Recording apparatus, control method therefor, and program

Abstract

To relatively easily achieve adjustment of a discharge position of a reaction liquid in an inkjet recording apparatus provided with a serial head.SOLUTION: A recording apparatus comprises: a recording head including first and second nozzle arrays; and recording control means for performing recording on a recording medium while reciprocally moving and driving the recording head. The first nozzle array is configured to be able to discharge color ink, and the second nozzle array is configured to be able to discharge a reaction liquid that fixes the color ink onto the recording medium. When a movement direction of the recording head in which the second nozzle array is downstream of the first nozzle array is defined as a forward path and the opposite direction is defined as a return path, the recording control means forms an adjustment pattern in which a reaction liquid pattern and a color ink pattern overlap for each of the forward path and the return path of the recording head. When the adjustment pattern is formed in the return path, the recording control means executes first drive control that drives the recording head to further form a base pattern with the second nozzle array in the preceding forward path.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 16

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention mainly relates to an inkjet recording apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] Some inkjet recording devices not only eject color inks but also eject a reaction liquid that reacts with the color inks ejected onto a recording medium (see Patent Document 1). The reaction of the reaction liquid with the color inks allows the color inks to be fixed onto the recording medium. The ejection positions of the color inks and the reaction liquid are required to substantially coincide with each other on the recording medium, but because the reaction liquid is typically colorless and transparent, a technique for appropriately adjusting the ejection position of the reaction liquid is generally required. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-138494 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the case of a serial head, which is a head that performs printing by moving back and forth relative to the recording medium, the ejection position of the reaction liquid may vary between the forward and backward movements of the recording head. Furthermore, the ejection position of the reaction liquid, either the color ink or the reaction liquid, onto the recording medium differs between the forward and backward movements. Therefore, a technology that can relatively easily achieve appropriate adjustment of the ejection position of the reaction liquid is required.

[0005] An exemplary object of the present invention is to relatively easily adjust the ejection position of a reaction liquid in an inkjet recording apparatus equipped with a serial head. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present invention relates to a recording device, the recording device comprising: a print head including a first nozzle row and a second nozzle row; a recording control means for driving the recording head as a serial head while reciprocating the recording head, thereby recording on a recording medium; the first nozzle row is configured to be able to eject color ink; the second nozzle row is configured to be able to eject a reaction liquid that reacts with the color ink to fix the color ink on the recording medium; When the moving direction of the recording head in which the second nozzle row is downstream of the first nozzle row is defined as an outward path, and the opposite direction is defined as a return path, The recording control means forming an adjustment pattern for adjusting the ejection position for each of the forward and backward passes of the recording head, the adjustment pattern being an overlapping pattern of the reaction liquid and a pattern of the color ink; When the adjustment pattern is formed on the return pass of the recording head, a base pattern is further formed by the second nozzle row on the previous forward pass. A first drive control is executed to drive the recording head in such a manner that It is characterized by: [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, the ejection position of the reaction liquid can be adjusted relatively easily. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of a recording apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal configuration of the recording apparatus. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of an optical sensor. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the ejection port surface of a recording head. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a control system of the printing apparatus. [Figure 6] 5A and 5B are schematic diagrams showing examples of sub-patterns that make up an adjustment pattern. [Figure 7] 5A and 5B are schematic diagrams showing examples of dot densities of each sub-pattern. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a detection result by an optical sensor. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a detection result by an optical sensor. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an adjustment pattern for the forward movement. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an adjustment pattern for the return path. [Figure 12] 5A and 5B are schematic diagrams showing a reference example of a method for printing an adjustment pattern. [Figure 13] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an overview of a first example of a method for printing an adjustment pattern. [Figure 14] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing details of a first example of a method for printing an adjustment pattern. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing an overview of a second example of a method for recording an adjustment pattern. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing details of a second example of a method for printing adjustment patterns. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing details of a third example of a method for recording an adjustment pattern. [Figure 18] 10 is a flowchart showing a method for correcting positional deviation of a reaction solution. [Figure 19] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an adjustment pattern for evaluating the positional deviation of a reaction solution. [Figure 20] 10 is a flowchart showing a method for correcting positional deviation of a reaction solution. [Figure 21] 10 is a flowchart showing a method for correcting positional deviation of a reaction solution. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the scope of the claimed invention. Although multiple features are described in the embodiments, not all of these multiple features are necessarily essential to the invention, and multiple features may be combined arbitrarily. Furthermore, in the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals are used to designate the same or similar components, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0010] <Configuration of recording device> Fig. 1 is an overall perspective view showing an example of a recording apparatus 10 according to an embodiment. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal configuration of the recording apparatus 10.

[0011] The recording device 10 is a so-called serial scan type, in which recording medium P is transported within the device body while the recording head 24 is moved back and forth / scanned in a direction intersecting the transport direction to perform recording. Such a recording head 24 is referred to as a serial head. Recording is performed using an inkjet method, in which ink is ejected onto the recording medium P to form an image. The concept of an image includes letters, numbers, symbols, figures, photographs, etc., as well as the spaces between them.

[0012] 1 and 2 and other figures described later, the width direction of the recording device 10 is the X direction, the depth direction is the Y direction, and the height direction is the Z direction. The X direction corresponds to the scanning direction of the recording head 24, and the Y direction corresponds to the transport direction of the recording medium P. In the following description, when one direction or the other direction in each of the X to Z directions is to be distinguished, it is indicated by adding a "+" or a "-". For example, one direction in the X direction (the downstream direction) is indicated as the "+X direction," and the other direction in the X direction (the upstream direction) is indicated as the "-X direction."

[0013] The recording device 10 includes a platen 12 that supports the recording medium P transported within the device body, and a recording unit 14 that performs recording on the recording medium P supported by the platen 12. The recording device 10 also includes a heating unit 16 that heats the recording surface Pf of the recording medium P (hereinafter, sometimes simply referred to as "recorded product") that has been recorded on by the recording unit 14.

[0014] The conveying unit or conveying mechanism for conveying the recording medium P sequentially pulls out / unwinds and feeds the recording medium P from a roll sheet 27 formed by winding up the sheet-like recording medium P, using a conveying roller 23 driven, for example, via a gear, by a conveying motor (not shown). The fed recording medium P is conveyed toward the platen 12 and recorded on by the recording unit 14, and the recorded recording medium P is rewound by the spool 21. Note that the conveying unit is not limited to this example, and other known configurations may be employed.

[0015] In addition to having a recording head 24, the recording unit 14 further has a guide shaft 20 and a carriage 22 attached so as to be movable along the guide shaft 20. The guide shaft 20 extends in the X direction, thereby allowing the carriage 22 to move back and forth in the X direction. The recording head 24 has a plurality of ejection ports (nozzles) 32 (see FIG. 4), which will be described later, for ejecting ink, and is detachably attached to the carriage 22 so that an ejection port surface (nozzle surface) 34 (see FIG. 2), which will be described later and on which the plurality of ejection ports 32 are arranged, faces the platen 12. With this configuration, the recording head 24 ejects ink onto the recording medium P while moving back and forth in the X direction to perform recording.

[0016] The moving mechanism of the carriage 22 may be of a known construction, and may be constructed using, for example, a carriage motor and a carriage belt and lead screw that transmit the driving force from the carriage motor.

[0017] The recording device 10 further includes an optical encoder 30 extending in the X direction, and the position of the recording head 24 can be controlled based on a signal from the encoder 30 by a control unit 100 (see FIG. 5) described below.

