JPH10315539A - Recording apparatus and method for controlling recording - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve efficiency of developing data and enable high-speed printing when the same pattern is repeatedly recorded on the same page, by copying developed image data to a print buffer concurrently with a registration and development operation of different image data to an image management table. SOLUTION: In a recording apparatus, when a basic image is started to be registered according to an image registration command transmitted from a host, image data are stored in an image registration buffer, and the first address and the size, i.e., width and length of the image are registered together with the image number into an image registration table. When a copy command is detected by an MPU 400, an instruction of copying inside a VRAM 404 is fed to a gate array 410, whereby the basic image is copied to the address on a print buffer corresponding to the designated coordinate. Data of the image are stored in the image registration buffer and, the image number, first address, width and length of the image are registered in the image registration table.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a recording apparatus and a recording control method, and more particularly to a recording apparatus and a recording control method for performing recording in page units using a full-line recording head having a recording width corresponding to the width of a recording medium. About the method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional page printer, all data for one page of recording paper transmitted from a host computer (hereinafter, referred to as a host) is developed in a print buffer for recording. At this time, even when there are a plurality of the same patterns on one page of the recording paper, all the patterns may be transmitted from the host, or the pattern data may be registered in the memory of the printer in advance, and the patterns may be stored in the host. Was expanded to multiple places in the print buffer according to the command from. As described above, after the pattern data registered in advance in the memory is developed in the print buffer in accordance with the command from the host, the print output method has been conventionally used in order to shorten the development time of the data received from the host. Used.

[0003]

However, the pattern development of the prior art described above is effective in shortening the print output time when the same pattern is recorded over a plurality of recording media. When the same pattern is continuously formed on one recording medium, the effect of shortening the print output time is not so large.

[0004] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional example, and even when recording of the same pattern is repeated within the same page of a recording medium, it is possible to improve the efficiency of data development and perform high-speed print output. It is an object to provide a recording apparatus and a recording control method.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, a recording apparatus according to the present invention has the following arrangement.

That is, input means for inputting image data and a recording instruction for the image data, a first area for storing image data to be used repeatedly, and image data recorded on one page of a recording medium are developed and stored. A storage unit having a second area to perform, a registration unit for registering image data input by the input unit as image data to be used repeatedly based on a recording instruction input by the input unit; Image developing means for developing registered image data in the first area; and image data developed in the first area, based on a recording instruction input by the input means, in the second area. And a copying operation performed by the copying unit when the image data different from the image data used for the copying operation is successively input. There are expansion control means for controlling execution in parallel with the registration operation by the registration means and the expansion operation by the image expansion means, and recording means for performing recording based on the image data expanded in the second area. And a recording device characterized in that:

If the image data is color image data, the data includes a yellow (Y) component, a magenta (M) component, a cyan (C) component, and a black (K) component. In this case, the recording unit has storage areas corresponding to the yellow (Y) component, the magenta (M) component, the cyan (C) component, and the black (K) component for each of the first and second areas.

The recording means preferably performs recording using a full-line recording head having a recording width corresponding to the width of a recording medium, and the recording head is an ink jet recording head that performs recording by discharging ink. Further, it is preferable that the recording head is a recording head that discharges ink using thermal energy, and includes a thermal energy converter for generating thermal energy to be applied to the ink.

Further, the registration means preferably has a table for managing the storage address in the first area and the vertical and horizontal sizes of the pattern image for each pattern image represented by the image data.

The recording instruction is a registration instruction for instructing image data to be developed and registered in the first area, and an instruction for copying image data registered in the first area to the second area. Including a copy instruction, the development control unit executes the copy instruction for the already registered image data and simultaneously executes the registration instruction for the newly input image data.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a memory having a first area for storing image data to be used repeatedly and a second area for expanding and storing image data recorded on one page of a recording medium is used. A recording control method, comprising the steps of: inputting image data and a recording instruction for the image data; and registering the input image data as image data to be repeatedly used based on the recording instruction input in the inputting step. A step of developing the image data registered in the registration step in the first area, and a step of converting the image data expanded in the first area based on a recording instruction input in the input step. The copying step of copying to the second area and the copying operation in the copying step are performed by using image data different from image data used for the copying operation. Based on the image data developed in the second area, and a development control step of controlling the registration operation in the registration step and the development operation in the image development step when they are successively input, and And a recording step of performing recording.

