Recording device, control method and program

Abstract

To solve the problem that when recording a plurality of pages of images, time required for recording becomes long depending on implementation frequency of recovery operation although recording performance can be maintained and recovered by carrying out recovery operation before start of recording of the image of a next page after end of record of the image of a certain page.SOLUTION: Recording mode information for recording an image of a next page is acquired, and it is determined whether to execute recovery operation based on acquired recording mode information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a recording apparatus, a control method, and a program for recording an image on a recording medium. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, in inkjet recording devices such as printers, a recording head is used in which a plurality of ejection ports for ejecting ink are provided at substantially equal intervals. Due to manufacturing errors in the recording head and changes over time, the ink droplets ejected from the plurality of ejection ports vary in volume and ejection direction. In order to suppress uneven density and streaks caused by such variations, a multi-pass recording method is known in which an image is recorded by scanning the recording head relatively to a predetermined recording area on a recording medium multiple times.

[0003] In addition, the inkjet recording device is provided with a recovery configuration for performing a recovery operation to maintain and recover the ink ejection performance that has deteriorated due to the ink ejection operation. In a so-called serial scan type inkjet recording device that performs the above multi-pass recording method, a recovery operation is performed during the scanning of the recording head or at the timing when the image recording operation on one recording medium is completed. On the other hand, since the image recording operation cannot be performed while the recovery operation is being performed, there is a problem that it takes a long time to complete the recording.

[0004] Patent Document 1 describes a recovery operation that involves wiping the nozzle surface of the print head according to the print mode. By controlling the frequency of wiping according to the print mode, the time required for printing is shortened and throughput is improved while maintaining high image quality by maintaining and recovering ink ejection performance. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2006-341461 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] On the other hand, when recording images on a plurality of recording media, a recovery operation such as wiping may be performed after the recording operation on one recording medium is completed and before an image is recorded on the next recording medium. Hereinafter, the recovery operation performed at this timing is referred to as the "recovery operation between pages." Since an image cannot be recorded during the recovery operation of the recording head, there is a problem that the start of the recording operation on the next recording medium is delayed by performing the recovery operation between pages, which results in a longer time required for recording.

[0007] In response to such problems, an object of the present invention is to appropriately determine whether or not to execute a recovery operation between pages, and to shorten the time required for recording while maintaining or recovering ejection performance, thereby improving throughput. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The present invention relates to a recording device including a recording element for recording an image by applying a recording material to a recording medium; a main scanning means for performing a main scan to move the recording means in a first direction, and a sub-scanning means for performing a sub-scan to move the recording medium in a second direction intersecting the first direction; The recording device includes a recovery unit that executes a recovery operation to maintain or recover the recording performance of the recording unit for applying a recording material, a determination unit that determines whether or not to execute the recovery operation by the recovery unit, and a control unit that controls the recovery unit to execute the recovery operation based on a result of the determination by the determination unit, wherein the determination unit acquires recording mode information when an image is recorded on a (n+1)th page of a recording medium (n: natural number), and determines, based on the acquired recording mode information, whether or not to execute a recovery operation between pages at a timing after the recording of the image on the nth page of the recording medium is completed and before the recording of the image on the (n+1)th page of the recording medium is started. The recording mode acquired as the recording mode information is any one of a plurality of recording modes including a first recording mode group for recording an image by repeating a sub-scanning operation in which the amount of movement of the recording medium is approximately equal to the length of a recording area recordable on the recording medium by the recording means in one main scanning is L, and a recording operation by the main scanning, and a second recording mode group for recording an image by repeating a sub-scanning operation in which the amount of movement of the recording medium is shorter than L, and a recording operation by the main scanning. It is characterized by: Effect of the Invention

[0009] The present invention makes it possible to shorten the recording time and improve throughput while maintaining or recovering the ejection performance by appropriately determining whether or not to execute a recovery operation between pages. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] Schematic cross-sectional view of a main part of an inkjet recording device [Diagram 2] Schematic plan view of the main part of an inkjet recording device [Diagram 3] Schematic plan view of a main part of a recording head [Figure 4] Block diagram of the control system of the inkjet printing apparatus [Diagram 5] 1 is a flowchart showing a recording operation in the first embodiment. [Figure 6] Flowchart showing pre-recording processing in the first embodiment [Figure 7] 1 is a flowchart showing main scanning-related processing in the first embodiment. [Figure 8] 1 is a flowchart showing wipe-related processing in the first embodiment; [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a recording operation in the first embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a printing operation in one pass mode in the first embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a printing operation in a 4-pass mode in the first embodiment. [Figure 12] 11 is a flowchart showing a recording operation in the second embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a recording operation in the second embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a recording operation in the second embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a printing operation in an irregular two-pass mode in the second embodiment. [Figure 16] 11 is a flowchart showing a recording operation in the third embodiment. [Figure 17] Flowchart showing pre-recording process T in the third embodiment [Figure 18] Flowchart showing main scanning related processing T in the third embodiment [Figure 19] 11 is a flowchart showing wipe-related processing T in the third embodiment. [Figure 20] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a recording operation in the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] (First embodiment) Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0012] 1 and 2 are a schematic cross-sectional view and a schematic plan view of the main part of an inkjet recording apparatus according to this embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view of the main part of a recording head.

[0013] In FIG. 1, the ejection port surface 102 of the print head 100 is provided with ejection port arrays 101C, 101M, 101Y, and 101K for ejecting ink. The ejection port array 101C is for ejecting cyan ink, the ejection port array 101M is for ejecting magenta ink, the ejection port array 101Y is for ejecting yellow ink, and the ejection port array 101K is for ejecting black ink. Each ejection port array has 1,200 ejection ports arranged in the direction indicated by the arrow Y1 or Y2 in FIG. 3, and the interval between the ejection ports is 1,200 dpi (dots per inch). In this specification, the Y1 direction in the figure is also referred to as the sub-scanning direction. An electrothermal transducer is provided inside each ejection port, and when an electric signal based on a drive signal is applied to the electrothermal transducer, air bubbles are generated in the ink inside the ejection port, and ink droplets are ejected from the ejection port due to the pressure of the air bubbles. Ink is supplied to the print head 100 from an ink tank (not shown).

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the recording head 100 is mounted on a carriage 111, and the carriage 111 is guided by a guide shaft 110 and reciprocates in the directions of arrows X1 and X2 by the rotation of a carriage motor (not shown). Hereinafter, in this specification, the X1 direction in the figure is also referred to as the main scanning direction. The recording medium is intermittently transported on a platen 120 in the Y1 direction in FIG. 2 with the intermittent rotation of a transport motor (not shown). Then, while the transport operation is stopped, the carriage 111 moves back and forth in the X1 direction (forward direction) and the X2 direction (return direction). During the scanning of the carriage 111, ink is ejected from the ejection openings, and an image is recorded on the recording medium. By repeating such intermittent transport operation of the recording medium and the ejection operation during the reciprocating scanning of the carriage 111, an image is recorded on one page of the recording medium.

[0015] The cap 130 suppresses evaporation of the solvent in the ink from the ejection ports by sealing the ejection port surface on which the ejection ports are provided. The cap 130 is configured to be reciprocally movable in the direction of the double arrow Z between a capping position and a separated position by a known means (not shown). In addition, the cap 130 is connected to a suction pump 132 via a pump tube 131, and is capable of sucking and discharging ink and air from the ejection ports by driving the suction pump 132. An ink absorber is provided within the cap 130. The ink sucked and discharged by driving the suction pump 132 is accommodated in a maintenance cartridge (not shown) via a waste ink tube 133. Note that FIG. 1 shows a case where the cap 130 is located at the separated position.

[0016] 2, the wiper 150 is a wiping member that can reciprocate in the directions of the arrows Y1 and Y2 in the figure by a known means (not shown). When the wiper 150 moves in the Y1 direction, it wipes the ejection port surface 102 of the print head 100, and wipes away unnecessary ink, dust, etc. adhering to the ejection port surface 102, thereby maintaining or recovering the printing performance of the print head 100.

[0017] After the wiper 150 performs a wiping operation while moving in the Y1 direction, the carriage 111 is moved in the X1 direction so that the wiper 150 does not come into contact with the ejection port surface 102 when moving in the Y2 direction. Then, after the wiper 150 has moved in the Y2 direction, the carriage 111 is moved in the X2 direction. Hereinafter, such a wiping operation of the wiper 150 and the carriage 111 will be referred to as wiping or a wiping operation. Note that when the wiping operation is performed, the cap 130 is located at the separated position.

[0018] Next, FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the control system of the recording apparatus of this embodiment. The host computer 490 is connected to the recording apparatus by, for example, a USB interface. The printer driver 491 is stored in the form of software in the host computer 490, and generates print data from image data such as a document or photo desired by the user in response to a print command from the user. Then, a print command including the generated print data and other data is transmitted to the recording apparatus. The receiving buffer 410 holds the print data and the like transmitted from the host computer 490 to the recording apparatus. The print data and the like held in the receiving buffer 410 are transferred to the RAM 420 under the control of the CPU 400 and temporarily stored therein. The ROM 430 stores programs and fixed data necessary for various controls of the recording apparatus. The NVRAM 440 is a non-volatile memory for storing information that should be stored even when the power of the recording apparatus is turned off.

[0019] The head driver 450 is a driver for driving the recording head 100. The motor driver 460 is a driver for driving various motors 465 such as a carriage motor, a transport motor, a motor for moving the cap 130 up and down, and a motor for moving the wiper 150 back and forth. The sensor controller 470 controls various sensors 475. The display / operation controller 480 controls the display and operation unit 485 of the recording device. The CPU 400, together with the RAM 420, ROM 430, NVRAM 440, and others, executes various processing operations such as calculation, control, judgment, and setting.

[0020] Here, multi-pass printing will be described. The printing apparatus of this embodiment is a so-called serial scan type printing apparatus, and an image is printed by repeatedly performing a printing operation in which the print head 100 is scanned back and forth in the main scanning direction and a transport operation in which the recording medium is transported in the sub-scanning direction. In general, a printing method in which a printed image is completed by a single main scan in the main scanning direction by the print head 100 for a unit area on the recording medium is called one-pass printing, and a printing method in which a printed image is completed by multiple main scans is called multi-pass printing. In the multi-pass printing of this embodiment, a length shorter than the length in the sub-scanning direction of the area in which an image is printed on the recording medium by a single main scan of the print head 100 is set as the amount of transport of the recording medium in one pass. This makes it possible to make the ejection openings used to print an image for a unit area on the recording medium different for each of multiple main scans. This suppresses the occurrence of uneven density and streaks caused by variations in ejection characteristics for each ejection opening. In multi-pass printing, the number of main scans for a printing area on the recording medium is called the number of passes. By increasing the number of passes, it is possible to more reliably prevent uneven density and streaks from occurring, but the time required to print an image increases. For this reason, so-called serial scan type printing devices often have printing modes of 1 pass to 16 passes.

[0021] Next, the printing operation of the printing apparatus of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 5 to 11. Fig. 5 is a flow chart showing the printing operation in this embodiment. When a print command instructing printing of an image is received from the host computer 490, the control system of this printing apparatus acquires the printing mode data (printing mode information) included in the print command together with the print data and other information. The printing mode data includes information corresponding to the "high speed mode" or "high quality mode" specified by the user. In step S501, the pass number data included in the printing mode data is acquired. The following description will be given taking as an example a case where the number of passes in the acquired print command is 1 pass.

[0022] After the number of passes is obtained in step S501, pre-recording processing is performed in step S502. Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing the pre-recording processing in step S502. First, in step S601, the value of counter S is reset to 0. In step S602, the value of counter W is reset to 0.

[0023] In step S603, the recording medium is fed and conveyed to the feeding completion position shown in Fig. 2 by a well-known feeding and conveying means (not shown). The maximum width of the recording medium that can be fed into this recording device (the length in the X1 or X2 direction) is the short side length of A2 size, that is, 420 mm. The recording operation example described below is for a case in which the size of the recording medium fed is A2 size, and an image slightly smaller than A2 size in both the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction (hereinafter also referred to as an image slightly smaller than A2 size) is recorded on the recording medium.

[0024] In step S604, the cap 130 is moved from the capping position to the separated position. In step S605, preliminary ejection is performed. The preliminary ejection is performed by ejecting ink from the ejection ports of the print head 100 toward the absorbent in the cap 130. The preliminary ejection is performed in order to prevent clogging of the ejection ports caused by the solvent in the ink near the ejection ports evaporating and thickening the ink, and to prevent the concentrated ink from being used to print an image. The ink ejected into the absorbent by the preliminary ejection is discharged into a maintenance cartridge (not shown) through a waste ink tube 133 by driving the suction pump 132 at an appropriate timing.

[0025] In step S606, the number of ink droplets ejected from each ejection port array of the print head 100 is counted, and each count value is added to each dot counter. This process will be described in detail below.

[0026] As described above, an electrothermal transducer is provided inside each ejection port of the print head 100 of this embodiment as a printing element that generates energy for ejecting ink. A voltage is applied to this electrothermal transducer to generate air bubbles in the ink, and ink droplets are ejected from the ejection port by the pressure of the air bubbles. The voltage applied to each electrothermal transducer is based on a lump of electric signal intended to form one dot on the recording medium with one ink droplet ejected from each ejection port. This lump of electric signal is also referred to as a driving pulse hereinafter. In this embodiment, the number of driving pulses corresponding to this one ejection operation is counted as the number of ejected ink droplets. Therefore, in step S606, the total number of driving pulses applied to the electrothermal transducers in the 1,200 ejection ports belonging to each ejection port array of the print head 100 is added to each dot counter corresponding to each ejection port array.