[0018] The recording head 24 is capable of ejecting ink containing coloring materials and a reaction liquid that reacts with the ink to change the viscosity of the ink, thickening it, or solidifying it. The ink containing the coloring materials is color ink, and typical examples include black ink (K ink), cyan ink (C ink), magenta ink (M ink), and yellow ink (Y ink). These four color inks are pigment inks that contain coloring materials that exhibit the corresponding colors. Hereinafter, when referring to the colors of color ink, they may be simply referred to as K, C, M, and Y, but the colors and number of color inks are not limited to the four colors mentioned above. Furthermore, in this specification, color ink may be simply referred to as ink, and ink and reaction liquid may be collectively referred to as liquid.

[0019] In this embodiment, the recording unit 14 equipped with the recording head 24 moves back and forth at a speed of 45 inches / sec and is capable of recording at a resolution of 1200 dpi (dots per inch), i.e., at intervals of 1 / 1200 inch. When recording begins, the control unit 100 moves the recording head 24 to the recording start position and causes the aforementioned transport unit to transport the recording medium P to a position where recording can be performed by the recording head 24. Thereafter, the control unit 100 alternately performs a scanning and recording operation, in which recording is performed while moving the recording head 24 in the X direction, and a transport operation, in which the recording medium P is transported a predetermined distance upon completion of the scanning and recording operation, based on the recording data. Recording on the recording medium P is achieved by repeating such scanning and recording operations and transport operations.

[0020] An area corresponding to one scan of the print head 24 can be expressed as a unit area. In this embodiment, printing on a unit area is realized by so-called multi-pass printing, that is, the print head 24 scans the unit area of the print medium P multiple times while the print medium P is stopped. For example, when printing on a unit area is realized by two scans, the print head 24 prints part of the unit area on the forward pass (for example, scanning in the -X direction) and prints the remaining part of the unit area on the return pass (for example, scanning in the +X direction).

[0021] The heating unit 16 applies heat to the recording surface Pf of the recorded recording medium P, thereby fixing the ink applied to the recording surface Pf. The heating unit 16 is covered with a cover 17, which not only has a protective function for protecting the heating unit 16, but also a heat reflection function for reflecting the heat generated by the heating unit 16 toward the recording medium P. The heating temperature of the heating unit 16 can be set based on the fixability of the ink, the productivity of the recorded material, etc. The heating mode by the heating unit 16 is not limited to heating from the recording surface Pf side (see FIG. 2), but may be heating from the opposite back surface Pb. In this case, the heating unit 16 may be disposed, for example, downstream of the platen 12 (+Y direction side) and below the guide unit 19 (-Z direction side) that guides the recording medium P after recording. A known non-contact type heat conduction heater such as a sheath heater or a halogen heater can be used for the heating unit 16, but other known heaters such as a hot air heater may also be used. Furthermore, a plurality of heating units 16 may be provided.

[0022] As will be described in detail later, the color inks used in the recording device 10 may contain pigments, resin particles, and water-soluble organic solvents. The heating unit 16 heats and melts the resin particles in the ink, and also evaporates the water-soluble organic solvent in the ink, thereby fixing the pigments to the recording medium P. Ink containing resin microparticles has the property of improving abrasion resistance and fixability. Therefore, the heating temperature of the heating unit 16 should be set to a temperature equal to or higher than the minimum film-forming temperature of the resin microparticles. The heating temperature should also be set so that liquid components in the ink, such as water-soluble organic solvents, can essentially evaporate. Therefore, the heating unit 16 can be configured to create a temperature distribution in the transport direction of the recording medium P that ensures a sufficient heating time for sufficient energy to be supplied for evaporation.

[0023] Although not shown here, the recording device 10 further includes a predetermined recovery unit that recovers the liquid ejection function of each ejection port 32 in the recording head 24 and enables the liquid ejection state from each ejection port 32 to be maintained in good condition. The recovery unit can be provided near the end of the recording head 24 in the scanning direction (X direction), for example, adjacent to the platen 12. Examples of the recovery unit include a wiping unit that wipes the ejection port surface 34 and a cap that protects the ejection port surface 34, but other known recovery units may also be provided.

[0024] <About optical sensors> 2, the recording device 10 includes a reflective optical sensor 200 that can detect the optical characteristics of a recorded material. The control unit 100 acquires an OD (Optical Density) value as the reflective optical characteristic of the recording medium P based on the detection result of the optical sensor 200. The installation position of the optical sensor 200 is not limited to the example shown in the figure, and it may be provided on the +X side or the −X side, or on the +Y side or the −Y side of the carriage 22. Alternatively, the optical sensor 200 may be provided independently from the carriage 22, and may be arranged to be movable in the X direction, or may extend in the X direction across the width of the recording medium P.

[0025] Fig. 3(a) is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of the configuration of the optical sensor 200. Fig. 3(b) is a schematic diagram showing a detection spot by the optical sensor 200. The optical sensor 200 is fixed to the carriage 22 so that its detection area or measurement area is located on the +Y direction side of the ejection port array (nozzle array) 33 (see FIG. 4) of the recording head 24. The lower surface 200a of the optical sensor 200 is located so as to coincide with the ejection port surface 34 in the Z direction, or is located on the +Z direction side of the ejection port surface 34.

[0026] The optical sensor 200 includes a light-emitting unit 302 (e.g., an LED) that emits visible light such as red light, green light, and blue light, and a light-receiving unit 304 (e.g., a photodiode) that detects the visible light. The light-emitting unit 302 and the light-receiving unit 304 are provided on the lower surface 200a of the optical sensor 200. The light-emitting unit 302 irradiates light onto the recording medium P, and the light-receiving unit 304 receives and detects the reflected light reflected by the recording medium P. That is, the irradiated light 306 from the light-emitting unit 302 is diffused by the recording medium P, and the resulting reflected light 308 is detected by the light-receiving unit 304. The diameter of the detection spot 310 where the irradiated light 306 is diffused by the recording medium P is, for example, about 3 mm.

[0027] The detection signal detected by the light receiving unit 304 as an analog signal corresponding to the amount of reflected light 308 is transferred to a control circuit on an electric board of the recording device 10 via a wiring unit (not shown), such as a flexible cable, etc. In the control circuit, this detection signal is converted into a digital signal by an A / D converter. When detecting the optical characteristics of an adjustment pattern (see FIG. 6(a) and the like) described below, the transport of the recording medium P in the Y direction and the movement of the carriage 22, to which the optical sensor 200 is attached, in the X direction are alternately executed. The optical sensor 200 detects the optical reflectance of the recorded matter (i.e., the density of the recorded pattern) while synchronizing the timing of the execution based on a position signal obtained by the encoder 30. For example, the reflection intensity is large / strong in the case of a white or relatively light recorded pattern, and the reflection intensity is small / weak in the case of a black or relatively dark recorded pattern.

[0028] <About the recording head> 4 is a schematic diagram showing the ejection port surface 34 of the recording head 24 when viewed in the +Z direction. The ejection port surface 34 is formed with one or more ejection port arrays 33, in which a plurality of ejection ports 32 for ejecting the corresponding liquid are arranged along the Y direction. Here, five ejection port arrays 33K, 33C, 33M, 33Y, and 33RCT for ejecting K ink, C ink, M ink, Y ink, and reaction liquid RCT, respectively, are formed side by side in the X direction. Note that the arrangement order of the five ejection port arrays 33K, etc. is not limited to the example shown in the figure, and they may be arranged in other orders.

[0029] In this embodiment, each ejection port array 33 has 1280 ejection ports 32 arranged in the Y direction at intervals of 1200 dpi, and the ejection amount of liquid (color ink or reaction liquid) ejected at one time from a single ejection port 32 is approximately 4.5 pl (picoliters). In addition, each ejection port array 33 is connected to a tank (not shown) that stores the corresponding liquid, and the corresponding liquid is supplied from the tank to the ejection port array 33. The tank may be configured integrally with the print head 24, or may be configured to be detachable from the carriage 22.

