JPH05336299A - Image forming method and apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Purpose] It is possible to perform appropriate image recording by reading the already recorded image and checking it. [Structure] When a recording paper P whose surface has been recorded is inserted, the recording paper P is conveyed, and an image recorded on the surface of the recording paper P is read by a reading sensor R. The image data read by the reading sensor R is compared with the recorded image data stored in the image memory. Then, based on the result of this comparison, the image data to be recorded on the back surface of the recording paper P is selected, the recording direction is determined, and the recording is performed by the inkjet printer unit 1.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming method and apparatus. More specifically, the present invention relates to an image forming method and apparatus for recording read image data and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A scanner section (original reading section or image input section) of a general image input / output apparatus or a facsimile apparatus which is used by connecting to a personal computer or the like, and a printer section (image The schematic configuration and function of the output unit) will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 to 12.

FIG. 10 shows a cross section of an image input section of an image input / output device which is mainly used by being connected to a personal computer or the like. In the figure, R is a document reading sensor, which reads the document G pressed against the reading surface 102 by the platen roller 101. Details of the document reading sensor R are shown in FIG.

In FIG. 12, 103 is an image sensor array, which is arranged in a straight line in the width direction of the document G and reads the document G. When the document G is read, the light emitted from the illumination LED array 104 is reflected by the document G, and the reflected light is collected by the condensing rod lens array 10.
It is incident on the image sensor array 103 via 5.
As a result, the reflected light is photoelectrically converted and an electric signal corresponding to the original image on the original G is output. Incidentally, 106
Is a transparent glass plate.

Referring again to FIG. 10, the original G is indicated by the arrow M.
Inserted from the direction, the document detection sensor S ₁ Manuscript G
When known, the platen roller 101 and the drive roller 107
And 109 rotate in the direction of the arrow to carry the original G.
It The rollers 108 and 110 are the drive rollers 10 respectively.
It is a driven roller arranged so as to face 7,109. Well
S₂ Is driven by the driving roller 107 and the driven roller 108.
With a registration sensor that detects the leading edge of documents
is there.

After a lapse of a predetermined time from the detection of the leading edge of the original G by the registration sensor S _2, when the leading edge of the original G reaches the reading surface 102 of the reading sensor R, the drive circuit of the original reading sensor R ( (Not shown) operates to start reading an image. In this way, the document image is read by the document reading sensor R while the document G is being conveyed. When the image reading is completed, the document G is further conveyed by the driving and driven rollers 110 and 109, and is discharged to the outside of the apparatus. Reference numerals 111 and 112 denote a lower guide plate and an upper guide plate, which are arranged above and below the passage of the document G, respectively.

Next, the image recording section will be described. Figure 1
Reference numeral 1 denotes a cross section of an image recording unit of an image input / output device which is mainly used by being connected to a personal computer or the like.
This image recording section is provided adjacent to the above-mentioned document reading section. The recording paper P is inserted from the direction of arrow N, and the driving rollers 115 and 118 and the driven rollers 116 and 11 are inserted.
It is conveyed by the rotation of 7,119. S ₃ is a registration sensor for detecting the leading end of the recording paper P being conveyed.

After the registration sensor S ₃ detects the leading edge of the recording paper P and a predetermined time has elapsed, the recording head E records on the recording paper P. The recording on the recording paper P is performed in the process of conveying the recording paper P, and after the recording is completed, the recording paper P is further conveyed by the driving and driven rollers 118 and 119 and discharged to the outside of the apparatus. Recording by the recording head E is performed by a thermal transfer system, an inkjet system, or an electronic latent image system, and plain paper can be used as the recording paper P.

[0009]

However, in the above conventional example, the recording position and direction are determined by the direction of the original image when the original G is read and the direction when the recording paper P is supplied to the apparatus. Will be done. For this reason,
For example, when it is desired to make a copy on both sides of the recording paper P, the following problems occur.

