JP2003291331A - Printing carried out with higher resolution than that of inputted printing data - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technique which realizes printing images of a high resolution while suppressing an increase in the time required for printing. <P>SOLUTION: A printer according to the technique increases a printing resolution of printing data received thereby, and at the same time forms ink dots of a size corresponding to a pixel conforming to the increased resolution. Since printing images can be recorded on the basis of printing data generated by the printing resolution smaller than a printing resolution of printing images according to this printer, printing data to be processed or transferred can be made small. As a result, printing images of the high resolution can be printed while increase in the time required for printing is suppressed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a technique for ejecting ink to print an image on a print medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, as an output device of a computer,
Color printers of the type that eject several colors of ink from an ink head have become widespread, and are widely used for printing images processed by a computer in multiple colors and multiple gradations. The printing resolution tends to increase as a part of improving the performance of such printers.

[0003]

However, as the printing resolution becomes higher, the amount of data to be processed also increases accordingly. Therefore, it takes a long time to transfer data between the computer and the printer, and the printing speed is reduced. In addition, as the amount of data increases, the time required for processing on the computer tends to increase.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a technique for realizing a high-resolution printed image while suppressing an increase in the time required for printing. To do.

[0005]

Means for Solving the Problems and Their Actions / Effects In order to solve at least some of the above problems, the present invention provides
A printing apparatus for performing printing by forming ink dots on a print medium according to first print data having a first resolution, the print data receiving unit receiving the first print data, A print data conversion unit that generates second print data having a second resolution higher than the first print data by increasing the print resolution of the received first print data; and the second print. A dot forming unit capable of recording a print image by forming ink dots of a size corresponding to the pixel corresponding to the second resolution on the print medium according to the data.

According to the printing apparatus of the present invention, the print image can be recorded based on the print data generated with the print resolution smaller than the print resolution of the print image. Therefore, the print data to be processed or transferred can be recorded. The size of can be reduced. As a result, it is possible to record a high-resolution print image while suppressing an increase in the time required for printing.

In the above printing apparatus, the dot forming section prints by recording ink dots on the print medium while moving the print head in the main scanning direction between the sub scans. The conversion unit may generate the second print data by increasing the print resolution in at least one of the main scanning direction and the sub scanning direction.

In the above printing apparatus, the first print data has a first pixel value representing a gradation value of a first pixel which is each pixel of the first print data, and the second print data has the second pixel value. The print data has a second pixel value that represents a gradation value of a second pixel that is each pixel of the second print data, and the print data conversion unit has the second print value included in the first print data. A resolution conversion unit that sets a data area for storing the second print data having the second pixels larger than the number of pixels of the first pixels; and a pixel value of the first pixels, A print data processing unit that generates the second print data by setting the pixel value of the second pixel corresponding to the first pixel and stores the second print data in the data area may be provided.

In the above printing apparatus, the dot forming section includes a print head having a plurality of nozzles arranged in the sub-scanning direction, and the print data conversion section corresponds to each pixel of the first print data. It is preferable that the second print data is assigned to each of the second pixels so that ink dots are formed by the plurality of different nozzles.

In this way, it is possible to suppress banding and record a clear printed image. Here, the banding refers to deterioration of image quality due to white stripes or black stripes formed due to manufacturing errors of nozzles and the like.

In the above printing apparatus, it is preferable that the dot forming section records the plurality of second pixels by using a plurality of drive signals whose phases are shifted from each other.

By so doing, it is possible to mitigate the decrease in printing speed due to the resolution enhancement processing in the main scanning direction.

The print control apparatus of the present invention is a print control apparatus for generating print data to be supplied to a printing unit for printing by forming ink dots on a print medium,
A print data generation unit that generates the print data from given image data, and a high resolution that causes the user to record a print image having a higher resolution than the resolution of the print data in the print unit according to the print data. A print mode selection unit that allows selection of a print mode including a high-resolution mode, and the print data generation unit, when the selected print mode is the high resolution mode, according to the print data. The print data includes control data for recording the print image in the printing unit.

According to the print control apparatus of the present invention, the control data capable of designating the print resolution of the print image to be recorded in the printing section can be included in the print data. Therefore, the print data is transmitted by performing such designation. It is possible to cause the printing unit to perform printing with a printing resolution higher than that of the print data.

The print data generated by the print control apparatus of the present invention may be any data that should be supplied in order to print by the printing unit that prints by forming ink dots on the print medium. For example, it may be halftone data used to generate raster data or sub-scan feed data in a printer.

Further, the present invention can be implemented in various modes, for example, a printing method and a printing device,
Print control method and print control apparatus, computer program for realizing functions of those methods or apparatuses,
It can be realized in the form of a recording medium recording the computer program, a data signal containing the computer program and embodied in a carrier wave, or the like.

[0017]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in the following order based on examples. A. Device Configuration: B. Comparative Examples and Examples of Dot Recording Method: C.I. Modification:

A. Device Configuration: FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a printing system as an embodiment of the present invention. This printing system includes a computer 90 as a print control device and a printer 20 as a printing unit. The combination of the printer 20 and the computer 90 can be called a “printing device” in a broad sense.

In the computer 90, the application program 9 is executed under a predetermined operating system.
5 is working. A video driver 91 and a printer driver 96 are incorporated in the operating system, and the application program 95 outputs print data PD to be transferred to the printer 20 via these drivers. The application program 95 performs desired processing on an image to be processed, and also, via the video driver 91, a CRT.
The image is displayed at 21.

When the application program 95 issues a print command, the printer driver 9 of the computer 90
6 receives the image data from the application program 95 and converts it into print data PD to be supplied to the printer 20. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the resolution conversion module 97 is provided inside the printer driver 96.
A color conversion module 98, a halftone module 99, a print data generation module 100, a color conversion table LUT, and a print mode selection unit 101 are provided.

The resolution conversion module 97 plays a role of converting the resolution (that is, the number of pixels per unit length) of the color image data handled by the application program 95 into a resolution that can be handled by the printer driver 96. The image data whose resolution has been converted in this way is still image information consisting of three colors of RGB. The color conversion module 98 converts the RGB image data into multi-tone data of a plurality of ink colors usable by the printer 20 for each pixel while referring to the color conversion table LUT.