[0030] <About color ink> Typically, color inks may be pigment inks containing pigments and / or water-soluble resin particle inks containing no pigments or only trace amounts of pigments. The resin particles bring the recording medium P and the colorant into close contact with each other, improving the scratch resistance and fixability of the recorded image. The resin particles are soluble with heat, and the heating unit 16 forms a film of the resin particles and dries the solvent in the ink. In this embodiment, the resin particles are polymer particles dispersed in a liquid. The polymer particles may be resin particles obtained by homopolymerizing or copolymerizing multiple types of monomers having dissociable groups (so-called self-dispersing resin particle dispersions).

[0031] To impart desired properties, surfactants, defoamers, preservatives, antifungal agents, etc. may be added to the color inks. A penetrant may be used as the surfactant to improve the penetration of the color ink into the inkjet recording medium P. In this embodiment, the surfactant is selected and adjusted so that the surface tension of each color ink is 30 dyn / cm or less and the difference in surface tension between the color inks is within 2 dyn / cm. In other words, the surface tension of each color ink is set to a range of 28 to 30 dyn / cm.

[0032] The pH of the color inks is preferably in the range of 7.0 to 10.0 to prevent impurities from eluting from components that come into contact with the color inks in the recording device 10 or recording head 24, deterioration of those components, and / or a decrease in the solubility of the pigment dispersion resin in the color inks. Because each color ink used in this embodiment contains anionic colorants, its pH is stable on the alkaline side, and is in the range of 8.5 to 9.5.

[0033] <About the reaction mixture> The reaction liquid RCT contains a reactive component that reacts with the coloring material of the color ink, and solidifies or thickens the color ink upon contact with the color ink, thereby fixing the color ink onto the recording medium P while suppressing bleeding of the color ink on the recording medium P. More specifically, the reaction liquid contains a reactive component that reacts with the pigment in the color ink to aggregate or gel the pigment, and / or a reactive component that reacts with the resin microparticles to insolubilize them.

[0034] The reactive component is, for example, a component that, when mixed with a color ink containing a component that disperses in a liquid due to the action of ionic groups, can destroy the dispersion stability of the color ink. An example of a reactive component is an organic acid such as glutaric acid. The content of the organic acid in the reaction liquid RCT is preferably within a range of 3.0% to 90.0% by mass, and more preferably within a range of 5.0% to 70.0% by mass, based on the total mass of the composition in the reaction liquid RCT. Furthermore, as with the color ink, a surfactant may be added to the reaction liquid RCT.

[0035] <Recording operation execution control> 5 is a block diagram illustrating the control system of the recording device 10. The control unit 100 is configured to be able to control the entire system of the recording device 10, and includes a CPU 102, a ROM 104, a RAM 106, and a memory 108. A CPU (Central Processing Unit) 102 controls the driving of each element of the recording device 10 and processes image data input to the recording device 10 based on a predetermined program. A ROM (Read Only Memory) 104 stores the above programs that can be executed by the CPU 102. A RAM (Random Access Memory) 106 holds information such as parameters and data required for driving and controlling the recording device 10. A memory 108 stores information such as adjustment patterns and mask patterns, which will be described later.

[0036] The control unit 100 also includes an input / output port 110, and is connected to elements outside the control unit 100 via the input / output port 110. For example, the control unit 100 is connected to an interface circuit 112 via an input / output port 110, and is connected to a host device 114 via the interface circuit 112. The control unit 100 is also connected to an operation panel 124 that can be operated by a user via the input / output port 110. The user can input desired image data to the recording device 10 via the host device 114, and can also input other information required for recording to the recording device 10 via the host device 114 and the operation panel 124.

[0037] The control unit 100 is also connected to a motor driver 116 via an input / output port 110, and controls the driving of a motor 118 via the motor driver 116. The motor 118 includes various motors provided in the recording device 10, such as a carriage motor that moves the carriage 22, a transport motor that drives the transport unit described above, and the like. The control unit 100 is also connected to a head driver 120 via an input / output port 110 and controls the driving of the recording head 24 via the head driver 120 . The control unit 100 is also connected to a drive circuit 122 via an input / output port 110 , and controls the driving of the heating unit 16 via the drive circuit 122 .

[0038] Furthermore, the control unit 100 is connected to the optical sensor 200 via the input / output port 110, and controls the driving of the optical sensor 200, thereby detecting the optical characteristics of an adjustment pattern (described below) on the recorded material based on a signal from the optical sensor 200. From this perspective, in this embodiment, the control unit 100 and the optical sensor 200 can be said to function as a detection unit capable of detecting optical characteristics.

[0039] When performing printing, the CPU 102 in the control unit 100 converts image data input from the host device 114 into print data and stores it in the RAM 106. More specifically, the CPU 102 acquires image data indicating 8-bit 256-value information (0 to 255) for each of the RGB colors corresponding to red, green, and blue. The CPU 102 then performs color conversion processing to convert the image data into multi-value data corresponding to the multiple types of ink (K, C, M, and Y, which correspond to color inks in this embodiment) used in the printing device 10. That is, the color conversion processing generates multi-value data indicating 8-bit 256-value information (0 to 255) that indicates the gradation of each of K, C, M, and Y for each of the multiple pixels.

[0040] Next, the multi-value data is quantized as described above, and the CPU 102 generates quantized data (binary data) indicating 1-bit binary information (0 or 1) that determines whether or not to eject each of the K, C, M, and Y inks for each pixel. Known quantization methods such as error diffusion, dithering, and indexing can be used as examples of the process for generating the quantized data.

[0041] Thereafter, the CPU 102 performs a distribution process to distribute the above-mentioned quantized data to each region of one scan of the print head 24 so as to achieve the above-mentioned multi-pass printing. This generates print data that indicates 1-bit binary information (0 or 1) that determines whether or not to eject each of the K, C, M, and Y inks for each pixel, and that corresponds to each scan of the print head 24. The distribution process can be performed using a mask pattern that indicates whether or not to allow liquid ejection from each ejection port 32 during each scan.

[0042] In this way, the control unit 100 performs the desired recording based on the results of the above-mentioned data processing, and functions as a recording control unit that controls the drive of the individual elements of the recording device 10, mainly the recording unit 14 (recording head 24) and a conveyance unit (not shown). Note that the above-mentioned data processing may be performed at least in part by the host device 114.

[0043] <Regarding deviation of liquid ejection position> With the above-described configuration, the recording device 10 performs a recording operation based on recording data. That is, the recording head 24 ejects liquid while moving back and forth in the X direction by the carriage 22, thereby performing recording on the recording medium P. During recording, the color ink and the reaction liquid are each ejected in a predetermined amount within the same area, so that the reaction liquid comes into contact with the color ink at a constant rate, making it possible to suppress bleeding of the color ink, which can occur significantly, particularly on non-absorbent (or poorly absorbent) recording media P. Furthermore, when the recording media P onto which the color ink and reaction liquid have been ejected passes through the heating section 16, the color ink is heated and dried, which can promote fixation of the ink even on non-absorbent recording media P.

[0044] As described above, the color ink and the reaction liquid need to be ejected onto the same region. Therefore, the recording device 10 needs to evaluate the relative deviation of the ejection position of the reaction liquid relative to the ejection position of the color ink and acquire the amount of deviation. The ejection position here refers to the landing position of the droplets on the recording medium P, and in the following description, the above-mentioned relative deviation of the ejection position of the liquid may be simply referred to as "positional deviation." The amount may also be simply referred to as "positional deviation amount." In particular, in this configuration in which the liquid is ejected while the carriage 22 moves back and forth in the X direction, it is necessary to acquire the amount of positional deviation in the X direction.