[0010] That is, over a plurality of pages, when to be recorded on both sides of the recording sheet, for example, the recording of the first page to the surface of the sheet N _1, the sheet N ₁ back surface on the second page of the recording, the sheet N ₂ When recording the 3rd page on the front side, recording the 4th page on the back side of the paper N ₂ , and so on, you must check the recording direction on the front side and insert the recording paper into the device when recording on the back side. However, there is a disadvantage that the target recording cannot be performed because the recording of is reversed. Such an erroneous operation at the time of back surface recording has a problem that time and recording paper are wasted due to re-recording.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and provides an image forming method and apparatus capable of performing appropriate image recording by reading an already recorded image and checking the image. The purpose is to do.

[0012]

In order to achieve the above object, the image forming apparatus of the present invention has the following structure. That is, an image forming apparatus for performing image recording on the basis of input image data, which includes a first storage unit that stores the image data and image data that has already been recorded on a recording medium. Second storage means for storing, image input means for reading the image already printed from the inserted recording medium from the recording medium, image read by the image input means, and the second storage means Comparing means for comparing the image data stored in the first storage means with an output position or direction of the image data stored in the first storage means on the basis of the result of the comparison by the comparing means. Setting means for setting at least one of them, and output means for outputting the image data stored in the first storage means based on the contents set by the setting means. Obtain.

Further, the image forming method according to the present invention for achieving the above object comprises the following steps. That is, it is an image forming method for recording an image based on the input image data, and includes a first storage step of storing the image data and image data which has already been recorded on a recording medium. A second storage step of storing, an image input step of reading an image already printed from the inserted recording medium from the recording medium, an image read by the image input step, and the second storage step And a comparison step of comparing the image data stored in the first storage step with the image data stored in the first storage step based on the comparison result of the comparison step. A setting step of setting at least one of them, and an output step of outputting the image data stored in the first storage step based on the contents set by the setting step. Obtain.

[0014]

In the configuration or process described above, the image data of the image already recorded on the image recording medium is read by the image input means and compared with the image data stored in the second storage means. As a result, the direction or position when the image data stored in the first storage means is recorded on the recording medium is determined and the image is output.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing the schematic arrangement of a document reading section and an image output section of the image input / output apparatus of this embodiment. The image input / output device is used by being connected to, for example, a personal computer.

In FIG. 1, R is a reading sensor, which has the same structure and function as the document reading sensor described in the conventional example. 1 is an inkjet printer unit,
It is arranged along the conveyance direction of the document G or the recording paper P and has a recording width in the width direction of the recording paper P. Reference numerals 2 and 3 are a lower guide plate and an upper guide plate for guiding, which are provided in the insertion portion of the document G or the recording paper P, respectively. Reference numeral 12 is a document detection sensor provided adjacent to the upper and lower guide plates 2 and 3 for detecting the document G. Reference numeral 13 is a registration sensor which is provided in the vicinity of the reading sensor R and detects the leading end of the recording paper P. Reference numeral 14 denotes a registration sensor provided near the inkjet printer unit 1 for detecting the leading end of the document G or the recording paper P. Each of 4, 5, 8
A drive roller that conveys the original G or the recording paper P.
Further, 6 and 7 are driven rollers which are arranged to face the drive rollers 4 and 5, respectively. The drive roller 8 also serves as a platen roller. A stepping motor 9 drives the drive rollers 4, 5 and the platen roller 8 via a transmission device (not shown) such as a gear. Reference numeral 10 denotes a platen arranged so as to face the inkjet printer unit 1.

Reference numeral 15 indicates a recording position by the ink jet printer unit 1, and 16 indicates a reading position by the reading sensor R. L ₁ represents the distance from the registration sensor 13 to the reading position 16 of the reading sensor R. L ₂ represents the distance from the registration sensor 14 to the recording position 15 of the inkjet printer unit 1. Further, L ₃ indicates the distance from the reading position 16 by the reading sensor R to the recording position 15 by the inkjet printer unit 1.

It is assumed that the recording resolution and the reading resolution by the ink jet printer unit 1 and the reading sensor R of this embodiment are 200 dpi (dot per inch), respectively. Therefore, the original G or the recording paper P conveyed by the drive motor 9 corresponds to one line in one pulse signal of the drive motor 9, that is, 25.4 / 200 = 0.
It is set to move by 127 (mm).

Next, the above-mentioned ink jet printer unit 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 is a perspective view of the inkjet cartridge of the inkjet printer unit 1, and FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of the inkjet printer unit 1.

