Control device, inkjet recording device, control method, and program

Abstract

This provides a technology that allows for proper drying of the first layer of the image. [Solution] The control device controls an inkjet recording apparatus that ejects ink from a recording head onto a transparent recording medium to record a first layer, and after drying, ejects ink onto the first layer to record a second layer that covers the first layer. The control device controls the recording of the first and second layers based on the setting of recording modes, which include a first recording mode and a second recording mode in which the opacity rates of the second layer are different from each other, and controls the drying of the first layer based on drying conditions corresponding to the opacity rates of the recording modes.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a control device, an inkjet recording device, a control method, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] An inkjet recording device that records an image on a recording medium by discharging ink from a recording head is known.

[0003] An inkjet recording device may record an image on a transparent recording medium. In such a case, if an image is formed only with an ink layer of color ink, the image will be seen through from the opposite side of the recording medium. Therefore, the inkjet device forms a masking layer that suppresses image transmission by discharging white ink or the like onto the ink layer of the color ink.

[0004] In Patent Document 1, a method is disclosed that includes a step of discharging image ink from a first discharge port group onto a recording medium using a recording head divided into a first discharge port group and a second discharge port group in the conveyance direction of the recording medium to form a first layer, and a step of discharging masking ink, which is a masking material, from the second discharge port group to form a masking layer, which is a second layer, that masks the image of the first layer. In this method, when viewed from the opposite side of the recording medium, the image is recorded so as not to be visible.

[0005] Here, when an image and a masking layer are laminated on a recording medium, if the masking layer of the upper layer is recorded before the image of the lower layer dries, the ink of the upper layer will sink into the image of the lower layer. As a result, when viewed from the opposite side of the recording medium, the image is back-projected and the image quality deteriorates. Therefore, the masking layer of the upper layer was recorded after the image of the lower layer was sufficiently dried.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006]

Patent Document 1

[0007] However, the aforementioned technique dries the first layer uniformly regardless of the characteristics of each layer, and therefore failed to properly dry the first layer.

[0008] Therefore, the present invention provides a technique for properly drying the first layer. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] To solve this problem, for example, the control device of the present invention has the following configuration. That is, In a control device for controlling an inkjet recording apparatus that ejects ink from a recording head onto a transparent recording medium to record a first layer, dries it, and then ejects ink onto the first layer to record a second layer that covers the first layer, The recording of the first and second layers is controlled based on the setting of recording modes, which include a first recording mode and a second recording mode, the occlusion rates of the second layer being different from each other. The drying of the first layer is controlled based on drying conditions corresponding to the opacity of the recording mode. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, the first layer can be properly dried. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] A perspective view of the external appearance of the inkjet recording device according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] A side view showing the internal configuration of an inkjet recording device according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] A schematic diagram showing the configuration of the recording head of the embodiment as observed from the nozzle surface. [Figure 4] A block diagram showing the control system of the inkjet recording device according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] A diagram for explaining multi-pass layer recording. [Figure 6] A diagram for explaining a mask pattern. [Figure 7] A diagram for explaining the control of the time for recording the first layer. [Figure 8] A diagram showing a flowchart of the recording data generation process of an embodiment. [Figure 9] A diagram showing an example of a UI for selecting recording conditions of a recording mode. [Figure 10] A diagram for explaining embedding and back reflection. [Figure 11] A diagram for explaining the relationship between drying conditions in an OF configuration and embedding phenomena and back reflection. [Figure 12] A table showing the recording conditions of the recording modes of the first embodiment and comparative examples. [Figure 13] A table showing the recording conditions of the recording modes of the second embodiment and comparative examples. [Figure 14] A table showing the recording conditions of the recording modes of the third embodiment and comparative examples. [Figure 15] A table showing the recording conditions of the recording modes of the fifth embodiment and comparative examples. [Figure 16] A table showing the recording conditions of the recording modes of the sixth embodiment and comparative examples. [Figure 17] A table showing the recording conditions of the recording modes of the seventh embodiment. [Figure 18] A diagram for explaining the relationship between drying conditions in a SW3 configuration and embedding phenomena and back reflection. [Figure 19] A table showing the recording conditions of the recording modes of the eighth embodiment and comparative examples. [Figure 20] A table showing the recording conditions of the recording modes of the fourth embodiment and comparative examples.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] The embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the invention as defined in the claims. While the embodiments describe multiple features, not all of these features are essential to the invention, and the features may be combined in any way. Furthermore, in the attached drawings, identical or similar configurations are given the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

[0013] (Inkjet recording device) Figure 1 is a perspective view of the external appearance of the inkjet recording apparatus of this embodiment. Figure 2 is a side view showing the internal configuration of the inkjet recording apparatus of this embodiment. The inkjet recording apparatus of this embodiment is a so-called serial scanning type, and records an image by scanning the recording head in the X direction (main scanning direction), which is a direction that intersects (in this case is orthogonal) with the Y direction (sub-scanning direction), which is the transport direction of the recording medium P.

[0014] For example, the inkjet recording device of this embodiment records an image on a light-transmitting recording medium. More specifically, the inkjet recording device ejects ink onto one side of a transparent recording medium to record an image consisting of at least a first layer and a second layer in that order. The first layer may be an image recorded with color ink. After recording and drying the first layer, the inkjet recording device records a second layer on top of the first layer. The second layer is an image recorded with white ink or the like, and functions as an opacity layer that suppresses the transmission of the image of the first layer. Furthermore, the inkjet recording device may eject color ink on top of the second layer to record a third layer. The third layer may be an image.

[0015] Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the configuration of the inkjet recording device (hereinafter also referred to as the recording device) and the general operation during recording will be explained. During image recording, the recording medium P held by the spool 101 is transported in the Y direction by the spool 101 via gears by a transport unit driven by an LF motor 409, which will be described later. At a predetermined transport position, the carriage unit 102 scans the recording medium P along the guide shaft 103 extending in the X direction, driven by a CR motor 410, which will be described later. In detail, the carriage unit 102 performs a reciprocal scan (reciprocal movement) in a forward path in the +X direction and a return path in the -X direction. During this scanning process, the recording head 105 mounted on the carriage unit 102 synchronizes with the timing based on the position signal obtained by the encoder 107 in the main scanning direction, and while scanning reciprocally, ejects ink from the nozzle to record an image on the recording medium P.

[0016] The recording device, like the recording head 105, synchronizes with the timing based on the position signal obtained by the encoder 107 during the reciprocating scanning process and processes the detection signal corresponding to the position of the carriage unit 102. In this embodiment, a carriage belt is used to transmit the driving force from the CR motor 410 to the carriage unit 102. The driving method for the carriage unit 102 may be, for example, a system comprising a lead screw extending in the X direction that is rotationally driven by a carriage motor, and an engaging part provided on the carriage unit 102 that engages with the groove of the lead screw, instead of a carriage belt. Furthermore, the driving method for the carriage unit 102 may be any other method.

[0017] The recording medium P is transported while being held between the feed roller and pinch roller of the transport unit 201, and guided to the recording position (scanning area of ​​the recording head 105) on the platen 104. Normally, in the idle state, the face of the recording head 105 is capped. Therefore, prior to recording, the cap is opened, and the recording head 105 and carriage unit 102 are made scannable. After that, once data for one scan has been accumulated in the buffer, the recording device uses the carriage motor to scan the carriage unit 102 and record the image.

[0018] (Drying and fixing during image recording) The transport unit 201 has a paper feed roller and a pinch roller and transports the recording medium P. The recording medium P is transported while being held by the spool 101, and after an image is recorded by the recording head 105, it is wound up by the spool 101 to become a roll-shaped winding medium. The recording head 105 records an image by ejecting ink onto the recording medium P while being scanned in the X direction by the carriage unit 202. At this time, the transport unit 201 intermittently transports the recording medium P in the +Y direction so that an image is formed on the surface of the recording medium P. The platen 104 faces the scanning area of ​​the recording head 105 and the carriage unit 202 and sucks the back surface of the recording medium P to prevent it from floating.

[0019] Next, we will describe the configuration for drying and fixing the ink.

[0020] The platen air blowing unit 206 includes a heater 210 and a fan 211. The platen air blowing unit 206 blows air heated by the heater 210 onto the surface of the recording medium P on the platen 104 using the fan 211. The temperature and air velocity of the air blown onto the surface of the recording medium P by the platen air blowing unit 206 may be controlled within a predetermined upper and lower limit range. This allows the platen air blowing unit 206 to promote the evaporation of moisture contained in the ink ejected onto the surface of the recording medium P on the platen 104, thereby accelerating the drying of the ink. The platen air blowing unit 206 dries the ink simultaneously with the recording of an image by the recording head 105.

[0021] The fuser unit 207 has a heater 212 and a fan 213. The fuser unit 207 dries and fixes the ink applied to the recording medium P. The fuser unit 207 is a hollow box shape. The bottom surface of the fuser unit 207 faces the transport surface of the recording medium P. The fuser unit 207 raises the temperature of the ink and recording medium P by blowing air heated by the heater 212 from the bottom surface toward the recording medium P with the fan 213, thereby evaporating the water and solvent contained in the ink and forming an emulsion film.

[0022] The downflow unit 208 blows the warm air exhausted from the fuser unit 207 towards the floor. The air curtain unit 209 is installed between the platen 104 and the fuser unit 207. The air curtain unit 209 prevents the ink mist blown by the platen air blower unit 206 from entering the fuser unit 207.

[0023] In this recording device, so-called multi-pass recording is possible, in which an image is recorded on a unit area (1 / n band) on the recording medium P by multiple (n) recording scans of the recording head 105. Details of this multi-pass recording and the nozzle configuration for performing multi-pass recording will be explained later.

[0024] (Recording head) Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the recording head configuration of this embodiment, observed from the nozzle surface. The arrangement of the nozzles of the recording head will be explained with reference to Figure 3.