[0045] The acquisition process for acquiring such a positional deviation amount can be executed, for example, by the user instructing the start of the acquisition process via the host device 114 or the operation panel 124. Thereafter, based on the acquired positional deviation amount, a correction value for correcting the liquid ejection timing can be calculated or identified, for example, by the control unit 100. The printing operation is performed by correcting the liquid ejection timing based on the correction value calculated in this manner, and thereby adjusting the ejection position.

[0046] <About adjustment patterns> The adjustment of the color ink ejection positions (mainly a series of operations of acquiring the aforementioned positional deviation amount, calculating a correction value for correcting the positional deviation amount, and incidentally correcting the ejection timing) can be performed using a known adjustment pattern, which can be relatively easily achieved, for example, by detection using the optical sensor 200 or by visual inspection by the user. On the other hand, the adjustment of the ejection position of the reaction liquid is performed by recording or forming a pattern of color ink and a pattern of reaction liquid on top of each other, and the optical sensor 200 detects the difference in the degree of reaction due to the reaction liquid, or the user visually confirms it, as will be described in detail later. However, in addition to the fact that reaction liquid is generally colorless and transparent, its ejection position can vary between the forward pass (for example, scanning in the -X direction) and the return pass (for example, scanning in the +X direction). Furthermore, as will be described in detail later, when adjusting the reaction liquid, it is necessary to print a reaction liquid pattern before printing a color ink pattern. For these reasons, the adjustment of the reaction liquid is generally more difficult than that of color ink.

[0047] Figures 6(a) to 6(c) show examples of sub-patterns that make up the adjustment patterns described below, and Figures 7(a) to 7(d) show partial enlargements of an area of 64 pixels in total, consisting of 8 pixels in the X direction and 8 pixels in the Y direction, as examples of detailed patterns of these sub-patterns.

[0048] 6(a) shows a sub-pattern 61 formed with one of the color inks, and in this embodiment it is formed with K ink, but it may be formed with other color inks. The sub-pattern 61 is printed uniformly with a relatively high dot density, as shown in FIG. 7(a).

[0049] Fig. 6(b) shows a subpattern 62 formed by the reaction liquid, which is composed of alternating regions Sr1 of relatively low dot density and regions Sr2 of relatively high dot density. Subpattern 62 is recorded uniformly at a relatively low dot density in region Sr1, as shown in Fig. 7(b), and uniformly at a relatively high dot density in region Sr2, as shown in Fig. 7(c). In this example, dots are formed discretely for 13 pixels in the region of 64 pixels in total in Fig. 7(b), and dots are formed in the entire region in Fig. 7(c). However, these dot densities are relative, and the dot density is not limited to this example.

[0050] 6(c) shows another sub-pattern 73 formed by the reaction liquid. The details will be described later, but the sub-pattern 73 functions as a base pattern to enable the adjustment pattern to be properly printed. The sub-pattern 73 is printed uniformly at a relatively low dot density, as shown in FIG. 7(d).

[0051] The term "uniform" as used herein includes the absence of localized bias in dot density when evaluated over a relatively wide area, and does not impede detection by the optical sensor 200 and / or visual recognition by the user of differences in the degree of reaction due to the reaction liquid. Therefore, a uniform pattern does not necessarily have to be a dot pattern that follows strict regularity.

[0052] For ease of understanding, two regions Sr1 and Sr2 are illustrated for the subpattern 62 here, but it is sufficient that the dot densities of adjacent regions are different, and there are two or more types of regions.

[0053] 8, consider the case where adjustment pattern 91 is recorded by overlapping a uniform subpattern 61 made of K ink with a subpattern 62 in which regions Sr1 and Sr2 are alternately arranged, out of the subpatterns described above. When adjustment pattern 91 is recorded by overlapping subpatterns 61 and 62, the reaction liquid in subpattern 62 reacts with the K ink in subpattern 61. At this time, the degree of reaction in region Sr2, which has a relatively high dot density, is greater than that in region Sr1, which has a relatively low dot density, and therefore the optical properties differ between regions Sr1 and Sr2; specifically, the reflection intensity in region Sr1 is greater than that in region Sr2. Such a change in reflection intensity between the regions Sr1 and Sr2 indicates the boundary between the regions Sr1 and Sr2, and can be detected by the optical sensor 200 described above (see FIG. 3), but can also be visually recognized by the user.

[0054] FIG. 9 shows adjustment patterns 101 and 102, similar to adjustment pattern 91 in FIG. 8, that take into account the forward pass (e.g., scanning in the -X direction) and the return pass (e.g., scanning in the +X direction). For example, adjustment pattern 101 is assumed to be printed on the forward pass, and adjustment pattern 102 is assumed to be printed on the return pass. As described above and as shown in the figure, the ejection position of the reaction liquid may vary between the forward pass and the return pass. The amount of misalignment can be obtained by detection by the optical sensor 200 (or by visual inspection by a user) based on the change in reflection intensity between regions Sr1 and Sr2. A correction value is calculated based on the thus obtained amount of misalignment, and the ejection timing of the reaction liquid on one of the forward pass and the return pass (e.g., the return pass) can be corrected based on the correction value so that it coincides with the ejection timing of the reaction liquid on the other pass (e.g., the forward pass).

[0055] 10 and 11 show an example of a method for recording or forming an adjustment pattern according to this embodiment.

[0056] FIG. 10 shows an adjustment pattern 121 for the forward pass when ejecting reaction liquid on the forward pass. The adjustment pattern 121 is printed by a portion of the ejection port array 33, and in this embodiment, it is printed by areas on one end side and the other end side (areas excluding the center) of the ejection port arrays 33K and 33RCT in the Y direction. These printing areas are referred to as areas R1 and R3, respectively. The adjustment pattern 121 includes a sub-pattern 123 formed with K ink and a sub-pattern 124 formed with reaction liquid. The sub-pattern 123 formed with K ink may be printed on either the forward pass or the return pass, but the sub-pattern 124 formed with reaction liquid is printed on the forward pass.

[0057] FIG. 11 shows an adjustment pattern 122 for the return pass when ejecting the reaction liquid on the return pass. The adjustment pattern 122 is printed by another part of the ejection port array 33. In this embodiment, it is printed by the central region in the Y direction of the ejection port arrays 33K and 33RCT. This printing region is referred to as region R2. The adjustment pattern 122 includes a subpattern 125 formed by K ink and a subpattern 126 formed by the reaction liquid, and further includes a subpattern 137 formed by the reaction liquid, as will be described in detail later. The subpattern 125 formed by K ink may be printed on either the forward pass or the return pass, but the subpattern 126 formed by the reaction liquid is printed on the return pass. Furthermore, the subpattern 137 formed by the reaction liquid may be printed on either the forward pass or the return pass.

[0058] The patterns recorded in regions R1 and R3 of subpattern 123 and the pattern recorded in region R2 of subpattern 125 are substantially identical, and are each designated pattern 1211. Pattern 1211 corresponds to subpattern 61 in FIG. 6(a). Furthermore, the patterns recorded in regions R1 and R3 of subpattern 124 and the pattern recorded in region R2 of subpattern 126 are substantially identical, and are each designated pattern 1212. Pattern 1212 is formed by alternating regions Sr1 and Sr2, and corresponds to subpattern 62 in FIG. 6(b). The pattern recorded in region R2 of subpattern 137 is indicated as pattern 1213. Pattern 1213 corresponds to subpattern 73 in FIG.

[0059] Regions R1 to R3 are said to be regions obtained by dividing a unit region, which is an area for one scan of the print head 24, in the Y direction, and the above-mentioned adjustment patterns 121 and 122 are printed in this unit region by multiple scans of the print head 24. Individual patterns 1211, 1212, and 1213 that make up the adjustment patterns 121 and 122 are printed in one scan (forward or backward).

