Abstract: When a feeding amount for multi-pass printing is changed, the purpose related to an image quality using a binary data generation pattern can still be attained by, for example, a density pattern method. Specifically, a multi-pass printing mode is identified, and a density pattern selection matrix associated with a cycle of binary data generation is selected in accordance with the selected printing mode. That is, a density pattern selection matrix employed for binary data generation using a density pattern is changed to a size corresponding to the feeding amount designated by the selected printing mode. Thereby, a phenomenon that a unit used for image processing to gain a predetermined purpose related to an image quality does not match a unit area used for a printing operation is avoided, and an image printing purpose using a binary data generation pattern can be appropriately attained.

Abstract: When a feeding amount for multi-pass printing is changed, the purpose related to an image quality using a binary data generation pattern can still be attained by, for example, a density pattern method. Specifically, a multi-pass printing mode is identified, and a density pattern selection matrix associated with a cycle of binary data generation is selected in accordance with the selected printing mode. That is, a density pattern selection matrix employed for binary data generation using a density pattern is changed to a size corresponding to the feeding amount designated by the selected printing mode. Thereby, a phenomenon that a unit used for image processing to gain a predetermined purpose related to an image quality does not match a unit area used for a printing operation is avoided, and an image printing purpose using a binary data generation pattern can be appropriately attained.

Abstract: When a feeding amount for multi-pass printing is changed, the purpose related to an image quality using a binary data generation pattern can still be attained by, for example, a density pattern method. Specifically, a multi-pass printing mode is identified, and a density pattern selection matrix associated with a cycle of binary data generation is selected in accordance with the selected printing mode. That is, a density pattern selection matrix employed for binary data generation using a density pattern is changed to a size corresponding to the feeding amount designated by the selected printing mode. Thereby, a phenomenon that a unit used for image processing to gain a predetermined purpose related to an image quality does not match a unit area used for a printing operation is avoided, and an image printing purpose using a binary data generation pattern can be appropriately attained.

Abstract: The present invention is able to print high-grade images by reducing the adverse effect of misdirection of ink in the joining portion between adjacent nozzle lines. To achieve this, an ink jet print head includes a plurality of chips in each of which adjacent nozzle lines are formed. The relative positions of the chips are set depending on the amounts of misdirection of ink ejected from overlapping nozzles in the joining portion.

Abstract: The printing elements of each printing element array are divided into blocks. A block to be driven and a block not to be driven are determined for each scanning of a printhead. The printhead is driven to print by complementing blocks to be driven by each scanning in a plurality of scanning operations. In each scanning, the printhead prints while making a printing area corresponding to at least one ink different from a printing area corresponding to another ink.

Abstract: A data processing apparatus uses a pattern table arranging binarizing patterns correspondingly to positions of a pixel, each of which is used for a binarization process in which an arrangement of a number of dots depending on a value of multi-valued image data corresponding to the pixel is determined, to select the binarizing pattern depending on the position of the pixel and on the value of multi-valued image data corresponding to the pixel for executing the binarization process. The pattern table corresponding to one of the values to be taken by the multi-valued image data includes a plurality of types of binarizing patterns which determine different arrangements of dots from each other. The arrangement of each of the plurality of types of binarizing patterns in the pattern table corresponding to the one value has a characteristic that the arrangement is aperiodic and that low frequency components are fewer than high frequency components.

Abstract: In manufacturing a long ink jet print head in which a plurality of chips are arranged, a decrease in yield resulting from inappropriate arrangement of the chips can be suppressed and high-quality images can be printed. An image corresponding to the joining portion between adjacent chips is printed by using, as overlapping nozzles, those of the nozzles located in the joining portion which are selected on the basis of the amount of misalignment between chips.

Abstract: When an image is formed by imparting aqueous ink discharged from a recording head onto a recording medium P, water content contained in the aqueous ink is evaporated by a heater to suppress curl generated in the recording medium P after the image formation. The aqueous ink contains at least 15% by weight of curl control agent, and the viscosity of the aqueous ink is lower than 4 cp. The viscosity is increased to suppress the curl generation by evaporating the water content contained in the aqueous ink imparted on the recording medium P after the image formation.

Abstract: When a feeding amount for multi-pass printing is changed, the purpose related to an image quality using a binary data generation pattern can still be attained by, for example, a density pattern method. Specifically, a multi-pass printing mode is identified, and a density pattern selection matrix associated with a cycle of binary data generation is selected in accordance with the selected printing mode. That is, a density pattern selection matrix employed for binary data generation using a density pattern is changed to a size corresponding to the feeding amount designated by the selected printing mode. Thereby, a phenomenon that a unit used for image processing to gain a predetermined purpose related to an image quality does not match a unit area used for a printing operation is avoided, and an image printing purpose using a binary data generation pattern can be appropriately attained.