[0027] When a voltage is applied to the electrothermal transducer in the ejection port, in addition to the large-volume ink droplets called main droplets that land on the recording medium, multiple small-volume ink droplets called mist are ejected. Some of the mist does not land on the recording medium, but adheres to the ejection port surface 102 of the recording head 100. With the ejection operation of a huge number of ink droplets, many mist particles that accumulate on the ejection port surface 102 become large ink clumps. These ink clumps deflect the ejection direction of the main droplets, and furthermore, they hinder the ejection of the main droplets themselves, causing non-ejection. In contrast, in this embodiment, the amount of ink that has accumulated on the ejection port surface 102 is estimated using a count value obtained by counting the number of ink droplets ejected from each ejection port array, and the count value is used as a trigger for initiating a recovery operation, which will be described later. After the end of step S606, the pre-printing process shown in FIG. 6 is ended, and the process proceeds to the main scanning-related process of step S503.

[0028] Fig. 7 is a detailed flowchart of the main scanning related processing in step S503. First, in step S701, the carriage 111 is caused to perform a main scan in the X1 direction (hereinafter also referred to as the forward direction) while ink is ejected from the ejection openings during the scan, thereby recording an image on the recording medium. At this time, the length in the Y1 direction of the recording area recorded on the recording medium is approximately 1 inch = approximately 25.4 mm. Fig. 10(a) is a plan view showing the recording medium M at this time.

[0029] After step S701 is completed, in step S702, a counting process similar to that in step S606 is performed. The number of ink droplets ejected during the printing operation in step S701 is counted for each ejection port array, and each count value is added to the corresponding dot counter.

[0030] Next, in step S703, the value of the counter S is incremented. Since the initial value of S is 0, the value of S after the process of step S703 is 1.

[0031] In step S704, a determination process is performed as to whether the value of S is equal to or greater than 2. At this time, the value of S is 1, so the determination result is negative. If the determination is negative, step S705 is skipped, and the main scanning related process ends.

[0032] Returning to Fig. 5, in step S504, a determination process is performed as to whether or not the recording of one page of image on the recording medium has been completed by the recording operation in step S701. In this recording operation example, an image slightly smaller than A2 size is recorded, but the length of the image recorded at this stage in the sub-scanning direction is only about 25.4 mm. Therefore, the determination result here is negative, and the process proceeds to step S505.

[0033] In step S505, the recording medium is conveyed in the Y1 direction. Hereinafter, this conveyance of the recording medium is also referred to as sub-scanning. Since the number of passes in the recording mode in this recording operation example is one pass, the conveyance amount is 25.4 mm, which is the same as the length in the sub-scanning direction of the recording area recorded on the recording medium in step S701.

[0034] In step S506, a process of determining whether or not to execute a recovery operation between main scans is performed. Here, if the MaxDC value, which is the maximum value among the dot counter values ​​corresponding to each ejection port array, exceeds the page threshold SDth, it is determined that wiping, which is one of the recovery operations, is to be executed. As described above, ink consisting of mist and the like adhering to the ejection port surface 102 accumulates with the ink ejection operation. If the accumulated ink becomes a large lump, it causes ejection failure and the like. In response to this, the page threshold SDth is set to a value that takes into consideration the risk of ejection failure and the like caused by the accumulated ink. In this embodiment, the value of the page threshold SDth is 1,100,000,000, that is, 1.1×10 to the power of 9.

[0035] In addition, if the MaxDC value before the preliminary ejection in step S605 is equal to or less than the second inter-page threshold PD2th described later, the intra-page threshold SDth is set to a value that the MaxDC value cannot reach during the printing of one page of an image of slightly less than A2 size. The printing apparatus of this embodiment is capable of printing an image of a maximum size of slightly less than A2 size as a standard size. Therefore, if the MaxDC value before printing is equal to or less than the second inter-page threshold PD2th described later, the MaxDC value will not exceed this intra-page threshold SDth during the printing of one page. In other words, if the MaxDC value before printing is equal to or less than the second inter-page threshold PD2th described later, wiping is not performed between main scans during the printing of one page of a standard size recording medium.

[0036] However, as described above, the maximum width in the main scanning direction of the recording medium that can be fed into the recording device of this embodiment is the short side length of A2 size (420 mm). On the other hand, the length in the sub-scanning direction of the recording medium that can be fed is not the long side length of A2 size (594 mm) but is longer than that. When performing so-called banner recording, which has a long length in the sub-scanning direction, wiping may be performed between main scannings during recording of an image for one page even if the MaxDC value before recording is equal to or less than the second page interval threshold value PD2th described later.

[0037] Here, a case will be described where the determination result in step S506 is a negative determination, that is, the MaxDC value does not exceed the intra-page threshold SDth. If the determination result in step S506 is a negative determination, a determination process is performed in step S507 as to whether the value of counter W is 0. Since the value of W at this time is 0, the determination result in step S507 is a positive determination, and the process returns to the main scanning related process in step S503.

[0038] The main scanning related process here is basically the same as the previous main scanning related process. In step S701 in Fig. 7, the carriage 111 is main scanned in the X2 direction (hereinafter also referred to as the return direction), during which ink is ejected from the ejection openings of the print head 100 to print an image. Here, the length in the sub-scanning direction of the print area printed on the print medium is approximately 1 inch = approximately 25.4 mm. Fig. 10(b) is a plan view showing the print medium M at this time.

[0039] In step S702, the dot count value is incremented again. Here, the number of ink droplets ejected during the printing operation in step S701 is counted for each ejection port array, and each count value is added to the corresponding dot counter.

[0040] Next, in step S703, the value of the counter S is incremented. Since the value of S here is 1, the value of S after the process of step S703 is 2.

[0041] In step S704, a determination process is performed as to whether or not the value of S is equal to or greater than 2. At this time, since the value of S is 2, the determination is affirmative, and the process proceeds to step S705.

[0042] In step S705, the value of counter S is reset to 0. The value of counter S indicates the position where carriage 111 stops after main scanning and recording during main scanning in step S701 are completed. When the value of S is 0, this indicates that carriage 111 is stopped on the X2 side (hereinafter also referred to as the HP side) where cap 130 and wiper 150 are provided. On the other hand, when the value of S is 1, this indicates that carriage 111 is stopped on the X1 side (hereinafter also referred to as the BP side). After step S705 is completed, the main scanning related processing corresponding to the flowchart in FIG. 7 is completed, and then the process proceeds to step S504.

[0043] Returning to Fig. 5, in step S504, a determination is made as to whether the recording of one page of the image on the recording medium has been completed by the recording operation in step S701. At this time, an image slightly smaller than A2 size is being recorded, and the length in the sub-scanning direction of the image recorded at this stage is approximately 25.4 mm x 2 = approximately 50.8 mm. Therefore, the determination result here is negative, and the process proceeds to step S505 again.

[0044] In step S505, the recording medium is transported in the Y1 direction by a distance of approximately 25.4 mm, which is the same as the length in the sub-scanning direction of the recording area that was recorded on the recording medium in step S701.

[0045] In step S506, a determination process is performed as to whether or not the MaxDC value exceeds the intra-page threshold SDth. If the determination result is a negative determination, the process proceeds to step S507. As described above, if the MaxDC value before the start of printing of an image of a size slightly less than A2 is equal to or less than the second inter-page threshold PD2th (described later), the determination result here will not be a positive determination.

[0046] In step S507, a determination process is performed as to whether or not the value of the counter W is 0. Since the value of W here is 0, the determination is affirmative, and the process returns to step S503.

[0047] Here, if the MaxDC value before the start of image recording is equal to or less than the second inter-page threshold value PD2th, the above-mentioned processes of steps S503 to S507 are repeated until the determination result in step S504 is a positive determination. After recording of one page of image is completed, the process proceeds to step S514. The process after step S514 will be described later.

[0048] On the other hand, if the MaxDC value before the start of image recording exceeds the second inter-page threshold PD2th, the MaxDC value may exceed the intra-page threshold SDth during recording of one page of an image slightly less than A2 size, and the determination result in step S506 may be a positive determination. In that case, the process proceeds to step S508, where the value of counter W is incremented. Since the value of W here is 0, the value of W after the process of step S508 is 1.

[0049] In step S509, a determination process is performed as to whether or not the action trigger T is Ww. Fig. 9 is a diagram showing the relationship between the number of passes, the value of counter W, the value of counter S, the action trigger T, and the wait action. For example, when the MaxDC value exceeds the intra-page threshold SDth during main scanning printing in the forward direction, the value of S becomes 1. In the printing mode of this printing operation example, the number of passes is 1 and the value of W is 1, so the action trigger T column in Fig. 9 is blank. Since it is blank, i.e., it is not Ww, the determination result in step S509 is a negative determination.

[0050] In step S511, a process is performed to determine whether the operation trigger T is WE. This recording operation example is a recording mode of 1 pass, W=1, S=1, and as described above, the operation trigger T column in Fig. 9 is blank. Therefore, the determination result in step S511 is negative.

[0051] In step S512, a standby operation (wait) is performed. At this time (1 pass, W=1, S=1), the wait time is 0 seconds as shown in Fig. 9. Therefore, the standby operation (wait) is not performed and the process returns to the main scanning related process in step S503.

[0052] 7, the carriage 111 is main-scanned in the return direction, during which ink is ejected to record an image. In step S702, a dot count value associated with the recording operation is incremented. The process of steps S703 to S705 updates the value of counter S to 0, and the main-scanning process ends.

[0053] Returning to Fig. 5, in step S504, a determination is made as to whether or not the recording of one page has been completed by the recording in step S701. If the determination is positive, the process proceeds to step S514. On the other hand, if the determination is negative, that is, if the recording of this page has not been completed even after the recording operation in step S701, the process proceeds to step S505, where a sub-scan is performed in the same manner as described above. The transport distance is approximately 25.4 mm, which is the same as the length in the sub-scanning direction of the recording area recorded on the recording medium in step S701.

[0054] In step S506, a determination is made as to whether or not the MaxDC value exceeds the page threshold SDth. The MaxDC value here is the value obtained by adding the dot count value in step S702 to the value that was determined to be positive in the previous determination process in step S506, i.e., the value that exceeds the page threshold SDth. Therefore, the determination result at this time is positive, and the process proceeds to step S508.

[0055] In step S508, the value of the counter W is incremented. Since the value of W is 1, the value of W after the process of step S508 is 2.

[0056] In step S509, a process is performed to determine whether or not the action trigger T is Ww. At this time (path 1, W=2, S=0), the action trigger T column in Fig. 9 is Ww. Therefore, the result of the determination in step S509 is a positive determination, and the process proceeds to wipe-related processing in step S510.

[0057] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the wipe-related process. First, in step S801, the above-mentioned wiping is performed to wipe away unnecessary ink, dust, and the like adhering to the ejection port surface 102 of the print head 100. Then, in step S802, the value of each dot counter corresponding to each ejection port array is reset to 0. In step S803, preliminary ejection is performed. By the wiping in step S801, there is a possibility that the ink adhering to the ejection port surface 102 is pushed into the ejection port by the wiping. For this reason, preliminary ejection is performed so that the pushed-in ink is not used in the printing operation of the next image. In step S804, the count value corresponding to the preliminary ejection in step S803 is added, and the wipe-related process is completed. Note that the ejection performance of the print head 100 is maintained and restored by the wipe-related process, but it takes about 15 seconds to execute this wipe-related process.

[0058] After the wipe-related processing is completed, the process proceeds to step S511, where a process is performed to determine whether the action trigger T is WE. At this time (1 pass, W=2, S=0), the action trigger T column in FIG. 9 is Ww, not WE, as described above. Therefore, the determination in step S511 is negative, and the process proceeds to step S512.

[0059] In step S512, a standby operation (wait) is performed. At this time (1 pass, W=2, S=0), the wait time is 0 seconds as shown in Fig. 9. Therefore, the standby operation (wait) is not performed and the process returns to the main scanning related process in step S503.

[0060] 7, the carriage 111 is main-scanned in the forward direction, during which ink is ejected to record an image. In step S702, a dot count value associated with the recording operation is incremented. The process of steps S703 to S704 updates the value of counter S to 1, and the main-scanning process ends.

[0061] Returning to Fig. 5, in step S504, a determination is made as to whether or not the recording of one page has been completed by the recording in step S701. If the determination is positive, the process proceeds to step S514. On the other hand, if the determination is negative, that is, if the recording of this page has not been completed even after the recording operation in step S701, the process proceeds to step S505, where a sub-scan is performed. The transport amount is approximately 25.4 mm, which is the same as the length in the sub-scanning direction of the recording area recorded on the recording medium in step S701.

[0062] In step S506, a determination is made as to whether or not the MaxDC value exceeds the intra-page threshold SDth. The MaxDC value here is a value to which the dot count value is added in step S804 after being reset to 0 in step S802. Since this value is approximately 1×10 to the power of 6, the determination is negative, and the process proceeds to step S507.

[0063] In step S507, a process is performed to determine whether or not the value of the counter W is 0. Since the value of W at this time is 2, the determination result is negative.

[0064] In step S508, the value of the counter W is incremented. Since the value of W is 2, the value of W after the process of step S508 is 3.

[0065] In step S509, a process is performed to determine whether or not the action trigger T is Ww. At this time (path 1, W=3, S=1), the action trigger T column in FIG. 9 is WE, not Ww, so the determination is negative, and the process proceeds to step S511.

[0066] In step S511, a process is performed to determine whether or not the action trigger T is WE. At this time (1 path, W=3, S=1), the action trigger T column in FIG. 9 is WE, so the determination is affirmative, and the process proceeds to step S513.

[0067] In step S513, the value of counter W is reset to 0, and the process returns to the main scanning-related process in step S503. Thereafter, the processes in steps S503 to S507 are repeated until the determination result in step S504 is a positive determination. After image recording for one page is completed, the process proceeds to step S514.

[0068] On the other hand, if the MaxDC value exceeds the page threshold SDth due to printing in the reverse main scan, the determination result in the determination process of step S506 is positive. In this case, the process proceeds to step S508, where the value of the counter W is incremented to 1.