With the above arrangement, the present invention uses a memory having a first area for storing image data used repeatedly and a second area for expanding and storing image data recorded on one page of a recording medium. Inputting image data and a recording instruction for the image data, registering the input image data as image data to be used repeatedly based on the input recording instruction, and expanding the registered image data in a first area; The image data expanded in the first area is copied to the second area based on the input recording instruction, and image data different from the image data used for the copying operation is continuously input. An operation is performed so as to perform control in parallel with the registration operation and the unfolding operation.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a color recording apparatus (hereinafter, referred to as a recording apparatus) provided with a full-line recording head having a recording width corresponding to the width of a recording medium, which performs recording according to an ink jet system, which is a typical embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a printer system including a host computer (hereinafter, a host) for supplying print data thereto.

As shown in FIG. 1, the recording apparatus 101 and the host 104 are connected by a cable 105,
Recording device 1 based on the recording data supplied from the
01 records an image on the roll paper loaded in the roll paper folder 103. The recording apparatus 101 is provided with an operation panel 102 for displaying the state of the apparatus and setting various operating conditions.

FIG. 2 is a side sectional view showing the internal structure of the recording apparatus 101.

When the printing apparatus 101 performs a printing operation, the printing apparatus 101 transports the roll paper 200, which is a printing medium, loaded in the roll paper folder 103 by a roll paper transport roller 206.
The sheet is fed into a recording apparatus, and a conveying roller 203 is provided in the apparatus.
And the transport belt 204 transports the roll paper 200 in the direction of the arrow. Further, the recording apparatus has four full-line recording heads 201K, 20K for ejecting respective inks of black (K), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y).
Head unit 2 incorporating 1C, 201M, 201Y
A color image is recorded on the roll paper 200 using ink supplied from four ink cartridges 205 containing inks of Y, M, C, and K colors.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the head unit 202.

As described above, the head unit 202
Although three full-line recording heads are built in, since these structures are common, FIG. 3 shows one of them as a representative example.

As shown in FIG. 3, the head unit 202
Is a recording head 3 that is movable in the vertical direction (the direction of arrow a).
00 and four recovery units 301 movable in the left-right direction (direction of arrow b). The recovery unit 301 is provided with a cleaner blade 303 for cleaning the ink discharge surface of the recording head, and an absorber 30 for absorbing ink discharged from the recording head for cleaning.
2 are built-in.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control circuit of the printing apparatus.

In FIG. 4, reference numeral 400 denotes an MPU for controlling the entire apparatus; 401, a program ROM for storing various control programs executed by the MPU 401;
A RAM used as a work area when the U401 executes a control program, a CGROM 403 for storing font information for printing, and a VRAM 404 used as a print buffer for bit-developing print data for one page of a print sheet , 405, a communication driver serving as an interface with the host; 406, a motor driver for control of roll paper conveyance control and movement control of the recording head and the recovery unit; 407, a motor driven by the motor driver 406; This is a head drive circuit that drives the line recording heads 201C, 201M, 201Y, and 201K. Part of the VRAM 404 is used as a data registration area. The VRAM 404 is configured so that print data can be stored in a separate buffer frame for each YMCK color component.

Reference numeral 410 denotes a VRAM 404 and an MPU 4
00 and a copy function in the VRAM 404. Gate array (G / A) is MP
Various functions are executed according to the instruction of U400.
It can operate independently of U400.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the configuration of the print buffer.

As described above, the VRAM 404 has the YMC
A print buffer 704 for developing and storing print data and an image registration buffer 705 are provided for each of the K color components. In FIG. 5, 700 to 703 are respectively
A buffer frame for Y component (K-VRAM), a buffer frame for C component (C-VRAM), a buffer frame for M component (M-VRAM), and a buffer frame for Y color component (Y-VRAM).

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing commands for executing the recording operation.

As shown in FIG. 6, these commands are (1) a setting command, (2) a raster image command, (3) a coordinate update command, (4) a recording start command, and (5) a registration start according to their functions. Command, (6) registration end command, and (7) registration image copy command. These commands are distinguished by the identification code at the head thereof. Less than,
Each command will be described.

(1) Setting Commands There are a paper size setting command 500 for specifying the size of the paper to be used and a recording number setting command 501 for specifying the number of recordings.

(2) Raster image command This is a command (raster image command 502) for storing print data as bit image data in raster units in its operand.

