Patent ID: 6290322
Filing Date: 2001-09-18
Classification: B41J,G06K,H04N

Abstract:
An image recording apparatus which records an image on a recording medium based on image data transmitted from an external apparatus, comprising:a record head having a plurality of nozzles which correspond to a plurality of colors, and performing a recording by discharging ink from the nozzles based on image data;first determination means for communicating with the external apparatus and determining whether the external apparatus has a capability of transmitting image data representing an image having a plurality of colors;first setting means for setting a recording mode to a first recording mode in which recording is performed by using nozzles corresponding to a specific color, when said first determination means determines that the external apparatus does not have said capability;second determination means for communicating with the external apparatus and determining whether image data to be transmitted from the external apparatus represent an image of the specific color or an image of a plurality of colors when said first determination means determines that the external apparatus has said capability;second setting means for setting the recording mode to the first recording mode when said second determination means determines that the image data represent an image of the specific color, and setting the recording mode to a second recording mode in which recording is performed by using nozzles corresponding to the plurality of colors when said second determination means determines that the image data represent an image of the plurality of colors;recording control means for controlling said record head to record an image in either said first recording mode or said second recording mode; andidle discharge means for performing an idle discharge operation of said record head at a predetermined timing during the recording operation performed by said recording control means, based on the recording mode set by said first setting means or said second setting means,wherein said idle discharge means performs the idle discharge operation on only the nozzles corresponding to the specific color when said first recording mode is set, while said idle discharge means performs the idle discharge operation on the nozzles corresponding to the plurality of colors when said second recording mode is set.