Abstract: When an image representing positional information, formed with black spot pattern and the other image formed with color inks including cyan, magenta, and yellow are recorded on the same recording medium, the gradient of color data is corrected during data preparation of colors used for recording the image other than the black spot pattern, according to the duty of the black spot pattern. Thus, even if the other image is recorded to overlap with the black spot pattern, color changes of the image can be prevented to produce a high-quality image.

Abstract: This invention provides a printing head which can prevent an increase in the number of block enable signal lines, and can prevent changes in printing ink density caused by interference due to the relative pressures of nozzles generated in ink discharge, and an image printing apparatus using the printing head. For this purpose, an increase in the number of input signal lines along with an increase in the number of blocks is prevented using a block clock signal or the like instead of a block enable signal as an input signal to the printing head. Three ring counters generate signals having different nozzle driving orders. These signals are selectively used by a ring counter selection signal. Ink is not always discharged from the nozzles in the same output order. This can prevent changes in ink density caused by pressure interference.

Abstract: To drive an inkjet printhead having an array of printing elements, where the first and second printing elements which discharge relatively different amounts of ink are arranged on the same array in a predetermined direction, print data for the first or second printing element is serially inputted, the inputted print data is sequentially stored, the stored print data is latched, a selection signal indicative of which of the first or second printing element is to be driven is inputted, a driving signal indicative of a driving period is inputted, and respective printing elements are driven in accordance with the latched print data, the selection signal, and the driving signal. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the cost of the printhead having plural types of printing elements, which discharge relatively different amounts of ink, and possible to easily control driving of the printhead.

Abstract: This invention provides a printing head which can prevent an increase in the number of block enable signal lines, and can prevent changes in printing ink density caused by interference due to the relative pressures of nozzles generated in ink discharge, and an image printing apparatus using the printing head. For this purpose, an increase in the number of input signal lines along with an increase in the number of blocks is prevented using a block clock signal or the like instead of a block enable signal as an input signal to the printing head. Three ring counters generate signals having different nozzle driving orders. These signals are selectively used by a ring counter selection signal. Ink is not always discharged from the nozzles in the same output order. This can prevent changes in ink density caused by pressure interference.

Abstract: A printing apparatus receives, from a host apparatus, print data, and block size information of a block which is generated on the basis of the main scanning printing width and ensured in a print buffer. A block corresponding to the received block size information is ensured in the print buffer, and the print data is stored in the print buffer. The CPU of the printing apparatus controls printing by the printhead on the basis of the print data stored in the print buffer.

Abstract: A recording apparatus having a plurality of interfaces capable of communicating with external devices performs recording based on recording data input through any one of the plurality of interfaces. The recording apparatus determines which interface is used for receiving the recording data from the plurality of interfaces, and performs conversion processing on the recording data by increasing the amount of data in accordance with the determination result of which interface is used for receiving the recording data. The conversion processing changes depending on whether or not the interface used for receiving the recording data is an interface having a relatively high transfer rate (high speed interface).

Abstract: A control method at the time of preliminary ejection of ink is changed between a recording area in which a nozzle used for recording is not switched every recording scanning and a recording area in which the nozzle for recording is switched every recording scanning, whereby the preliminary ejection is performed at an appropriate frequency in any recording area.

Abstract: To drive an inkjet printhead having an array of printing elements, where the first and second printing elements which discharge relatively different amounts of ink are arranged on the same array in a predetermined direction, print data for the first or second printing element is serially inputted, the inputted print data is sequentially stored, the stored print data is latched, a selection signal indicative of which of the first or second printing element is to be driven is inputted, a driving signal indicative of a driving period is inputted, and respective printing elements are driven in accordance with the latched print data, the selection signal, and the driving signal. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the cost of the printhead having plural types of printing elements, which discharge relatively different amounts of ink, and possible to easily control driving of the printhead.

Abstract: There is provided a printing apparatus capable of printing input data in proper adaptation to plural types of printing data input units and environments of use. For this purpose, the type of an input unit is first recognized. For example, when it is recognized that a personal computer capable of causing the printing apparatus to perform a setting process for registration is connected, it is judged that the process has already been performed, and a mode for printing at a high speed is adopted. When it is recognized that a digital camera is connected, since it is likely that the process has not been performed yet, a mode for printing at a low speed is adopted to prevent any reduction in image quality.

Abstract: There is provided a printing apparatus capable of printing input data in proper adaptation to plural types of printing data input units and environments of use. For this purpose, the type of an input unit is first recognized. For example, when it is recognized that a personal computer capable of causing the printing apparatus to perform a setting process for registration is connected, it is judged that the process has already been performed, and a mode for printing at a high speed is adopted. When it is recognized that a digital camera is connected, since it is likely that the process has not been performed yet, a mode for printing at a low speed is adopted to prevent any reduction in image quality.