[0025] The recording head 105 has multiple nozzle rows. One nozzle row has 1280 nozzles 301 arranged in the Y direction at a density of 1200 per inch. The recording head 105 includes a nozzle row 303K arranged for ejecting ink containing black pigment, a nozzle row 304C arranged for ejecting ink containing cyan pigment, a nozzle row 305M arranged for ejecting ink containing magenta pigment, a nozzle row 306Y arranged for ejecting ink containing yellow pigment, a nozzle row 307W arranged for ejecting opacity ink (white ink), and a nozzle row 302Rct arranged for ejecting reaction solution.

[0026] The recording device of this embodiment discharges a reaction liquid that reacts with solid components such as colorants and resin fine particles contained in the ink, thereby promoting the aggregation of these solid components. In particular, when recording images on low-permeability recording media and non-permeability recording media, as described later, the reaction liquid comes into contact with the ink on the recording media, and the reaction liquid promotes viscosity increase due to the aggregation of colorants. As a result, good images with suppressed beading can be recorded. Furthermore, it is preferable that the reaction liquid reacts not only with the solid components contained in the color ink but also with the opacity ink, thereby increasing its viscosity. In this embodiment, images of the color ink and opacity ink are recorded using the same reaction liquid, but multiple reaction liquids corresponding to the color ink and opacity ink may be used, respectively. In that case, the recording head 105 has a row of nozzles that discharge the respective reaction liquids for the color ink and opacity ink.

[0027] Each of these nozzle rows is connected to an ink tank (not shown) that stores the corresponding ink. The ink tank supplies ink to each nozzle row. In this embodiment, the recording head 105 and the ink tank may be configured as an integrated unit, or they may be configured to be separable.

[0028] The recording head 105 is equipped with an energy generating element (hereinafter also referred to as a recording element) that generates ejection energy to eject ink from the nozzle. In this embodiment, the energy generating element has an electrothermal converter that locally heats the ink to cause film boiling and ejects the ink by the resulting pressure. However, this embodiment is not limited to this, and a piezoelectric element may also be used to eject the ink.

[0029] (Control system) Figure 4 is a block diagram showing the control system of the inkjet recording device 100 of this embodiment. The control system of the recording device 100 will be described with reference to Figure 4. The recording device 100 of this embodiment includes a main control unit 400, an LF motor 409, a CR motor 410, a drive circuit 405, a drive circuit 406, a drive circuit 407, a drive circuit 408, a drive circuit 413, a drive circuit 414, a drive circuit 415, a recording head 105, a heater 210, a fan 211, a heater 212, a fan 213, an interface circuit 411, and an operation panel 416.

[0030] The main control unit 400 is an example of a control device and may be a computer. The main control unit 400 has a CPU 401, a ROM 402, a RAM 403, an input / output port 404, and a storage 418. The CPU 401, ROM 402, RAM 403, input / output port 404, and storage 418 are connected to each other so that they can send and receive data.

[0031] CPU401 stands for Central Processing Unit and is an arithmetic unit. CPU401 is responsible for the overall control of the recording device 100. CPU401 performs processing operations such as calculation, selection, discrimination, control, and recording operations. The main control unit 400 may have other processors such as an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), NPU (Neural Processing Unit), and QPU (Quantum Processing Unit) in place of or in addition to CPU401. Some or all of the functions of the main control unit 400 are realized by one or more processors, including CPU401, reading programs stored in storage 418, expanding them in RAM403, and executing them. Also, some or all of the functions of the main control unit 400 may be realized by one or more circuits such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) and a PLD (Programmable Logic Device) including an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array).

[0032] The CPU 401 controls the recording of the first and second layers based on the settings of the recording modes, which include a first recording mode and a second recording mode in which the occlusion rates of the second layer differ from each other. The CPU 401 controls the drying of the first layer based on the drying conditions corresponding to the occlusion rates of the recording modes.

[0033] ROM402 stands for Read Only Memory and is a non-volatile storage device. ROM402 stores control programs and other data executed by the CPU401.

[0034] RAM403 stands for Random Access Memory, and it is a type of memory that allows for high-speed data reading and writing. RAM403 is used as a buffer for recorded data, etc. When the CPU401 executes a program, RAM403 functions as a work area.

[0035] The storage 418 may be a non-volatile, high-capacity storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive). The storage 418 stores, for example, a computer program executed by the CPU 401, data such as a mask pattern necessary for program execution, data on the type of recording medium for recording images, recording data including drying conditions and recording conditions for recording images, and data such as image data that is the target of processing by the program.

[0036] Input / output port 404 is a port for inputting and outputting data to and from other devices. Input / output port 404 is connected to various drive circuits 405, 406, 407, 408, 413, 414, and 415, including the LF motor 409 (also called a transport motor), the CR motor 410 (also called a carriage motor), the recording head 105, the heater 210, the fan 211, the heater 212, and the fan 213. Input / output port 404 is connected to an operation panel 416 that can be operated by the user. The operation panel 416 is, for example, a touch panel capable of displaying images. The operation panel 416 may also be an input device such as a keyboard and a mouse. Input / output port 404 passes user input received from the operation panel 416 to the CPU 401.

[0037] The interface circuit 411 is an interface for sending and receiving data with external devices. The interface circuit 411 connects the main control unit 400 and the host computer PC 412, enabling data transmission and reception. PC stands for Personal Computer.

[0038] The user inputs image data to the recording device 100 via PC 412, and also inputs various types of information to the recording device 100 via PC 412 and the operation panel 416.

[0039] In the main control unit 400, the CPU 401 converts the image data input from the PC 412 into recording data and stores it in the RAM 403. Specifically, the CPU 401 acquires image data represented by 256 values ​​(0 to 255) for each of the RGBW colors. The CPU 401 converts the acquired image data into multi-level data represented by K, C, M, Y, and W to be used for recording. Through color conversion processing, the CPU 401 generates multi-level data represented by 256 values ​​(0 to 255) for each of the K, C, M, Y, and W inks in a group of multiple pixels.

[0040] Next, the CPU 401 performs quantization of the multi-level data represented by K, C, M, Y, and W, and generates quantized data (binary data) represented by 1-bit binary information (0, 1) that determines whether each ink of K, C, M, Y, and W is ejected or not ejected for each pixel. For this quantization process, the CPU 401 may use various known quantization methods such as error diffusion, dithering, and indexing.

[0041] Subsequently, the CPU 401 performs a distribution process to distribute the quantized data across multiple scans of the unit area of ​​the recording head 105. Through this distribution process, the CPU 401 generates recording data represented by 1-bit binary information (0, 1) that determines whether K, C, M, Y, and W inks are ejected or not ejected for each pixel during each of the multiple scans of the unit area of ​​the recording medium P. This distribution process corresponds to multiple scans. The CPU 401 executes ink ejection using a mask pattern that determines whether ink ejection is permitted or not for each pixel. Note that the generation of such recording data is not limited to being performed by the main control unit 400; it may also be performed by the PC 412, or some processing may be performed by the host computer PC 412 and the remaining processing by the main control unit 400.

[0042] (Multipath stacking recording method) In this embodiment, K, C, M, Y, and W inks are used to record an image by so-called multi-pass recording, which involves multiple scans on a predetermined area on the recording medium P. Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating multi-pass stacked recording.

[0043] Regarding multi-pass recording that uses the entire nozzle row area, the following explains a multi-pass recording method in which different areas of the nozzle row are used depending on the ink color, thereby stacking different inks, using W ink and K ink as examples.

[0044] Figure 5(a) illustrates nozzle region 1, corresponding to nozzle groups 1 to 4, and nozzle region 2, corresponding to nozzle groups 5 to 8, of all nozzles in nozzle rows 303K and 307W. Figure 5(b) is a cross-sectional view illustrating the two layers of images. Of nozzle rows 303K and 307W, the region corresponding to nozzle groups 1 to 4 is defined as nozzle region 1, and the region corresponding to nozzle groups 5 to 8 is defined as nozzle region 2. The total length of the nozzle row is L.

[0045] In Figure 5(a), of the nozzle groups 1 to 8, K ink is ejected from nozzle groups 1 to 4, which correspond to nozzle region 1, and W ink is ejected from nozzle groups 5 to 8, which correspond to nozzle region 2. Here, the K ink recording data is distributed so that image recording is completed in the 1st to 4th scans, and the W ink recording data is distributed so that image recording is completed in the 5th to 8th scans.

[0046] First, during the first scan (1st scan), the recording device ejects K ink from nozzle group 1 in the nozzle row 303K of the recording head 105 to a predetermined area 80 of the transparent recording medium 501 according to the K ink recording data corresponding to the 1st scan. After this 1st scan is completed, the recording device transports the transparent recording medium 501 in the sub-scanning direction (Y direction) by a distance L / 8 corresponding to one nozzle group. For simplicity, Figure 5 shows the recording head moving upstream in the sub-scanning direction between scans.

[0047] Subsequently, the recording device alternately ejects ink from the recording head 105 and transports the recording medium, performing the 2nd to 4th scans (2nd to 4th scans). This causes the recording device to eject K ink from nozzle groups 2 to 4 within the nozzle row 303K to a predetermined area 80 with a width corresponding to a distance L / 8 corresponding to one nozzle group, completing the K ink image in the 4th scan. Next, according to the W ink recording data corresponding to the 5th scan, the recording device ejects W ink from nozzle group 5 within the nozzle row 506W to a predetermined area 80 with a width corresponding to a distance L / 8 corresponding to one nozzle group. Subsequently, the recording device alternately transports the transparent recording medium 501 and ejects W ink from the recording head 105, ejecting W ink from nozzle groups 5 to 8 within the nozzle row 506W in the 5th to 8th scans of the predetermined area 80. In this way, the recording device completes multi-pass recording for a predetermined area 80 with a width corresponding to a distance L / 8 corresponding to one nozzle group.