The color-converted multi-tone data is, for example, 25
It has 6 gradation values. The halftone module 99 disperses and forms ink dots,
The printer 20 executes a halftone process for expressing the gradation value. The image data subjected to the halftone processing is printed by the print data generation module 100 on the printer 2
Print data P is sorted in the order of data to be transferred to 0.
It is output as D. The print data PD includes raster data used to control the dot recording state during each main scan and data indicating the sub-scan feed amount.

The print data PD is transmitted to the printer 20. In the printer 20, the print data PD is subjected to a resolution increasing process for increasing the resolution of the print image.
The printer 20 records ink dots on a print medium according to the print data that has been subjected to the high resolution processing. The detailed contents of these processes will be described later.

The printer driver 96 corresponds to a program for realizing the function of generating the print data PD. The program for realizing the functions of the printer driver 96 is supplied in the form recorded in a computer-readable recording medium. Examples of such a recording medium include a flexible disk, a CD-ROM, a magneto-optical disk, an IC card, a ROM cartridge, a punch card, a printed matter on which codes such as a bar code are printed, and an internal storage device (RAM, ROM, etc.) of a computer. memory)
Also, various computer-readable media such as an external storage device can be used.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of the printer 20. The printer 20 includes a sub-scan feed mechanism that conveys the print paper P in the sub-scan direction by the paper feed motor 22, and a carriage motor 24 that moves the carriage 30 to the platen 26.
Main-scan feed mechanism that reciprocates in the axial direction (main-scan direction), and the print head unit 6 mounted on the carriage 30.
A head drive mechanism that drives 0 (also referred to as a “print head assembly”) to control ink ejection and dot formation;
The sheet feeding motor 22, the carriage motor 24, the print head unit 60, and the control circuit 40 that controls signals with the operation panel 32 are provided. The control circuit 40 is connected to the computer 90 via the connector 56.

The sub-scan feed mechanism for conveying the print paper P is
A gear train (not shown) that transmits the rotation of the paper feed motor 22 to a platen 26 and a paper transport roller (not shown) is provided. Further, the main scanning feed mechanism for reciprocating the carriage 30 is provided in parallel with the axis of the platen 26, and a drive shaft 36 which is endless between the slide shaft 34 which slidably holds the carriage 30 and the carriage motor 24. And a position sensor 39 for detecting the origin position of the carriage 30.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the printer 20 centering on the control circuit 40. Control circuit 40
Is a CPU 41 and a programmable ROM (PROM)
43, a RAM 44, and a character generator (CG) 45 that stores a dot matrix of characters, and is configured as an arithmetic logic operation circuit. This control circuit 4
Further, 0 is an I / F dedicated circuit 50 dedicated to interface with an external motor and the like, and a head drive circuit 52 connected to the I / F dedicated circuit 50 for driving the print head unit 60 to eject ink. And the paper feed motor 2
2 and a motor drive circuit 54 for driving the carriage motor 24. The I / F dedicated circuit 50 has a built-in parallel interface circuit, and print data PD supplied from the computer 90 via the connector 56.
Can receive. The printer 20 executes printing according to the print data PD. RAM44
Functions as a buffer memory for temporarily storing raster data.

The print head unit 60 includes the print head 2
8 and an ink cartridge can be mounted. The print head unit 60 is attached to and detached from the printer 20 as one component. That is, when the print head 28 is replaced, the print head unit 60 is replaced.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the main structure of the head drive circuit 52 (FIG. 3). Head drive circuit 52
Is an original drive signal generator 220 and a plurality of mask circuits 22.
2, a main-scanning-direction high resolution processing unit 230, and a piezo element PE of each nozzle. Mask circuit 222
Are provided corresponding to the nozzles # 1, # 2, ... Of the print head 28. In FIG. 4, the number in parentheses added to the end of the signal name indicates the nozzle number to which the signal is supplied. The main-scanning direction resolution enhancement processing unit 230 functions as a "print data conversion unit" in the claims.

FIG. 5 is a timing chart showing the operation of the head drive circuit 52 in the non-overlapping interlace system. The original drive signal generator 220 uses the original drive signal COMDRV (n) commonly used for each nozzle.
Is generated and supplied to the plurality of mask circuits 222. The original drive signal COMDRV (n) is a signal including one pulse in the main scanning period Td for one pixel. The i-th mask circuit 222 uses the serial print signal P of the i-th nozzle.
Original drive signal COMDRV depending on the level of RT (i)
Mask (n). The original drive signal COMDRV
(N) has a plurality of types of signals suitable for various printing resolutions that can be printed by the printer 20.

Specifically, the mask circuit 222 outputs the original drive signal COM when the print signal PRT (i) is 1 level.
Pass DRV (n) as it is. Then, the original drive signal is supplied to the piezo element PE as the drive signal DRV.
On the other hand, when the print signal PRT (i) is at 0 level, the original drive signal COMDRV (n) is cut off. The serial print signal PRT (i) is a signal indicating the printing state of each pixel printed by the i-th nozzle in one main scan, and print data PD (FIG. 1) given from the computer 90 is output for each nozzle. It is decomposed into. Note that FIG. 5 is an example in which dots are recorded every other pixel, and when dots are recorded in all pixels, the original drive signal COMDRV
(N) is the drive signal DRV as it is, and the piezo element PE
Is supplied to. Further, the main scanning direction resolution enhancement processing unit 23
The function of 0 will be described later.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing the nozzle arrangement on the lower surface of the print head 28. On the lower surface of the print head 28, a black ink nozzle group K _D for ejecting black ink, a dark cyan ink nozzle group C _D for ejecting dark cyan ink, and a light cyan ink for ejecting light cyan ink. Ink nozzle group C _L , dark magenta ink nozzle group M _D for ejecting dark magenta ink, light magenta ink nozzle group M _L for ejecting light magenta ink, and yellow ink for ejecting yellow ink A nozzle group Y _D is formed.

