Recording device and control method

Abstract

To suppress degradation in image quality in a leading edge and a trailing edge of a recording medium having a high stiffness.SOLUTION: When performing recording on a leading edge of a recording medium in a carrying direction, a recording device records an image using a recording element contained in part of a region close to a first carrying member positioned upstream of a recording element region. When performing recording on a trailing edge of a recording medium in the carrying direction, the recording device records an image using a recording element contained in part of a region close to a second carrying member positioned downstream of the recording element region.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 17

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a recording apparatus capable of recording an image on a recording medium having a relatively high rigidity, and a method for controlling the recording apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] Some modern recording devices are capable of recording on media with relatively low stiffness, such as plain paper, photo paper, and art paper, as well as on media with relatively high stiffness, such as disks, card stock, and board paper.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses flat-path transport, which makes the transport path from paper feeding to paper discharge almost smooth so that the series of processes of paper feeding, recording, and paper discharge can be carried out smoothly without excessive resistance acting on the recording medium, even if the recording medium has high stiffness. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2007-69576 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Generally, in a recording section of a recording device, a recording medium is conveyed by a conveying roller and a paper discharge roller, and an image is recorded on the recording medium by a recording head disposed between the conveying roller and the paper discharge roller.

[0006] However, when a recording medium with high rigidity comes off either the conveying roller or the paper discharge roller, the recording medium may tilt due to its own weight, and the distance between the recording head and the recording medium during recording (paper distance) may not be kept constant. As a result, even if the flat path conveyance described in JP 2007-69576 A is adopted, the paper distance may vary when recording on the leading or trailing edge of the recording medium, and a high-quality image may not be obtained.

[0007] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a recording device and a control method thereof that are capable of recording a high-quality image on the leading or trailing end of a recording medium having high rigidity. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To this end, the present invention provides a recording apparatus comprising: conveying means including a first conveying member for conveying a recording medium in a conveying direction, and a second conveying member disposed downstream of the first conveying member in the conveying direction for conveying the recording medium in the conveying direction; recording means located between the first conveying member and the second conveying member in the conveying direction, and having a recording element area in which a plurality of recording elements for applying a recording material to the recording medium conveyed by the conveying means are arranged in the conveying direction; and control means for controlling the conveying means and the recording means to record an image on the recording medium by performing a recording scan for applying the recording material while scanning the recording means in a direction intersecting the conveying direction, and a conveying operation for conveying the recording medium in the conveying direction by the conveying means, the first conveying member conveys the recording medium by nipping the recording medium, and the second conveying member conveys the recording medium by nipping the recording medium with a nipping force weaker than that of the first conveying member; the control means controls the recording means so that, when recording an image in a first state in which a first type of recording medium is supported by the first transport member and not supported by the second transport member, the control means uses recording elements included in a first area of ​​the recording element area, the first area being a first distance from the first type of recording medium in a height direction perpendicular to a plane in which the recording elements are arranged, and does not use recording elements included in a second area, the first type of recording medium being a second distance greater than the first distance. and when an image is recorded in a state in which a second type of recording medium having a lower rigidity than the first type of recording medium is supported by the second transport member and is not supported by the first transport member, the recording means is controlled to use recording elements included in the first region of the recording element region and not to use recording elements included in the second region. The present invention is characterized by the above. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to record a high-quality image on the leading or trailing end of a recording medium having high rigidity. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the appearance of the recording device J1. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a state in which the paper feed tray and the front tray are open. [Diagram 3] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a state when flat-pass printing is performed. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the internal configuration of the recording apparatus. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the internal configuration of the recording apparatus. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining an electric circuit configuration. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the flow of image processing. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of recording data. [Figure 9] 13A to 13C are diagrams showing dot arrangement patterns used in the dot arrangement patterning process. [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a four-pass multi-pass printing. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a mask pattern. [Figure 12] 11A and 11B are diagrams for explaining print control for a print medium with low stiffness. [Figure 13] 11 is a diagram showing the relationship between a print area and a conveyance amount of a print medium. FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a state in which a recording medium is set on a carrier tray. [Figure 15] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a conventional conveying state. [Figure 16] FIG. [Figure 17] 11A and 11B are diagrams for explaining print control on a print medium with high rigidity. [Figure 18] 11 is a diagram showing the relationship between a print area and a conveyance amount of a print medium. FIG. [Figure 19] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining print control according to the second embodiment. [Figure 20] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the amount of margin in a recording medium having high stiffness. [Figure 21] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining print control according to the third embodiment. [Figure 22] 11 is a diagram showing the relationship between a print area and a conveyance amount of a print medium. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

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

[0012] 1.Basic configuration 1.1 Mechanical Structure The configuration of each mechanism in the inkjet recording apparatus J1 (hereinafter, simply referred to as the recording apparatus J1) applied in this embodiment will be described. In the drawings below, the X direction indicates the movement direction of the carriage M4000 described later, the Y direction indicates the transport direction of the recording medium, and the Z direction indicates the direction perpendicular to the ejection port surface of the recording head.

[0013] (A) Exterior 1(a) and (b) are external perspective views of the recording device J1. Fig. 1(a) shows a view from the front side, and Fig. 1(b) shows a view from the rear side. The main components of the recording device J1 are housed in a housing formed by a lower case M7080 and an upper case M7040. An access cover M7030 and a paper feed tray M2060 are provided on the top surface of the recording device J1, a front tray M7010 is provided on the front side, and a rear tray M7090 is provided on the rear side, each of which can be opened and closed.

[0014] The access cover M7030 is a cover that is opened when replacing the print head H1001 or the ink tank H1900, which will be described later. When the paper feed tray M2060 is opened to the rear side, it becomes a tray for stacking and holding printing media before printing by the printing device J1. When the front tray M7010 is opened to the front, it becomes a tray for stacking and holding printing media after printing by the printing device J1. When the rear tray M7090 is opened to the rear side, it becomes a tray for supporting printing media when performing flat-path printing, which will be described later.

[0015] On the front surface of the upper case M7040, there are provided a power key E0018, a resume key E0019, a flat pass key E3004, etc. Also, on the rear surface of the upper case M7040, there is provided a rear tray button M7110 for opening the rear tray M7090.

[0016] FIG. 2 shows the state in which the paper feed tray M2060 and the front tray M7010 are opened. A sub-tray 2061 for supporting a long recording medium is provided inside the paper feed tray M2060 in an extendable manner. A paper discharge tray M3160 for receiving the recording medium after recording is provided inside the front tray M7010 in an extendable manner. When recording on a recording medium having a relatively low rigidity and high flexibility such as plain paper, the user sets the paper feed tray M2060 and the front tray M7010 as shown in FIG. 2 and places the recording medium on the paper feed tray M2060. When recording is started, the recording medium is fed from the paper feed tray M2060 into the recording device J1, and the recording medium after recording is discharged and stacked on the paper discharge tray M3160. The paper discharge tray M3160 is formed so that the tip in the Y direction and both ends in the X direction are higher than the center, improving the stacking property of the discharged recording medium.

[0017] 3(b) shows the rear tray M7090 in an open state. When the user presses the rear tray button M7110, the rear tray M7090 is opened toward the rear side, and the rear sub-tray M7091 housed in the rear tray M7090 is extended in a V shape.

[0018] The rear tray M7090 is a tray used when performing flat-path printing. In the flat-path printing of this embodiment, a printing medium is fed from the front tray M7010, and after switching back, a printing operation is performed on the printing medium. The rear tray M7090 plays a role in smoothly holding the printing medium fed into the device before or during printing. Flat-path printing will be described in detail later.

[0019] Figures 4(a), 4(b) and 5 are diagrams showing the internal structure of the recording device J1, where Figure 4(a) is a perspective view from the front right, Figure 4(b) is a perspective view from the front left, and Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view.

[0020] (B) Feeding section The paper feed section includes a pressure plate M2010, a paper feed roller M2080, a separation roller M2041, a return lever M2020, etc., and these components are attached to the base M2000. The pressure plate M2010, together with the paper feed tray M2060, holds a stack of recording media. The paper feed roller M2080 comes into contact with the topmost recording medium stacked on the pressure plate M2010 and feeds it into the device. The separation roller M2041 separates recording media other than the topmost recording medium from the topmost recording medium so that they are not fed into the device. The return lever M2020 returns the recording media other than the topmost recording medium separated by the separation roller M2041 to the stacking position.

[0021] (C) Transport section The recording medium fed from the paper feed unit is guided by the paper guide flapper M3030 and the pinch roller holder M3000 and reaches the nip portion between the conveying roller M3060 and the pinch roller M3070. In the conveying unit, the recording medium is nipped in the nip portion between the conveying roller M3060 and the pinch roller M3070 and conveyed in the Y direction as the conveying roller M3060 rotates.

[0022] The conveying roller M3060 extending in the X direction has a metal shaft surface coated with ceramic particles, and is attached to the chassis M1010 with the metal parts at both ends supported by bearings. Multiple pinch rollers arranged in the extension direction of the conveying roller M3060 (X direction) are held by a rotatable pinch roller holder M3000 and can rotate following the conveying roller M3060.

[0023] A roller tension spring (not shown) biases the conveying roller M3060, providing an appropriate load during rotation for stable conveyance. A pinch roller spring (not shown) biases the pinch roller M3070 toward the conveying roller M3060, generating an appropriate conveying force for the recording medium. The rotation shaft of the pinch roller holder M3000 is attached to a bearing in the chassis M1010, and the multiple pinch rollers M3070 as a whole rotate about the position of the bearing according to the thickness of the recording medium.

