JP2004237553A - Printer, computer program, and computer system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize a printer capable of printing a plurality of images simultaneously while arranging in the main scanning direction. <P>SOLUTION: A first print head 36a for printing a first image 11 and a second print head 36b for printing a second image 12 are arranged at an interval not shorter than the width of the first image 11 or the second image 12 narrower in the moving direction of the print head 36. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a printing apparatus for printing an image by moving a plurality of print heads in a predetermined direction, a computer program for printing on the printing apparatus, a computer system having the printing apparatus, and printing using the printing apparatus. The present invention relates to a printing method and a method for manufacturing a printed material using the printing apparatus.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a printing apparatus in which a plurality of print heads move in a predetermined direction to print an image, for example, a plurality of print heads arranged along a conveying direction of a printing paper as a printing medium (hereinafter, referred to as a sub-scanning direction) are used. It has a print head, and a plurality of images can be printed on printing paper by ejecting ink while being moved in a direction substantially perpendicular to the transport direction (hereinafter, referred to as a main scanning direction) by a moving unit included in each of the print heads. A known inkjet printer is known (for example, see Patent Document 1). This ink jet printer can print a plurality of images in the sub-scanning direction.
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-2002-144639
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above-described conventional inkjet printer, it was possible to print a plurality of images simultaneously in the sub-scanning direction, but it was not possible to print a plurality of images in the main scanning direction at the same time. Therefore, even if, for example, the width of the printing paper in the main scanning direction is twice or more the width of the image to be printed in the main scanning direction, the images cannot be arranged and printed simultaneously in the main scanning direction. . For this reason, when two images are to be printed at a high speed by a conventional printer, printing must be performed side by side in the sub-scanning direction, and almost half the area of the printing paper becomes blank, which wastes the printing paper. There was a problem.
[0005]
The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a printing apparatus capable of printing a plurality of images side by side in the main scanning direction and printing the images at the same time. A computer program and a computer system having the printing apparatus.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The main invention includes a first print head for printing a first image and a second print head for printing a second image, wherein the first print head and the second print head move in a predetermined direction. Printing apparatus for printing images
The first print head and the second print head are spaced apart from each other by a width equal to or greater than the width of the narrower image in the predetermined direction among the images printed by the first print head and the second print head. A printing apparatus characterized in that the printing is performed.
Other features of the present invention will become apparent from the description of the present specification and the accompanying drawings.
[0007]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
=== Disclosure Overview ===
At least the following matters will be made clear by the description in this specification and the accompanying drawings. A first print head for printing a first image, and a second print head for printing a second image, wherein the first print head and the second print head move in a predetermined direction to print an image. Printing device,
The first print head and the second print head are arranged at an interval equal to or larger than the width of the narrower image in the predetermined direction among the images printed by the first print head and the second print head. A printing apparatus characterized in that the printing is performed.
[0008]
According to such a printing apparatus, since the first print head and the second print head are arranged at an interval, even if printing is started simultaneously by these print heads, one print head is driven by the other print head. Until the print head is moved to the position, the first image and the second image printed by the print heads are not superimposed and printed. That is, if the image has a width smaller than the interval between the first print head and the second print head, the images can be arranged in a predetermined direction and printed simultaneously. In particular, since the first print head and the second print head are arranged at intervals larger than the width of the narrower image in the predetermined direction among the images printed by the print heads, the width is narrower. The first image and the second image are printed by printing the image to be printed by the print head that prints the other image on an area located between the first print head and the second print head on a print medium such as printing paper. The images can be arranged in a predetermined direction and printed at the same time without overlapping the images. That is, since a plurality of images are arranged in a predetermined direction and printed at the same time, the throughput can be increased as compared with the case of printing one image at a time, and the images are printed in a direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the print head. As compared with the case, it is possible to suppress waste of the print medium.
[0009]
In the printing apparatus, it is preferable that the first print head and the second print head are provided in a single moving unit that moves in the predetermined direction.
According to such a printing apparatus, it is easy to move the first print head and the second print head at the same time, and there is only one moving means for moving and one control means for controlling the moving means. Therefore, the cost can be reduced, and the moving means can be easily controlled. In addition, since the first print head and the second print head are provided in a single moving unit, the print heads can be positioned with high precision, and can be arranged in a predetermined direction at a boundary between images to be printed. Even if there is, the images can be printed without overlapping.
[0010]
In such a printing apparatus, it is desirable that the distance between the first print head and the second print head can be changed.
According to such a printing apparatus, it is possible to change the interval between the first print head and the second print head according to the width of an image printed by the first print head and the second print head. Therefore, the margin between the first image and the second image can be reduced, and waste of the print medium can be suppressed.
