JP2005231319A - Printing device, printing system and printing program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printing device which can execute an optimal printing job to environmental/printing conditions during executing a printing process and thereby, can always obtain presentable printing results without being influenced by printing environments, and a printing system. <P>SOLUTION: A plurality of sets of printing data corresponding to all combinations of the printing/environmental conditions are created based on image data intended for printing and then the data are stored in an inkjet printer. In the inkjet printer, the printing conditions are entered (S21) and when a printing button for instructing the executing of a printing process, is depressed (S22: YES), the measurement of the environmental conditions is executed (S23). Next, the closest printing data to the printing conditions entered in the S21 and the environmental conditions measured in the S23, are selected from among a plurality of the previously stored printing data (S24). Finally, the printing process is executed (S25), based on the selected printing data. Also, the printing device. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus, a printing system, and a printing program that execute printing on a recording medium by using print data created based on image data. The present invention relates to a printing apparatus, a printing system, and a printing program that execute printing optimal for conditions.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a printing apparatus that performs printing on a recording medium using print data created based on image data, such as an ink jet printer, image data is printed by a user on a personal computer connected to the ink jet printer. In general, print data converted into a printable data format is created based on the image data, and printing on a recording medium is usually performed based on the print data. .

  However, even if printing is performed on the same image data in an inkjet printer, there may be variations in the print results, and the expected print quality may not be obtained. This is because, in actual printing, there are various elements that affect the printing result, and the environment during execution of printing changes. Factors that affect the printing result in this way include temperature, humidity, type of recording medium, printing resolution, and the like. However, because these factors change the printing environment, for example, ink penetration The printing result may be affected by affecting the condition and the condition of drying.

  Therefore, conventionally, there has been proposed a technique aiming at obtaining an appropriate printing result by reducing the influence of the environment on printing by the ink jet printer by adding various corrections to the print data. For example, when creating print data based on image data, it is possible to print with print data suitable for the environment in an inkjet printer by creating print data that has been corrected in advance in consideration of the environment at the time of printing. Are known.

  In addition, when the temperature and humidity in the printer are measured and the measured environmental conditions change, the density correction data corresponding to the environmental conditions are selected and the density values of a plurality of density levels are measured. A density correction table is created from the density value using density correction data. In addition, by correcting the print density with this density correction table, there is known a technique that corrects a change in print density due to a change in environmental conditions in the printer as well as a change in print density due to an elapsed time (for example, Patent Documents). 1).

Also, the temperature and humidity in the printer are measured, and print control information such as ink duty, color conversion table, and pass pause time length corresponding to the temperature or humidity is selected, and printing is performed based on the print control information. By controlling the processing, there is known one that suppresses a difference in image quality caused by a difference in paper type or temperature or humidity in the printer (see, for example, Patent Document 2).
JP 2001-341394 A JP 2003-1876 A

  However, the above-described prior art corrects print data in advance and is effective when the time interval from the print instruction in the personal computer to the execution of printing in the inkjet printer is small. When the time interval from the instruction to the execution of printing in the ink jet printer is large, the environment changes again during that time, and there is a problem that the effectiveness of correction for the print data is reduced.

  In particular, like an inkjet printer for business use, print data created in a personal computer is stored in the inkjet printer, and multiple printing is intermittently performed on the inkjet printer side based on the same print data. In this case, the print data creation and printing execution are executed independently, and the environment changes with each printing execution. In many cases, it is not effective.

  In addition, since the inventions described in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 execute processing such as correction to print data immediately before printing, the processing time immediately before printing becomes long. In addition to the problem that the processing time required for data processing immediately before printing becomes long and gives the user a long waiting time, the environment changes again during the processing time, and the correction of the print data is effective. There was a problem that the property became small.

  And when it is applied to an ink jet printer for business use that intermittently executes printing a plurality of times based on the same print data on the ink jet printer side, processing such as correction of print data for each print execution Therefore, there is a problem that the waiting time of the user becomes long, the environment changes again during the processing time, and the entire processing time becomes long.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and can perform printing suitable for environmental conditions and printing conditions at the time of printing execution, and always obtain beautiful printing results without being influenced by the printing environment. It is an object to provide a printing apparatus, a printing system, and a printing program.

