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.

Abstract: A recording apparatus has a first carrier carrying a first recording head thereon and a second carrier carrying a second recording head thereon the apparatus is operable in a first recording mode in which the first carrier is moved to thereby effect recording, and a second recording mode in which the first carrier and the second carrier are both moved to thereby effect recording. In a recovery operation, a recovery suction is selectively applied to the recording heads through a switching mechanism. A single pump is the source of the recovery suction.

Abstract: A recording apparatus has a first carrier carrying a first recording head thereon and movable, a second carrier carrying a second recording head thereon and movable, a first recording mode in which the first carrier is moved to thereby effect recording, and a second recording mode in which the first carrier and the second carrier are both moved to thereby effect recording.

Abstract: A recording apparatus includes memories for storing full-color image information to be recorded, a recording head for recording an image on a recording medium, and a control unit including a CPU, a counter, a delay circuit, and a head driver. The control unit has a normal paper recording mode for driving the recording head so that an erected image is recorded on the normal recording sheet and a B.P.F. (Back-Print Film) recording mode for driving the recording head so that the same erected image is recorded on the B.P.F. sheet when the image is veined from the back side of the sheet.