Incidentally, the capital letter of the first alphabet in the code showing each nozzle group means the ink color,
The subscript "D" means that the ink has a relatively high density, and the subscript "L" means that the ink has a relatively low density.

The plurality of nozzles of each nozzle group are aligned at a constant nozzle pitch k · D along the sub-scanning direction SS. Here, k is an integer, and D is a pitch (“dot pitch”) corresponding to the printing resolution in the sub-scanning direction.
Is called). In the present specification, it is also referred to as "the nozzle pitch is k dots". The unit [dot] at this time is
It means the dot pitch of the print resolution. Similarly, for the sub-scan feed amount, the unit of [dot] is used.

Each nozzle is provided with a piezo element (not shown) as a drive element for driving each nozzle to eject ink droplets. When printing, print head 2
Ink droplets are ejected from each nozzle while 8 moves in the main scanning direction MS.

The plurality of nozzles in each nozzle group need not be arranged in a straight line along the sub-scanning direction.
For example, they may be arranged in a staggered pattern. Even when the nozzles are arranged in a staggered pattern, the nozzle pitch k · D measured in the sub-scanning direction can be defined as in the case of FIG. In this specification, the term "a plurality of nozzles arranged in the sub-scanning direction" has a broad meaning including nozzles arranged in a straight line and staggered nozzles. There is.

The printer 20 having the above-described hardware configuration conveys the paper P by the paper feed motor 22, reciprocates the carriage 30 by the carriage motor 24, and simultaneously drives the piezo element of the print head 28, The ink droplets of each color are ejected to form ink dots to form a multi-color multi-tone image on the paper P.

In the present specification, the print data PD input from the computer 90 to the printer 20 is also referred to as input print data, and the print data obtained by subjecting the input print data to high resolution processing is referred to as output print data. The input print data corresponds to "first print data" in the claims, and the output print data corresponds to "second print data" in the claims.

B. Comparative Example and Example of Dot Recording Method: FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the dot recording method of the first comparative example. The first comparative example is an example in which the printer 20 is not subjected to high resolution processing. Therefore, in this example, the input print data and the output print data have the same resolution. The print resolution in the first comparative example is 720 dpi for both input print data and output print data.
× 1440 dpi (main scanning direction × sub scanning direction).
As a result, the input raster data included in the input print data and the output raster data included in the output print data also have the same print resolution. Here, the raster data is data used for controlling the dot recording state during each main scan as described above.

The output pixel position number shown at the right end of FIG. 7 indicates the order of arrangement of the output pixels on each raster line recorded on the print medium. The numbers in the ellipses indicate the numbers of the nozzles that are in charge of forming dots at the output pixel positions. For example, in the first raster line, dots are formed by the nozzle # 3. Similarly, the dots on the second raster line are formed by the nozzle # 2, and the dots on the third raster line are formed by the nozzle # 1. Generally, the (1 + 5 × P) th raster line is formed by the nozzle # 3, the (2 + 5 × P) th raster line is the nozzle # 2, and the (3 + 5 × P) th raster line is the nozzle # 1. The (4 + 5 × P) -th raster line is formed by the # 5 nozzle, and the (5 + 5 × P) -th raster line is formed by the # 4 nozzle. Where P
Is a non-negative integer.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing allocation of raster data to each nozzle in the first comparative example. This table shows the input raster data (FIG. 4) and the output raster data for each raster number. In the first comparative example, since the high resolution processing is not performed, the input raster data and the output raster data are the same data.

For example, the values of the input raster data and the output raster data representing the dot formation state on the first raster line are both 1,0,1,1 ... Here, the value "1" indicates that a dot is recorded at the output pixel position, and the value "0" means that a dot is not recorded. In this first comparative example, in pass 3, the # 3 nozzle is in charge of recording the first raster line, in pass 4, the # 2 nozzle is in charge of recording the second raster line, and in pass 5, the # 1 nozzle is in charge. Responsible for recording the third raster line. The raster data assigned to each nozzle in this way is the serial print signal PRT shown in FIGS.
Corresponds to (i).

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing the dot recording method of the first embodiment of the present invention. This dot recording method differs from the first comparative example shown in FIG. 7 in that the printing resolution in the main scanning direction is doubled. Specifically, each output pixel in the first comparative example is 2 in the main scanning direction in the first embodiment.
It is divided. For example, the output pixel having the raster number 1 and the output pixel position number 1 in the first comparative example has the raster number 1 and the output pixel position number 1 in the first embodiment.
It is divided into two, an output pixel of a and an output pixel of 1b.
As a result, the print resolution is 720 in the first comparative example.
In the first embodiment, the resolution is 1440 dpi × 1440 dpi (main scanning direction × sub-scanning direction).
This means that it has been raised to 40 dpi (same).

Such high resolution in the main scanning direction can be realized by, for example, halving the main scanning speed while maintaining the cycle of the original drive signal COMDRV (n) (FIG. 5). This is because ink dots can be formed with double the density in the main scanning direction. Specifically, the speed of the carriage 30 (FIG. 2) in the main scanning direction may be reduced to half. The speed reduction of the carriage 30 is achieved by, for example, the motor drive circuit 5 that drives the carriage motor 24.
4 (FIG. 3), a control signal for halving the number of rotations of the carriage motor 24 can be transmitted.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing raster data assigned to each nozzle in the first embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, since the resolution in the main scanning direction is doubled, each input pixel position number of the input raster data is
It corresponds to each of the two output pixel position numbers of the output raster data. For example, the No. 1 input pixel of the input raster data corresponds to the No. 1a and No. 1b output pixels of the output raster data. Generation of such output raster data is performed by the resolution increasing process.

The resolution increasing process is performed by the main scanning direction resolution increasing unit 230 (FIG. 4). A CPU functions as the resolution increasing unit 230 in the main scanning direction.
41 (FIG. 3) and RAM 44. High resolution processing,
It starts from the CPU 41 setting a data area for storing output raster data in the RAM 44. RA
M44 is a memory that functions as a buffer memory for temporarily storing the raster data as described above.