[0024] A PE sensor lever M3021 is attached to the pinch roller holder M3000, and passes through a detection area of ​​a PE sensor E0007 fixed to the chassis M1010 as the pinch roller holder M3000 rotates. The PE sensor E0007 can detect that an end of the recording medium has passed through the nip between the conveying roller M3060 and the pinch roller M3070 based on whether the detection area is blocked or not.

[0025] The recording medium, conveyed by the conveying roller M3060 and the pinch roller M3070, reaches the platen M3040. The position of the platen M3040 is the recording position where the recording medium receives ink ejected from the recording head H1001 (not shown in FIGS. 4 and 5). The platen M3040 has multiple platen ribs M3041 arranged in the X direction, and the height of the platen ribs M3041 controls the paper distance between the recording head H1001 and the recording medium surface. The platen ribs M3041 also play a role in suppressing waviness of the recording medium.

[0026] The driving force for rotating the conveying roller M3060 is obtained by transmitting the rotational force of an LF motor E0002, which is, for example, a DC motor, to a pulley M3061 disposed on the shaft of the conveying roller M3060 via a timing belt (not shown). A code wheel M3062 for detecting the amount of conveyance by the conveying roller M3060 is provided on the shaft of the conveying roller M3060. An LF encoder sensor M3090 attached to the chassis M1010 reads markings formed on the code wheel M3062 to detect the amount of rotation of the conveying roller M3060. The markings formed on the code wheel M3062 are formed at a pitch of 150 to 300 lpi (lines / inch; reference value).

[0027] (D) Paper ejection section In the paper discharge section, the recording medium is nipped in a nip portion between two paper discharge rollers M3100, M3110 and a plurality of spurs M3120, and is discharged in the Y direction as the paper discharge rollers M3100, M3110 rotate.

[0028] The discharge rollers M3100 and M3110 are configured by attaching multiple ring-shaped rubber parts to a metal shaft extending in the X direction. The discharge rollers M3100 and M3110 are driven by the driving force of the conveyor roller M3060 transmitted via an idler gear or the like.

[0029] Each of the multiple spurs M3120 is made of a circular thin plate such as SUS with an uneven surface formed around it, which is then integrated with a resin part, and is attached to a spur holder M3130 that can move up and down in the Z direction. The spurs M3120 rotate following the discharge rollers M3100 and M3110, and discharge the recording medium onto the discharge tray M3160 (see FIG. 2). The spurs M3120 are attached to the spur holder M3130 via spur springs, which are rod-shaped coil springs, and the spring force of the coil springs appropriately adjusts the nip force between the discharge roller M3100 and the spurs M3120.

[0030] (E) Recording Section The printing unit prints an image by discharging ink from the print head H1001 onto a print medium placed on a platen M3040 while scanning the carriage M4000 carrying the print head H1001 in the X direction intersecting the transport direction.

[0031] The carriage M4000 is equipped with a print head H1001 and multiple ink tanks H1900 that supply inks to the print head H1001 as printing materials. In this embodiment, ink tanks H1900 for 10 colors, including cyan, light cyan, magenta, light magenta, yellow, red, green, first black, second black, and gray, are equipped. The print head H1001 has 10 nozzle rows arranged in the transport direction, each corresponding to one of the 10 colors of ink, and ejection operation is performed according to print data from each nozzle, which is an inkjet printing element capable of applying ink to a print medium. In this embodiment, each nozzle row has 768 nozzles arranged at a pitch of 1200 dpi in the Y direction.

[0032] The carriage M4000 is capable of reciprocating movement in the X direction while being guided and supported by a guide shaft M4020 attached to the chassis M1010 and extending in the X direction, and a guide rail M1011 formed integrally with the chassis M1010. The carriage M4000 moves by transmitting the driving force of a carriage motor E0001 (see FIG. 6(a)) via an idle pulley M4042 and a timing belt M4041.

[0033] Here, reference is made to Fig. 6(a). The movement position of the carriage M4000 can be recognized by an encoder sensor E0004 arranged on the carriage substrate E0013 detecting markings on an encoder scale E0005 extending in the X direction. In this embodiment, it is assumed that markings are formed on the encoder scale E0005 at a pitch of 150 lpi to 300 lpi.

[0034] A flexible cable E0012 is connected to the carriage substrate E0013, which transmits a drive signal sent from the main substrate E0014 while following the movement of the carriage M4000. The drive signal received by the flexible cable E0012 is sent to the printhead H1001 via the head connector E0101. The printhead H1001 ejects ink in accordance with the drive signal and position information in the X direction detected by the encoder sensor E0004. Then, one band of an image is printed on the print medium by the printhead H1001 ejecting ink while the carriage M4000 moves in the X direction.

[0035] By alternately repeating such print scanning of one band and a conveying operation in which the conveying roller M3060 conveys the print medium in the Y direction by a distance corresponding to the one band, a desired image is formed on the print medium.

[0036] (F) Flat path transport route As is clear from FIG. 5, the series of paths formed by the paper feed section, conveying section, and paper discharge section described above is not smooth. For example, a recording medium with relatively low stiffness and high flexibility, such as plain paper, can be smoothly conveyed along such paths. However, a recording medium with high stiffness and low flexibility may be difficult to convey, or may be damaged even if conveyed. Therefore, in the recording device of this embodiment, a smooth conveying path for thick paper or a recording medium with high stiffness is prepared in addition to the general conveying path described above, and flat-path recording can be performed in which an image is recorded on the recording medium while conveying the recording medium along the path.

[0037] 3A and 3B are diagrams showing the state of the discharge tray M3160 and the rear tray M7090 when flat-path recording is performed. When flat-path recording is performed, the user presses the rear tray button M7110 to open the rear tray M7090 to the rear side, and further the rear sub-tray M7091 housed in the rear tray M7090 is extended in a V-shape. In addition, the user lifts the front tray M7010 in an open state and engages it with a hook (not shown). As a result, the front tray M7010 is positioned at the height of the discharge outlet in the Z direction, and a transport path that allows transport to be performed almost horizontally is formed. Note that the discharge tray M3160 is not extended.

[0038] Furthermore, when the user presses the flat pass key E3004, the spur holder M3130 and the pinch roller holder M3000 rise according to the thickness of the recording medium (see FIG. 5). As a result, a smooth conveying path is formed in which the front tray M7010, the platen M3040, and the rear tray M7090 are connected almost horizontally.

[0039] When performing flat-path recording, the user places the recording medium on the front tray M7010, aligns it with the marker on the front tray M7010, and inserts the recording medium through the discharge port M3200. The discharge rollers M3110, M3100 and transport roller M3060 rotate in the opposite direction to normal recording operation to move the recording medium in the -Y direction and position the rear end of the inserted recording medium so that it becomes the leading edge in the +Y direction in the recording unit. At this time, the rear tray M7090 supports the recording medium protruding from the rear of the device from below.

[0040] Thereafter, as with normal recording media, print scanning and transport operations are alternately repeated until the desired image is printed on the recording media. After the image is printed, the recording media is discharged to the front tray M7010 that was inserted first. This type of flat-path printing allows high-quality printing to be performed without folding or bending even on thick paper or other recording media with high stiffness.

[0041] 1.2 Electrical circuit configuration 6(a) is a block diagram for explaining the schematic configuration of the electric circuit in the printing apparatus J1. The electric circuit of the printing apparatus J1 mainly includes a carriage board E0013, a main board E0014, a power supply unit E0015, and a front panel E0106.

[0042] The power supply unit E0015 is connected to the main board E0014 and supplies power to each mechanism that constitutes the printing apparatus J1.

[0043] The carriage board E0013 is a printed circuit board mounted on the carriage M4000, and is connected to the main board E0014 via a flexible cable E0012 that follows the movement of the carriage M4000. In the carriage board E0013, the head connector E0101 is a contact pad for electrically connecting to the printhead H1001 mounted on the carriage M4000. The head drive voltage modulation circuit E3001 generates a drive voltage for driving the printhead H1001 according to conditions specified by the main board E0014, and supplies it to the printhead H1001 via the head connector E0101.

[0044] The encoder sensor E0004 detects markings on an encoder scale E0005 extending in the X direction inside the recording device J1, and transmits a detection signal to the main board E0014. The multi-sensor E3000 includes multiple sensors such as optical sensors and thermistors, and transmits various detection values ​​to the main board E0014.

[0045] The main board E0014 is a printed circuit board unit that controls the drive of each part of the inkjet recording apparatus J1. The main board E0014 is provided with an interface (host I / F E0017) for transmitting and receiving data to and from an external host device J2.

[0046] The main board E0014 is connected to various motors such as the carriage motor E0001, the LF motor E0002, the AP motor E3005, and the PR motor E3006, and controls each of the motors. The carriage motor E0001 is a motor that serves as a drive source for scanning the carriage M4000 in the X direction. The LF motor E0002 is a motor that serves as a drive source for rotating the transport roller M3060 and the paper discharge rollers M3100 and M3110 in order to transport the recording medium. The AP motor E3005 is a motor that serves as a drive source for performing the recovery operation of the recording head H1001 and the paper feeding operation of the recording medium. The PR motor E3006 is a motor that serves as a drive source when preparing the transport path for flat-path recording.

[0047] Detection signals from various sensors arranged in various parts of the device, including the PE sensor E0007 and LF encoder sensor M3090 already described, are sent to the main board E0014 via a sensor signal E0104. The main board E0014 is also connected to the front panel E0106, and exchanges information with the front panel E0106 via a panel signal E0107.

