JP2004161008A - Preparation of printing data suitable for printing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To generate suitable printing data according to the number of usable bits for the printing data used in a printing device. <P>SOLUTION: A model information which can at least identify the number of usable bits Nmax per pixel of the printing data to be supplied to the printing device (Nmax is an integer of one or more) is received from the printing device. Then, N bit printing data (N is an integer of 1-Nmax) of the data format suitable for the model of the printing device is prepared according to the model information from the image data of the image to be printed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for generating print data, and more particularly to a technique for generating print data suitable for a print device when a print device capable of printing using print data of a plurality of bits per pixel is used.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, as an output device of a computer, a color printer that discharges several colors of ink from a head has been widely used. As such a color printer, a binary printer in which the depth of print data per pixel per color is 1 bit is widely used, but a multi-level printer capable of recording one pixel with a plurality of ink droplets. Has also been proposed. In a multi-value printer, a relatively small amount of ink droplet forms a relatively small dot in one pixel region, and a relatively large amount of ink droplet forms a relatively large dot in one pixel region. For this reason, print data used in the multi-value printer has a depth of a plurality of bits per pixel.

  Since the number of bits of print data per pixel is different between a binary printer and a multi-level printer, print data of the same data format cannot be used. Therefore, conventionally, it has been necessary to create print data suitable for each printer (that is, a printing device) by using different data processing units (for example, printer drivers) corresponding to the types of printers.

  A multi-value printer is supplied with print data of a plurality of bits in a section of one pixel. However, the arrangement of a plurality of bits in a section of one pixel may be different depending on a print mode. Conventionally, a process of exchanging the bit arrangement inside the printer has been performed, so that extra time is required for this exchanging process.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to solve the above-described problem in the related art, and a technique capable of generating appropriate print data in accordance with the number of usable bits of print data used in a printing device. The purpose is to provide.

In order to solve at least a part of the above-described problems, a first method of the present invention is to provide a plurality of dots of different sizes according to N (N is an integer of 2 or more) drive signal pulses generated in one pixel section. Is a method for supplying print data to a printing device capable of forming in a one pixel area,
At least one of the N drive signal pulses has a different waveform from the other drive signal pulses;
The print data includes raster data of N bits per pixel for indicating whether or not the N drive signal pulses are generated,
The N-bit raster data of each pixel is arranged in the same order as the generation order of the N drive signal pulses.

  In this case, since the order in which the drive signal pulses are generated in the printing device is the same as the order in which the bits of the printing raster data are arranged, printing is performed using the N-bit raster data supplied to the printing device in that order. It can be carried out. Therefore, printing can be executed in the printing device without changing the arrangement of a plurality of bits in one pixel section of the print data.

A second method of the present invention is a method for generating print data to be supplied to a printing device,
(A) preparing image data representing an image to be printed;
(B) receiving from the printing device model information at least identifying the number of available bits Nmax (Nmax is an integer of 1 or more) per pixel of print data to be supplied to the printing device;
(C) creating N-bit print data (N is an integer from 1 to Nmax) in a data format suitable for the model of the printing device from the image data according to the model information;
Is provided.

  In this method, model information is received from the printing device, and N-bit print data in a data format suitable for the model of the printing device is created in accordance with the model information. , Appropriate print data can be generated.

In the above method, the step (c) includes:
A step of selecting a format of print command information for instructing the printing device to print from a plurality of predetermined types according to the model information;
When the usable bit number Nmax is 2 or more, creating print command information including information on the actual bit number N of the print data in the selected format and adding the print command information to the print data; ,
May be included.

  With this configuration, the print printing instruction information including the information on the actually used bit number can be supplied to the printing device, so that the printing data having a smaller bit number than the usable bit number Nmax is supplied to the printing device. Printing can be performed.

A first apparatus according to the present invention provides a printing device capable of forming a plurality of dots of different sizes in one pixel area in accordance with N (N is an integer of 2 or more) drive signal pulses generated in one pixel section. An apparatus for supplying print data,
At least one of the N drive signal pulses has a different waveform from the other drive signal pulses;
The device comprises:
A memory for storing image data representing an image to be printed by the printing device;
A print raster data generating unit for generating print data including raster data of N bits per pixel for indicating whether or not the N drive signal pulses are generated from the image data;
The N-bit raster data of each pixel is arranged in the same order as the generation order of the N drive signal pulses.