Abstract: In an ink-jet apparatus employing an ink-jet head having a plurality of heaters corresponding to one ink ejection opening, appropriate preliminary ejection is performed per each ejection amount mode set by heater to be used among a plurality of heaters. Depending upon set printing mode (step S9), printing is performed in one of large, medium and small ejection amount modes (steps S10, S12, S14). For example, after printing is performed for a predetermined amount by the small ejection amount mode (step S10), the preliminary ejection during printing, is performed in the medium ejection amount mode which is greater in ejection amount than the small ejection amount mode. By this, the interval of preliminary ejection during printing can be set longer to prevent lowering of throughput due to preliminary printing operation.

Abstract: In a printing apparatus using a printhead having an array of printing elements in which a plurality of printing elements are arranged in a predetermined direction, the printing apparatus performing printing by scanning the printhead over a printing medium in a direction crossing to the predetermined direction on the basis of information transmitted from a host apparatus, print data transmitted from the host apparatus is stored in a buffer, printing by the scanning is started when the print data stored in the buffer reaches a first amount that is smaller than an amount of print data to be printed on the printing medium by the printhead by one scanning, the scanning is interrupted when storage of the print data in the buffer is delayed during the scanning, and when, after the interruption, subsequent print data stored in the buffer reaches a second amount, the interrupted scanning is executed to complete printing by one scanning.

Abstract: One pixel is sub-divided on the basis of ejection ports. Pixel pattern are provided at respective quantization levels, each of which are defined using dots having different sizes. Image data is processed using a pixel pattern selected according to the type of printing medium and image quality to be achieved, and printing is performed using the image data. Only ejection ports ejecting ink droplets in the same size are driven at the same timing for ejection.

Abstract: The present invention is capable of providing the information for telling the current states of an ink tank and a printing apparatus within a rang exceeding a standard amount of the ink in the ink tank to be controlled as an amount of the ink usable by the printing apparatus. For this purpose, information concerning an amount of the ink used exceeding the standard amount of the ink being controlled as an amount of the ink usable by the printing apparatus is stored in a memory portion of an ink tank.

Abstract: A printing apparatus receives block size information of a block which is generated on the basis of the performance of a host apparatus for a print buffer for storing print data of each block and serves as a storage unit in the print buffer. Print data generated based on the performance of the host apparatus for each block corresponding to the received block size information is stored in the print buffer. The CPU in the printing apparatus controls printing by the printhead on the basis of the print data stored in the print buffer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a printing apparatus and method which can appropriately thin dots for printing so as to ensure a print grade. When dots of a black ink is subjected to thinned printing, the dots are thinned using output gamma correction that corrects print data so as to reduce the print density of an image. On the other hand, when dot of a color ink other than the black ink is subjected to the thinned printing, the number of dots formed per print pixel is reduced.

Abstract: An ink jet printing method uses an ink jet ejecting portion for ejecting ink on a printing material and a print quality improving liquid ejecting portion for ejecting print quality improving liquid on the printing material. The application mode of the print quality improving liquid is different depending on the printing mode in which a printing operation is carried out.

Abstract: Based upon a designated printing mode of a printer, a raster-data creation unit or a direct-data (or column-data) creation unit creates raster data, which corresponds to a print raster, or direct (or column) data, which corresponds to nozzles used on the printhead of a printer, as print data delivered to the printer. The print data created is transmitted to the printer from a transmitting unit.

Abstract: An in-jet printing apparatus having a temperature detection device for outputting a signal in correspondence with a temperature, performs printing by using an ink-jet printhead which performs printing on a recording medium by discharging ink. A flag indicating whether acquisition of the temperature information is necessary or not is set, and the temperature information is obtained in accordance with the status of the flag, after the power on of the apparatus. The obtained temperature information is stored into a nonvolatile storage device. The temperature information can be obtained at appropriate timing in accordance with necessity, even if the power is interrupted during the operation. Thus a high-quality printed output can be obtained by performing a stable printing operation.

Abstract: When an image representing positional information, formed with black spot pattern and the other image formed with color inks including cyan, magenta, and yellow are recorded on the same recording medium, the gradient of color data is corrected during data preparation of colors used for recording the image other than the black spot pattern, according to the duty of the black spot pattern. Thus, even if the other image is recorded to overlap with the black spot pattern, color changes of the image can be prevented to produce a high-quality image.