  In order to achieve the above object, a printing apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention is a printing apparatus that executes printing on a recording medium using print data created based on image data. , Print data storage means for storing a plurality of print data respectively corresponding to a plurality of print environment conditions composed of a combination of one or more elements that affect the print results, and acquisition of the print environment conditions for acquiring the print environment conditions And print data selection means for selecting print data corresponding to the print environment condition acquired by the print environment condition acquisition means from a plurality of print data stored in the print data storage means, and the print data selection means And printing means for executing printing on the recording medium based on the print data selected by.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect of the invention, the printing environmental condition includes an environmental condition that is an environmental factor surrounding the printing apparatus, and the printing environmental condition is acquired. The means includes an environment measuring means for measuring the environmental condition.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the second aspect of the invention, the environmental condition includes at least one of temperature and humidity as the element.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect of the present invention, the printing environment condition includes a printing condition that is setting information indicating a printing execution condition. The printing environment condition acquisition unit includes a printing condition input unit for inputting the printing condition.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the fourth aspect of the invention, the printing condition includes at least one of a recording medium type, a printing resolution, and a printing method type as the element. It is characterized by including.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, further comprising a print instructing unit for instructing execution of printing, and the printing environment condition acquiring unit. Is characterized in that when the print instruction is issued from the print instruction means, the printing environment condition is acquired.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect of the present invention, the print data selection means includes a plurality of print data stored in the print data storage means. The printing environment condition acquisition unit selects printing data corresponding to the printing environment condition that matches or approximates the printing environment condition acquired by the printing environment condition acquisition unit.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing system according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, wherein a plurality of prints corresponding to the print environmental conditions are provided for all combinations of the printing device according to any one of the first to seventh aspects. Print data creation means for creating data based on the image data; and print data transmission means for sending print data created by the print data creation means to the printing apparatus.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing apparatus for executing printing on a recording medium by using print data created based on image data, the environment surrounding the printing apparatus for the image data. Print data storage means for storing a plurality of print data respectively corresponding to combinations of environmental conditions that are factors and print conditions that are setting information indicating print execution conditions; environmental measurement means for measuring the environmental conditions; Based on the printing condition input means for inputting the printing conditions, the environmental conditions measured by the environmental measuring means, and the printing conditions input from the printing condition input means, the print data is stored from the print data storage means. Print data selection means for selecting, and printing means for executing printing on a recording medium based on the print data selected by the print data selection means. To have.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing system according to the ninth aspect, wherein a plurality of print data is obtained based on the image data for all combinations of the printing apparatus according to the ninth aspect and predetermined environmental conditions and printing conditions. Print data creating means for creating and print data transmitting means for sending print data created by the print data creating means to the printing apparatus.

  According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing program that affects a printing result of a computer for executing printing on a recording medium using print data created based on image data, and the print result of the image data. Print data storage means for storing a plurality of print data respectively corresponding to a plurality of print environment conditions composed of a combination of one or more elements, a print environment condition acquisition means for acquiring the print environment conditions, and the print environment condition acquisition means Based on the print data selected by the print data selection means, the print data selection means for selecting the print data corresponding to the print environmental condition acquired from the plurality of print data stored in the print data storage means, It functions as a printing unit that executes printing on a recording medium.

  According to a twelfth aspect of the invention, in addition to the configuration of the eleventh aspect of the invention, the printing environmental condition includes an environmental condition that is an environmental factor surrounding the printing apparatus, and the printing environmental condition is acquired. The means includes an environment measuring means for measuring the environmental condition.

  According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the twelfth aspect of the invention, the environmental condition includes at least one of temperature and humidity as the element.

  According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the invention according to any one of the eleventh to thirteenth aspects, the printing environment condition includes a printing condition that is setting information indicating a condition for executing printing. The printing environment condition acquisition unit includes a printing condition input unit for inputting the printing condition.

  According to a fifteenth aspect of the invention, in addition to the configuration of the fourteenth aspect, the printing condition includes at least one of a recording medium type, a printing resolution, and a printing method type as the element. It is characterized by including.

  According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing program according to the eleventh to fifteenth aspects, wherein the printing environment condition is caused to function as a print instruction means for instructing execution of printing. The obtaining unit obtains the printing environment condition when a printing instruction is issued from the printing instruction unit.

  In addition to the configuration of the invention according to any one of claims 11 to 16, the print data selection means includes a plurality of print data stored in the print data storage means. The printing environment condition acquisition unit selects printing data corresponding to the printing environment condition that matches or approximates the printing environment condition acquired by the printing environment condition acquisition unit.

