JP2000118042A - Printing apparatus, printing method and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To print the lower end side region and the upper end side region of consecutive pages simultaneously by printing an image of the other page by the residual components while printing an image of one page by a part of the components of a head in the case the head is at a position on the boundary of pages. SOLUTION: In the second main scanning, after inputting printing data for the first page, a sub scanning is executed for four rasters. In the case the raster corresponding to the fourth nozzle and the raster adjacent thereto at the upper side are outside the first page, the printing data for the second page are inputted in two rasters. As a result, in the third main scanning, the printing data represented by the region A3 are stored in a buffer, with the data of the first page and the second page mixed. Moreover the printing data for the first page are outputted to a part of nozzles of a head, and the printing data for the second page are outputted to the other nozzles. Accordingly, a predetermined number of rasters are printed in the consecutive pages.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printing apparatus, a printing method, and a program for printing an image input over a plurality of pages arranged in one direction on a print medium having a size larger than the plurality of pages. It relates to a recorded recording medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as an output device of a computer, there has been proposed an ink jet printer which forms dots by using several colors of ink ejected from a plurality of nozzles provided in a head and records an image. Is widely used to print processed images in multiple colors and multiple gradations. Among such printers, there has been proposed a printing apparatus capable of printing an image on a large-sized printing medium such as roll paper (hereinafter, referred to as a large-format printer). Large format printers can print images on print media spanning tens of meters, such as banners.

[0003] Such large format printers are usually supplied with print data divided into a plurality of pages. This is because the amount of data that can be handled by an application program that provides image data is limited. In general printers, there is a blank space where printing is not performed between a plurality of pages.However, in a large format printer, by eliminating this blank portion, while receiving data divided into a plurality of pages, a continuous image can be formed. Printing is possible. A mode in which image data divided into a plurality of pages is printed without a blank portion is called a long mode. It should be noted that the large-format printer can perform printing in a standard mode by providing a margin for each page, cutting the print into a predetermined size after printing, and printing on so-called fixed-size paper.

By the way, in an ink jet printer,
In order to improve the printing speed, it is usual to use a head in which a number of nozzles are arranged in the sub-scanning direction. Such a head can be used in a large format printer. In a printer using such a head, as one of the recording methods for improving the image quality, an interlacing method disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,198,642 and JP-A-53-2040 is called. There is technology.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the interlace method. First, various parameters used in the following description will be described. In the example of FIG. 18, the number N of nozzles used for forming dots is three. FIG.
The middle nozzle pitch k [dot] indicates how many nozzle pitches in the printhead are equal to the pitch (dot pitch w) of the print image. In the example of FIG. 18, k = 2. In the example of FIG. 18, since each raster is filled in one main scan, the number of scan repetitions indicating how many main scans (hereinafter referred to as “raster”) are filled with dots in each main scan s is one time. As described later, when the number of scan repetitions s is 2 or more,
In each main scan, dots are formed intermittently along the main scan direction. L in FIG. 18 means the paper feed amount in the sub-scanning, and corresponds to three rasters in this example. In FIG. 18, circles including two-digit numbers indicate dot recording positions. Of the two-digit numbers in the circle, the numbers on the left indicate the nozzle numbers, and the numbers on the right indicate the recording order (the number of main scans performed).
Is shown.

In interlaced printing shown in FIG. 18, dots of each raster are formed by the second and third nozzles in the first main scan. No dot is formed by the first nozzle. Next, as shown in FIG. 18, after the paper is fed for three rasters, the first main scan is performed while
Each raster is formed using the No. 3 nozzle to the No. 3 nozzle. Thereafter, an image is recorded by repeatedly executing paper feed for three rasters and formation of a raster by main scanning in the same manner. As is apparent here, the reason why the raster was not formed by the first nozzle in the first main scan is that a raster adjacent below the raster cannot be formed in the second and subsequent main scans.

The interlace method is a method of recording an image while forming a raster intermittently in the sub-scanning direction. The interlacing method has an advantage that variations in nozzle pitch, ink ejection characteristics, and the like can be dispersed on a printed image. Therefore, even if there is a variation in the nozzle pitch and the ejection characteristics, these effects can be reduced and the image quality can be improved. In FIG. 18, the case where each raster is formed by one main scan at a specific nozzle pitch has been described. However, recording by the interlace method at various feed amounts according to the nozzle pitch, the number of nozzles, the number of scan repetitions, and the like. Is possible.

[0008] Interlaced recording is also applied to large format printers. However, in the interlaced recording, as is apparent from FIG. 18, there are several rasters above and below that cannot completely form an image. On the other hand, with large format printers, as explained earlier,
When executing the long mode, it is necessary to print an image without a margin between pages. In order to realize such printing, a conventional large format printer performs upper end processing and lower end processing for each page and executes printing.

FIG. 19 shows a state of printing in a large format printer. As illustrated, image data divided into N pages is printed on a predetermined area of a continuous print medium. At this time, as described below, the upper edge processing is performed on the upper side of each page, and the lower edge processing is performed on the lower side, thereby realizing printing in which there is no margin between pages.

FIG. 20 shows an example of the lower end processing. here,
A description will be given of a head having seven nozzles at a 4-dot pitch in the sub-scanning direction as an example. Solid circles in the figure indicate nozzles. The numbers in the circles are the nozzle numbers. Dashed circles are shown for convenience of indicating nozzle pitch. The figure shows the position of the head in the sub-scanning direction for each main scan in order from the left. As shown, a sub-scan corresponding to 7 rasters is performed for each main scan until the lower end processing starts. When the lower end processing is started, first, four rasters are fed, then three rasters are fed four times, and then one raster is fed finely four times. By performing such feeding, it is possible to record an image up to the raster in which the seventh nozzle is located at the time of the last main scan without causing any raster omission.

Next, an example of the upper end processing is shown in FIG. The meanings of the symbols in the figure are the same as in FIG. In the upper end processing, first, fine feed of one raster is executed four times, then feed of three rasters is executed four times, and feed of four rasters is performed. After this,
It shifts to the standard feed, that is, the feed of 7 rasters. By doing so, as shown in FIG.
An image can be recorded from the raster where the nozzle No. is located.