A first recording medium according to the present invention is a computer-readable recording medium that records a computer program for causing a computer to create print data supplied to a printing device,
The printing device can form a plurality of dots of different sizes in one pixel region in response to N (N is an integer of 2 or more) drive signal pulses generated in one pixel section, and At least one of the signal pulses is different in waveform from the other drive signal pulses;
The computer program comprises:
A computer program for causing the computer to realize a function of a print raster data generating unit that generates print data including raster data of N bits per pixel for indicating whether or not the N drive signal pulses are generated is recorded. And
The N-bit raster data of each pixel is arranged in the same order as the generation order of the N drive signal pulses.

  With such a first device or a first recording medium, substantially the same effects as in the first method can be obtained.

A second apparatus according to the present invention is an apparatus for generating print data to be supplied to a printing device,
A memory for storing image data representing an image to be printed by the printing device;
A model information obtaining unit that receives, from the printing device, model information that can identify at least the number of usable bits Nmax (Nmax is an integer of 1 or more) per pixel of print data to be supplied to the printing device;
A print data creation unit that creates N-bit print data (N is an integer of 1 to Nmax) in a data format suitable for the model of the printing device from the image data according to the model information;
A print data generation device comprising:

A second recording medium according to the present invention is a computer-readable recording medium that records a computer program for causing a computer to create print data supplied to a printing device,
A model information obtaining unit that receives, from the printing device, model information that can identify at least the number of usable bits Nmax (Nmax is an integer of 1 or more) per pixel of print data to be supplied to the printing device;
A print data creation unit that creates N-bit print data (N is an integer of 1 to Nmax) in a data format suitable for the model of the printing device from image data representing an image to be printed, according to the model information;
Is a computer-readable recording medium on which a computer program for causing the computer to realize the above functions is recorded.

  With such a second device or a second recording medium, substantially the same effects as in the first method can be obtained.

  The present invention includes other aspects as described below. The first aspect is an aspect as a program supply device that supplies, via a communication path, a computer program that causes a computer to realize the functions of each step or each part of the above-described invention. In such an embodiment, the method and apparatus described above can be realized by placing the program on a server or the like on a network, downloading the necessary program to a computer via a communication path, and executing the program.

A. Equipment configuration:
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on examples. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing apparatus as one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the scanner 12 and the color printer 22 are connected to a computer 90, and a predetermined program is loaded and executed on the computer 90 to function as a printing apparatus as a whole. The computer 90 includes the following units interconnected by a bus 80, centering on a CPU 81 that executes various arithmetic processes for controlling operations related to image processing according to a program. 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. The input interface 84 controls input of signals from the scanner 12 and the keyboard 14, and the output interface 85 controls output of data to the printer 22. The CRTC 86 controls signal output to the CRT 21 capable of color display, and the disk controller (DDC) 87 controls transmission and reception of data with the hard disk 16, the flexible drive 15, or a CD-ROM drive (not shown). The hard disk 16 stores various programs loaded and executed in the RAM 83 and various programs provided in the form of device drivers.

  In addition, a serial input / output interface (SIO) 88 is connected to the bus 80. The SIO 88 is connected to the modem 18, and is connected to the public telephone line PNT via the modem 18. The computer 90 is connected to an external network via the SIO 88 and the modem 18. By connecting to a specific server SV, it is also possible to download a program required for image processing to the hard disk 16. In addition, it is also possible to load a necessary program from a flexible disk FD or a CD-ROM and cause the computer 90 to execute the program.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating 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. An application program 95 for retouching an image reads an image from the scanner 12 and displays the image on the CRT display 21 via the video driver 91 while performing predetermined processing on the image. The data ORG supplied from the scanner 12 is original color image data ORG read from a color original and composed of three color components of red (R), green (G), and blue (B).

  When the application program 95 issues a print command, the printer driver 96 of the computer 90 receives the image information from the application program 95 and converts it into a signal (called “print data”) that can be processed by the printer 22.

  Next, a schematic configuration of the printer 22 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in the drawing, the printer 22 includes a mechanism for transporting a sheet P by a paper feed motor 23, a mechanism for reciprocating a carriage 31 in the axial direction of a platen 26 by a carriage motor 24, and a print head mounted on the carriage 31. The control circuit 40 controls the paper feed motor 23, the carriage motor 24, the print head 28, and the operation panel 32 to exchange signals with each other. .

