US6027196A — Recording method for gradation recording with lig…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 215 words

A recording apparatus utilizing recording heads corresponding to plural inks of different densities for forming an image on a recording medium by discharging said plural inks of different densities according to image data, comprising: detection means-for detecting a condition inducing a variation in a discharge state of said recording heads; and means for distributing said image data to output data respectively corresponding to said plural inks of different densities, according to the detection by said detection means and according to an image density indicated by the image data, the output data for recording with said plural inks of different densities at the image density indicated by the image data, wherein said means for distributing selects, from plural distribution tables defining a proportion of use of said plural inks of different densities, a distribution table according to the detection by said detection means, wherein said plural inks of different densities consist of a first ink of a high image density and a second ink of a low image density, and wherein said plural distribution tables include a first table for reference when recording with said first ink and said second ink, a second table for reference when recording with said first ink only, and a third table for reference when recording with said second ink only.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 215 words

A recording apparatus utilizing recording heads corresponding to plural inks of different densities for forming an image on a recording medium by discharging said plural inks of different densities according to image data, comprising: detection means-for detecting a condition inducing a variation in a discharge state of said recording heads; and means for distributing said image data to output data respectively corresponding to said plural inks of different densities, according to the detection by said detection means and according to an image density indicated by the image data, the output data for recording with said plural inks of different densities at the image density indicated by the image data, wherein said means for distributing selects, from plural distribution tables defining a proportion of use of said plural inks of different densities, a distribution table according to the detection by said detection means, wherein said plural inks of different densities consist of a first ink of a high image density and a second ink of a low image density, and wherein said plural distribution tables include a first table for reference when recording with said first ink and said second ink, a second table for reference when recording with said first ink only, and a third table for reference when recording with said second ink only.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 26 words

A recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising said plural distribution tables for defining the proportion of use of said plural inks of different densities.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 18 words

A recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said detection means detects a remaining amount of said inks.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 65 words

A recording apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising control means, wherein when said means for distributing selects said first table, said control means controls recording with said second ink until the image density indicated by the image data reaches a predetermined density level, and with said first and second inks when the image density indicated by the image data exceeds said predetermined density level.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 70 words

A recording apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising control means, wherein when said means for distributing selects said third table, said control means controls recording with said second ink until the image density indicated by the image data reaches a predetermined density level, and controls recording plural times to be superposed with said second ink when the image density indicated by the image data exceeds said predetermined density level.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 19 words

A recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said plural recording heads record with plural inks of plural colors.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 28 words

A recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of said recording heads comprises a thermal energy conversion member that generates thermal energy to be applied to ink.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 44 words

An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 7, wherein each of said recording heads induces a state change in ink by applying the thermal energy generated by said thermal energy conversion member to the ink, and discharges ink based on said state change.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 231 words

A recording method utilizing recording heads corresponding to plural inks of different densities and forming an image on a recording medium by discharging said plural inks of different densities according to image data, comprising: a detection step for detecting a condition inducing a variation in a discharge state of said recording head; a distribution step for distributing said image data to output data respectively corresponding to said plural inks of different densities, according to the detection in said detection step and image density indicated by said image data, the output data for recording with said plural inks of different densities at the image density indicated by the image data; and a step for effecting recording according to the distributed output data respectively corresponding to the plural inks, wherein said distribution step selects, from plural distribution tables defining a proportion of use of said plural inks of different densities, a distribution table corresponding to the detection in said detection step, wherein said plural inks of different densities include a first ink of a high image density and a second ink of a low image density, and wherein said plural distribution tables include a first table for reference when recording with said first ink and said second ink, a second table for reference when recording with said first ink only, and a third table for reference when recording with said second ink only.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 231 words

A recording method utilizing recording heads corresponding to plural inks of different densities and forming an image on a recording medium by discharging said plural inks of different densities according to image data, comprising: a detection step for detecting a condition inducing a variation in a discharge state of said recording head; a distribution step for distributing said image data to output data respectively corresponding to said plural inks of different densities, according to the detection in said detection step and image density indicated by said image data, the output data for recording with said plural inks of different densities at the image density indicated by the image data; and a step for effecting recording according to the distributed output data respectively corresponding to the plural inks, wherein said distribution step selects, from plural distribution tables defining a proportion of use of said plural inks of different densities, a distribution table corresponding to the detection in said detection step, wherein said plural inks of different densities include a first ink of a high image density and a second ink of a low image density, and wherein said plural distribution tables include a first table for reference when recording with said first ink and said second ink, a second table for reference when recording with said first ink only, and a third table for reference when recording with said second ink only.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 18 words

A recording method according to claim 9 wherein said detection step detects a remaining amount of said inks.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 29 words

A recording method according to claim 9, wherein each of said recording heads is provided with a thermal energy conversion member for effecting recording in said recording effecting step.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 45 words

An ink jet recording method according to claim 11, wherein in said recording effecting step, each of said recording heads induces a state change in ink by the thermal energy generated by said thermal energy conversion member, and discharges ink based on said state change.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 191 words