[0011]
In the printing apparatus, the first print head and the second print head each include a plurality of ink ejection units, and the interval is one of the plurality of ink ejection units included in each print head in the predetermined direction. It is desirable that the distance be the interval between the ink ejection units located at the end.
According to such a printing apparatus, the size of the image that can be printed between the first print head and the second print head is determined by the ink discharge units at the extreme end positions of the first print head and the second print head. Can be accurately recognized as an interval of For this reason, the first image and the second image can be adjacently printed with high accuracy, and can be printed side by side without providing a margin between the images, and waste of a print medium can be suppressed. .
[0012]
In such a printing apparatus, it is preferable that the printing apparatus has a control unit for controlling the print head, and the control unit is provided corresponding to each of the print heads.
According to such a printing apparatus, since the control unit is provided corresponding to each of the print heads, by controlling each print head, the operation timing of one print head and the other print head can be adjusted. In contrast, the first image and the second image can be printed at arbitrary positions on the printing medium.
[0013]
In such a printing apparatus, it is preferable that the print head prints based on print information, and that information generating means for generating the print information be provided corresponding to each of the print heads.
According to such a printing apparatus, since the information generating means is provided corresponding to each print head, it is possible to print different images simultaneously with the print heads. Further, even if the same image is generated, information in which the print mode of the first image and the second image, for example, the resolution, is changed is generated, so that images having different print modes can be printed at the same time.
[0014]
A first print head for printing the first image; and a second print head for printing the second image. The first print head and the second print head move in a predetermined direction, and A printing device that prints
The first print head and the second print head are provided in a single moving unit that moves in the predetermined direction, each of the first print head and the second print head includes a plurality of ink ejection units, and performs printing based on print information.
Information generating means for generating the print information, and control means for controlling the print heads are respectively provided corresponding to the respective print heads, and the plurality of inks included in the respective print heads are provided. Among the ejection sections, the interval between the ink ejection sections located at one end in the predetermined direction is the distance between the images printed by the first print head and the second print head, the one having the smaller width in the predetermined direction. A printing device, wherein the printing device is arranged at a distance larger than the width of the image.
[0015]
According to such a printing apparatus, the first print head and the second print head are positioned with high accuracy by a single moving unit, so that the first image and the second image do not overlap each other, Can be arranged in a predetermined direction and printed at the same time. Also, it is possible to increase the throughput as compared with the case of printing one sheet at a time, and to suppress the waste of the printing medium as compared with the case where the printing is performed in a direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the print head. It becomes possible. At this time, the cost can be reduced by providing the first print head and the second print head on the single moving unit, and the moving unit can be easily controlled.
[0016]
In addition, it is possible to print the first image and the second image at arbitrary positions on the print medium, and to print different images simultaneously with the first print head and the second print head.
[0017]
A first print head for printing the first image; and a second print head for printing the second image. The first print head and the second print head move in a predetermined direction, and And the first print head and the second print head are spaced apart from each other by a distance equal to or larger than the width of the narrower image in the predetermined direction among the images printed by the first print head and the second print head. It is also possible to realize a computer program having a function for printing by a printing apparatus arranged at a distance from the printer.
[0018]
A first print head connected to the computer for printing a first image; and a second print head for printing a second image, the first print head and the second print head being connected to the computer. In a computer system having a printing device that prints an image by moving a head in a predetermined direction, the first print head and the second print head are used to print images printed by the first print head and the second print head. Among them, it is possible to realize a computer system characterized by being arranged at an interval larger than the width of an image having a smaller width in the predetermined direction.
[0019]
=== Schematic example of printing device ===
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an outline of a color inkjet printer (hereinafter, referred to as a color printer) 20 as an embodiment of a printing apparatus according to the present invention. The color printer 20 is an ink jet printer capable of outputting a color image, for example, cyan (C), light cyan (light cyan, LC), magenta (M), light magenta (light magenta, LM), yellow (Y This is an inkjet printer that prints an image by forming dots by ejecting six color inks of black (K) onto various printing media such as printing paper. The color ink may be, for example, dark yellow (dark yellow, DY) in addition to the above six colors. Further, the color printer 20 may be a relatively large single-sheet printing paper such as a roll paper in which printing paper as a printing medium is wound in a roll shape, or a JIS standard A row 0 paper or a B row 0 paper. In the example of FIG. 1, the color printer 20 is provided with roll paper.
[0020]
As shown in the drawing, the color printer 20 includes a printing unit 3 for discharging ink and printing on roll paper P, and a printing paper transport unit 5 for transporting printing paper.