In the ink jet cartridge 33 of FIG. 2, reference numeral 31 is an ink jet type head for forming flying droplets by utilizing thermal energy for recording, and is formed integrally with a tank 32 for supplying ink, and these are printers. It is removable from the part 1.

Inkjet cartridge 33 in this example
As is clear from FIG. 2, the ink jet head 31 has a shape in which the tip portion of the ink jet head 31 slightly projects from the front surface of the ink tank 32. The inkjet cartridge 33 is a disposable type that is fixed to a carriage mounted on the inkjet printer unit 1 described below and is detachable from the carriage (41 in FIG. 3). Inkjet head 3
The ink tank 32 that stores the ink supplied to
It is composed of an ink absorber, a container into which the ink absorber is inserted, and a lid member (not shown) for sealing the container. The ink tank 32 is filled with ink, and the ink is sequentially supplied to the inkjet head 31 according to the ejection of the ink.

The ink jet cartridge 33 constructed as described above is detachably mounted on the carriage of the ink jet printer unit 1 described below by a predetermined method, and the carriage and the recording paper etc. are inputted by inputting a predetermined recording signal. A desired image is recorded on the basis of the relative movement control of the recording target member.

FIG. 3 is an external view showing a configuration example of the ink jet printer unit 1.

Reference numeral 41 is the ink jet head 3 described above.
1. A carriage that holds an inkjet cartridge 33 having an ink tank 32. The carriage 41 is connected to a part of a driving belt 43 for transmitting the driving force of the driving motor 42, and is arranged in parallel with each other.
It is slidably held by the guide shafts 44A and 44B of the book, and enables the inkjet head 31 to reciprocate over the entire width of the recording paper P.

Reference numeral 45 denotes a head recovery device, which is disposed at one end of the movement path of the ink jet head 31, for example, at a position facing the home position. The head recovery device 45 operates by the driving force of the motor 46 and performs capping and wiping of the inkjet head 31. Reference numerals 5 and 7 are the driving roller and the driven roller described in FIG. 1 and convey the original G or the recording paper P.

In the capping, the cap portion 45A is made to correspond to the capped portion of the ink jet head 31 (for example, the ink ejection nozzle portion), and the capped portion is covered to prevent the ink jet head 31 from drying. Further, ink is absorbed by an appropriate suction unit (for example, a suction pump) provided in the head recovery device 45, or ink is pressure-fed by an appropriate pressure unit (for example, a pressure pump) provided in the ink supply path of the inkjet head 31. .. By doing so, it is possible to perform ejection recovery processing such as removing the thickened ink in the ejection port by forcibly ejecting the ink from the ejection port. Further, the inkjet head 31 is protected by capping at the end of recording or the like.

Wiping is provided on the side surface of the head recovery device 45 and is performed by a blade 47 as a wiping member such as silicon rubber. The blade 47 is held by the blade holding member 47A in the form of a cantilever, is driven by the motor 46, and can be engaged with the ink ejection surface of the inkjet head 31. As a result, the blade 47 is projected into the movement path of the inkjet head 31 at an appropriate timing in the recording operation of the inkjet head 31 or after the ejection recovery process, and the ink of the inkjet head 31 is moved in accordance with the movement operation of the inkjet head 31. Condensation, wetness, dust, etc. on the ejection surface can be wiped off.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the schematic arrangement of the control system of the image input / output apparatus of this embodiment. In the figure, 21 is CP
U, which controls the entire device. A printer controller 22 controls the inkjet printer unit 1. Reference numeral 23 is a scanner controller for the reading sensor R, and 24 is a motor controller for controlling the rotation of the drive motor 9. An address register 25 sets the address of the port 1 of the image memory 26 including a dual port RAM or the like. 27 is an image memory 26
2 is an address register for setting the address of port 2 of. 28 is a comparator described later.

The operation of the image input / output apparatus of the present embodiment having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIGS.

When the recording paper P is inserted, the original detection sensor 12 is turned on to notify the CPU 21 of the standby state. When the CPU 21 issues a print start instruction to each unit, the motor controller 24 determines the drive speed, and the drive motor 9 rotates the drive rollers 4 and 5 and the platen roller 8 to start the conveyance of the recording paper P. The pulse 24a is output to the scanner controller 23 and the address register 27. A pulse 24a from the motor controller 24 is output for each line in the sub-scanning direction of the recording paper P for each line. At the same time, the print mode is set in the printer controller 22, and the initialization sequence of the inkjet printer unit 1 is entered. Also, the scan mode is set in the scanner controller 23, and the initialization sequence of the reading sensor R is entered.

