Image recording apparatus

• US 5,485,285 A
• Filed: 07/18/1994
• Issued: 01/16/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Inventors: Tachibana, Shunichi
• Primary Examiner(s): Reinhart, Mark J.
• Application Number:
  US08/276,499
• Time in Patent Office: 547 Days
• Field of Search: 358/296, 358/298, 358/300, 358/302, 395/118, 395/145, 346/1.1, 346/107 R, 346/108, 346/160, 346/76 L, 347/240, 347/251, 347/131
• US Class Current: 358/296
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/17 the scanning speed being dependent on content of picture

Abstract

Image data are read out line by line from an image memory which store received image data. The read out image data are decoded, and upon removing an isolation point, developed into a line of original data. It is determined whether the developed line of original data are involved in only white information. If it is determined that the data are involved in all white information, a number of continuous line involved in all white information are counted. A recording sheet is transferred by the counted number corresponding to form a white area. Subsequently, a scan of data top of which is involved in a line including black information are generated and transmitted to a recording unit. Specifically, to send a scan of data referenced above to the recording unit, data involved in white information at both the start and end sides of the scan are cut.

Claims

1. An image recording apparatus for recording an image on a recording medium on the basis of image data comprising:

recording means for recording one or more line data on the recording medium through one time recording scan;

transfer means for transferring the recording medium;

data generating means for removing an isolation pixel on the basis of the image data and generating line data;

white area forming means for forming on the recording medium a white area constituted by single or continuous line data involved in only white information in such a way that when the white area exists, the recording medium is transferred by the number of associated lines corresponding by said transfer means;

recording data forming means for forming recording data on the basis of line data an amount of which is necessary for one time of recording scan of said recording means, said line data beginning with line data including black information; and

recording control means for causing said recording means to carry out the recording scan on the basis of the recording data.

2. An image recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising start position detecting means for detecting as a scan start position a position of black information which appears first at a scan start side in the recording data formed by said recording data forming means, wherein recording control means causes said recording means to carry out the recording scan from the scan start position on the basis of the recording data.

3. An image recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising end position detecting means for detecting as a scan end position a position of black information which appears last at a scan end side in the recording data formed by said recording data forming means, wherein recording control means causes said recording means to carry out the recording scan on the basis of the recording data and to terminate the recording scan at the scan end position detected by said end position detecting means.

4. An image recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising receiving means for receiving image data transmitted from a sending party through a line, and storage means for storing the image data received by said receiving means, wherein said data generating means generates the line data on the basis of the image data stored in said storage means.

5. An image recording apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said storage means stores encoded image data.

6. An image recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said data generating means generates the line data in such a way that the encoded image data are decoded, and said data generating means further performs a process for removing an isolation pixel during the decoding process.

7. An image recording apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein said recording means includes a recording head having one or more recording elements arranged, and moving means for moving said recording head in a recording scan direction, and said transfer means transfers the recording medium every recording scan in a direction substantially perpendicular to the recording scan direction.

8. An image recording apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said recording element ejects an ink droplet onto the recording medium to form an image.

9. An image recording apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said recording element ejects an ink droplet in such a way that thermal energy is used to induce a state variation on ink.

10. An image recording apparatus for recording a page of image on a recording medium using recording means for recording a predetermined amount of image by means of performing a recording scan on the basis of recording data, wherein a page of image is recorded on the recording medium in such a way that the predetermined amount of image is recorded plural number of times, said image recording apparatus comprising:

transfer means for relatively transferring said recording means and the recording medium after recording of the predetermined amount of image;

generating means for generating line recording data on the basis of image data, said generating means performing a process for removing an isolation pixel during the line recording data generating operation;

detecting means for detecting an area constituted by only white information on the basis of the line recording data generated by said generating means; and

control means for controlling said transfer means to relatively transfer said recording means and the recording medium by the distance according to the area detected by said detecting means, without carrying out the recording scan by said recording means for the detected area.

11. An image recording apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said detecting means detects the area constituted by only white information by means of counting a number of continuous lines involved in only white information on the basis of the line recording data generated by said generating means.

12. An image recording apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said control means controls said transfer means to transfer the recording medium by the number of lines according to the counted value in a direction which is different from the recording scan direction.

13. An image recording apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising receiving means for receiving image data transmitted from a sending party through a line, and storage means for storing the image data received by said receiving means, wherein said data generating means generates the line data on the basis of the image data stored in said storage means.

14. An image recording apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said storage means stores encoded image data.

15. An image recording apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said data generating means generates the line recording data in such a way that the encoded image data are decoded, and said data generating means further performs a process for removing an isolation pixels during the decoding process.