  Note that the carriage motor 24 functions as a main scanning drive unit, and the paper feed motor 23 functions as a sub-scanning drive unit. Further, the control circuit 40 functions as a head driving unit that drives the print head 28, and also functions as a control unit that controls the main scanning driving unit, the sub-scanning driving unit, and the head driving unit.

  The mechanism for reciprocating the carriage 31 in the axial direction of the platen 26 includes an endless drive belt between a carriage shaft 24 and a slide shaft 34 laid parallel to the platen 26 and holding the carriage 31 in a slidable manner. A pulley 38 on which the carriage 36 is extended and a position detection sensor 39 for detecting the origin position of the carriage 31 are provided.

  The carriage 31 includes a cartridge 71 for black ink (Bk) and five color inks of cyan (C1), light cyan (C2), magenta (M1), light magenta (M2), and yellow (Y). The stored color ink cartridge 72 can be mounted. For two colors of cyan and magenta, two types of inks are provided. A total of six ink discharge heads 61 to 66 are formed on the print head 28 below the carriage 31, and at the bottom of the carriage 31, an introduction pipe 67 (for introducing ink from the ink tank to each color head). (See FIG. 4). When the cartridge 71 for black (Bk) ink and the cartridge 72 for color ink are mounted on the carriage 31 from above, the introduction pipe 67 is inserted into the connection hole provided in each cartridge, and the ejection heads 61 to 66 from each ink cartridge. Can be supplied to the printer.

  The control circuit 40 includes a PROM (programmable ROM) 42. The PROM 42 stores model information (model data) for determining the model of the printer 22.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration inside the print head 28. When the ink cartridges 71 and 72 are mounted on the carriage 31, the ink in the ink cartridge is sucked out through the introduction pipe 67 by utilizing the capillary phenomenon as shown in FIG. The print heads 28 are led to the respective color heads 61 to 66 of the print head 28. When the ink cartridge is first mounted, the operation of sucking the ink into the heads 61 to 66 of the respective colors is performed by a dedicated pump. In this embodiment, a pump for suction and a cap for covering the print head 28 at the time of suction are provided. The illustration and description of such a configuration are omitted.

  As will be described later, the heads 61 to 66 of each color are provided with 48 nozzles Nz for each color (see FIG. 6). A piezo element PE having excellent characteristics is arranged. FIG. 5 shows the structure of the piezo element PE and the nozzle Nz in detail. As shown in the upper part of FIG. 5, the piezo element PE is installed at a position in contact with the ink passage 68 that guides the 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 the lower part of FIG. One side wall 68 is deformed. As a result, the volume of the ink passage 68 contracts in accordance with the expansion of the piezo element PE, and the ink corresponding to the contraction is discharged as particles Ip 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. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the arrangement of the inkjet nozzles Nz in the ink ejection heads 61 to 66. The arrangement of these nozzles is composed of six sets of nozzle arrays that eject ink for each color, and 48 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. Note that the 48 nozzles Nz included in each nozzle array need not be arranged in a staggered manner, and may be arranged on a straight line. However, the arrangement in a staggered manner as shown in FIG. 6 has the advantage that the nozzle pitch k can be easily set small in manufacturing.

  Although the printer 22 includes the nozzles Nz having a constant diameter as shown in FIG. 6, three types of dots having different diameters can be formed using the nozzles Nz. This principle will be described. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the driving waveform of the nozzle Nz when ink is ejected and the ink Ip ejected. The drive waveform indicated by a broken line in FIG. 7 is a waveform when a normal dot is ejected. In the section d2, once a negative voltage is applied to the piezo element PE, the piezo element PE is deformed in a direction in which the cross-sectional area of the ink passage 68 is increased, contrary to the above description with reference to FIG. As shown in the state A of FIG. 7, the ink interface Me called the meniscus is in a state in which it is depressed inside the nozzle Nz. On the other hand, when a negative voltage is suddenly applied as shown in the section d1 using the drive waveform shown by the solid line in FIG. 7, the meniscus is greatly depressed inward as shown in the state a as compared with the state A. Next, when the voltage applied to the piezo element PE is made positive (section d3), ink is ejected based on the principle described above with reference to FIG. At this time, large ink droplets are ejected as shown in states B and C from the state where the meniscus is not much depressed inward (state A), and the states b and c are output from the state where the meniscus is largely dented inward (state a). As shown in state c, a small ink droplet is ejected.