[0069] In step S509, a determination process is performed as to whether or not the action trigger T is Ww. At this time, the number of passes is 1, the value of W is 1, and the value of S is 0, so the action trigger T column in Fig. 9 is Ww. Therefore, the determination result in step S509 is a positive determination, and the process proceeds to step S510, where the above-mentioned wipe-related process is performed.

[0070] After the wipe-related processing is completed, in step S511, a process is performed to determine whether the action trigger T is WE. At this time (1 path, W=1, S=0), the action trigger T column in FIG. 9 is Ww, not WE, so the determination result is negative.

[0071] In step S512, a standby operation (wait) is performed. At this time (1 pass, W=1, S=0), the wait time is 0 seconds as shown in Fig. 9, so the standby operation (wait) is not performed and the process returns to the main scanning related process in step S503.

[0072] At this time (1 pass, W=1, S=0), in the main scanning related process, in step S701 in Fig. 7, the carriage 111 is main scanned in the forward direction, and ink is ejected during the scan to record an image. In step S702, a dot count value corresponding to the recording operation is incremented. The process of steps S703 to S704 updates the value of S to 1, and the main scanning related process ends.

[0073] 5, in step S504, a determination is made as to whether or not image recording of one page has been completed by the recording operation of step S701, and if the determination result is a positive determination, the process proceeds to step S514. On the other hand, if the determination result is a negative determination, that is, if image recording of one page has not been completed even after recording in step S701, sub-scanning is performed in step S505. The conveying amount at this time is approximately 25.4 mm, which is the same as the length in the sub-scanning direction of the recording area recorded on the recording medium in step S701.

[0074] In step S506, a process is performed to determine whether the MaxDC value exceeds the intra-page threshold SDth. The MaxDC value at this time is the value after being reset to 0 in step S802 and the dot count value is added in step S804. Since this value is approximately 1×10 to the power of 6, the determination in step S506 is negative.

[0075] In step S507, a determination process is performed as to whether the value of counter W is 0 or not, and since the value of W at this time is 1, the determination result is negative. In step S508, the value of counter W is incremented. Since the value of W at this time is 1, the value of W after the processing of step S508 is 2.

[0076] In step S509, a process is performed to determine whether or not the action trigger T is Ww. At this time (1 path, W=2, S=1), the action trigger T column in FIG. 9 is WE, not Ww, so the determination result is negative.

[0077] In step S511, a process of determining whether or not the action trigger T is WE is performed. At this time (1 path, W=2, S=1), the action trigger T column in FIG. 9 is WE, so the determination result is positive.

[0078] In step S513, the value of the counter W is reset to 0, and the process returns to the main scanning related process in step S503.

[0079] Thereafter, as described above, the processes of steps S503 to S507 are repeated until the determination result in step S504 is positive. After recording of one page is completed, the process proceeds to step S514.

[0080] By such control, the wipe-related process performed between main scans is performed after the main scan in the backward direction of the carriage 111, and the carriage 111 does not move in the backward direction solely for the wipe-related process.

[0081] Here, we will explain image defects caused by the time difference during multi-pass printing. In multi-pass printing, while ink ejected in one main scan is diffusing and drying on the recording medium to form dots, ink ejected in the next main scan lands at approximately the same position and mixes with the ink. At this time, the degree to which the inks mix varies depending on the landing time difference, i.e., the time difference between the main scans. Therefore, if the time difference between each main scan is not uniform, there will be a difference in the degree to which the inks ejected in two consecutive main scans mix with each other, resulting in image unevenness.

[0082] On the other hand, in one-pass printing, the inks ejected in two successive main scans do not mix on the recording medium, so no image defects occur even if the time difference between each main scan is not uniform.

[0083] The time difference between main scans in such multi-pass printing also differs depending on whether wiping processing is performed. The time difference between two successive main scans when wiping is performed is longer than the time difference between two successive main scans when wiping is not performed. Therefore, when performing multi-pass printing, the time difference caused by wiping may cause image unevenness.

[0084] 9 is a diagram showing wait control in a 4-pass multi-pass printing mode of this embodiment, in which the wait control shown in this drawing is carried out between main scans before and after a wipe-related process that takes about 15 seconds.

[0085] Below, an example of printing operation when the MaxDC value exceeds the intra-page threshold SDth due to printing in the backward main scan will be given, and a case where wiping is performed between main scans in the 4-pass mode will be described.

[0086] Since the MaxDC value exceeds the intra-page threshold SDth due to recording during main scanning in the backward direction, the judgment result in step S506 in Fig. 5 is a positive judgment, and the process proceeds to step S508. Then, in step S508, the value of counter W is incremented to 1. Note that since the MaxDC value exceeds the intra-page threshold SDth due to recording during main scanning in the backward direction, the value of counter S is 0. Also, Fig. 11(a) is a plan view that shows the recording medium M at this time.

[0087] In step S509, a process is performed to determine whether the action trigger T is Ww. At this time, the number of paths is 4, the value of W is 1, and the value of S is 0, so the action trigger T column in Fig. 9 is blank and is not Ww. Therefore, the determination result is negative.

[0088] In step S511, a process is performed to determine whether the action trigger T field is WE. At this time (4 paths, W=1, S=0), the action trigger T field in FIG. 9 is blank as described above, so the result of the determination is negative.

[0089] In step S512, a standby operation (wait) is performed. The wait time at this time (4 passes, W=1, S=0) is 1 second as shown in Fig. 9. After waiting for 1 second, the process returns to step S503, that is, the main scanning related process.

[0090] The main scanning related processing at this time (4 passes, W=1, S=0) is basically the same as the main scanning related processing described above. In step S701 in FIG. 7, the carriage 111 is main scanned in the forward direction, during which ink is ejected and an image is recorded. FIG. 11(b) is a plan view showing the recording medium M at this time. In step S702, the dot count value is incremented. The processing in steps S703 to S704 updates the value of S to 1, and the main scanning related processing ends.

[0091] Returning to FIG. 5, in step S504, a determination is made as to whether or not the recording of one page has been completed by the recording in step S701, and if the determination result is positive, the process proceeds to step S514.

[0092] On the other hand, if the result of the determination is negative, that is, if the recording of this page is not completed even after the recording in step S701, the process proceeds to step S505, where the sub-scanning is performed. Note that the conveyance distance of the recording medium at this time (in the 4-pass mode) is 1 / 4 of the length in the sub-scanning direction of the recording area recorded on the recording medium in step S701, that is, approximately 25.4 mm x 1 / 4 = approximately 6.35 mm.

[0093] After step S505, the process proceeds to step S506, where a determination is made as to whether or not the MaxDC value exceeds the page threshold SDth. The MaxDC value here is the value for which a positive determination was made in the previous determination process in step S506, i.e., the value that exceeds the page threshold SDth, plus the dot count value in step S702. Since the MaxDC value exceeds the page threshold SDth, the determination is positive, and the process proceeds to step S508. In step S508, the value of the counter W is incremented to 2.

[0094] After step S508 is completed, the process proceeds to step S509 and subsequent steps, but at this time, the number of passes is 4, the value of W is 2, and the value of S is 1, so the operation trigger T column in Fig. 9 is blank and the wait time is 2 seconds. Therefore, the determination result in step S509 is a negative determination, and the determination result in step S511 is also a negative determination. After waiting for 2 seconds in step S512, the process returns to step S503, i.e., the main scanning related processing.

[0095] The main scanning related processing at this time (4 passes, W=2, S=1) is basically the same as the main scanning related processing described above. In step S701 in FIG. 7, the carriage 111 is main scanned in the return direction, during which ink is ejected and an image is recorded. FIG. 11(c) is a plan view showing the recording medium M at this time. In step S702, the dot count value is incremented. The processing in steps S703 to S705 updates the value of S to 0, and the main scanning related processing ends.

[0096] Returning to FIG. 5, in step S504, a determination is made as to whether or not the recording of one page has been completed by the recording in step S701, and if the determination result is positive, the process proceeds to step S514.

[0097] On the other hand, if the result of the determination is negative, that is, if the printing of this page is not completed even after the printing in step S701, the process proceeds to step S505, where the sub-scanning is performed. The conveying distance is one-fourth the length in the sub-scanning direction of the printing area printed on the printing medium in step S701, that is, approximately 6.35 mm.

[0098] After step S505, the process proceeds to step S506, where a determination is made as to whether or not the MaxDC value exceeds the page threshold SDth. The MaxDC value here is the value obtained by adding the dot count value in step S702 to the value that was determined to be positive in the previous determination process in step S506, i.e., the value that exceeded the page threshold SDth. Therefore, since the page threshold SDth is exceeded, the determination result is positive, and the process proceeds to step S508.

[0099] Then, in step S508, the value of counter W is incremented to 3. At this time (4 passes, W=3, S=0), the operation trigger T column in Fig. 9 is blank, and the wait time is 4 seconds. Therefore, the determination result in step S509 is negative, and the determination result in step S511 is also negative. After waiting for 4 seconds in step S512, the process returns to step S503, i.e., the main scanning related process.

[0100] The main scanning related process at this time (4 passes, W=3, S=0) is basically the same as the main scanning related process described above. In step S701 in FIG. 7, the carriage 111 is main scanned in the forward direction, during which ink is ejected to record an image. FIG. 11(d) is a plan view showing the recording medium M at this time. In the figure, the part indicated by R has an image completed by recording in four main scans. By performing such multi-pass recording, the recording head 100 is main scanned four times over a predetermined area on the recording medium, and dots are formed by ink ejected from different ejection ports for each main scan, thereby making it possible to suppress the occurrence of uneven density and streaks in the recorded image.

[0101] After that, in step S702, the dot count value is incremented. Through the processes in steps S703 and S704, the value of S is updated to 1, and the main scanning related process ends.

[0102] Returning to FIG. 5, in step S504, a determination is made as to whether or not the recording of one page has been completed by the recording in step S701, and if the determination result is positive, the process proceeds to step S514.

[0103] On the other hand, if the result of the determination is negative, that is, if the printing of this page is not completed even after the printing in step S701, the process proceeds to step S505, where the sub-scanning is performed. The conveying distance is one-fourth the length in the sub-scanning direction of the printing area printed on the printing medium in step S701, that is, approximately 6.35 mm.

[0104] After step S505, the process proceeds to step S506, where a determination is made as to whether or not the MaxDC value exceeds the page threshold SDth. The MaxDC value here is the value obtained by adding the dot count value in step S702 to the value that was determined to be positive in the previous determination process in step S506, i.e., the value that exceeds the page threshold SDth. Therefore, since the page threshold SDth is exceeded, the determination result is a positive determination, and the process proceeds to step S508.

[0105] Then, in step S508, the value of counter W is incremented to 4. At this time (4 passes, W=4, S=1), the operation trigger T column in Fig. 9 is blank, and the wait time is 8 seconds. Therefore, the determination result in step S509 is a negative determination, and the determination result in step S511 is also a negative determination. After waiting for 8 seconds in step S512, the process returns to step S503, i.e., the main scanning related processing.

[0106] The main scanning related processing at this time (4 passes, W=4, S=1) is basically the same as the main scanning related processing described above. In step S701 in Fig. 7, the carriage 111 is main scanned in the return direction, during which ink is ejected and an image is recorded. Fig. 11(e) is a plan view showing the recording medium M at this time. In the figure, the part indicated by R has had the image recorded by recording with four main scans.

[0107] After that, in step S702, the dot count value is incremented. Through the processes in steps S703 to S705, the value of S is reset to 0, and the main scanning related processes are completed.

[0108] Returning to FIG. 5, in step S504, a determination is made as to whether or not the recording of one page has been completed by the recording in step S701, and if the determination result is positive, the process proceeds to step S514.

[0109] On the other hand, if the result of the determination is negative, that is, if the printing of this page is not completed even after the printing in step S701, the process proceeds to step S505, where the sub-scanning is performed. The conveying distance is one-fourth the length in the sub-scanning direction of the printing area printed on the printing medium in step S701, that is, approximately 6.35 mm.

[0110] After step S505, the process proceeds to step S506, where a determination is made as to whether or not the MaxDC value exceeds the page threshold SDth. The MaxDC value here is the value obtained by adding the dot count value in step S702 to the value that was determined to be positive in the previous determination process in step S506, i.e., the value that exceeds the page threshold SDth. Therefore, since the page threshold SDth is exceeded, the determination result is a positive determination, and the process proceeds to step S508.

[0111] Then, in step S508, the value of counter W is incremented to 5. At this time (4 passes, W=5, S=0), the operation trigger T column in FIG. 9 is Ww, and the wait time is 0 seconds. Therefore, the determination result in step S509 is a positive determination, and wipe-related processing is performed in step S510. As described above, the wipe-related processing takes about 15 seconds. Thereafter, the determination result in step S511 is a negative determination, and there is no wait in step S512 (wait time 0 seconds), and the process returns to step S503, i.e., the main-scan related processing.

[0112] The main scanning related processing at this time (4 passes, W=5, S=0) is basically the same as the main scanning related processing described above. In step S701 in Fig. 7, the carriage 111 is main scanned in the forward direction, during which ink is ejected and an image is recorded. Fig. 11(f) is a plan view showing the recording medium M at this time. In the figure, the image is completed by recording in four main scans in the part indicated by R.

[0113] After that, in step S702, the dot count value is incremented. Through the processes in steps S703 and S704, the value of S is updated to 1, and the main scanning related process ends.

[0114] Returning to FIG. 5, in step S504, a determination is made as to whether or not the recording of one page has been completed by the recording in step S701, and if the determination result is positive, the process proceeds to step S514.

[0115] On the other hand, if the result of the determination is negative, that is, if the printing of this page is not completed even after the printing in step S701, the process proceeds to step S505, where the sub-scanning is performed. The conveying distance is one-fourth the length in the sub-scanning direction of the printing area printed on the printing medium in step S701, that is, approximately 6.35 mm.

