Ink jet recording apparatus and method

An ink jet recording apparatus for performing recording in either a multi-pass print mode and a single pass print mode using a recording head for ejecting an ink, comprising:

• discrimination means for discriminating a type of recording data recorded by said recording head, wherein said discrimination means discriminates whether the recording data recorded by said recording head is character data or image data;
• switching means for switching a print mode between a thinned multi-pass print mode for sequentially recording divided said recording data in a plurality of number of times of relative scan operations of said recording head with respect to a single recording area, and a single-pass print mode for recording all said recording data in a single relative scan operation of said recording head;
• and
• ejection quantity control means for controlling an ejection quantity of the ink ejected from said recording head according to the type of recording data discriminated by said discrimination means, wherein said ejection quantity control means sets a larger ejection quantity for recording a character than for recording an image, and wherein said ejection quantity control means sets a larger ejection quantity for recording an image in the multi-pass print mode than for recording an image in the single-pass print mode.

An ink jet recording method for performing recording using a recording head for ejecting an ink from a plurality of ejection orifices, comprising the steps of:

• setting a thin multi-pass print mode for sequentially recording divided recording data in a plurality of a number of times of relative scan operations of said recording head with respect to a single recording area or a single-pass print mode for recording all recording data in a single relative scan operation of said recording head;
• discriminating whether or not the set print mode is the thin multi-pass print mode;
• and
• controlling an ejection quantity of the ink ejected from said recording head to be larger than the ejection quantity in the single-pass print mode when the thin multi-pass mode is set.