  As described above, the dot diameter can be changed in accordance with the change rate when the drive voltage is made negative (section d1, d2). It is easy to imagine that the dot diameter can be changed depending on the magnitude of the peak voltage of the driving waveform. In this embodiment, two types of drive waveforms, one for forming small dots and the other for forming medium dots, are prepared based on such a relationship between the drive waveform and the dot diameter. . FIG. 8 shows a driving waveform used in this embodiment. The drive waveform W1 is a waveform (small dot pulse) for forming a small dot, and the drive waveform W2 is a waveform (medium dot pulse) for forming a medium dot. When the small dot pulse W1 and the medium dot pulse W2 are continuously generated as shown in FIG. 8 within the main scanning period of one pixel, the small dot ink droplet and the medium dot ink droplet , And a large dot can be formed.

  FIG. 9 is a timing chart showing drive signals for forming three types of dots on the outward path and the return path of bidirectional printing. 9 (a-1) to 9 (a-3) show signal waveforms on the outward path, and FIGS. 9 (b-1) to 9 (b-3) show signal waveforms on the return path.

  At the time of forward printing, as shown in FIG. 9 (a-1), in the original drive signal ODRVf, a small dot pulse W1 and a medium dot pulse W2 are generated in this order in each pixel section T1, T2, T3. Signal. The “pixel section” has the same meaning as the main scanning period for one pixel. The 2-bit print data PRD shown in FIG. 9A-2 is a 2-bit serial signal per pixel, and each bit corresponds to a small dot pulse W1 and a medium dot pulse W2, respectively. FIG. 9A-3 shows a drive signal DRV obtained by masking the original drive signal ODRV with the print data PRD. That is, when the bit value of the print data PRD is 1 level, the pulse of the original drive signal ODRV is used as it is as the pulse of the drive signal DRV. On the other hand, when the bit value of the print data PRD is at the 0 level, the pulse of the original drive signal ODRV is masked (cut off), and no pulse is generated in the drive signal DRV. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9C, when the two bit values of the print data PRD in each pixel section are "1, 0", only the small dot pulse W1 is output as the drive signal DRV. When the bit value is "0, 1", only the medium dot pulse W2 is output, and when the bit value is "1, 1", both the small dot pulse W1 and the medium dot pulse W2 are output.

  On the other hand, in the original drive signal ODRV in the return path, as shown in FIG. 9B-1, the medium dot pulse W2 and the small dot pulse W1 are generated in this order in each pixel section, contrary to the forward path. In response to this, as shown in FIG. 9B-2, each bit of the print data PRD is set in a state where the bit positions are reversed so that the bits correspond to the medium dot pulse W2 and the small dot pulse W1, respectively. 90 to the printer 22. As a result, as shown in FIG. 9B-3, the pulse of the drive signal DRV in each pixel section is generated at a timing opposite to the outward path.

  FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing dots recorded in accordance with the drive signals DRV shown in FIGS. 9 (a-3) and (b-3). On the outward path, as shown in FIG. 9A-3, the small dot pulse W1 is generated in the first half of one pixel section, so that the small dot is formed on the left side in one pixel area. Since the medium dot pulse W2 occurs in the latter half of one pixel section, the medium dot is formed on the right side in one pixel area. A large dot is formed by partially overlapping small dots and medium dot ink droplets. On the other hand, on the return path, the small dot pulse W1 is generated in the latter half of one pixel section, contrary to the forward path. However, since the traveling direction of the print head is also opposite to the forward path, the small dots are within one pixel area as in the forward path. Formed on the left side. Further, since the medium dot pulse W2 is generated in the first half of one pixel section, the medium dot is also formed on the right side in one pixel area as in the outward path. In the example of FIG. 10, for convenience of illustration, “no dot” pixels are interposed between the small dot pixel and the medium dot pixel and between the medium dot pixel and the large dot pixel, respectively. Have been.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, since the order of generation of the two pulses W1 and W2 of the drive signal ODR is reversed between the forward path and the return path, any of the three types of dots, small dot, medium dot, and large dot, is used. First, the landing positions of the ink droplets in the main scanning direction in one pixel area are substantially matched (that is, substantially matched) in the forward path and the return path. As a result, there is an advantage that a zigzag straight line extending in the sub-scanning direction can be prevented even when bidirectional printing is performed. Further, in the present embodiment, in particular, the print data PRD in which the bit generation order is switched between the forward path and the return path is supplied to the printer 22, so that it is not necessary to change the bit arrangement in the printer 22, and high-speed printing is performed. It is possible to do.