The initialization sequence of the ink jet printer unit 1 is processing such as positioning of the ink jet head 31 and preliminary ejection of ink jet nozzles.
The initialization sequence of the reading sensor R is processing such as sensitivity correction of the sensor R and shading correction of the light source. The scanner controller 23 performs the reading operation in synchronization with the step pulse 24a output from the motor controller 24 by the reading sensor R, that is, performs the reading operation for one line for one pulse of the step pulse 24a. ing.

When the recording paper P reaches the position of the registration sensor 13, the motor controller 24 counts the number of step pulses, and the conveyance of the recording paper P is continued until the number of pulses P1 satisfies the following number.

P1 = (200 dpi) × L ₁ (mm) / (25.4 mm) = 7.9L ₁ (pulse) Therefore, when the recording paper P is conveyed a distance of P1 pulses, its leading end Since the reading position of the reading sensor R is reached, the reading of the recording paper P is started. The read data read at this time is binarized by the scanner controller 23, and then sent to the comparator 28 as the black pixel of the binarized data, that is, the address value 23a of the effective image data. The image data 2 already recorded on the surface of the recording paper P stored in the image memory 26 in advance.
6b sequentially outputs from the port 2 side of the image memory 26 according to the address specified by the address register 27 according to the address set by the CPU 21, and is input to the comparator 28. Then, in the comparator 28, the read data 23a read in advance and the image data 26b already recorded on the surface of the recording paper G are compared. Based on the comparison result, the CPU 21 is instructed on the position direction of the recording data on the back surface of the recording paper G.

In this way, the recording paper P is conveyed and read, and after the leading edge of the recording paper P reaches the registration sensor 14, the conveyance and the reading are continued until the conveyance of P2 pulses is completed. The step pulse number P2 at this time satisfies the following equation. That is, P2 = (200 dpi) × L ₂ (mm) /25.4 (mm) = 7.9 L ₂ (pulse).

When the recording paper P of P2 pulses is conveyed, the leading end of the recording paper P reaches the recording position 15 of the ink jet printer unit 1, so that recording of an image is started. At this time, the recording paper P from the port 1 side of the image memory 26
The image data 26a to be recorded in is output.

The reading of the image data 26a at this time is performed according to the address designation of the address register 25 in which the addressing is set according to the position direction of the recording data instructed to the CPU 21 by the comparator 28. Then, the read start timing is instructed from the CPU 21 based on the comparison result of the comparator 28.

As is clear from the above description, the recording paper P
The image data output from the port 2 side of the image memory 26 is also synchronized with the data already recorded in the read sensor R being read by the read sensor R and being output to the comparator 28. Has been output to. That is, the image data after recording by actually reading the recording paper and the image data already output and recorded by the inkjet printer unit 1 are input in synchronization with the comparator 28. The comparator 28 compares the image recorded on the recording paper P with the recorded image data. Then, the state where the comparison results are the same, that is, the position direction of the already recorded data is determined, and the result is notified to the CPU 21.
Then, according to the judgment result, if the recorded image is proper, the recording is continued as it is, and if the recorded image is not proper,
The CPU 21 performs the interruption process and sends a message to the operator.

5 and 6 are flowcharts showing the control operation by the CPU 21. Incidentally, before this process is started, at least 1 is already stored in the image memory 26.
It is assumed that image data to be recorded for pages and at least one page of already recorded image data are stored.
Further, it is assumed that data of a plurality of pages to be printed is managed in page units in a personal computer to which the image input / output device is connected.

First, before proceeding to step S1, when the registration sensor 12 detects the leading edge of the recording paper P, the conveyance motor 9 is rotationally driven to convey the recording paper G in the direction of the reading sensor R. When the recording paper P is detected by the registration sensor 12 in step S1, the process proceeds to step S2, the conveyance motor 9 is rotationally driven by P1 pulses (7.9 × L ₁ ) and the recording paper P is read by the sensor R. Transport in the reading direction. Thus, when the recording paper P reaches the reading position, the process proceeds to step S3, and the reading is continued until the recording data exists so that the comparator 28 can determine the position and direction of the recorded data.

