Recording device, control method, and program

Abstract

To provide a technique that can obtain appropriate driving pulse, when performing recording using a nozzle arranged away from a temperature detection element, after recording using a nozzle arranged close to the temperature detection element.SOLUTION: After first recording in which recording is performed using a first group constituted of nozzles whose distances to detection means are less than a first predetermined value in a nozzle row in which a plurality of nozzles for discharging ink are arranged, when subsequently second recording, in which recording is performed using a second group constituted of the nozzles whose distances to detection means are below the first predetermined value and above a second predetermined value in the nozzle row, is executed, first driving pulse in the first recording is determined using a first temperature detected by the detection means when performing the first recording. Further, second driving pulse in the second recording is determined using a second temperature corresponding to the temperatures of the nozzles in the second group derived on the basis of the first temperature.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing apparatus that prints by ejecting ink onto a printing medium, a control method for the printing apparatus, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Inkjet recording devices are known that use thermal energy from heaters or other heat generating elements to eject ink from a recording head to record an image on a recording medium. For such inkjet recording devices, Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose techniques for suppressing mist and image defects that occur when ink is ejected.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for performing division control that changes the number of times (number of passes) a print head scans a unit print area on a print medium according to image data. This division control increases the number of passes when printing a high-duty image that prints approximately 50 to 70% or more of the number of pixels that can be printed on the print medium, compared to when printing an image that is not high-duty. Patent Document 1 uses two-division control that divides one pass into two passes, printing using the upper half of the nozzle array of the print head during the first scan, and printing using the lower half of the nozzle array during the second scan.

[0004] Patent document 2 discloses a technology in which a temperature detection element for detecting the temperature of the print head (or ink) is provided at one end of a nozzle row in which nozzles that eject ink are arranged, and a drive pulse is controlled based on the temperature detected by the temperature detection element. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-7759 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-43636 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] As described above, in the divided control applied when printing high-duty images, printing is performed by dividing the nozzle array into upper and lower sections, as in Patent Document 1. As a result, the nozzle array ejects ink locally at a high duty, resulting in a temperature distribution in the nozzle array. Therefore, when a temperature detection element is provided at one end of the nozzle array in the print head, as in Patent Document 2, there is a risk of a discrepancy between the average temperature of the nozzles ejecting ink and the temperature detected by the temperature detection element.

[0007] Specifically, when printing using nozzles near the temperature detection element in the first scan under two-division control and nozzles farther from the temperature detection element in the second scan, the temperature near the nozzles used in the second scan barely rises at the start of the second scan. However, the temperature detected by the temperature detection element is higher after printing in the first scan than the temperature near the nozzles used in the second scan. For this reason, if drive pulses are set according to the temperature of the temperature detection element, drive pulses that are inappropriate for the nozzles used in the second scan will be selected, resulting in a difference in density of the printed image between the first and second scans.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a technique that can appropriately set a drive pulse according to the distance from a temperature detection element. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to achieve the above object, a printing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention has a nozzle array in which a plurality of nozzles that eject ink onto a printing medium are arranged, and includes printing means that moves relatively to the printing medium in a direction intersecting the direction in which the nozzles are arranged, detection means that detects the temperature of the printing means, and determination means that determines a drive pulse for ejecting ink based on the temperature of the printing means, and after a first printing operation that prints using a first group of nozzles in the nozzle array whose distance to the detection means is less than a first predetermined value, a determination means that determines a drive pulse for ejecting ink based on the temperature of the printing means is a value the nozzles equal to or greater than a second predetermined value and the nozzles whose distance to the detecting means is up to a third predetermined value that is greater than the first predetermined value. When a second recording is performed using a second group consisting of 1 Record of later than The temperature detected by the detection means detected before the first recording without using The determination is characterized by using a second temperature. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, the drive pulse can be set appropriately depending on the distance from the temperature detection element. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a recording head. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a recording control system of the recording apparatus. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a flow of temperature detection in a temperature control circuit. [Figure 5] FIG. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart showing detailed processing contents of a recording process. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a mask pattern. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the verification results of a verification experiment. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart showing detailed processing contents of a recording process. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the verification results of a verification experiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining four-division control. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Hereinafter, examples of embodiments of a recording device, a control method, and a program will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the present invention, and not all of the combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the solutions of the present invention. Furthermore, the relative positions, shapes, etc. of the components described in the embodiments are merely examples, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention to those alone.

[0013] (First embodiment) First, a recording apparatus according to a first embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 8. Figure 1(a) is a schematic diagram of the recording apparatus according to the embodiment. Figure 1(b) is a side view of the recording apparatus. The recording apparatus 100 in Figure 1 is an inkjet recording apparatus that uses an inkjet method to eject ink onto a sheet-like recording medium S for recording.

[0014] The recording device 100 includes a transport unit 102 that transports a recording medium S and a recording unit 104 that records on the transported recording medium S. The transport unit 102 includes a transport roller 106 that extends in the width direction (X direction) of the transported recording medium S, and a pinch roller 108 that is in pressure contact with the transport roller 106 and is driven by the transport roller 106. The recording medium S is sandwiched between the transport roller 106 and the pinch roller 108 and transported in the Y direction that intersects (orthogonal to) the X direction (in this embodiment). The transport unit 102 also includes a spur 110 that presses down on the recording medium S transported by the transport roller 106, and a discharge roller 112 that discharges the recording medium S pressed down by the spur 110. That is, in the transport unit 102, the transport roller 106 and the pinch roller 108 are located upstream of the spur 110 and the discharge roller 112 in the transport direction of the recording medium S.

[0015] The recording unit 104 includes a platen 114 that supports the recording medium S being conveyed between a conveyance roller 106 and a discharge roller 112, and a recording head 116 that has a recording chip 122 (described later) disposed opposite the platen 114. The recording head 116 is configured to be able to move back and forth in the X direction via a carriage 118. A belt 120 is connected to the carriage 118, and the recording head 116 is configured to move by this belt 120. When not recording or when a recovery process is performed on the recording head 116, the recording head 116 is positioned at a home position H provided at one end in the X direction.

[0016] In this embodiment, the recording device 100 is configured to eject ink from the recording head 116 that moves in the X direction relative to the recording medium S that is transported in the Y direction, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, it is sufficient if the recording head and the recording medium S are capable of moving relative to each other in a direction that intersects with the nozzle arrangement direction, and one of them may be fixed.

[0017] The print head 116 receives ink supply from an ink tank (not shown) that stores ink via a tube (not shown). In this embodiment, the print head 116 is configured to eject, for example, black (Bk) ink, cyan (C) ink, magenta (M) ink, and yellow (Y) ink. The print head 116 also includes a print chip 122 that is provided at a position corresponding to the platen 114 when mounted on the carriage 118. The print chip 122 includes a print chip 122a on which a plurality of nozzles that eject Bk ink are arranged, and a print chip 122b on which a plurality of nozzles that eject each of the C ink, M ink, and Y ink are arranged (see FIG. 2(b)).