The printing unit 3 includes a carriage 28 as a moving unit for holding and moving the plurality of print heads 36 integrally, and the carriage 28 is substantially orthogonal to the transport direction of the roll paper P (hereinafter, referred to as a sub-scanning direction). A carriage motor 30 for reciprocating scanning in a direction (hereinafter, referred to as a main scanning direction), a metal traction belt 32 driven by the carriage motor 30 to move the carriage 28, and two guides for guiding the carriage 28. And a guide rail 34.
[0021]
The two guide rails 34 are provided along the main scanning direction, are vertically arranged at intervals in the sub-scanning direction, and are supported by a base frame (not shown) at both left and right ends. ing. At this time, of the two guide rails 34, the lower guide rail 341 is disposed before the upper guide rail 342. For this reason, the carriage 28 arranged so as to be bridged between these two guide rails 341 and 342 scans with the upper part inclined backward.
[0022]
The traction belt 32 is formed in an annular shape, and is bridged between two pulleys 44 and 45 disposed at an intermediate position between the upper and lower guide rails 341 and 342 with an interval substantially equal to the length of the guide rails 341 and 342. Has been passed. The carriage motor 30 is connected to one of the pulleys 44 and 45.
[0023]
The carriage 28 disposed so as to span the two guide rails 341 and 342 has an engaging portion 46 to which the traction belt 32 is fixed at substantially the center in the vertical direction. In the color printer 20, the carriage 28 is pulled by the pulling belt 32 driven by the carriage motor 30 and moves in the main scanning direction along the guide rail 34, and the eight print heads 36 provided on the carriage 28 are provided. , The printing is performed on the roll paper P fed by the printing paper transport unit 5.
[0024]
In the present embodiment, eight print heads 36 are provided on the carriage 28 so that their relative positions, that is, the intervals between the print heads, can be changed. These print heads 36 have a plurality of nozzles n as ink discharge units for discharging ink, and discharge ink from predetermined nozzles n under the control of a head control unit 63 (see FIG. 5) described later. The surface of the print head 36 facing the roll paper P has a plurality of nozzle rows N in which a plurality of nozzles n are arranged in a row along the sub-scanning direction, and these nozzle rows N are parallel to the main scanning direction. It is arranged in. The arrangement of the print head 36 and the arrangement of the nozzles n will be described later.
[0025]
The printing paper transport unit 5 is provided on the back side of the two guide rails 34. The print paper transport unit 5 transports the roll paper P above the upper guide rail 342, and a roll paper holding unit 35 that rotatably holds the roll paper P together with the holder 27 below the lower guide rail 341. It has a roll paper transport section 37 and a platen 26 along which the roll paper P transported between the roll paper holding section 35 and the roll paper transport section 37 runs. The platen 26 has a flat surface over the entire width of the roll paper P to be conveyed, and the flat surface is inclined so as to face each print head 36 mounted on the carriage 28 that scans in an inclined state at equal intervals. It is provided.
[0026]
The holder 27 has a shaft 27a serving as a rotating shaft in a state where the roll paper P is held, and guide disks 27b for preventing meandering of the supplied roll paper P are provided at both ends of the shaft 27a. Are provided respectively.
[0027]
The roll paper transport unit 37 rotates the smap roller 24 for transporting the roll paper P, the nipping roller 29 that is disposed to face the smap roller 24, and holds the roll paper P between the smap roller 24 and the smap roller 24. And a transport motor 31 for movement. A drive gear 40 is provided on the axis of the transport motor 31, and a relay gear 41 meshing with the drive gear 40 is provided on the axis of the smap roller 24. The power of the transport motor 31 is transmitted via the drive gear 40 and the relay gear 41. The light is transmitted to the smap roller 24. That is, the roll paper P held by the holder 27 is held between the smap roller 24 and the holding roller 29, and the roll paper P is transported along the platen 26 by the transport motor 31.
[0028]
FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the suction mechanism 16 in the platen 26. As shown in the drawing, a large number of suction holes 302 are provided in the platen 26 on the side of the transport surface of the roll paper P in an annular shape along the periphery thereof, and communicate with a chamber 304 provided inside the platen 26. . The chamber 304 is communicated with the suction mechanism 16 provided on the back side of the platen 26 for sucking the air in the chamber 304. That is, the suction mechanism 16 communicates with the outside of the platen 26 via the many suction holes 302 and the chambers 304.
[0029]
The suction mechanism 16 includes a suction blower 310 that sucks air in the chamber 304 to make the pressure negative, a hose 308 that connects the suction blower 310 and the chamber 304, and a switching valve 312 provided in the hose 308. Have. The switching valve 312 is configured by an electromagnetic three-way valve having an atmosphere opening port.