(3) Coordinate update command This includes a raster skip command 503 for updating the coordinates in the Y direction of the XY coordinate system expressing the address of the image that has undergone bitmap development, and returning the coordinate value of the X coordinate to the origin. C
There is an R (carriage return) command 504.

(4) Recording start command This is a command to start recording (recording start command 505).

(5) Registration start command (image registration command) A command for registering a raster image command 502 received until a registration end command described later is received as a data registration area and registering the raster image command 502 at a designated registration number (registration) Start command 506).

(6) Registration end command This is a command (registration end command 507) for instructing the end of the above registration.

(7) Registered Image Copy Command A command for copying the registered image of the specified registration number to a plurality of specified coordinates (registered image copy command 5
08).

When the above-described command is received from the host, the recording device executes the command receiving process in the following procedure.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the reception command processing.

According to the flowchart, first, in step S900, it is determined whether the received command is a "paper size command". If the received command is the command, the process proceeds to step S901 to execute a paper size setting process. Thereafter, the reception command processing ends. On the other hand, if the received command is not the “paper size command”, the process proceeds to step S902, and it is determined whether the received command is the “record number command”. If so, the process proceeds to step S903. The required recording number setting process is executed. Thereafter, the reception command processing ends.

On the other hand, if the received command is not the "record number command", the process advances to step S904 to check whether the received command is a "raster skip command". If so, the process goes to step S9.
Proceeding to step 05, the Y coordinate value is updated. afterwards,
The reception command processing ends. On the other hand, if the received command is not the “raster skip command”, the process proceeds to step S906, and checks whether the received command is a “CR command”. If so, the process proceeds to step S907 and X Execute coordinate value update processing. Thereafter, the reception command processing ends.

On the other hand, if the received command is not the “CR command”, the process proceeds to step S908,
It is determined whether the received command is a “raster image command”. If the received command is the “raster image command”, the process proceeds to step S909
Then, it is confirmed whether or not the image is being registered. This process is performed by checking the value of a flag (FLG) set internally. That is, FLG =
If "1", the process proceeds to step S910, where the bit image data set in the "raster image command" is developed in the print buffer 704. On the other hand, if FLG = "0", the process proceeds to step S
In step 911, the bit image data set in the “raster image command” is expanded in the image registration buffer 705. Then, step S910 or S
After the end of the process of 911, the reception command process is ended.

On the other hand, if the received command is not the "raster image command", the process proceeds to step S91.
In step S9, it is determined whether the received command is a "registration start command".
The process proceeds to step S13, where an image registration table described later is created, and in step S914, the value of FLG is set to "1". Thereafter, the reception command processing ends.

On the other hand, if the received command is not the "registration start command", the process proceeds to step S915, and it is checked whether the received command is a "registration end command". If so, the process proceeds to step S923. Then, the image registration is completed, and in step S916, the value of FLG is set to "0". Thereafter, the reception command processing ends.

On the other hand, if the received command is not the “registration end command”, the process advances to step S917 to check whether the received command is a “registered image copy command”. Proceeding to S918, the registered image is copied to one or a plurality of designated coordinates according to the coordinates described in the operand of the command. Thereafter, the reception command processing ends.

On the other hand, if the received command is not the “registered image copy command”, the process proceeds to step S
The process advances to step S 919 to check whether the received command is a “recording start command”. If the command is a recording start command, the process advances to step S 920 to clear and release the image registration buffer 705 to “0”. , Initializes the image registration table, and starts the recording process. Thereafter, the process ends.

On the other hand, if the received command is not the “recording start command”, the process ends.

Next, a description will be given, with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a print result recorded by the recording apparatus 101.

As shown in FIG. 8, in this example, a plurality of basic images 601 and a plurality of basic images 602 are recorded on one print sheet.

In the following description, a process for obtaining a print result as shown in FIG. 8 will be specifically described in comparison with a conventional example.

Conventionally, when a plurality of the same patterns exist in one page of the recording paper as shown in FIG. 8, all the image data are registered as shown in FIG. After processing a command sequence required for registering image data composed of a “data command (a raster image command, a raster skip command, a CR command)” and a “registration end command” by the number of patterns, the MPU 400 , The processing for developing the image data into the VRAM was performed, so that the buffer developing efficiency corresponding to the first page of the recording paper to be printed out was very poor.

In view of the above problems in the prior art, in this embodiment, the command processing order is as shown in FIG. 10, and the processing from image data registration to buffer development for each pattern is grouped as a series of commands. Processing is performed for each pattern.