[0018] The configuration of the print head 116 will now be described with reference to Figure 2. Figure 2(a) is a perspective view of the print head 116. Figure 2(b) is a diagram of the chip surface on which the print chips 122 of the print head 116 are provided. Figure 2(c) is a diagram showing the nozzle rows of the print chip 122a. Figure 2(d) is a diagram showing the nozzle rows of the print chip 122b.

[0019] The printhead 116 receives a print signal from the main body of the printing apparatus 100 via the contact pad 202, and is supplied with the power required to drive the printhead 116.

[0020] The recording chip 122a is formed with a nozzle row 204 in which a plurality of nozzles for ejecting Bk ink are arranged in the Y direction. The recording chip 122b is formed with a nozzle row 206 in which a plurality of nozzles for ejecting C ink are arranged in the Y direction. The recording chip 122b is also formed with a nozzle row 208 in which a plurality of nozzles for ejecting M ink are arranged in the Y direction. The recording chip 122b is also formed with a nozzle row 210 in which a plurality of nozzles for ejecting Y ink are arranged in the Y direction.

[0021] The print chip 122a is provided with a diode sensor (Di sensor) 212 that detects the temperature of the print head 116, at one end of the nozzle row 204 in the Y direction. The print chip 122b is provided with a Di sensor 214 that detects the temperature of the print head 116, at one end of the nozzle row 210 in the Y direction. The Di sensors 212 and 214 are located downstream of the print chips 122a and 122b in the transport direction of the print medium S.

[0022] The print chips 122a and 122b are respectively provided with sub-heaters 216 and 218 for heating ink. The sub-heaters 216 and 218 heat or do not heat the print head substrate depending on whether or not a voltage is applied.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 2(c), the nozzle array 204 of the recording chip 122a has ejection ports 222 formed on both sides of a liquid chamber 220 extending in the Y direction. Ink ejection heaters 224 are arranged at positions corresponding to each ejection port 222, directly below (on the +Z direction side) in this embodiment. The nozzle array 204 has 1,280 ejection ports 222. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2(d), the nozzle arrays 206, 208, and 210 of the recording chip 122b each have ejection ports 228 formed on both sides of a liquid chamber 226 extending in the Y direction. Ink ejection heaters 230 are arranged at positions corresponding to each ejection port 228, directly below in this embodiment. The nozzle arrays 206, 208, and 210 each have 512 ejection ports 228.

[0024] When a voltage is applied to the heaters 224, 230, they generate heat, generating bubbles in the ink in the liquid chambers 220, 226, causing ink to be ejected from the corresponding nozzles. The nozzle arrays 204, 206, 208, and 210 are assigned serial numbers such as 0, 1, 2, ... in order from the side where the Di sensors 212, 214 are located toward the -Y direction. The spacing between the ejection ports 222 in the nozzle array 204 and the spacing between the ejection ports 228 in the nozzle arrays 206, 208, and 210 are each 1 / 1200 inch. Therefore, in the nozzle arrays 204, 206, 208, and 210, the ejection ports 222, 228 and the heaters 224, 230 form nozzles as components for ejecting ink from the ejection ports 222, 228.

[0025] Next, the configuration of the recording control system of the recording device 100 will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the recording control system of the recording device 100. The recording device 100 is connected to a host computer 302. The host computer 302 transmits to the recording device 100 multi-valued image data in a bitmap format, in which each pixel has a value (e.g., 0 to 255) for three RGB channels, which is stored in various storage media (not shown), such as a hard disk or memory. In this embodiment, the host computer 302 transmits the multi-valued image data to the recording device 100 using an application 304. The host computer 302 may process multi-valued image data input from an external device, such as a scanner or digital camera, using the application 304, and then output the processed image data to the recording device 100.

[0026] The printing apparatus 100 performs image processing on image data input from the host computer 302 using the MPU 306, ASIC 308, etc. Specifically, the input multi-value image data is subjected to binarization processing and mask processing in the MPU 306 or ASIC 308, etc. As a result, the printing apparatus 100 generates print data in a binary bitmap format for each pixel, which indicates whether or not ink is to be ejected from the print head 116.

[0027] Based on the generated print data, the printing device 100 prints an image by ejecting ink from the print head 116 onto the print medium S. The printing device 100 is controlled by the MPU 306 in accordance with a program stored in the ROM 310. The RAM 312 functions as a work area for the MPU 306 and a temporary data storage area.

[0028] The MPU 306 controls, via the ASIC 308, a carriage driver 314 for driving the carriage 118 and a transport driver 316 for driving the transport rollers 106 and discharge rollers 112 in the transport unit 102. The MPU 306 also controls, via the ASIC 308, a recovery driver 318 that controls a configuration for performing recovery processing on the print head 116. The MPU 306 also controls, via the ASIC 308, a head control circuit 320 for driving the print head 116, a temperature control circuit 322 for controlling the temperature of the print head 116, and an interface 324.

[0029] The configuration for performing recovery processing is a configuration for maintaining and restoring a good state of ink ejection from the ejection ports 222, 228. Specifically, known configurations can be applied, such as a cap that protects the chip surface on which the print chip 122 of the print head 116 is provided, a suction device that reduces the pressure inside the cap to forcibly suck ink from the nozzles, and a wiper that wipes the chip surface. The recovery drive unit 318 is a drive unit that drives these components, and may be provided with a drive system such as a motor for each component, or may be provided with a drive system shared by multiple components.

[0030] The generated print data is temporarily stored in a print buffer 326 connected to the ASIC 308. A mask buffer 328 is also connected to the ASIC 308. The mask buffer 328 temporarily stores a plurality of mask patterns to be applied when transferring the print data to the print head 116. The stored mask patterns are used when executing a print mode in which printing is performed by a so-called multi-pass printing method, in which ejection is performed by multiple scans of the print head 116 on a unit print area on the print medium S, or when executing division control. Note that various mask patterns that can be stored in the mask buffer 328 are pre-stored in ROM 310, and the appropriate mask pattern is read from ROM 310 and stored in the mask buffer 328 during actual printing.

[0031] In this embodiment, the printing device 100 is capable of printing on a printing medium S up to A4 size (8.27 inches x 11.69 inches), and the printing resolution in the X direction is 600 dpi. In this embodiment, the printing rate when two dots are arranged in a 600 dpi x 600 dpi grid is defined as 100% duty. In the case of the print head 116, the nozzle resolution in the Y direction is 1200 dpi, so if one nozzle arranges one dot in a 600 dpi x 600 dpi grid, the duty will be 100%.

[0032] The temperature control circuit 322 determines the drive conditions for the sub-heaters 216, 218 of the print chip 122 based on the output values ​​of the Di sensors 212, 214 that detect the temperature of the print head 116. The head control circuit 320 then drives the sub-heaters 216, 218 based on the determined drive conditions. The head control circuit 320 also drives the heaters 224, 230 in the print head 116.