That is, whether or not the data read in step S3 is valid image data is determined in step S4. If it is not valid, the recording paper P for one line is conveyed in step S5 and the next line Read the data. If the read data is valid in step S4, the address of the data is sent to the comparator 28 in step S6. Here, based on the address of the valid data, the already recorded image data to be compared, which is the comparison target, is read out and compared. Steps S3 to S6 are repeated, and it is determined in step S7 whether a comparison result has been obtained.

When the comparison result is obtained in step S7, the process proceeds to step S8. In step S8, it is determined whether the comparison result is normal or abnormal. If the comparison result is abnormal, a message is displayed to the operator (step S14) and the process ends. If it is normal, the current position of the leading edge of the recording paper is checked in step S9 to determine whether the leading edge of the paper dust has passed the recording position 15 of the recording apparatus 1. That is, here, after the leading edge of the recording paper P is detected by the registration sensor 14, it is determined whether or not the recording paper P is conveyed beyond the P2 pulse. If the leading edge position of the recording paper exceeds the recording position 15, the leading edge of the recording paper P is returned to the recording position 15 (step S10). If the leading edge of the recording paper does not exceed the recording position 15, the leading edge of the recording paper P is advanced to the recording position 15 (step S1).
1). Then, the recording image based on the comparison result is recorded on the paper (step S12), and the process is continued until the recording is completed (step S13).

Next, the comparator 28 and the comparison operation of steps S2 to S7 will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the comparator 28. Further, FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation procedure of the comparator 28.

When the scanner controller 23 takes in one line of image data, it checks whether or not there is a black pixel in this data. Then, if there is a black pixel, the address data (x _i , y _j ) of the black pixel is generated and used as the address data 23a. The address selector 61 takes in the address 23a of the black pixel data from the scanner controller 23. When the address selector 61 receives the address data (x _i , y _j ) of the black pixel, the address data 61b is sent to the CPU together with the received signal.
-Send to I / F 64 (step S20 to step S2)
3). On the other hand, when the black pixel is not present in the image signal 23a, the recording paper for one line is conveyed and the data of the next line is read (return from step S22 to step S20).

The CPU / I / F 64 issues a command to the CPU 21 to output the recorded image data 26b from the image memory 26. The CPU 21 sets an image address in the address register 27 according to this signal, and causes the port 2 of the image memory 26 to output image data. At this time, the address data 27a output from the address register 27 has a periphery 80 centered at (x _i , y _j ).
The address is a total of 81 pixels, that is, the address is i−4 to i + 4 of the x address and j−4 to j + 4 of the y address (step S24).

Image data 26b of 81 pixels is output according to the 81 address signals, and both are input to the black data detection circuit 62. Image data 2 output at this time
Image data 6b has already been recorded and output. The black data detection circuit 62 determines whether or not black pixel data is present in the 81 pixel image data output by the 81 address signals 27a, and outputs the determination result 62a to the address data comparison count 63. .. In the address data comparison count 63, 62a is added to the address select signal 61a already input from the address selector 61.
Is determined to be valid or invalid, and the determination result 63a is determined by the CPU
Output to / F64. Reference numeral 63a indicates that when the address select signal of 61a is active, 62a is valid when the black data is detected, and 62a is invalid when the black data is not detected.

At this time, 61a has been active for a sufficient time to output 62a from the black data detection circuit, and the address selector 61 makes this signal 61a inactive. After deactivating 61a, the address selector 61 selects the next black data address. The 63a valid and invalid signals are
The signal is output to the CPU / I / F 64, and the CPU / I / F 64 monitors this signal 63a.

If 63a is valid in the CPU / I / F 64, the continuous valid number is counted (steps S25 and S27). Then, when the count number exceeds 63, it is determined that the read image and the already recorded image currently being compared match, and the CPU 21 is notified that the recording mode of the image data to be recorded on the back side is entered (step S28, 29). Also, the count number is 63
In the following cases, the signal 61a is made inactive and then the next black data address is selected (step S28 returns to step S22). On the other hand, if the invalid signal is input from 63a while the count value of the continuous effective number is 63 or less, it is determined that the read image and the already recorded image currently being compared do not match, and the comparison result is NG. This processing ends as (step S25 and step S2).
6).