[0012]

However, in the conventional large-format printer, a shift in the dot formation position, that is, so-called banding, has occurred at a boundary portion of each page. As described above, in the conventional large-format printer, the lower end processing is performed to print an image to the lowermost end of each page, and then a large-feed sub-scan is performed to print the image of the next page. For example, when the lower end process shown in FIG. 20 is executed and the printing of the image of the first page is completed, in order to start printing the immediately adjacent raster in the mode shown in FIG. 21, the size of the entire head is reduced. The sub-scan of the corresponding feed amount is executed. In the examples of FIGS. 20 and 21, since seven nozzles are provided at a 4-dot pitch, sub-scanning for 25 rasters is performed at a page boundary.

Generally, in the sub-scan, as the feed amount increases,
Feeding accuracy decreases. In a conventional large-format printer, the interval between the lowermost raster of the previous page and the uppermost raster of the next page may be extremely different from the intervals between other rasters due to the decrease in the feeding accuracy. For this reason, banding may occur at a page boundary.

In the conventional large-format printer, banding also occurs in the lower end processing and the upper end processing.
As shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, in order to complete the image of each page without a blank portion, it is necessary to perform fine feed of one raster in the lower end processing and the upper end processing. When fine feeding is performed, a plurality of rasters formed by the same nozzle appear adjacent to each other. For example, each of the four rasters located at the lower end of FIG. 20 is formed by the seventh nozzle. Further, the four rasters located at the upper end of FIG.
No. nozzle. In this case, if the first nozzle or the seventh nozzle is displaced in the ink ejection direction due to a mechanical manufacturing error or the like, the formation positions of the four rasters formed by the respective nozzles are shifted at a time. . Such a shift is visually recognized as banding.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem, and has as its object to provide a technique for suppressing banding occurring at a boundary of each page and improving image quality in a large format printer. I do.

[0016]

Means for Solving the Problems and Their Functions / Effects To solve at least a part of the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides:
The following configuration was adopted. The printing apparatus of the present invention repeatedly executes formation of a raster on a print medium and relative feeding in the one direction by a head in which a plurality of forming elements forming a raster are arranged at predetermined intervals in one direction. A printing apparatus for printing an image input over a plurality of pages arranged in one direction on a print medium having a size equal to or more than the plurality of pages, wherein an input for inputting image data of the continuous image is provided. Means, determination means for determining whether or not the page is the last page based on the image data, and for a page other than the last page, permitting the head to be positioned across a boundary between pages following the page. When the head is at a position crossing the boundary, the image forming unit prints one page of the image by using a part of the head, and prints the other page by using the remaining part. And summarized in that and a printing unit for printing an image of di.

In this printing apparatus, for image data input over a plurality of pages, it is determined whether or not each page is the last page, and if there is a page to be printed subsequent to the page currently being printed In sub-scanning, sub-scanning is performed while allowing the head to be positioned across the boundary between pages.
In addition, when the head is located at a position across the boundary, printing is performed by supplying image data of a page corresponding to the position of each forming element. That is, according to the printing apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to simultaneously print the lower end area and the upper end area of a continuous page.

In the conventional printing apparatus, printing is completed once for each page. This is because, in the conventional printing apparatus, it was not possible to mix and supply image data over a plurality of pages to the head. In a conventional printing apparatus, printing is performed while sequentially receiving supply of image data,
When a signal for instructing a page break is input at the end of the image data, the page break is executed according to the signal. It is not possible to determine whether a next page exists from a signal for instructing a page break. Under such conditions, if the sub-scanning is performed across the boundary, it is not possible to determine whether the data of the next page can be supplied to the head, and the printing is appropriately executed. You will not be able to do it.

In the first place, in the conventional printing apparatus, the sub-scanning of the head over the boundary of each page is not allowed. Under the condition that image data of consecutive pages cannot be supplied to the head at the same time for the above-mentioned reason,
When the head is sub-scanned across the boundary, it may be necessary to return the print medium in the reverse direction to the sub-scan at the start of printing the next page, depending on the setting of the margin at the upper end of the next page. For example, according to the example shown in FIG. 18, the printable area is an area below the raster where the second nozzle is located in the first main scan. However, if the sub-scanning of the head over the boundary is unconditionally permitted, the position of the second nozzle may be located lower than the uppermost raster at which printing on the next page should be started at the end of printing on the previous page. There is also.

In the conventional printing apparatus, in consideration of the above circumstances, as shown in FIG. 19, the sub-scanning is performed so that the head does not cross the boundary of each page. In contrast,
In the printing apparatus according to the aspect of the invention, since the determination unit can determine whether the image data is the last page, even if the sub-scan that allows the head to be positioned across the boundary is executed. The printing means can appropriately supply data to the head and realize printing.

As a result, in the printing apparatus according to the present invention, it is possible to avoid performing a sub-scan with a large feed amount at the boundary of each page. Further, since it is not necessary to complete printing for each page, there is no need to perform lower end processing or upper end processing including fine feed. Therefore, in the printing apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the raster formation position from being displaced so that it can be visually recognized at the boundary between pages, and to improve the image quality. Note that the printing apparatus of the present invention is particularly effective when printing a continuous image including a page boundary portion (hereinafter, referred to as a continuous image).

In the above printing apparatus, various means can be applied as means for determining whether or not the page is the last page. For example, when input of image data of a certain page is started, the page is once determined to be the last page, and when input of image data of a page subsequent to the page is started, the previous page is not the last page. The judgment may be made again. Also, when input of image data of a certain page is started, it is once determined that the page is not the last page, and when it is determined that input of image data of a page following the page is not executed, the page is The last page may be determined again. Further, the input of the number of pages may be received in advance, and the last page may be determined based on the number of pages.

In the above-described printing apparatus, it goes without saying that the upper end of the first page and the lower end of the last page can be subjected to the upper end processing and the lower end processing as before. Further, the printing apparatus may be configured to perform the sub-scanning at a feed amount different from that of the other portions at the boundary portion of the page.

In the above-described printing apparatus, the feeding means is means for performing the relative feeding at the same feeding amount as that mainly applied when the head does not cross the boundary. Is desirable.

In this way, printing can be performed with the same image quality as that of the other areas, that is, the areas included in each page, even in the area including the page boundary. As a result, printing of a continuous image with more uniform image quality can be realized. "Mainly applied feed amount" means, among the feed amounts applied when the head does not cross the boundary,
The intention is to apply the one with the largest number of times. For example, in a printing apparatus that performs the upper end processing at the start of printing and the lower end processing at the end of printing, the feed amount applied in these processes is used in a relatively limited number of times, and therefore, the “mainly applied feed amount” Does not apply. The “mainly applied feed amount” is not necessarily limited to one type of feed amount. For example, when printing of the area included in each page is realized by a combination of different feed amounts, various feed amounts applied thereto can be used as “mainly applied feed amounts”.