The output raster data is generated from the input raster data by the main-scanning direction high resolution processing section 230. The main-scanning direction resolution enhancement processing unit 230 generates the data of each output pixel of the output raster data corresponding to each input pixel by copying the data of the input pixel included in the input raster data. For example, in the input raster data, the data “1” of the input pixel whose input pixel position number is 1
By duplicating the output pixel position numbers 1a and 1a
Data “1” of the bth output pixel can be generated. The main-scanning direction resolution enhancement processing unit 230 stores the output raster data thus generated in the set data area.

The main scanning direction resolution enhancement processing section 230
Is a plurality of original drive signals COMDR so that dots having a size corresponding to the print resolution after the high resolution processing can be formed.
One is selected in advance from V (n). The original drive signal generator 220 outputs the original drive signal COMDRV (1) corresponding to the print resolution of 720 dpi × 1440 dpi (main scanning direction × sub scanning direction) and 1440 dpi × 1440 d.
Original drive signal COMD corresponding to the print resolution of pi (same)
RV (2) and a plurality of types of drive signals COMDRV
(N) can be generated. In this embodiment, the original drive signal COMDRV suitable for the print resolution after the high resolution processing is performed.
In order to select (2), the main scanning direction resolution enhancement processing unit 230 has previously transmitted the original drive signal selection signal (FIG. 4) to the original drive signal generation unit 220.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the dot size and the pixel formed in the comparative example and the first embodiment. FIG. 11A shows the relationship between the size of each small, medium, and large dot formed in the comparative example and the pixel.
(B) shows the relationship between the size of each small, medium, and large dot formed in the first embodiment and the pixel. FIG. 11 (a)
The dots shown in can be formed by the original drive signal ODRV (1), and the dots shown in FIG. 11B can be formed by the original drive signal ODRV (2).

As can be seen from FIG. 11, in the first embodiment, the size of each pixel is half and the size of the ink dot formed in each pixel is smaller than that of the comparative example. As a result, in the first embodiment, the graininess (roughness of the image) caused when the ink dots are visually recognized.
It can be seen that is suppressed. However, since the size of the dot formed in each output pixel is not controlled independently, it means that the printing resolution is artificially increased. Printing in which the print resolution is artificially increased in this way is realized by the print processing described below.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing a print data generation processing procedure in the first embodiment of the present invention.
In step S110, the user instructs the computer 90 to print. Also, in step S120, CR
When the "property button" (not shown) in the print dialog box displayed at T21 is clicked, the print mode selection unit 101 (Fig. 1) displays the property setting screen shown in Fig. 13 on the CRT 21.

The user can specify various parameters that define the print mode on the property setting screen. Print mode basic setting screen (Fig. 1
3) includes the following elements to specify various parameters. (1) Image type selection menu IM: A pull-down menu for selecting one from a list of image types such as photographs and texts. (2) Print resolution setting switch SW: A pull-down menu for selecting the resolution.

When "photograph" is selected in the image type selection menu IM as shown in FIG. 13, the print resolution is set in the print resolution setting switch SW in a pseudo manner (for example, pseudo 1440 dpi × 1440).
dpi) can be selected. On the other hand, when “text” is selected in the image type selection menu IM, as shown in FIG. 14, the option of the print resolution in which the print resolution is artificially increased disappears from the options of the print resolution setting switch SW. The reason for this setting is that the graininess of the print image is relatively problematic in photo printing, whereas the graininess is not a problem in text printing.

Although the user can set other parameters besides these on the detailed setting screen of the print mode, description of these other parameters will be omitted below.

In step S130 of FIG. 12, when the user sets various parameters of the print mode and gives an instruction to start printing, the printer driver 96 generates print data PD in step S140. In this embodiment, the print data PD includes a main part composed of raster data and sub-scan feed data, and control data described later.

The print resolution that can be selected by the print resolution setting switch SW is pseudo 1440 dpi × 1440 dpi.
Pseudo resolution options such as (FIG. 12) are included. When this option is selected, for example, pseudo 1440
In the case of dpi × 1440 dpi, the computer 90
Then, the main part of the print data PD is generated at a resolution of 720 dpi × 1440 dpi, and the printer 20 prints at a resolution of 1440 dpi × 1440 dpi according to the print data PD.

In step S150, the print data generation module 100 (FIG. 1) further adds control data to the main part of the print data PD to complete the print data PD. The control data includes data that specifies the print resolution of the printer 20. In this embodiment, the print resolution of the printer 20 is 1440 dpi × 1.
440 dpi (same) is specified. In this way, the raster data and sub-scan feed data at a resolution of 720 dpi × 1440 dpi (same) and the printer 20
The print data PD including the data designating the print resolution in is generated.

In step S160, the print data PD is transmitted from the computer 90 to the printer 20. The main part of the print data PD to be transmitted is 720 dpi × 14.
Since it is raster data and sub-scan feed data at a resolution of 40 dpi (same), 1440 dpi × 1440 dpi
The amount is about half that in the case of the same resolution. As a result, the transmission time is reduced to about half. Since the resolution is low, the time required for the printer driver 96 to generate the print data PD can be reduced.

In step S170, the printer 20
Printing is executed according to the print data supplied from the computer 90. Specifically, 720 dpi × 1440 d
Based on the raster data or the like at the resolution of pi, the printing at the printing resolution of 1440 dpi × 1440 dpi designated by the control data is executed by the recording method described above.

As described above, in the first embodiment, the printer 2
Since the print resolution can be increased in a pseudo manner at 0, the resolution can be increased in a pseudo manner while suppressing an increase in the time required for data processing in the print control device and transfer of the print data PD from the print control device. A small number of printed images can be recorded.

The input pixel assumed in the input print data corresponds to the "first pixel" in the claims, and the output pixel assumed in the output print data is the "second pixel" in the claims. Of pixels.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing the dot recording method of the second embodiment of the present invention. This dot recording method is common to the first embodiment (FIG. 9) in that two output pixels of the output print data correspond to each input pixel of the input print data. For example, the input pixel position number of the 1st raster is 1.
The input pixels of 2 correspond to two output pixels (output pixels having output pixel position numbers 1a and 1b) as in the first embodiment. However, this is different from the first embodiment in that two output pixels corresponding to each input pixel are formed by two different nozzles. In the present specification, an output pixel column whose output pixel position number has a suffix “a” is referred to as an a-column pixel group, and “b”.
The output pixel row of is referred to as a b-row pixel group.