When the result of the comparison processing by the above-mentioned comparator 28 is NG, the comparison processing with other recorded data is further performed, or the already recorded image being compared at present It is also possible to perform a comparison process with the data in which is replaced. And by these comparison processing,
If no matching image exists, an error message is output to the operator. In this case, the steps S3 to S7 of the flowchart of FIG. 5 described above can be implemented by replacing them with the flowchart of FIG.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing an example of a procedure for executing the above various comparison processes. In step S41, the comparison process shown in FIG. 8 is executed.
If the result of this comparison processing is OK in step S42, the process proceeds to step S51, the comparison result OK is transmitted to the CPU 21, and this processing is ended.

On the other hand, when the result of the comparison process is NG in step S42, the process proceeds to step S43. From step S43, the process of comparing the recorded image data upside down is started. In step S44, the recording paper is returned to redo the comparison process, and the comparison process is executed in step S45. At this time, in the image data extraction from the image memory in step S24 of FIG. 8 described above, the image data is extracted with the top and bottom reversed.

If the comparison result is OK in step S46, the process proceeds to step S50, and the CPU 2 confirms that the upside down is reversed.
After informing 1, the process proceeds to step S51. Upon receiving the notification that the image is upside down, the CPU 21 reverses the image upside down and prints the image by the inkjet printer unit 1.

On the other hand, when the result of the comparison process is NG in step S46, the process proceeds to step S47. In step S47, it is checked whether or not there is recorded image data of another page that has not been compared. If there is recorded image data that has not been compared, the image data is newly loaded into the image memory in step S48. For example, one page of image data from the connected personal computer is stored in the image memory 26.
Import to. And it returns to step S41 and repeats the above-mentioned process.

If the comparison process for all the recorded image data is completed in step S47, the process proceeds to step S49, and the comparison result is determined to be NG.

In the flowcharts of FIGS. 8 and 9, the comparison of image data is sequentially performed page by page, but the invention is not limited to this. For example, it is possible to simultaneously compare the normal direction and the upside-down direction with respect to the image data of a certain page. Further, if the image data of a plurality of pages can be stored in the image memory, it can be compared with the image data of a plurality of pages at the same time, and the comparison processing time can be shortened.

Here, the address of the data to be compared is 9 ×
The reason why 9 = 81 pixels is set is that the carry error of the paper carrying system of the present apparatus, that is, the carry deviation is less than 9 pixels in both the x and y directions.

As described above, according to the image input / output apparatus of the present embodiment, the image input section and the image output section are arranged on the conveyance path common to both the original G and the recording paper P. Then, when recording on the back side of the recording paper P on which recording has already been performed, the image already recorded on the recording paper P is read by the image input unit, and the read data is compared with the already recorded image data. .. Then, based on the result of this comparison, the image data to be recorded on the back surface and the direction are detected, and the image is recorded. For this reason, recording can be performed without making an error in the image to be recorded and its direction.

In the present embodiment, an ink jet recording head is used, in particular, of the ink jet recording method, in which flying droplets are formed by utilizing thermal energy for recording.

Regarding its typical structure and principle, see, for example, US Pat. Nos. 4,723,129 and 4740.
What is done using the basic principles disclosed in 796 is preferred. This method can be applied to both the so-called on-demand type and continuous type, but especially in the case of the on-demand type, liquid (ink)
By applying at least one drive signal to the electrothermal converter arranged corresponding to the sheet or liquid path in which the liquid crystal is held, which corresponds to the recorded information and causes a rapid temperature rise exceeding nucleate boiling. Since heat energy is generated in the electrothermal converter to cause film boiling on the heat acting surface of the recording head, air bubbles in the liquid (ink) corresponding to this drive signal in a one-to-one correspondence can be formed. It is valid. The liquid (ink) is ejected through the ejection openings by the growth and contraction of the bubbles to form at least one droplet. When the drive signal is pulsed, growth and contraction of the bubbles are immediately and appropriately performed, so that it is possible to achieve ejection of the liquid (ink) with excellent responsiveness, which is more preferable.