  According to an eighteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing program for causing a computer to execute printing on a recording medium using print data created based on image data, and an environmental factor surrounding the printing apparatus for the image data. Print data storage means for storing a plurality of print data respectively corresponding to a combination of an environmental condition and a print condition which is setting information indicating a print execution condition, an environmental measurement means for measuring the environmental condition, and the print condition Print condition input means for inputting print data, print data for selecting print data from the print data storage means based on the environmental conditions measured by the environment measurement means and the print conditions input from the print condition input means Selection means, printing means for executing printing on a recording medium based on the print data selected by the print data selection means, To to function.

  In the printing apparatus according to the first aspect, a plurality of print data created based on the image data to be printed is stored in advance in the printing apparatus, and the optimum print data is determined based on the printing environment conditions at the time of printing. Since printing is executed by selecting, the processing time at the time of printing execution is short, and printing suitable for the printing environment conditions at the time of printing execution is executed, and beautiful print results can be obtained with a low waiting time. Can do.

  In the printing apparatus of the invention according to claim 2, in addition to the effect of the invention according to claim 1, elements affecting the printing result include environmental conditions that are environmental factors surrounding the printing apparatus. Since the optimum print data is selected based on the above, it is possible to prevent the deterioration of the print quality that occurs based on the elements of the environmental conditions.

  In addition, in the printing apparatus of the invention according to claim 3, in addition to the effect of the invention according to claim 2, since the environmental conditions include temperature and humidity, the print quality generated based on the factors of temperature and humidity Can be prevented.

  In addition, in the printing apparatus of the invention according to claim 4, in addition to the effect of the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 3, a printing condition that is setting information indicating a condition for executing printing is included in an element that affects the printing result. And the optimum print data is selected on the basis of the print condition, so that it is possible to prevent the deterioration of the print quality that occurs based on the elements of the print condition.

  In the printing apparatus of the invention according to claim 5, in addition to the effect of the invention according to claim 4, the elements of the printing condition include the type of recording medium, the printing resolution, and the type of printing method. It is possible to prevent deterioration in print quality that occurs based on factors such as the medium type, print resolution, and print method type.

  Further, in the printing apparatus of the invention according to claim 6, in addition to the effect of the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 5, when the user instructs the printing apparatus to print, the current printing environment condition is acquired. Since the optimum print data is selected based on the latest printing environment conditions, a beautiful print result can be obtained.

  Further, in the printing apparatus according to the seventh aspect, in addition to the effect of the invention according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, the present printing environment condition is satisfied among the plurality of print data stored in the printing apparatus. Since print data corresponding to the closest print environment condition is selected, a beautiful print result can be obtained.

  Further, in the printing system of the invention according to claim 8, in addition to the effect of the invention according to any of claims 1 to 7, the apparatus for creating print data from the image data and the printing apparatus for executing printing are configured separately. Therefore, the present invention can be realized even when the place where the print data is created and the place where the printing is performed are separated, and can have flexibility to allow a free configuration.

  In the printing apparatus of the invention according to claim 9, a plurality of print data created based on the image data to be printed is stored in advance in the printing apparatus, and based on the printing condition and the environmental condition at the time of printing, Since the optimum print data is selected and printing is performed, the processing time during printing execution is short, and printing that is optimal for the environmental conditions and printing conditions during printing execution is performed, and beautiful print results are obtained. It can be obtained with less waiting time.

  Further, in the printing system according to the tenth aspect, in addition to the effect of the invention according to the ninth aspect, the printing system is configured by separating the apparatus for creating print data from the image data and the printing apparatus for executing printing. For this reason, the present invention can be realized even when the place where the print data is created and the place where the printing is performed are separated from each other, and the flexibility of enabling a free configuration can be provided.

  In the printing program of the invention according to claim 11, a plurality of print data created based on the image data to be printed is stored in advance in the printing apparatus, and the optimum printing is performed based on the printing environment conditions at the time of printing. Since the print data is selected and printing is executed, the processing time at the time of printing execution is short, and printing suitable for the printing environment conditions at the time of printing execution is executed, so that beautiful print results can be obtained with low waiting time. Can be obtained.