[0116] After step S505, the process proceeds to step S506, where a determination is made as to whether or not the MaxDC value exceeds the intra-page threshold SDth. The MaxDC value here is a value that is reset to 0 in step S802, and then the dot count value is added in step S804. Since this value is approximately 1×10 to the power of 6, the determination is negative, and the process proceeds to step S507.

[0117] In step S507, a determination process is performed as to whether or not the value of the counter W is 0. Since the value of W at this time is 5, a negative determination is made, and the process proceeds to step S508.

[0118] In step S508, the value of counter W is incremented to 6. At this time (4 passes, W=6, S=1), the operation trigger T column in Fig. 9 is blank and the wait time is 8 seconds. Therefore, the determination result in step S509 is negative, and the determination result in step S511 is also negative, so that after waiting for 8 seconds in step S512, the process returns to step S503, i.e., the main scanning related process.

[0119] The main scanning related processing at this time (4 passes, W=6, S=1) is basically the same as the main scanning related processing described above. In step S701 in Fig. 7, the carriage 111 is main scanned in the return direction, during which ink is ejected and an image is recorded. Fig. 11(g) is a plan view showing the recording medium M at this time. In the figure, the image is completed by recording in four main scans in the part indicated by R.

[0120] In step S702, the dot count value is incremented. Through the processes in steps S703 to S705, the value of S is updated to 0, and the main scanning related processes are completed.

[0121] Returning to FIG. 5, in step S504, a determination is made as to whether or not the recording of one page has been completed by the recording in step S701, and if the determination result is positive, the process proceeds to step S514.

[0122] On the other hand, if the result of the determination is negative, that is, if the printing of this page is not completed even after the printing in step S701, the process proceeds to step S505, where the sub-scanning is performed. The conveying distance is one-fourth the length in the sub-scanning direction of the printing area printed on the printing medium in step S701, that is, approximately 6.35 mm.

[0123] After step S505, the process proceeds to step S506, where a determination is made as to whether or not the MaxDC value exceeds the intra-page threshold SDth. The MaxDC value here is a value obtained by resetting it to 0 in step S802, adding the dot count value in step S804, and adding the dot count value once in step S702. Since this value is less than 1×10 to the power of 7, the determination is negative, and the process proceeds to step S507.

[0124] In step S507, a determination process is performed as to whether or not the value of the counter W is 0. Since the value of W at this time is 6, a negative determination is made, and the process proceeds to step S508.

[0125] In step S508, the value of counter W is incremented to 7. At this time (4 passes, W=7, S=0), the operation trigger T column in Fig. 9 is blank and the wait time is 4 seconds. Therefore, the determination result in step S509 is negative, and the determination result in step S511 is also negative, so that after waiting for 4 seconds in step S512, the process returns to step S503, i.e., the main scanning related processing.

[0126] The main scanning related processing at this time (4 passes, W=7, S=0) is basically the same as the main scanning related processing described above. In step S701 in Fig. 7, the carriage 111 is main scanned in the forward direction, during which ink is ejected and an image is recorded. Fig. 11(h) is a plan view showing the recording medium M at this time. In the part shown by R in the figure, image recording has been completed by recording with four main scans.

[0127] In step S702, the dot count value is incremented. Through the processes in steps S703 and S704, the value of S is updated to 1, and the main scanning related process ends.

[0128] Returning to FIG. 5, in step S504, a determination is made as to whether or not the recording of one page has been completed by the recording in step S701, and if the determination result is positive, the process proceeds to step S514.

[0129] On the other hand, if the result of the determination is negative, that is, if the printing of this page is not completed even after the printing in step S701, the process proceeds to step S505, where the sub-scanning is performed. The conveying distance is one-fourth the length in the sub-scanning direction of the printing area printed on the printing medium in step S701, that is, approximately 6.35 mm.

[0130] After step S505, the process proceeds to step S506, where a determination is made as to whether or not the MaxDC value exceeds the intra-page threshold SDth. The MaxDC value here is a value obtained by resetting it to 0 in step S802, adding the dot count value in step S804, and then adding the dot count value twice in step S702. Since this value is less than 1.5×10 to the power of 7, the determination is negative, and the process proceeds to step S507.

[0131] In step S507, a determination process is performed as to whether or not the value of the counter W is 0. At this time, the value of W is 7, so the determination is negative, and the process proceeds to step S508.

[0132] In step S508, the value of counter W is incremented to 8. At this time (4 passes, W=8, S=1), the operation trigger T column in Fig. 9 is blank and the wait time is 2 seconds. Therefore, the determination result in step S509 is negative, and the determination result in step S511 is also negative, so that after waiting for 2 seconds in step S512, the process returns to step S503, i.e., the main scanning related process.

[0133] The main scanning related processing at this time (4 passes, W=8, S=1) is basically the same as the main scanning related processing described above. In step S701 in Fig. 7, the carriage 111 is main scanned in the return direction, during which ink is ejected and an image is recorded. Fig. 11(i) is a plan view showing the recording medium M at this time. In the figure, the part indicated by R has had the image recorded by recording with four main scans.

[0134] In step S702, the dot count value is incremented. Through the processes in steps S703 to S705, the value of S is updated to 0, and the main scanning related processes are completed.

[0135] Returning to FIG. 5, in step S504, a determination is made as to whether or not the recording of one page has been completed by the recording in step S701, and if the determination result is positive, the process proceeds to step S514.

[0136] On the other hand, if the result of the determination is negative, that is, if the printing of this page is not completed even after the printing in step S701, the process proceeds to step S505, where the sub-scanning is performed. The conveying distance is one-fourth the length in the sub-scanning direction of the printing area printed on the printing medium in step S701, that is, approximately 6.35 mm.

[0137] After step S505, the process proceeds to step S506, where a determination is made as to whether or not the MaxDC value exceeds the intra-page threshold SDth. The MaxDC value here is a value obtained by resetting it to 0 in step S802, adding the dot count value in step S804, and then adding the dot count value twice in step S702. Since this value is less than 2×10 to the power of 7, the determination is negative, and the process proceeds to step S507.

[0138] In step S507, a determination process is performed as to whether or not the value of the counter W is 0. At this time, the value of W is 8, so the determination is negative, and the process proceeds to step S508.

[0139] In step S508, the value of counter W is incremented to 9. At this time (4 passes, W=9, S=0), the operation trigger T column in Fig. 9 is blank and the wait time is 1 second. Therefore, the determination result in step S509 is negative, and the determination result in step S511 is also negative, so that after waiting for 1 second in step S512, the process returns to step S503, i.e., the main scanning related process.

[0140] The main scanning related processing at this time (4 passes, W=9, S=0) is basically the same as the main scanning related processing described above. In step S701 in Fig. 7, the carriage 111 is main scanned in the forward direction, during which ink is ejected and an image is recorded. Fig. 11(j) is a plan view showing the recording medium M at this time. In the figure, the part indicated by R has had the image recorded by recording with four main scans.

[0141] In step S702, the dot count value is incremented. Through the processes in steps S703 and S704, the value of S is updated to 1, and the main scanning related process ends.

[0142] Returning to FIG. 5, in step S504, a determination is made as to whether or not the recording of one page has been completed by the recording in step S701, and if the determination result is positive, the process proceeds to step S514.

[0143] On the other hand, if the result of the determination is negative, that is, if the printing of this page is not completed even after the printing in step S701, the process proceeds to step S505, where the sub-scanning is performed. The conveying distance is one-fourth the length in the sub-scanning direction of the printing area printed on the printing medium in step S701, that is, approximately 6.35 mm.

[0144] After step S505, the process proceeds to step S506, where a determination is made as to whether or not the MaxDC value exceeds the intra-page threshold SDth. The MaxDC value here is a value obtained by resetting it to 0 in step S802, adding the dot count value in step S804, and then adding the dot count value four times in step S702. Since this value is less than 2.5×10 to the power of 7, the determination is negative, and the process proceeds to step S507.

[0145] In step S507, a determination process is performed as to whether or not the value of the counter W is 0. At this time, the value of W is 9, so the determination is negative, and the process proceeds to step S508.

[0146] In step S508, the value of the counter W is incremented to 10. At this time (4 paths, W=10, S=1), the operation trigger T column in Fig. 9 becomes WE. Therefore, the determination result in step S509 is a negative determination, and the determination result in step S511 is an affirmative determination, and the process proceeds to step S513.

[0147] In step S513, the value of the counter W is reset to 0, and then the process returns to step S503, ie, the main scanning related process.

[0148] At this time (4 passes, W=0, S=1), the main scanning process is basically the same as the main scanning process described above. In step S701 in Fig. 7, the carriage 111 is main scanned in the return direction, during which ink is ejected to record an image.

[0149] In step S702, the dot count value is incremented. Through the processes in steps S703 to S705, the value of S is updated to 0, and the main scanning related processes are completed.

[0150] Returning to FIG. 5, in step S504, a determination is made as to whether or not the recording of one page has been completed by the recording in step S701, and if the determination result is positive, the process proceeds to step S514.

[0151] On the other hand, if the result of the determination is negative, that is, if the printing of this page is not completed even after the printing in step S701, the process proceeds to step S505, where the sub-scanning is performed. The conveying distance is one-fourth the length in the sub-scanning direction of the printing area printed on the printing medium in step S701, that is, approximately 6.35 mm.

[0152] After step S505, the process proceeds to step S506, where a determination is made as to whether or not the MaxDC value exceeds the intra-page threshold SDth. The MaxDC value here is a value obtained by resetting it to 0 in step S802, adding the dot count value in step S804, and then adding the dot count value five times in step S702. Since this value is less than 3×10 to the power of 7, the determination is negative, and the process proceeds to step S507.

[0153] In step S507, a determination process is performed as to whether the value of the counter W is 0 or not. At this time, the value of W is 0, so the determination result is positive, and the process returns to step S503, that is, the main scanning related process.

[0154] Thereafter, as described above, the processes of steps S503 to S507 are repeated until the determination result in step S504 is positive. After recording of one page of image is completed, the process proceeds to step S514.

[0155] In this way, the time difference between main scans is controlled to gradually increase toward the timing when the wipe-related process is executed, and to gradually decrease and return to the original time after the wipe-related process is completed. As a result, the time difference between main scans does not change suddenly, and the occurrence of uneven time difference can be suppressed.

[0156] Next, the process after step S514 will be described. If the determination result in step S504 is a positive determination, that is, if printing of one page is completed, in S514, the carriage 111 moves to the home position by the rotation of a carriage motor (not shown). The home position (hereinafter also referred to as HP) is the position of the carriage 111 when the ink ejection ports of the print head 100 are capped by the cap 130.

[0157] In step S515, the recording medium is ejected by known means (not shown), and in step S516, a determination is made as to whether or not a print command for the next page has been input. If the determination is positive, that is, a print command for the next page has been input, the process proceeds to step S517, where pass count data included in the print command for the next page is obtained. In step S518, a determination is made as to whether or not the pass count data obtained in step S517 is one pass. If the determination is negative, that is, multi-pass printing is not one pass, the process proceeds to step S519.

[0158] In step S519, the inter-page threshold PDth is set to the second inter-page threshold PD2th. In this embodiment, the value of the second inter-page threshold is 500,000,000, that is, 5×10 to the power of 8.

[0159] The second inter-page threshold PD2th will be described below. If the MaxDC value is equal to or less than the second inter-page threshold PD2th, the MaxDC value will not exceed the intra-page threshold SDth during recording of one page of image, even if an image of less than A2 size is subsequently recorded. In other words, if the MaxDC value is equal to or less than the second inter-page threshold PD2th, wiping between main scans will not be performed during recording of one page of image on a recording medium of a standard size.

[0160] After step S519, the process proceeds to step S521, where it is determined whether the MaxDC value exceeds the inter-page threshold value PDth. As described above, the inter-page threshold value PDth here is set to the second inter-page threshold value PD2th.

[0161] If the determination result is a positive determination, that is, if the MaxDC value is a value that exceeds the second inter-page threshold value PD2th, the process proceeds to the wipe-related process of step S522. This is a determination as to whether wiping may be performed during the multi-pass printing of the next page, and if wiping may be performed, wiping is performed in advance before the printing of the next page starts. This resets the dot count value, and if the printing of the next page is to be performed on a recording medium of a standard size of A2 size or less, wiping can be prevented from being performed during printing. The wipe-related process of step S522 is the same as the wipe-related process of step S510 described above, and therefore will not be described.

[0162] After the wipe-related process in step S522, the pre-recording process in step S502 and the recording operation in the multi-pass mode in step S503 are executed. Note that the process of moving the cap 130 from the capping position to the separated position in step S604 of the pre-recording process is skipped here because the cap 130 is already in the separated position.

[0163] On the other hand, if the determination result in step S521 is a negative determination, that is, if the MaxDC value is equal to or less than the second inter-page threshold PD2th, the wipe-related process is not performed and the process returns to the pre-recording process in step S502. If the MaxDC value is equal to or less than the second inter-page threshold PD2th, wiping is not performed during recording of the next page if the recording medium is a standard size. Therefore, if the MaxDC value is equal to or less than the second inter-page threshold PD2th, even if the recording mode for the next page is the multi-pass mode, the process returns to step S502 without performing the wipe-related process.

[0164] Then, after the pre-recording process in step S502 is performed, the recording operation in the multi-pass mode is started. In this case, step S604 is also skipped.

[0165] The process returns to step S518. If the determination result is an affirmative determination, that is, if the path count data acquired in step S517 is 1 path, the process proceeds to step S520.

[0166] In step S520, the inter-page threshold PDth is set to the first inter-page threshold PD1th. In this embodiment, the value of the first inter-page threshold is 1,090,000,000, i.e., 1.09×10 to the power of 9, which is 1×10 to the power of 7 (approximately 1%) smaller than the above-mentioned intra-page threshold SDth, which is 1.1×10 to the power of 9.