[0048] The front panel E0106 provided on the front of the recording device J1 is a user interface for receiving instructions from the user and presenting information to the user. The front panel E0106 is provided with a power key E0018, a resume key E0019, an LED E0020, a flat pass key E3004, and a device I / F E0100 used for connecting to peripheral devices such as a digital camera.

[0049] FIG. 6B is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the main board E0014. The ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) E1102 is connected to the ROM E1004 through the control bus E1014, and performs various controls according to the programs stored in the ROM E1004. The ASIC E1102 transmits and receives, for example, a sensor signal E0104 related to various sensors and a multi-sensor signal E4003 related to the multi-sensor E3000. It also detects the output state of the encoder signal E1020, the power key E0018 on the front panel E0106, the resume key E0019, and the flat pass key E3004. It also performs various logical operations and conditional judgments according to the connection and data input state of the host I / F E0017 and the device I / F E0100 on the front panel, controls each component, and controls the drive control of the inkjet recording apparatus.

[0050] The driver reset circuit E1103 generates a CR motor drive signal E1037, an LF motor drive signal E1035, an AP motor drive signal E4001, and a PR motor drive signal E4002 according to the motor control signal E1106 from the ASIC E1102. Then, it drives each motor according to the generated drive signals. The driver reset circuit E1103 has a power supply circuit, and supplies the necessary power to each part such as the main board E0014, the carriage board E0013, and the front panel E0106. Furthermore, the driver reset circuit E1103 detects a drop in the power supply voltage and generates and initializes a reset signal E1015.

[0051] The power supply control circuit E1010 controls the power supply to each sensor having a light emitting element in accordance with a power supply control signal E1024 from the ASIC E1102.

[0052] The host I / F E0017 transmits a host I / F signal E1028 from the ASIC E1102 to a host I / F cable E1029 connected to the outside, and also transmits a signal from this cable E1029 to the ASIC E1102.

[0053] The power supplied from the power supply unit E0015 is voltage converted by the main board E0014 as necessary, and then supplied to each part inside and outside the main board E0014. The power supply unit E0015 controls the low power consumption mode, etc. of the recording device J1 in accordance with a power supply unit control signal E4000 received from the ASIC E1102.

[0054] The ASIC E1102 is a one-chip semiconductor integrated circuit with a built-in arithmetic processing unit, and outputs the motor control signal E1106, the power supply control signal E1024, the power supply unit control signal E4000, and the like. It exchanges signals with the host I / F E0017, and exchanges signals with the device I / F E0100 on the front panel through the panel signal E0107. It also controls various sensors such as the PE sensor and the ASF sensor through the sensor signal E0104, and controls the multi-sensor E3000 through the multi-sensor signal E4003. It also detects the states of these sensors and the panel signal E0107, and controls the driving of the panel signal E0107 to blink the LED E0020 on the front panel.

[0055] Furthermore, the ASIC E1102 detects the state of the encoder signal (ENC) E1020 to generate a timing signal, and interfaces with the printhead H1001 by using the head control signal E1021 to control the print operation. Here, the encoder signal (ENC) E1020 is an output signal of the encoder sensor E0004 input through the CRFFC E0012. The head control signal E1021 is connected to the carriage board E0013 through the flexible cable E0012. The head control signal E1021 is supplied to the printhead H1001 via the head drive voltage modulation circuit E3001 and the head connector E0101, and transmits various information from the printhead H1001 to the ASIC E1102. Of these, the head temperature information for each ejection section is amplified by the head temperature detection circuit E3002 on the main board, and then input to the ASIC E1102 and used for various control decisions.

[0056] In the figure, E3007 is a DRAM, which is used as a data buffer for recording, a buffer for received data from the host computer, etc., and also as a work area required for various control operations.

[0057] 1.3 Overview of image processing 7 is a diagram for explaining the flow of image processing in the recording system J3 of this embodiment. The recording system J3 of this embodiment includes a host device J2 and a recording device J1.

[0058] The programs that run on the operating system of the host device J2 include an application J0001 and a printer driver. The application J0001 creates image data to be printed by the printing device, and the printer driver performs predetermined image processing on the image data generated by the application J21 to generate image data that can be received by the printing device J1. In this embodiment, the image data that the application J0001 outputs to the print driver is RGB luminance data with a resolution of 600 dpi. More specifically, the image data is one in which each pixel arranged at a resolution of 600 dpi has an 8-bit pixel value (luminance value) of 256 gradations for each of red (R), green (G), and blue (B) under the sRGB standard.

[0059] The printer driver performs color correction processing J0002, color separation processing J0003, gamma correction J0004, halftoning J0005, and print data creation processing J0006 on the image data received from the application J0001.

[0060] In the color correction process J0002, color gamut mapping is performed. In this embodiment, the color gamut expressed in the color space of the sRGB standard is mapped to a color space that can be expressed by the recording device J1. Specifically, 8-bit 256-level RGB data is converted to 8-bit 256-level R'G'B' data by using a 3D LUT.

[0061] In the color separation process J0003, the 8-bit 256-level R'G'B' data is converted into 8-bit 256-level density data corresponding to each of the ink colors Y, M, Lm, C, Lc, K1, K2, R, G, and Gray used by the recording device J1. The color separation process J0003 also uses a 3D LUT and performs the above process in combination with a complementation process.

[0062] The gamma correction J0004 performs tone value conversion on the density data of each color obtained by the color separation process J0003. Specifically, a one-dimensional LUT corresponding to the tone characteristics of each color ink used by the recording device J1 is used to perform conversion so that the density data linearly corresponds to the tone characteristics of the recording device J1.

[0063] Halftoning J0005 performs quantization processing using an error diffusion method on each of the 8-bit 256-level color separation data that has been gamma corrected, generating 4-bit 9-level quantized data. The generated quantized data becomes a reference value for setting a dot arrangement pattern in the dot arrangement patterning process described later.

[0064] The recording data creation process J0006 creates recording data by adding recording control information to the recording image data whose content is the quantized data.

[0065] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of recording data. The recording data includes recording control information for setting a recording method and recording image data (the above-mentioned 4-bit quantized data). The recording control information includes "recording medium information", "recording quality information", and "other control information". In the recording medium information, any one type of recording medium is set among plain paper, glossy paper, postcards, printable discs, etc. In the recording quality information, the recording quality such as "fine", "standard", and "fast" is set. In the "other control information", various contents such as the paper feeding method such as standard transport or flat path transport are set. Note that such recording control information is set in the host device J2 based on the contents specified by the user via the UI screen. The recording data generated by the recording data creation process J0006 is transmitted to the recording device J1.

[0066] The printing device J1 performs a dot arrangement patterning process J0007 and a mask data conversion process J0008 on the print data received from the host device J2.

[0067] The dot arrangement patterning process J0007 selects one dot arrangement pattern from multiple dot arrangement patterns prepared in advance, in association with the quantized data. As a result, the 600 dpi, 4-bit, 9-level quantized data is converted into 1200 dpi x 2400 dpi, 1-bit, 2-level dot data. In the 1-bit, 2-level dot data, "1" means that a dot is recorded in the corresponding recording pixel (area), and "0" means that a dot is not recorded in the corresponding recording pixel (area).

[0068] 9 is a diagram showing a number of dot arrangement patterns prepared in advance for the dot arrangement patterning process of this embodiment. The level values ​​shown on the left of the diagram correspond to levels 0 to 8 indicated by 4-bit 9-level quantized data. The area shown on the right, consisting of 2 vertical x 4 horizontal, corresponds to one pixel area of ​​600 dpi, and each square (area) corresponds to one pixel (recording pixel) of 1200 dpi x 2400 dpi.

[0069] In the figure, the areas marked with circles indicate areas where dots are to be printed, and the areas without circles indicate areas where dots are not to be printed. As the level number increases, the number of areas where dots are to be printed increases by one.

[0070] (4n) to (4n+3) indicate pixel positions in the main scanning direction (X direction) on the print medium by substituting an integer of 1 or greater for n. The patterns shown below indicate dot arrangement patterns determined in correspondence with each pixel position. Even with the same level value, the dot pattern within one pixel region (within a 2x4 area) differs depending on the pixel position.

[0071] Returning to the explanation of Fig. 7, the mask data conversion process J0008 determines which printing scan in multi-pass printing will be used to print the dots that have been determined to be printed in the dot arrangement patterning process.

[0072] 10 is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of 4-pass multi-pass printing. In the print head H1001 used in this embodiment, 768 nozzles capable of ejecting ink of the same color are arranged in the Y direction, but for simplicity of explanation, it is assumed here that 16 nozzles are arranged.

[0073] When performing 4-pass multi-pass printing, the 16 nozzles arranged in the Y direction are divided into first to fourth nozzle groups, each including 4 nozzles. The first to fourth nozzle groups are then associated with first to fourth mask patterns, respectively. Each mask pattern has a 4×4 area, with the black areas indicating areas where dot printing is permitted and the white areas indicating areas where dot printing is not permitted. The first to fourth mask patterns are complementary to each other. In the figure, the first to fourth mask patterns as a whole are shown as mask pattern P0002 used by print head H1001 in each print scan.