In this dot recording method, the two output pixels corresponding to the input pixel of the first raster are # 4 nozzles and # 1 nozzles.
It is formed by a nozzle group composed of nozzles, and the two output pixels corresponding to the input pixels of the 2nd raster are nozzle groups composed of # 2 nozzles and # 5 nozzles, and The corresponding two output pixels are each formed by a nozzle group including # 3 nozzles and # 6 nozzles. Generally, the two output pixels corresponding to each input pixel are recorded by any of the three nozzle groups. Such recording can be realized by the printing process described below.

FIG. 16 is a flow chart showing the print data generation processing procedure in the second embodiment of the present invention.
Step S110 to Step S130 and Step S
160 is the same as the processing described in the first embodiment. However, in the second embodiment, step S1 of the first embodiment is used.
40, S150, S170 instead of step S140
a, S150a, and S170a are performed.

In step S140a, the printer driver 96 first generates print data PD. For example,
Press the print resolution setting switch SW to display the "pseudo 1440 dpi".
When “× 1440 dpi” is selected, the main part of the print data PD is generated at a resolution of 720 dpi × 1440 dpi, which is half the print resolution in the main scanning direction. This point is similar to the first embodiment.

However, it is assumed that the main portion of the print data PD is not subjected to the resolution enhancement processing in the printer 20, and only the nozzles # 4, # 5, and # 6 are used to form dots without gaps on the print medium. Raster data and sub-scan feed data are generated so that they can be formed.

In this embodiment, the nozzles # 4, # 5 and # 6 print two output pixels corresponding to each input pixel.
It is selected as the nozzle on the upstream side (FIG. 15) of the one nozzle group. For example, the nozzle on the downstream side of the nozzle group to which nozzle # 4 belongs is nozzle # 1. In this specification, the upstream nozzles # 4, # 5, and # 6, which are prerequisites for generating the print data PD, are called basic nozzles, and the downstream nozzles # 1, # 2, and # 3 are additional nozzles. Call.

In step S150a, the print data generation module 100 adds control data to the main part of the print data PD to generate the print data PD. The control data added in the present embodiment includes, in addition to the data designating the print resolution in the printer 20, data designating the correspondence relationship between each basic nozzle and each additional nozzle.

The correspondence relationship between each basic nozzle and each additional nozzle is as follows. For example, the additional nozzle corresponding to the # 6 nozzle in pass 1 is the # 3 nozzle in pass 5.
The additional nozzle corresponding to the # 5 nozzle of pass 2 is the # 6 nozzle of pass 6.
It has two nozzles. The additional nozzle corresponding to the # 4 nozzle of pass 3 is the # 1 nozzle of pass 7. In general, # in path P
The additional nozzles corresponding to the 6 nozzles are # 3 of pass (P + 4).
The additional nozzle corresponding to the # 5 nozzle of pass P is the # 2 nozzle of pass (P + 4), and the additional nozzle of pass P
The additional nozzle corresponding to the # 4 nozzle of is the # 1 nozzle of pass (P + 4). Here, P is an integer of 1 or more.

In step S160, the print data PD is transferred from the computer 90 to the printer 20 as in the first embodiment.
Sent to. In the transmission, first, data representing the correspondence relationship between each basic nozzle and each additional nozzle and data representing the sub-scan feed amount are transmitted, and then raster data is sequentially transmitted from pass 1 for each pass.

In step S170a, the printer 20 executes printing according to the print data supplied from the computer 90. Specifically, as shown below, output pixels corresponding to each input pixel are recorded by a nozzle group including basic nozzles and additional nozzles.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing raster data assigned to each nozzle in the second embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the resolution in the main scanning direction is doubled as in the first embodiment, so that each input pixel of the input raster data corresponds to two output pixels of the output raster data. In the present embodiment, two output pixels corresponding to each input pixel are formed by different nozzles, so that output raster data is generated for the two nozzles.

The output raster data is generated from the input raster data as in the first embodiment. For example, printer 2
When 0 receives the input raster data of pass 1 included in the input print data, output raster data of the # 6 nozzle of pass 1 and the # 3 nozzle of pass 5 is generated from the input raster data of the # 6 nozzle of pass 1. It These output raster data are data for recording the third raster line.

The output raster data of the # 6 nozzle of pass 1 is generated by duplicating the input raster data of the # 6 nozzle for the a column pixel group, and is generated by assigning the dummy data for the b column pixel group. To be done. On the other hand, the output raster data of the # 3 nozzle of pass 5 is
The a-column pixel group is generated by assigning dummy data, and the b-row pixel group is generated by copying the input raster data of the # 6 nozzle. As a result, the output raster data for forming the third raster line has the basic nozzle (# 6 nozzle) for the pixel group in row a.
And the b-row pixel group is generated so as to be recorded by the additional nozzle (# 3 nozzle).

When the input raster data of pass 2 is received,
First, the output raster data of the # 6 nozzle of pass 2 and the # 3 nozzle of pass 6 are generated from the input raster data of the # 6 nozzle of pass 2. Next, from the input raster data of the # 5 nozzle of pass 2, # 5 nozzle of pass 2 and # 2 of pass 6 are input.
Output raster data for the nozzle is generated. However, the second raster line is different from the first raster line in that the a-row pixel group is recorded by the additional nozzles and the b-row pixel group is recorded by the basic nozzles.

In this embodiment, the pixel rows recorded by the basic nozzles and the pixel rows recorded by the additional nozzles are generally different between the odd-numbered raster lines and the even-numbered raster lines. Specifically, in the odd-numbered raster lines, the pixel group in row a is printed by the basic nozzles, and the pixel group in row b is printed by the additional nozzles. On the other hand, in the even-numbered raster lines, the pixel group in row a is printed by the additional nozzles, and the pixel group in row b is printed by the basic nozzles. The reason why the pixel rows recorded by the basic nozzles and the additional nozzles are changed between the odd-numbered raster lines and the even-numbered raster lines in this way is to suppress uneven printing and reduce color unevenness.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing how banding is suppressed in the recording method of the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 18A shows the case of recording by the recording method in the first embodiment, and FIG. 18B shows the case of recording by the recording method in the second embodiment. FIG.
In the dot pattern shown in (a), the white stripes are formed by the dots formed by the # 5 nozzle being displaced upward due to the manufacturing error of the nozzles and the like. Such image quality deterioration is called banding.