[0048] Figure 6 illustrates the mask pattern. In the mask pattern shown in Figure 6, pixels that are filled in black indicate pixels that are permitted to eject ink when ink ejection is determined by the quantization data (hereinafter also referred to as recording-permitted pixels). In Figure 6, pixels that are shown as white indicate pixels that are not permitted to eject ink even when ink ejection is determined by the quantization data (hereinafter also referred to as non-recording-permitted pixels). Figure 6 also shows mask patterns with a size of 5 pixels × 5 pixels. By repeatedly applying the mask pattern in Figure 6 in the X and Y directions, distribution processing is performed for all of the quantization data corresponding to each unit region.

[0049] The number of pixels permitted to eject ink in each of the four mask patterns shown in Figure 6 is 5 pixels × 5 pixels = 25 pixels. In other words, the sum of the pixels permitted to eject ink in the four 5x5 pixel mask patterns equals a 100% recording tolerance. The CPU 401 can generate recording data for applying ink in each recording scan by performing a logical AND operation between a portion of the binary data of each ink (size of 5x5 pixels) and the mask pattern corresponding to each recording scan (each pass). Looking at the mask patterns corresponding to each scan, the mask pattern corresponding to the first scan (nozzle group 1) has 4 recording tolerance pixels. Therefore, the recording tolerance of the mask pattern corresponding to the first scan is approximately 16% (= 4 / 25 × 100). Subsequently, the recording tolerances of the mask patterns corresponding to the second scan (nozzle group 2) to the fourth scan (nozzle group 8) are 32%, 36%, and 16%, respectively. Therefore, by using these mask patterns, the recording device can distribute ink to be ejected across the entire nozzle row of the recording head 105. Note that the pattern shown in Figure 6 is a simplified representation of a portion of the mask pattern and may differ slightly from the recording tolerance ratio described above.

[0050] As shown in Figure 5(a), by separating the nozzle rows used by K ink and W ink, the recording device records the K ink image in the first four scans and the W ink image in the last four scans out of eight scans on a predetermined area 80. In other words, the recording device records the W ink image on top of the K ink image on the predetermined area 80. As a result, as shown in Figure 5(b), the recording device can record an image on the transparent recording medium 501 in which a first layer 502 and a second layer 503 are stacked. This stacked configuration is called OverFlood. Hereafter, OverFlood will be omitted and referred to as the OF configuration.

[0051] Figure 5(c) illustrates the three nozzle regions formed by dividing the entire nozzle array 303K and 307W into three sections. Figure 5(d) is a cross-sectional view illustrating the three layers.

[0052] Furthermore, when the recording device records three layers of images stacked in n recording scans, as shown in Figure 5(c), it divides the nozzle row from nozzle group 9 to nozzle group n, and divides the nozzle group into three nozzle regions 1, 2, and 3. The recording device ejects K ink in nozzle region 1, W ink in nozzle region 2, and K ink in nozzle region 3. In this case, the width of the predetermined region 80 to be recorded in one scan is L / n, which is the length L of the entire nozzle row divided by n. Therefore, the amount of feed of the transparent recording medium 501 in the sub-scanning direction in one scan is the distance L / n. In this way, by separating the nozzle groups that eject K ink and W ink, the recording device can superimpose an image recorded with white ink on top of an image recorded with K ink on the transparent recording medium 501, and then superimpose another image recorded with K ink on top of that. As a result, as shown in Figure 5(d), the recording device records an image on the transparent recording medium 501 in which a first layer 502, a second layer 503, and a third layer 504 are stacked. This stacked configuration is called a Sandwich 3-layer configuration. Hereafter, the Sandwich 3-layer configuration will be omitted and referred to as the SW3 configuration.

[0053] (Data generation, recording mode selection) Figure 8 is a flowchart of the recording data generation process executed by the CPU 401 according to the control program in this embodiment. Figure 9 is a diagram showing an example of a UI for selecting recording conditions for the recording mode. The recording data generation process is the process of generating recording data used for recording images. The recording data generation process is also part of the image processing.

[0054] First, in step S501, the CPU 401 of the recording device 100 acquires RGBW format image data input from the host computer PC 412.

[0055] In step S502, the CPU 401 acquires information regarding the type of recording medium to be used for recording (hereinafter also referred to as recording medium information). The recording medium information is an example of recording conditions. In this embodiment, the user selects and inputs the type of recording medium to be used for recording using the PC 412 or the operation panel 416. As a result, the CPU 401 acquires the recording medium information corresponding to the user's input.

[0056] For example, the user selects a recording medium from among several recording media to record images on, via a user interface (UI) like the one shown in Figure 9(a) displayed on the monitor of the PC 412. The CPU 401 of the recording device 100 acquires the recording medium information selected by the user via the PC 412 and the interface circuit 411.

[0057] This document describes a configuration in which the user inputs recording medium information via a UI, but the input method is not limited to this. For example, the recording device may be equipped with a sensor for determining the type of recording medium, and the CPU 401 may automatically acquire the recording medium information according to the sensor's determination result. In addition, the user may register new recording medium types in addition to those that have been pre-registered.

[0058] Next, in step S503, one recording condition is set from among several recording conditions according to the recording medium information acquired in step S502.

[0059] For example, a user may select one recording condition from among several recording conditions via a UI such as Figure 9(b) displayed on the monitor and control panel 416 of the PC 412.

[0060] Either the ROM 402 or the storage 418 of the recording device pre-stores information on multiple recording media, as well as recording data including the drying conditions and recording conditions used for each recording media.

[0061] Next, in step S504, the CPU 401 performs a color processing conversion, which converts the image data, represented by the RGB signal (RGBW values), into multi-level data corresponding to each ink (C, M, Y, K, RCT, and W) used for recording. Through the color conversion process, the CPU 401 generates multi-level data represented by 8-bit 256-value information that defines the gradation of each ink in each pixel group consisting of multiple pixels.

[0062] Subsequently, in step S505, the CPU 401 performs quantization processing to quantize the multi-level data. Through quantization processing, the CPU 401 generates quantized data represented by 1-bit binary information that determines whether each ink is ejected or not for each pixel. Methods such as dithering and error diffusion can be applied as this quantization method.

[0063] Then, in step S506, the CPU 401 performs a distribution process to distribute the quantized data of each ink to multiple scans of the recording head in multi-pass recording. Through this distribution process, the CPU 401 generates recording data represented by 1-bit binary information that determines whether each ink is ejected or not ejected for each pixel in each of the multiple scans of a unit area on the recording medium. The recording device of this embodiment ejects ink from the recording head according to the recording data generated as described above and records an image on the recording medium.

[0064] In this description, we have explained a configuration in which the CPU 401 in the recording device 100 performs all of the processes from S501 to S506, but other configurations are also possible. For example, the PC 412 may perform all of the processes from S501 to S506. Alternatively, the PC 412 may perform the color conversion process (S504), and the recording device 100 may perform the quantization process (S505) and subsequent processes.

[0065] (Material overview) ·ink The ink used in this embodiment may be a liquid material that can be dispensed from a nozzle. The ink in this embodiment contains a volatile liquid solvent and solid components that form a recording layer with each recorded image. Examples of solvents include organic solvents and water. The ink may also contain water-soluble resin fine particles to improve the abrasion resistance (fixability) of the recording layer by ensuring close contact between the recording medium and the colorant.

[0066] For the image layer inks (K, C, M, Y), either pigments or dyes can be used as colorants. For the opacity layer ink (W), in addition to the materials used for the image inks, white colorants such as silicon dioxide, mica, aluminum oxide, boehmite, titanium dioxide, barium titanate, zirconium oxide, zinc oxide, barium sulfate, and niobium oxide can be used. Among these, titanium dioxide may be used for the opacity ink (W) due to its high refractive index and cost considerations. Furthermore, the opacity ink (W) may also use metallic materials containing metal pigments for the purpose of imparting a special gloss.

[0067] Furthermore, the ink used in this embodiment may contain a water-soluble organic solvent as the organic solvent. The boiling point of the water-soluble organic solvent may be between 150°C and 300°C for reasons of wetting and moisturizing the head face surface. The organic solvent may be ketone compounds such as acetone and cyclohexanone, propylene glycol derivatives such as tetraethylene glycol dimethyl ether, or heterocyclic compounds having a lactam structure represented by N-methylpyrrolidone and 2-pyrrolidone, from the viewpoint of its function as a film-forming aid for resin fine particles and its swelling solubility on the recording medium on which the resin layer is formed. The content of the water-soluble organic solvent may be between 3 wt% and 30 wt% from the viewpoint of discharge performance. Water-soluble organic solvents include, for example, alkyl alcohols having 1 to 4 carbon atoms such as methyl alcohol, ethyl alcohol, n-propyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, n-butyl alcohol, sec-butyl alcohol, and tert-butyl alcohol; amides such as dimethylformamide and dimethylacetamide; ketones or keto alcohols such as acetone and diacetone alcohol; ethers such as tetrahydrofuran and dioxane; polyalkylene glycols such as polyethylene glycol and polypropylene glycol; ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, butylene glycol, triethylene glycol, and 1,2,6-hexanetriol. The solvents may include alkylene glycols containing 2 to 6 carbon atoms in an alkylene group, such as thiodiglycol, hexylene glycol, and diethylene glycol; lower alkyl ether acetates such as polyethylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate; lower alkyl ethers of polyhydric alcohols, such as glycerin, ethylene glycol monomethyl (or ethyl) ether, diethylene glycol methyl (or ethyl) ether, and triethylene glycol monomethyl (or ethyl) ether; polyhydric alcohols such as trimethylolpropane and trimethylolethane; and N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, 2-pyrrolidone, and 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone. The above water-soluble organic solvents may be used individually or in mixtures. Deionized water may be used instead of water.In this embodiment, the ink may contain, as needed, surfactants, defoamers, preservatives, fungicides, and other additives in addition to the above-mentioned components to achieve desired physical properties.