[0074] Patterns P0003 to P0006 shown in association with the first to fourth recording scans show how an image is completed on the recording medium when a four-pass multi-pass recording scan is performed according to the first to fourth mask patterns. After each recording scan is completed, the recording medium is transported in the Y direction by four nozzles, and an image is completed in a unit area (4×4 area) of the recording medium by four recording scans according to the first to fourth mask patterns, which are complementary to each other. By performing such multi-pass recording, image defects caused by variations in the ejection characteristics of each nozzle and the recording medium transport accuracy are dispersed throughout the image, making them less noticeable on the image.

[0075] 11(a) and (b) show an example of a mask pattern actually used in the printing apparatus of this embodiment. In the figure, the print permission rate written for each area indicates the ratio of the print permission area to the total area contained in each area. For example, in the mask pattern of FIG. 10, the print permission rate is 25% (=4 / 16) in all areas.

[0076] Fig. 11(a) shows a mask pattern that can be used when performing 4-pass multi-pass printing with the entire area (768 nozzles) of the print head H1001 as the printing area, while Fig. 11(b) shows a mask pattern that can be used when performing 4-pass multi-pass printing with 1 / 4 of the entire area (192 nozzles) as the printing area.

[0077] When performing 4-pass multi-pass printing with the entire area as the printing use area, all 768 nozzles are divided into 4 nozzle groups of 192 nozzles each. Then, by alternately repeating the printing scan according to the mask pattern shown in FIG. 11(a) and the transport operation in the Y direction for the 192 nozzles, the image of the unit area is printed in stages. On the other hand, when performing 4-pass multi-pass printing with 1 / 4 of the entire area as the printing use area, the 192 nozzles corresponding to that area are divided into 4 nozzle groups of 48 nozzles each. Then, by alternately repeating the printing scan according to the mask pattern shown in FIG. 11(b) and the transport operation in the Y direction for the 48 nozzles, the image of the unit area is printed in stages.

[0078] In an inkjet print head that ejects many small droplets at high frequency, air currents are generated during the ejection operation, which can deflect the ink droplets ejected from the nozzles located at the edge, causing the ink droplets to land at a different position. In this embodiment, a mask pattern is used in which the print permission rate of the nozzles at the edge is smaller than that of the nozzles in the center, as shown in Figures 11(a) and 11(b), thereby making image defects caused by the deviation of the ink droplet landing position less noticeable.

[0079] In this embodiment, a plurality of mask patterns as shown in Fig. 11(a) and (b) are stored in advance in the memory of the printing apparatus body. The mask data conversion process J0008 in Fig. 7 selects a mask pattern from these plurality of mask patterns based on the print control information of the print data. Then, an AND process is performed between the selected mask pattern and the dot data obtained by the dot arrangement patterning process J0007 to determine the dot data to be actually printed in each print scan. Furthermore, the dot data is sent to the head drive circuit J0009 as binary ejection data.

[0080] The head drive circuit J0009 drives the print head H1001 in accordance with the received ejection data, causing ink to be ejected from each nozzle.

[0081] 7, the color correction process J0002 to the print data creation process J0006 are executed by the host device J2, and the dot arrangement patterning process J0007 and the mask data conversion process J0008 are executed by the printing device J1. However, this series of image processing may be executed by either the host device J2 or the printing device J1. For example, some of the processes J0002 to J0005 executed by the host device J2 may be executed by the printing device J1, or all of the processes may be executed by either the host device J2 or the printing device J1.

[0082] 2. Recording control according to the type of recording medium 2.1 In the case of recording media with low stiffness 12(a) to 12(c) are diagrams for explaining recording control for a recording medium P0 with a relatively low stiffness such as plain paper. A first nip portion M30, which is a first conveying member and is formed by a conveying roller M3060 and a pinch roller M3070, is disposed upstream of the platen M3040 in the conveying direction (Y direction). A second nip portion M31, which is a second conveying member and is formed by a paper discharge roller M3100 and a spur M3120, is disposed downstream of the platen M3040 in the conveying direction. The first nip portion M30 and the second nip portion M31 are located vertically above the platen M3040. The pinch roller M3070 is disposed slightly downstream of the conveying roller M3060, and the spur M3120 is disposed slightly upstream of the paper discharge roller M3100. The nozzle surface of the print head H1001 is disposed so as to face the platen M3040, and ejects ink toward the print medium P0 moving over the platen M3040.

[0083] FIG. 12(a) shows a state where the leading edge of the recording medium P0 passes through the first nip portion M30 and before it reaches the second nip portion M31. In this state, the recording medium P0 is transported only by the first nip portion M30. The leading edge of the recording medium P0 that has passed through the first nip portion M30 comes into contact with the platen M3040 by its own weight, and proceeds along the platen M3040 while being supported by the platen M3040. The recording medium P0, which has low rigidity, bends along the platen M3040 to form a smooth surface, so the distance (paper distance) between the recording medium P0 and the ejection port surface of the recording head H1001 is stable. In addition, the nipping force of the first nip portion M30, which is composed of a transport roller M3060 and a pinch roller M3070, the surfaces of which are coated with ceramic microparticles on a metal shaft, is strong, and the transport accuracy is also stable. In this embodiment, in this state, the entire printing element area, i.e., all 768 nozzles, is used as the printing area, and 4-pass multi-pass printing is performed. Specifically, print scanning according to the mask pattern shown in FIG. 11A and a transport operation for 192 nozzles are alternately repeated.

[0084] Fig. 12(b) shows the state after the leading edge of the recording medium P0 comes into contact with the discharge roller M3100 and is nipped in the second nip portion M31. Even in this state, the recording medium P0, which has low rigidity, forms a smooth surface along the platen M3040, so the distance between the ejection port surface and the paper is stable. Therefore, even in this state, in this embodiment, all 768 nozzles are used as the recording area, and four-pass multi-pass printing is performed according to the mask pattern shown in Fig. 11(a).

[0085] FIG. 12(c) shows a state where the trailing end of the recording medium P0 is removed from the first nip portion M30 and the recording medium P0 is transported only by the second nip portion M31. Even in this state, the recording medium P0, which has low rigidity, forms a smooth surface along the platen M3040, so the distance between the recording medium P0 and the ejection port surface is stable. However, the nip force of the second nip portion M31, which is composed of the discharge roller M3100 and the spur M3120, which are configured by providing multiple rubber parts on a metal shaft, is weaker than that of the first nip portion M30, and the transport accuracy is reduced compared to the state of FIG. 12(a). Therefore, in this embodiment, in this state, only 192 nozzles, which correspond to 1 / 4 of the upstream side in the transport direction, are used as the recording use area, and 4-pass multi-pass printing is performed. Specifically, only 192 nozzles on the upstream side in the transport direction are used, and a print scan according to the mask pattern shown in FIG. 11(b) and a transport operation for 48 nozzles are alternately repeated. By doing this, while performing the same 4-pass multi-pass printing, it is possible to keep the transport error in one transport small and suppress image defects caused by the transport error. Note that the reason why the nozzle area on the upstream side in the transport direction is used in this case rather than the downstream side is that using the upstream nozzle area makes it possible to reduce the number of print scans with the nozzle area in use reduced, and suppresses a decrease in throughput.

[0086] Figures 13(a) and (b) are diagrams showing the relationship between the print area of ​​the print head H1001 and the transport amount of the print medium P0 in the print control described in Figures 12(a) to (c). Here, the print head H1001 is shown moving in the -Y direction relative to the print medium P1. In the figure, the upper side corresponds to the downstream side in the transport direction, and the lower side corresponds to the upstream side in the transport direction. Also, of the nozzle areas arranged on the print head, the shaded areas indicate the print area used for printing, and the white areas indicate areas not used for printing.

[0087] Fig. 13(a) shows a state in which 4-pass multi-pass printing is performed with the entire area (768 nozzles) as the printing use area, as in Fig. 12(a) and (b). Printing scans S1 to S5 according to the mask pattern shown in Fig. 11(a) and transport operations of N / 4 (192 nozzles) are performed alternately, and an image is completed in a unit area having a width of N / 4 by four printing scans using four nozzle groups.

[0088] FIG. 13(b) shows a state of transition from 4-pass multi-pass printing (FIG. 12(b)) in which the entire area (768 nozzles) is the printing use area to 4-pass multi-pass printing (FIG. 12(c)) in which the upstream N / 4 area (192 nozzles) is the printing use area. In the printing scans S1 to S4, a conveying operation is performed by N / 4 (192 nozzles), and from printing scan S5 onwards, a conveying operation is performed by N / 16 (=48 nozzles) while gradually reducing the printing use area to the upstream side. In this example, the width of the unit area near the rear end of the printing medium is N / 4, and an image is completed by four printing scans by four nozzle groups each having a width of N / 16. In this way, by reducing the printing use area and the conveying amount to 1 / 4, the conveying error amount of the second nip portion M31 is also suppressed to about 1 / 4, and image defects due to the variation in the conveying amount can be made less noticeable.

[0089] 2.2 In the case of recording media with high rigidity For recording media with relatively high rigidity such as board paper, CD-R, and cards, flat-path recording is performed as described in Fig. 3(a) and (b) to record an image. For recording media with special shapes such as CD-R and cards, the user places the media on a dedicated carrier tray M6002 and inserts the carrier tray M6002 into the ejection port M3200. Fig. 14(a) shows a state where a disc-shaped medium such as a CD-R is placed on the carrier tray M6002, and Fig. 14(b) shows a state where six small cards are loaded on the carrier tray M6002. For recording media with a standard shape such as board paper, the user inserts the recording medium directly into the ejection port M3200.