[0167] After step S520 is completed, the process proceeds to step S521, where a determination process is performed as to whether or not the MaxDC value exceeds the inter-page threshold value PDth. The inter-page threshold value PDth at this time is set to the first inter-page threshold value PD1th in step S520. If the determination result is a positive determination, that is, if the MaxDC value exceeds the first inter-page threshold value PD1th, the process proceeds to the wipe-related process of step S522. That is, if there is a possibility that the MaxDC value will exceed the intra-page threshold value SDth immediately after the start of recording on the next recording medium, wiping is performed in advance at this timing before the start of recording. The wipe-related process of step S522 is the same as the wipe-related process of step S510, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0168] After step S522, the pre-recording process of step S502 is performed, and then image recording in the one-pass mode is started. Again, step S604 is skipped.

[0169] On the other hand, if the determination result in step S521 is a negative determination, that is, if the MaxDC value is equal to or less than the first inter-page threshold value PD1th, the wipe-related process is not performed and the process returns to the pre-recording process in step S502. If the recording mode for the next recording medium is the one-pass mode, even if wiping is performed between main scans after the start of recording, no time difference unevenness occurs. Therefore, after recording on the previous recording medium is completed and before recording on the next recording medium is started, the process returns to step S502 without performing the wipe-related process.

[0170] This control can reduce the frequency of wipe-related processes between pages, i.e., between the end of recording on the previous recording medium and the start of recording on the next recording medium. As a result, when images are continuously recorded on multiple recording media, the time required for recording can be shortened and throughput can be improved.

[0171] After the pre-recording process in step S502, the recording operation in the one-pass mode is started, and step S604 is also skipped.

[0172] On the other hand, if the determination result in step S516 is a positive determination, that is, if a print command for the next recording medium has not been input by the end of step S515, the process proceeds to step S523. In step S523, a determination process is performed as to whether or not the MaxDC value exceeds the page-after threshold value EDth. In this embodiment, the value of the page-after threshold value EDth is 20,000,000, or 2×10 to the power of 7.

[0173] If the result of the determination in step S523 is a positive determination, that is, if the MaxDC value exceeds the post-page threshold EDth, the process proceeds to step S524, where the wipe-related process is performed. At this time, since there is no recording command for the next recording medium, performing the wipe-related process does not affect the time required for the recording operation. By setting a relatively small value as the post-page threshold EDth, the wiping process is easily started, and the ejection performance of the recording head 100 can be maintained and restored.

[0174] After the wipe-related processing in step S524 is completed, the process proceeds to step S525, where the cap 130 is moved from the separated position to the capping position for capping, and the recording operation is completed.

[0175] On the other hand, if the determination result in step S523 is a negative determination, that is, if the MaxDC value is equal to or less than the post-page threshold EDth, the process proceeds to step S525 and capping is performed without performing wipe-related processing. This is because if the MaxDC value is equal to or less than the post-page threshold EDth, there is almost no ink remaining on the ejection port surface 102 of the print head 100, and there is no need to perform wiping. After capping in step S525 is completed, the printing operation ends.

[0176] As described above, when performing continuous recording operations on multiple recording media, it is determined whether the recording operation for recording an image on the (n+1)th page (n: natural number) is a multi-pass recording mode in which time difference unevenness is easily visible. Then, based on the determination result, it is appropriately determined whether to perform recovery processing between the nth page and the (n+1)th page. This allows appropriate recovery processing such as wiping to be performed, shortening the time required for recording while maintaining and recovering recording performance, thereby suppressing deterioration in image quality.

[0177] In this embodiment, threshold values ​​are set for each of the 1-pass mode and the 4-pass mode, but multiple printing modes with different conditions even if they have the same number of passes may be used, such as a printing mode group including multiple 1-pass modes with different main scanning speeds, or a printing mode group including multiple 4-pass modes with different main scanning speeds. An inter-page threshold value and an intra-page threshold value may be set for each printing mode. In this case, the largest threshold value corresponding to the 1-pass mode is set to a value larger than the largest threshold value corresponding to the multi-pass mode with 2 or more passes.

[0178] Second Embodiment In the above embodiment, an example of an inkjet recording apparatus having recording modes such as a 1-pass mode and a 4-pass mode was described, but in this embodiment, an inkjet recording apparatus that further has an irregular 2-pass mode will be described. Note that a description of the same points as in the above embodiment will be omitted.

[0179] The recording operation of the recording device of this embodiment will be described below with reference to Figs. 12 to 15. Fig. 12 is a flowchart showing the recording operation of this embodiment. Details of each process that are the same as those in Fig. 5 will be omitted. Fig. 14 is a diagram showing the relationship between the number of passes, the value of counter W, the value of counter S, the operation trigger T, and the wait operation in the irregular 2-pass mode described in this embodiment.

[0180] When the recording apparatus of this embodiment receives a print command, in step S1201, it acquires the print mode data included in the print command. Below, we will explain an example of a recording operation in which the acquired print mode is the irregular 2-pass mode and an image slightly smaller than A2 size is recorded on an A2 size recording medium.

[0181] After the number of passes is obtained in step S1201, pre-recording processing is performed in step S1202, which is similar to the pre-recording processing in the first embodiment.

[0182] In step S1203, the process proceeds to main scanning related processing. In step S701 in Fig. 7, while the carriage 111 is main scanned in the forward direction, ink is ejected during the scan to record an image. At this time, the length in the Y1 direction of the recording area recorded on the recording medium is approximately 1 inch = approximately 25.4 mm. Fig. 15(a) is a plan view showing the recording medium M at this time.

[0183] After step S701 is completed, the dot count value is incremented in step S702. In this embodiment, a value obtained by multiplying the number of ink droplets ejected from each ejection port array in step S701 by a coefficient is added to each dot counter.

[0184] FIG. 13 is a table for explaining the coefficients in this process. Here, consider imaginary lattice points on the recording medium, spaced at 1,200 dpi (dots / inch) in the main scanning direction and 1,200 dpi (dots / inch) in the sub-scanning direction. 1,440,000 of these imaginary lattice points are included within an area of ​​1 inch in the main scanning direction and 1 inch in the sub-scanning direction (hereinafter also referred to as the target area) on the recording medium. The duty in FIG. 13 indicates the amount of ink applied per unit area, and is a percentage value obtained by dividing the number of ink droplets from each ejection port array ejected toward the target area in step S701 by 1,440,000. That is, in step S702, a value obtained by multiplying the number of ink droplets ejected from each ejection port array in step S701 by a coefficient that increases as the duty increases is added to each dot counter. This is because the higher the duty, the greater the amount of ink per dot that adheres to the ejection port surface 102 of the print head 100.

[0185] After step S702 is completed, in step S703, the value of the counter S is incremented. Since the value of S at this time is 0, the value of S is updated to 1 by the process of step S703.

[0186] In step S704, a determination process is performed as to whether the value of S is equal to or greater than 2. At this time, the value of S is 1, so the determination result is negative. As a result, step S705 is skipped, and the main scanning related process ends.

[0187] 12, in step S1204, a process is performed to determine whether or not recording of one page of the recording medium has been completed by the recording operation in step S701. In recording an image of a size slightly less than A2, the length recorded in the sub-scanning direction up to this point is only about 25.4 mm, so the determination result is negative.

[0188] Proceeding to step S1205, a sub-scan is performed by a transport amount according to the value of S. Since the value of S here is 1, the transport amount is approximately 0 mm. This will be described in detail later.

[0189] In step S1206, a process of determining whether or not the MaxDC value exceeds the intra-page threshold SDth is performed. In this embodiment, the value of the intra-page threshold SDth is 1,100,000,000, that is, 1.1×10 9 , as in the first embodiment.

[0190] If the determination result in step S1206 is a negative determination, the process proceeds to step S1207. Then, a determination process is performed as to whether the value of counter W is 0 or not. Since the value of W at this time is 0, the determination result in step S1207 is a positive determination, and the process returns to the main scanning related process in step S1203.

[0191] In the main scanning process here, in step S701 in Fig. 7, the carriage 111 is main scanned in the return direction, and ink is ejected during the scan to record an image. At this time, ink is ejected onto a recording area that has already been recorded on the recording medium, and an image is recorded. Fig. 15(b) is a plan view that shows the recording medium M at this time.

[0192] After step S701 is completed, in step S702, the dot count value is incremented. Here, a value obtained by multiplying the number of ink droplets ejected from each ejection port array during printing in step S701 by a coefficient shown in the table of Fig. 13 is added to each dot counter.

[0193] Then, in step S703, the value of the counter S is incremented. Since the value of S at this time is 1, the value of S is updated to 2 by the process in step S703.

[0194] In step S704, a determination process is performed as to whether the value of S is equal to or greater than 2. At this time, since the value of S is 2, the determination result is positive, and in step S705, the value of the counter S is reset to 0, and the main scanning related process ends.

[0195] 12, in step S1204, a determination is made as to whether or not one page of data has been recorded by the recording operation in step S701. Since the length of data recorded up to this point in the sub-scanning direction is approximately 25.4 mm, a negative determination is made, and the process advances to step S1205 again.

[0196] In step S1205, a sub-scan is performed by a transport amount according to the value of S. Since the value of S at this time is 0, the transport amount is approximately 25.4 mm.

[0197] In step S1206, a determination is made as to whether or not the MaxDC value exceeds the intra-page threshold SDth, and if the determination result is a negative determination, the process proceeds to step S1207, where a determination is made as to whether or not the value of the counter W is 0. Since the value of W at this time is 0, the determination result is a positive determination, and the process returns to step S1203 again.

[0198] If the MaxDC value does not exceed the intra-page threshold SDth, the processes of steps S1203 to S1207 are repeated until the determination result in step S1204 is a positive determination. After one page has been recorded, the process proceeds to step S1214. The process from step S1214 onwards will be described later.

[0199] In the above, recording of one page of an image is completed by repeating recording during the main scan in the forward direction of the carriage 111, sub-scanning with a recording medium transport amount of approximately 0 mm, recording during the main scan in the return direction of the carriage 111, and sub-scanning with a recording medium transport amount of approximately 25.4 mm. This type of recording mode is called an irregular two-pass mode. By adopting this irregular two-pass mode, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of so-called color sequence unevenness that may occur when recording an image with a relatively high duty in a one-pass mode or the like. Color sequence unevenness is an image unevenness that may occur when the landing order of each color ink ejected from each ink ejection port row of the recording head 100 on the recording medium is different. For example, in the one-pass mode, the scanning direction of the carriage is reversed every time the recording medium is transported, so the landing order of each color ink on the recording medium is also reversed. As a result, color sequence unevenness in the one-pass mode appears as image unevenness of the transport amount pitch in the sub-scanning direction.

[0200] Returning to step S1206, if the determination result is a positive determination, that is, if the MaxDC value exceeds the intra-page threshold SDth, the value of the counter W is incremented in step S1208. Since the value of W at this time was 0, the value of W is updated to 1 by the process in step S1208.

[0201] After step S1208 is completed, the process proceeds to step S1209, where a determination is made as to whether or not the action trigger T is Ww. For example, if the MaxDC value exceeds the intra-page threshold SDth due to printing during main scanning in the forward direction, the value of S is 1. Also, since the printing mode is currently irregular 2-pass and the value of W is 1, the action trigger T column in FIG. 14 is blank at this time. Since it is blank and not Ww, the determination result in step S1209 at this time is negative, and the process proceeds to step S1211.

[0202] In step S1211, a process is performed to determine whether or not the action trigger T is WE. At this time (irregular 2-path, W=1, S=1), the action trigger T column in FIG. 14 is blank, so the determination in step S1211 is negative, and the process proceeds to S1212.

[0203] In step S1212, a waiting operation (wait) is performed. At this time (irregular 2 passes, W=1, S=1), the wait time is 0 seconds as shown in Fig. 14, so the waiting operation (wait) is not performed and the process returns to the main scanning related process in step S1203.

[0204] At this time (irregular 2 passes, W=1, S=1), in the main scanning related processing, in step S701 in FIG. 7, the carriage 111 is main scanned in the return direction, and ink is ejected during this scan to record an image.

[0205] After step S701, in step S702, the dot count value is incremented. Again, a value obtained by multiplying the number of ink droplets ejected from each ejection port array in the printing operation in step S701 by the coefficient shown in FIG. 13 is added to each dot counter.

[0206] After step S702, the value of S is updated to 0 by the processes of steps S703 to S705, and the main scanning related process ends.

[0207] 12, in step S1204, a determination is made as to whether or not the recording operation for one page on the recording medium has been completed by the recording in step S701, and if the determination result is a positive determination, the process proceeds to step S1214. If the determination result is a negative determination, that is, if the recording of this page has not been completed even after the recording in step S701, the process proceeds to step S1205, where a sub-scan is performed by a transport amount according to the value of S. Since the value of S at this time is 0, the transport amount is approximately 25.4 mm.

[0208] After step S1205, in step S1206, a determination is made as to whether or not the MaxDC value exceeds the page threshold SDth. The MaxDC value at this time exceeds the page threshold SDth because it is the value obtained by adding the dot count value in step S702 to the value that was determined to be positive in the previous determination process in step S1206, i.e., the value that exceeds the page threshold SDth. Therefore, the determination is positive, and the process proceeds to step S1208.

[0209] In step S1208, the value of the counter W is incremented. Since the value of W at this time is 1, the value of W is updated to 2 by the processing in step S1208.

[0210] In step S1209, a determination process is performed as to whether or not the action trigger T is Ww. At this time (irregular 2-path, W=2, S=0), since Ww is entered in the action trigger T column in FIG. 14, the determination result is a positive determination, and the process proceeds to wipe-related processing in step S1210. Note that the wipe-related processing is similar to the wipe-related processing in the first embodiment, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted. The wipe-related processing in this embodiment also takes about 15 seconds, as in the first embodiment.

[0211] In step S1211, a process is performed to determine whether the action trigger T is WE. At this time (irregular 2-path, W=2, S=0), Ww is entered in the action trigger T column in FIG. 14, but WE is not entered, so the determination is negative, and the process proceeds to step S1212.