When two-bit print data PRD is used, it is possible to form three types of dots, a small dot, a medium dot, and a large dot, in a single pixel area. When print data having N bits is used, one pixel can be reproduced with 2 ^N types of gradations. Normally, one of the 2 ^N gradations is used as “no dot”, and therefore, in N-bit print data, dots having different gradations of (2 ^N −1) or less are used as one pixel. Area can be formed.

  In the printer 22 having the hardware configuration described above, the carriage 31 is reciprocated by the carriage motor 24 (hereinafter, referred to as main scanning) while the paper P is transported by the paper feed motor 23 (hereinafter, referred to as sub-scanning). The piezo elements PE of the respective color heads 61 to 66 of the print head 28 are driven to discharge the respective color inks, thereby forming dots to form multicolor images on the paper P.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the printer 22 having the head that ejects ink using the piezo element PE is used. However, various types of ejection drive elements other than the piezo element may be used. Is possible. For example, the present invention can be applied to a printer having a discharge drive element of a type in which a heater disposed in an ink passage is energized and ink is discharged by bubbles generated in the ink passage.

B. Configuration and Processing Procedure of Printer Driver 96:
FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating functions of the printer driver 96. The printer driver 96 includes a user interface processing unit (UI processing unit) 102, a model information storage unit 104, an initialization processing unit 106, a flow control unit 108, a memory unit 110, and a command storage unit 112. ing. The flow control unit 108 includes a rasterization processing unit 120, a color conversion / N-bit conversion processing unit 122, and a data transfer unit 124. The memory unit 110 includes a band memory 130 and a print raster data memory 132.

  The UI processing unit 102 receives information (paper size, resolution (dpi), etc.) specified by the user on the screen of the computer, and supplies the information to the initialization processing unit 106. The model information storage unit 104 has a function as a model information acquisition unit that acquires model data TID from the PROM 42 (FIG. 3) in the printer 22 and acquires model information unique to the printer 22 based on the model data TID. ing.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of the printer driver 96. In step S1, the initialization processing unit 106 performs an initialization process of the flow control unit 108 and the printer 22. Prior to this initialization process, the UI processing unit 102 has received print setting information (paper size, resolution (dpi), etc.) specified by the user from the computer 90, and the model information storage unit 104 When the driver 96 is selected and the driver 96 determines the model of the printer, the model data TID is read from the PROM 42 (FIG. 3) in the printer 22. The UI processing unit 102 and the model information storage unit 104 supply these various types of information to the initialization processing unit 106 as needed.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a detailed procedure of the initialization processing in step S1. In step S11, a band memory 130 (FIG. 11) for storing image data for one band area of the image to be printed is secured in the main memory. FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the printing paper P, the print target area PP, and the band area B. The size of the printing paper P and the range of the print target area PP are set in print setting information specified by the user. The band area B is a plurality of areas obtained by dividing the print target area PP in the vertical direction (that is, divided by a plurality of horizontal division lines). The width H (the number of horizontal pixels) of the band area B is the same as the horizontal width of the print target area PP. The height V (the number of lines) of the band area is a value substantially equal to 1 / M (M is the number of divisions) of the height of the entire print target area PP. The reason why the print target area PP is divided into the band areas B is to speed up the creation of the print data PRD and to reduce the required memory amount.

  The capacity of the band memory 130 (FIG. 11) corresponding to the band area B shown in FIG. 14 is H × V × 3 × 8 [bits]. Here, the third number “3” means that the image data includes RGB three-color components. In this case, the image data supplied from the application program 95 includes the RGB three-color components. Is assumed. The fourth number “8” means the depth (the number of bits) of one pixel of data for one color.

  In step S12 of FIG. 13, the initialization processing unit 106 first stores the number CNmax of ink colors usable in the printer 22 and the number Nmax of usable bits per pixel of print data in the model information storage unit 104. To get from. These values CNmax and Nmax are determined by the model information storage unit 104 based on the model data TID and stored in the model information storage unit 104. Then, the number CN of the actually used ink colors (an integer of 1 to CNmax) and the number N of the bits actually used (an integer of 1 to Nmax) are transmitted from the UI processing unit 102 to the initialization processing unit 106. It is determined by the supplied print setting information. For example, when printing is performed using print data having the number of bits Nmax that can be accepted by the printer 22, this value Nmax is adopted as it is as the number N of bits actually used. On the other hand, printing may be performed using print data having a bit number N (for example, Nmax = 2, N = 1) smaller than the bit number Nmax that can be accepted by the printer 22. In this case, the initialization processing unit 106 sets the value of the actually used bit number N according to the print setting information. If it is determined from the model data TID that the printer 22 is a binary printer, the value of the number of bits N used is set to 1.