[0068] • Reaction solution Furthermore, in this embodiment, a reaction solution may be used for the purpose of image formation. The reaction solution used in this embodiment contains a reactive component that reacts with the colorant and resin microparticles contained in the ink, causing the colorant and resin microparticles to aggregate or gel. Specifically, when this reactive component is mixed on a recording medium with a first ink for a geological layer or a second ink for an image layer, which has colorant and resin microparticles stably dispersed or dissolved in an aqueous medium by the action of ionic groups, it can disrupt the dispersion stability of the first ink for a geological layer or the second ink for an image layer. In this embodiment, since anionic colorants are used, the reactants can be broadly classified into acid-based reactants, polyvalent metal-based reactants, and cationic polymer-based reactants. Acid-based reactants can be broadly classified into inorganic acids and organic acids. In this embodiment, organic acids will be described, but the embodiment is not limited to organic acids. Water-soluble organic acids include oxalic acid, polyacrylic acid, formic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, glycolic acid, malonic acid, malic acid, maleic acid, ascorbic acid, levulinic acid, succinic acid, glutaric acid, glutamic acid, fumaric acid, citric acid, tartaric acid, lactic acid, pyrrolidone carboxylic acid, pyrrone carboxylic acid, pyrrole carboxylic acid, furanic acid, pyridine carboxylic acid, coumaric acid, thiophene carboxylic acid, nicotinic acid, oxysuccinic acid, and dioxysuccinic acid. The content of organic acids may be 3.0% by mass or more and 90.0% by mass or less, and moreover, 5.0% by mass or more and 70.0% by mass or less, based on the total mass of the composition contained in the reaction solution. Polyvalent metal-based reagents may be the following. For example, polyvalent metal-based reagents may be divalent metal ions such as Ca2+, Cu2+, Ni2+, Mg2+, Zn2+, Sr2+, and Ba2+. Furthermore, the polyvalent metal reactants may be trivalent metal ions such as Al³⁺, Fe³⁺, Cr³⁺, and Y³⁺, ​​but are not limited to these. To include these polyvalent metal ions in the reaction solution, polyvalent metal salts may be used. Polyvalent metal salts are metal salts composed of the polyvalent metal ions listed above and anions that bind to these ions, and must be soluble in water.Preferred anions for forming polyvalent metal salts include, but are not limited to, Cl-, NO3-, I-, Br-, ClO3-, SO42-, CO32-, CH3COO-, and HCOO-. In this embodiment, the polyvalent metal ions may be Ca2+, Mg2+, Sr2+, Al3+, and Y3+, depending on their reactivity, colorability, and ease of handling. Ca2+ is particularly easy to handle. The anion for forming the salt with the polyvalent metal ion may be methanesulfonic acid, depending on its safety. The cationic polymer reagent may be water-soluble. The cationic polymer may be polyallylamine hydrochloride, polyamine sulfonate, polyvinylamine hydrochloride, chitosan acetate, etc. Furthermore, the cationic polymer-based reactant may be a copolymer of vinylpyrrolidone, in which a portion of the nonionic polymer substance has been cationized, and an aminoalkyl alkyl quaternary salt, or a copolymer of acrylamide and aminomethylacrylamide quaternary salt. The reaction solution containing the cationic polymer as a reactive component is preferably colorless, but it does not necessarily have to be one that does not absorb in the visible range. In other words, even if the reaction solution absorbs in the visible range, it may be a light color that absorbs in the visible range, as long as it does not substantially affect the image when the image is recorded. It should be noted that the reaction solution does not necessarily have to be used in all recordings, and only the amount necessary for image recording is applied, taking into account the amount of ink applied.

[0069] (Recording medium) The recording medium used in this embodiment may be either a liquid-non-absorbent or low-absorbent recording medium. Examples of liquid-non-absorbent recording media include glass, plastic, film, and Yupo, which are not manufactured as recording media for aqueous inkjet inks. Furthermore, recording media may be those that have not undergone surface treatment for inkjet printing (i.e., do not form an ink-absorbing layer), such as a plastic film or a plastic coating on a substrate like paper. Examples of plastics include polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene terephthalate, polycarbonate, polystyrene, polyurethane, polyethylene, and polypropylene. Specifically, examples of low-permeability recording media include art paper, coated paper, and other printing papers used in offset printing.

[0070] (Characteristic Structure 1) The OF structure will be explained. Figure 10 is a diagram illustrating burial and back-facing. The burial phenomenon will be explained with reference to Figure 10. Figure 10(a) is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the drying conditions of the first layer 1002 and the amount of burial in the second layer 1003.

[0071] The vertical axis shows the frequency of the embedding phenomenon, where the opacifying ink of the second layer 1003 sinks into the first layer 1002. A higher value on the vertical axis indicates a higher frequency of the embedding phenomenon. The horizontal axis shows the drying conditions during recording of the first layer 1002. A higher value on the right indicates stronger drying conditions. (b), (c), and (d) on the horizontal axis refer to Figures 10(b), 10(c), and 10(d), respectively. Drying conditions D1, D2, and D3 refer to the drying conditions during recording of the first layer 1002. Figures 10(b), 10(c), and 10(d) are cross-sectional views of each layer to explain the recording state of the first layer 1002 and the second layer 1003 when the first layer 1002 is recorded on the transparent recording medium 1001 under drying conditions D1, D2, and D3, respectively.

[0072] As shown in Figure 10(a) under drying condition D1, when the drying conditions of the first layer 1002 are weak, the embedding phenomenon 1008, in which the opacifying ink 1005 of the second layer 1003 is embedded in the first layer 1002, tends to occur more frequently, as shown in Figure 10(b). The phenomenon of the opacifying ink 1005 of the second layer 1003 being embedded in the first layer 1002 correlates with the drying conditions of the first layer 1002. As the drying conditions of the first layer 1002 become stronger, the embedding phenomenon 1008 becomes less likely to occur, as shown in Figures 10(b), 10(c), and 10(d). This correlation between the embedding phenomenon 1008 and the drying conditions changes depending on the differences in the cohesive strength and evaporation rate of the ink and reaction solution. More specifically, the correlation between the embedding phenomenon 1008 and the drying conditions changes as the ink composition, reaction solution composition, and drying capacity of the platen air blowing unit 206 change. However, in all cases, there is a common tendency that when the drying conditions of the first layer 1002 are weak, the amount of material buried increases, and when the drying conditions of the first layer 1002 are strong, the amount of material buried decreases.

[0073] Next, we will explain the drawbacks of embedding. One drawback of embedding is the phenomenon of bleed-through. As shown in the embedding phenomenon 1008 in Figure 10(b) and the embedding phenomenon 1008 in Figure 10(c), in areas where the opacifying ink of the second layer 1003 is embedded, the second layer 1003 becomes thinner, and in some places the second layer 1003 becomes discontinuous. As a result, when an observer views the image from the opposite side 1006 of the transparent recording medium 1001, the first layer 1002 is not sufficiently obscured by the second layer 1003, and a phenomenon called bleed-through occurs, in which the image of the first layer 1002 becomes visible. Since window signs are displayed on transparent glass, they may be viewed not only from the side 1007 of the transparent recording medium 1001 but also from the opposite side 1006 of the transparent recording medium 1001, and bleed-through becomes a problem in terms of image quality.

[0074] In conventional technology, the problem of image back-image is solved by strengthening the drying conditions of the first layer 1002 during recording, as in drying condition D3, thereby suppressing burying as shown in Figure 10(d). While conventional technology eliminates image quality issues, it uniformly strengthens the drying conditions of the first layer 1002 regardless of the opacity of the second layer 1003, which leads to decreased productivity or increased power consumption.

[0075] Therefore, the CPU 401 of this embodiment dries the first layer by setting drying conditions according to the opacity of the second layer. Figure 11 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between drying conditions in an OF configuration and the burial phenomenon and back-printing.

[0076] Figure 11(a) is a conceptual diagram illustrating the relationship between the drying conditions of the first layer and the amount of embedding in the second layer. The vertical axis shows the frequency of the embedding phenomenon 1108, in which the opacifying ink 1105 of the second layer 1103 is embedded in the first layer 1102 on the transparent recording medium 1101. The higher the value on the vertical axis, the higher the frequency of the embedding phenomenon 1108. The horizontal axis shows the drying conditions during image recording of the first layer 1102. The further to the right on the horizontal axis, the stronger the drying conditions. Drying conditions D1, D2, and D3 show the drying conditions during recording of the first layer 1102.

[0077] Figures 11(b) to 11(g) are cross-sectional views illustrating the recording state of the first layer 1102 and the second layer 1103. Figures 11(b) and 11(e) show the results when recorded under dry condition D1. Figures 11(c) and 11(f) show the results when recorded under dry condition D2. Figures 11(d) and 11(g) show the results when recorded under dry condition D3. Furthermore, Figures 11(b), 11(c), and 11(d) show the case where the occlusion rate of the second layer 1103 is low. Figures 11(e), 11(f), and 11(g) show the case where the occlusion rate of the second layer 1103 is high.

[0078] Referring to Figure 11, the relationship between drying conditions and bleed-through, and the relationship between opacity and bleed-through will be explained.

[0079] As shown in Figures 11(b), 11(c), and 11(d), stronger drying conditions tend to reduce the likelihood of burial, and the resulting transparency issue when viewed from the opposite side 1106 of the transparent recording medium 1101 becomes less likely. However, when the opacity is low, even if the drying conditions are strengthened to D2 and the burial phenomenon 1108 is slightly reduced, the second layer 1103 is thin and has a low opacity, making transparency more likely. Therefore, when the opacity is low, in order to suppress transparency, it is necessary to strengthen the drying conditions sufficiently, as shown in D3, to dry the first layer 1102.