[0212] In step S1212, a waiting operation (wait) is performed. At this time (irregular 2 passes, W=2, S=0), the wait time is 0 seconds as shown in Fig. 14, so the waiting operation (wait) is not performed and the process returns to the main scanning related process in step S1203.

[0213] At this time (irregular 2 passes, W=2, S=0), in the main scanning related processing, in step S701 in FIG. 7, the carriage 111 is main scanned in the forward direction, and ink is ejected during this scan to record an image.

[0214] In step S702, the dot count value is incremented. Here, a value obtained by multiplying the number of ink droplets ejected from each ejection port array during printing in step S701 by the coefficient shown in Fig. 13 is added to each dot counter. The processing in steps S703 and S704 updates the value of S to 1, and the main scanning related processing ends.

[0215] 12, in step S1204, a determination is made as to whether or not printing of one page has been completed by the printing operation in step S701, and the result of this determination is negative because, when the printing mode is irregular two-pass, printing of one page is not completed by printing during main scanning in the forward direction.

[0216] Proceeding to step S1205, sub-scanning is performed by a transport amount according to the value of S. At this time, since the value of S is 1, the transport amount is approximately 0 mm.

[0217] In step S1206, a determination is made as to whether or not the MaxDC value exceeds the intra-page threshold SDth. At this time, the MaxDC value is a value to which the dot count value was added in step S804 after being reset to 0 in step S802. Since this value is approximately 1×10 to the power of 6, the determination is negative, and the process proceeds to step S1207.

[0218] In step S1207, a determination process is performed as to whether or not the value of the counter W is 0. Since the value of W at this time is 2, a negative determination is made, and the process proceeds to step S1208.

[0219] In step S1208, the value of the counter W is incremented. Since the value of W at this time is 2, the value of W is updated to 3 by the process in step S1208.

[0220] In step S1209, a process is performed to determine whether or not the action trigger T is Ww. At this time (irregular 2 paths, W=3, S=1), WE is entered in the action trigger T column in FIG. 14, and Ww is not entered, so the determination is negative, and the process proceeds to step S1211.

[0221] In step S1211, a process is performed to determine whether the action trigger T field is WE. At this time (irregular 2 path, W=3, S=1), as described above, WE is entered in the action trigger T field in FIG. 14, so the determination is positive, and the process proceeds to step S1213.

[0222] In step S1213, the value of counter W is reset to 0, and the flow returns to the main scanning related processing in step S1203.

[0223] Thereafter, as described above, the processes of steps S1203 to S1207 are repeated until the determination result of step S1204 is positive. After recording of one page is completed, the process proceeds to step S1214.

[0224] On the other hand, if the MaxDC value exceeds the intra-page threshold SDth as a result of printing during main scanning in the reverse direction, the result of the determination in step S1206 becomes positive, and the process proceeds to step S1208, where the value of counter W is incremented to 1.

[0225] Then, in step S1209, a determination process is performed as to whether or not the action trigger T is Ww, depending on the recording mode and the values ​​of the counters W and S. Since the recording mode at this time is irregular 2-pass, the value of W is 1, and the value of S is 0, Ww is entered in the action trigger T column in Fig. 14. Therefore, the determination result is positive, and wipe-related processing is performed in step S1210.

[0226] After the wipe-related processing is completed, the process proceeds to step S1211, where a process is performed to determine whether the action trigger T is WE. At this time (irregular 2-path, W=1, S=0), as described above, Ww is entered in the action trigger T column in FIG. 14, but WE is not entered, so the determination is negative, and the process proceeds to step S1212.

[0227] In step S1212, a standby operation (wait) is performed. At this time (irregular 2 passes, W=1, S=0), the wait time is 0 seconds as shown in Fig. 14, so the standby operation (wait) is not performed and the process returns to the main scanning related process in step S1203.

[0228] In the main scanning related process at this time (irregular 2 passes, W=1, S=0), in step S701 in FIG. 7, the carriage 111 is main scanned in the forward direction, and ink is ejected during the scan to record an image. In step S702, the dot count value is incremented. That is, during recording in step S701, a value obtained by multiplying the number of ink droplets ejected from each ejection port array by the coefficient shown in FIG. 13 is added to each dot counter. The process in steps S703 to S704 updates the value of S to 1, and the main scanning related process ends.

[0229] 12, in step S1204, a determination process is performed as to whether or not the recording of one page on the recording medium has been completed by the recording operation in step S701, and the determination result at this time is a negative determination, because, as described above, when the recording mode is irregular two-pass, recording of one page is not completed by the recording during main scanning in the forward direction.

[0230] Proceeding to step S1205, sub-scanning is performed by a transport amount according to the value of S. Since the value of S at this time is 1, the transport amount is approximately 0 mm.

[0231] In step S1206, a determination is made as to whether or not the MaxDC value exceeds the intra-page threshold SDth. The MaxDC value at this time is a value obtained by resetting it to 0 in step S802, adding the dot count value in step S804, and adding the dot count value once in step S702. Since this value is less than 0.5×10 to the power of 6, the determination is negative, and the process proceeds to step S1207.

[0232] In step S1207, a determination process is performed as to whether or not the value of counter W is 0. At this time, the value of W is 1, so the determination is negative, and the process proceeds to step S1208.

[0233] In step S1208, the value of the counter W is incremented. At this time, the value of W is 1, so the value of W is updated to 2 by the process in step S1208.

[0234] In step S1209, a process is performed to determine whether or not the action trigger T is Ww. At this time (irregular 2-path, W=2, S=1), WE is entered in the action trigger T column in FIG. 14, and Ww is not entered, so the determination is negative, and the process proceeds to step S1211.

[0235] In step S1211, a process is performed to determine whether or not the action trigger T is WE. At this time (irregular 2-path, W=2, S=1), as described above, WE is entered in the action trigger T column in Fig. 14, so the determination is positive, and the process proceeds to step S1213.

[0236] In step S1213, the value of counter W is reset to 0, and the flow returns to the main scanning related processing in step S1203.

[0237] Thereafter, as described above, the processes in steps S1203 to S1207 are repeated until the determination result in step S1204 is positive. After one page has been recorded, the process proceeds to step S1214.

[0238] With this control, the wipe-related process that is performed between one main scan and the next main scan is performed after the main scan in the backward direction of the carriage 111, so that the carriage 111 does not move in the backward direction solely for the wipe-related process.

[0239] In addition, in the irregular 2-pass mode, even if wiping is performed after the carriage 111 has main-scanned in the backward direction, no time difference unevenness occurs in the printed image. This is because there is no difference in the time it takes for the ink ejected during one main-scan and the ink ejected during the next main-scan to mix on the printed medium within an image on one page. However, if wiping is performed after the carriage 111 has main-scanned in the forward direction, time difference unevenness occurs. This is because the time it takes for the ink ejected during the main-scan in the forward direction to mix with the ink ejected during the main-scan in the backward direction on the printed medium becomes longer only in the areas where wiping was performed before and after scanning.

[0240] 12, in step S1214, if the determination result in step S1204 is positive, that is, if recording of one page is completed, the carriage 111 moves to the home position. After that, in step S1215, the recording medium is ejected by a well-known means (not shown).

[0241] In step S1216, it is determined whether a print command for the next page has been input. If the determination is positive, that is, if a print command for the next page has been input, the process proceeds to step S1217, where the print mode data included in the print command for the next page is obtained.

[0242] In step S1218, a determination process is performed as to whether the acquired print mode data is a one-pass mode. If the determination result is positive, the process proceeds to step S1219, where the inter-page threshold PDth is set to the first inter-page threshold PD1th. Note that the value of this first inter-page threshold PD1th is 1,090,000,000, the same as the value in the first embodiment, that is, 1.09×10 to the power of 9.

[0243] In step S1223, a determination process is performed as to whether or not the MaxDC value exceeds the inter-page threshold value PDth. As described above, the inter-page threshold value PDth here is set to the first inter-page threshold value PD1th. If the determination result is a positive determination, the process proceeds to wipe-related processing in step S1224. The wipe-related processing is similar to the wipe-related processing described above, and therefore will not be described.

[0244] The process returns to the pre-recording process in step S1202, and after the pre-recording process is performed, recording in the one-pass mode is started. In this case, step S604 in FIG. 6 is skipped, as in the first embodiment.

[0245] On the other hand, if the determination result in step S1223 is a negative determination, that is, if the MaxDC value is equal to or less than the first inter-page threshold value PD1th, the wipe-related process is not performed and the process returns to the pre-recording process in step S1202. Since the recording mode for the next page is the one-pass mode, even if wiping is performed during recording of the next page, time difference unevenness does not occur. Here, the process returns to step S1202 without performing the wipe-related process between pages.

[0246] By such control, it is possible to reduce the frequency of wipe-related processes between pages, and to shorten the time required for the recording operation when images of a plurality of pages are continuously recorded.

[0247] Then, after the pre-recording process is performed, recording in the one-pass mode starts. Note that, in this case, step S604 in FIG. 6 is skipped.

[0248] 12, if the determination result is negative, that is, if the acquired print mode data is not the one-pass mode, the process proceeds to step S1220, where a determination process is performed as to whether the print mode data acquired in step S1217 is the irregular two-pass mode. If the determination result is positive, the process proceeds to step S1221.

[0249] In step S1221, the inter-page threshold PDth is set to the third inter-page threshold PD3th. Note that the value of this third inter-page threshold PD3th is 1,080,000,000, that is, 1.08×10 to the power of 9, but it may be the same value as the first inter-page threshold PD1th.

[0250] In step S1223, a determination process is performed as to whether or not the MaxDC value exceeds the inter-page threshold PDth. Here, the inter-page threshold PDth is set to the third inter-page threshold PD3th. If the determination result is a positive determination, that is, if the MaxDC value exceeds the third inter-page threshold PD3th, wipe-related processing is performed in step S1224, and then the process returns to the pre-recording processing in step S1202. After the pre-recording processing, recording in the irregular 2-pass mode is started. In this case, step S604 in FIG. 6 is also skipped.

[0251] On the other hand, if the determination result in step S1223 is a negative determination, that is, if the MaxDC value is equal to or less than the third inter-page threshold value PD3th, the wipe-related process is not performed and the process returns to the pre-recording process in step S1202. That is, if the recording mode of the next page is the irregular two-pass mode and the above-mentioned wiping is performed during recording of the next page, and time difference unevenness does not occur, the process returns to step S1202 without performing the wipe-related process between pages. After that, the pre-recording process is performed, and then recording in the irregular two-pass mode is started. In this case, step S604 in FIG. 6 is also skipped.

[0252] Returning to step S1220 in FIG. 12, if the determination result is negative, that is, the acquired print mode data is neither one-pass mode nor irregular two-pass mode, and therefore is multi-pass mode, the process proceeds to step S1222.

[0253] In step S1222, the inter-page threshold PDth is set to the second inter-page threshold PD2th. Note that the value of this second inter-page threshold PD2th is 500,000,000, that is, 5×10 to the power of 8, which is the same as the value in the first embodiment.

[0254] As in the first embodiment, if the MaxDC value is equal to or less than the second inter-page threshold PD2th, the MaxDC value will not exceed the intra-page threshold SDth during recording, even if an image slightly smaller than A2 size is subsequently recorded. In other words, also in this embodiment, if the MaxDC value is equal to or less than the second inter-page threshold PD2th, wiping will not be performed during subsequent recording (one page) on a standard-sized recording medium.

[0255] In step S1223, a determination process is performed as to whether the MaxDC value exceeds the inter-page threshold value PDth. The inter-page threshold value PDth here is set to the second inter-page threshold value PD2th. If the determination result is a positive determination, that is, if the MaxDC value exceeds the second inter-page threshold value PD2th, the process proceeds to a wipe-related process in step S1224. If there is a possibility that wiping will be performed during the recording of the next page (standard size) in the multi-pass recording mode, wiping is performed in advance in step S1224, and the dot count value is reset. With this process, as long as the recording of the next page is performed on a standard-sized recording medium, there is no possibility that wiping will be performed during recording. Therefore, even if the recording mode of the next page is the multi-pass mode, if the recording is performed on a standard-sized recording medium, the occurrence of time difference unevenness is suppressed.

[0256] After the pre-recording process in step S1202, recording in the multi-pass mode starts. In this case, step S604 in FIG. 6 is also skipped.

[0257] On the other hand, if the determination result of step S1223 is a negative determination, that is, if the MaxDC value is equal to or less than the second inter-page threshold PD2th, the wipe-related process is not performed and the process returns to the pre-recording process of step S1202. If the MaxDC value is equal to or less than the second inter-page threshold PD2th, wiping is not performed during recording of the next page if the recording medium is of a standard size. Therefore, if the MaxDC value is equal to or less than the second inter-page threshold PD2th, even if the recording mode of the next page is the multi-pass mode, the wipe-related process is not performed and the process returns to step S1202.

[0258] Then, after the pre-recording process, recording in the multi-pass mode starts. In this case, step S604 in FIG. 6 is skipped.

[0259] Returning to step S1216 in FIG. 12, if the determination result is negative, that is, if a command to print the next page has not been input by the time step S1215 is completed, the process proceeds to step S1225.

[0260] In step S1225, a determination process is performed as to whether or not the MaxDC value exceeds the post-page threshold value EDth. The value of this post-page threshold value GEDth is 20,000,000, or 2×10 to the power of 7, which is the same as the value in the first embodiment.

[0261] If the determination result in step S1225 is a positive determination, that is, if the MaxDC value exceeds the post-page threshold EDth, the process proceeds to step S1226, where wipe-related processing is performed. At this time, since there is no print command for the next page, the time required for printing will not be increased even if the wipe-related processing is time-consuming. If the MaxDC value exceeds the post-page threshold EDth, which is a relatively small value, wiping is performed to maintain and recover the ejection performance of the print head 100.