Hereinafter, the specific processing will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 to 16 using the print result shown in FIG. 8 as an example.

FIGS. 11, 13, 15, and 16 are diagrams showing changes in the internal state of the print buffer as the command processing proceeds. FIG. 12 and FIG.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of an image management table created or updated in step S913. This table is RAM4
02 is set.

As shown in FIGS. 12 and 14, the image management table 800 assigns numbers to the managed image data in the order of registration, and stores an image number column 80 for storing the numbers.
1. An image head address column 802 for storing the head address of the image data registered in the image registration buffer 705, and image width / vertical size information columns 803 and 804 for setting the horizontal / vertical size of the registered image. Is done.

First, registration of the basic image 601 is started based on an image registration command transmitted from the host. That is, the recording apparatus stores the image data representing the basic image 601 in the image registration buffer 705 as shown in FIG. 11, and stores the image number (here, "1") in the image registration table 800 as shown in FIG. )) And register the top address, the horizontal and vertical size of the image,
Image management for the basic image 601 is performed.

When the registration of the basic image 601 is completed, a registered image copy command is transmitted from the host. M
When detecting this command, the PU 400 instructs the gate array (G / A) 410 to copy the data inside the VRAM 404, and as shown in FIG. 13, stores the registered basic image 602 in the coordinates specified by the command. Copies to the address on the print buffer 704 corresponding to (copy coordinates). During this copy operation,
Since the MPU 400 can operate independently of the gate array (G / A) 410, it performs a command analysis process sent next from the host. At this time, the host
, Image data representing the basic image 602 is sent.

In response, the recording apparatus stores the image data in the image registration buffer 705 and stores the image data in the image registration table 800 together with the image number (here, “2”) as shown in FIG. The start address, the horizontal size and the vertical size of the image are registered, and the basic image 6 is registered.
02 is managed. At this time, the copy of the basic image 601 is executed by the gate array (G / A) 410 in parallel.

When the registration of the basic image 602 is completed, a registered image copy command is transmitted from the host. Upon detecting this command, the MPU 400 instructs the gate array (G / A) 410 to perform copying inside the VRAM 404, and as shown in FIG.
02 is copied to the address on the print buffer 704 corresponding to the coordinates (copy coordinates) specified by the command.

Thereafter, when the recording apparatus receives a recording start command from the host, the recording apparatus waits for the copy operation to end, that is, until the state of the print buffer 704 becomes as shown in FIG. Let it run.

In the above description, the image data has not been described for each color component for the sake of simplicity.
Executed for each of the component buffer frame (K-VRAM) 700, the C component buffer frame (C-VRAM) 701, the M component buffer frame (M-VRAM) 702, and the Y color component buffer frame (Y-VRAM) 703. Needless to say.

Therefore, according to the embodiment described above, when a plurality of the same recording patterns exist in one page of the recording paper, the patterns are first developed in a predetermined registration area of the buffer, While copying as many as necessary, data for another pattern is received from the host at the same time and expanded in a predetermined registration area, so that buffer expansion processing is parallelized and the efficiency of data expansion is improved,
Even when an image is recorded and output only on one page of recording paper, the data development time can be further reduced.

In the embodiment described above, a case where a full-color image is recorded using four types of inks (Y, M, C, and K) has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention can be applied to monochrome image recording using only black ink.

Although the color recording apparatus in the embodiment described above performs recording by an ink jet method, the present invention is not limited to this, and other recording methods, for example, an electrophotographic method and the like may be applied. It is also possible.

However, the above-described embodiment is particularly provided with a means (for example, an electrothermal converter or a laser beam) for generating thermal energy as energy used for performing ink ejection even in an ink jet recording system. By using a method in which a change in the state of the ink is caused by thermal energy, higher density and higher definition of recording can be achieved.