[0080] On the other hand, when the second layer 1103 is thick and has a high opacity, as shown in Figures 11(e), 11(f), and 11(g), bleed-through is less likely to occur even under drying condition D2. In other words, the effect of bleed-through on image quality is minimal even without increasing the drying condition to D3.

[0081] Therefore, when the opacity is high, the effect of bleed-through is minimal, allowing for weaker drying conditions for the first layer 1102 compared to when the opacity is low. In other words, in recording modes with high opacity, the drying conditions can be weakened to increase productivity or reduce power consumption.

[0082] (Characteristic Structure 2) This section explains the SW3 configuration. In the SW3 configuration, as in the OF configuration, the burial phenomenon and the resulting back-facing issue occur. Figure 18 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the drying conditions in the SW3 configuration and the burial phenomenon and back-facing issue.

[0083] Figure 18(a) is a conceptual diagram illustrating the relationship between the drying conditions of the first layer and the amount of embedding in the second layer. The vertical axis shows the frequency of the embedding phenomenon 1808, in which the opacifying ink 1805 of the second layer 1803 is embedded in the first layer 1802 on the transparent recording medium 1801. The higher the value on the vertical axis, the higher the frequency of the embedding phenomenon 1808. The horizontal axis shows the drying conditions during image recording of the first layer 1802. The further to the right on the horizontal axis, the stronger the drying conditions. Drying conditions D1, D2, and D3 show the drying conditions during recording of the first layer 1802.

[0084] Figures 18(b) to 18(g) are cross-sectional views illustrating the recording state of the first layer 1802 and the second layer 1803. Figures 18(b) and 18(e) show the results when recorded under dry condition D1. Figures 18(c) and 18(f) show the results when recorded under dry condition D2. Figures 18(d) and 18(g) show the results when recorded under dry condition D3. Furthermore, Figures 18(b), 18(c), and 18(d) show the case where the occlusion rate of the second layer 1803 is low. Figures 18(e), 18(f), and 18(g) show the case where the occlusion rate of the second layer 1803 is high.

[0085] If the second layer 1803 is thin and has low opacity, as shown in Figures 18(b), 18(c), and 18(d), even if the drying conditions are strengthened to D2 to slightly reduce the burial phenomenon, back-image is likely to occur when viewing the image of the third layer 1809 from the opposite side 1806 of the transparent recording medium 1801. Therefore, even in the SW3 configuration, if the opacity is low, it is necessary to strengthen the drying conditions to D3 to thoroughly dry the first layer 1802.

[0086] On the other hand, if the second layer 1803 is thick and has a high opacity, as shown in Figures 18(e), 18(f), and 18(g), increasing the drying conditions to D2 will reduce the likelihood of back-image bleed-through. In other words, even without increasing the drying conditions to D3, the effect of back-image bleed-through on image quality will be minimal.

[0087] Therefore, when the opacity is high, bleed-through is less likely, allowing for weaker drying conditions for the first layer 1802 compared to when the opacity is low. In other words, a recording mode with a high opacity can increase productivity or reduce power consumption.

[0088] Here, we will explain the drying conditions for the second layer 1803 and the third layer 1809.

[0089] An image of the third layer 1809 is formed on top of the second layer 1803. Since the third layer 1809 forms a high-resolution image, sufficiently strong drying conditions are applied to the second layer 1803 to prevent the ink of the image of the third layer 1809 from being embedded in the second layer 1803. Since there is no layer to record on top of the third layer 1809, embedding into the third layer 1809 does not need to be considered. Therefore, it is sufficient to apply drying conditions that satisfy the image quality of the third layer 1809.

[0090] (Recording and evaluation method in this embodiment) In this embodiment, an inkjet recording device as shown in Figure 1 was used, and an evaluation image was recorded using the recording head 105 shown in Figure 3, and the evaluation image was then evaluated.

[0091] Next, the evaluation images in this embodiment will be described. The recording medium used was GIY-0305, a super PET substrate film (strong adhesive type) for window decoration manufactured by Lintec Sign Systems Co., Ltd. The evaluation images to be evaluated in this embodiment consisted of a first layer in which green (50% Y ink and 50% C ink) was uniformly recorded on the recording surface at the design value of the maximum ink input amount for the corresponding recording mode, and a second layer in which white ink was uniformly recorded on the first layer at the setting value for the corresponding recording mode. The ejection amount for each ink was 4 ng (nanograms) per dot. The reaction solution was applied to each ink in an amount equal to 20% of the amount applied to each ink.

[0092] In this embodiment, the device used for color measurement was a fluorescence spectrometer (FD-7: manufactured by Konica Minolta Corporation).

[0093] As for the specific evaluation method, in each embodiment, an image was recorded under the recording conditions described later for each recording mode, and the saturation C* was obtained by measuring the color from both the recording medium side and the second layer side on the opposite side. From the perspective of whether or not bleed-through was visible, a saturation C* of less than 15 was judged as a pass (○), and a saturation C* of 15 or more was judged as a fail (×).

[0094] Here, the opacity rate is an index value indicating that the ink film covers the color difference of the underlying layer, and the method for measuring the opacity rate in this embodiment was a method compliant with ISO 2471. The colorimeter used was a spectrophotometer CM-2600d (manufactured by Konica Minolta).

[0095] (First embodiment) In the first embodiment, in order to improve the color development of the image in the first layer, a white ink that diffusely reflects incident light is used as the ink for the opacity layer of the second layer.

[0096] This embodiment includes multiple recording modes. The recording modes include setting conditions such as the design value I (ng / 600dpi) of the maximum ink density of the first layer, the opacity of the second layer, and the drying conditions for each layer. Furthermore, this embodiment includes two or more recording modes with different opacity levels for the second layer.

[0097] In this embodiment, the recording mode with a high opacity is characterized by weakening the drying conditions of the first layer compared to the recording mode with a low opacity.

[0098] Furthermore, in order to satisfy the above drying conditions, the CPU 401 of the first embodiment controls the drying conditions of the first layer by the time T(s) (also called the recording time) for recording the first layer. Therefore, the time T(s) for recording the first layer is an example of a drying condition. The time T(s) will be described later.

[0099] The CPU 401 controls the drying conditions for the first layer, which is the recording time T(s) for the first layer, by changing the time from the start of recording for the first layer to the start of recording for the second layer. Drying of the first recording layer also progresses during recording of the first recording layer. Therefore, when recording the first layer with a constant design amount of ink, the CPU 401 can control the drying conditions for the first layer by changing the recording time of the first layer. When the drying conditions are weakened, the CPU 401 shortens the recording time of the first layer and shortens the time for recording the width of the nozzle row length L. As a result, the first embodiment can improve productivity in recording modes with high opacity.

[0100] The recording device of this embodiment includes two recording modes: Recording Mode 1 and Recording Mode 2. The conditions for Recording Mode 1 and Recording Mode 2 are as follows:

[0101] <Recording Mode 1> Design value I for the maximum ink density of the first layer: 32 ng / 600 dpi Second layer concealment rate: 60% Ink volume: 32 ng / 600 dpi <Recording Mode 2> Design value I for the maximum ink density of the first layer: 32 ng / 600 dpi Second layer concealment rate: 80% Ink volume: 96 ng / 600 dpi Here, dpi is the relative resolution, indicating the number of dots per inch. ng is the mass of ink (nanograms) per dot.

[0102] Figure 7 illustrates the control of the recording time T(s) for the first layer. Figure 7(a) illustrates the control of the recording time T(s) for the first layer in the first embodiment. As shown in Figure 7(a), the CPU 401 controls the recording time T(s) for the first layer by changing the number of scans for recording the first layer by changing the number of nozzle groups included in the nozzle region 6 for recording the first layer. The time T(s) can be obtained by multiplying the time required for one main scan by the number of scans.

[0103] The common conditions for other recording modes are as follows: The fan temperature during recording is 35°C. The fan speed is 3 m / s. The travel time MT of the recording head in the main scanning direction is 2 seconds per scan. The time Twait is 0 seconds. The waiting time Twait is the time the recording head waits at the end of a main scan after it has completed one main scan.

[0104] Figure 12 is a table showing the recording conditions for the recording modes of the first embodiment, comparative example 1, and comparative example 2. In the first embodiment, comparative example 1, and comparative example 2, recording mode 1 and recording mode 2 were set by changing the number of scans of the first layer.

[0105] In the first embodiment, the number of scans for the first layer in recording mode 1, which has a low opacity, was set to 16, and the number of scans for recording mode 2, which has a high opacity, was set to 13. Thus, in the first embodiment, the number of scans for the first layer in recording mode 2 is set to be less than the number of scans for recording mode 1. As explained in Figure 11, the opacity layer in recording mode 2 is thicker and has a higher opacity. As a result, in recording mode 2, even if the number of scans for the first layer is reduced and the ink of the second layer tends to be more embedded in the first layer, the show-through is less visible and the degradation of image quality is small.

[0106] In Comparative Example 1, to increase productivity, the number of scans for the first layer was set to 13 in both recording mode 1 and recording mode 2. However, when the opacity rate is 60%, as in recording mode 1, the evaluation fails. This is thought to be because, as explained in Figure 11, the second layer, the opacity layer, is thin, making it easier for the image to show through from the other side.

[0107] In Comparative Example 2, based on conventional thinking, the number of scans for the first layer was set to 16 in both recording mode 1 and recording mode 2. Although the evaluation was satisfactory, in recording mode 2, which has a high opacity rate, the number of scans for the first layer is set to 16, so it takes 80 seconds to record the width of the nozzle row length L, resulting in reduced productivity.