[0033] The head control circuit 320 drives the sub-heaters 216, 218 and heaters 224, 230, thereby performing preliminary ejection, ink ejection, and head temperature adjustment for temperature control in the print head 116. Programs for executing temperature control are stored in, for example, ROM 310. These programs cause the head control circuit 320 and temperature control circuit 322 to detect the temperature of the print head 116 and drive the sub-heaters 216, 218. The head control circuit 320 also performs PWM control by driving the heaters 224, 230 with a drive signal (drive pulse) consisting of a pre-pulse and a main pulse in accordance with the temperature of the print head 116.

[0034] Next, the flow of temperature detection of the printhead 116 by the temperature control circuit 322 will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the flow of temperature detection by the temperature control circuit 322. When a voltage based on the temperature of the printhead 116 is input from the Di sensors 212, 214 of the printhead 116 to the temperature control circuit 322, the input voltage value is first amplified by an amplifier 402. The voltage value amplified by the amplifier 402 is digitized by an analog-to-digital converter (AD converter) 404. The voltage value ADdi from the Di sensors 212, 214 digitized by the AD converter 404 is converted to a temperature Th by a temperature conversion unit 406. The temperature conversion unit 406 converts the voltage value ADdi to a temperature Th using an ADdi-to-temperature conversion formula stored in the ROM 310. The converted temperature Th is output to a head temperature detection unit 408.

[0035] The temperature Th detected by the head temperature detection unit 408 is output to the head control circuit 320, which determines the drive pulses for driving the heaters 224, 230 that eject ink based on this temperature Th. FIG. 5 shows a correspondence table between the temperature of the print head 116 (print chip 122) and the drive pulses used when determining the drive pulses executed by the head control circuit 320. The head control circuit 320 first determines the drive pulse number based on the input temperature Th using the correspondence table 500 shown in FIG. 5. This correspondence table 500 is stored in, for example, the ROM 310. Note that the head control circuit 320 is not limited to using the input temperature Th as is, and may determine the drive pulse number based on a value obtained by correcting the temperature Th.

[0036] The determined drive pulse numbers are stored in RAM 312 as appropriate. Then, the head control circuit 320 drives the heaters 224, 230 based on the pre-pulse and main pulse associated with the drive pulse numbers. The relationship between the drive pulse numbers and the pre-pulse and main pulse is stored in a storage area such as the ASIC 308, ROM 310, or RAM 312. In the correspondence table 500, the drive pulse numbers are set so that the lower the temperature Th, the stronger the drive pulse, that is, the drive pulse with a large pulse width or high pulse voltage.

[0037] A case where printing is performed on a printing medium using the printing apparatus 100 described above will now be described. When a command to start printing is input from the host computer 302 or an operation unit (not shown) provided on the printing apparatus 100, the printing apparatus 100 starts a printing process for printing on the printing medium S. In this embodiment, the printing apparatus 100 determines the number of passes for a unit printing area on the printing medium, i.e., the number of passes to print on the unit printing area, based on a combination of information regarding the type and print quality of the printing medium S. Note that various known techniques can be applied to determining the number of passes. Note that in this embodiment, the unit printing area is an area that can be printed in one scan of the print head 116 in the X direction, and corresponds to the length in the arrangement direction of the nozzle array in the printing chip 122.

[0038] In the following explanation, a case where a one-pass image is printed using two-division control for printing on a unit printing area will be described. Note that in this embodiment, similar processing is executed for the printing chips 122a and 122b, so the following explanation will focus on the processing on the printing chip 122b.

[0039] Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing the detailed processing contents of the recording process executed by the recording device according to this embodiment. The series of processes shown in the flowchart in Fig. 6 are performed by the MPU 306 expanding program code stored in ROM 310 into RAM 312 and executing it. Alternatively, some or all of the functions of the steps in Fig. 6 may be performed by hardware such as an ASIC or an electric circuit. Note that the symbol S in the description of each process indicates a step in the flowchart.

[0040] When the printing process begins, the MPU 306 first sets a variable m, which represents the unit printing area to be printed, to 1 (S600), and the temperature control circuit 322 detects the temperature T of the print head 116 based on the detection result from the Di sensor 214 (S602). In this manner, in this embodiment, the temperature control circuit 322 functions as a detection unit that detects the temperature of the print head 116. The Di sensor 214 may also be included in this detection unit. The MPU 306 then acquires print data for the mth unit printing area (S604). Next, the MPU 306 counts the number of dots for each of the C ink, M ink, and Y ink, and the image width W (length in the X direction) in the acquired print data, and calculates the duty for each color ink by dividing the number of dots by the image width W (S606). In this manner, in this embodiment, the MPU 306 functions as an acquisition unit that acquires information about the ink ejected in the unit printing area.

[0041] Thereafter, the MPU 306 determines whether at least one of the calculated duties for the C ink, M ink, and Y ink is equal to or greater than a threshold value Dth (S608). The threshold value Dth is a value used to determine division control, and is stored in advance in the ROM 310. If the ink duty is equal to or greater than the threshold value Dth, it is determined to be a high duty, which means that a large amount of mist is generated during one-pass printing, making it more likely that image defects will occur due to the mist. On the other hand, if the ink duty is less than the threshold value Dth, it is determined to be a duty with little risk of image defects occurring.

[0042] If it is determined in S608 that at least one of the duties of the C ink, M ink, and Y ink is not equal to or greater than the threshold value Dth, that is, that all of the duties are less than the threshold value Dth, the head control circuit 320 determines the drive pulse P (S610). Then, one pass of printing is performed based on the determined drive pulse P (S612), and then it is determined whether or not there is print data for the next unit printing area (S614). If it is determined in S614 that there is print data for the next unit printing area, the MPU 306 increments m (S615) and returns to S602. If it is determined in S614 that there is no print data for the next unit printing area, this printing process ends.

[0043] That is, if it is determined in S608 that all of the ink duties are less than the threshold Dth, the ink duties are determined to be duties that are unlikely to cause image defects or the like. Therefore, in S610 and S612, normal one-pass printing, that is, printing without division control, is performed based on the print data acquired in S604. In S610, the head control circuit 320 acquires a drive pulse number based on the temperature T acquired in S602 and the correspondence table 500. Then, it acquires a pre-pulse and a main pulse associated with the acquired drive pulse number. In S612, one-pass printing is performed based on the pre-pulse and main pulse acquired in S610.

[0044] On the other hand, if it is determined in S608 that at least one of the duties of the C ink, M ink, and Y ink is equal to or greater than the threshold value Dth, the printing apparatus 100 performs printing based on the print data acquired in S604 using division control with a mask. That is, if at least one of the duties of each color ink is equal to or greater than the threshold value Dth, it is determined that there is a risk of image defects occurring due to high duty, and division control is performed to prevent such image defects. As described above, in this embodiment, the MPU 306 functions as a setting unit that sets whether normal printing or division control printing is to be performed, that is, that sets the number of scans of the print head 116 involved in printing. Specifically, in this embodiment, the setting unit sets either one scan (first number) for normal printing or two scans (second number) for division control.