[0090] 15(a) to (e) are diagrams for explaining the transport state in general flat-path printing. The recording medium P1 inserted from the discharge port M3200 is transported in the -Y direction by the first nip portion M30 and the second nip portion M31, and the trailing end at the time of insertion is positioned so that it can be printed by the recording head H1001. After that, the recording scan by the recording head H1001 and the transport operation in the +Y direction are performed alternately.

[0091] 15(a) shows the state before the leading edge of the recording medium P1 passes through the first nip portion M30 and reaches the second nip portion M31. Before being nipped by the second nip portion M31, the recording medium P1 comes into contact with the platen M3040 due to its own weight, but does not bend along the platen M3040 like the recording medium P0, which has low rigidity. As a result, the recording medium P1 is inclined with respect to the ejection port surface of the recording head H1001, and the paper distance is small on the upstream side of the recording head H1001 and large on the downstream side.

[0092] 15(b) shows the state when the leading edge of the recording medium P1 reaches the discharge roller M3100 and is nipped by both the first nip portion M31 and the second nip portion M31. By being nipped by the second nip portion M31, the leading edge of the recording medium P1 is lifted and becomes parallel to the ejection port surface of the recording head H1001. In other words, at the leading edge of the recording medium P1, the paper distance changes significantly before and after it is nipped by the second nip portion M31.

[0093] 15(c) shows a state in which an image is recorded on the center of the recording medium P1 nipped between the first nip portion M30 and the second nip portion M31. The recording medium P1 is kept almost parallel to the ejection port surface of the recording head H1001, and a constant distance is maintained between the recording medium P1 and the ejection port surface of the recording head H1001.

[0094] 15(d) shows the state immediately before the trailing edge of the recording medium P1 leaves the first nip portion M30. Even in this state, the recording medium P1 is kept almost parallel to the ejection port surface of the recording head H1001, and a constant paper distance is maintained.

[0095] 15(e) shows the state immediately after the rear end of the recording medium P1 leaves the first nip portion M30. By leaving the first nip portion M30, the rear end of the recording medium P1 falls onto the platen M3040, and the recording medium P1 becomes inclined with respect to the ejection port surface of the recording head H1001. In other words, the paper distance at the rear end of the recording medium P1 varies greatly before and after it leaves the first nip portion M30.

[0096] As described above, at the leading and trailing ends of the recording medium P1, which has high stiffness, the paper-to-paper distance changes during multi-pass recording, and an image is recorded by a recording scan in which the paper-to-paper distance is large and a recording scan in which the paper-to-paper distance is small. In this case, even if a mask pattern that has a complementary relationship is used, the complementary relationship cannot be obtained between the dot patterns actually recorded on the recording medium, and the uniformity of the image may be lost.

[0097] In view of the above, in this embodiment, when printing on a print medium with high stiffness, print scanning is not performed in areas where the paper distance changes during multi-pass printing. This will be described in detail below.

[0098] 17(a) to (e) are diagrams for explaining the print control for the print medium P1 having a relatively high rigidity in this embodiment. FIG. 17(a) shows the state before the leading edge of the print medium P1 passes through the first nip portion M30 and reaches the second nip portion M31. As in FIG. 15(a), the print medium P1 is inclined with respect to the ejection port surface of the print head H1001, and the paper distance is small on the upstream side of the print head H1001 and large on the downstream side. At this stage, in this embodiment, a 4-pass multi-pass print is performed using only the 192 nozzles on the upstream side of the print head H1001. That is, a print scan according to the mask pattern shown in FIG. 11(b) and a conveying operation for 48 nozzles are alternately repeated.

[0099] 17B shows the state when the leading edge of the recording medium P1 reaches the discharge roller M3100 and is nipped by the second nip portion M31. The recording medium P1 becomes almost parallel to the ejection port surface of the recording head H1001. Even at this stage, in this embodiment, four-pass printing is performed using only the 192 nozzles on the upstream side of the recording head H1001.

[0100] When transitioning from the state of Fig. 17(a) to the state of Fig. 17(b), the paper distance varies more significantly downstream of the print head than upstream. Therefore, in this embodiment, only the upstream side of the print head, where the variation in the paper distance is small, is used for printing, and the area downstream of the print head, where the variation in the paper distance is large, is not used for printing. In this way, the effect on the image due to the variation in the paper distance can be minimized.

[0101] 17(c) shows a state in which an image is recorded on the center portion of the recording medium nipped between the first nip portion M30 and the second nip portion M31. The recording medium P1 maintains a parallel attitude to the ejection port surface of the recording head H1001, and a constant paper distance is maintained. At this stage, in this embodiment, four-pass multi-pass recording is performed with the entire area (768 nozzles) of the recording head H1001 used as the recording area.

[0102] Fig. 17(d) shows the state immediately before the trailing edge of the recording medium P1 leaves the first nip portion M30, and Fig. 17(e) shows the state immediately after the trailing edge of the recording medium P1 leaves the first nip portion M30. At this stage, in this embodiment, four-pass printing is performed using only the 192 nozzles on the downstream side of the print head H1001.

[0103] When transitioning from the state of Fig. 17(d) to the state of Fig. 17(e), the paper distance varies more on the upstream side of the print head than on the downstream side. Therefore, in this embodiment, only the downstream side of the print head, where the variation in the paper distance is small, is used for printing, and the upstream side of the print head, where the variation in the paper distance is large, is not used for printing. In this way, the effect on the image due to the variation in the paper distance can be minimized.

[0104] In this case, if the only objective is to suppress density unevenness due to transport variations at the second nip portion M31, it is preferable to use the upstream nozzle region as shown in FIG. 12(c) from the viewpoint of throughput. However, in the case of a recording medium P1 with high stiffness, the upstream nozzle region has a larger variation in the paper distance, so in this embodiment, only the downstream nozzle region, where the variation in the paper distance is smaller, is used as the recording use region. Even in this case, the nozzle region to be used and the amount of transport per time are kept small, so the effect of suppressing density unevenness due to transport variations at the second nip portion M31 can be obtained in the same way as in FIG. 12(c).

[0105] 18(a)-(c) are diagrams showing the relationship between the print area of ​​the print head H1001 and the conveyance amount of the print medium P1 in the print control described in FIG. 17(a)-(e). FIG. 18(a) shows a state of transition from 4-pass multi-pass printing (FIG. 17(b)) in which the print area is the N / 4 area (192 nozzles) on the upstream side, to 4-pass multi-pass printing (FIG. 17(c)) in which the entire area (768 nozzles) is used for printing. In the figure, the shaded area indicates the print area, and the white area indicates the area not used for printing. In FIG. 18(a), print scans S1-S4 are carried out by conveying N / 16 (48 nozzles) at a time, and from print scan S5 onwards, conveying N / 4 (192 nozzles) at a time is carried out while gradually expanding the print area downstream.

[0106] Fig. 18(b) corresponds to Fig. 17(c), and shows a state in which 4-pass multi-pass printing is performed with the entire area (768 nozzles) used for printing. Printing scans S1 to S5 according to the mask pattern shown in Fig. 11(a) and transport operations of N / 4 (192 nozzles) each are performed alternately, and an image is completed in a unit area of ​​the print medium by four printing scans using four nozzle groups with a width of N / 4.

[0107] Fig. 18(c) shows a state of transition from 4-pass multi-pass printing (Fig. 17(c)) in which the entire area (768 nozzles) is used as the printing area to 4-pass multi-pass printing (Fig. 17(d)) ​​using N / 4 areas (192 nozzles) on the downstream side. In Fig. 18(c), up until printing scan S4, a transport operation is performed by N / 4 (192 nozzles) while the printing area is gradually reduced downstream, and from printing scan S5 onwards, a transport operation is performed by N / 16 (48 nozzles).

[0108] 16(a) and (b) are diagrams comparing images printed on a high-rigidity print medium when the printing method of FIG. 15(a)-(e) is adopted and when the printing method of FIG. 17(a)-(e) is adopted. When the printing method of FIG. 15(a)-(e) is adopted, in which the entire nozzle area is used as the printing area in all print scans, density unevenness appears at the leading and trailing ends of the print medium due to the variation in the paper distance, and the uniformity of the image is lost as shown in FIG. 16(a). On the other hand, when the printing method of this embodiment shown in FIG. 17(a)-(e) is adopted, density unevenness does not appear at the leading and trailing ends of the print medium due to the variation in the paper distance, and a uniform image is obtained as shown in FIG. 16(b).

[0109] As described above, according to this embodiment, when recording on a recording medium P1 having high rigidity, multi-pass recording is performed using only the upstream nozzles of the recording head H1001 before and after the leading end of the recording medium P1 is nipped by the second nip portion M31. Also, before and after the trailing end of the recording medium P1 leaves the first nip portion M30, multi-pass recording is performed using only the downstream nozzles of the recording head H1001. Furthermore, when the recording medium P1 is nipped by the first nip portion M30 and the second nip portion M31 and the paper distance is stable, multi-pass recording is performed using all the nozzles of the recording head H1001. By doing so, it is possible to record a uniform image without uneven density over the entire area of ​​the recording medium.

[0110] The timing at which the leading edge of the recording medium P1 is nipped by the second nip portion M31 can be estimated by counting the amount of rotation of the conveying roller M3060 from the state in which the leading edge of the recording medium P1 is positioned in the recording section. Therefore, recording can be controlled so that before and after this timing, 4-pass multi-pass recording using the upstream N / 4 region (192 nozzles) is performed, and then the recording is shifted to 4-pass multi-pass recording using the entire region (768 nozzles) as the recording use region.