16. An image recording apparatus according to any of claims 10 to 15, wherein said recording means includes a recording head having a plurality of recording elements arranged in a direction which is different from the recording scan direction, and said predetermined amount of image is recorded in such a way that said recording head is moved in the recording scan direction, while said plurality of recording elements are energized.

17. An image recording apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said recording head ejects an ink droplet to form an image.

18. An image recording apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said recording head ejects an ink droplet in such a way that thermal energy is used to induce a state variation on ink.

19. An image recording apparatus for recording a predetermined amount of image on a recording medium using a recording head having an arrangement of a plurality of recording elements, wherein said predetermined amount of image is recorded on the recording medium in such a way that said recording head is relatively moved to the recording medium in a direction which is different from an arrangement direction of said plurality of recording elements, so that a recording scan is carried out, said image recording apparatus comprising:

generating means for generating recording data on the basis of image data, said generating means performing a process for removing an isolation pixel during the recording data generating operation;

detecting means for detecting an area constituted by only white information on the basis of the recording data generated by said generating means, said white information being involved in a recording scan start side and/or a recording scan end side with regard to recording data corresponding to one time of recording scan; and

control means for causing said recording head to carry out the recording scan for areas excepting the area detected by said detecting means.

20. An image recording apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said detecting means detects said area in accordance with a length of the white information involved in a recording scan start side and/or a recording scan end side with regard to recording data corresponding to one time of recording scan.

21. An image recording apparatus according to claim 20, wherein said control means provides such a control that the recording scan is initiated at a position according to a minimum value of the length of the white information involved in a recording scan start side and/or the recording scan is terminated at a position according to a minimum value of the length of the white information involved in a recording scan end side.

22. An image recording apparatus according to claim 19, further comprising receiving means for receiving image data transmitted from a sending party through a line, and storage means for storing the image data received by said receiving means, wherein said data generating means generates the line data on the basis of the image data stored in said storage means.

23. An image recording apparatus according to claim 22, wherein said storage means stores encoded image data.

24. An image recording apparatus according to claim 23, wherein said data generating means generates the line recording data in such a way that the encoded image data are decoded, and said data generating means further performs a process for removing an isolation pixel during the decoding process.

25. An image recording apparatus according to any of claims 19-24, wherein said recording head ejects an ink droplet to form an image.

26. An image recording apparatus according to claim 25, wherein said recording head ejects an ink droplet in such a way that thermal energy is used to induce a state variation on ink.

27. An image recording apparatus for recording an image on a recording medium using recording means for recording a predetermined amount of image by means of performing a recording scan on the basis of recording data, wherein a page of image is recorded on the recording medium in such a way that the predetermined amount of image is recorded a plural number of times, said image recording apparatus comprising:

transfer means for relatively transferring said recording means and the recording medium after recording of the predetermined amount of image;

generating means for generating recording data on the basis of image data, said generating means performing a process for removing an isolation pixel during the recording data generating operation;

detecting means for detecting an area constituted by only white information on the basis of the recording data generated by said generating means; and

control means for controlling said transfer means to relatively transfer said recording means and the recording medium by a distance according to the area detected by said detecting means, without carrying out the recording scan by said recording means for the detected area.

28. An image recording apparatus according to claim 27, wherein said generating means generates line recording data, and said detecting means detects the area constituted by only white information by means of counting a number of continuous lines involved in only white information on the basis of the line recording data generated by said generating means.

29. An image recording apparatus according to claim 28, wherein said control means controls said transfer means to transfer the recording medium by the number of lines according to the counted value in a direction which is different from the recording scan direction.

30. An image recording apparatus according to claim 27, further comprising receiving means for receiving image data transmitted from a sending party through a line, and storage means for storing the image data received by said receiving means, wherein said data generating means generates the line data on the basis of the image data stored in said storage means.

31. An image recording apparatus according to claim 30, wherein said storage means stores encoded image data.

32. An image recording apparatus according to claim 31, wherein said data generating means generates the line recording data in such a way that the encoded image data are decoded, and said data generating means further performs a process for removing an isolation pixel during the decoding process.

33. An image recording apparatus according to any of claims 27 to 32, wherein said recording means includes a recording head having a plurality of recording elements arranged in a direction which is different from the recording scan direction, and said predetermined amount of image is recorded in such a way that said recording head is moved in the recording scan direction, while said plurality of recording elements are energized.

34. An image recording apparatus according to claim 33, wherein said recording head ejects an ink droplet to form an image.

35. An image recording apparatus according to claim 34, wherein said recording head ejects an ink droplet in such a way that thermal energy is used to induce a state variation on ink.