The printing apparatus of the present invention can be realized by a combination of a plurality of apparatuses. For example, a printing apparatus of the present invention includes an image processing apparatus including the input unit, the determination unit, a printer including the sending unit, and the printing unit, and transferring data from the image processing apparatus to the printer. The image processing apparatus further includes a conversion unit that converts the image data into print data that can be handled by the printer, and a flag that sets a flag representing a result determined by the determination unit. Setting means, and output means for outputting the print data and the flag to the printer, the printer further comprising: print data input means for inputting the print data; and Means for determining whether or not the page corresponding to the performed print data is the last page.

In this printing apparatus, the print data generated by the image processing apparatus and the flag are transferred to the printer,
Images can be printed on the printer. On the printer side, the last page can be identified based on the flag, and since the above-described feeding means and printing means are provided, high-quality images with banding suppressed at the boundary between pages are provided. Printing can be realized.

The printing device outputs the print data and the flag to the printer. The printer can determine whether it is the last page based on the flag without waiting for the entire transfer of the print data. Therefore,
According to the printing device, by outputting the data with the flag to the printer, the transfer of the print data and the printing of the image can be performed in parallel. If printing of images is performed in parallel in this way, the printer does not need to store all of the huge print data. Therefore, according to the printing apparatus, it is possible to avoid an increase in the capacity of the storage unit used for the storage on the printer side.

The conversion process from the image data to the print data includes a halftone process for changing the tone value of the image data into a tone value that can be expressed by the printer, and a resolution that can express the resolution of the image data by the printer. And the like. For example, a general-purpose computer can be applied to the image processing apparatus that performs such processing. Further, hardware dedicated to the processing may be used. Of course, it may be provided in the same housing as the printer.

In a printing apparatus having an image processing apparatus and a printer, the flag can be attached to any part of the print data and output.
Prior to the print data of each page, it is preferable that the output means outputs a flag of the page.

In this way, the printer can determine the continuity of the page without waiting for the input of the entire print data of each page. Therefore, it is possible to execute the input of the print data and the printing in parallel with less waste. Note that various modes are possible for outputting the flag prior to the print data. For example, after outputting a flag for each page, print data may be output. After outputting the flags of all pages, the print data of each page may be output.

The present invention can also be configured in the following printer form as an apparatus for making the main parts the same as the printing apparatus of the present invention. That is, the formation of the raster on the print medium and the relative feeding in the one direction are repeatedly executed by a head in which a plurality of forming elements for forming the raster are arranged at predetermined intervals in one direction. A printer that prints an image input over a plurality of pages arranged in a direction on a print medium having a size equal to or more than the plurality of pages, wherein the image data of the image is used to determine whether each page is the last page. Input means for inputting together with the indicated flag, means for determining whether or not the page corresponding to the input print data is the last page based on the flag. Feed means for performing the feed while allowing the head to be positioned over a boundary with a page; and when the head is at a position crossing the boundary, a forming element of a part of the head While printing an image of a more one page, a printer and a printing unit for printing an image of the other pages by forming elements residual.

Such a printer is provided with the same feeding means as the main part of the printing apparatus and the printing apparatus. Therefore, an image can be printed with high image quality without causing banding at a page boundary.

Further, the present invention can be configured as an invention of a printing method described below. In other words, the formation of the raster on the print medium and the relative feeding in the one direction are repeatedly executed by a head in which a plurality of forming elements for forming the raster are arranged at predetermined intervals in one direction. A printing method for printing an image input over a plurality of pages arranged in a direction on a print medium having a size equal to or more than the plurality of pages, comprising: (a) inputting image data of the image;
(B) a step of determining whether or not the head is the last page based on the image data; and (c) determining that the head is located across a boundary between a page other than the last page and a page following the page. Allowing the feed to be allowed;
(D) printing the image of one page by the remaining forming elements while printing the image of one page by using the forming elements of a part of the head when the head is located at the position crossing the boundary; And a printing method comprising: According to such a printing method, high-quality printing of an image can be realized by the same operation as that described above as the printing apparatus.

Further, the present invention can be configured as the invention of the following recording medium. The first recording medium according to the present invention is configured to convert print data provided to a printer that prints an image input over a plurality of pages arranged in one direction on a print medium having a size of the plurality of pages or more, from the image data. A computer-readable recording medium storing a program generated from the image data of the image data, a function of inputting the image data, a function of converting the image data into print data that can be handled by the printer, and the plurality of pages. Is a recording medium in which a program for realizing a function of outputting a print data and a flag indicating whether or not each is the last page is recorded.

According to the second recording medium of the present invention, the formation of the raster on the print medium and the relative formation in the one direction are performed by a head in which a plurality of forming elements for forming the raster are arranged at predetermined intervals in one direction. Computer-readable program for driving a printer that prints an image input over a plurality of pages arranged in one direction on a print medium of a size equal to or more than the plurality of pages by repeatedly executing A function of inputting image data of the image together with a flag indicating whether each page is the last page, and a page corresponding to the input print data based on the flag. Is a final page, and for pages other than the last page, the head is allowed to be positioned across a boundary with a page subsequent to the last page. The function of performing the feeding, and when the head is located at a position crossing the boundary, while printing an image of one page by a part of the forming elements of the head, an image of the other page by the remaining forming elements. This is a recording medium on which a program for realizing a printing function is recorded.

When the program recorded on the first recording medium is executed, the above-described image processing apparatus is realized, and it is possible to generate data including a flag capable of determining whether the page is the last page. it can. By providing such data to a predetermined printer, high-quality printing can be realized based on the operation described above. On the other hand, when the program recorded on the second recording medium is executed, a printer capable of printing a continuous image without causing banding at a page boundary by receiving the above-mentioned print data and the flag is provided. Can be.

As storage media, flexible disks, CD-ROMs, magneto-optical disks, IC cards,
Various computer-readable media such as a ROM cartridge, a punched card, a printed matter on which a code such as a barcode is printed, an internal storage device (memory such as RAM and ROM) and an external storage device of the computer can be used. The present invention also includes an aspect as a program supply device that supplies the computer program to a computer via a communication path.