  In step S13, a print raster data memory 132 (FIG. 11) corresponding to one band area is secured in the main memory. The capacity of the print raster data memory 132 is H × V × CN × N [bits]. Here, H is the number of horizontal pixels in the band area, V is the number of lines in the band area, CN is the number of inks, and N is the number of bits of print data per pixel.

  In step S14, an initialization process of the printer 22 is performed. In the initialization processing of the printer 22, the print data storage unit (print buffer) (not shown) in the printer 22 is cleared, and various setting values (margin position, sub-scan feed amount, etc.) used in the printer 22 are initialized. For example, a process of setting a value is performed.

  When the initialization processing of step S1 is completed in this way, in step S2 of FIG. 12, the rasterization processing unit 120 executes the rasterization processing of the multi-tone image data for one band area. Here, the “rasterizing process” is a process of developing image data supplied from the application program 95 into RGB data for each raster line for one band area. The rasterized RGB data (referred to as “RGB raster data”) is stored in the band memory 130.

In step S3, the color conversion / N-bit conversion processing unit reads the RGB raster data from the band memory 130, and performs the color conversion processing and the N-bit conversion processing. Here, the “color conversion process” is a process of converting RGB raster data into ink data of each color used for printing. For example, when printing is performed using all six colors of ink available in the printer 22, the color conversion process converts RGB 8-bit RGB raster data into 8-bit raster data of each of the six ink colors. Convert to data. The N-bit conversion process is a process of converting 8-bit raster data into N-bit print data according to the bit number N of print data used for actual printing. This N-bit conversion processing can be realized by applying error diffusion to 2 ^N value conversion processing using (2 ^N −1) threshold values, for example. As a result of this color conversion and N-bit conversion processing, print raster data of N bits per pixel is generated. The print raster data does not include a header or a print command described later, and is composed of only gradation data indicating the gradation of each pixel.

  When bidirectional printing is performed, as described with reference to FIGS. 9A-2 and 9B-2, the arrangement order of 2-bits per pixel is reversed between the forward pass and the return pass. The bit arrangement of the print raster data is adjusted. When bidirectional printing is not performed, it is not necessary to change the arrangement order of a plurality of bits per pixel between the forward path and the backward path. In other words, 2-bit data per pixel in the print raster data is arranged in an order corresponding to the order in which the drive signal pulses are generated in the printer 22.

  In step S4, the created N-bit print raster data is stored in the print raster data memory 132. In step S5, the data transfer unit 124 acquires a print command (described later) from the command storage unit 112 according to the model data TID, adds the N-bit print raster data to the print command, and transfers the print command to the printer.

  FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing a comparison between data formats of 1-bit print data for a binary printer and N-bit print data for a multi-level printer. Hereinafter, “1-bit print data for a binary printer” is simply referred to as “print data for a binary printer”, and “N-bit print data for a multi-level printer” is simply referred to as “print data for a multi-level printer”. Call. The term “N-bit print data” (N is 1 or more) is used in a broad sense including 1-bit print data for a binary printer and N-bit print data for a multi-level printer.

  As shown in FIG. 15A, the print data for a binary printer includes a header, a print command, and 1-bit print raster data. Information such as print resolution (dpi) is stored in the header. The print command is print command information for instructing the printer 22 to perform printing, and stores information such as the type of ink color to be used and the number of print raster data. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 15B, the print data for a multi-valued printer includes a header, a print command, and N-bit print raster data. The print command of the multi-level printer print data includes information on the number of bits N per pixel.

  As described above, the print data for the binary printer and the print data for the multi-value printer have different data formats. Therefore, the data transfer unit 124 creates print data in an appropriate format according to the model of the printer 22 according to the model data TID acquired from the printer 22 via the model information storage unit 104, and supplies this to the printer 22. are doing. Specifically, the data transfer unit 124 selects the format of the print command (print command information) from the two formats shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B according to the model data TID of the printer 22. The print command of the selected format is added to the print raster data. In this way, even with the same printer driver 96, it is possible to create print data in an appropriate data format according to the model of the printer 22.