As can be seen from FIG. 18B, banding is suppressed in the recording method of the second embodiment. This is because each raster line is recorded by two different nozzles. For example, the second raster line from the top is recorded with # 5 nozzles and # 2 nozzles, so
It can be seen that banding does not occur simply by shifting the dots formed by the # 5 nozzle upward.

As described above, in the second embodiment, since the two output pixels corresponding to each input pixel are recorded by different nozzles from each other, banding is suppressed and a clean print image can be recorded. is there.

FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram showing the dot recording method of the third embodiment of the present invention. This dot recording method is different from the above-described second embodiment in which both pixel groups can be recorded in each pass in that only either the a-column pixel group or the b-row pixel group is recorded in each pass. . Specifically, pass 1 and pass 2 can print only the pixel column of column a, and pass 3 to pass 6 only the pixel group of column b and pass 7
The pass 10 can record only the pixel group in the a column. Generally, pass 1, pass 2, and pass (7 + 4 × P)
The pass (10 + 4 × P) can record only the pixel column of the a column, and the pass (3 + 4 × P) to the pass (6 + 4 × P) can record only the pixel group of the b column. Here, P is a non-negative integer.

FIG. 20 is a timing chart showing the operation of the head drive circuit 52 in the interlace system of intermittent overlap. 20A is a timing chart when dots are formed in the a-column pixel group, and FIG. 20B is a timing chart when dots are formed in the b-column pixel group. In the present embodiment, the original drive signal COMDRV for forming dots in the a-column pixel group is used.
A raster line is recorded by (3) and the original drive signal COMDRV (4) for forming dots in the b-row pixel group.

In these examples, the original drive signal COMDRV
The waveforms of (3) and COMDRV (4) are 1 for 2 output pixels.
It occurs at the rate of output pixels. Therefore, FIG.
When the original drive signal waveform of No. 2 is used, even if all the serial print signals PRT (i) are at the “1” level, dots can be formed only in the pixel group of the a-row. Similarly, when the original drive signal waveform of FIG. 20 (b) is used,
Even when the serial print signals PRT (i) are all at "1" level, dots can only be formed in the b-row pixel group. The reason why the waveform of the original drive signal COMDRV (n) appears only at the intermittent output pixel positions is to suppress the decrease in the printing speed due to the high-resolution processing of the main scanning speed. .

In each of the above-mentioned embodiments, the resolution in the main scanning direction is doubled by reducing the main scanning speed by half as described above. As a result, the printing speeds of the first and second embodiments are almost halved. this is,
This is because the upper limit of the nozzle driving frequency (the number of times ink is ejected per unit time) is usually a constraint on the main scanning speed. However, in the third embodiment, it suffices that ink can be ejected intermittently in the main scanning direction at a rate of one row every two rows (that is, a half rate), and thus main scanning does not have to be halved. It can be seen that the directional resolution can be doubled.

FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram showing the raster data assigned to each nozzle in the third embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the output raster data is generated as follows. For example, if the printer 20 has print data PD
When the input raster data of pass 1 included in # 1 is received from the input raster data of # 6 nozzle of pass 1,
Output raster data of 6 nozzles and # 3 nozzle of pass 5 are generated.

Specifically, as the output raster data of the # 6 nozzle of pass 1, the input raster data of the # 6 nozzle of pass 1 can be used as it is. On the other hand, pass # 3
The output raster data of the nozzle can be generated by copying the input raster data of the # 6 nozzle of pass 1. In the third embodiment, in the pass 1, the drive signal COMDRV (3) capable of forming dots only in the pixel column of column a (FIG. 2).
Since the nozzle is driven at 0 (a)), the dummy data is unnecessary unlike the second embodiment. In pass 5, the drive signal COMDRV capable of forming dots only in the b-row pixel group
Since the nozzle is driven in (4) (FIG. 20 (b)), dummy data is not required in the same manner. As a result, in the third raster line, the pixel group in row a is printed by the basic nozzles, and the pixel group in row b is printed by the additional nozzles.

Similarly, when the input raster data of pass 2 is received, first, the output raster data of the # 5 nozzle of pass 2 and the # 2 nozzle of pass 6 is generated from the input raster data of the # 5 nozzle of pass 2. To be done. Next, output raster data of the # 6 nozzle of pass 2 and the # 3 nozzle of pass 6 are generated from the input raster data of the # 6 nozzle of pass 2.

As described above, the third embodiment is constructed so that ink can be ejected intermittently in the main scanning direction at a ratio of one row every two rows, so that the high resolution processing in the main scanning direction is performed. There is an advantage that the decrease in printing speed can be alleviated. Since the present embodiment does not need to use the dummy data, it has an advantage that the output raster data can be generated easily and at high speed, and the storage area of the output raster data can be reduced to almost half. .

The present embodiment can also be applied to the case where the print resolution is tripled in the main scanning direction. In this case, the ink can be ejected intermittently in the main scanning direction at a ratio of one row to three rows. Generally, if a plurality of output pixels corresponding to each input pixel are recorded using a plurality of drive signals whose phases are shifted from each other, it is possible to mitigate the decrease in printing speed due to the high resolution processing in the main scanning direction. You can

FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram showing the dot recording method of the second comparative example. The second comparative example is common to the first comparative example in that the high resolution processing is not performed. However, the second
In the comparative example, the print resolution is 1440 dpi × 720 dpi.
720 dpi at the point of (main scanning direction × sub scanning direction)
It is different from the first comparative example of x1440 dpi (same). Since the printing resolution in the sub-scanning direction is 720 dpi, one dot, which is the unit of sub-scanning feed, is 1/720 inch, which is twice as large as that in each of the above-described embodiments. As a result, the sub-scan feed amount F is also twice as large as that in each of the above-described embodiments (5/720 inch). Further, the nozzle pitch k is two dots, which is half that in each of the above-described embodiments.

FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram showing the dot recording method of the fourth embodiment of the present invention. This dot recording system is different from the second comparative example shown in FIG. 22 in that the printing resolution in the sub-scanning direction is doubled. Specifically, each raster line in the first comparative example is divided into two in the sub-scanning direction in the first embodiment.

For example, the raster line with the raster number 1 in the first comparative example is divided into the raster line with the raster number 1a and the raster line with the raster number 1b in the fourth embodiment. As a result, the raster line density is double that of the second comparative example. Here, the "raster line density" refers to the number of raster lines per unit length in the sub-scanning direction. In this specification, a raster line with a raster number suffix “a” is called an a-row raster line, and a raster line with a suffix “b” is called a b-row raster line.

A raster line having a double raster line density is formed by twice the number of passes per unit sub-scan feed amount. This is realized by adding an additional path between each path in the first comparative example. Specifically, the basic path corresponding to each path in the first comparative example is a
A row raster line is formed, and the additional paths added form a row b raster line. Thus, in the printing method of the fourth embodiment, the number of passes per unit sub-scan feed amount is doubled.

On the other hand, since the print resolution in the sub-scanning direction is doubled, the print resolution in the sub-scanning direction is 1440 dp.
i, one dot is 1/1440 inch. As a result, the sub-scan feed amount F is 5 dots as in the first comparative example, but the length is half that of the first comparative example (5/1440 inches). As described above, the fourth embodiment is formed by twice the number of passes per unit sub-scan feed amount as in the second comparative example, but the sub-scan feed is performed by half the amount of the second comparative example. Become. This means that the sub-scan feed amount and the number of passes per unit length in the sub-scan direction are matched.

FIG. 24 is an explanatory diagram showing the raster data assigned to each nozzle in the fourth embodiment of the present invention. First, when the input raster data of pass 1 is received by the printer 20, the input raster data of pass 1 becomes the output raster data of basic pass 1 as it is. Next, the output raster data of the additional pass 1 is generated from the input raster data of the pass 1. For example, the output raster data of the additional pass 1 is generated by copying the input raster data of the # 5 nozzle of pass 1 for the # 4 nozzle.

The output raster data of this embodiment can be generated as follows. As the output raster data of the basic pass, generally, the data of each pass of the input raster data can be used as it is. The output raster data of the additional pass is generated by copying the input raster data of each pass.

Specifically, as can be seen from FIG. 23, the output raster data of the # 1 nozzle of the additional pass P is # of the pass P.
It is generated by copying the input raster data of two nozzles, and the output raster data of the # 2 nozzle of the additional pass P is the input raster data of the # 3 nozzle of the additional pass P and the output raster data of the # 3 nozzle of the additional pass P. The data is generated by copying the input raster data of the # 4 nozzle of the pass P and the output raster data of the # 4 nozzle of the additional pass P by copying the input raster data of the # 5 nozzle of the pass P. Here, P is an integer of 1 or more.

However, the output raster data of the # 5 nozzle of the additional pass P is generated by copying the input raster data of the # 1 nozzle of the pass (P + 2). Therefore, it is understood that the output raster data of the additional path P is generated after the input raster data of the path (P + 2) is received.

As described above, the resolution increasing process in the printer 20 can be performed not only in the main scanning direction but also in the sub scanning direction. Further, the resolution enhancement processing may be performed in both the main scanning direction and the sub scanning direction.

C. Modifications: The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and embodiments, and can be implemented in various modes without departing from the gist thereof. For example, the following modifications are also possible. is there.

C-1. In each of the above embodiments, the resolution of the print data received by the printer is doubled in at least one of the main scanning direction and the sub scanning direction, but may be tripled, for example. The resolution increasing process performed in the present invention may be any process as long as it can record a print image at a higher resolution than the resolution of received print data.

C-2. In each of the above-described embodiments, the print control apparatus generates print data including raster data and sub-scan feed data, and processes the print data to increase the resolution in the printing unit. The apparatus may generate print data including halftone data and control data, and the printer may generate raster data and sub-scan feed data from the halftone data according to the print data.

When the printer receives the halftone data, the resolution of the halftone data may be increased and then the raster data and the sub-scan feed data may be generated by the printer. The raster data or the like may be generated before increasing the resolution, and the printer may perform high resolution processing on the generated data by the method described in each of the above embodiments.

In general, the print data generated by the print control device of the present invention may be any data that should be supplied in order to print by the printing unit that prints by forming ink dots on the print medium. .

C-3. In each of the above-described embodiments, the resolution enhancement processing is performed so that the rectangular pixels become the square pixels for the sake of easy understanding. Rectangular pixel (eg 1440
(dpi × 720 dpi). In general, the high resolution processing can be applied to printing assuming pixels of arbitrary shapes.

C-4. The present invention can also be applied to a drum printer. In the drum printer, the drum rotation direction is the main scanning direction and the carriage traveling direction is the sub scanning direction. Further, the present invention can be applied not only to an ink jet printer but also to a printing apparatus that generally records on a surface of a print medium using a print head.

In the above embodiment, a part of the configuration realized by hardware may be replaced by software, and conversely, a part of the configuration realized by software may be replaced by hardware. Good. For example, a part or all of the functions of the printer driver 96 shown in FIG. 1 can be executed by the control circuit 40 in the printer 20. In this case, some or all of the functions of the computer 90 serving as a print control device that creates print data are performed by the printer 20.
The control circuit 40 of FIG.

When some or all of the functions of the present invention are realized by software, the software (computer program) can be provided in a form stored in a computer-readable recording medium. In the present invention, "computer-readable recording medium"
The term is not limited to a portable recording medium such as a flexible disk or a CD-ROM, but includes an internal storage device in a computer such as various RAMs and ROMs, and an external storage device fixed to the computer such as a hard disk. I'm out.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a printing system as an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a printer.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control circuit 40 in the printer 20.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of a head drive circuit 52.