An ink jet recording method for recording by using a plurality of inks which are of similar colors and have different densities and forming an image by discharging ink from a recording head, said method comprising the steps of: detecting a condition that a stable ink discharge of at least one ink among the plurality of inks having different densities is difficult; inputting an image signal; converting the inputted image signal into recording data corresponding to the plurality of inks having different densities in accordance with an image density of the image signal, said converting step converting the inputted image signal into recording data for obtaining a desired density by using remaining inks when the stable discharge of at least one ink among the plurality of inks having different densities is difficult, wherein in said converting step the image data is converted into the recording data in accordance with a predetermined table and modes of the table are changed when the stable discharge of at least one ink among the plurality of inks having different densities is difficult; and forming an image by discharging ink in accordance with the recording data.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 191 words

An ink jet recording method for recording by using a plurality of inks which are of similar colors and have different densities and forming an image by discharging ink from a recording head, said method comprising the steps of: detecting a condition that a stable ink discharge of at least one ink among the plurality of inks having different densities is difficult; inputting an image signal; converting the inputted image signal into recording data corresponding to the plurality of inks having different densities in accordance with an image density of the image signal, said converting step converting the inputted image signal into recording data for obtaining a desired density by using remaining inks when the stable discharge of at least one ink among the plurality of inks having different densities is difficult, wherein in said converting step the image data is converted into the recording data in accordance with a predetermined table and modes of the table are changed when the stable discharge of at least one ink among the plurality of inks having different densities is difficult; and forming an image by discharging ink in accordance with the recording data.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 52 words

An ink jet recording method according to claim 13, wherein in said image forming step plural inks of different densities in each of plural colors are discharged, and, when the stable ink discharge has become difficult for at least one of said plural inks of said plural colors, remaining ink is utilized.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 35 words

An ink jet recording method according to claim 13, wherein said recording head is provided with a thermal energy conversion member for generating thermal energy to be applied to ink in said image forming step.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 45 words

An ink jet recording method according to claim 15, wherein said recording head induces a state change in the ink by the thermal energy generated by said thermal energy conversion member, and discharges the ink based on said state change in said image forming step.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 210 words

A recording apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium, utilizing recording heads corresponding to plural inks of different densities and discharging said plural inks of different densities according to image data, comprising: remaining amount detection means for detecting remaining amounts of said plural inks; and means for distributing said image data to output data respectively corresponding to said plural inks of different densities, according to an output of said remaining amount detection means and image density indicated by said image data, the output data for recording with said plural inks of different densities at the image density indicated by the image data, wherein said means for distributing selects, from plural distribution tables defining a proportion of user of said plural inks of different densities, a distribution table according to the detection by said detection means, wherein said plural inks of different densities consist of a first ink of a high image density and a second ink of a low image density, and wherein said plural distribution tables include a first table for reference when recording with said first ink and said second ink, a second table for reference when recording with said first ink only, and a third table for reference when recording with said second ink only.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 210 words

A recording apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium, utilizing recording heads corresponding to plural inks of different densities and discharging said plural inks of different densities according to image data, comprising: remaining amount detection means for detecting remaining amounts of said plural inks; and means for distributing said image data to output data respectively corresponding to said plural inks of different densities, according to an output of said remaining amount detection means and image density indicated by said image data, the output data for recording with said plural inks of different densities at the image density indicated by the image data, wherein said means for distributing selects, from plural distribution tables defining a proportion of user of said plural inks of different densities, a distribution table according to the detection by said detection means, wherein said plural inks of different densities consist of a first ink of a high image density and a second ink of a low image density, and wherein said plural distribution tables include a first table for reference when recording with said first ink and said second ink, a second table for reference when recording with said first ink only, and a third table for reference when recording with said second ink only.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 67 words

A recording apparatus according to claim 17, further comprising control means, wherein when said means for distributing selects said first table, said control means controls recording with said second ink until the image density indicated by the image data reaches a predetermined density level, and with said first ink and said second ink when the image density indicated by the image data exceeds said predetermined density level.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 70 words

A recording apparatus according to claim 17, further comprising control means, wherein when said means for distributing selects said third table, said control means controls recording with said second ink until the image density indicated by the image data reaches a predetermined density level, and controls recording plural times to be superposed with said second ink when the image density indicated by the image data exceeds said predetermined density level.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 18 words

A recording apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said recording heads record with plural inks of plural colors.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 34 words

A recording apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said remaining amount detection means detects the remaining amounts of ink by detecting a resistance between electrodes provided in an ink tank for storing the ink.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 29 words

A recording apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said remaining amount detection means detects remaining amounts by optically detecting the ink in an ink tank for storing the ink.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 25 words

A recording apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said remaining amount detection means detects a negative pressure in an ink tank for storing the ink.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 27 words

A recording apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said recording head comprises a thermal energy conversion member that generates thermal energy to be applied to the ink.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 43 words

An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 24, wherein said recording head induces a state change in ink by applying the thermal energy generated by said thermal energy conversion member to the ink, and discharges the ink based on said state change.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 253 words