[0045] Here, the mask patterns used in the division control will be explained. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing the mask patterns used in this embodiment, and each mask pattern is assigned to the print data printed by the nozzle arrays 206, 208, and 210. Fig. 7(a) is a diagram showing pattern A used during the first scan under division control, and Fig. 7(b) is a diagram showing pattern B used during the second scan under division control.

[0046] Pattern A uses the nozzles on the nozzle number 0 side, i.e., the first group of nozzles (nozzles with nozzle numbers 0 to 255) close to the Di sensor 214, and does not use the second group of nozzles (nozzles with nozzle numbers 256 to 511) far from the Di sensor 214. Note that in FIGS. 7(a) and 7(b), the first group is made up of nozzles with nozzle numbers 0 to 255 and the second group is made up of nozzles with numbers 256 to 511, but this merely shows an example of the nozzles in the first and second groups. In other words, the nozzles in the first and second groups are not limited to the nozzles shown in FIGS. 7(a) and 7(b). Pattern B uses the nozzles in the third group, which is a part of the nozzles in the first group, and also uses the nozzles in the second group.

[0047] While patterns A and B each have 12 pixels in the X direction (the direction of the image width), in this embodiment, patterns A and B are repeated in the X direction for the width of the image. In this specification, "nozzles close to the Di sensor" and "nozzles near the Di sensor" refer to nozzles located at a distance from the Di sensor that is less than a predetermined value. Furthermore, "nozzles far from the Di sensor" and "nozzles distant from the Di sensor" refer to nozzles located at a distance from the Di sensor that is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. Therefore, in patterns A and B in FIGS. 7(a) and 7(b), a first group of nozzles in a nozzle row is shown as a first group, and a second group of nozzles is shown as a second group, and the second group is shown as a second group.

[0048] Generally, when printing at high duty, "edge deviation" occurs, where the ejection direction at the end of the nozzle row deviates toward the inside of the nozzle row. In other words, when split control is performed at high duty, the duty of the printing portions of the first scan and the second scan is high, so edge deviation occurs in each printing portion, and white streaks appear at the boundary between them, which may result in a decrease in image quality.

[0049] Therefore, in this embodiment, to suppress degradation of image quality due to edge warping, in pattern B, ink is ejected to some pixels of some nozzles at the boundary of the pattern in both the first and second scans. In this embodiment, the number of some nozzles is specified as two nozzles in one nozzle row (512 nozzles), and the number of some pixels is specified as half of all pixels. Specifically, in pattern B, nozzles with nozzle numbers 254 and 255 in the first group are configured to eject ink to every other pixel in the X direction. Therefore, in pattern A, ink is ejected from a group of nozzles (first group) whose distance to the Di sensor is less than a first predetermined value. In pattern B, ink is ejected from a group of nozzles (second group) whose distance to the Di sensor is equal to or greater than a second predetermined value but less than the first predetermined value. Note that the number of nozzles and pixels in the first group used in pattern B are not limited to these and can be changed as appropriate. Furthermore, if the print chip is one in which edge warping is minor, the first group may not be used in pattern B.

[0050] Returning to FIG. 6, if it is determined in S608 that at least one of the duties of each color ink is equal to or greater than the threshold value Dth, the MPU 306 determines whether or not this is the first scan of the division control (S616). That is, in S616, it is determined whether or not printing by the scan to be executed next is the first scan in the unit printing area. If this is the first scan, the nozzle group used in this scan is close to the Di sensor 214. On the other hand, if this is not the first scan, the nozzle group used in this scan is far from the Di sensor 214. Furthermore, if this is not the first scan, a temperature distribution has occurred in the print chip 122b due to printing executed in the scan prior to this scan, i.e., the scan that involved printing one scan before this scan.

[0051] Therefore, when it is determined in S616 that the first scan is being performed, the head control circuit 320 uses the temperature T acquired in S602 to determine the drive pulse P to be used for printing in the first scan (S618). That is, if the nozzle group used for printing is close to the Di sensor 214, the difference between the average temperature of the nozzle group and the temperature T acquired in S602 will be relatively small. Therefore, in S618, a drive pulse number is acquired based on the temperature T (first temperature) acquired in S602 and the correspondence table 500. Then, the pre-pulse and main pulse associated with the acquired drive pulse number are determined as the drive pulse P (first drive pulse) to be used for printing during the first scan. In this way, in this embodiment, the head control circuit 320 functions as a determination unit that determines the drive pulse for ejecting ink from the print head 116 based on the temperature detected by the Di sensor.

[0052] Next, the head control circuit 320 records an image in which pattern A is applied to an image (one-pass image) in the unit recording area based on the drive pulse P determined in S618 (S620), and the MPU 306 stores the temperature T obtained in S602 in the RAM 312 (S622). The MPU 306 then determines whether recording by division control in the unit recording area has ended (S624). That is, in S624, it determines whether the most recent recording was recording by the second scan using division control. If it was recording by the first scan, it determines that recording by division control in the unit recording area has not ended; if it was recording by the second scan, it determines that recording by division control in the unit recording area has ended.

[0053] If it is determined in S624 that recording under division control in the unit recording area has ended, the process proceeds to S614. If it is determined in S624 that recording under division control in the unit recording area has not ended, the process returns to S616.

[0054] On the other hand, if it is determined in S616 that the scan is the second scan, the head control circuit 320 sets the temperature T used in the first scan, stored in RAM 312 in S622, as the temperature Tn used to determine the drive pulse P (S626). Here, during the second scan, a temperature distribution occurs in the print chip 122b due to the printing performed during the first scan. Furthermore, because the nozzle group used in the first scan is close to the Di sensor 214, it is highly likely that the temperature detected by the Di sensor 214 immediately before the second scan deviates from the average temperature of the nozzle group used in the second scan. Experiments conducted by the inventors of the present application have shown that the average temperature of the nozzle group used in the second scan is closer to the temperature detected by the Di sensor 214 immediately before the first scan than to the temperature detected by the Di sensor 214 immediately before the second scan after printing by the first scan.

[0055] Therefore, in S626, the temperature T used in the recording in the first scan (first recording) is used as the temperature Tn used to determine the drive pulse P for the recording in the second scan (second recording). After setting the temperature Tn (second temperature) for determining the drive pulse P in S626, the head control circuit 320 then determines the drive pulse P for the second scan using the set temperature Tn (S628). That is, in S628, the head control circuit 320 obtains a drive pulse number based on the temperature Tn set in S626 and the correspondence table 500. The MPU 306 then determines the pre-pulse and main pulse associated with the obtained drive pulse number as the drive pulse P (second drive pulse) to be used for recording in the second scan. Thereafter, the MPU 306 records an image in which pattern B is applied to the 1st-pass image based on the drive pulse P determined in S628 (S630), and proceeds to S624.

[0056] Here, the results of a verification experiment that verified the effects of this embodiment will be described. Fig. 8 is a diagram showing the verification results of the verification experiment of this embodiment. Figs. 8(a) and (b) are diagrams showing the verification results of a comparative example to which the technology according to this embodiment is not applied, and Figs. 8(c) and (d) are diagrams showing the verification results of an example to which the technology according to this embodiment is applied.

