Abstract: An ink jet recording apparatus is structured to perform discharges in the capping status when preliminary discharges are performed in a shot number larger than a predetermined number, and perform discharges in a cap or a preparatory port other than the cap when the preliminary discharges are performed in a shot number less than the predetermined number. With the structure thus arranged, it is made possible to implement the suppression of the mist generation due to the preliminary discharges, and to make the time of recording on a recording medium shorter as well.

Abstract: The invention prevents a pattern arising from periodicity of dot arrangement from appearing as noises of a streak etc. when a plurality of different dot arrangements are used repeatedly in a unit of a predetermined number of the dot arrangements for the same level of gradation of input image data, and thereby makes it possible to print a high-quality image. For this end, when input image data quantized to one of multivalued levels of gradation is allocated to a dot arrangement of H×N, a matrix of A×B created by combining a plurality of different dot arrangements each displaying the same level of gradation of the input image data in a raster direction and in a column direction is used as a minimum unit, and the dot arrangement of this matrix is allocated to the input image data.

Abstract: The ink jet recording head 1 of the invention is provided with a black ink nozzle array Bk1 for black ink constituting first ink, and plural color ink nozzle arrays C1 to C3 for discharging color inks. In a color ink nozzle array C1 having the shortest print distance from the black print formed by the black ink nozzle array Bk1, there is introduced a color ink showing the highest mutual reactivity with the black ink, and a color ink showing the next highest mutual reactivity is introduced into a nozzle array C2 having the next shortest print distance, and a color ink showing the lowest mutual reactivity is introduced into a nozzle array C3 having the longest print distance.

Abstract: A liquid discharging apparatus characterized by a mounting portion for mounting thereon a liquid discharging head provided with a discharge port for discharging liquid, a cap for covering the discharge port, suction means for effecting suction from the discharge port when the cap covers the discharge port, and control means for causing the cap to cover the discharge port when the liquid discharging head is mounted on the mounting portion, and causing the suction means to effect first suction from the discharge port by negative pressure having a first negative pressure curve, and then causing the suction means to effect second suction from the discharge port by negative pressure in a second negative pressure curve which is different than the first negative pressure curve with the cap caused to cover the discharge port.

Abstract: A liquid discharge apparatus comprises an energy generating element for generating energy to be utilized for discharging liquid, a wiper for wiping in succession plural discharge ports for discharging liquid, utilizing the energy generated by the energy generating element, control device for starting liquid discharge, utilizing the energy generated by the energy generating element, among the plural discharge ports, in succession from a discharge port immediately prior to being wiped by the wiper and from a discharge port in the vicinity of the immediately prior discharge port at the downstream side in the wiping direction by the wiper.

Abstract: After the front end area of the print medium has been printed and when the printing is to be continued following the front end area, a preliminary ejection is performed, prior to the current scan, on the nozzles that have not been used in preceding scans but begin to be used in a current scan, in order to remove viscous ink from the nozzles and making them ready to perform ejection. As a result, the ink ejection from the nozzles that begin to be used in the current scan becomes satisfactory.

Abstract: A method of recording a multi-color image containing a plurality of image regions formed by applying an black ink and a color ink to overlap each other in different orders, where the black ink contains a salt, an aqueous medium and a pigment dispersed in the aqueous medium by the action of an ionic group, and the color ink contains a dye. Otherwise, the black ink contains a salt, an aqueous medium and a pigment dispersed in the aqueous medium by the action of an ionic group, and the color ink is reactive with the black ink. This method enables to obtain high quality images free from density unevenness or excellent in uniform feeling.

Abstract: The present invention allows buffer chamber to sufficiently restrain the vibration of ink in a print head. To achieve this, buffer portion that effectively restrain the vibration of the ink at close to a channel between a common chamber and an ejection opening is filled with bubble, and then excess bubble is removed through the ejection opening.

Abstract: A liquid discharge apparatus comprises an energy generating element for generating energy to be utilized for discharging liquid, a wiper for wiping in succession plural discharge ports for discharging liquid, utilizing the energy generated by the energy generating element, control means for starting liquid discharge, utilizing the energy generated by said energy generating element, among the plural discharge ports, in succession from a discharge port immediately prior to being wiped by the wiper and from a discharge port in the vicinity of the immediately prior discharge port at the downstream side in the wiping direction by the wiper.

Abstract: In a liquid ejection head comprising a plurality of opened liquid flow passages arranged side by side and communicating with ejection orifices through which a liquid is ejected, and thermal energy generating elements for generating thermal energy utilized to eject the liquid through the ejection orifices and generating bubbles in the liquid, at least one closed liquid flow passage closed at one end corresponding to the ejection orifice is provided in at least one end side of the plurality of opened liquid flow passages communicating with the ejection orifices. Since the closed liquid flow passage is not communicated with open air, the liquid is relatively hard to flow into the closed liquid flow passage. Accordingly, a bubble having the function of absorbing a liquid vibration caused upon ejection of the liquid is formed to extend from the interior of the closed liquid flow passage rearward. Vibrations of liquid meniscuses at the ejection orifices can be suppressed with the presence of the bubble.

Abstract: This specification discloses a liquid discharging apparatus characterized by a mounting portion for mounting thereon a liquid discharging head provided with a discharge port for discharging liquid therethrough, a cap for covering the discharge port, suction means for effecting suction from the discharge port when the cap covers the discharge port, and control means for causing the cap to cover the discharge port when the liquid discharging head is mounted on the mounting portion, and causing the suction means, in this state, to effect first suction for effecting suction from the discharge port by negative pressure having a first negative pressure curve indicative of the relation between the negative pressure in the cap for suction and the time elapsed, and then causing the suction means to effect second suction for effecting suction from the discharge port by negative pressure in a second negative pressure curve small in the frequency of occurrence of the peak of the negative pressure per unit time as compare

Abstract: The ink jet recording head 1 of the invention is provided with a black ink nozzle array Bk1 for black ink constituting first ink, and plural color ink nozzle arrays C1 to C3 for discharging color inks. In a color ink nozzle array C1 having the shortest print distance from the black print formed by the black ink nozzle array Bk1, there is introduced a color ink showing the highest mutual reactivity with the black ink, and a color ink showing the next highest mutual reactivity is introduced into a nozzle array C2 having the next shortest print distance, and a color ink showing the lowest mutual reactivity is introduced into a nozzle array C3 having the longest print distance.

Abstract: A liquid discharging apparatus using a liquid discharging head for discharging a liquid, including a cleaning unit for cleaning a nozzle section of the liquid discharging head. The cleaning unit is formed of an elastic pillar member not absorbing the liquid and is elastically deformed when it comes into contact with a face including the nozzle section of the liquid discharging head. The liquids which are discharged through the liquid discharging head include an ink and a printability improving solution which makes the dye or pigment insoluble or coagulates the dye or pigment in the ink.