[0039]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described below based on examples. (1) Apparatus Configuration: FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a printing apparatus as an embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the color printer 22 is connected to the computer 90. When a predetermined program is loaded and executed on the computer 90, the computer 90 functions as a printing device together with the printer 22. The computer 90 includes the following units interconnected by a bus 80, centering on a CPU 81 that executes various arithmetic processes according to programs. The ROM 82 previously stores programs and data necessary for the CPU 81 to execute various arithmetic processes, and the RAM 83 temporarily reads and writes various programs and data necessary for the CPU 81 to execute various arithmetic processes. Memory. Input interface 8
Reference numeral 4 controls input of a signal from the keyboard 14 and the like, and an output interface 85 controls output of data to the printer 22. The CRTC 86 is a CRT 21 capable of color display.
To the disk controller (DD)
C) 87 controls the transfer of data to and from the hard disk 16, the CD-ROM drive 15, or a flexible disk drive (not shown). Hard disk 1
6 stores various programs loaded into the RAM 83 and executed, various programs provided in the form of device drivers, and the like.

In addition, a serial input / output interface (SIO) 88 is connected to the bus 80. This SIO 88 is connected to the modem 18 and the modem 1
8 is connected to a public telephone line PNT. The computer 90 is connected to an external network via the SIO 88 and the modem 18. By connecting to a specific server SV, various programs can be downloaded to the hard disk 16. Also, the necessary programs are loaded on a flexible disk FD or CD-ROM,
Can also be executed.

The printer 22 is an ink jet printer. Although a detailed configuration will be described later, while performing main scanning in which a head having a plurality of nozzles for ejecting ink reciprocates in one direction of the printing paper, the head and the printing paper are relatively moved in a direction orthogonal to the main scanning. The image is printed by performing sub-scanning that moves in a vertical direction.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a software configuration of the printing apparatus. In the computer 90, an application program 95 operates under a predetermined operating system. A video driver 91 and a printer driver 96 are incorporated in the operating system, and the application program 95 outputs image data FNL to be transferred to the printer 22 via these drivers. The application program 95 generates an image to be printed on a large-sized print medium such as a banner in accordance with an instruction from the keyboard 14 or the like, and displays the image on the CRT display 21 via the video driver 91. ing. The image data ORG generated by the application program 95 is data composed of three color components of red (R), green (G), and blue (B).

This application program 95 is
When a print command is issued, the printer driver 96 of the computer 90 receives the image data ORG from the application program 95. The image data for a large-sized print medium generated by the application program 95 is enormous and cannot be transferred to the printer driver 96 all together. The application program 95 divides the image data into pages of a predetermined size and sequentially transfers the pages to the printer driver 96.

In the example shown in FIG.
6, a halftone module 99 and a page flag setting unit 100 are provided. The halftone module 99 first corrects the color components of the image data ORG from R, G, and B to color components (here, cyan, magenta, yellow, and black) that can be expressed by the printer 22. The printer 22 of this embodiment can take only two values of dot on / off for each pixel. Therefore, the halftone module 99 sets on / off of the dots for each pixel so that the gradation value of the image data corrected by the dispersibility of the dots formed by the printer 22 can be expressed.

The page flag setting section 100 sets a flag indicating whether or not the page is the last page based on the image data which is divided into a plurality of pages from the application program 95 and transferred. In this embodiment, when the next page exists, the value 1 is set in the page flag. If there is no subsequent page, the value 0 is set. The reason why the flag is set in this way is that
Only when printing in the long mode is designated by the application program 95. The long mode is a mode in which a continuous image is printed by printing image data divided into a plurality of pages without providing a margin between pages. When the long mode is specified,
As will be described later, a process for a so-called page break is not performed. When the long mode is not specified, all page flags are set to 0 in order to perform a page break process for each page.

The printer driver 96 executes the above processing, and outputs the halftone processed print data and the page flag to the printer 22 as final data FNL. The computer 90 that executes the above processing corresponds to the image processing device according to the present invention.

In the printer 22, the input unit 202 receives the data FNL output from the computer 90. Of the data FNL, print data is temporarily stored in the buffer 206. The page flag is a page break determination unit 2
04. The page break determination unit 204 recognizes, based on the page flag, whether there is a page that is continuous with the page being processed. The recognition result is sent to the feed amount setting unit 208. The feed amount setting unit 208 sets the feed amount table 2 based on whether or not there is a continuous page.
12, the sub-scan feed amount at the time of printing is set. The set feed amount is output to the sub-scanning unit 216 that executes sub-scanning, and
It is also output to 0.

The rasterizer 210 reads data corresponding to a raster to be formed by each nozzle of the printer 22 from the buffer 206 based on the feed amount. Also, the print data of each raster is rearranged in the order of output to the head in accordance with the main scanning direction of the head. The data thus prepared is output to the main scanning unit 214. Main scanning section 214
Ejects ink based on data received from the rasterizer 210 while performing main scanning of the head. When a raster is formed by the main scanning unit 214, the sub-scanning unit 21
6 feeds the printing paper by the previously set feed amount. Input unit 2
In step 02, the data of the remaining part is sequentially input while the main scanning unit 214 and the sub-scanning unit 216 are performing printing.

Next, the schematic structure of the printer 22 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in the figure, the printer 22 includes a mechanism for transporting a sheet P by a paper feed motor 23 and a carriage 31 by a carriage motor 24 for moving the platen 2.
6, a mechanism for reciprocating in the axial direction, a mechanism for driving a print head 28 mounted on a carriage 31 to eject ink and form dots, and a mechanism for driving these paper feed motors 23,
It comprises a carriage motor 24, a print head 28, and a control circuit 40 which controls the exchange of signals with the operation panel 32.

The mechanism for reciprocating the carriage 31 in the axial direction of the platen 26 includes a sliding shaft 34 erected in parallel with the axis of the platen 26 and holding the carriage 31 slidably.
A pulley 38 for extending an endless drive belt 36 between the carriage motor 24 and a position detection sensor 39 for detecting the origin position of the carriage 31 are provided.

The carriage 31 has a cartridge 71 for black ink (Bk) and a cartridge 72 for color ink containing three color inks of cyan (C), magenta (M) and yellow (Y). It is possible. A total of four ink discharge heads 61 to 64 are formed on the print head 28 below the carriage 31. When a cartridge 71 for black (Bk) ink and a cartridge 72 for color ink are mounted on the carriage 31 from above, ink can be supplied from each cartridge to the ejection heads 61 to 64.

FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of the printer 22 of the present embodiment. The printer 22 of this embodiment uses roll paper as the printing paper P. Inside the printer 22, holding units S1 and S2 for holding roll paper are provided.
The roll paper held in one of the holding units is selectively fed according to the designation at the time of printing. The carriage 31, the ink cartridge 71, and the sliding shaft 34 are as described in FIG. When a part of the raster is formed by the main scanning of the carriage 31, the roll paper fed from the holding units S1 and S2 is sent outside by a predetermined amount as a sub-scan. In this way, the main scanning and the sub-scanning are repeatedly performed, and the image is printed on the roll paper. When the printing of the image is completed, the image is sent to the position of the cutting unit 29 and cut by the cutting unit 29. The cutting unit 29 can cut the paper manually, or can cut the paper automatically by a signal from the control circuit 40. Printer 2 of this embodiment
By using the roll paper as described above, 2 can print an image over several tens of meters.

A mechanism for discharging ink and forming dots will be described. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration inside the ink discharge head 28. As will be described later, the heads 61 to 64 for each color are provided with 48 nozzles Nz for each color, and the piezo element P is provided for each nozzle.
E is arranged. FIG. 5 shows the structure of the piezo element PE and the nozzle Nz in detail. For convenience of illustration, the illustration of the yellow head is omitted. As shown in FIG. 5A, the piezo element PE is installed at a position in contact with an ink passage 68 that guides ink to the nozzle Nz.
As is well known, the piezo element PE is an element that distorts the crystal structure due to the application of a voltage and converts electro-mechanical energy very quickly. In the present embodiment, by applying a voltage having a predetermined time width between the electrodes provided at both ends of the piezo element PE, the piezo element PE expands by the voltage application time as shown in FIG. One side wall of the ink passage 68 is deformed. As a result, the volume of the ink passage 68 shrinks in accordance with the expansion of the piezo element PE, and the ink corresponding to the shrinkage becomes particles Ip and is ejected at a high speed from the tip of the nozzle Nz. Printing is performed by the permeation of the ink particles Ip into the paper P mounted on the platen 26.

FIG. 6A shows ink ejection heads 61-61.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an arrangement of inkjet nozzles Nz in 64. The arrangement of these nozzles consists of four sets of nozzle arrays that eject ink for each color.
The nozzles Nz are arranged in a staggered manner at a constant nozzle pitch k. The positions of the nozzle arrays in the sub-scanning direction coincide with each other. In addition, 48 included in each nozzle array
The nozzles Nz do not need to be arranged in a staggered manner, and may be arranged on a straight line. However, FIG.
The arrangement in a staggered manner as shown in FIG. 3A has the advantage that the nozzle pitch k can be easily set small in manufacturing. FIG.
(B) is an enlarged view of a nozzle and a dot formed by the nozzle. As shown in the figure, the interval between the nozzles in the sub-scanning direction in this embodiment, that is, the nozzle pitch k corresponds to six dots.

Next, the internal configuration of the control circuit 40 of the printer 22 will be described. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the internal configuration of the control circuit 40. As shown in FIG. 7, inside the control circuit 40, in addition to the CPU 41, the PROM 42 and the RAM 43, a PC interface 44 for exchanging data with the computer 90, the paper feed motor 23, the carriage motor 24, the operation panel 32 and the like. Peripheral input / output unit (PIO) 45 for exchanging signals with a timer, and a timer 46 for counting time
And a driving buffer 47 for outputting dot on / off signals to the heads 61 to 64. These elements and circuits are interconnected by a bus 48. The control circuit 40 also includes a transmitter 51 that outputs a driving waveform for driving the piezo element PE of each nozzle at a predetermined frequency, and outputs the output from the transmitter 51 to the heads 61 to
There is also provided a distributor 55 for distributing the P.64.

The control circuit 40 receives the dot data processed by the computer 90 and temporarily stores it in the RAM.
43 and output to the driving buffer 47 at a predetermined timing. From the driving buffer 47, data indicating dot on / off for each nozzle is output to the distribution output unit 55. As a result, a drive waveform for driving the piezo element PE is output to the nozzles on which dots are to be formed, and dots are formed.

As shown in FIG. 6, since the heads 61 to 64 are arranged along the main scanning direction, the timing at which each nozzle row reaches the same position with respect to the paper P is shifted. Although not shown, a delay circuit is provided on the output side of the distribution output unit 55, and the heads 61 to 64 are provided.
A drive waveform is output at a timing at which the positions of the dots formed by the nozzles in the main scanning direction match in accordance with the interval between the nozzles and the transport speed of the carriage 31. Also, as shown in FIG. 6, it is considered that each of the heads 61 to 64 has nozzles formed in two rows.

In this embodiment, as described above, the printer 22 having the head for discharging ink using the piezo element PE is used. However, a printer for discharging ink by another method may be used. . For example, the present invention may be applied to a printer of a type in which a heater disposed in an ink passage is energized and ink is ejected by bubbles generated in the ink passage.

(2) Dot formation control: Next, the dot formation control processing in this embodiment will be described. Here, a control process when printing in the long mode is designated will be described. FIG. 8 shows a state in which an image is printed in the long mode. As shown, in the long mode, N
An image divided into pages (N is an integer of 2 or more) is printed on the printing paper P without providing a margin between each page, thereby realizing continuous image printing. At the upper end of the first page where printing is started, upper end processing for expanding the print area is performed. Also, lower end processing for expanding the print area is performed at the lower end of the last page.

Such printing is started by generating a large-sized image by an application program and designating printing in the long mode. It is the CPU 81 in the computer 90 that executes the application program. CPU 81 that executes application programs
Divides the image data into pages of a predetermined size and temporarily stores them in the RAM 83 together with data such as the page size.

On the other hand, the CPU 81 also executes a printer driver program which is a program for driving the printer 22 to execute printing. FIG. 9 shows the contents of the print data generation process which is a part of the process of the CPU 81 when executing the printer driver program.

When this processing is started, the CPU 81 inputs image data and a print mode (step S1).
00). Then, it is determined whether or not the long mode is designated based on the input print mode (step S105). If the long mode is not specified,
A page break is performed by executing a lower end process described below for each page. Therefore, the value 0 is assigned to the page flag as data indicating that such processing is performed (step S115).

If the long mode is specified, it is determined whether or not the image data is for the last page (step S120). If it is the last page,
In order to execute the lower end processing, a value 0 is substituted for the page flag (step S115). If the page is not the last page, it means that there is a page to be subsequently printed without a blank space, and therefore a value of 1 is assigned to the page flag as data indicating that no lower end processing is performed.