As the pulse-shaped drive signal, those described in US Pat. Nos. 4,463,359 and 4,345,262 are suitable. If the conditions described in US Pat. No. 4,313,124 of the invention relating to the rate of temperature rise on the heat acting surface are adopted, excellent recording can be performed.

As the constitution of the recording head, in addition to the combination constitution of the ejection port, the liquid passage, and the electrothermal converter (the straight liquid passage or the right-angled liquid passage) as disclosed in the above-mentioned respective specifications. A configuration using US Pat. No. 4,558,333 or US Pat. No. 4,459,600, which discloses a configuration in which the heat-acting surface is arranged in a bending region, may be used.

In addition, JP-A-59-123670, which discloses a structure in which a common slit is used as a discharge portion of the electrothermal converter for a plurality of electrothermal converters, and a pressure wave of thermal energy is absorbed. It is also possible to adopt a configuration based on Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 59-138461, which discloses a configuration in which the opening corresponds to the ejection portion.

Further, as a full line type recording head having a length corresponding to the maximum recording medium width that can be recorded by the printer unit, the length can be increased by combining a plurality of recording heads as disclosed in the above-mentioned specification. Either of the structure satisfying the requirement or the structure as one recording head integrally formed may be used.

In addition, by being mounted on the apparatus main body, it can be electrically connected to the apparatus main body and can be supplied with ink from the apparatus main body by a replaceable chip type recording head or the recording head itself. Alternatively, a cartridge type recording head provided with an ink tank may be used.

Further, it is preferable to add recovery means for the recording head, preliminary auxiliary means, etc., which are provided as the structure of the recording portion of the present invention, because the effect of the present invention can be further stabilized. .. If these are specifically mentioned,
Capping means, cleaning means, pressurizing or sucking means for the recording head, preheating means using an electrothermal converter or another heating element or a combination thereof, and a preliminary ejection mode for performing ejection other than recording It is also effective to perform stable recording.

Further, the recording mode of the recording unit is not limited to the recording mode of only the mainstream color such as black, but the recording head may be integrally formed or a plurality of combinations may be used. Alternatively, the device may be provided with at least one of full colors by color mixing.

In the embodiments of the present invention described above, the ink is described as a liquid, but it is an ink that solidifies at room temperature or lower and that softens at room temperature, or is a liquid, or the above-mentioned. In the inkjet method, it is common to adjust the temperature of the ink itself within a range of 30 ° C to 70 ° C to control the temperature of the ink so that the viscosity of the ink is within a stable ejection range. It is sufficient that the ink is liquid.

In addition, the temperature rise due to the thermal energy is positively prevented by using it as the energy for the state change of the ink from the solid state to the liquid state, or the ink is solidified in a standing state for the purpose of preventing evaporation of the ink. In some cases, whether ink is used, the ink is liquefied by application of thermal energy according to the recording signal and is ejected as a liquid ink, or the one that has already started to solidify when it reaches the recording medium. The use of an ink having a property of being liquefied only by heat energy is also applicable to the present invention. In such a case, the ink is disclosed in JP-A-54-5684.
No. 7 or JP-A No. 60-71260, a mode in which it faces the electrothermal converter in a state of being held as a liquid or solid in the recess or through hole of the porous sheet. May be In the present invention, the most effective one for each of the above-mentioned inks is to execute the above-mentioned film boiling method.

Further, as a form of the image input / output device according to the present invention, in addition to the one provided integrally or separately as the image output terminal of the information processing equipment such as the word processor and the computer as described above, a reader and the like are provided. It may take the form of a combined copying machine or a facsimile machine having a transmission / reception function.

In the above embodiment, the 9 × 9 image data is compared in the comparator 28. However, this should be set in a range suitable for each of them depending on the image resolution, the recording paper conveyance accuracy and the like. Is possible.

Further, for the determination of the image data, it is also possible to use a method in which the image patterns are vectorized and the vector values are compared.

Although an ink jet type printer is used as the recording apparatus, an impact type printer, a heat sensitive type printer or a thermal transfer type printer can also be used.