[0111] The timing at which the trailing edge of the recording medium P1 leaves the first nip portion M30 can be estimated by subtracting the transport distance equivalent to the above amount of rotation from the length of the recording medium P1 in the Y direction. Furthermore, this timing can also be estimated by counting the amount of rotation of the transport roller M3060 from the point at which the PE sensor E0007 detects the passage of the trailing edge of the recording medium P1. Therefore, it is sufficient to perform recording control so that 4-pass multi-pass recording using the downstream N / 4 area (192 nozzles) is performed before and after this timing.

[0112] Second embodiment In this embodiment, the inkjet recording apparatus described in the first embodiment is used, and the same recording control as in the first embodiment is performed. However, in this embodiment, in the case of a recording medium having a length equal to or greater than a predetermined length in the transport direction, even if the recording medium has high rigidity, a different recording control from that in the first embodiment is performed.

[0113] 19(a) to (c) are diagrams for explaining print control for a print medium P2 that has high rigidity and is large in size (long in the Y direction). FIG. 19(a) shows a state immediately before the leading edge of the print medium P2 passes through the first nip portion M30 and reaches the second nip portion M31. In this state of the print medium P2, the gravity acting on the upstream side of the first nip portion M30 is greater than the gravity acting on the downstream side. Therefore, the print medium P2 does not tilt toward the platen M3040, and is approximately parallel to the ejection port surface of the print head H1001 as shown in FIG. 19(a). For this reason, in this embodiment, four-pass multi-pass printing is performed on such a print medium P2, with the entire area of ​​the print head H1010 being used as the print area.

[0114] 19(b) shows a state in which an image is recorded in the center of the recording medium P2 while being nipped by the first nip portion M30 and the second nip portion M31. The recording medium P2 maintains a parallel attitude to the ejection port surface of the recording head H1001, and a constant paper distance is maintained. Therefore, in this embodiment, even at this stage, four-pass multi-pass recording is performed with the entire area of ​​the recording head H1010 being used as the recording area.

[0115] Fig. 19(c) shows a state where the rear end of the recording medium P2 has left the first nip portion M30 and is only nipped by the second nip portion M31. In this state, the gravity acting on the downstream side of the second nip portion M31 is greater than the gravity acting on the upstream side. Therefore, the recording medium P2 does not tilt toward the platen M3040, and remains approximately parallel to the ejection port surface of the recording head H1001, as shown in Fig. 19(c).

[0116] However, as already explained, the second nip portion M31 does not provide the same high transport accuracy as the first nip portion M30. For this reason, in this embodiment, of the total 768 nozzles, 4-pass multi-pass printing is performed with only the ¼ area on the upstream side in the transport direction as the printing use area.

[0117] According to this embodiment, even if the recording medium has high rigidity, if the size is large and there is little variation in the paper-to-paper distance, it is possible to output a uniform image at high speed without increasing the recording time more than necessary.

[0118] In this embodiment, the recording control described in Fig. 17(a)-(e) is performed for recording media of A4 size or smaller, and the recording control described in Fig. 19(a)-(c) is performed for recording media of larger size than A4. However, there is no particular limitation as to which size of recording medium is used for the recording control of Fig. 17(a)-(e) and which size of recording medium is used for the recording control of Fig. 19(a)-(c). The size of the recording medium for which these two recording controls are switched may be appropriately set according to the configuration of the recording device, such as the distance between the first nip portion M30 and the second nip portion M31, or may be set for each type of recording medium obtained in advance according to the stiffness of the recording medium.

[0119] In the above embodiment, in the case of a recording medium P0 with low rigidity, as described in Fig. 12(a), multi-pass printing was performed on the leading edge of the recording medium P0 with the entire area of ​​the recording head H1001 as the recording use area. However, even when the recording medium P0 is only nipped by the first nip portion M30, if the conveying accuracy and the paper distance are unstable, multi-pass printing with a reduced recording use area may be performed on the leading edge of the recording medium. In this case, from the viewpoint of the stability of the paper distance and throughput, it is preferable to set a part of the downstream side of the recording head H1001 as the recording use area.

[0120] That is, in the inkjet recording device as described in the above embodiment, the following can be said: When recording the leading and trailing ends of a recording medium with low stiffness, it is preferable to set an area located as far away as possible from the nipped roller pair as the recording use area and record the image, from the viewpoints of the stability of the paper distance and throughput. On the other hand, when recording the leading and trailing ends of a recording medium with high stiffness, it is preferable to set an area located as close as possible to the nipped roller pair as the recording use area and record the image, from the viewpoints of suppressing image damage caused by fluctuations in the paper distance.

[0121] (Third embodiment) In this embodiment, the inkjet recording apparatus described in the first and second embodiments performs the same recording control as in the first and second embodiments. However, in this embodiment, even if the recording medium has high stiffness, when the leading and trailing margins are large, the recording control is different from that in the first embodiment.

[0122] Figures 20(a) and (b) are diagrams showing the amount of blank space on a recording medium with high rigidity. Figure 20(a) shows a case where the amount of blank space L is greater than a predetermined value, and Figure 20(b) shows a case where the amount of blank space L is smaller than the predetermined value. In this embodiment, when the amount of blank space is greater than the predetermined value as in Figure 20(a), recording control is performed as shown in Figures 21(a) to (c).

[0123] In this embodiment, the predetermined value is 25 mm. This value corresponds to the distance from the rear end of the recording head to the first nip portion M30 and the distance from the front end of the recording head to the second nip portion M31. Note that in this embodiment, a case will be described in which the two distances are the same, but they may be different values. For the front end, the distance from the front end of the recording head to the second nip portion M31 may be set as the predetermined value, and for the rear end, the distance from the rear end of the recording head to the first nip portion M30 may be set as the predetermined value.

[0124] 21(a), when the leading edge margin amount L is 25 mm or more, only the downstream nozzle area is used for printing. During leading edge printing on the recording medium P2, the leading edge of the recording medium P2 is nipped in the second nip portion M31, so the recording medium P2 maintains a parallel attitude to the ejection port surface of the recording head H1001, and a constant paper distance is maintained.

[0125] 21(b) is a diagram showing a state in which an image is recorded at the center of the recording medium P2 while being nipped by the first nip portion M30 and the second nip portion M31. The recording medium P2 maintains a parallel attitude to the ejection port surface of the recording head H1001, and a constant paper distance is maintained.

[0126] When the trailing edge margin amount L is 25 mm or more, in this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 21(c), only the upstream nozzle area is used for printing. During printing on the trailing edge of the recording medium P2, the trailing edge of the recording medium P2 is nipped in the first nip portion M30, so the recording medium P2 maintains a parallel attitude to the ejection port surface of the print head H1001, and a constant paper distance is maintained.

[0127] In this way, even if the recording medium has high rigidity, if the margin amount L at the leading and trailing ends is greater than a predetermined value, recording can be performed on the leading and trailing ends while the recording medium P2 is kept nipped.

[0128] 22(a)-(c) are diagrams showing the relationship between the print use area of ​​the print head H1001 and the conveyance amount of the print medium P2 in the print control described with reference to FIG. 21(a)-(c). FIG. 22(a) shows a state of transition from 4-pass multi-pass printing in which the N / 4 area (192 nozzles) on the downstream side of FIG. 21(a) is the print use area to 4-pass multi-pass printing in which the entire area (768 nozzles) of FIG. 21(b) is the print use area. In the figure, the shaded area indicates the print use area, and the white area indicates the area not used for printing. In the print scans S1-S8, a conveyance operation is performed by N / 16 (48 nozzles), and from print scan S9 onwards, a conveyance operation is performed by N / 4 (192 nozzles). Also, from print scan S5 onwards, the print use area gradually expands upstream.

[0129] Fig. 22(b) shows a state in which 4-pass multi-pass printing is performed with the entire area (768 nozzles) of Fig. 21(b) as the printing area. Between each of the printing scans S1 to S5 according to the mask pattern shown in Fig. 11(a), a transport operation of N / 4 (192 nozzles) is performed. As a result, an image is completed by four printing scans using four nozzle groups with a width of N / 4 for a unit area on the printing medium.

[0130] Fig. 22(c) shows a state of transition from 4-pass multi-pass printing in which the entire area (768 nozzles) in Fig. 21(b) is the print area, to 4-pass multi-pass printing using the upstream N / 4 area (192 nozzles) in Fig. 21(c). From print scans S5 to S7, transport operations are performed by N / 16 (48 nozzles) at a time, while the print area is gradually reduced upstream.

[0131] As described above, according to this embodiment, even if the recording medium P2 has high rigidity, when the margin amount L at the leading and trailing ends is greater than a predetermined value, recording can be performed with both ends clamped. On the other hand, when the margin amount L at the leading and trailing ends is smaller than a predetermined value, an image can be recorded with reduced density unevenness due to paper-to-paper variation by implementing the recording method of the first embodiment described above.

[0132] In this embodiment, the amount of margin is set by the user selecting the paper size according to the settings at the time of printing. In this embodiment, in addition to A4, A4 "large margin" can be selected as the paper size, and the control in this embodiment is performed when A4 "large margin" is selected. However, the amount of margin may be determined by comparing the size of the printing image data with the size of the paper settings.