When the page flag is set in this way, the CP
U81 performs a color correction process on the image data (step S1).
25). The color correction processing is performed by specifying R,
G, B color components can be used in the printer 22, C, M,
This is a process of correcting the color components of Y and K. This process
For the hues represented by the R, G, and B color systems, C, M, Y,
This is performed using a color correction table that gives the K color component.
Since the color correction processing is a well-known processing content, further detailed description is omitted.

The CPU 81 performs a halftone process on the color-corrected image data (step S130). As a halftone processing method, a known method such as a so-called error diffusion method or a dither method can be applied. The details of each processing are well-known, and therefore will be omitted. The halftone-processed data is called print data.

Next, the CPU 81 outputs the data set in the above processing to the printer 22. First, a page flag is output (step S135), and then print data is output (step S140). These processes are repeatedly executed until all pages are completed (step S14).
5). Although FIG. 9 shows that all the image data of each page is input in step S100, the image data may be input gradually while performing the color correction processing and the halftone processing.

The printer 22 performs printing in the mode shown in FIG. 8 based on the page flags and print data output from the computer 90 by the above processing. FIG. 10 shows a flowchart of a dot formation control processing routine for realizing such printing. This process is a process executed by the CPU 41 provided in the control circuit 40 of the printer 22.

When this process is started, the CPU 41 first inputs data (step S10). This data is print data that has been subjected to halftone processing by the printer driver 96, and a page flag that indicates continuity between pages. The continuity between pages means, in other words, whether there is a page following the page for each page, or in other words, whether each page is the last page. Data is input in raster units of print data. The number of rasters corresponding to the data to be input in step S10 is set based on the sub-scan feed amount described later. At the start of this routine, data equal to the number of print heads in the sub-scanning direction is input.

FIG. 12 shows how the print data is input.
The circled numbers on the left indicate nozzles. For the sake of illustration, a print head having four nozzles at a three-dot pitch is shown. Here, the position of the print head in the sub-scanning direction is shown corresponding to the first to third main scans. Image data is indicated by a circle on the right side. It shows pixels arranged at a predetermined resolution in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction. As described above, in step S10, print data of the number equal to the width of the print head in the sub-scanning direction is input. This data corresponds to the print data of the area A1 in FIG. However, as described above with reference to FIG. 18, when recording is performed by the interlace method, there are several rasters near the upper end where an image cannot be printed. The number of such rasters is determined according to the feed amount of the upper end processing.

In step S10, print data is input so as to be in the area A1 in FIG. 12, including the raster that cannot be printed. Mask data indicating non-formation of dots is input to a portion corresponding to a raster that cannot be printed. In the example of FIG. 12, a circle shown by a broken line corresponds to mask data. Since the printer 22 of this embodiment has 48 nozzles at a nozzle pitch of 6 dots, the width of the area A1 corresponds to 283 rasters. The input print data is stored in a RAM in the control circuit 40.
The data is temporarily stored in a buffer (see FIG. 2) provided in the memory 83. The buffer has a capacity to store the print data for the area A1.

In this embodiment, the data input by the printer 22 has a structure in which page flags and print data are arranged in a predetermined arrangement. Figure 11 shows the data structure
Shown in In the figure, PF indicates a page flag, and D indicates print data. The number in parentheses is the number of pages corresponding to each data. As illustrated, the present embodiment has a data structure in which a page flag and print data are arranged in this order for each page. From the first page to the (N-1) th page, there are pages to be continuously printed on the lower side, and therefore, the page flags PF (1) to PF (N-1) of each page are:
The value indicates the existence of continuous pages. Since the Nth page is the last page, the page flag PF
(N) is a value indicating that there is no continuously printed page on the lower side.

As described above, in step S10,
Input data for multiple rasters. When inputting data of an area including a page boundary, both print data and a page flag are input. In other cases, only the print data is input. For the print data, the numbers of data in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction are specified in advance. Therefore, C
The PU 41 can identify the page flag and the print data from the number of input data. In this way, the CPU 41 determines whether or not the input data includes a page flag (step S15). If the input data includes a page flag, the CPU 41 sets a table flag (step S20). The page flag may be identified by adding header information including data having a structure that can be clearly identified from the print data to the page flag.

The table flag is a flag for designating the use of a table for giving the sub-scan feed amount. In the present embodiment, a feed amount table corresponding to three types of tables, a table for the first page, a table for the last page, and a standard table for other parts is prepared. When the table flag is first set in step S20 based on the page flag PF (1), a value indicating the first page is substituted. Next, when this process is performed,
The setting of the table flag is updated based on the page flag PF (2). Since a value indicating the existence of a continuous page is set in the page flag (2), a value specifying the standard table is assigned to the table flag. Thereafter, the page flags PF (3) to PF (N-
The value specifying the standard table is also substituted for 1). Since a value indicating that there is no continuous page is set in the page flag PF (N) of the last page, a value indicating the last page is assigned to the table flag.

Next, the CPU 41 selectively uses the feed amount table based on the table flag thus set, and sets the feed amount for sub-scanning. That is, when the table flag is a value indicating the first page, the feed amount is set using the first page table (steps S25 and S25).
30). If the table flag is a value indicating the last page, the feed amount is set using the last page table (steps S35 and S40). In other cases, the feed amount is set using the standard table (step S45).

FIG. 13 shows a feed amount table of this embodiment. The feed amount table is divided into a first page table, a standard table, and a last page table, and stores a sub-scan amount when each page is printed. In the table for the first page, upper end processing is performed as shown in FIG. The upper end process is a process for expanding a print area. The upper end process will be described with reference to FIGS. For convenience of illustration, a head having eight nozzles at a 4-dot pitch has been shown as an example. Also, the case where each raster is formed by two main scans has been shown.

FIG. 14 shows a case where the upper end processing is not performed. With the nozzle pitch and the number of nozzles exemplified here, each raster can be formed by two main scans by periodically performing “5 rasters → 2 rasters → 3 rasters → 6 rasters”. When printing is performed with such a feed from the beginning of printing, as shown in FIG. 14, a non-printable area of 23 rasters is generated before each raster can be formed by two main scans.

FIG. 15 shows an example in which the upper end processing is performed. Here, three raster feeds are performed seven times as upper end processing. After performing such feed, “5 rasters → 2 rasters →
When shifting to the standard feed of "3 rasters → 6 rasters", the unprintable area until each raster can be formed by two main scans is equivalent to 18 rasters. That is, the print area for five rasters is extended as compared with the case where the upper end processing is not performed.