Abstract: The present invention is able to print high-grade images by reducing the adverse effect of misdirection of ink in the joining portion between adjacent nozzle lines. To achieve this, an ink jet print head includes a plurality of chips in each of which adjacent nozzle lines are formed. The relative positions of the chips are set depending on the amounts of misdirection of ink ejected from overlapping nozzles in the joining portion.

Abstract: The printing elements of each printing element array are divided into blocks. A block to be driven and a block not to be driven are determined for each scanning of a printhead. The printhead is driven to print by complementing blocks to be driven by each scanning in a plurality of scanning operations. In each scanning, the printhead prints while making a printing area corresponding to at least one ink different from a printing area corresponding to another ink.

Abstract: The present invention is able to print high-grade images by reducing the adverse effect of misdirection of ink in the joining portion between adjacent nozzle lines. To achieve this, an ink jet print head includes a plurality of chips in each of which adjacent nozzle lines are formed. The relative positions of the chips are set depending on the amounts of misdirection of ink ejected from overlapping nozzles in the joining portion.

Abstract: The temperature of a recording head used for recording is adjusted by heating a recording head that is not used for recording and utilizing the effect of heat conduction. The adoption of such a configuration makes it possible to adjust the temperature of a recording head during recording by the use of a relatively simple temperature control circuit. Further, since temperature adjustment can be continuously and efficiently conducted, a good discharge condition can be achieved, and the speed of recording can be increased by reducing the number of recovery operations such as preliminary ejections.

Abstract: An ink jet recording apparatus is provided that changes the adjustment temperature of a recording head depending on the number of recording media so that a favorable recording result can be maintained for any number of recording media and a time required for the recording can be reduced. Different adjustment temperatures T2 are used depending on the number of recording media. When the number of recording media is relatively small, T2 is determined to be low and, when the number of recording media is relatively large, then T2 is determined to be high. When the recording is started, when the head temperature is lower than the determined temperature T2, then ink is heated by a sub heater. Depending on the determined temperature, an interval with which a preliminary ejection is performed is changed.

Abstract: In a binarization process employing dot arrangement patterns, the deviation of formed dots is prevented from occurring. Specifically, the arrangements of the dot arrangement patterns of each of four planes, which correspond to the groups of the four species of dot arrangement patterns of one certain level of five-valued data, are determined. In a process for determining the arrangements of the dot arrangement patterns of the four planes, the repulsive potential between the dot arrangement patterns in each plane and the repulsive potentials among the dot arrangement pattern in one plane and the dot arrangement patterns in the other planes are computed. Besides, the arrangements of the dot arrangement patterns of the planes are determined on the basis of the results of the repulsive potential computations.

Abstract: An ink jet recording apparatus minimizing adhesion of ink mist to a recording medium due to electrostatic attraction of a belt conveying the recording medium. The apparatus includes a liquid applying device applying a processing liquid to a position on the recording medium corresponding to an attracting-force generating device provided on the conveying belt. The apparatus discharges the processing liquid to the position before the ink is discharged on the recording medium. Since moisture of the processing liquid reduces surface charges of the recording medium, the amount of ink mist adhering to the recording medium can be reduced.

Abstract: The present invention is able to print high-grade images by reducing the adverse effect of misdirection of ink in the joining portion between adjacent nozzle lines. To achieve this, an ink jet print head includes a plurality of chips in each of which adjacent nozzle lines are formed. The relative positions of the chips are set depending on the amounts of misdirection of ink ejected from overlapping nozzles in the joining portion.

Abstract: In manufacturing a long ink jet print head in which a plurality of chips are arranged, the present invention can suppress a decrease in yield resulting from the inappropriate arrangement of the chips and enables high-quality images to be printed. To achieve this, the present invention prints an image corresponding to the joining portion between adjacent chips by using, as overlapping nozzles, those of the nozzles located in the joining portion which are selected on the basis of the amount of misalignment between chips.

Abstract: When an image is formed by imparting aqueous ink discharged from a recording head onto a recording medium P, water content contained in the aqueous ink is evaporated to suppress curl generated in the recording medium P after the image formation by a heater. The aqueous ink contains at least 15% by weight of curl control agent, and the viscosity of the aqueous ink is lower than 4 cp. The viscosity is increased to suppress the curl generation by evaporating the water content contained in the aqueous ink imparted on the recording medium P after the image formation.

Abstract: An ink jet recording apparatus is provided that changes the adjustment temperature of a recording head depending on the number of recording media so that a favorable recording result can be maintained for any number of recording media and a time required for the recording can be reduced. Different adjustment temperatures T2 are used depending on the number of recording media. When the number of recording media is relatively small, T2 is determined to be low and, when the number of recording media is relatively large, then T2 is determined to be high. When the recording is started, when the head temperature is lower than the determined temperature T2, then ink is heated by a sub heater. Depending on the determined temperature, an interval with which a preliminary ejection is performed is changed.