[0133] The number of nozzles arranged on the print head, the number of multi-passes, the size of the print area, etc. described in the above embodiment are merely examples, and these can be changed as appropriate. For example, it is preferable that the size of the print area when printing the leading and trailing ends of the print medium is adjusted as appropriate according to the distance between the conveying roller and the paper discharge roller, the distance between the platen and the ejection port surface, the type and size of the print medium, the print resolution, the number of multi-passes, the print quality, etc. In addition, the print area when printing the leading and trailing ends of the print medium does not necessarily have to include the most upstream or most downstream nozzles of the print head. As long as the influence of the change in the paper distance due to the presence or absence of a nip does not appear in the print area, an area that is a certain distance away from the most upstream or most downstream may be used as the print area.

[0134] The present invention can also be realized by a process in which a program for realizing one or more functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in a computer of the system or device read and execute the program. Also, the present invention can be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) for realizing one or more functions. [Explanation of symbols]

[0135] J1 Inkjet Recording Device P1 Recording medium M30: First nip portion (first conveying member) M31 Second nip portion (second conveying member) H1001 recording head M3040 Platen

Claims

1. a conveying means including a first conveying member for conveying a recording medium in a conveying direction, and a second conveying member disposed downstream of the first conveying member in the conveying direction, for conveying the recording medium in the conveying direction; a recording means located between the first transport member and the second transport member in the transport direction, the recording means having a recording element area in which a plurality of recording elements for applying a recording material to the recording medium transported by the transport means are arranged in the transport direction; a control means for controlling the transport means and the recording means so as to record an image on the recording medium by performing a recording scan in which a recording material is applied while the recording means is scanned in a direction intersecting the transport direction, and a transport operation in which the transport means transports the recording medium in the transport direction; A recording device comprising: the first conveying member conveys the recording medium by nipping the recording medium; the second conveying member conveys the recording medium by nipping the recording medium with a nip force weaker than that of the first conveying member; the control means controls the recording means so that, when recording an image in a first state in which a first type of recording medium is supported by the first transport member and not supported by the second transport member, the control means uses recording elements included in a first area of ​​the recording element area, the first area being a first distance away from the first type of recording medium in a height direction perpendicular to a plane on which the recording elements are arranged, and does not use recording elements included in a second area of ​​the recording element area, the second area being a second distance away from the first type of recording medium that is greater than the first distance; A recording device characterized by controlling the recording means to use recording elements included in the first area of ​​the recording element area and not to use recording elements included in the second area when recording an image in a state in which a second type of recording medium having a lower rigidity than the first type of recording medium is supported by the second transport member and not supported by the first transport member.

2. The recording device according to claim 1, characterized in that, when recording an image in a second state in which the first type of recording medium is supported by the second transport member and not supported by the first transport member, the control means controls the recording means to use recording elements included in the second area of ​​the recording element area and not to use recording elements included in the first area.

3. The recording device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, when an image is recorded while the first type of recording medium is supported by both the first transport member and the second transport member, the control means controls the recording means to record the image using recording elements included in the entire area of ​​the recording element area.

4. 4. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a platen disposed between the first transport member and the second transport member in the transport direction, for supporting the recording medium from below.

5. 5. The recording apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the first transport member is disposed higher than the platen in the height direction.

6. 6. The recording apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the second transport member is disposed higher than the platen in the height direction.

7. 7. A recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first type of recording medium is a paperboard.

8. 7. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first type of recording medium is a carrier tray on which media to be recorded is set.

9. The control means when an image is recorded on a third type of recording medium, the third type of recording medium being larger in size in the transport direction than the first type of recording medium, in a state in which the third type of recording medium is supported by the first transport member and is not supported by the second transport member, the image is recorded using recording elements included in the entire area of ​​the recording element area; when an image is to be recorded on the third type of recording medium in a state in which the third type of recording medium is supported by the second transport member and is not supported by the first transport member, the recording elements included in the first region of the recording element region are used, and the recording elements included in the second region are not used, 9. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a control unit for controlling the recording means.

10. 10. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control means controls the transport means to transport the recording medium in the transport direction a distance shorter than the width of an area of ​​the recording element area used in the recording scan.

11. 11. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing elements are ink-jet printing elements for ejecting ink.

12. 12. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein in the first state, the first type of recording medium is inclined so that its leading edge is positioned lower in the height direction than the first conveying member.

13. a conveying means including a first conveying member for conveying a recording medium in a conveying direction, and a second conveying member disposed downstream of the first conveying member in the conveying direction, for conveying the recording medium in the conveying direction; a recording means located between the first transport member and the second transport member in the transport direction, the recording means having a recording element area in which a plurality of recording elements for applying a recording material to the recording medium transported by the transport means are arranged in the transport direction; An acquisition means for acquiring information indicating a type of recording medium; a control means for controlling the transport means and the recording means so as to record an image on the recording medium by performing a recording scan in which a recording material is applied while the recording means is scanned in a direction intersecting the transport direction, and a transport operation in which the transport means transports the recording medium in the transport direction; A recording device comprising: the first conveying member conveys the recording medium by nipping the recording medium; the second conveying member conveys the recording medium by nipping the recording medium with a nip force weaker than that of the first conveying member; the control means, when the information acquired by the acquisition means indicates a board and an image is recorded in a state in which the recording medium is supported by the first transport member and not supported by the second transport member, controls the recording means to use recording elements included in a first region of the recording element region, the first region being located at a relatively small distance from the recording medium, and not to use recording elements included in a second region, the second region being located downstream of the first region in the transport direction and the second region being located at a relatively large distance from the recording medium; A recording device characterized by controlling the recording means to use recording elements included in the first region of the recording element area and not use recording elements included in the second region when an image is recorded on a recording medium having a stiffness lower than that of the board paper and supported by the second transport member and not supported by the first transport member.

14. a conveying means including a first conveying member for conveying a recording medium in a conveying direction, and a second conveying member disposed downstream of the first conveying member in the conveying direction, for conveying the recording medium in the conveying direction; a recording means located between the first transport member and the second transport member in the transport direction, the recording means having a recording element area in which a plurality of recording elements for applying a recording material to the recording medium transported by the transport means are arranged in the transport direction; a platen that is disposed between the first transport member and the second transport member in the transport direction and below the first transport member in a height direction perpendicular to a plane on which the recording elements are arranged, and that supports a recording medium from below; a control means for controlling the transport means and the recording means so as to record an image on the recording medium by performing a recording scan in which a recording material is applied while the recording means is scanned in a direction intersecting the transport direction, and a transport operation in which the transport means transports the recording medium in the transport direction; A recording device comprising: the first conveying member conveys the recording medium by nipping the recording medium; the second conveying member conveys the recording medium by nipping the recording medium with a nip force weaker than that of the first conveying member; the control means, when recording an image in a state in which a first type of recording medium is supported by the first transport member and not supported by the second transport member, and a leading edge of the first type of recording medium is in contact with the platen and inclined so as to be located lower than the first transport member in the height direction, controls the recording means to use recording elements included in a first region of the recording element region and not to use recording elements included in a second region downstream of the first region in the transport direction; a recording device that controls the recording means to use recording elements included in the first area of ​​the recording element area and not to use recording elements included in the second area when an image is recorded in a state in which a second type of recording medium having a lower rigidity than the first type of recording medium is supported by the second transport member but not supported by the first transport member, and the rear end of the second type of recording medium is tilted so as to contact the platen.

15. a conveying means including a first conveying member for conveying a recording medium in a conveying direction, and a second conveying member disposed downstream of the first conveying member in the conveying direction, for conveying the recording medium in the conveying direction; a recording means located between the first transport member and the second transport member in the transport direction, the recording means having a recording element area in which a plurality of recording elements for applying a recording material to the recording medium transported by the transport means are arranged in the transport direction; a control means for controlling the transport means and the recording means so as to record an image on the recording medium by performing a recording scan in which a recording material is applied while the recording means is scanned in a direction intersecting the transport direction, and a transport operation in which the transport means transports the recording medium in the transport direction; A recording device comprising: the first conveying member conveys the recording medium by nipping the recording medium; the second conveying member conveys the recording medium by nipping the recording medium with a nip force weaker than that of the first conveying member; the control means controls the recording means so that, when recording an image in a state in which a first type of recording medium is supported by the second transport member and not supported by the first transport member, the control means uses recording elements included in a first region of the recording element region, the first region being a first distance away from the first type of recording medium in a height direction perpendicular to a plane on which the recording elements are arranged, and does not use recording elements included in a second region of the recording element region, the second region being a second distance away from the first type of recording medium that is greater than the first distance; A recording device characterized by controlling the recording means to use recording elements included in the second area of ​​the recording element area and not to use recording elements included in the first area when an image is recorded in a state in which a second type of recording medium having a lower rigidity than the first type of recording medium is supported by the second transport member and not supported by the first transport member.

16. A conveying means comprising: a first conveying member for conveying a recording medium in a conveying direction; and a second conveying member arranged downstream of the first conveying member in the conveying direction, for conveying the recording medium in the conveying direction; a recording means located between the first transport member and the second transport member in the transport direction, the recording means having a recording element area in which a plurality of recording elements for applying a recording material to the recording medium transported by the transport means are arranged in the transport direction; a control means for controlling the transport means and the recording means so as to record an image on the recording medium by performing a recording scan in which a recording material is applied while the recording means is scanned in a direction intersecting the transport direction, and a transport operation in which the transport means transports the recording medium in the transport direction; A recording device comprising: The control means when recording an image in a first state in which a first type of recording medium is supported by the first transport member and not supported by the second transport member, the recording means is controlled so as to use recording elements included in a first region of the recording element region, the first region being a first distance away from the first type of recording medium in a height direction perpendicular to a surface on which the recording elements are arranged, and not to use recording elements included in a second region of the recording element region, the second region being a second distance away from the first type of recording medium that is greater than the first distance; when an image is recorded on a third type of recording medium, the third type of recording medium being larger in size in the transport direction than the first type of recording medium, in a state in which the third type of recording medium is supported by the first transport member and is not supported by the second transport member, the image is recorded using recording elements included in the entire area of ​​the recording element area; when an image is to be recorded on the third type of recording medium in a state in which the third type of recording medium is supported by the second transport member and is not supported by the first transport member, the recording elements included in the first region of the recording element region are used, and the recording elements included in the second region are not used, A recording apparatus which controls the recording means.