In the present embodiment, the top page is subjected to such upper end processing to expand the print area. Therefore, the table for the first page stores the feed amount corresponding to the upper end processing and the standard feed amount for printing the subsequent area. In the example shown in FIG. 13, three rasters are fed seven times as the upper end process, and the repetition of “5 rasters → 2 rasters → 3 rasters → 6 rasters” is stored as the standard feed. These values can be set to various values according to the number of nozzles and the nozzle pitch provided in the print head. Naturally, the upper end processing may not be performed.

The standard table stores uniformly transmitted “5 rasters → 2 rasters → 3 rasters → 6 rasters”. On the last page, as shown in FIG. 8, the lower end processing is performed after performing the standard feed. Like the upper end process, the lower end process is a process for expanding the printable area.

The lower end processing will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 16 shows a printable area when the standard feed is repeatedly executed to the end. in this case,
Up to the raster indicated by “RN = 5”, it is possible to perform recording by the overlap method. RN is a raster number given for convenience to indicate the position of the raster. FIG. 17 shows an example in which the lower end processing is performed. Here, the feed for three rasters is repeatedly performed as the lower end processing. By performing such lower end processing, it is possible to perform recording by the overlap method up to the raster of “RN = 0”. The raster numbers are associated between FIG. 16 and FIG. By performing such lower end processing, the printable area is extended by 5 rasters.

In this embodiment, on the last page, the lower end processing is performed following the standard feed to expand the print area. Therefore, the table for the last page stores the repetition of “5 rasters → 2 rasters → 3 rasters → 6 rasters” as the standard feed, and then stores the repetition of 3 rasters feed as the feed amount corresponding to the lower end processing. are doing. Various values can be set for the standard feed and the lower end process according to the number of nozzles and the nozzle pitch provided in the print head.

When the feed amount is set in this way, the CPU 4
1 rasterizes the print data (step S5)
0). Rasterization refers to rearranging print data in the order in which it is output to each nozzle. Description will be made based on the example of FIG. Of the data of the area A1 previously input,
Only four rasters corresponding to nozzle positions are formed in the first main scan. The CPU 41 sets the area A1
First, data corresponding to the raster at which the nozzle is located is specified from among the above data. To complete each raster in one main scan from left to right in FIG. 12, the data of the specified raster may be output to the nozzles in this order. C
The PU 41 outputs the data thus rasterized to the driving buffer (see FIG. 7).

On the other hand, depending on the designation of the print mode, each raster may be formed by two or more main scans, or may be formed by a so-called overlap method. In the case of the overlap system in which each raster is formed by two main scans, 1
The odd-numbered pixels of each raster are formed by the second main scan,
The even-numbered pixels are formed in the first main scan. Therefore, C
The PU 41 picks up odd-numbered or even-numbered pixels from each raster as rasterization processing,
The mask data indicating that no dot is formed is inserted into the remaining pixels. In some cases, dots may be formed in both directions of the head reciprocation. In such a case, the CP
The U41 transfers the data of each raster to the driving buffer in order from the left side or the right side according to the moving direction of the head when forming the raster.

When the rasterization is completed, the CP
U41 performs main scanning to form dots on each raster (step S55). Further, the sub-scan is executed with the feed amount set in the feed amount table (step S60). CP
U41 determines whether the printing is completed (step S6).
5) If not completed, input data again (step S10). Here, raster data of the number corresponding to the feed amount of the sub-scan performed in step S60 is input.

A description will be given based on the example of FIG. In the example of FIG. 12, when the first main scanning is completed, sub-scanning for four rasters is performed. The print data corresponding to the second main scan is the area A2 in FIG. Of the print data in the area A2, data included in the area A1 has already been input. Therefore, when the second main scanning is performed, it is sufficient to input data that is not included in the area A1. This data is hatched data in FIG. 12 and corresponds to a raster corresponding to the sub-scan feed amount. When the first main scan is completed, print data for several lines above the area A1 becomes unnecessary. The unnecessary data amount is also equal to the sub-scan feed amount. If new print data is input by replacing the unnecessary data, the capacity of the buffer can be kept constant.

In this embodiment, when there are pages to be continuously printed on the lower side, the feed amount is set based on the standard table. Then, in step S10, the number of raster data corresponding to the feed amount is input. Therefore, print data over two pages may be stored in the buffer.

A description will be given based on the example of FIG. It is assumed that the print data of the first page has been input in the second main scan. Then, as a result of performing sub-scanning for 4 rasters,
It is assumed that the raster corresponding to the No. 4 nozzle and the raster adjacent above the raster deviate from the first page. In this embodiment,
In such a case, the print data of the second page is input to these two rasters. As a result, in the third main scan, the print data indicated by the area A3 is stored in the buffer, and the data of the first page and the data of the second page are mixed. The print data of the first page is output to some of the nozzles of the head, and the print data of the second page is output to the remaining nozzles. In this manner, in the present embodiment, a predetermined number of raster print data is input and printed without discrimination whether the pages are different between consecutive pages.

According to the printing apparatus of the present embodiment described above, by allowing print data over a plurality of pages to be mixedly stored in a buffer, an area including a page boundary and a single Printing can be performed without distinguishing from the area included in the page. Therefore, it is possible to prevent banding from occurring at the boundary between pages. As a result, according to the printing apparatus of the present embodiment, the image quality of large-format printing based on print data divided into a plurality of pages can be greatly improved.

Further, the printing apparatus of this embodiment realizes the above printing efficiently by adopting the data structure shown in FIG. In this embodiment, prior to inputting print data of each page, a flag for specifying whether or not there is a continuous page to the page is input. Therefore, it is possible to set the sub-scan feed amount of each page without inputting all the print data of each page. As a result, data input and printing can be performed in parallel, and an increase in the buffer capacity of the printer 22 can be prevented.

The printing apparatus described above employs a mode in which print data is generated by the computer 90 and then printed by the printer 22. On the other hand, both generation and printing of print data are performed by the printer 22.
It may be realized by. In such a case, the processing contents of FIG. 9 (step S
105, S110), the printer 22 can directly determine the continuity of pages.

Since the printing apparatus described above implements the processing shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 by a computer, it adopts an embodiment as a recording medium on which a program for implementing the processing is recorded. You can also. It is possible to adopt a mode as a separate recording medium on which both processes are recorded, or a mode as a recording medium on which both processes are collectively recorded. The print data generation process shown in FIG. 9 can be executed by the CPU 41 of the printer 22. In such a case, the form as a recording medium on which a program combining the processes of FIGS. It may be taken.