[0060] <About the base pattern> In this embodiment, which performs multi-pass printing, in the case of normal printing (when producing a printed matter consisting of letters, numbers, symbols, figures, photographs, etc., typically when printing a desired document file in response to an instruction from the host device 114), the operation of ejecting reaction liquid and color ink to print on the forward pass, and the operation of ejecting color ink and reaction liquid to print on the return pass are repeated multiple times in the same unit area, and most of the ejection openings 32 are not driven at once. Therefore, it is generally unlikely that which of the reaction liquid and the color ink is ejected first onto the printing medium P is an issue. On the other hand, when recording an adjustment pattern, the number of scans per unit area of the recording head 24 is fewer than in normal printing, and each of the aforementioned patterns 1211 and the like is generally recorded in a single scan. Therefore, if a color ink pattern (e.g., pattern 1211) is recorded first, there is a possibility that the color ink droplets will flow on the recording medium P before the subsequent reaction liquid pattern (e.g., pattern 1212) is recorded. This flow can impair the uniformity of the color ink pattern, making it difficult to properly record the adjustment pattern and to obtain the amount of positional deviation of the reaction liquid based on the change in reflection intensity between regions Sr1 and Sr2. For this reason, when printing an adjustment pattern for adjusting the ejection position of the reaction liquid, the reaction liquid pattern must be printed before the color ink pattern.

[0061] -Reference example 12(a) and 12(b) show an example of a method for printing an adjustment pattern as a reference example. In the print head 24, the ejection opening array 33RCT capable of ejecting the reaction liquid RCT is positioned downstream of the ejection opening array 33K capable of ejecting the K ink on the forward path. FIG. 12(a) shows that on the forward pass, the ejection opening array 33RCT is driven before the ejection opening array 33K, and therefore the reaction liquid RCT is ejected onto the recording medium P first, and the K ink is ejected afterwards. FIG. 12(b) shows that on the return pass, the ejection opening array 33K is driven before the ejection opening array 33RCT, and therefore the K ink is ejected onto the recording medium P first, and the reaction liquid RCT is ejected afterwards. In this reference example, on the return pass, K ink, an example of a color ink, is ejected before the reaction liquid RCT, and as described above, this can cause the color ink droplets to flow, making it difficult to properly record the adjustment pattern.

[0062] -First example Figures 13(a) and 13(b) show, as a first example, another example of a method for printing an adjustment pattern, similar to the reference example described above (see Figures 12(a) and 12(b)). Figure 13(a) is similar to Figure 12(a), so its explanation will be omitted here. 13(b), the ejection opening array 33RCT is driven on the return pass, and the ejection opening array 33K is driven on the next forward pass, so that the reaction liquid RCT is ejected first onto the recording medium P, and the K ink is ejected second. Note that the "x" mark in the figure indicates that driving is suppressed.

[0063] Therefore, in this example, the reaction liquid RCT is ejected before the K ink on both the forward and backward passes, making it possible to properly print the adjustment pattern. In the following description, the recording mode for such an adjustment pattern is referred to as the first recording mode Md1.

[0064] 14 is a schematic perspective view for individually explaining the forward pass adjustment pattern 121 recorded in region R1 and the backward pass adjustment pattern 122 recorded in region R2 in recording mode Md1. Region R3 is similar to region R1, so its description will be omitted here. Also, in the enlarged schematic view, the pattern shown at the bottom is recorded below the pattern shown at the top.

[0065] In region R1, a reaction liquid pattern 1212 is printed on the forward path of the print head 24 indicated by arrow A11, and at approximately the same time, a color ink pattern 1211 is printed on the forward path of the print head 24 indicated by arrow A12. Here, arrows A11 and A12 correspond to the same single scan of the print head 24, but because the ejection port array 33RCT is located downstream of the ejection port array 33K on the forward path, the pattern 1212 is printed before the pattern 1211. On the other hand, in region R2, a reaction liquid pattern 1212 is printed on the return pass of the print head 24 indicated by arrow A21, and then a color ink pattern 1211 is printed on the next return pass as indicated by arrow A22. Therefore, in region R2 as well, pattern 1212 is printed before pattern 1211.

[0066] According to this recording mode Md1, in both regions R1 and R2 (and further in region R3), the reaction liquid pattern 1212 is recorded before the color ink pattern 1211, that is, the pattern 1212 is formed below the pattern 1211. Therefore, according to the recording mode Md1, it is possible to prevent the color ink droplets in the pattern 1211 from flowing on the recording medium P, and it is possible to properly record the adjustment pattern.

[0067] The recording of each pattern 1211 etc. may be performed sequentially for each of the regions R1 to R3, or may be performed simultaneously. When the recording is performed simultaneously for the regions R1 to R3, it can be said that the recording can be achieved by one round trip, for example, a return trip indicated by arrow A21 and an outgoing trip indicated by arrows A11, A12, and A22.

[0068] -Second example Figures 15(a) and 15(b) show a second example that can prevent the flow of color ink droplets, similar to the reference example and the first example (see Figures 12(a) and 12(b), and Figures 13(a) and 13(b)). Figure 15(a) is similar to Figures 12(a) and 13(a), so its explanation will be omitted here. 15(b) shows that the ejection opening arrays 33K and 33RCT are driven on the return pass, but the ejection opening array 33RCT is driven on the previous forward pass. On this forward pass, a uniform pattern 1213 of reaction liquid is formed as a base pattern, and on the subsequent return pass, a color ink pattern 1211 and a reaction liquid pattern 1212 are printed in that order.

[0069] As described above, the pattern 1213 corresponds to the subpattern 73 in Fig. 6(c) and is printed uniformly at a relatively low dot density (see Fig. 7(d)). The dot density of the pattern 1213 may be such that it prevents the flow described above and that the effect on the color ink pattern 1211 is suppressed compared to the reaction liquid pattern 1212. In other words, the dot density of the pattern 1213 may be such that the change in reflection intensity that may occur between the regions Sr1 and Sr2 due to differences in the degree of reaction can be detected by the optical sensor 200 (or be visible to the user). In this respect, referring again to FIGS. 7(b) to 7(d), the dot density of subpattern 73 is preferably lower than the dot density of region Sr2 of subpattern 62, and even lower than the dot density of region Sr1.

[0070] In this example, the uniform pattern 1213 of the reaction liquid functions as a base pattern for properly printing the adjustment pattern made up of the patterns 1211 and 1212 that will be printed thereafter. In the following description, the recording mode for such an adjustment pattern is referred to as the second recording mode Md2.

[0071] 16 is a schematic perspective view similar to the first example (see FIG. 14) for separately explaining the forward pass adjustment pattern 121 recorded in area R1 and the backward pass adjustment pattern 122 recorded in area R2 in recording mode Md2. Area R1 (and area R3) are similar to the first example, so their explanation will be omitted here. On the other hand, in region R2, a uniform pattern 1213 of reaction liquid is first printed on the forward pass of the print head 24, as indicated by arrow A31. Then, on the next return pass, a color ink pattern 1211 is printed, as indicated by arrow A32, and approximately simultaneously, a reaction liquid pattern 1212 is printed, as indicated by arrow A33. Arrows A32 and A33 correspond to the same scan of the print head 24, and because the ejection opening array 33K is located downstream of the ejection opening array 33RCT on the return pass, the color ink pattern 1211 is printed before the reaction liquid pattern 1212. However, because the uniform pattern 1213 of reaction liquid is formed as a base pattern on the forward pass of arrow A31, the flow of color ink droplets can be prevented.