The typical configuration and principle are described in, for example, US Pat. Nos. 4,723,129 and 4,740.
It is preferable to use the basic principle disclosed in the specification of Japanese Patent No. 796. This method can be applied to both the so-called on-demand type and continuous type. In particular, in the case of the on-demand type, liquid (ink)
By applying at least one drive signal corresponding to the recorded information and providing a rapid temperature rise exceeding the film boiling to an electrothermal transducer arranged corresponding to the sheet or the liquid path in which Since thermal energy is generated in the electrothermal transducer and film boiling occurs on the heat-acting surface of the recording head, bubbles in the liquid (ink) corresponding to this drive signal on a one-to-one basis can be formed. It is valid. By discharging the liquid (ink) through the discharge opening by the growth and contraction of the bubble, at least one droplet is formed. When the drive signal is formed into a pulse shape, the growth and shrinkage of the bubble are performed immediately and appropriately, so that the ejection of the liquid (ink) having particularly excellent responsiveness can be achieved, 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. Further, if the conditions described in US Pat. No. 4,313,124 relating to the temperature rise rate of the heat acting surface are adopted, more excellent recording can be performed.

As the configuration of the recording head, in addition to the combination of the discharge port, the liquid path, and the electrothermal converter (linear liquid flow path or right-angled liquid flow path) as disclosed in the above-mentioned respective specifications, A configuration using U.S. Pat. No. 4,558,333 or U.S. Pat. No. 4,459,600, which discloses a configuration in which a heat acting surface is arranged in a bent region, is also included in the present invention. In addition, for multiple electrothermal transducers,
JP-A-59-123670 which discloses a configuration in which a common slot is used as a discharge part of an electrothermal transducer, and JP-A-59-123670 which discloses a configuration in which an opening for absorbing a pressure wave of thermal energy corresponds to a discharge part. A configuration based on 138461 may be adopted.

Further, as a full-line type recording head having a length corresponding to the width of the maximum recording medium that can be recorded by the recording apparatus, the length is determined by combining a plurality of recording heads as disclosed in the above-mentioned specification. This may be either a configuration satisfying the above requirements or a configuration as a single recording head formed integrally.

In addition to the cartridge type recording head in which the ink tank is provided integrally with the recording head itself described in the above embodiment, the recording head is electrically connected to the apparatus main body by being mounted on the apparatus main body. A replaceable chip-type recording head, which enables a simple connection and supply of ink from the apparatus main body, may be used.

It is preferable to add recovery means for the printhead, preliminary auxiliary means, and the like to the configuration of the printing apparatus described above, since the printing operation can be further stabilized. Specific examples thereof include capping means for the recording head, cleaning means, pressurizing or suction means, preheating means using an electrothermal transducer or another heating element or a combination thereof. It is also effective to provide a preliminary ejection mode for performing ejection that is different from printing, in order to perform stable printing.

Further, the recording mode of the recording apparatus is not limited to the recording mode of only the mainstream color such as black, and the recording head may be integrally formed or a combination of a plurality of recording heads. Alternatively, the apparatus may be provided with at least one of full colors by color mixture.

In the above-described embodiment, the description has been made on the assumption that the ink is a liquid. However, even if the ink solidifies at room temperature or lower, the ink that softens or liquefies at room temperature is used. Or, in the ink jet method, generally, the temperature of the ink itself is controlled within a range of 30 ° C. or more and 70 ° C. or less to control the temperature so that the viscosity of the ink is in a stable ejection range.
It is sufficient that the ink is in a liquid state when the use recording signal is applied.

In addition, in order to positively prevent the temperature rise due to thermal energy as energy for changing the state of the ink from the solid state to the liquid state,
Alternatively, in order to prevent evaporation of the ink, an ink which solidifies in a standing state and liquefies by heating may be used. In any case, the application of heat energy causes the ink to be liquefied by application of the heat energy according to the recording signal and the liquid ink to be ejected, or to start to solidify when reaching the recording medium. The present invention is also applicable to a case where an ink having a property of liquefying for the first time is used. In such a case, as described in JP-A-54-56847 or JP-A-60-71260, the ink is held in a liquid state or a solid state in the concave portion or through hole of the porous sheet. It is good also as a form which opposes an electrothermal transducer. 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 recording apparatus according to the present invention, an image input terminal such as a digital camera may be combined with an image output terminal of an information processing apparatus such as a computer, which is provided integrally or separately. The apparatus may take the form of an apparatus that collectively performs photographing and printing.

[0074]

As described above, according to the present invention, a first area for storing image data used repeatedly and a second area for expanding and storing image data recorded on one page of a recording medium are provided. And inputting image data and a recording instruction for the image data, registering the input image data as image data to be repeatedly used based on the input recording instruction, and registering the registered image data as a first image data. Image data expanded to the first area,
The image is copied to the second area based on the input recording instruction, and the copy operation is performed in parallel with the registration operation and the expansion operation when image data different from the image data used for the copy operation is successively input. Therefore, for example, even when a plurality of the same patterns exist on one page of the recording medium, there is an effect that the efficiency of data development is improved and the overall recording time can be shortened.