FIG. 5 is a timing chart showing the operation of the head drive circuit 52 in the non-overlap interlaced system.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a nozzle array on the lower surface of the print head.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a dot recording method of a first comparative example.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing allocation of raster data to each nozzle in the first comparative example.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a dot recording method according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing raster data assigned to each nozzle in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing sizes of dots formed in the comparative example and the first example.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a print data generation processing procedure according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a print mode basic setting screen displayed on the CRT 21.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a print mode basic setting screen displayed on the CRT 21.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing a dot recording method of a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a print data generation processing procedure according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing raster data assigned to each nozzle in the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing how banding is suppressed in the recording method of the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram showing a dot recording method of a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a timing chart showing the operation of the head drive circuit 52 in the interlace system of intermittent overlap.

FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram showing raster data assigned to each nozzle in the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram showing a dot recording method of a second comparative example.

FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram showing a dot recording method of a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 24 is an explanatory diagram showing raster data assigned to each nozzle in the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

20 ... Printer 21 ... CRT 22 ... Paper feed motor 24 ... Carriage motor 26 ... Platen 28 ... Print head 30 ... Carriage 32 ... Operation panel 34 ... Sliding shaft 36 ... Drive belt 38 ... pulley 39 ... Position sensor 40 ... Control circuit 41 ... CPU 44 ... RAM 50 ... I / F dedicated circuit 52 ... Head drive circuit 54 ... Motor drive circuit 55 ... Scanner control circuit 56 ... Connector 60 ... Print head unit 80 ... Scanner 90 ... Computer 91 ... Video driver 95 ... Application program 96 ... Printer driver 97 ... Resolution conversion module 98 ... Color conversion module 99 ... Halftone module 100 ... Print data generation module 101 ... Print mode selection unit 220 ... Original drive signal generator 222 ... Mask circuit 230 ... High-resolution processing unit in main scanning direction

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    F-term (reference) 2C056 EA08 EB58 EC72 EC78 EC80                 2C187 AC08 AE07 AF05 BF06 GB10                 5B021 AA01 BB12 LG00                 5C051 AA02 CA04 DA05 DB02 DB07                       DC03 DE02 DE05 EA01                 5C076 AA21 BA06 BB03

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A printing apparatus that performs printing by forming ink dots on a print medium according to first print data having a first resolution, the print data receiving the first print data. A reception unit, and a print data conversion unit that generates second print data having a second resolution higher than the first print data by increasing the print resolution of the received first print data, A dot forming unit capable of recording a print image by forming ink dots of a size corresponding to a pixel corresponding to the second resolution on the print medium according to the second print data. A printing device. 2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the dot forming unit prints by recording ink dots on a print medium while moving the print head in the main scanning direction between sub scans. A printing apparatus, wherein the print data conversion unit generates the second print data by increasing the print resolution in at least one of a main scanning direction and a sub scanning direction. 3. The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the first print data is a first pixel value that represents a gradation value of a first pixel that is each pixel of the first print data. The second print data has a second pixel value that represents a gradation value of a second pixel that is each pixel of the second print data, and the print data conversion unit may include: A resolution conversion unit configured to set a data area for storing the second print data having the second pixels larger in number than the first pixels included in the first print data; A print data processing unit that generates the second print data by setting the pixel value of the pixel of the second pixel as the pixel value of the second pixel corresponding to the first pixel, and stores the second print data in the data area. A printing device. 4. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the dot forming unit includes a print head having a plurality of nozzles arranged in a sub-scanning direction, the print data. The conversion unit converts each of the nozzles of the second print data into a plurality of second pixels corresponding to each pixel of the first print data so that ink dots are formed by a plurality of nozzles different from each other. The printing device that makes the assignment. 5. The printing device according to claim 4, wherein the dot forming unit records the plurality of second pixels using a plurality of drive signals whose phases are mutually shifted. 6. A print control device for generating print data to be supplied to a printing section for printing by forming ink dots on a print medium, the print control device generating the print data from given image data. A data generation unit and a print mode that allows the user to select a print mode including a high resolution mode that causes the print unit to record a print image having a resolution higher than the resolution of the print data according to the print data. A selection unit, wherein the print data generation unit causes the print unit to record the print image according to the print data when the selected print mode is the high resolution mode. A print control apparatus, wherein control data is included in the print data. 7. A printing method for performing printing by forming ink dots on a print medium according to first print data having a first resolution, comprising: (a) receiving the first print data. And (b) the received first first
Generating the second print data having a second resolution higher than the first print data by increasing the print resolution of the print data of step (c), the pixel corresponding to the second resolution. Selecting a corresponding ink dot size; and (d) forming a print image by forming ink dots of the selected size on the print medium according to the second print data, A printing method comprising: 8. A print control method for generating print data to be supplied to a printing unit for printing by forming ink dots on a print medium, comprising: (a) converting the print data from given image data. The step of generating, and (b) allowing the user to select a print mode including a high resolution mode in which a print image having a resolution higher than the resolution of the print data is recorded in the printing unit according to the print data. The step (a) is for causing the printing unit to record the print image according to the print data when the selected print mode is the high resolution mode. A print control method comprising the step of including control data in the print data. 9. A computer program for controlling a printing apparatus that performs printing by forming ink dots on a print medium according to first print data having a first resolution, the first program comprising: A function of receiving print data, and a function of increasing the print resolution of the received first print data to generate second print data having a second resolution higher than the first print data. A function of selecting an ink dot of a size corresponding to a pixel corresponding to the second resolution, and a print image by forming the selected ink dot on the print medium according to the second print data And a computer program that causes the printing apparatus to realize the function of recording. 10. A computer program for generating print data to be supplied to a printing unit for printing by forming ink dots on a print medium, the print data being generated from given image data. A print data generation function and printing that allows the user to select a print mode including a high-resolution mode in which a print image having a resolution higher than the resolution of the print data is recorded in the printing unit according to the print data. And a program for causing the computer to implement a mode selection function, the print data generation function, when the selected print mode is the high resolution mode, displays the print image according to the print data. The control unit has a function of including control data to be recorded in the print unit in the print data. -Menu data program.