[0030]
When the suction blower 310 is driven, the pressure in the chamber 304 decreases, and the roll paper P conveyed along the platen 26 is sucked through the many suction holes 302, and the roll paper P is not bent and the platen 26 Is transported in a flat state. The suction mechanism 16 can release the atmosphere into the chamber 304 by switching the switching valve 312. Here, an example is shown in which a large number of suction holes 302 are provided annularly along the periphery of the platen 26, but may be provided at equal intervals, for example, on the entire surface of the platen 26. In such a case, there is a merit that the roll paper P is appropriately sucked over the entire surface and cockling or the like is less likely to occur.
[0031]
=== Print Head Configuration ===
The configuration of the print head 36 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an arrangement of nozzles included in the print head 36, and FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an arrangement of a plurality of adjacent print heads 36 and a positional relationship between the nozzle rows included in the print heads 36. is there.
[0032]
As shown in FIG. 3, the print head 36 has a plurality of nozzles n arranged in a straight line along the sub-scanning direction, and has six nozzle rows N as recording section rows. In the present embodiment, the nozzle row N is a black nozzle row Nk, a cyan nozzle row Nc, a light cyan nozzle row Nlc, a magenta nozzle row Nm, a light magenta nozzle row Nlm, and a yellow nozzle row Ny. Yes, but not limited to this.
[0033]
The black nozzle row Nk has 180 nozzles n1 to n180, and each nozzle n is provided with a piezo element (not shown) as a driving element for driving each nozzle n to eject ink droplets. I have. The nozzles n1,..., N180 of the black nozzle row Nk are arranged at a constant nozzle pitch kD along the sub-scanning direction. Here, D is a dot pitch in the sub-scanning direction, and k is an integer of 1 or more. The dot pitch D in the sub-scanning direction is equal to the pitch of the main scanning line (raster line). Hereinafter, the integer k representing the nozzle pitch k · D is simply referred to as “nozzle pitch k”. In the example of FIG. 3, the nozzle pitch k is 4 dots. However, the nozzle pitch k can be set to an arbitrary integer.
[0034]
The same applies to the cyan nozzle row Nc, the light cyan nozzle row Nlc, the magenta nozzle row Nm, the light magenta nozzle row Nlm, and the yellow nozzle row Ny. That is, each nozzle row N has 180 nozzles n1 to n180, and is arranged at a constant nozzle pitch kD along the sub-scanning direction.
[0035]
Then, at the time of printing, the roll paper P is intermittently conveyed by a predetermined conveyance amount by the printing paper conveyance unit 5, and during the intermittent conveyance, the carriage 28 moves in the main scanning direction and ink droplets from each nozzle n. Is discharged. However, depending on the printing method, not all nozzles n are always used, and only some nozzles n may be used.
[0036]
As shown in FIG. 4, the eight print heads 36a to 36h provided on the carriage 28 form a pair of two print heads 36a to 36h arranged in the main scanning direction, and the four print head pairs 36A, 36B, 36C forming the pair. , 36D, the first nozzle n1 of each nozzle row N of the nozzles N is disposed at an interval in the main scanning direction. Here, when the width of the roll paper P in the main scanning direction is W, the interval between the first nozzles of the print head pairs 36A, 36B, 36C, and 36D is １ ／ W. . The print head located on the left side of the pair of print head pairs 36A, 36B, 36C, 36D is the first print head 36a, 36c, 36e, 36g, and the print head located on the right side is the second print head 36b, 36d, 36f, 36h, the first print head and the second print head are located at one end of the nozzle in the main scanning direction. For example, in the uppermost print head pair 36A, the black nozzle of the first print head 36a is provided. The first nozzle in the row Nk and the first nozzle in the black nozzle row Nk of the second print head 36b are arranged so that the interval in the main scanning direction is 1 / 2W.
[0037]
Further, each nozzle row of the first print head of each of the print head pairs 36A, 36B, 36C, 36D arranged in four stages in the vertical direction, and each nozzle row of the second print head is a roll paper. It is positioned so as to be arranged substantially in a straight line in the sub-scanning direction which is the transport direction of P. Further, the interval between the first nozzle n1 of the print head pair 36A located at the uppermost stage and the print head pair 36B located at the second stage is located at the third stage with the print head pair 36B located at the second stage. The interval L between the first nozzles n1 of the print head pair 36C and the interval L between the first nozzles n1 of the print head pair 36C located at the third stage and the print head pair 36D located at the lowest stage are equal. Are located in
[0038]
By the way, these print heads 36a to 36h are configured to be relatively moved as described above so that the interval between them can be changed. For example, if the width of the image to be printed in the main scanning direction is sufficiently smaller than half the width of the roll paper, ie, 1/2 W, the distance between the first print head and the second print head is determined in advance according to the image width. Can be set narrow. Also, when the distance in the sub-scanning direction of the image to be printed is smaller or larger than the distance L between the print heads in the sub-scanning direction, a pair of print heads adjacent in the vertical direction must be set in advance according to the length of the image. Can be set to be narrow or wide.
