Abstract: This invention has as its object to improve the net processing speed by appropriately assigning the DMA processing time for attaining high-speed processing using hardware, and the software execution time of a CPU. By interrupting the operation of one of a CPU and a DMA processor only when a device such as an external D-RAM shared by processors such as the CPU, DMA processor, and the like, is to be accessed, the CPU operation and the DMA processing are substantially parallelly executed, thereby improving the net processing speed.

Abstract: A printer which enables flexible printing control to be performed in conformity with the capacity of a memory installed to satisfy the requirements of a user. In this printer, it is first determined whether the additional memory has been installed or not. Then, the printer further examines the total available capacity of the basic memory and additional memory based upon results of the determination, compares the total capacity with an amount of data necessary to perform printing by a single scan using all ink discharge nozzles of a printhead, decides, based upon the results of the comparison, the capacity of a buffer memory for temporarily storing printing data to be transferred to the printhead, and decides to change resolution in the scanning direction or whether to perform printing by multiscan printing using the buffer memory having the capacity decided or perform printing in which printing using all ink discharge nozzles of the printhead is completed by a single scan of the printhead.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a recording apparatus that includes a recording head capable of performing dot recording, a main scanner for scanning the recording head, and a data storage for storing data sent from a host computer. The apparatus can make a record according to stored data by performing a plurality of main scans, and further comprises a restorer for restoring data, which has been subjected to given processing by the host computer, to another data in line with the given processing. The present invention further relates to a record data processing method. According to the present invention, an amount of sent data to be held can be reduced by reducing an amount of data to be transferred from the host computer. Moreover, a record with irregular concentration suppressed can be made in substantially the same recording area by performing a plurality of rounds of main scan as conventionally, while a reduction in cost can be achieved.

Abstract: A recording apparatus records an image by driving plural recording elements in blocks, into which the plural recording elements are divided. The plural blocks are divided into plural groups, each group having more than one block. A driving circuit drives each of the blocks independently. The driving circuit effects recording with high resolution or low resolution by respectively driving plural groups at a different timing in a first mode and driving the plural groups at a same timing in a second mode.

Abstract: A recording apparatus includes a recording head. The recording head is provided with a recording device string made up of a plurality of recording elements. The recording device string is arranged at a specified angle in relation to the direction perpendicular to the direction in which the recording head moves. A plurality of recording elements is divided into a plurality of blocks and sequentially driven in units of blocks at a specified interval. When recording is performed from a position other than an end of the recording device string, the drive sequence of the blocks is changed. The block including the recording element corresponding to a recording start position is first driven and recording data is read with the effective use of a signal line in a data bus.

Abstract: An ink jet printing apparatus has a discharge recovery system that controls the amount of ink suction in a discharge recovery operation on the basis of a property of the ink in a cartridge mounted on the apparatus. The discharge recovery operation can also be controlled when the power to the apparatus is turned on if a cartridge has been replaced or mounted while the power is off.

Abstract: A recording head having a plurality of recording elements arranged thereon is scanned in a direction different from the direction of arrangement of the recording elements to effect a main scan. The scan is started when one scan of print data is stored in a buffer memory. Further, when a predetermined time has elapsed before one scan of print data is stored in the buffer memory, the scan is started without waiting for the storage of one scan of data and the data currently stored in the buffer memory is recorded. After the scan, a sheet is fed in accordance with the amount of print data recorded. The buffer memory can be effectively utilized without regard to a processing speed and a data transfer rate of a host apparatus.

Abstract: An ink jet apparatus carries out a recovery operation if a cap member is not capping a discharge opening when the ink jet apparatus is turned on. The recovery operation includes first wiping a discharge surface with a wiper member, next capping the discharge opening with the cap member, next applying suction to draw ink from the discharge opening using a suction pump, and thereafter discharging ink through the discharge opening, thereby enabling recording of high quality at the beginning of recording after the ink jet apparatus is turned on. The recovery operation may include other steps and be preceded by heating the ink jet head to reduce ink viscosity and enhance the effectiveness of the recovery operation.