  Note that the same flow control unit 108 shown in FIG. 11 can be commonly used by a binary printer and a multi-value printer even when a program of the printer driver 96 is created for each printer model. Accordingly, if the flow control unit 108 is configured to be able to create print data in an appropriate data format according to the model data TID of the printer 22 as in the present embodiment, Printer driver programs can be easily created. When a printer driver program is created for each printer model, the model data TID is uniquely determined, and there is no need to perform bidirectional communication between the printer 22 and the computer 90.

  FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing a modified example of the printer driver 96. This printer driver 96a is obtained by adding a rearrangement processing unit 123 and a rearrangement memory 134 to the configuration of the printer driver 96 shown in FIG. 11, and the other configuration is the same. The rearrangement processing unit 123 selects only raster data supplied to each nozzle Nz of the print head 28 (FIG. 6) during one main scan from raster data in one band area B (FIG. 14). And perform the sorting process. In the print head 28 shown in FIG. 6, since the pitch of the nozzles Nz in the sub-scanning direction is set to a distance corresponding to a plurality of pixels, only one intermittent raster line is recorded in one main scan. Therefore, the rearrangement processing unit 123 selects and rearranges raster data to be supplied to each nozzle during one main scan, and stores the result in the rearrangement memory 134.

  Note that a so-called “overlap recording mode” in which pixels on each raster line are intermittently recorded may be used as a recording mode (dot recording method). When printing is performed in the “overlap recording mode”, the rearrangement processing unit 123 executes the rearrangement processing on the pixels to be recorded in addition to the rearrangement processing on the raster lines as described above. The rearrangement processing unit 123 and the rearrangement memory 134 may be provided in the printer 22.

  In the above embodiment, one of the print data format for the binary printer and the print data format for the multi-value printer is selected according to the model data TID acquired from the printer 22, and the print data is selected using the selected format. Therefore, appropriate print data according to the model of the printer 22 can be created and supplied to the printer 22. Therefore, even if the printer 22 is replaced, print data appropriate for the printer 22 can be created using the same printer driver 96. Also, when using different types of printers connected via a network, it is possible to create and supply appropriate print data using the same printer driver 96.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described examples and embodiments, but can be implemented in various modes without departing from the gist of the invention, and for example, the following modifications are possible.

(1) In the above embodiment, the case where two different drive signal pulses W1 and W2 are generated in one pixel section has been described. However, in general, the present invention generally provides two or more drive signals in one pixel section. It is applicable when a signal pulse is generated. The technique of matching the arrangement order of the bits of the print raster data with the generation order of the drive signal pulses is particularly effective when at least one waveform of a plurality of drive signal pulses in one pixel section is different from the waveforms of other drive signal pulses. large.

(2) In the above embodiment, the case where bidirectional printing is mainly performed has been described. However, the present invention is similarly applicable to a case where bidirectional printing is not performed.

(3) In the above embodiment, one of the print data format for the binary printer and the print data format for the multi-value printer is selected according to the type of the printer. May be prepared in advance and selected from them.

(4) The model information that can be obtained from the printer (printing device) only needs to be able to identify at least the number of usable bits per pixel of print data to be supplied to the printing device. For example, the bit number itself may be obtained from the printer as model information.

(5) The present invention is applicable not only to the case of using an ink discharge type printer but also to the case of using various printing devices such as a laser printer. In this specification, the term "printing device" is used as a broad term that includes both the meaning of the entire printer and the device (print engine) for controlling the printer.

(6) In the above embodiment, a part of the configuration realized by hardware may be replaced with software, and conversely, a part of the configuration realized by software may be replaced with hardware. Is also good. For example, some functions of the printer driver 96 shown in FIG. 11 can be realized by hardware.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of software. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a printer according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a dot recording head of the printer according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a dot formation principle in the printer of the embodiment. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a nozzle arrangement in the printer according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a nozzle arrangement in the printer according to the embodiment and an explanatory diagram illustrating a relationship with a formed dot. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the principle of forming dots having different diameters. 6 is a timing chart showing drive signals for forming three types of dots. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing dots recorded according to the drive signal DRV shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating functions of a printer driver 96. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of the printer driver 96. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a detailed procedure of an initialization process. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a relationship between a printing sheet P, a print target area PP, and a band area B. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a comparison between the data formats of 1-bit print data for a binary printer and N-bit print data for a multi-level printer. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a modification of the printer driver 96.