An ink jet recording method for recording by using a plurality of inks which are of similar colors and have different densities, selecting from a plurality of distribution tables, which define a ratio of the plurality of inks having different densities in response to image data, a distribution table corresponding to detection by detecting means and forming an image by discharging ink from a recording head in accordance with said selected distribution table, said method comprising the steps of: detecting a condition that a stable discharge of at least one ink among the plurality of inks having different densities is difficult; inputting an image signal; and converting said inputted image signal into recording data corresponding to the plurality of inks having different densities in accordance with an image density of the image signal and converting and changing said selected distribution table when the stable discharge of at least one ink among the plurality of inks having different densities is difficult, the recording data for recording with said plural inks having different densities at the image density of the image data, wherein said plural inks of different densities consist of a first ink of a high image density and a second ink of a low image density, and wherein said plural distribution tables include a first table for reference when recording with said first ink and said second ink, a second table for reference when recording with said first ink only, and a third table for reference when recording with said second ink only.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 253 words

An ink jet recording method for recording by using a plurality of inks which are of similar colors and have different densities, selecting from a plurality of distribution tables, which define a ratio of the plurality of inks having different densities in response to image data, a distribution table corresponding to detection by detecting means and forming an image by discharging ink from a recording head in accordance with said selected distribution table, said method comprising the steps of: detecting a condition that a stable discharge of at least one ink among the plurality of inks having different densities is difficult; inputting an image signal; and converting said inputted image signal into recording data corresponding to the plurality of inks having different densities in accordance with an image density of the image signal and converting and changing said selected distribution table when the stable discharge of at least one ink among the plurality of inks having different densities is difficult, the recording data for recording with said plural inks having different densities at the image density of the image data, wherein said plural inks of different densities consist of a first ink of a high image density and a second ink of a low image density, and wherein said plural distribution tables include a first table for reference when recording with said first ink and said second ink, a second table for reference when recording with said first ink only, and a third table for reference when recording with said second ink only.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 74 words

A recording method according to claim 26, further comprising a controlling step for controlling recording, wherein when said first table is selected recording is controlled to be conducted with said second ink until the image density indicated by the image data reaches a predetermined density level, and is controlled to be conducted with said first ink and said second ink when the image density indicated by the image data exceeds said predetermined density level.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 77 words

A recording method according to claim 26, further comprising a controlling step for controlling recording, wherein when said third table is selected recording is controlled to be conducted with said second ink until the image density indicated by the image data reaches a predetermined density level, and the recording is controlled to be conducted plural times to be superposed with said second ink when the image density indicated by the image data exceeds said predetermined density level.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 51 words

A recording method according to claim 26, wherein said second table is selected in said converting step when a remaining amount of said second ink becomes less than a predetermined amount, and said third table is selected when a remaining amount of said first ink becomes less than a predetermined amount.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 17 words

A recording method according to claim 26, wherein said plural inks of different densities comprise plural colors.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 25 words

A recording method according to claim 26, wherein said recording head comprises a thermal energy conversion member for effecting recording in a recording effecting step.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 186 words

An ink jet recording apparatus for recording by using a first ink having a high image density and a second ink having a low image density and selecting from a plurality of distribution tables defining a using ratio of the first ink and the second ink in response to image data a distribution table corresponding to a detection, said apparatus comprising: detecting means for detecting a density distribution of an image to be formed in response to the image data; selecting means for selecting said distribution table in accordance with said density distribution of the image; and recording means for forming an image in accordance with said density distribution, wherein said plurality of distribution tables include a first table for reference when recording with the first ink and the second ink, a second table for reference when recording with the first ink only and a third table for reference when recording with the second ink only, and wherein said selecting means selects said second table for high density distribution of the image data and selects said first table for low density distribution of the image data.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 186 words

An ink jet recording apparatus for recording by using a first ink having a high image density and a second ink having a low image density and selecting from a plurality of distribution tables defining a using ratio of the first ink and the second ink in response to image data a distribution table corresponding to a detection, said apparatus comprising: detecting means for detecting a density distribution of an image to be formed in response to the image data; selecting means for selecting said distribution table in accordance with said density distribution of the image; and recording means for forming an image in accordance with said density distribution, wherein said plurality of distribution tables include a first table for reference when recording with the first ink and the second ink, a second table for reference when recording with the first ink only and a third table for reference when recording with the second ink only, and wherein said selecting means selects said second table for high density distribution of the image data and selects said first table for low density distribution of the image data.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 26 words

A recording apparatus according to claim 32, wherein said recording means comprises a thermal energy conversion member that generates thermal energy to be applied to ink.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 43 words

An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 33, wherein said recording means induces a state change in ink by applying the thermal energy generated by said thermal energy conversion member to the ink, and discharges the ink based on said state change.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2003-02-21	2003-08-23	2004-02-22	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2007-02-21	2007-08-23	2008-02-22	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2011-02-21	2011-08-23	2012-02-22	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Recording method for gradation recording with light-and dark-colored inks and apparatus therefor

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