[0039]
In FIG. 3, the ink colors of the nozzle rows are black nozzle row Nk, cyan nozzle row Nc, light cyan nozzle row Nlc, magenta nozzle row Nm, light magenta nozzle row Nlm, and yellow nozzle row Ny from the left side of the drawing. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the ink colors of the nozzle rows N may be arranged in another arrangement order.
[0040]
=== Example of Overall Configuration of Printing System ===
Next, an example of the overall configuration of the printing system will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing system including the above-described color printer 20. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the image processing unit 38.
This printing system includes a computer 90 and a color printer 20 as an example of a printing device. Note that a printing system including the color printer 20 and the computer 90 can also be called a “printing device” in a broad sense. The system includes the computer 90, the color printer 20, the CRT 21, and a display device such as a liquid crystal display device (not shown), an input device such as a keyboard and a mouse, a drive device such as a flexible drive device and a CD-ROM drive device. And so on.
[0041]
In the computer 90, an application program 95 operates under a predetermined operating system. A video driver 91 is incorporated in the operating system, and an application program 95 for performing image retouching and the like performs desired processing on an image to be processed, and outputs an image to the CRT 21 via the video driver 91. it's shown.
[0042]
The color printer 20 receives print data and the like from the application program 95, receives an image processing unit 38 provided as information generation means corresponding to each print head, and a system controller 54 that controls the operation of the entire color printer 20. , A main memory 56, and an EEPROM 58. The system controller 54 further includes a main scanning drive circuit 61 for driving the carriage motor 30, a sub-scanning drive circuit 62 for driving the transport motor 31, and print heads 36 provided for the respective print heads 36. Is connected to a head control unit 63 as a control means for controlling the control.
[0043]
Then, when the application program 95 issues a print command, the image processing unit 38 provided in the color printer 20 receives image data from the application program 95 and converts it into print data PD. As shown in FIG. 6, inside the image processing unit 38, a resolution conversion module 97, a color conversion module 98, a halftone module 99, a rasterizer 100, a UI printer interface module 102, and a raster data storage 103 , A color conversion lookup table LUT, a buffer memory 50, and an image buffer 52.
[0044]
The resolution conversion module 97 serves to convert the resolution of the color image data formed by the application program 95 into a corresponding print resolution based on information such as a print mode received together with the image data. The image data whose resolution has been converted in this way is still image information composed of three color components of RGB. The color conversion module 98 converts the RGB image data for each pixel into multi-tone data of a plurality of ink colors that can be used by the color printer 20 with reference to the color conversion lookup table LUT.
[0045]
The color-converted multi-tone data has, for example, 256 tone values. The halftone module 99 generates a halftone image data by executing a so-called halftone process.
The halftone image data is rearranged in a desired data order by the rasterizer 100 and output to the raster data storage unit 103 as final print data PD.
[0046]
On the other hand, the user interface display module 101 provided in the computer 90 has a function of displaying various user interface windows related to printing, and a function of receiving a user's input in those windows. For example, the user can instruct the user interface display module 101 on the type, size, print mode, and the like of the printing paper.
[0047]
The UI printer interface module 102 has a function as an interface between the user interface display module 101 and the color printer 20. The command interpreted by the user through the user interface is interpreted and various commands COM are transmitted to the system controller 54 and the like. Conversely, the command COM received from the system controller 54 and the like is interpreted and various displays are performed on the user interface. Or For example, the instruction regarding the type and size of the printing paper received by the user interface display module 101 is sent to the UI printer interface module 102, and the UI printer interface module 102 interprets the instructed instruction, and The command COM is transmitted to 54.
[0048]
Further, the UI printer interface module 102 also has a function of setting a print mode. That is, the UI printer interface module 102 performs printing based on the print information received by the user interface display module 101, that is, information on the resolution of an image to be printed, information on nozzles used for printing, information on data indicating a sub-scan feed amount, and the like. Then, a print mode as a recording mode is determined, and print data PD corresponding to the print mode is generated by the halftone module 99 and the rasterizer 100 and output to the raster data storage unit 103. The print data PD output to the raster data storage unit 103 is temporarily stored in the buffer memory 50, converted into data corresponding to the nozzle, and stored in the image buffer 52. The system controller 54 of the color printer 20 controls the main scanning drive circuit 61, the sub-scanning drive circuit 62, the head control unit 63, and the like based on the information of the command COM output by the UI printer interface module 102, The printing is performed by driving the nozzles of each color provided on the print head 36 based on the data. Here, the print mode includes, for example, a high-quality mode in which dots are recorded using a so-called interlace method, and a high-speed mode in which dots are recorded without using the method.