Explanation of reference numerals

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 12 ... Scanner 14 ... Keyboard 15 ... Flexible drive 16 ... Hard disk 18 ... Modem 21 ... CRT display 22 ... Color printer 23 ... Paper feed motor 24 ... Carriage motor 26 ... Platen 28 ... Print head 31 ... Carriage 32 ... Operation panel 34 ... Slide Driving shaft 36 Drive belt 38 Pulley 39 Position detection sensor 40 Control circuit 42 PROM
61 to 66: ink ejection head 67: introduction tube 68: ink passage 71, 72: ink cartridge 80: bus 81: CPU
82 ROM
83 ... RAM
84 input interface 85 output interface 86 CRTC
88 ... SIO
90 ... Computer 91 ... Video Driver 95 ... Application Program 96 ... Printer Driver 102 ... UI Processing Unit 104 ... Model Information Storage Unit 106 ... Initialization Processing Unit 108 ... Flow Control Unit 110 ... Memory Unit 112 ... Command Storage Unit 120 ... Rasterize Processing Unit 122: Color conversion / N-bit processing unit 123: Rearrangement processing unit 124: Data transfer unit 130: Band memory 132: Print raster data memory 134: Memory for rearrangement

Claims (7)

A method for supplying print data to a printing device capable of forming a plurality of dots of different sizes in one pixel area in accordance with N (N is an integer of 2 or more) drive signal pulses generated in one pixel section. ,
At least one of the N drive signal pulses has a different waveform from the other drive signal pulses;
The print data includes raster data of N bits per pixel for indicating whether or not the N drive signal pulses are generated,
A print data supply method, wherein N-bit raster data of each pixel is arranged in the same order as the generation order of the N drive signal pulses. A method for generating print data to be supplied to a printing device, comprising:
(A) preparing image data representing an image to be printed by the printing device;
(B) receiving from the printing device model information at least identifying the number of available bits Nmax (Nmax is an integer of 1 or more) per pixel of print data to be supplied to the printing device;
(C) creating N-bit print data (N is an integer from 1 to Nmax) in a data format suitable for the model of the printing device from the image data according to the model information;
Print data generation method comprising: 3. The method of claim 2, wherein
The step (c) comprises:
A step of selecting a format of print command information for instructing the printing device to print from a plurality of predetermined types according to the model information;
When the usable bit number Nmax is 2 or more, creating print command information including information on the actual bit number N of the print data in the selected format and adding the print command information to the print data; ,
Print data generation method including An apparatus for supplying print data to a printing device capable of forming a plurality of dots of different sizes in one pixel area in response to N (N is an integer of 2 or more) drive signal pulses generated in one pixel section. ,
At least one of the N drive signal pulses has a different waveform from the other drive signal pulses;
The device comprises:
A memory for storing image data representing an image to be printed by the printing device;
A print raster data generating unit for generating print data including raster data of N bits per pixel for indicating whether or not the N drive signal pulses are generated from the image data;
A print data supply apparatus, wherein N-bit raster data of each pixel is arranged in the same order as the generation order of the N drive signal pulses. An apparatus for generating print data to be supplied to a printing device,
A memory for storing image data representing an image to be printed by the printing device;
A model information obtaining unit that receives, from the printing device, model information that can identify at least the number of usable bits Nmax (Nmax is an integer of 1 or more) per pixel of print data to be supplied to the printing device;
A print data creation unit that creates N-bit print data (N is an integer of 1 to Nmax) in a data format suitable for the model of the printing device from the image data according to the model information;
A print data generation device comprising: A computer-readable recording medium recording a computer program for causing a computer to create print data supplied to a printing device,
The printing device can form a plurality of dots of different sizes in one pixel region in response to N (N is an integer of 2 or more) drive signal pulses generated in one pixel section, and At least one of the signal pulses is different in waveform from the other drive signal pulses;
The computer program comprises:
A computer program for causing the computer to realize a function of a print raster data generating unit that generates print data including raster data of N bits per pixel for indicating whether or not the N drive signal pulses are generated is recorded. And
N-bit raster data of each pixel is arranged in the same order as the generation order of the N drive signal pulses.
Computer readable recording medium. A computer-readable recording medium recording a computer program for causing a computer to create print data supplied to a printing device,
A model information obtaining unit that receives, from the printing device, model information that can identify at least the number of usable bits Nmax (Nmax is an integer of 1 or more) per pixel of print data to be supplied to the printing device;
A print data creation unit that creates N-bit print data (N is an integer of 1 to Nmax) in a data format suitable for the model of the printing device from image data representing an image to be printed, according to the model information;
And a computer-readable recording medium on which a computer program for causing the computer to realize the above functions is recorded.

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