[0072] As in the first example, the recording of the patterns 1211 etc. may be performed sequentially for each of the regions R1 to R3, or may be performed simultaneously. When the recording is performed simultaneously for the regions R1 to R3, it can be said that the recording can be achieved by a single round trip, for example, the outward path indicated by arrows A11, A12, and A31, and the return path indicated by arrows A32 and A33.

[0073] -Third example According to the above-mentioned printing mode Md1 (first example), in both areas R1 and R2 (and also area R3), the reaction liquid pattern 1212 is printed before the color ink pattern 1211, that is, the pattern 1212 is formed below the pattern 1211. However, since the reaction liquid pattern 1212 has a relatively high dot density in region Sr2, depending on the type of recording medium P, there is a possibility that the reaction liquid droplets may flow onto the recording medium P before the color ink pattern 1211 is recorded.

[0074] For this reason, the uniform pattern 1213 of the reaction liquid may be further recorded in the region R1 (and region R3). That is, in the subpattern 137 shown in Fig. 11, the pattern 1213 may be formed over the entire region of regions R1 to R3. This allows the pattern 1213 to further function as a base pattern that prevents the flow of droplets of the reaction liquid in the pattern 1212. In the following description, the recording mode for such an adjustment pattern is referred to as the third recording mode Md3.

[0075] Figure 17 shows a schematic perspective view for individually explaining the adjustment pattern 121 for the forward pass recorded in area R1 and the adjustment pattern 122 for the return pass recorded in area R2 in recording mode Md3, similar to the first and second examples described above (see Figures 14 and 16).

[0076] In recording mode Md3, patterns 1212 and 1211 are recorded in region R1 during the forward pass of the recording head 24 indicated by arrows A11 and A12, but pattern 1213 is recorded during the previous forward pass as indicated by arrow A10. The same is true for region R3. Region R2 is the same as in the second example, so its description will be omitted here.

[0077] As in the first and second examples, the recording of the patterns 1211 etc. may be performed sequentially for each of the regions R1 to R3, or may be performed simultaneously. When the recording is performed simultaneously for the regions R1 to R3, it can be said that the recording can be achieved with 1.5 round trips, for example, an outward trip indicated by arrows A10 and A31, a return trip indicated by arrows A32 and A33, and an outward trip indicated by arrows A11 and A12.

[0078] <First Example> 18 shows a flowchart of an acquisition process for acquiring the amount of positional deviation of the reaction liquid between the forward and backward passes based on any of the first to third examples (for example, based on an adjustment pattern recorded in recording mode Md3). The series of processes described in this flowchart can be performed by CPU 102 loading a corresponding program read from ROM 104 into RAM 106 and executing it, but some or all of the processes may also be executed by a semiconductor integrated circuit such as an ASIC. In other words, the functions described here may be realized by either hardware or software.

[0079] In step S1501 (hereinafter simply referred to as "S1501"; the same applies to other steps described below), CPU 102 reads out the corresponding image data from memory 108 and records adjustment patterns 121 and 122. In S1502, CPU 102 detects the optical characteristics of the recorded adjustment pattern. The optical characteristics are detected based on the reflection intensities of adjustment patterns 101 and 102 detected by optical sensor 200 (see FIGS. 8 and 9). The optical characteristics may also be detected visually by a user, in which case this step is omitted. In S1503, the CPU 102 acquires the amount of positional deviation of the reaction liquid between the forward and backward passes based on the optical characteristics of the detected adjustment pattern (see FIG. 9). In S1504, the CPU 102 calculates a correction value for correcting the ejection timing of the reaction liquid based on the acquired positional deviation amount (see FIG. 19). In S1505, the CPU 102 determines the ejection timing of the reaction liquid based on the calculated correction value, thereby enabling the reaction liquid to be ejected at an appropriate position.

[0080] 19 shows an example of adjustment pattern 141 printed based on any of the first to third examples above. In this example, adjustment pattern 141 includes nine adjustment patterns 1411 to 1419. Adjustment patterns 1411 to 1419 are formed so that the amount of shift in the X direction of return pass adjustment pattern 122 printed in region R2 relative to forward pass adjustment pattern 121 printed in regions R1 and R3 is increased by one pixel each. That is, In the adjustment pattern 1411, the adjustment pattern 122 is shifted by four pixels (-4 pixels) in the -X direction with respect to the adjustment pattern 121; In the adjustment pattern 1412, the adjustment pattern 122 is shifted by three pixels (-3 pixels) in the -X direction with respect to the adjustment pattern 121; In the adjustment pattern 1413, the adjustment pattern 122 is shifted by two pixels (-2 pixels) in the -X direction with respect to the adjustment pattern 121; In the adjustment pattern 1414, the adjustment pattern 122 is shifted by one pixel (-1 pixel) in the -X direction with respect to the adjustment pattern 121; In the adjustment pattern 1415, the adjustment pattern 122 is not shifted in the X direction relative to the adjustment pattern 121, i.e., they are aligned with each other in the X direction (no shift); In the adjustment pattern 1416, the adjustment pattern 122 is shifted by one pixel (+1 pixel) in the +X direction with respect to the adjustment pattern 121; In the adjustment pattern 1417, the adjustment pattern 122 is shifted by two pixels (+2 pixels) in the +X direction with respect to the adjustment pattern 121; In the adjustment pattern 1418, the adjustment pattern 122 is shifted by three pixels (+3 pixels) in the +X direction with respect to the adjustment pattern 121; In adjustment pattern 1419, adjustment pattern 122 is shifted by four pixels (+4 pixels) in the +X direction with respect to adjustment pattern 121.

[0081] In adjustment pattern 1415, regions Sr1 (or Sr2) coincide with each other in the X direction and form a straight line in the Y direction between adjustment patterns 124 and 126. On the other hand, in other adjustment patterns (for example, adjustment pattern 1411), regions Sr1 (or Sr2) do not coincide with each other in the X direction between adjustment patterns 124 and 126.

[0082] In the example of FIG. 19, the amount of misalignment in the X direction between adjustment pattern 121 and adjustment pattern 122 increases by one pixel between adjustment patterns 1411 to 1419, but the amount of change in the amount of misalignment is not limited to this example.

[0083] Such adjustment pattern 141 makes it possible to evaluate the deviation of the ejection position of the reaction liquid during the return pass (scanning in the +X direction) from the ejection position of the reaction liquid during the forward pass (scanning in the -X direction). For example, when there is substantially no positional deviation, in adjustment pattern 1415, regions Sr1 between adjustment patterns 121 and 122 coincide with each other in the X direction.

[0084] On the other hand, if misalignment occurs, the regions Sr1 between adjustment patterns 121 and 122 in adjustment patterns other than adjustment pattern 1415, that is, adjustment patterns 1411 to 1414 and 1416 to 1419, will coincide with each other in the X direction. For example, when the amount of misalignment is +3 pixels, adjustment pattern 1412, which should have a misalignment amount of -3 pixels, will cause the regions Sr1 between adjustment patterns 121 and 122 to coincide with each other in the X direction. In this case, a correction value equivalent to -3 pixels is obtained, the ejection timing during the return pass is corrected, and the ejection position is corrected by 3 pixels in the -X direction.

[0085] As described above, based on the results of printing the adjustment pattern 141, the relative deviation amount of the ejection position of the reaction liquid between the forward pass and the return pass can be obtained, and a correction value for correcting the position deviation can be calculated.

[0086] <Second Example> When recording the adjustment pattern 141, the above-mentioned recording modes Md1 to Md3 may be selected as needed, and can be selected mainly based on the type of recording medium P. Here, it is assumed that the recording modes Md1 and Md3 are selected, but in other embodiments, the recording mode Md2 may be combined, or other equivalent recording modes may be further combined. When comparing the recording modes Md1 and Md3, for example, the consumption of reaction liquid is large in the recording mode Md3. Therefore, while selecting the recording mode Md1 as the standard, the recording mode Md3 may be selected when it is difficult to evaluate the amount of positional deviation of the reaction liquid in the recording mode Md1.