[0057] In this verification experiment, the same print head 116 was used in both the comparative example and the example, and a uniform high-duty image across the print width was used as the print image. The print image was also printed using two-division control. An image with pattern A applied was printed in the first scan, and an image with pattern B applied in the second scan. In the comparative example, a drive pulse was acquired for the first scan using the temperature detected by the Di sensor during the first scan, and a drive pulse was acquired for the second scan using the temperature detected by the Di sensor during the second scan. In the example, a drive pulse was acquired for the first scan using the temperature detected by the Di sensor during the first scan, and a drive pulse was acquired for the second scan using the temperature detected by the Di sensor during the second scan. The timing for detecting the temperature using the Di sensor was actually before (just before) a scan involving printing was performed by the print head 116.

[0058] As shown in FIGS. 8(a) and 8(c), in both the comparative example and the example, the temperature T detected by the Di sensor during the second scan is 10°C higher than the average temperature of the nozzle group used in the second scan due to the influence of the printing during the first scan. In the comparative example, the drive pulse P is set using the detected temperature T, resulting in a drive pulse that is weaker than the average temperature of the nozzle group used (see FIG. 8(a)). As a result, the printing during the second scan is lighter than the printing during the first scan, resulting in unevenness (see FIG. 8(b)). In contrast, in the example, the drive pulse P is set using the temperature detected by the Di sensor during the first scan, rather than the detected temperature T, so it is possible to set a drive pulse P appropriate for the average temperature of the nozzle group used (see FIG. 8(c)). As a result, the printing during the first scan and the printing during the second scan are printed at the same density, without unevenness (see FIG. 8(d)).

[0059] As described above, the recording device 100 performs two-division control for each unit recording area, performing a first recording using nozzles in the nozzle array that are close to the Di sensor, followed by a second recording using nozzles in the nozzle array that are farther from the Di sensor. The first drive pulse used in the first recording is determined using the temperature detected by the Di sensor, and the second drive pulse used in the second recording is determined using the temperature used when determining the first drive pulse. This allows the recording device 100 to determine an appropriate drive pulse when determining the second drive pulse to be used in the second recording, without being affected by the temperature distribution caused by the first recording, which is the immediately preceding recording.

[0060] (Second embodiment) Next, a recording apparatus according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 9 and 10. In the following description, the same or corresponding components as those in the recording apparatus according to the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals as those used in the first embodiment, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0061] In the first embodiment, when printing using two-division control, the drive pulse for printing by the second scan is determined using the temperature used when determining the drive pulse for printing by the first scan. In contrast, in the second embodiment, when printing using nozzles farther from the Di sensor after printing using nozzles near the Di sensor, the drive pulse is determined using a value obtained by correcting the temperature detected by the Di sensor.

[0062] In the recording process of this embodiment, similar processing is performed on the recording chips 122a and 122b, so the following explanation will focus on the processing performed on the recording chip 122b. Furthermore, in the recording process of this embodiment, recording is performed in one pass on each unit recording area regardless of the duty. Figure 9 is a flowchart showing the detailed processing content of the recording process performed by the recording device according to the second embodiment. The series of processes shown in the flowchart of Figure 9 are performed by the MPU 306 expanding program code stored in ROM 310 into RAM 312 and executing the program code. Alternatively, some or all of the functions of the steps in Figure 9 may be performed by hardware such as an ASIC or electrical circuit.

[0063] When the recording process starts, first, the MPU 306 sets a variable m, which indicates the unit recording area to be recorded, to 1 (S902), and the temperature control circuit 322 detects the temperature T of the recording chip 122b using the Di sensor 214 (S904). Then, the MPU 306 acquires recording data for the mth unit recording area (S906). Note that the specific processing contents of S902 to S906 are the same as those of S600 to S604 above.

[0064] Next, the MPU 306 identifies the positions of the nozzles to be used for printing based on the print data acquired in S906 (S908). In S908, the identified nozzle positions are stored in the RAM 312. The MPU 306 then determines whether printing based on the print data acquired in S906 is printing on the first unit printing area (S910). That is, in S910, it is determined whether m=1.

[0065] In S910, if m=1, that is, if it is determined that the printing based on the print data acquired in S906 is printing on the first unit printing area, the head control circuit 320 determines the drive pulse P using the temperature T detected in S904 (S912). The specific processing content of this S912 is the same as that of S610 above, so a detailed description thereof will be omitted. That is, if printing is on the first unit printing area, it is considered that there is almost no temperature distribution within the printing chip 122b. Therefore, it is considered that the average temperature of the nozzle group used in printing on the first unit printing area is approximately the same as the temperature T detected by the Di sensor 214, regardless of the distance from the Di sensor 214. Therefore, in S912, the temperature T detected in S904 is used as is.

[0066] Thereafter, the MPU 306 performs one-pass printing on the m-th unit recording area based on the determined drive pulse P (S914), and determines whether or not there is recording data for the next unit recording area (S916). If it is determined in S916 that there is recording data for the next unit recording area, the MPU 306 increments m (S918) and returns to S904. If it is determined in S916 that there is no recording data for the next unit recording area, this recording process ends.

[0067] On the other hand, if m is not 1 in S910, that is, if it is determined that the printing based on the print data obtained in S906 was not printing on the first unit printing area, the positions of all nozzles used in printing on the (m-1)th unit printing area are obtained (S920). That is, if it is determined in S910 that the printing was not on the first unit printing area, it is considered that a temperature distribution has occurred in the printing chip 122b due to printing on a unit printing area performed earlier. In other words, there is a possibility that a difference has occurred between the temperature T detected in S904 and the average temperature of the nozzle group used in printing on the mth unit printing area.

[0068] For this reason, first, in S920, the MPU 306 acquires the positions of all nozzles used in printing on the (m-1)th unit printing area, which are stored in the RAM 312. Next, the MPU 306 determines whether the positions of all nozzles acquired in S920 are farther than a first value from the Di sensor 214 (S922). In S922, the MPU 306 acquires the distance to the Di sensor 214 for all nozzles acquired in S920, and determines whether the acquired distance is greater than a preset first value.

[0069] Note that the distance of each nozzle from the Di sensor may be calculated based on information about the defined positions, for example, by defining the position of the Di sensor 214 and the position of each nozzle in the recording chip 122b using coordinate values ​​or the like. Alternatively, the distance from the Di sensor 214 may be stored for each nozzle. In this case, in S908, the nozzle is identified using the nozzle number or the like, and in S922, it is determined whether all of the nozzles are farther away from the Di sensor than the first value. Furthermore, the distance of each nozzle from the Di sensor may be, for example, the distance to the Di sensor of each nozzle in the Y direction. Alternatively, it may be the linear distance to the Di sensor of each nozzle.