36. An image recording apparatus for recording an image on a recording medium using recording means for recording a predetermined amount of image by means of performing a recording scan on the basis of recording data, wherein a page of image is recorded on the recording medium in such a way that the predetermined amount of image is recorded a plural number of times, said image recording apparatus comprising:

generating means for generating recording data on the basis of image data, said generating means performing a process for removing an isolation pixel during the recording data generating operation;

detecting means for detecting an area constituted by only white information on the basis of the recording data generated by said generating means; and

control means for causing said recording means to carry out the recording scan for areas excepting the area detected by said detecting means.

37. An apparatus according to claim 36, wherein said recording means includes a recording head having an arrangement of a plurality of recording elements, and carries out the recording scan by moving the recording head relatively to the recording medium in a direction different from an array direction of the recording elements.

38. An image recording apparatus according to claim 37, wherein said detecting means detects said area in accordance with a length of the white information involved in a recording scan start side and/or a recording scan end side with regard to recording data corresponding to one time of recording scan.

39. An image recording apparatus according to claim 38, wherein said control means provides such a control that the recording scan is initiated at a position according to a minimum value of the length of the white information involved in a recording scan start side and/or the recording scan is terminated at a position according to a minimum value of the length of the white information involved in a recording scan end side.

40. An image recording apparatus according to claim 37, further comprising receiving means for receiving image data transmitted from a sending party through a line, and storage means for storing the image data received by said receiving means, wherein said data generating means generates the line data on the basis of the image data stored in said storage means.

41. An image recording apparatus according to claim 40, wherein said storage means stores encoded image data.

42. An image recording apparatus according to claim 41, wherein said data generating means generates the line recording data in such a way that the encoded image data are decoded, and said data generating means further performs a process for removing an isolation pixel during the decoding process.

43. An image recording apparatus according to any of claims 37 to 42, wherein said recording head ejects an ink droplet to form an image.

44. An image recording apparatus according to claim 43, wherein said recording head ejects an ink droplet in such a way that thermal energy is used to induce a state variation on ink.

45. An image recording apparatus for recording an image on a recording medium, comprising:

input means for inputting image data;

generating means for generating recording data on the basis of image data input through said input means, said generating means performing a process for removing an isolation pixel during the recording data generating operation; and

recording means for recording a predetermined amount of image on a recording medium by carrying out a recording scan, in accordance with the recording data generated from said generating means,

said recording means recording one page of image on the recording medium by recording the predetermined amount of image plural times.

46. An apparatus according to claim 45, further comprising detecting means for detecting an area constituted by only white information on the basis of the recording data generated by said generating means and control means for causing said recording means to carry out the recording scan for areas excepting the area detected by said detecting means.

47. An apparatus according to claim 45, wherein said recording means includes a recording head having an arrangement of a plurality of recording elements, and carries out the recording scan by moving the recording head relatively to the recording medium in a direction different from an array direction of the recording elements.

48. An image recording apparatus according to claim 47, wherein said detecting means detects said area in accordance with a length of the white information involved in a recording scan start side and/or a recording scan end side with regard to recording data corresponding to one time of recording scan.

49. An image recording apparatus according to claim 48, wherein said control means provides such a control that the recording scan is initiated at a position according to a minimum value of the length of the white information involved in a recording scan start side and/or the recording scan is terminated at a position according to a minimum value of the length of the white information involved in a recording scan end side.

50. An image recording apparatus according to claim 45, wherein said input means includes receiving means for receiving image data transmitted from a sending party through a line, and storage means for storing the image data received by said receiving means, wherein said data generating means generates the line data on the basis of the image data stored in said storage means.

51. An image recording apparatus according to claim 50, wherein said storage means stores encoded image data.

52. An image recording apparatus according to claim 51, wherein said data generating means generates the line recording data in such a way that the encoded image data are decoded, and said data generating means further performs a process for removing an isolation pixel during the decoding process.

53. An image recording apparatus according to any of claims 45 to 52, wherein said recording head ejects an ink droplet to form an image.

54. An image recording apparatus according to claim 53, wherein said recording head ejects an ink droplet in such a way that thermal energy is used to induce a state variation on ink.

55. An image recording apparatus according to claim 45, further comprising transfer means for relatively transferring said recording means and the recording medium, detecting means for detecting an area constituted by only white information on the basis of the recording data generated by said generating means, and control means for controlling said transfer means to relatively transfer said recording means and the recording medium by the distance according to the area detected by said detecting means, without carrying out the recording scan by said recording means for the detected area.

56. An image recording apparatus according to claim 55, wherein said generating means generates line recording data, and said detecting means detects the area constituted by only white information by means of counting a number of continuous lines involved in only white information on the basis of the line recording data generated by said generating means.