Examples of such a recording medium include a flexible disk, a CD-ROM, a magneto-optical disk, an IC card, a ROM cartridge, a punched card, a printed matter on which a code such as a barcode is printed, and an internal storage device (RAM, Various computer-readable media can be used, such as a memory such as a ROM) and an external storage device. Further, an embodiment as a program supply device for supplying a computer program for performing the above-described processing to a computer via a communication path is also possible.

Although various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various embodiments can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, various control processes described in the above embodiments may be partially or entirely realized by hardware. In the above-described embodiment, a printer mainly using roll paper has been described as an example. However, a printer mainly using so-called fixed size paper may be applied by attaching an auxiliary tool capable of supplying roll paper. The print medium is not limited to roll paper as long as it is a medium on which a large-sized image can be printed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a printing system to which a printing apparatus as an embodiment is applied.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration of software.

FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of a printer as an embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of a printer as an embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a dot formation principle.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the arrangement of nozzles in a head.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an internal configuration of a control device of the printer.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a state of printing in a long mode.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a print data generation processing routine.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a dot formation control processing routine.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing the structure of data transferred to a printer.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a relationship between data stored in a buffer and image data.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing the contents of a feed amount setting table.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing how dots are printed when upper end processing is not performed.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of upper end processing.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing how dots are recorded when the lower end processing is not performed.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a lower end process.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing how dots are recorded by an interlace method.

FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram showing a state of printing in a long mode as a conventional technique.

FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a lower end process in conventional long mode printing.

FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of upper end processing in conventional long mode printing.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 14 ... Keyboard 16 ... Hard disk 18 ... Modem 22 ... Printer 23 ... Motor 24 ... Carriage motor 26 ... Platen 28 ... Ink ejection head 29 ... Cutting part 31 ... Carriage 32 ... Operation panel 34 ... Sliding shaft 36 ... Drive belt 38 ... Pulley 39 ... Position detection sensor 40 ... Control circuit 45 ... Peripheral input / output unit 46 ... Timer 47 ... Drive buffer 48 ... Bus 51 ... Transmitter 55 ... Distributor 61-64 ... Ink ejection head 68 ... Ink passage 71 ... Ink Cartridge 72 ... Color ink cartridge 80 ... Bus 81 ... CPU 82 ... ROM 83 ... RAM 84 ... Input interface 85 ... Output interface 86 ... CRT controller 87 ... Disk controller 88 ... Serial input / output interface 90 ... Computer 91 ... Deo driver 95 ... Application program 96 ... Printer driver 99 ... Halftone module 100 ... Page flag setting unit 202 ... Input unit 204 ... Page break determination unit 206 ... Buffer 208 ... Amount setting unit 210 ... Rasterizer 212 ... Amount table 214 ... Main scanning Section 216: Sub-scanning section

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A head in which a plurality of forming elements for forming a raster are arranged at predetermined intervals in one direction to repeatedly execute formation of a raster on a print medium and relative feeding in the one direction. A printing apparatus for printing an image input over a plurality of pages arranged in one direction on a print medium having a size equal to or more than the plurality of pages, wherein input means for inputting image data of the continuous image; Determining means for determining whether or not the head is the last page based on the image data; and for a page other than the last page, allowing the head to be positioned across a boundary with a page subsequent to the page. Feeding means for feeding, and when the head is at a position crossing the boundary, while printing an image of one page by a part of the forming elements of the head, the other page by the remaining forming elements Printing apparatus comprising a printing unit for printing an image. 2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the feed unit performs the relative feed with the same feed amount as a feed amount mainly applied when the head does not cross the boundary. The printing device that is the means. 3. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing apparatus includes the input unit, the determination unit, the sending unit, and the printer including the printing unit. Transfer means for transferring data to a printer, the image processing apparatus further comprising: conversion means for converting the image data into print data that can be handled by the printer; anda flag representing a result determined by the determination means. A flag setting unit for setting, and an output unit for outputting the print data and the flag to the printer, the printer further comprising: a print data input unit for inputting the print data; and Means for determining whether the page corresponding to the input print data is the last page. 4. The printing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the output unit outputs a flag of each page prior to print data of each page. 5. A head in which a plurality of forming elements for forming a raster are arranged at predetermined intervals in one direction to repeatedly execute formation of a raster on a print medium and relative feeding in the one direction. A printer that prints an image input over a plurality of pages arranged in one direction on a print medium having a size equal to or greater than the plurality of pages, wherein the image data of the image is a last page. An input unit for inputting together with a flag indicating whether or not the page corresponding to the input print data is the last page based on the flag. Feed means for performing the feed while allowing the head to be positioned across a boundary with a page following the page; and a part of the head when the head is located at a position crossing the boundary. While printing an image of one page by forming element, a printer and a printing unit for printing an image of the other pages by forming elements residual. 6. A head in which a plurality of forming elements for forming a raster are arranged at predetermined intervals in one direction to repeatedly execute formation of a raster on a print medium and relative feeding in the one direction. A printing method for printing an image input over a plurality of pages arranged in one direction on a print medium having a size equal to or more than the plurality of pages, comprising: (a) inputting image data of the image; (B) a step of determining whether or not the page is the last page based on the image data; and (c) in a page other than the last page, the head is located across a boundary between a page following the page and the page. And (d) when the head is located at a position that straddles the boundary, while forming an image of one page by using some forming elements of the head, forming a residual. Element by the other Printing method and a step of printing the image of the page. 7. Print data provided to a printer that prints an image input over a plurality of pages arranged in one direction on a print medium having a size equal to or more than the plurality of pages is generated from image data of the image. A computer-readable recording medium storing a program to be executed, the function of inputting the image data, the function of converting the image data into print data that can be handled by the printer, and the plurality of pages each being a last page. And a program for realizing a function of outputting a flag indicating whether or not the print data is the print data. 8. A head in which a plurality of forming elements for forming a raster are arranged at predetermined intervals in one direction to repeatedly execute formation of a raster on a print medium and relative feeding in the one direction. A computer-readable recording medium for recording a program for driving a printer that prints an image input over a plurality of pages arranged in one direction on a print medium having a size of the plurality of pages or more. A function of inputting image data of the image together with a flag indicating whether or not each page is the last page; and, based on the flag, whether or not the page corresponding to the input print data is the last page A function of performing the feed while permitting the head to be positioned across a boundary with a page subsequent to the last page in a page other than the last page; When the head is located at a position straddling the boundary, a function of printing an image of one page by using some forming elements of the head and printing an image of the other page by using the remaining forming elements is realized. A recording medium on which a program is recorded.