[0070] The first value is set, for example, for each nozzle row, to half the distance from the Di sensor 214 to the nozzle located farthest from the nozzle, or to a value close to that value. The first value is not limited to the value described above, and is changed as appropriate depending on various conditions such as the configuration of the print chip 122. Specifically, the first value may be, for example, the distance from the Di sensor 214 to the boundary position between the first group and the second group in the first embodiment (see FIG. 7(a)).

[0071] If it is determined in S922 that the positions of all nozzles acquired in S920 are farther away from the Di sensor 214 by the first value or more, the process proceeds to S912, where subsequent processing is executed. That is, if the positions of all nozzles acquired in S920 are farther away from the Di sensor 214 by the first value or more, it is considered that nozzles used exist throughout the entire nozzle array. Therefore, it is considered that the temperature distribution within the print chip 122b when printing the m-th unit print area is relatively small. For this reason, it is determined that the difference between the average temperature of the nozzle group used in printing the m-th unit print area and the temperature detected by the Di sensor 214 when printing on that unit print area is also relatively small, and the process proceeds to S912.

[0072] On the other hand, if it is determined in S922 that the positions of all the nozzles acquired in S920 are not farther from the Di sensor 214 than the first value, it is then determined whether the positions of all the nozzles identified in S908 are farther from the Di sensor 214 than a second value (S924). If the distances to the Di sensor 214 of the positions of all the nozzles (used in the (m-1)th unit printing area) acquired in S920 are less than the first value, there is a possibility that a significant temperature distribution has occurred in the printing chip 122b. For this reason, in S924, the MPU 306 determines whether the positions of all the nozzles identified in S908, that is, the positions of the nozzles used in the mth unit printing area, are farther from the Di sensor 214 than the second value.

[0073] The second value may be the same as the first value, or may be a value that is, for example, several nozzles closer to the Di sensor 214 than the first value. Specifically, for example, the second value may be the distance from the boundary position between the first group and the second group to a nozzle that is two nozzles closer to the Di sensor 214 (see FIG. 7(b)).

[0074] If it is determined in S924 that the positions of all the nozzles identified in S908 are not far from the Di sensor 214 by the second value or more, the process proceeds to S912, where subsequent processing is executed. That is, if the distance to the Di sensor 214 of the positions of all the nozzles identified in S908 is less than the second value, the nozzle group near the Di sensor 214 is used for printing on the m-th unit printing area. Therefore, even if a temperature distribution occurs on the printing chip 122b, it is determined that the difference between the average temperature of the nozzle group used for printing on the m-th unit printing area and the temperature detected by the Di sensor 214 when printing on that unit printing area is also relatively small, and the process proceeds to S912.

[0075] On the other hand, if it is determined in S924 that the positions of all of the nozzles identified in S908 are farther away from the Di sensor 214 by the second value or more, the MPU 306 acquires a correction value Tofst (S926). If the positions of all of the nozzles identified in S908 are farther away from the Di sensor 214 by the second value or more, it is considered that the difference between the average temperature of the nozzle group used and the temperature detected by the Di sensor 214 is relatively large due to the temperature distribution occurring in the print chip 122b. In other words, it is considered that the difference between the average temperature of the nozzle group used in printing on the m-th unit printing area and the temperature detected by the Di sensor 214 when printing on the m-th unit printing area is relatively large. For this reason, in S926, a correction value Tofst is acquired as the difference between the average temperature of the nozzle group used in printing on the m-th unit printing area and the temperature T detected in S904.

[0076] The correction value Tofst is stored in the ROM 310 or the RAM 312. A value that takes into account the assumed temperature distribution within the print chip 122b is set as the correction value Tofst. Specifically, the correction value Tofst is a value experimentally determined from the relationship between the heat capacity, thermal conductivity, and temperature T of the print chip 122b and the components of the print head 116 where the print chip 122b is attached. The correction value Tofst is a value that indicates the difference between the average temperature of the nozzle group far from the Di sensor 214 and the temperature detected by the Di sensor 214 after printing with the nozzle group near the Di sensor 214, in accordance with the temperature distribution. For example, if the nozzle group is divided into a first group and a second group, the correction value Tofst is a value that indicates the difference between the average temperature of the nozzle group of the second group and the temperature detected by the Di sensor 214, in accordance with the assumed temperature distribution.

[0077] After the correction value Tofst is acquired in S926, the drive pulse P for recording in the m-th unit recording area is determined using the acquired correction value Tofst (S928), and the process proceeds to S914, where recording is performed in the m-th unit recording area based on the determined drive pulse P. That is, in S928, first, the correction value Tofst and the temperature T detected in S904 are added together to obtain the temperature Tnew, and a drive pulse number is obtained based on this temperature Tnew and the correspondence table 500. Then, the pre-pulse and main pulse associated with the acquired drive pulse number are determined as the drive pulse P to be used when recording in the m-th unit recording area.

[0078] Here, the results of a verification experiment conducted by the inventors of the present application to verify the effects of this embodiment will be described. Fig. 10 is a diagram showing the verification results of the verification experiment of this embodiment. Figs. 10(a) and (b) are diagrams showing the verification results of a comparative example to which the technology according to this embodiment is not applied, and Figs. 10(c) and (d) are diagrams showing the verification results of an example to which the technology according to this embodiment is applied.

[0079] In this verification experiment, the same print head 116 was used in both the comparative example and the example. Furthermore, a high-duty image was printed in one pass on a first unit printing area using a nozzle group whose distance from the Di sensor 214 was less than a first value. The print medium S was then transported a distance corresponding to the length of the unit printing area in the Y direction, and a high-duty image was printed in one pass on a second unit printing area using a nozzle group whose distance from the Di sensor 214 was equal to or greater than a second value. The print medium S was then transported a distance corresponding to the length of the unit printing area in the Y direction, and a high-duty image was printed in one pass on a third unit printing area using a nozzle group whose distance from the Di sensor 214 was less than the first value. In the printing device 100, after printing on a predetermined unit printing area is completed, the print medium S is transported in the Y direction by the Y-direction length of the nozzle array.

[0080] 10(a) and 10(c), in both the comparative example and the working example, the temperature T of the Di sensor 214 when printing on the second unit printing area is affected by printing on the first unit printing area. As a result, the temperature T is 10°C higher than the average temperature of the nozzle group used when printing on the second unit printing area. The temperature T measured by the Di sensor 214 when printing on the first and third unit printing areas is approximately the same as the average temperature of the nozzle group used for printing. Therefore, when printing on the first and third unit printing areas, the temperature T measured by the Di sensor 214 can be used to select an appropriate drive pulse.

[0081] On the other hand, in the comparative example, when recording on the second unit recording area, the drive pulse P is set according to the temperature T measured by the Di sensor 214, so a weak drive pulse P is selected relative to the average temperature of the nozzle group used for recording (see FIG. 10(a)). Therefore, as shown in FIG. 10(b), the recording result on the second unit recording area is lighter in density than the recording result on the adjacent third unit recording area, resulting in unevenness. In contrast, in the example, the temperature used to determine the drive pulse P for recording on the second unit recording area is the sum of the temperature T measured by the Di sensor 214 and the correction value Tofst. Therefore, an appropriate drive pulse P can be selected relative to the average temperature of the nozzle group used for recording (see FIG. 10(c)). As a result, as shown in FIG. 10(d), the recording result on the second unit recording area and the recording result on the adjacent third unit recording area have the same density, resulting in no unevenness.

