Image recording apparatus utilizing linearly arranged recording elements

An image recording apparatus comprising:

• recording means including a plurality of recording elements arranged in a linear configuration and each adapted to record a pixel on a recording material, wherein the density levels of the pixels vary, in multiple-step levels, depending upon an amount of conduction current flowing through the recording element;
• entering means for entering a plurality of digital image signals, each digital image signal being n bits indicative of 2.sup.n density levels of the associated one of a plurality of pixels forming a line of an image;
• and
• driving means for sequentially driving said plurality of recording elements block by block in a divided manner in accordance with the digital image signals entered from said entering means, each of said blocks containing m recording elements, said driving means including m current control means, each comprising n switching elements, each operable in response to the associated one bit data of the n bits of the digital image signal, and n resistors, each connected to the associated one of said n switching means, and each of said current control means being adapted to vary, in accordance with 2.sup.n step levels, an amount of conduction current flowing through each of the recording elements, in response to the associated digital image signal of n bits.