[0262] After the wipe-related processing is completed, in step S1227, the cap 130 is moved from the separated position to the capping position to cap the head, and the recording operation is completed.

[0263] On the other hand, if the determination result in step S1225 is a negative determination, that is, if the MaxDC value is equal to or less than the post-page threshold EDth, the process proceeds to step S1227 and capping is performed without performing wipe-related processing. If the MaxDC value is equal to or less than the post-page threshold EDth, there is almost no ink remaining on the ejection port surface 102 of the print head 100, so there is no need to perform wiping. After capping, the printing operation ends.

[0264] By controlling in this way, it is possible to reduce the time required for printing multiple pages of images continuously while suppressing the occurrence of time difference unevenness. Also, by adding a value that takes into account the duty of the printed image to the dot count value, it is possible to appropriately control the timing of wiping.

[0265] As in the first embodiment, the irregular two-pass mode may also have a plurality of irregular two-pass print mode groups with different conditions such as main scanning speed, etc. In this case as well, the largest inter-page threshold value set in each print mode is set to a value larger than the largest inter-page threshold value set in each print mode in the multi-pass mode described above.

[0266] (Third embodiment) In the embodiment described above, whether or not wiping is performed within a page, between pages, or after a page is determined depending on whether or not a count value based on the amount of ink ejected since the previous wiping execution exceeds a threshold value. In the present embodiment, whether or not wiping is performed is determined depending on whether or not the time during which the cap 130 is separated from the ejection port surface 102 exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

[0267] 16 is a flowchart showing an example of a printing operation in this embodiment. When a print command is received, in step S1601, the printing mode data included in the print command is acquired. Below, an example of a printing operation will be described in which the acquired printing mode is a 1-pass mode with a main scanning speed of 40 inches / second, and an image of slightly less than A2 size is printed on an A2 size recording medium.

[0268] After the recording mode data is acquired, in step S1602, a recording pre-processing T shown in Fig. 17 is performed. The processes in steps S1701 to S1704 in the recording pre-processing T are similar to the processes in steps S601 to S604 in Fig. 6, and therefore will not be described.

[0269] After the cap 130 moves from the capping position to the separated position in step S1704, a timer starts to count the time that has elapsed since the cap 130 was opened in step S1705. In step S1706, the same preliminary ejection as in step S605 in FIG. 6 is performed.

[0270] After the preliminary ejection in step S1706 is completed, the pre-printing process T in FIG. 17 is completed, and the process proceeds to the main-scanning-related process T shown in step S1603 in FIG.

[0271] Fig. 18 is a detailed flowchart of the main scanning related process T. In step S1801, while the carriage 111 is main scanned in the forward direction, ink is ejected during the scan to record an image. At this time, the length in the sub-scanning direction of the recording area recorded on the recording medium is approximately 1 inch = approximately 25.4 mm. A plan view showing the recording medium M at this time is the same as Fig. 10(a).

[0272] In step S1802, the count value of the timer started in step S1705 is added to the timer counter. This timer counter value is time information indicating the elapsed time since separation from the cap. In step S1803, the count value of the timer is reset, and in step S1804, the timer count is started again.

[0273] After step S1804, steps S1805 to S1807, which are similar to steps S703 to S705 in FIG. 7, are performed, the value of S is updated to 1, and the main-scanning related process T shown in FIG. 18 ends.

[0274] Returning to Fig. 16, in step S1604, a determination process is performed as to whether or not the recording of one page has been completed by the recording in step S1801 in Fig. 18, and the determination result at this time is a negative determination. This is because, while an example is explained in which an image slightly smaller than A2 size is being recorded, the length in the sub-scanning direction recorded up to this point is approximately 25.4 mm.

[0275] The process proceeds to step S1605, where sub-scanning is performed. The conveying amount at this time is the length in the sub-scanning direction of the recording area recorded on the recording medium, that is, approximately 25.4 mm, since the number of passes is one.

[0276] In step S1606, the timer counter value (hereinafter also referred to as the TC value) is acquired, and a process of determining whether or not it exceeds the intra-page threshold STth is performed. This intra-page threshold STth is a threshold for controlling wiping to be performed between main scans when the TC value exceeds the intra-page threshold STth.

[0277] As described above, if the ejection port surface 102 is not capped by the cap 130, the solvent in the ink adhering to the ejection port surface 102 evaporates, causing the ink to thicken and become viscous. This thickened and viscous ink is difficult to wipe away by wiping, and will eventually become impossible to wipe away. Therefore, it is appropriate to set this intra-page threshold STth to a TC value at which the risk of being unable to wipe away the adhering ink becomes significantly high due to the passage of time over the next few main scans. In this embodiment, the value of the intra-page threshold STth is 8 minutes (480 seconds).

[0278] The following describes the case where the determination result in step S1606 is a negative determination, that is, the TC value does not exceed the intra-page threshold STth. If the determination result is a negative determination, the process proceeds to step S1607, where a determination process is performed as to whether the value of the counter W is 0. Since the value of W at this time is 0, the determination result is a positive determination, and the process returns to the main scanning related process T in step S1603.

[0279] In the main scanning related process T, in step S1801 in Fig. 18, the carriage 111 is now main scanned in the backward direction, and ink is ejected during this scan to record an image. In this case, too, the length in the sub-scanning direction of the recording area recorded on the recording medium is approximately 1 inch = approximately 25.4 mm. The plan view showing the recording medium M at this time is the same as that shown in Fig. 10(b).

[0280] After step S1801 is completed, in step S1802, the timer count value is again added to the timer counter. That is, the elapsed time from the time when the timer count, which was once reset after the previous main scanning and recording in the forward direction, is restarted to the time when the current main scanning and recording in the backward direction is completed, is added to the timer counter. Note that after the count value is added to the timer counter, the timer count is once reset in step S1803, and then restarted in step S1804.

[0281] After step S1804 is completed, in step S1805, the value of the counter S is incremented. At this time, the value of S is 1, so the value of S is updated to 2 by the processing in step S1805.

[0282] In step S1806, a determination process is performed as to whether or not the value of S is equal to or greater than 2. At this time, since the value of S is 2, the determination result in step S1806 is affirmative, and the process proceeds to step S1807.

[0283] In step S1807, the value of the counter S is reset to 0, the main scanning related process T ends, and the process proceeds to step S1604 in FIG.

[0284] In step S1604, a determination is made as to whether or not the printing of one page has been completed by the printing in step S1801. At this time, the length of the printed page in the sub-scanning direction is approximately 25.4 mm×2=approximately 50.8 mm, so the determination is negative, and the process proceeds again to step S1605.

[0285] In step S1605, sub-scanning is performed. Note that, even in this case, the conveyance amount of the recording medium is the length in the sub-scanning direction of the recording area recorded on the recording medium in step S1801, that is, approximately 25.4 mm.

[0286] In step S1606, a determination process is performed as to whether or not the TC value exceeds the intra-page threshold value STth, and if the determination result is negative, the process proceeds to step S1607.

[0287] In step S1607, a determination is made as to whether the value of counter W is 0 or not, but since the value of W at this time is 0, the determination is affirmative and the process returns to step S1603. In other words, if the TC value does not exceed the intra-page threshold STth, the processes of steps S1603 to S1607 are repeated until the determination in step S1604 is affirmative. After recording of one page of image is completed, the process proceeds to step S1614.

[0288] On the other hand, if the determination result in step S1606 is a positive determination, that is, if the TC value exceeds the intra-page threshold STth, the processes of steps S1603 to S1613 are repeated and wiping is performed during main scanning, as in the first and second embodiments. Only the points in the wipe-related process T of this embodiment that are different from the wipe-related process in the previous embodiment will be described.

[0289] 19 is a flowchart showing details of the wipe-related process T. First, in step S1901, wiping is performed similarly to step S801, and then, in step S1902, preliminary ejection is performed similarly to step S803.

[0290] After step S1902 is completed, in step S1903, the timer counter value, i.e., the TC value, is reset to 0. Since wiping has been performed, the TC value, which determines whether or not wiping is performed based on the value, is reset. In step S1904, the timer count value is once reset. Then, in step S1905, the timer count is started again, and the wipe-related process T is completed. As in the previous embodiment, the wipe-related process T in this embodiment also takes about 15 seconds.

[0291] After wiping between main scans is completed, the process returns to step S1603, and steps S1603 to S1607 are repeated until the determination result in step S1604 is positive. After recording of one page of an image is completed, the process proceeds to step S1614.

[0292] In step S1614, the carriage 111 moves to the home position. Then, in step S1615, the recording medium is ejected.

[0293] In step S1616, it is determined whether a print command for the next page has been input. If the determination is positive, that is, if a print command for the next page has been input, the process proceeds to step S1617, where the print mode data included in the print command for the next page is obtained.

[0294] In step S1618, the inter-page threshold value PTth is set to the value shown in Fig. 20 according to the acquired print mode data. For example, if the pass count data and main scanning speed data in the acquired print mode data are 8 passes and a main scanning speed of 10 inches / sec, the page interval threshold value PTth is set to 100 seconds.

[0295] 20, when the pass number data for the next page is 2 passes to 8 passes, the setting value of the inter-page threshold PTth is a value that, if set to that value, is extremely unlikely to cause the TC value to exceed the intra-page threshold STth during image recording, as long as the image size of the next page is a standard size. For example, unless data transfer from the host computer 490 is delayed for some reason, the TC value will not exceed the intra-page threshold STth during image recording (as long as the image size of the next page is a standard size). In other words, wiping will not be performed during image recording, and there is an extremely low possibility that time difference unevenness will occur in the recorded image.

[0296] On the other hand, the setting value of the page-to-page threshold value PTth when the pass number data for the next page is 1 pass is not set to the above-mentioned value because wiping between main scans does not cause time difference unevenness in the 1-pass recording method. Specifically, when the main scan speed of the recording mode for the next page is 40 inches / second or 20 inches / second, wiping between main scans may be performed if the image of the next page is an image of less than A2 size. By setting such a value, the frequency of wiping can be reduced, and the time required for recording when continuously recording images of multiple pages can be shortened.

[0297] However, if the print mode for the next page is a 10 inch / sec print mode for one pass, then when the inter-page threshold PTth is set to the value shown in Fig. 20, the possibility of wiping occurring during printing is extremely low as long as the image size of the next page is a standard size. In other words, the inter-page threshold PTth is set so that the possibility of wiping occurring between main scans is extremely low as long as the image size of the next page is a standard size.

[0298] Many recording media tend to deform when they absorb ink and rise up from the platen 120. In addition, in a recording mode that requires a relatively long recording time, such as a 10 inch / sec 1-pass recording mode, the recording media also tend to rise up a large amount when they rise up from the platen 120. If a wiping operation is performed between main scans in a state in which the recording media has risen up a large amount from the platen 120, the ejection port surface 102 and the recording media come into contact with each other, increasing the risk that the recording media will be soiled. To avoid this risk, when the recording mode for the next page is a 10 inch / sec 1-pass recording mode, the inter-page threshold value PTth is set so that wiping between main scans is minimized and wiping is performed between pages where no recording media is present on the platen 120.

[0299] In this way, just because the next page is in one-pass mode does not mean that all inter-page thresholds PTth at that time must be set to be greater than the inter-page thresholds PTth when the next page is in multi-pass mode, i.e., that wiping between pages must be difficult to perform.

[0300] 16, after the setting of the inter-page threshold PTth in step S1618 is completed, a determination process is performed in step S1623 as to whether or not the TC value exceeds the inter-page threshold PTth. If the determination result is a positive determination, that is, if the TC value exceeds the inter-page threshold PTth, the process proceeds to wipe-related process T in step S1624. The wipe-related process T in step S1624 is similar to the wipe-related process T in step S1610, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted. After the pre-recording process T in step S1602, recording of the next page is started according to the recording mode acquired in step S1617.

[0301] 17, the process of moving the cap 130 from the capping position to the separated position is skipped here because the cap 130 is already in the separated position. Also, because the timer has already started counting in step S1905, the process of step S1705 is also skipped.

[0302] On the other hand, if the result of the determination in step S1623 is a negative determination, that is, if the TC value is equal to or less than the inter-page threshold value PTth, the wipe-related process T is not performed, and the process returns directly to the pre-recording process T in step S1602. Then, after the process shown in the flowchart in Fig. 17 is performed, recording of the next page is started according to the recording mode acquired in step S1617.

[0303] In this case, step S1704 in Fig. 17 is skipped. Also, since the timer has already started counting in step S1804, the process of step S1705 is also skipped.

[0304] By the above processing of steps S1617 to S1624, when the recording mode for the next page is a recording mode of 40 inches / sec per pass or 20 inches / sec per pass, the frequency of wiping is reduced, and the recording time when continuously recording images of multiple pages is shortened. Also, when the recording mode for the next page is a recording mode other than a recording mode of 40 inches / sec per pass or 20 inches / sec per pass, as long as the image size of the next page is a standard size, the possibility of wiping being performed between main scans is extremely low. Therefore, the possibility of time difference unevenness occurring in the recorded image is extremely low.

[0305] 16 is negative, i.e., if a print command for the next page has not been input by the end of step S1615, the process proceeds to step S1625. In step S1625, a process is performed to determine whether the TC value exceeds the post-page threshold value ETth, and if the determination is positive, i.e., if the TC value exceeds the post-page threshold value ETth, the process proceeds to step S1626. In this embodiment, the value of the post-page threshold value ETth is 80 seconds.

[0306] In step S1626, wipe-related process T is performed. When there is no command to record the next page, performing wipe-related process T does not increase the time required for recording, so when the TC value exceeds the post-page threshold value ETth, which is a relatively small value, wiping is performed to maintain and recover the ejection performance.

[0307] After the wipe-related process T in step S1626 ends, in step S1627, the cap 130 is moved from the separation position to the capping position and capped. In step S1628, the timer is stopped counting, and the recording operation ends.