[0082] As described above, when printing a unit printing area in one pass, the printing apparatus 100 according to this embodiment acquires the position of the first nozzle used in that unit printing area and the position of the second nozzle used in the previous unit printing area. Then, when the distance between the position of the second nozzle and the Di sensor is less than a first value and the distance between the position of the first nozzle and the Di sensor is equal to or greater than a second value, it acquires a correction value Tofst. Then, it determines a drive pulse using a temperature obtained by adding the correction value Tofst and the temperature T detected by the Di sensor, and performs printing based on the determined drive pulse.

[0083] As a result, when recording on a predetermined unit recording area, the drive pulse for the nozzle group that is less affected by the temperature distribution caused by recording on the immediately preceding unit recording area can be determined using the temperature T corrected by the correction value Tofst. As a result, in the recording device 100, even if the nozzles used for recording are far from the Di sensor, the drive pulse can be determined appropriately.

[0084] As described above, in the recording device 100, after performing a first recording on a certain unit recording area using nozzles in the nozzle array that are close to the sensor, when performing a second recording on the next unit recording area using nozzles in the nozzle array that are far from the sensor, the following is done. The second drive pulse to be used in the second recording is determined using a temperature (second temperature) obtained by correcting the temperature detected by the Di sensor with the correction value Tofst. Note that the first drive pulse to be used in the first recording is determined using the temperature detected by the Di sensor (first temperature). In this way, when determining the second drive pulse to be used in the second recording performed after the first recording, the recording device 100 can determine an appropriate drive pulse without being affected by the temperature distribution caused by the first recording.

[0085] (Other embodiments) The above embodiment may be modified as shown in the following (1) to (8).

[0086] (1) In the first embodiment, the printing process determines whether to perform printing using divided control based on the duty of each color of ink. However, the criteria for this determination are not limited to the duty. That is, the determination as to whether to perform printing using divided control may be based on the number of dots of each color of ink counted in S606. In this case, if it is determined that the number of dots of each color of ink is equal to or greater than the number of dots set as a threshold, it is determined that printing using divided control is to be performed. The threshold may be different for each nozzle row.

[0087] (2) In the first embodiment, in the printing process, when at least one of the duties of each color of ink exceeds a threshold value Dth in S608, it is determined that printing should be performed using divided control. However, this is not limited to this. For example, it is also possible to add up the duties or dot counts of each color of ink, and when the sum is equal to or greater than a set threshold, it is determined that printing should be performed using divided control. When the sum is less than the threshold, it is determined that printing should be performed without divided control. This makes it possible to reduce the power consumption of the print head 116 associated with printing.

[0088] (3) In the first embodiment, the number of dots of each color of ink is counted for the entire unit printing area, but this is not limited to this. For example, the unit printing area may be divided into a predetermined number of pixels in the width direction of the image, and each divided area may be counted. This makes it possible to reduce the power consumption of the print head 116 for a time range shorter than the time required for one scan.

[0089] (4) In the first embodiment, the temperature T during the first scan is stored in RAM 312 in S622 during the recording process, but this is not limited to this. For example, S622 may store the drive pulse P used for recording during the first scan, i.e., the drive pulse P determined in S618. In this case, in S626, the drive pulse read from RAM 312 is set as the drive pulse used for recording during the second scan, and S628 is omitted, and the process proceeds to S630. Note that the drive pulse set as the drive pulse for the second scan is not limited to the drive pulse read from RAM 312, as long as it is substantially the same drive pulse.

[0090] (5) In the above embodiment, when determining the drive pulses in PWM control, a correspondence table 500 in which the temperature of the print head 116 is associated with the drive pulse number is used, but this is not limited to this. For example, a table in which the temperature of the print head 116 is associated with the pre-pulse length and the main pulse length may be used. Also, for example, a mathematical formula may be used that can calculate the drive pulse number using the temperature as a variable. Alternatively, a mathematical formula may be used that can calculate the pre-pulse length and the main pulse length using the temperature as a variable instead of the drive pulse number.

[0091] (6) In the first embodiment, during high-duty printing, printing is performed on a unit printing area using two scans (two-division control). However, this is not limiting. That is, during high-duty printing, printing may be performed on a unit printing area using three or more scans. For example, when using four-division control, that is, when printing on a unit printing area using four scans, the printing is performed as follows: In the first scan, printing is performed using the first nozzle group closest to the Di sensor (see FIG. 11(a)), and in the second scan, printing is performed using the second nozzle group next closest to the Di sensor (see FIG. 11(b)). In addition, in the third scan, printing is performed using the third nozzle group next closest to the Di sensor after the second nozzle group (see FIG. 11(c)), and in the fourth scan, printing is performed using the fourth nozzle group farthest from the Di sensor (see FIG. 11(d)). In such four-division control, for example, in the first and second scans, the drive pulses are determined using the temperatures detected by the Di sensor during printing by those scans. In the third and fourth scans, the drive pulses are determined using the temperatures used when determining the drive pulses in the first or second scan.

[0092] (7) In the first embodiment, normal printing involves one-pass printing, which prints a unit printing area with one scan, and high-duty printing involves two-division control, which prints a unit printing area with two scans, but this is not limited to this. Specifically, normal printing may involve N-pass printing, which prints a unit printing area with N scans, and high-duty printing may involve K-division control, which prints a unit printing area with K scans. N is an integer equal to or greater than 1, and K is an integer greater than N.

[0093] In this case, printing a unit printing area with K scans includes a first printing and a second printing. The first printing is performed using nozzles near the Di sensor and is based on a drive pulse determined using the temperature detected by the Di sensor. The second printing is performed using nozzles farther from the Di sensor and is based on a drive pulse determined using the temperature used when determining the drive pulse for the first printing.

[0094] (8) The above embodiment and the various aspects described in (1) to (7) above may be combined as appropriate. The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that realizes one or more functions of the above embodiment to a system or device via a network or a recording medium, and having one or more processors in the computer of the system or device read and execute the program. The present invention can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that realizes one or more functions. [Explanation of symbols]

[0095] 100 Recording device 116 Recording head 204, 206, 208, 210 nozzle rows 212, 214 Di sensors 306 MPU

Claims

1. a recording means having a nozzle row in which a plurality of nozzles for ejecting ink onto a recording medium are arranged, the recording means being moved relative to the recording medium in a direction intersecting the direction in which the nozzles are arranged; A detection means for detecting the temperature of the recording means; a determining means for determining a drive pulse for ejecting ink based on the temperature of the recording means; having When performing a first recording using a first group of nozzles in the nozzle row whose distance to the detection means is less than a first predetermined value, and a second recording using a second group of nozzles in the nozzle row whose distance to the detection means is equal to or greater than a second predetermined value that is equal to or less than the first predetermined value, and whose distance to the detection means is up to a third predetermined value that is greater than the first predetermined value, the determination means: determining a first driving pulse in the first recording using a first temperature detected by the detection means when the first recording is performed; A second driving pulse in the second recording is determined using a second temperature detected before the first recording, without using a temperature detected by the detection means after the first recording. A recording apparatus comprising:

2. 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second temperature is the first temperature.