[0108] On the other hand, in the first embodiment, by reducing the number of scans of the first layer in recording mode 2 compared to the number of scans of the first layer in recording mode 1, the recording time T(s) of the first layer in recording mode 2 is shortened (to 26 seconds in this case), and the time to record the width of the nozzle row length L is reduced to 74 seconds.

[0109] Thus, in this embodiment, the number of scans (=13) used to record the first layer in recording mode 2, which has a high opacity and is less affected by back-image reflection, is reduced compared to the number of scans (=16) used in recording mode 1, which has a low opacity. As a result, this embodiment can shorten the recording time for the first layer in recording mode 2 compared to recording mode 1, and thus shorten the time required to record the width of the nozzle row length L. In other words, this embodiment varies the drying conditions (here, the number of scans and recording time for the first layer) according to the opacity of the recording mode. That is, even if the recording time T(s) for the first layer in recording mode 2 is shortened and the drying conditions are weakened, back-image reflection is less likely in recording mode 2, which has a high opacity, so productivity can be increased by shortening the time required to record the width of the nozzle row length L while suppressing a decrease in image quality.

[0110] (Second embodiment) In the second embodiment, the CPU 401 controls the recording time T(s) of the first layer by changing the waiting time (hereinafter referred to as the waiting time Twait), thereby controlling the time for recording the width of the nozzle row length L. Figure 7(b) is a diagram illustrating the control of the recording time T(s) of the first layer in the second embodiment. The waiting time Twait is the time that the recording head scanning on the recording medium 703 waits at the endpoints 704 and 705, which are the ends of a reciprocating scan after completing one main scan 706, as shown in Figure 7(b). Figure 13 is a table showing the recording conditions for the recording modes of the second embodiment, comparative example 3, and comparative example 4.

[0111] The common conditions for each recording mode are as follows: The airflow temperature during recording is 35°C. The airflow speed is 3 m / s. In addition, the travel time MT and number of scans in the main scanning direction of the recording head for each layer are as shown in Figure 13.

[0112] In this embodiment, the recording time T(s) for recording the first layer is controlled by changing the waiting time Twait, without changing any of the recording mode conditions described above, thereby controlling the drying conditions. The time required for the main scan is the sum of the waiting time Twait and the travel time MT of the recording head in the main scan direction, which is 1.6s per scan. Therefore, the time required for the main scan can be controlled by changing the waiting time Twait.

[0113] The recording modes in the second embodiment, Comparative Example 3, and Comparative Example 4 are recording modes with different waiting times (Twait).

[0114] In the second embodiment, the waiting time Twait for recording mode 1, which has a low opacity rate, is set to 0.4s, and the waiting time Twait for recording mode 2, which has a high opacity rate, is set to 0s. That is, the waiting time Twait for recording mode 2 is shorter than the waiting time Twait for recording mode 1. In recording mode 2, the second layer, the opacity layer, is thicker and has a higher opacity rate, so even if the tendency for the second layer to be embedded in the first layer increases, the back-image is less visible. Therefore, in recording mode 2, the deterioration of image quality can be suppressed even with a shorter waiting time.

[0115] In Comparative Example 3, the waiting time Twait for both recording modes 1 and 2 was set to 0s to increase productivity. In Comparative Example 3, the evaluation failed when the opacity was 60%, as in recording mode 1. This is thought to be because, in Comparative Example 3 using recording mode 1, if the first layer is not sufficiently dried, the opacity layer is thin and the opacity is low, making the back-side bleed more visible.

[0116] In Comparative Example 4, based on conventional thinking, the waiting time Twait for both recording mode 1 and recording mode 2 was set to 0.4s to allow the first layer to dry sufficiently. The evaluation was satisfactory, but in recording mode 2, which has a high opacity, the time required to record the width of the nozzle row length L is 80 seconds, thus reducing the productivity of Comparative Example 4.

[0117] On the other hand, this embodiment shortens the waiting time Twait in recording mode 2, which has a higher concealment rate compared to recording mode 1, and reduces the time to record the width of the column length L to 64 seconds.

[0118] Thus, in this embodiment, compared to recording mode 1, which has a low opacity, the recording time for the first and second layers is shortened by reducing the waiting time Twait when recording the first and second layers in recording mode 2, which has a high opacity and is less affected by the back-image phenomenon. In this way, compared to comparative example 2, this embodiment shortens the recording time for the width of the nozzle row length L in recording mode 2, and even with weaker drying conditions, the opacity is high, so it is possible to increase productivity while suppressing the deterioration of image quality.

[0119] (Third embodiment) In the third embodiment, the CPU 401 controls the recording time T(s) for the first layer and the recording time for the width of the nozzle row length L by changing the travel time MT of the recording head in the main scanning direction shown in Figure 7(b). The CPU 401 may also control the travel time MT by controlling the travel speed of the recording head. Figure 14 is a table showing the recording conditions for the recording modes of the third embodiment, Comparative Example 5, and Comparative Example 6.

[0120] The common conditions for each recording mode are as follows: The air temperature during recording is 35°C. The air velocity is 3 m / s. In addition, the waiting time (Twait) and number of scans for each layer are as shown in Figure 14.

[0121] In the third embodiment, Comparative Example 5, and Comparative Example 6, the recording modes differ in the travel time MT of the recording head in the main scanning direction.

[0122] In the third embodiment, the travel time MT for recording mode 1, which has a low opacity, is set to 2s / 1 scan. The travel time MT for recording mode 2, which has a high opacity, is set to 1.6s / 1 scan. Because recording mode 2 has a thicker opacity layer and a higher opacity, even if the tendency for the second layer to be embedded in the first layer increases, the back-image is less visible. Therefore, in recording mode 2, the deterioration of image quality can be suppressed even if the travel time MT is shortened.

[0123] In Comparative Example 5, to increase productivity, the travel time MT for both recording modes 1 and 2 was set to 1.6 s / 1 scan. In Comparative Example 5, the evaluation failed when the opacity was 60%, as in recording mode 1. This is thought to be because, in Comparative Example 5 using recording mode 1, if the first layer is not sufficiently dried, the opacity layer is thin and the opacity is low, making the back-side bleed more visible.

[0124] In Comparative Example 6, based on conventional thinking, the travel time MT for both recording mode 1 and recording mode 2 was set to 2 s / 1 scan to thoroughly dry the first layer. Comparative Example 6 passed the evaluation, but in recording mode 2, which has a high opacity, the time to record the width of the nozzle row length L is 80 seconds, so the productivity of Comparative Example 6 is reduced.

[0125] According to this embodiment, compared to recording mode 1, the travel time MT in recording mode 2, which has a higher concealment rate, is shortened, reducing the time to record the width of the nozzle row length L to 64 seconds.

[0126] Thus, in this embodiment, compared to recording mode 1 with a low opacity, the recording time T(s) for recording the first and second layers is shortened by increasing the travel time MT of the recording head in the main scanning direction when recording the first and second layers in recording mode 2, which has a high opacity and where the effect of back-image showing is minimal. In this way, compared to comparative example 4, this embodiment shortens the recording time for the width of the nozzle row length L in recording mode 2, and even with weaker drying conditions, the opacity is high, so it is possible to increase productivity while suppressing the deterioration of image quality.

[0127] (Fourth embodiment) The CPU 401 of the fourth embodiment controls the drying conditions of the first layer by changing the time from the end of recording of the first layer to the start of recording of the second layer. In this embodiment, when the end of recording of the first layer is time T1 and the start of recording of the second layer is time T2, the CPU 401 provides a non-recording time ΔT between time T1 and time T2 during which no recording is performed, and controls the drying conditions by the length of the non-recording time ΔT. Note that the recording time of the first layer is the time from the start of recording of the first layer to the start of recording of the second layer, and may include the non-recording time ΔT. Figure 20 is a table showing the recording conditions of the recording modes of the fourth embodiment, Comparative Example 7, and Comparative Example 8.

[0128] As shown in Figure 7(c), the nozzle array is divided into nozzle groups 20 through n, and each nozzle group is further divided into three regions: nozzle region 8, nozzle region 9, and nozzle region 10. In nozzle region 8, the first layer is recorded; no ink is ejected in nozzle region 9; and in nozzle region 10, the second layer is recorded. Here, the non-recording time ΔT is controlled by changing the number of nozzle groups in nozzle region 9, i.e., the number of scans, from nozzle group j to nozzle group k.

[0129] The common conditions for each recording mode are as follows: The fan temperature during recording is 35°C. The fan speed is 3 m / s. The travel time MT of the recording head in the main scanning direction is 1.6 seconds per scan. The waiting time Twait is 0 seconds.

[0130] The recording modes of the fourth embodiment, Comparative Example 7, and Comparative Example 8 differ in the number of scans during the non-recording time ΔT between the first and second layers. However, since the travel time MT per scan is the same, it can also be said that the recording modes of the fourth embodiment, Comparative Example 7, and Comparative Example 8 also differ in their non-recording time ΔT.

[0131] In the fourth embodiment, the number of scans for the non-recording time ΔT in recording mode 1, which has a low opacity, is set to 4, and the number of scans for the non-recording time ΔT in recording mode 2, which has a high opacity, is set to 0. That is, the number of scans for the non-recording time ΔT in recording mode 2 is less than the number of scans for recording mode 1. In recording mode 2, since the number of scans for the non-recording time ΔT is reduced, the non-recording time ΔT is shortened, and the time (s) from the start of recording of the first layer to the start of recording of the second layer is shortened, resulting in weaker drying conditions. In recording mode 2, the opacity layer is thick and the opacity is high, so even if the tendency for the second layer to be embedded in the first layer increases, the back-image is less visible, thus suppressing a decrease in image quality.