[0049]
=== Operation of the printing system ===
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a printing operation of the printing system, and FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an image printed by the printing system. Here, for example, of the eight print heads provided on the carriage 28, the first print head 36a and the second print head 36b of the pair of print heads 36A located at the uppermost position have a width W in the main scanning direction. An example will be described in which first and second images 11 and 12 having different image widths of Ｗ W in the main scanning direction are simultaneously printed on roll paper, respectively.
[0050]
The user instructs the user interface display module 101 on the first image 11 to be printed by the first print head 36a, the second image to be printed by the second print head 36b, and information on the print mode and the like. Here, the first image 11 and the second image 12 may be the same image.
[0051]
These instructions received by the user interface display module 101 are sent to the UI printer interface module 102 provided in the image processing units 38a and 38b provided for each of the print heads 36a and 36b, and the UI printer interface module 102 The command is interpreted and the command COM is transmitted to the system controller 54.
[0052]
Next, the user gives an instruction to perform printing in the application program 95 or the like. When the application program 95 that has received this instruction issues a print command, the image processing units 38a and 38b use the print heads 36a and 36b to convert the image data of the first image 11 and the second image 12 from the application program 95, respectively. After receiving these, they are converted to print data PD and then transmitted to the buffer memory 50. Each of the image processing units 38a and 38b transmits print data PD corresponding to each of the print heads 36a and 36b to the image buffer 52 after receiving the print data PD by the buffer memory 50.
[0053]
Further, each of the image processing units 38a and 38b transmits the above-mentioned command COM to the system controller 54. The system controller 54 sends control signals to the main scanning drive circuit 61, the sub-scanning drive circuit 62, and the head control units 63a and 63b based on the information received from each of the image processing units 38a and 38b.
[0054]
Each of the head control units 63a and 63b transmits print data of each color component from the image buffers 52 in the image processing units 38a and 38b corresponding to the respective head control units 63a and 63b in accordance with a control signal from the system controller 54. read out. Then, each head control unit 63a, 63b controls the corresponding print head 36a, 36b based on the read data.
[0055]
On the other hand, the roll paper P is transported to the printing start position by the transport motor 31 controlled by the sub-scanning drive circuit 62, and the carriage 28 is moved in the main scanning direction by the carriage motor 30 controlled by the main-scanning drive circuit 61. At this time, the carriage 28 is positioned such that the yellow nozzle row Ny of the print head 36a as the first print head is substantially along the left end of the roll paper P. That is, the yellow nozzle row Ny of the print head 36b as the second print head is located at the center of the roll paper P た W away from the left end of the roll paper P.
[0056]
Then, while moving the carriage 28 in the main scanning direction, the operation of discharging ink from the print heads 36a and 36b controlled by the respective print head control units 63a and 63b and the operation of transporting the roll paper P are repeated. Thus, the first image and the second image as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8A are printed on the roll paper P.
[0057]
If the length of the image to be printed in the sub-scanning direction is 1/2 L of the distance between vertically adjacent print heads, four images can be printed by a pair of print heads 36a and 36b as shown in FIG. 8B. It becomes possible.
[0058]
If the width of the image to be printed is ４ W, as shown in FIG. 8C, the images “A” and “B” are printed as one first image by the first print head, The images “C” and “D” may be simultaneously printed as one second image by the second print head, or the image “A” may be printed by the first print head and the image “C” may be printed by the second print head. After printing by the head, the image of “B” may be printed by the first print head and the image of “D” may be printed by the second print head. Further, by setting the distance between the vertically adjacent print heads to be equal to or less than L, eight images can be simultaneously printed using eight print heads as shown in FIG. 8D.
[0059]
Furthermore, even when the size of the image to be printed is different, as shown in FIG. 8E, by laying out the image appropriately and printing, the wasteful blank area formed on the paper is reduced, and the printing is performed efficiently. It becomes possible.
In the above printing example, an example in which an image is printed over the entire width of the roll paper P has been described. However, the printing is not necessarily performed over the entire width. As shown in FIG. 8F, a margin is appropriately provided according to the size of the image to be printed. You may. In this case, it is possible to prevent the ink from being ejected to the outside of the end of the roll paper P irrespective of the error in the transport performance of the roll paper P and the accuracy of the alignment of the print head.
