. (Configuration 15) The recording apparatus further includes a cap. The recording head has an ejection port surface provided with ejection ports for ejecting ink provided corresponding to the recording elements. The cap covers the ejection port surface. The recording apparatus according to configuration 1, wherein the inspection means inspects the ejection state of the recording elements to be inspected driven by driving the recording elements so as to eject ink to the cap, separately from the inspection by the drive recording data. (Configuration 16) A control method for a recording apparatus including a recording head having a plurality of recording elements for ejecting a recording material and recording an image on a recording medium by driving the plurality of recording elements, the method including: a drive control step of driving the plurality of recording elements while varying the driving timing for each of the blocks by dividing the plurality of recording elements into a plurality of blocks; and a generation step of generating drive recording data in which an ejection inspection pattern for inspecting the ejection state of the recording elements is reflected in the recording data generated based on image data. An inspection step of inspecting a discharge state of a recording element to be inspected driven based on the ejection inspection pattern having The generation step generates the drive recording data so that in a block including the recording element to be inspected, the drive control step does not drive recording elements other than the recording element to be inspected. A control method for a recording apparatus is characterized by this. (Configuration 17) A program that operates in a recording apparatus including a recording head having a plurality of recording elements for ejecting a recording material and recording an image on a recording medium by driving the plurality of recording elements, the recording apparatus being a drive control means for driving the plurality of recording elements while varying driving timings for each of the plurality of blocks obtained by dividing the plurality of recording elements into the plurality of blocks a generation means for generating drive recording data in which an ejection inspection pattern for inspecting an ejection state of the recording element is reflected in recording data generated based on image data an inspection means for inspecting an ejection state of a recording element to be inspected driven based on the ejection inspection pattern functioning as The generation means generates the drive recording data so that in a block including the recording element to be inspected, the drive control means does not drive recording elements other than the recording element to be inspected. A program is characterized by this.

Claims

1. a recording head having a plurality of recording elements for ejecting a recording material, the recording head recording an image on the recording medium by driving the plurality of recording elements; a drive control means for dividing the plurality of recording elements into a plurality of blocks and driving the plurality of recording elements while varying the drive timing for each of the blocks; a generating means for generating drive and print data in which a discharge inspection pattern for inspecting the discharge state of the print element is reflected in print data generated based on image data; an inspection means for inspecting the ejection state of the printing element to be inspected which is driven based on the ejection inspection pattern; having The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the generating means generates the drive and print data such that the drive control means does not drive print elements other than the print element to be inspected in a block including the print element to be inspected.

2. 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the generating means generates the drive and recording data so that the drive control means does not drive all recording elements in a block that is driven subsequent to the block that includes the recording element to be inspected.

3. The recording device according to claim 1, characterized in that the generating means generates the drive recording data by reflecting an ejection inspection pattern for inspecting the ejection state of a specified recording element in the recording data, and after a specific period, generates the drive recording data by reflecting an ejection inspection pattern for inspecting the ejection state of a recording element other than the specified recording element in the recording data.

4. 4. The recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the specific period is 50 columns.

5. 4. The recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the specific period is about 1 mm.

6. 2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the inspection means inspects the ejection state of the printing element based on a change in temperature of the printing element driven based on the ejection inspection pattern.

7. 2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printhead has a nozzle array made up of a plurality of the printing elements.

8. 8. The recording apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the recording head has a plurality of the nozzle rows.

9. 9. The printing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein when the ejection state of the printing element to be inspected is determined to be abnormal by the inspection means, the printing element to be inspected is not driven during printing of an image.

10. 9. The printing apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising a complementing means for complementing the printing element to be tested with a printing element of another nozzle array when the inspection means determines that the ejection state of the printing element to be tested is abnormal.

11. 11. The printing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the complementing means reflects the inspection results of all the printing elements in the complement after the inspection means has finished inspecting all the printing elements of the printhead.

12. 11. The recording apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the complementing means reflects the inspection result by the inspection means in the complementing for every predetermined number of pages.

13. The recording head has a plurality of chips on which a plurality of recording elements are arranged, the drive control means drives the plurality of recording elements according to the recording data while dividing the detection pattern into a plurality of blocks for each chip and varying the drive timing for each block; 8. The printing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the ejection detection pattern is generated so as to inspect printing elements of different chips that eject ink at the same timing.

14. 8. The recording apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said inspection means does not inspect nozzles located outside the width of the recording medium on which an image is recorded.

15. The recording device further comprises a cap. the recording head has an ejection port surface on which ejection ports for ejecting ink are provided corresponding to the recording elements; The cap covers the discharge port surface, 2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the inspection means inspects the ejection state of the printing element to be inspected by driving the printing element to eject ink onto the cap, separately from the inspection using the drive print data.

16. A control method for a recording device having a recording head that has a plurality of recording elements for ejecting a recording material and records an image on a recording medium by driving the plurality of recording elements, comprising: a drive control step of driving the plurality of recording elements while dividing the plurality of recording elements into a plurality of blocks and varying the drive timing for each of the blocks; a generating step of generating drive and print data in which a discharge inspection pattern for inspecting the discharge state of the print element is reflected in print data generated based on image data; an inspection step of inspecting the ejection state of the printing element to be inspected that is driven based on the ejection inspection pattern; having A control method for a printing apparatus, characterized in that the generating step generates the drive and print data so that the drive control step does not drive print elements other than the print element to be inspected in a block including the print element to be inspected.

17. A program that operates in a recording device that includes a recording head having a plurality of recording elements for ejecting a recording material, and that records an image on a recording medium by driving the plurality of recording elements, the program comprising: a drive control means for dividing the plurality of recording elements into a plurality of blocks and driving the plurality of recording elements while varying the drive timing for each of the blocks; a generating means for generating drive and print data in which a discharge inspection pattern for inspecting the discharge state of the print element is reflected in print data generated based on image data; an inspection means for inspecting the ejection state of the printing element to be inspected which is driven based on the ejection inspection pattern; Function as a The program, wherein the generating means generates the drive and print data such that the drive control means does not drive print elements other than the print element to be inspected in a block including the print element to be inspected.

Images