[0308] On the other hand, if the determination result in step S1625 is a negative determination, that is, if the TC value is equal to or less than the post-page threshold value ETth, the process proceeds to step S1627 for capping without performing wipe-related process T. The process proceeds to step S1628, where the timer is ended and the recording operation is ended.

[0309] By the above-described control, it is possible to reduce the time required for printing when printing multiple pages of images continuously, while suppressing the occurrence of time difference unevenness.

[0310] (Other embodiments) In the above-mentioned embodiment, the recording medium used for recording an image may be in the form of a sheet or a roll. When recording an image on a roll-shaped recording medium, i.e., a roll of paper, it is preferable to add a step of cutting the roll-shaped recording medium before the paper ejection step in Figs. 5, 12, and 16.

[0311] In this specification, the term "page" refers to the number of pages of the recording medium to be recorded, and for example, even when multiple images are recorded on one page of the recording medium, if the recording medium is one page, the number of pages applied in the above embodiment is 1. In addition, even when recording is performed on a roll-shaped recording medium, the number of pages in this specification refers to the number of pages of the recording medium after it has been cut. However, this does not apply to cuts in the sub-scanning direction.

[0312] Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments, there is one type of one-pass mode, but there may be multiple types as in the third embodiment. In that case, the inter-page thresholds for each mode may be different values ​​as in the third embodiment. In addition, it is not necessary that all of the inter-page thresholds for the multiple one-pass modes be set to be larger than the inter-page threshold for the multi-pass mode (making it difficult to perform wiping between pages).

[0313] Furthermore, the print mode in the above embodiment includes the number of passes, the main and sub-scanning method such as irregular two passes, and the main scanning speed, but this embodiment is not limited to such examples. It may also include other items such as the ink ejection port area used for each main scanning pass and image resolution.

[0314] In the above embodiment, wiping has been described as an example of the recovery operation, but the recovery operation is not limited to this. It may be a so-called suction operation using the suction pump 132 or the like, a preliminary ejection operation, or the like.

[0315] In addition, the wiping is performed by a so-called vertical wiping method in which the wiper moves in the Y1 and Y2 directions in Fig. 2, but the present invention is not limited to such an example. For example, the inkjet recording device may adopt a so-called horizontal wiping method in which the carriage 111 moves in the X1 or X2 direction in Fig. 1 and the wiper wipes the ejection port surface 102 of the recording head 100.

[0316] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the print head 100 provided in the inkjet printing apparatus is a so-called thermal type print head having an electrothermal converter inside the ejection ports, but the present invention is not limited to this example. It may also be a so-called piezo type print head having an electromechanical converter inside the ink ejection ports.

[0317] In the above embodiment, a so-called serial type inkjet recording device has been described, which performs main scanning of the recording head 100 in the main scanning direction and sub-scanning of the recording medium in the sub-scanning direction. The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, as long as the recording medium and the recording head are moved relatively to each other to perform relative scanning. For example, the present invention can be applied to a recording device using a so-called full multi-type recording head in which multiple recording elements are arranged in a direction intersecting the direction in which the recording medium is transported. The time required for the recording operation can be reduced by controlling the wiping between pages according to the number of relative scans between the recording head and the recording medium for a unit area on the recording medium in the recording operation of the next page. [Explanation of symbols]

[0318] 100 Recording head 101 Discharge port row 102 Discharge port surface 130 Cap 150 Wiper

Claims

1. a recording means including a recording element for recording an image by applying a recording material to a recording medium; a main scanning means for performing a main scanning to move the recording means in a first direction; a sub-scanning means for performing a sub-scan for moving a recording medium in a second direction intersecting the first direction; recovery means for performing a recovery operation to maintain or recover the recording performance of said recording means for applying a recording material; a determination means for determining whether or not to execute a recovery operation by the recovery means; a control means for controlling the recovery means so as to execute a recovery operation based on a result of the determination by the determination means; Equipped with the determination means obtains recording mode information when an image is recorded on the (n+1)th page (n: natural number) of the recording medium, and determines, based on the obtained recording mode information, whether or not to execute a recovery operation between pages at a timing after the recording of the image on the nth page of the recording medium is completed and before the recording of the image on the (n+1)th page of the recording medium is started; The recording mode acquired as the recording mode information is When the length in the second direction of a recording area that can be recorded on a recording medium by the recording means in one main scan is L, a first recording mode group for recording an image by repeatedly performing a sub-scanning operation in which the amount of movement of the recording medium is approximately equal to L and a recording operation by a main scanning operation; a second recording mode group for recording an image by repeatedly performing a sub-scanning operation in which the amount of movement of the recording medium is shorter than the L amount and a recording operation by a main scanning operation; A recording apparatus characterized in that the recording apparatus is in any one of a plurality of recording modes including

2. The recording device according to claim 1, characterized in that the judgment means acquires a dot count value indicating the number of times the recording element has been driven since the previous recovery operation was performed, and judges whether to perform a recovery operation between pages based on the acquired dot count value.

3. When the recording mode information indicates a recording mode included in the first recording mode group, the determination means determines that a recovery operation between pages is to be performed when the acquired dot count value is greater than an inter-page threshold value corresponding to the recording mode, When the recording mode information indicates a recording mode included in the second recording mode group, the determination means determines that a recovery operation between pages is to be performed when the acquired dot count value is greater than an inter-page threshold value corresponding to the recording mode, and 3. The recording device according to claim 2, wherein the largest value among a plurality of inter-page thresholds set for each recording mode included in the first recording mode group is larger than the largest value among a plurality of inter-page thresholds set for each recording mode included in the second recording mode group.

4. The plurality of recording modes include a third recording mode group for recording an image by repeatedly performing a recording operation in a forward direction by main scanning in the first direction, performing a recording operation in a backward direction by main scanning in a direction opposite to the first direction without performing a sub-scan after the forward recording operation, and performing a sub-scan after the backward recording operation, When the recording mode information indicates a recording mode included in the third recording mode group, the determination means determines that a recovery operation between pages is to be performed when the acquired dot count value is greater than an inter-page threshold value corresponding to the recording mode, 4. The recording device according to claim 3, wherein the largest value among a plurality of inter-page thresholds set for each recording mode included in the third recording mode group is larger than the largest value among a plurality of inter-page thresholds set for each recording mode included in the second recording mode group.

5. A recording device as described in any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the judgment means determines whether to perform a recovery operation within a page at a timing after a main scan by the main scanning means is completed and before the next main scan is started, based on the acquired dot count value.

6. 6. The recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the determining unit determines to execute a recovery operation within the page when the acquired dot count value is greater than a predetermined intra-page threshold value.

7. The plurality of recording modes include a third recording mode group for recording an image by repeatedly performing a recording operation in a forward direction by main scanning in the first direction, performing a recording operation in a backward direction by main scanning in a direction opposite to the first direction without performing a sub-scan after the forward recording operation, and performing a sub-scan after the backward recording operation, When the recording mode information indicates a recording mode included in the third recording mode group, the determination means determines that a recovery operation between pages is to be performed when the acquired dot count value is greater than an inter-page threshold value corresponding to the recording mode, The recording device according to claim 6, characterized in that the specified intra-page threshold is greater than the largest value among a plurality of inter-page thresholds set for each recording mode included in the first recording mode group, and is also greater than the largest value among a plurality of inter-page thresholds set for each recording mode included in the third recording mode group.

8. The recording device according to any one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that the judgment means performs a recovery operation after recording of an image on the nth page of the recording medium is completed when there is no command to record an image on the (n+1)th page of the recording medium and when the acquired dot count value is greater than a predetermined post-page threshold value.

9. 9. The recording apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the predetermined post-page threshold is smaller than the smallest value among a plurality of inter-page thresholds set for each recording mode included in the second recording mode group.

10. 10. The recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the dot count value is a value weighted based on the number of drives per unit area.

11. A recording device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the judgment means acquires time information indicating an elapsed time from a predetermined timing, and judges whether to perform a recovery operation between the pages based on the acquired time information.

12. a cap for sealing an ejection port surface provided with ejection ports for ejecting a recording material by energy generated by the recording elements; 12. The recording apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the time information indicates an elapsed time from a timing when the ejection port face is separated from the cap.

13. When the recording mode information indicates a recording mode included in the first recording mode group, the determination means determines that a recovery operation between pages is to be performed when the elapsed time indicated by the acquired time information is longer than a threshold time corresponding to the recording mode, When the recording mode information indicates a recording mode included in the second recording mode group, the determination means determines that a recovery operation is to be performed between the pages when the elapsed time indicated by the acquired time information is longer than a threshold time corresponding to the recording mode, 13. A recording device according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the longest value among a plurality of threshold times set for each recording mode included in the first recording mode group is longer than the longest value among a plurality of threshold times set for each recording mode included in the second recording mode group.

14. The plurality of recording modes include a third recording mode group for recording an image by repeatedly performing a recording operation in a forward direction by main scanning in the first direction, performing a recording operation in a backward direction by main scanning in a direction opposite to the first direction without performing a sub-scan after the forward recording operation, and performing a sub-scan after the backward recording operation, When the recording mode information indicates a recording mode included in the third recording mode group, the determination means determines that a recovery operation between pages is to be performed when an elapsed time indicated by the acquired time information is longer than a threshold time set for the recording mode, 14. The recording device according to claim 13, wherein the longest value among the plurality of threshold times set for each recording mode included in the third recording mode group is longer than the longest value among the plurality of threshold times set for each recording mode included in the second recording mode group.

15. A recording device according to any one of claims 11 to 14, characterized in that the judgment means judges, based on the acquired time information, whether to perform a recovery operation within a page at a timing after a main scan by the main scanning means is completed and before the next main scan is started.

16. 16. The recording apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said determining means determines to execute a recovery operation within said page when said acquired time information is longer than a predetermined time.

17. The plurality of recording modes include a third recording mode group for recording an image by repeatedly performing a recording operation in a forward direction by main scanning in the first direction, performing a recording operation in a backward direction by main scanning in a direction opposite to the first direction without performing a sub-scan after the forward recording operation, and performing a sub-scan after the backward recording operation, When the recording mode information indicates a recording mode included in the third recording mode group, the determination means determines that a recovery operation between pages is to be performed when the acquired dot count value is greater than an inter-page threshold value corresponding to the recording mode, 17. The recording device according to claim 16, wherein the predetermined time is longer than the longest value among a plurality of threshold times set for each recording mode included in the first recording mode group, and is longer than the longest value among a plurality of threshold times set for each recording mode included in the third recording mode group.

18. The recording device according to any one of claims 11 to 17, characterized in that the judgment means performs a recovery operation after recording of an image on the nth page of the recording medium is completed when there is no command to record an image on the (n+1)th page of the recording medium and when the acquired time information is longer than a predetermined page time.

19. 20. The recording apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the predetermined post-page time is shorter than the shortest value among a plurality of threshold times set for the second recording mode group.

20. The recording device according to any one of claims 1 to 19, characterized in that the determination means acquires the recording mode information corresponding to the (n+1)th page of the recording medium before recording of an image on the nth page of the recording medium is completed.

21. 13. The recording apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the recovery operation by the recovery means is wiping of the ejection port surface with a wiping member.

22. a recording means including a recording element for recording an image by applying a recording material to a recording medium; a main scanning means for performing a main scanning to move the recording means in a first direction; a sub-scanning means for performing a sub-scan for moving a recording medium in a second direction intersecting the first direction; recovery means for performing a recovery operation to maintain or recover the recording performance of said recording means for applying a recording material; A control method for a recording device comprising: a determination step of acquiring recording mode information for recording an image on the (n+1)th page (n: natural number) of the recording medium, and determining whether or not to execute a recovery operation by the recovery means between pages after the recording of the image on the nth page of the recording medium is completed and before the recording of the image on the (n+1)th page of the recording medium is started, based on the acquired recording mode information; a control step of controlling the recovery means to execute a recovery operation based on a result of the determination in the determination step; Equipped with The recording mode acquired as the recording mode information is When the length in the second direction of a recording area that can be recorded on a recording medium by the recording means in one main scan is L, a first recording mode group for recording an image by repeatedly performing a sub-scanning operation in which the amount of movement of the recording medium is approximately equal to L and a recording operation by a main scanning operation; a second recording mode group for recording an image by repeatedly performing a sub-scanning operation in which the amount of movement of the recording medium is shorter than the L amount and a recording operation by a main scanning operation; The control method is characterized in that the control is performed in any one of a plurality of recording modes including

23. A program for causing a computer to execute each step of the control method according to claim 22.

24. a recording means including a recording element for recording an image by applying a recording material to a recording medium; a scanning means for relatively moving the recording means and the recording medium to perform at least one relative scan on a unit area on the recording medium; recovery means for performing a recovery operation to maintain or recover the recording performance of said recording means for applying a recording material; a determination means for determining whether or not to execute a recovery operation by the recovery means; a control means for controlling the recovery means so as to execute a recovery operation based on a result of the determination by the determination means; Equipped with The recording device is characterized in that the judgment means determines whether to perform an inter-page recovery operation at a timing after recording of an image on the nth page of the recording medium is completed and before recording of an image on the (n+1)th page of the recording medium is started, based on the number of times the recording means is caused to relatively scan the unit area on the (n+1)th page (n: natural number) of the recording medium to complete recording of an image on the unit area.

25. The recording device according to claim 24, characterized in that the determination means reduces the frequency of performing a recovery operation between the pages when the number of times the recording means is caused to perform relative scanning over the unit area is one, compared to when the number of times the recording means is caused to perform relative scanning over the unit area is two or more.

26. The recording device according to claim 24 or 25, characterized in that the judgment means acquires a dot count value indicating the number of times the recording element has been driven since the previous recovery operation was performed, and judges whether to perform a recovery operation between the pages based on the acquired dot count value.

27. The recording device according to any one of claims 24 to 26, characterized in that the judgment means obtains the number of times the recording means is to be relatively scanned over the unit area based on recording mode information for recording an image on the (n+1)th page of a recording medium.

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