[0132] In Comparative Example 7, to increase productivity, the number of scans during the non-recording time ΔT was set to 0 for both Recording Mode 1 and Recording Mode 2. In Comparative Example 7, the evaluation fails when the opacity is 60%, as in Recording Mode 1. This is thought to be because Comparative Example 7 in Recording Mode 1 has a thin opacity layer and low opacity, making it easier to see through the image.

[0133] In Comparative Example 8, based on conventional thinking, the number of scans for the non-recording time ΔT in both recording mode 1 and recording mode 2 was set to 4, and the first layer was thoroughly dried. Comparative Example 8 passed the evaluation, but because recording mode 2, which has a high opacity rate, takes 70.4 seconds to record the width of the nozzle row length L, the productivity of Comparative Example 8 is reduced.

[0134] On the other hand, this embodiment reduces the number of scans during the non-recording time ΔT in recording mode 2, which has a higher opacity rate compared to recording mode 1, thereby shortening the non-recording time ΔT and reducing the time to record the width of the nozzle row length L to 64 seconds.

[0135] Thus, in this embodiment, compared to recording mode 1 with a low opacity, the number of scans in recording mode 2, which has a high opacity and minimal influence from back-image reflection, is reduced to shorten the non-recording time ΔT between the recording end time T1 of the first layer and the recording start time T2 of the second layer. As a result, this embodiment shortens the recording time of the first layer. In this way, compared to comparative example 8, this embodiment shortens the non-recording time ΔT of recording mode 2, and even with weaker drying conditions, the opacity is high, so it is possible to increase productivity while suppressing a decrease in image quality.

[0136] (Fifth embodiment) In the fifth embodiment, the CPU 401 controls the air temperature, which is the temperature of the air blown by the fan 211, by controlling the heater 210 of the platen air blowing unit 206 shown in Figure 2 when recording the first layer, in order to control the drying conditions. Figure 15 is a table showing the recording conditions for the recording modes of the fifth embodiment, comparative example 9, and comparative example 10.

[0137] The common conditions for each recording mode are as follows: The airflow speed is 3 m / s. The travel time MT, waiting time Twait, and number of scans for each layer are as shown in Figure 15.

[0138] The recording modes in the fifth embodiment, Comparative Example 9, and Comparative Example 10 differ in their blower temperature.

[0139] In the fifth embodiment, the fan temperature for recording mode 1, which has a low opacity rate, is set to 35°C, and the fan temperature for recording mode 2, which has a high opacity rate, is set to 30°C. In recording mode 2, because the opacity layer is thick and the opacity rate is high, even if the tendency for the second layer to be embedded in the first layer increases, the back-image is less visible. Therefore, in recording mode 2, even if the fan temperature is lowered, power consumption can be reduced while suppressing a decrease in image quality.

[0140] In Comparative Example 9, the fan temperature for both recording modes 1 and 2 was set to 30°C to reduce power consumption. In Comparative Example 9, the evaluation failed when the opacity was 60%, as in recording mode 1. This is thought to be because, in Comparative Example 9 for recording mode 1, the fan temperature was low and the first layer was not sufficiently dried, resulting in a thin opacity layer and low opacity, making the back-side reflection more visible.

[0141] In Comparative Example 10, based on conventional thinking, the fan temperature for both recording mode 1 and recording mode 2 was set to 35°C to thoroughly dry the first layer. In Comparative Example 10, the evaluation was satisfactory, but because the fan temperature was increased, the power consumption of recording mode 2, which has a high opacity rate, increased.

[0142] On the other hand, this embodiment reduces power consumption by lowering the fan temperature in recording mode 2, which has a higher concealment rate compared to recording mode 1.

[0143] Thus, in this embodiment, the airflow temperature is lower when recording the first layer in recording mode 2, which has a high opacity and minimal effects from back-image reflection, compared to recording mode 1, which has a low opacity. In this way, even if the airflow temperature in recording mode 2 is lowered and the drying conditions are weakened, the high opacity of recording mode 2 allows for reduced power consumption while suppressing a decrease in image quality.

[0144] (Sixth embodiment) In the sixth embodiment, the CPU 401 controls the airflow speed, which is the speed of the air blown by the fan 211 of the platen air blowing unit 206 shown in Figure 2, when recording the first layer, in order to control the drying conditions. Figure 16 is a table showing the recording conditions for the recording modes of the sixth embodiment, comparative example 11, and comparative example 12.

[0145] The common conditions for each recording mode are as follows: The airflow temperature is 35°C. The travel time MT, waiting time Twait, and number of scans for each layer are as shown in Figure 16.

[0146] The recording modes in the sixth embodiment, Comparative Example 11, and Comparative Example 12 differ in their airflow speed.

[0147] In the sixth embodiment, the airflow speed for recording mode 1, which has a low opacity rate, is set to 3 m / s, and the airflow speed for recording mode 2, which has a high opacity rate, is set to 2.5 m / s. That is, the airflow speed for recording mode 2 is slower than that for recording mode 1. Because recording mode 2 has a thicker opacity layer and a higher opacity rate, even if the tendency for the second layer to be embedded in the first layer increases, the back-image is less visible. Therefore, in recording mode 2, the deterioration of image quality can be suppressed even if the airflow speed is slowed.

[0148] In Comparative Example 11, the airflow speed for both recording modes 1 and 2 was set to 2.5 m / s to reduce power consumption. In Comparative Example 11, the evaluation failed when the opacity was 60%, as in recording mode 1. This is thought to be because, in Comparative Example 11 with recording mode 1, the airflow speed was slow, and the first layer was not sufficiently dried, resulting in a thin opacity layer and low opacity, making the back-facing image more visible.

[0149] In Comparative Example 12, based on conventional thinking, the airflow speed for both recording mode 1 and recording mode 2 was set to 3 m / s to thoroughly dry the first layer. The evaluation was satisfactory, but in recording mode 2, which has a high opacity, the airflow speed is increased, resulting in increased power consumption.

[0150] Thus, in this embodiment, the airflow speed when drying the first layer in recording mode 2, which has a high opacity and where the effect of back-image bleed-through is minimal, is slowed down compared to recording mode 1, which has a low opacity. As a result, in this embodiment, even if the drying conditions in recording mode 2 are weakened, the high opacity allows for reduced power consumption while suppressing a decrease in image quality.

[0151] (Seventh Embodiment) In the seventh embodiment, the CPU 401 controls the drying conditions by controlling the design value of the maximum ink density of the first layer of image ink and the drying time per unit ink. Figure 17 is a table showing the recording conditions for the recording mode of the seventh embodiment.

[0152] In this embodiment, the concept of a drying time t(s / ng) per unit ink of the first layer is introduced. Even if the design value I(ng / 600dpi^2) of the maximum ink insufficiency of the first layer is different, if the drying time t(s / ng) per unit ink is the same, the drying state of the first layer will be the same, and the amount of embedding in the first layer by the second layer will be the same.

[0153] The time T(s) required to form the ink layer of the first layer image can be calculated using the following formula. T(s) = t(s / ng) × I(ng / 600dpi^2)

[0154] CPU401 sets the drying time t(s / ng) per unit ink of the first layer to the same value for recording modes where the opacity of the second layer is the same.

[0155] Furthermore, the CPU 401 sets the drying time t(s / ng) per unit ink of the first layer in recording mode 2, which has a higher opacity, to be shorter compared to recording mode 1, which has a lower opacity of the second layer.

[0156] This embodiment includes recording mode 1 and recording mode 2. Recording mode 1 and recording mode 2 differ in their opacity and the design value I (ng / 600dpi^2) of the maximum ink density of the first layer.

[0157] An evaluation similar to that of previous embodiments was conducted to determine whether or not it passed the test.

[0158] As shown in Figure 17, in recording mode 1, which has a low opacity, the drying time t(s / ng) per unit ink of the first layer was set to 1. In recording mode 2, which has a high opacity, the drying time t(s / ng) per unit ink of the first layer was set to 0.8. Therefore, the drying conditions in recording mode 2 are weaker than those in recording mode 1. Furthermore, although the drying time of the first layer is coincidentally the same (32 seconds in recording mode 1 and 32 seconds in recording mode 2), the drying conditions in recording mode 2 are weaker because the drying time t(s / ng) per unit ink of the first layer is smaller. Nevertheless, both recording mode 1 and recording mode 2 in the seventh embodiment are evaluated as acceptable. Thus, in this embodiment, even if the drying conditions in recording mode 2 are weakened, the second opacity layer in recording mode 2 is thicker and has a higher opacity, so it is possible to reduce the power consumption required for drying while suppressing the deterioration of image quality.

[0159] (Eighth embodiment) In the eighth embodiment, the CPU 401 controls the recording time T(s) of the first layer by changing the number of scans used to record the first layer in the SW3 configuration. Figure 19 is a table showing the recording conditions for the recording modes of the eighth embodiment, comparative example 13, and comparative example 14.

[0160] The recording device of this embodiment includes two recording modes: Recording Mode 1 and Recording Mode 2. The conditions for Recording Mode 1 and Recording Mode 2 are as follows.

[0161] <Recording Mode 1> Design value I for the maximum ink density of the first layer: 32 ng / 600 dpi Second layer concealment rate: 60% Ink volume: 32 ng / 600 dpi Design value for the maximum ink density of the third layer: I: 32 ng / 600 dpi <Recording Mode 2> Design value I for the maximum ink density of the first layer: 32 ng / 600 dpi Second layer concealment rate: 80% Ink volume: 96 ng / 600 dpi Design value for the maximum ink density of the third layer: I: 32 ng / 600 dpi

[0162] The common conditions for each recording mode are as follows: The air temperature during recording is 35°C. The air velocity is 3 m / s. The travel time MT and waiting time Twait of the recording head for each layer are as shown in Figure 19.

[0163] In this embodiment, the CPU 401 controls the recording time T(s) of the first layer by changing the number of scans for recording the first layer, thereby controlling the drying conditions. As explained in Figure 5(d), in this embodiment, the recording time T(s) of the first layer is controlled by changing the number of nozzle groups in the nozzle region 3, thereby controlling the drying conditions.