[0060]
On the other hand, when printing an image over the entire width of the roll paper P as shown in FIGS. 8A to 8E, that is, when performing so-called borderless printing, the interval between the print heads 36 arranged in the main scanning direction is printed on the roll paper P. It is desirable to set the width wider than the width of one image. For example, when printing is performed as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8A, the two print heads 36a and 36b arranged side by side in the main scanning direction include a yellow nozzle row Ny of the right print head 36b and a roll. The center of the paper P is arranged at a position where dots are formed at the end of the right image area, and the yellow nozzle row Ny of the left print head 36a is arranged on the left side of the roll paper P. By arranging the print heads 36a and 36b in this manner, the left print head 36a for printing the left "A" image starts discharging ink from outside the area of the roll paper P. When the carriage 28 moves to a position where the nozzle of the left print head 36a forms a dot at the end of the left image area on the center side of the roll paper P, the nozzle of the right print head 36b turns on. , On the right side of the roll paper P. For this reason, it is possible to reliably print even to the end of the roll paper P, and even if the roll paper P is conveyed while slightly moving in the main scanning direction due to the characteristics of the conveyance mechanism and the like, No blank part is formed at the edge of the paper. That is, borderless printing of the roll paper P can be reliably performed regardless of the transport performance of the roll paper P, the positioning accuracy, and the like. In this case, a groove is provided in the platen 26 so as to avoid the suction hole 302 and the chamber 304, and the ink ejected outside the roll paper P is formed on an absorbing material or the like provided inside the groove. Is absorbed.
[0061]
According to such a printing device, if the width of the image is smaller than the distance between the first print head 36a and the second print head 36b, the first image 11 and the second image 12 do not overlap, and the images 11 , 12 in the main scanning direction and can be printed simultaneously. That is, the first image 11 and the second image 12 are arranged in the main scanning direction and are printed at the same time, so that the throughput can be increased as compared with the case of printing one sheet at a time, and the first image 11 and the second image 12 can be arranged in the sub-scanning direction. It is possible to suppress waste of printing paper as compared with the case where printing is performed using a plurality of print heads.
[0062]
Further, since the print heads 36a to 36h are provided on the single carriage 28, the control for moving the print heads is easy, and the cost for the control means can be reduced. .
[0063]
Further, since the interval between the adjacent print heads among the print heads 36a to 36h can be changed, the interval between the adjacent print heads is set according to the width of the image printed by the print heads 36a to 36h. Accordingly, the margin between the images can be reduced, so that waste of the medium can be suppressed. For example, when there are three images to be printed and the widths of the images are all 1 / 3W, the interval between the first print head 36a and the second print head 36b is set to 1 / 3W. After the first image is printed by the first print head and the second image is printed by the second print head, the third image is printed by the first print head or the second print head. It is possible to print three images without waste.
[0064]
In the present embodiment, two print heads are arranged in the main scanning direction. However, the number of print heads arranged in the main scanning direction is not limited to two. In this case, the first print head and the second print head respectively correspond to print heads adjacent in the main scanning direction.
[0065]
In the above description, the image processing unit shown in FIG. 6 has been described as an example of the image processing means. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the image processing unit sends print data to the head control unit 63. Alternatively, any device that processes an image output from an application or the like may be used. For example, it is not always necessary to refer to the color conversion table when performing color conversion by the color conversion module 98, and even if the image processing means does not include a function related to the user interface such as the UI printer interface module 102. Good.
[0066]
=== Other Embodiments ===
As described above, the recording apparatus and the like according to the present invention have been described based on one embodiment. However, the above embodiment of the present invention is for facilitating understanding of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the present invention. Absent. The present invention can be modified and improved without departing from the gist of the present invention, and the present invention naturally includes equivalents thereof.
[0067]
Although a color inkjet printer that performs printing using ink has been described as an example of a printing apparatus, the present invention is also applicable to a monochrome inkjet printer.
[0068]
Also, the roll paper has been described as an example of the printing paper. However, as the printing paper, a paper in column A, a paper in column B, or the like may be used.
[0069]
Further, in the above embodiment, the print head group forms a unitized print head unit, and the print head unit is detachable from the printer main body. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Not something.
[0070]
Further, in the above embodiment, when the image processing is performed by each of the image processing units, the images processed by the image processing units correspond to the image processing units in the order in which the processing is completed. Ink is ejected from the print heads belonging to the print head group to perform printing on the roll paper, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, an image may be printed on the roll paper P after all image processing is completed.