[0087] 20 shows a flowchart of the acquisition process according to the second embodiment. The steps illustrated here are the same as those in the first embodiment (see FIG. 18) except for S2101, S2102, and S2106, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0088] In S2101, the CPU 102 prints the adjustment patterns 121 and 122 in the printing mode Md1.

[0089] In S2102, CPU 102 detects the optical characteristics of the recorded adjustment pattern (see FIGS. 8 and 9), and determines, based on the detection results, whether the change in reflection intensity between regions Sr1 and Sr2 can be identified (whether the boundary between regions Sr1 and Sr2 can be identified). For example, if the boundary between regions Sr1 and Sr2 is unclear, the rate of change in reflection intensity will be gradual, so this step may be performed based on whether the rate of change in reflection intensity meets a criterion. Note that this step is realized by detection by optical sensor 200, but may also be performed visually by the user. If a change in reflection intensity between the regions Sr1 and Sr2 can be identified, the process proceeds to S1503, and if not, the process proceeds to S2106.

[0090] In S2106, the CPU 102 prints the adjustment patterns 121 and 122 in the printing mode Md3, and then proceeds to S1503.

[0091] According to this embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment described above can be obtained, and in addition, since the adjustment pattern is recorded in the recording mode Md3 only when necessary, it is advantageous in preventing unnecessary consumption of reaction liquid.

[0092] <Third Example> Even if the type of recording medium P is specified in advance and the recording modes Md1 and Md3 are selected based on that, the adjustment pattern 141 may not be recorded as intended, so it may be difficult for the user to select the recording modes Md1 and Md3 in advance. In such cases, it is possible to record a predetermined test pattern before recording the adjustment pattern 141, thereby easily evaluating which of the recording modes Md1 and Md3 should be selected.

[0093] 21 shows a flowchart of the acquisition process according to Example 3. The steps illustrated here are the same as those in Example 2 (see FIG. 20) except for S2201 and S2202, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0094] In S2201, the CPU 102 prints the sub-patterns 61 and 62 in FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b) as test patterns in place of the adjustment pattern 141 in the printing modes Md1 and Md3, respectively.

[0095] In S2202, CPU 102 detects the optical characteristics of the recorded test pattern (see FIGS. 8 and 9) and determines whether the change in reflection intensity between regions Sr1 and Sr2 can be identified using the test pattern recorded in recording mode Md1. This determination may be made using the same procedure as in S2102, i.e., based on whether the rate of change in reflection intensity satisfies a criterion. Note that this step is realized by detection by optical sensor 200, but may also be performed visually by the user. If a change in reflection intensity between the regions Sr1 and Sr2 can be identified, the process proceeds to S2101, and if not, the process proceeds to S2106.

[0096] That is, according to this embodiment, a test pattern recorded in advance is used to identify whether the adjustment pattern 141 should be recorded in recording mode Md1 or recording mode Md3. Based on the identification result, recording mode Md1 or Md3 is selected. Even if the type of recording medium P is identified in advance, the adjustment pattern 141 may not be recorded as intended. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the adjustment pattern 141 can be properly recorded even in such cases.

[0097] According to this embodiment, the adjustment pattern 141 is recorded in the recording mode Md1 or Md3 that corresponds to the type of recording medium P, and therefore the adjustment pattern 141 is not unnecessarily recorded in an incompatible recording mode. Therefore, according to this embodiment, in addition to obtaining the same effects as the first and second embodiments described above, it is further advantageous in preventing unnecessary consumption of reaction liquid.

[0098] As described above, in this embodiment, the ejection opening array 33RCT capable of ejecting reaction liquid is arranged downstream of the ejection opening array (e.g., ejection opening array 33K) capable of ejecting color ink on the forward pass of the print head 24. When the recording medium P is, for example, a non-absorbent (or poorly absorbent) type on which ink easily spreads (such as synthetic paper), the adjustment pattern 141 is formed using the print modes Md2 and Md3 shown in FIGS. 16 and 17. That is, adjustment patterns 121 and 122, in which the adjustment pattern for reaction liquid and the adjustment pattern for color ink overlap, are formed on the forward and backward passes of the print head 24, respectively. Here, when the adjustment pattern 122 is formed on the backward pass, the ejection opening array 33RCT further forms a pattern 1213 (sub-pattern 137) as a base pattern on the previous forward pass. By forming this base pattern in advance, it is possible to prevent the flow of color ink droplets in the adjustment pattern 125 (pattern 1211). Then, the positional deviation of the reaction liquid is properly visualized by the adjustment pattern 126 of the reaction liquid that is further formed thereafter.

[0099] On the other hand, if the recording medium P is, for example, a non-absorbent (or poorly absorbent) type that the ink does not easily wet and spread on (such as a glossy vinyl chloride film), the adjustment pattern 141 is formed in recording mode Md1 of Fig. 14. That is, on the forward pass, the reaction liquid adjustment pattern 124 (pattern 1212) and the color ink adjustment pattern 123 (pattern 1211) are formed so as to overlap in order, thereby forming the adjustment pattern 121. On the return pass, on the other hand, the reaction liquid adjustment pattern 126 (pattern 1212), which is part of the adjustment pattern 122, is formed, and on the next forward pass, the color ink adjustment pattern 125 (pattern 1211), which is the other part, is formed.

[0100] According to such a method for forming the adjustment pattern 141, it becomes possible to evaluate the positional deviation of the ejection of the reaction liquid between the forward and backward passes, and to appropriately correct the timing of driving the ejection port array 33RCT.

[0101] In the embodiment, the movement direction of the print head 24 in which the ejection port array 33RCT is downstream of other ejection port arrays capable of ejecting color ink (for example, the ejection port array 33K) is referred to as the outgoing path, and the opposite direction is referred to as the returning path, but the outgoing path and the returning path may be expressed interchangeably. Also, while some adjustment patterns are described as being composed of multiple sub-patterns, each sub-pattern may be expressed as an adjustment pattern, and various patterns may be expressed by other equivalent names.

[0102] <Program> The present invention may be realized by supplying a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and having one or more processors in a computer of the system or device read and execute the program. For example, the present invention may be realized by a circuit (e.g., an ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

[0103] <Other> In the above description, the recording device 10 employs an inkjet recording method, but the recording method is not limited to the above. Furthermore, the recording device 10 may be a single-function printer having only a recording function, or a multi-function printer having multiple functions such as a recording function, a fax function, and a scanner function. Furthermore, the recording device 10 may be, for example, a manufacturing device for manufacturing color filters, electronic devices, optical devices, microstructures, etc., using a predetermined recording method.

[0104] Furthermore, the term "recording" as used in this specification should be interpreted broadly. Therefore, the form of "recording" does not matter whether the object formed on the recording medium is significant information such as characters or figures, or whether it is visible to humans or not.

[0105] Furthermore, the term "recording medium" should be interpreted broadly, just like the above-mentioned "recording." Therefore, the concept of "recording medium" can include not only commonly used paper, but also any material that can accept ink, such as cloth, plastic film, metal plate, glass, ceramics, resin, wood, leather, etc.

[0106] Furthermore, in the embodiments, individual elements are named based on their main functions, but the functions described in the embodiments may be sub-functions and are not strictly limited to these names. Furthermore, these names can be replaced with similar names. For the same purpose, the term "unit" can be replaced with "tool," "component," "member," "structure," "assembly," etc. Alternatively, these terms may be omitted or added. Furthermore, terms such as "first" and "second" used in the description of the embodiments are used to distinguish elements and do not indicate their priority or importance.