3. an acquisition means for acquiring information indicating the number of ink droplets ejected in a predetermined area of ​​a unit recording area that corresponds to a length of the nozzle array in the arrangement direction and that can be recorded in one scan of the recording means; a setting unit for setting the number of scans of the recording unit accompanying recording on the unit recording area, The setting means is When the information acquired by the acquiring means is less than a threshold value, the number of scans is set to a first number; When the information acquired by the acquiring means is equal to or greater than the threshold value, the number of scans is set to a second number that is greater than the first number of scans; In the recording on the unit recording area by the second number of scans, the second recording is performed after the first recording.

3. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording medium is a recording medium.

4. 4. The recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein recording on said unit recording area by said first number of scans is based on a drive pulse determined using a temperature detected by said detection means when said recording is performed.

5. 5. The recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the predetermined area coincides with the unit recording area.

6. 5. The recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the predetermined area is a plurality of areas obtained by dividing the unit recording area.

7. 7. The recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the first number of times is one time.

8. 8. The recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the second number of times is two.

9. a recording means having a nozzle row in which a plurality of nozzles for ejecting ink onto a recording medium are arranged, the recording means being moved relative to the recording medium in a direction intersecting the direction in which the nozzles are arranged; A detection means for detecting the temperature of the recording means; a determining means for determining a drive pulse for ejecting ink based on a pre-pulse and a main pulse corresponding to a temperature of the recording means; a recording control means for causing the recording means to eject ink onto a recording medium and record based on recording data representing whether or not to eject ink and the drive pulse; having When performing a first recording using a first group of nozzles in the nozzle row whose distance to the detection means is less than a first predetermined value, and a second recording using a second group of nozzles in the nozzle row whose distance to the detection means is equal to or greater than a second predetermined value that is equal to or less than the first predetermined value, and whose distance to the detection means is up to a third predetermined value that is greater than the first predetermined value, the determination means: determining a first driving pulse in the first recording using a temperature detected by the detection means when the first recording is performed; A second driving pulse in the second recording is determined to be substantially the same as the first driving pulse. A recording apparatus comprising:

10. A recording means having a nozzle row in which a plurality of nozzles for ejecting ink onto a recording medium are arranged, the recording means moving relatively to the recording medium in a direction intersecting the direction in which the nozzles are arranged; A detection means for detecting the temperature of the recording means; a determining means for determining a drive pulse for ejecting ink based on the temperature of the recording means; having When performing a first recording using a first group of nozzles in the nozzle row whose distance to the detection means is less than a first predetermined value, and a second recording using a second group of nozzles in the nozzle row whose distance to the detection means is equal to or greater than a second predetermined value that is equal to or less than the first predetermined value, and whose distance to the detection means is up to a third predetermined value that is greater than the first predetermined value, the determination means: determining a first driving pulse in the first recording using a first temperature detected by the detection means when the first recording is performed; A second driving pulse in the second recording is determined using a second temperature obtained by correcting the temperature detected by the detection means when the second recording is performed using a correction value. A recording apparatus comprising:

11. 11. The printing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the correction value is a value indicating a difference between the temperature of the nozzles in the second group according to the temperature distribution caused by the first printing and the temperature detected by the detection means.

12. 12. The recording apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the correction value is determined from the relationship between the heat capacity, the thermal conductivity, and the temperature of a member constituting the recording means.

13. 13. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first predetermined value and the second predetermined value are equal to each other.

14. 14. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detection means is provided at one end of the nozzle row in the printing means.

15. a recording means having a nozzle row in which a plurality of nozzles for ejecting ink onto a recording medium are arranged, the recording means being moved relative to the recording medium in a direction intersecting the direction in which the nozzles are arranged; A detection means for detecting the temperature of the recording means; a determining means for determining a drive pulse for ejecting ink based on the temperature of the recording means; having When a first recording is performed using a first group in the nozzle array, the first group including the nozzles whose distance to the detection means is less than a predetermined value and the second group including the nozzles whose distance to the detection means is equal to or greater than the predetermined value and the second group including the nozzles whose distance to the detection means is equal to or greater than the predetermined value and the second group including the nozzles whose distance to the detection means is less than the predetermined value, the determination means: determining a first driving pulse in the first recording using a first temperature detected by the detection means when the first recording is performed; A second driving pulse in the second recording is determined using a second temperature detected before the first recording, without using a temperature detected by the detection means after the first recording. A recording apparatus comprising:

16. a recording means having a nozzle row in which a plurality of nozzles for ejecting ink are arranged, the recording means moving relatively to a recording medium onto which the ink is ejected in a direction intersecting the nozzle arrangement direction; A detection means for detecting the temperature of the recording means; a control method for a recording apparatus that performs recording on a recording medium by ejecting ink from the nozzles based on a drive pulse, comprising: When a first recording is performed using a first group of nozzles in the nozzle row whose distance to the detection means is less than a first predetermined value, and a second recording is performed using a second group of nozzles in the nozzle row whose distance to the detection means is equal to or greater than a second predetermined value that is equal to or less than the first predetermined value, and whose distance to the detection means is up to a third predetermined value that is greater than the first predetermined value, In the first recording, recording is performed based on a driving pulse determined using a first temperature detected by the detection means when performing the first recording, In the second recording, recording is performed based on a driving pulse determined using a second temperature detected before the first recording, without using a temperature detected by the detection means after the first recording. A control method comprising:

17. a recording means having a nozzle row in which a plurality of nozzles for ejecting ink are arranged, the recording means moving relatively to a recording medium onto which the ink is ejected in a direction intersecting the nozzle arrangement direction; A detection means for detecting the temperature of the recording means; A control method for a recording device that performs recording on a recording medium by ejecting ink from the nozzles based on recording data representing whether or not to eject ink, comprising: When a first recording is performed using a first group of nozzles in the nozzle row whose distance to the detection means is less than a first predetermined value, and a second recording is performed using a second group of nozzles in the nozzle row whose distance to the detection means is equal to or greater than a second predetermined value that is equal to or less than the first predetermined value, and whose distance to the detection means is up to a third predetermined value that is greater than the first predetermined value, In the first recording, ink is ejected and recorded based on a drive pulse determined using a pre-pulse and a main pulse corresponding to a first temperature detected by the detection means when performing the first recording, In the second recording, ink is ejected based on a driving pulse that is substantially the same as the driving pulse used in the first recording. A control method comprising:

18. A program for causing a computer to execute the control method according to claim 16 or 17.

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