[0071]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, it is possible to realize a printing apparatus capable of arranging a plurality of images in the main scanning direction and printing simultaneously, a computer program for printing with the printing apparatus, and a computer system having the printing apparatus. It becomes.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an outline of an embodiment of a color printer according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a suction mechanism in a platen.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a nozzle array in a print head.
FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a nozzle arrangement between adjacent print heads.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing system including a color printer.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image processing unit.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a printing operation of the printing system.
FIG. 8A is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a printed matter in which two images are printed simultaneously by a print head pair at an uppermost position, and FIG. 8B is an example of a printed matter in which four images are printed by a print head pair at an uppermost position; FIG. 8C is an explanatory view showing an example of a printed matter on which an image having an image width of １ ／ W is printed, and FIG. 8D is an explanatory view showing an example of a printed matter on which an image is printed simultaneously by eight print heads. 8E is an explanatory view showing an example of a printed matter on which images of different sizes are printed, and FIG. 8F is an explanatory view showing an example of a printed matter printed with a margin.
[Explanation of symbols]
3 printing section 5 printing paper transport section
11 1st image 12 2nd image
16 suction mechanism 20 color printer
21 CRT 24 Smap roller
26 Platen 27 Holder
27a Shaft 27b Guide disk
28 Carriage 29 Nipping roller
30 Carriage motor 31 Transport motor
32 Towing belt 34 Guide rail
341 Lower guide rail 342 Upper guide rail
35 Roll paper holder
36, 36a-36h Print head
36A, 36B, 36C, 36D print head pair
37 Roll paper transport section 38 Image processing unit
40 Drive gear 41 Relay gear
44 Pulley 45 Pulley
46 engaging part 50 buffer memory
52 Image buffer 54 System controller
56 Main memory 58 EEPROM
61 main scanning drive circuit 62 sub-scanning drive circuit
63, 63a to 63h Head control unit
90 Computer 91 Video Driver
95 Application program 97 Resolution conversion module
98 Color conversion module 99 Halftone module
100 rasterizer
101 User interface display module
102 UI printer interface module
103 Raster data storage
302 Suction hole 304 Chamber 308 Hose
310 Suction blower 312 Switching valve COM command
LUT color conversion lookup table
n, n1 to n180 nozzle
N, Nk, Nc, Nlc, Nm, Nlm, Ny nozzle row
P roll paper PD print data

Claims (9)

A first print head for printing a first image, and a second print head for printing a second image, wherein the first print head and the second print head move in a predetermined direction to print an image. Printing device,
The first print head and the second print head are arranged at an interval equal to or larger than the width of the narrower image in the predetermined direction among the images printed by the first print head and the second print head. A printing apparatus characterized in that the printing is performed. The printing device according to claim 1,
The printing apparatus, wherein the first print head and the second print head are provided in a single moving unit that moves in the predetermined direction. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein
The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the distance between the first print head and the second print head is changeable. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein
The first print head and the second print head each have a plurality of ink ejection units,
The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the interval is an interval between one of the plurality of ink ejection units included in each print head and the ink ejection unit positioned at one end in the predetermined direction. The printing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
A printing apparatus, comprising: control means for controlling the print head, wherein the control means is provided corresponding to each of the print heads. The printing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
A printing apparatus, wherein the print head performs printing based on print information, and information generating means for generating the print information is provided corresponding to each of the print heads. A first print head for printing a first image, and a second print head for printing a second image, wherein the first print head and the second print head move in a predetermined direction to print an image. Printing device,
The first print head and the second print head are provided in a single moving unit that moves in the predetermined direction, each of the first print head and the second print head includes a plurality of ink ejection units, and performs printing based on print information.
Information generating means for generating the print information, and control means for controlling the print heads are respectively provided corresponding to the respective print heads, and the plurality of inks included in the respective print heads are provided. Among the ejection sections, the interval between the ink ejection sections located at one end in the predetermined direction is the distance between the images printed by the first print head and the second print head, the one having the smaller width in the predetermined direction. A printing apparatus, wherein the printing apparatus is arranged at an interval larger than the width of the image. A first print head for printing a first image, and a second print head for printing a second image, wherein the first print head and the second print head move in a predetermined direction to print an image. And
The first print head and the second print head are arranged at an interval equal to or larger than the width of the narrower image in the predetermined direction among images printed by the first print head and the second print head. Computer program having a function of causing a printing apparatus to perform printing. A computer, a first print head connected to the computer for printing a first image, and a second print head for printing a second image, wherein the first print head and the second print head are provided. A printing device that moves in a predetermined direction and prints an image,
The first print head and the second print head are arranged at an interval equal to or larger than the width of the narrower image in the predetermined direction among the images printed by the first print head and the second print head. A computer system characterized in that:

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