[0164] The recording modes of the eighth embodiment, Comparative Example 13, and Comparative Example 14 differ in the number of scans of the first layer.

[0165] In this embodiment, the CPU 401 sets the number of scans of the first layer to 16 in recording mode 1, where the concealment rate of the second layer is low. The CPU 401 also sets the number of scans of the first layer to 13 in recording mode 2, where the concealment rate is high. In other words, the number of scans in recording mode 2 is less than the number of scans in recording mode 1. As explained in Figure 18, in recording mode 2, the concealment layer is thick and the concealment rate is high, so even if the tendency for the second layer to be embedded in the first layer increases, the back-image is less visible. Therefore, in recording mode 2, even if the number of scans of the first layer is reduced and the first recording time T(s) is shortened, the deterioration of image quality can be suppressed.

[0166] In Comparative Example 13, the number of scans for both recording mode 1 and recording mode 2 was set to 13 to increase productivity. In Comparative Example 13, if the opacity is 60%, as in recording mode 1, the evaluation fails. As explained in Figure 18, in recording mode 1 of Comparative Example 13, if the number of scans is low and the first layer is not sufficiently dried, the opacity layer is thin and the opacity is low, making it easier for the back-side image to be seen.

[0167] In Comparative Example 14, based on conventional thinking, the number of scans for both recording mode 1 and recording mode 2 was set to 16, and the first layer was thoroughly dried. The evaluation was satisfactory, but in recording mode 2, which has a high opacity, the time to record the width of the nozzle row length L is 154 seconds, so the productivity of Comparative Example 14 is reduced.

[0168] In Comparative Example 14, based on the conventional approach, the recording time for the width of the nozzle row length L in recording mode 2 with a high opacity is 154 seconds. On the other hand, in this embodiment, the recording time for the width of the nozzle row length L in recording mode 2 with a high opacity can be reduced to 112 seconds, which is shorter than in Comparative Example 14.

[0169] Thus, in this embodiment, compared to recording mode 1 with low opacity, recording mode 2 has a high opacity and the effect of back-image bleed-through is minimal. By reducing the number of scans required to record the first layer, the recording time T(s) for the first layer can be shortened, the drying conditions can be weakened, and productivity can be increased.

[0170] In this embodiment, in the SW3 configuration, the drying conditions were controlled by controlling the number of scans for recording the first layer. However, similar to the OF configuration, the drying conditions may be controlled by changing at least one of the following: waiting time Twait, movement time MT, non-recording time ΔT, airflow temperature, and airflow speed. Furthermore, these may be controlled simultaneously.

[0171] (Other embodiments) In this embodiment, the drying conditions were controlled by individually changing the number of scans, Twait, v, ΔT, airflow temperature, and airflow speed for recording the first layer. However, the drying conditions may also be controlled by simultaneously changing two or more of the following conditions: the number of scans, Twait, MT, MT, ΔT, airflow temperature, and airflow speed for recording the first layer.

[0172] Furthermore, the above embodiments may be combined. In this case, the main control unit 400 may combine the recording conditions and drying conditions based on user input, or it may combine them based on predetermined conditions.

[0173] The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that implements one or more of the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or storage medium, and by having one or more processors in the computer of that system or device read and execute the program. Furthermore, the present invention can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., an ASIC) that implements one or more functions.

[0174] The disclosures herein include the following control devices, inkjet recording devices, control methods, and programs. (Item 1) In a control device for controlling an inkjet recording apparatus that ejects ink from a recording head onto a transparent recording medium to record a first layer, dries it, and then ejects ink onto the first layer to record a second layer that covers the first layer, The recording of the first and second layers is controlled based on the setting of recording modes, which include a first recording mode and a second recording mode, the occlusion rates of the second layer being different from each other. The drying of the first layer is controlled based on the drying conditions corresponding to the opacity of the recording mode. A control device characterized by the following features. (Item 2) The recording of the third layer is controlled based on a recording mode that includes the setting of the third layer to be recorded on the second layer. The control device according to item 1, characterized in that it is a control device. (Item 3) The drying of the first layer is controlled based on the drying conditions, which include a recording time, which is the time for recording the first layer, which varies according to the opacity. A control device according to item 1 or item 2, characterized in that it is a control device according to item 1 or item 2. (Item 4) The recording time is controlled by the number of scans performed by the recording head that records the first layer. The control device according to item 3, characterized in that it is a control device. (Item 5) The recording time is controlled by the time spent waiting at the end of the reciprocating scan of the recording head that records the first layer. The control device according to item 3, characterized in that it is a control device. (Item 6) The recording time is controlled by the travel time per scan of the recording head that records the first layer. The control device according to item 3, characterized in that it is a control device. (Item 7) The non-recording time between the time when recording of the first layer ends and the time when recording of the second layer begins is defined as the non-recording time. The drying of the first layer is controlled based on the drying conditions, which include different non-recording times depending on the opacity. A control device according to any one of items 1 to 6, characterized in that it is a control device. (Item 8) The inkjet recording apparatus has a blowing means for blowing hot air to dry the first layer, The drying of the first layer is controlled based on the drying conditions, which include different temperatures of the hot air depending on the opacity. A control device according to any one of items 1 to 7, characterized in that it is a control device. (Item 9) The inkjet recording apparatus has a blowing means for blowing air to dry the first layer, The drying of the first layer is controlled based on the drying conditions, which include different airflow speeds depending on the opacity. A control device according to any one of items 1 to 8, characterized in that it is a control device. (Item 10) The drying of the first layer is controlled based on the drying conditions, which include a drying time per unit ink of the first layer that varies according to the opacity. A control device according to any one of items 1 to 9, characterized in that it is a control device. (Item 11) The second recording mode has a higher opacity and weaker drying conditions compared to the first recording mode. A control device according to any one of items 1 to 10, characterized in that it is a control device. (Item 12) The control device described in item 1, A recording head that stacks the first layer and the second layer for ejecting ink, A drying means for drying the first layer, An inkjet recording device characterized by comprising the following features. (Item 13) A control method for controlling an inkjet recording apparatus that ejects ink from a recording head onto a transparent recording medium to record a first layer, dries it, and then ejects ink onto the first layer to record a second layer that covers the first layer, A step of controlling the recording of the first layer and the second layer based on the setting of recording modes, which include a first recording mode and a second recording mode in which the occlusion rates of the second layer are different from each other, A step of controlling the drying of the first layer based on drying conditions corresponding to the opacity of the recording mode, A control method characterized by comprising: (Item 14) A program to cause a computer to function as a control device as described in any one of items 1 through 11.

[0175] The invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications and variations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, claims are attached to disclose the scope of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0176] 105...Recording head, 206...Platen blower unit, 210...Heater, 211...Fan, 100...Inkjet recording device, 400...Main control unit, 401...CPU, 501, 1001, 1101, 1801...Transparent recording medium, 502, 1002, 1102, 1802...First layer, 503, 1003, 1103, 1803...Second layer, 504, 1809...Third layer, 703...Recording medium.

Claims

1. In a control device for controlling an inkjet recording apparatus that ejects ink from a recording head onto a transparent recording medium to record a first layer, dries it, and then ejects ink onto the first layer to record a second layer that covers the first layer, The recording of the first and second layers is controlled based on the setting of recording modes, which include a first recording mode and a second recording mode in which the occlusion rates of the second layer are different from each other. The drying of the first layer is controlled based on the drying conditions corresponding to the opacity of the recording mode. A control device characterized by the following features.

2. The recording of the third layer is controlled based on a recording mode that includes the setting of the third layer to be recorded on the second layer. The control device according to feature 1.

3. The drying of the first layer is controlled based on the drying conditions, which include a recording time that is the time for recording the first layer, which varies according to the opacity. The control device according to feature 1.

4. The recording time is controlled by the number of scans performed by the recording head that records the first layer. The control device according to claim 3.

5. The recording time is controlled by the time spent waiting at the end of the reciprocating scan of the recording head that records the first layer. The control device according to claim 3.

6. The recording time is controlled by the travel time per scan of the recording head that records the first layer. The control device according to claim 3.

7. The non-recording time between the time when recording of the first layer ends and the time when recording of the second layer begins is defined as the non-recording time. The drying of the first layer is controlled based on the drying conditions, which include different non-recording times depending on the opacity. The control device according to feature 1.

8. The inkjet recording apparatus has a blowing means for blowing hot air to dry the first layer, The drying of the first layer is controlled based on the drying conditions, which include different temperatures of hot air depending on the opacity. The control device according to feature 1.

9. The inkjet recording apparatus has a blowing means for blowing air to dry the first layer, The drying of the first layer is controlled based on the drying conditions, which include different airflow speeds depending on the opacity. The control device according to feature 1.

10. The drying of the first layer is controlled based on the drying conditions, which include a drying time per unit ink of the first layer that varies according to the opacity. The control device according to feature 1.

11. The second recording mode has a higher opacity and weaker drying conditions compared to the first recording mode. The control device according to feature 1.

12. The control device according to claim 1, A recording head that stacks the first layer and the second layer for ejecting ink, A drying means for drying the first layer, An inkjet recording device characterized by comprising the following features.

13. A control method for controlling an inkjet recording apparatus that ejects ink from a recording head onto a transparent recording medium to record a first layer, dries it, and then ejects ink onto the first layer to record a second layer that covers the first layer, A step of controlling the recording of the first layer and the second layer based on the setting of recording modes, which include a first recording mode and a second recording mode in which the occlusion rates of the second layer are different from each other, A step of controlling the drying of the first layer based on drying conditions corresponding to the opacity of the recording mode, A control method characterized by comprising:

14. A program for causing a computer to function as a control device according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

Images