[0107] Furthermore, two or more selectable elements exemplified in the embodiments are not strictly limited to the examples and may be arbitrarily combined, for example, each of the two or more selectable elements may be additionally or alternatively selected. For example, when two elements A and B are arbitrarily combined, they may be expressed as "A and / or B" or "at least one of A and B" to indicate either A only, B only, or both A and B.

[0108] <Summary> Some features of this embodiment are as follows: [1] a print head including a first nozzle row and a second nozzle row; a recording control means for driving the recording head as a serial head while reciprocating the recording head, thereby recording on a recording medium; the first nozzle row is configured to be able to eject color ink; the second nozzle row is configured to be able to eject a reaction liquid that reacts with the color ink to fix the color ink on the recording medium; When the moving direction of the recording head in which the second nozzle row is downstream of the first nozzle row is defined as an outward path, and the opposite direction is defined as a return path, The recording control means forming an adjustment pattern for adjusting the ejection position for each of the forward and backward passes of the recording head, the adjustment pattern being an overlapping pattern of the reaction liquid and a pattern of the color ink; When the adjustment pattern is formed on the return pass of the recording head, a base pattern is further formed by the second nozzle row on the previous forward pass. A first drive control is executed to drive the recording head in such a manner that A recording device characterized by: [2] The recording control means further The adjustment pattern is formed during the forward movement of the recording head, During the return pass of the recording head, a reaction liquid pattern that is a part of the adjustment pattern is formed, and during the next forward pass, a color ink pattern that is another part of the adjustment pattern is formed. The second drive control for driving the recording head can be performed in such a manner that The recording device according to [1]. [3] further comprising an identification means for identifying the type of recording medium; The recording control means selectively performs the first drive control and the second drive control based on the identification result of the identification means. The recording device according to [2]. [4] the recording control means drives the recording head to form two or more test patterns for evaluating whether the adjustment pattern should be formed by the first drive control or the second drive control; The identification means performs the identification based on the two or more test patterns. The recording device according to [3]. [5] Among the adjustment patterns, The color ink pattern is a uniform pattern, The reaction liquid pattern is a pattern in which two or more patterns with different dot densities are formed alternately. The recording device according to [1]. [6] The base pattern is another uniform pattern different from the uniform color ink pattern. The recording device according to [5]. [7] the adjustment pattern is one of a plurality of adjustment patterns; The positions of the two or more alternatingly formed patterns are different from each other in the direction of reciprocal movement of the recording head among the plurality of adjustment patterns. The recording device according to [5]. [8] further comprising a reading means for reading the adjustment pattern, The recording control means corrects the timing of driving the second nozzle array based on the reading result of the reading means. The recording device according to [1]. [9] When an area through which the first nozzle row and the second nozzle row pass due to the reciprocating movement of the recording head is divided into a first area and a second area in a direction intersecting the direction of the reciprocating movement, The recording control means the adjustment pattern is formed in the first region during the forward movement of the recording head; The adjustment pattern is formed in the second region during the return pass of the recording head. The first drive control is executed so that The recording device according to [1].

[10] A control method for a recording device including a recording head including a first nozzle array and a second nozzle array, and a recording control unit that performs recording on a recording medium by driving the recording head as a serial head while moving it back and forth, comprising: the first nozzle row is configured to be able to eject color ink; the second nozzle row is configured to be able to eject a reaction liquid that reacts with the color ink to fix the color ink on the recording medium; When the moving direction of the recording head in which the second nozzle row is downstream of the first nozzle row is defined as an outward path, and the opposite direction is defined as a return path, The control method includes: forming an adjustment pattern for adjusting the ejection position for each of the forward and backward passes of the recording head, the adjustment pattern being an overlapping pattern of the reaction liquid and a pattern of the color ink; When the adjustment pattern is formed on a return pass of the recording head, a base pattern is further formed by the second nozzle row on a previous forward pass; Contains A control method comprising:

[11]

[10] A computer is caused to execute each step of the control method described in

[10] . Program for.

[0109] The invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the following claims are appended to apprise the public of the scope of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0110] 10: Recording device, 24: Recording head, 100: Control unit.

Claims

1. a print head including a first nozzle row and a second nozzle row; a recording control means for driving the recording head as a serial head while reciprocating the recording head, thereby recording on a recording medium; the first nozzle row is configured to be able to eject color ink; the second nozzle row is configured to be able to eject a reaction liquid that reacts with the color ink to fix the color ink on the recording medium; When the moving direction of the recording head in which the second nozzle row is downstream of the first nozzle row is defined as an outward path, and the opposite direction is defined as a return path, The recording control means forming an adjustment pattern for adjusting the ejection position for each of the forward and backward passes of the recording head, the adjustment pattern being an overlapping pattern of the reaction liquid and a pattern of the color ink; When the adjustment pattern is formed on the return pass of the recording head, a base pattern is further formed by the second nozzle array on the previous forward pass. A first drive control is executed to drive the recording head in such a manner that A recording device characterized by:

2. The recording control means further The adjustment pattern is formed during the forward movement of the recording head, During the return pass of the recording head, a reaction liquid pattern that is a part of the adjustment pattern is formed, and during the next forward pass, a color ink pattern that is another part of the adjustment pattern is formed. The second drive control for driving the recording head can be performed as follows.

2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1.

3. further comprising an identification means for identifying the type of recording medium; The recording control means selectively performs the first drive control and the second drive control based on the result of the determination by the determination means.

3. The recording apparatus according to claim 2.

4. the recording control means drives the recording head to form two or more test patterns for evaluating whether the adjustment pattern should be formed by the first drive control or the second drive control; The identification means performs the identification based on the two or more test patterns.

4. The recording apparatus according to claim 3.

5. Among the adjustment patterns, The color ink pattern is a uniform pattern, The reaction liquid pattern is a pattern in which two or more patterns with different dot densities are formed alternately.

2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1.

6. The base pattern is another uniform pattern different from the uniform color ink pattern.

6. The recording apparatus according to claim 5.

7. the adjustment pattern is one of a plurality of adjustment patterns, The positions of the two or more alternatingly formed patterns are different from each other in the direction of reciprocal movement of the recording head among the plurality of adjustment patterns.

6. The recording apparatus according to claim 5.

8. further comprising a reading means for reading the adjustment pattern, The recording control means corrects the timing of driving the second nozzle array based on the reading result of the reading means.

2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1.

9. When an area through which the first nozzle row and the second nozzle row pass due to the reciprocating movement of the recording head is divided into a first area and a second area in a direction intersecting the direction of the reciprocating movement, The recording control means the adjustment pattern is formed in the first region during the forward movement of the recording head; The adjustment pattern is formed in the second region during the return pass of the recording head. The first drive control is executed so that 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1.

10. A control method for a recording apparatus including a recording head including a first nozzle array and a second nozzle array, and a recording control unit that performs recording on a recording medium by driving the recording head as a serial head while moving it back and forth, the method comprising: the first nozzle row is configured to be able to eject color ink; the second nozzle row is configured to be able to eject a reaction liquid that reacts with the color ink to fix the color ink on the recording medium; When the moving direction of the recording head in which the second nozzle row is downstream of the first nozzle row is defined as an outward path, and the opposite direction is defined as a return path, The control method includes: forming an adjustment pattern for adjusting the ejection position for each of the forward and backward passes of the recording head, the adjustment pattern being an overlapping pattern of the reaction liquid and a pattern of the color ink; When the adjustment pattern is formed on a return pass of the recording head, a base pattern is further formed by the second nozzle row on a previous forward pass; Contains A control method comprising:

11. A computer is caused to execute each step of the control method according to claim 10. Program for.

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