As a result, the output waiting time of the apparatus user can be reduced, and the number of recordable images per unit time can be increased.

[0076]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a printer system as a typical embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side sectional view showing an internal structure of the recording apparatus 101.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a head unit 202.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control circuit of the printing apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a print buffer.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing commands for executing a recording operation.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a reception command process.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print result recorded by the recording apparatus 101.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a conventional command processing order.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a command processing order according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a change in the internal state of the print buffer according to the progress of the command processing.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a configuration of an image management table created or updated in step S913.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a change in the internal state of the print buffer according to the progress of the command processing.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a configuration of an image management table created or updated in step S913.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a change in the internal state of the print buffer according to the progress of the command processing.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a change in the internal state of the print buffer according to the progress of the command processing.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 101 color recording device 102 operation panel 103 roll paper folder 104 host 105 cable 200 roll paper 201K, 201C, 201M, 201Y full line recording head 202 head unit 203 transport roller 204 transport belt 205 ink cartridge 206 roll paper transport roller 400 MPU 401 program ROM 402 RAM 403 CGROM 404 VRAM 405 Communication driver 406 Motor driver 407 Motor 408 Head drive circuit 410 Gate array (G / A)

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Akira Katayama 5540-11 Sakate-cho, Mizukaido-shi, Ibaraki Inside Canon Aptex Co., Ltd. (72) Morita Inaba Inventor Moritaku Inaba 5540-11 Sakate-cho, Mizukaido-shi, Ibaraki Canon Aptex shares In-company (72) Inventor Masahide Hasegawa 5540-11 Sakate-cho, Mizukaido-shi, Ibaraki Inside Canon Aptex Co., Ltd.

Claims (10)

[Claims] An input unit for inputting image data and a recording instruction for the image data; a first area for storing image data to be used repeatedly and image data recorded on one page of a recording medium; A storage unit having a second area to perform, based on a recording instruction input by the input unit,
Registering means for registering image data input by the input means as image data to be used repeatedly; image developing means for expanding the image data registered in the registering means in the first area; A copying unit for copying the developed image data to the second area based on a recording instruction input by the input unit; and a copying operation performed by the copying unit is different from image data used for the copying operation. Expansion control means for controlling the registration operation by the registration means and the expansion operation by the image expansion means when the image data is successively input, and image data expanded in the second area Recording means for performing recording on the basis of a recording device. 2. The image data is color image data, wherein the color image data includes a yellow (Y) component, a magenta (M) component, a cyan (C) component, and a black (K) component. 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: 3. The recording means according to claim 1, wherein said recording means comprises: a yellow (Y) component, a magenta (M) component,
3. The recording apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising storage areas corresponding to a cyan (C) component and a black (K) component. 4. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said recording means performs recording using a full-line recording head having a recording width corresponding to a width of said recording medium. 5. The recording apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the recording head is an inkjet recording head that performs recording by discharging ink. 6. The recording head according to claim 1, wherein the recording head ejects ink by using thermal energy, and includes a thermal energy converter for generating thermal energy to be applied to the ink. Item 6. The recording device according to Item 5. 7. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the registration unit has a table for managing a storage address in the first area and a vertical and horizontal size of the pattern image for each pattern image represented by the image data. 2. The recording device according to 1. 8. A registration instruction for instructing the image data to be developed and registered in the first area,
2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a copy instruction for instructing to copy image data registered in the first area to the second area. 9. The recording apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said expansion control means executes a copy instruction for already registered image data and simultaneously executes a registration instruction for newly input image data. apparatus. 10. A recording control method using a memory having a first area for storing image data used repeatedly and a second area for expanding and storing image data recorded on one page of a recording medium. An input step of inputting image data and a recording instruction for the image data, and based on the recording instruction input in the input step,
A registration step of registering the input image data as image data to be used repeatedly;
An image development step of developing the image data in the first area; a copying step of copying the image data developed in the first area to the second area based on a recording instruction input in the input step; The copying operation in the step is controlled so as to be executed in parallel with the registration operation in the registration step and the expansion operation in the image expansion step when image data different from the image data used for the copying operation is successively input. A recording control method, comprising: a development control step; and a recording step of performing recording based on the image data developed in the second area.