17. a conveying means including a first conveying member for conveying a recording medium in a conveying direction, and a second conveying member disposed downstream of the first conveying member in the conveying direction, for conveying the recording medium in the conveying direction; a recording means located between the first transport member and the second transport member in the transport direction, the recording means having a recording element area in which a plurality of recording elements for applying a recording material to the recording medium transported by the transport means are arranged in the transport direction; Using a recording device comprising: A control method for recording an image on a recording medium by performing a recording scan in which a recording material is applied while the recording means is scanned in a direction intersecting the transport direction, and a transport operation in which the transport means transports the recording medium in the transport direction, the control method comprising: the first conveying member conveys the recording medium by nipping the recording medium; the second conveying member conveys the recording medium by nipping the recording medium with a nip force weaker than that of the first conveying member; when recording an image in a first state in which a first type of recording medium is supported by the first transport member and not supported by the second transport member, the recording means is controlled so as to use recording elements included in a first region of the recording element region, the first region being a first distance away from the first type of recording medium in a height direction perpendicular to a surface on which the recording elements are arranged, and not to use recording elements included in a second region of the recording element region, the second region being a second distance away from the first type of recording medium that is greater than the first distance; A control method characterized by controlling the recording means to use recording elements included in the first area of ​​the recording element area and not to use recording elements included in the second area when an image is recorded in a state in which a second type of recording medium having a lower rigidity than the first type of recording medium is supported by the second transport member and not supported by the first transport member.

18. The control method according to claim 17, characterized in that when an image is recorded in a second state in which the first type of recording medium is supported by the second transport member and not supported by the first transport member, the recording means is controlled to use recording elements included in the second area of ​​the recording element area and not to use recording elements included in the first area.

19. The control method according to claim 17 or 18, characterized in that when an image is recorded while the first type of recording medium is supported by both the first transport member and the second transport member, the recording means is controlled so as to record the image using recording elements included in the entire area of ​​the recording element area.

20. 20. The control method according to claim 17, wherein the recording device further comprises a platen disposed between the first transport member and the second transport member in the transport direction and supporting the recording medium from below.

21. when an image is recorded on a third type of recording medium, the third type of recording medium being larger in size in the transport direction than the first type of recording medium, in a state in which the third type of recording medium is supported by the first transport member and is not supported by the second transport member, the image is recorded using recording elements included in the entire area of ​​the recording element area; A control method according to any one of claims 17 to 20, characterized in that when an image is recorded on the third type of recording medium while it is supported by the second transport member and not supported by the first transport member, the recording means is controlled so as to use recording elements included in the first area of ​​the recording element area and not to use recording elements included in the second area.

22. 22. The control method according to claim 17, wherein the transport means is controlled so as to transport the recording medium in the transport direction by a distance shorter than a width of an area of ​​the recording element area used in the recording scan.

23. 23. The control method according to claim 17, wherein in the first state, the first type of recording medium is inclined so that its leading edge is positioned lower in the height direction than the first conveying member.

24. a conveying means including a first conveying member for conveying a recording medium in a conveying direction, and a second conveying member disposed downstream of the first conveying member in the conveying direction, for conveying the recording medium in the conveying direction; a recording means located between the first transport member and the second transport member in the transport direction, the recording means having a recording element area in which a plurality of recording elements for applying a recording material to the recording medium transported by the transport means are arranged in the transport direction; An acquisition means for acquiring information indicating a type of recording medium; a control method for recording an image on a recording medium by performing a recording scan in which a recording material is applied while scanning the recording means in a direction intersecting the transport direction, and a transport operation in which the transport means transports the recording medium in the transport direction, using a recording apparatus comprising: the first conveying member conveys the recording medium by nipping the recording medium; the second conveying member conveys the recording medium by nipping the recording medium with a nip force weaker than that of the first conveying member; when the information acquired by the acquisition means indicates a board, and when an image is recorded in a state in which the recording medium is supported by the first transport member and not supported by the second transport member, the recording means is controlled so as to use recording elements included in a first region of the recording element region, the first region being located at a relatively small distance from the recording medium, and not to use recording elements included in a second region, the second region being located downstream of the first region in the transport direction and being located at a relatively large distance from the recording medium; A control method characterized by controlling the recording means to use recording elements included in the first region of the recording element area and not to use recording elements included in the second region when an image is recorded on a recording medium having a stiffness lower than that of the board paper and supported by the second transport member and not supported by the first transport member.

25. a conveying means including a first conveying member for conveying a recording medium in a conveying direction, and a second conveying member disposed downstream of the first conveying member in the conveying direction, for conveying the recording medium in the conveying direction; a platen that is disposed between the first transport member and the second transport member in the transport direction and below the first transport member in the height direction and supports a recording medium from below; a recording means located between the first transport member and the second transport member in the transport direction, the recording means having a recording element area in which a plurality of recording elements for applying a recording material to the recording medium transported by the transport means are arranged in the transport direction; a control method for recording an image on a recording medium by performing a recording scan in which a recording material is applied while scanning the recording means in a direction intersecting the transport direction, and a transport operation in which the transport means transports the recording medium in the transport direction, using a recording apparatus comprising: the first conveying member conveys the recording medium by nipping the recording medium; the second conveying member conveys the recording medium by nipping the recording medium with a nip force weaker than that of the first conveying member; when recording an image in a state in which a first type of recording medium is supported by the first transport member and not supported by the second transport member, and a leading edge of the first type of recording medium is in contact with the platen and inclined so as to be located below the first transport member in the height direction, the recording means is controlled to use recording elements included in a first region of the recording element region and not to use recording elements included in a second region downstream of the first region in the transport direction, a control method for controlling the recording means to use recording elements included in the first region of the recording element area and not to use recording elements included in the second region when an image is recorded in a state in which a second type of recording medium having a lower rigidity than the first type of recording medium is supported by the second transport member but not supported by the first transport member, and the rear end of the second type of recording medium is tilted so as to contact the platen, the control method comprising: controlling the recording means to use recording elements included in the first region of the recording element area and not to use recording elements included in the second region.

26. a conveying means including a first conveying member for conveying a recording medium in a conveying direction, and a second conveying member disposed downstream of the first conveying member in the conveying direction, for conveying the recording medium in the conveying direction; a recording means located between the first transport member and the second transport member in the transport direction, the recording means having a recording element area in which a plurality of recording elements for applying a recording material to the recording medium transported by the transport means are arranged in the transport direction; Using a recording device comprising: A control method for recording an image on a recording medium by performing a recording scan in which a recording material is applied while the recording means is scanned in a direction intersecting the transport direction, and a transport operation in which the transport means transports the recording medium in the transport direction, the control method comprising: the first conveying member conveys the recording medium by nipping the recording medium; the second conveying member conveys the recording medium by nipping the recording medium with a nip force weaker than that of the first conveying member; when recording an image in a state in which a first type of recording medium is supported by the second transport member and not supported by the first transport member, the recording means is controlled so as to use recording elements included in a first region of the recording element region, the first region being a first distance away from the first type of recording medium in a height direction perpendicular to a surface on which the recording elements are arranged, and not to use recording elements included in a second region of the recording element region, the second region being a second distance away from the first type of recording medium that is greater than the first distance; A control method, characterized in that when an image is recorded in a state in which a second type of recording medium having a lower rigidity than the first type of recording medium is supported by the second transport member and not supported by the first transport member, the control method uses recording elements included in the second area of ​​the recording element area and does not use recording elements included in the first area.

27. ​​A conveying means comprising: a first conveying member for conveying a recording medium in a conveying direction; and a second conveying member arranged downstream of the first conveying member in the conveying direction, for conveying the recording medium in the conveying direction; a recording means located between the first transport member and the second transport member in the transport direction, the recording means having a recording element area in which a plurality of recording elements for applying a recording material to the recording medium transported by the transport means are arranged in the transport direction; Using a recording device comprising: A control method for recording an image on a recording medium by performing a recording scan in which a recording material is applied while the recording means is scanned in a direction intersecting the transport direction, and a transport operation in which the transport means transports the recording medium in the transport direction, the control method comprising: when recording an image in a first state in which a first type of recording medium is supported by the first transport member and not supported by the second transport member, the recording means is controlled so as to use recording elements included in a first region of the recording element region, the first region being a first distance away from the first type of recording medium in a height direction perpendicular to a surface on which the recording elements are arranged, and not to use recording elements included in a second region of the recording element region, the second region being a second distance away from the first type of recording medium that is greater than the first distance; when an image is recorded on a third type of recording medium, the third type of recording medium being larger in size in the transport direction than the first type of recording medium, in a state in which the third type of recording medium is supported by the first transport member and is not supported by the second transport member, the image is recorded using recording elements included in the entire area of ​​the recording element area; a control method for controlling the recording means to use recording elements included in the first region of the recording element area and not to use recording elements included in the second region when an image is recorded on the third type of recording medium supported by the second transport member and not supported by the first transport member, the control method comprising:

Images