In the above embodiment, the image forming method is described in which the image reading sensor and the image recording unit are opposed to each other to record on both sides of the recording paper, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, by arranging the reading sensor and the recording unit on the same surface, for example, when making a copy on a recording paper on which a frame or the like is printed in advance, the orientation (up and down) of the frame was confirmed. Will be able to record on.

The reading sensor R in the above embodiment can also be used as a scanner for reading an original image.

The present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or an apparatus composed of one device. Further, it goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to the case where it is achieved by supplying a program that causes a system or an apparatus to execute the processing defined by the present invention.

[0077]

As described above, according to the image forming method and apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to perform proper image recording by reading the already recorded image and checking it.

[0078]

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a document reading unit and an image output unit of an image input / output device of this embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of an inkjet cartridge of the inkjet printer unit 1.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of an inkjet printer unit 1.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a control system of the image input / output device of this embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control system of the image input / output device of this embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control system of the image input / output device of this embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a comparator.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the comparator.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a procedure for comparison processing.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a conventional image input device.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a conventional image output device.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of an image reading unit of a conventional image input device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Inkjet Printer Section 12 Original Detection Sensors 13 and 14 Registration Sensor R Reading Sensor 26 Image Memory 28 Comparator 61 Address Selector 62 Black Data Detection Section 63 Address Data Comparison Count Section

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus for performing image recording based on input image data, comprising: first storage means for storing the image data; and recording already performed on a recording medium. Second storage means for storing image data; image input means for reading an already printed image from the inserted recording medium from the recording medium; and an image read by the image input means and the second Comparing means for comparing with the image data stored in the storage means, and the output position of the image data stored in the first storage means to the recording medium based on the result of the comparison by the comparing means. Alternatively, setting means for setting at least one of the directions and the first means based on the contents set by the setting means
An image forming apparatus comprising: an output unit that outputs the image data stored in the storage unit. 2. An image forming apparatus for performing image recording based on input image data, comprising: first storage means for storing the image data, and recording already performed on a recording medium. Second storage means for storing image data; image input means for reading an already printed image from the inserted recording medium from the recording medium; and an image read by the image input means and the second Comparing means for comparing the image data stored in the storing means with the image data stored in the first storing means, and the image data stored in the first storing means based on the result of the comparison by the comparing means. An image forming apparatus comprising: a selection unit that selects image data; and an output unit that outputs the image data selected by the selection unit. 3. The output means has a recording head for recording on the recording medium based on the image data stored in the first storage means based on the contents set by the setting means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the output unit has a recording head that records on the recording medium based on the image data selected by the selecting unit. 5. A transport means for sharing a transport path for transporting a document and a recording medium, further comprising: an image input surface of the image input means on an upstream side of the transport path; and a recording head of the output means on a downstream side. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the image forming apparatus is disposed on the side. 6. The image input surface of the image input means arranged in the conveying means and the recording surface of the recording head of the output means face each other across the conveying path. The image forming apparatus described. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the recording head is an inkjet recording head that ejects ink to perform recording. 8. The recording head is a recording head that ejects ink by using thermal energy, and is an inkjet recording head that includes a thermal energy converter for generating thermal energy applied to the ink. Item 7
The image forming apparatus according to item 1. 9. The recording head according to claim 8, wherein the thermal energy applied by the thermal energy converter causes a state change in the ink, and the ink is ejected from the ejection port based on the state change. The image forming apparatus described. 10. An image forming method for recording an image based on input image data, comprising: a first storing step of storing the image data; A second storage step of storing image data; an image input step of reading an image already printed from the inserted recording medium from the recording medium; an image read by the image input step; Comparing step for comparing the image data stored in the storing step, and the output position of the image data stored in the first storing step to the recording medium based on the result of the comparison by the comparing step. Alternatively, the setting step of setting at least one of the directions, and the first step based on the contents set by the setting step
And an output step of outputting the image data stored in the storage step. 11. An image forming method for recording an image based on input image data, comprising: a first storing step of storing the image data; and a step of recording on a recording medium. A second storage step of storing image data; an image input step of reading an image already printed from the inserted recording medium from the recording medium; an image read by the image input step; And a comparison step of comparing the image data stored in the storage step with the image data stored in the first storage step based on the comparison result of the comparison step. An image forming method comprising: a selection step of selecting image data; and an output step of outputting the image data selected by the selection step.