  In the printing program of the invention according to claim 12, in addition to the effect of the invention according to claim 11, elements that affect the printing result include environmental conditions that are environmental factors surrounding the printing apparatus. Since the optimum print data is selected based on the above, it is possible to prevent the deterioration of the print quality that occurs based on the elements of the environmental conditions.

  In the printing program of the invention according to claim 13, in addition to the effect of the invention according to claim 12, since the elements of environmental conditions include temperature and humidity, the print quality generated based on the factors of temperature and humidity Can be prevented.

  In the printing program of the invention according to claim 14, in addition to the effect of the invention according to any one of claims 11 to 13, a printing condition which is setting information indicating a condition for executing printing is included in an element affecting the printing result. And the optimum print data is selected on the basis of the print condition, so that it is possible to prevent the deterioration of the print quality that occurs based on the elements of the print condition.

  In the printing program according to the fifteenth aspect, in addition to the effect of the invention according to the fourteenth aspect, the printing condition elements include the type of recording medium, the printing resolution, and the type of printing method. It is possible to prevent deterioration in print quality that occurs based on factors such as the medium type, print resolution, and print method type.

  In the printing program of the invention according to claim 16, in addition to the effect of the invention according to any of claims 11 to 15, when the user instructs printing to the printing apparatus, the current printing environment condition is acquired. Since the optimum print data is selected based on the latest printing environment conditions, a beautiful print result can be obtained.

  Further, in the printing program of the invention according to claim 17, in addition to the effect of the invention according to any of claims 11 to 16, the present printing environment condition is satisfied among the plurality of print data stored in the printing apparatus. Since print data corresponding to the closest print environment condition is selected, a beautiful print result can be obtained.

  In the printing program of the invention according to claim 18, a plurality of print data created based on the image data to be printed is stored in advance in the printing apparatus, and based on the printing condition and the environmental condition at the time of printing, Since the optimum print data is selected and printing is performed, the processing time during printing execution is short, and printing that is optimal for the environmental conditions and printing conditions during printing execution is performed, and beautiful print results are obtained. It can be obtained with less waiting time.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described. A printing apparatus, a printing system, and a printing program according to the present invention create a plurality of print data corresponding to various conditions based on image data, store them in an ink jet printer in advance, and print data that is optimal for an ink jet printer. Is selected to execute printing and execute printing suitable for the printing environment at the time of printing execution.

  In the first embodiment, as an example of the printing apparatus, printing system, and printing program of the present invention, a personal computer 100 that creates a plurality of print data based on image data to be printed, and a personal computer 100 that creates the print data. A printing system including an inkjet printer 200 that selects printing data optimum for a printing environment at the time of printing from among a plurality of printing data and prints it on a T-shirt that is a fabric of a printing medium, and a personal computer 100 Alternatively, a program executed in the inkjet printer 200 will be described. In the second embodiment, as an example of a printing apparatus including a print data creation unit, image data transmitted from the personal computer 100 is received and a plurality of print data is created based on the image data. At the same time, an inkjet printer 200 that prints on a T-shirt based on optimum print data when printing is performed will be described.

  First, the configurations of the personal computer 100 and the inkjet printer 200 according to the first and second embodiments will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the personal computer 100. FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing the configuration of the storage area of the RAM 130 of the personal computer 100. FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing the configuration of the storage area of the HDD 150 of the personal computer 100. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the inkjet printer 200. FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram showing the configuration of the storage area of the ROM 220 of the inkjet printer 200. FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram showing the configuration of the storage area of the RAM 230 of the inkjet printer 200.

  A personal computer 100 shown in FIG. 1 prints image data created by an application or the like, for example, in an inkjet printer 200 connected by a communication cable based on a standard such as USB, and in the first embodiment, the image data is converted into image data. In the second embodiment, a plurality of print data created based on the image data is transmitted. In the first embodiment, the inkjet printer 200 shown in FIG. 4 prints on a T-shirt as an example of a recording medium based on print data that is optimum at the time of printing out of a plurality of received print data. I do. In the second embodiment, a plurality of print data is created based on the image data received by the image data processing apparatus, and printing on the T-shirt is performed based on the optimum print data at the time of printing. Therefore, in the personal computer 100 according to the first embodiment, a print data creation program (see FIG. 7) is executed as one of the driver program modules for creating print data from image data. The print execution program (see FIG. 18) is executed as one of the modules of the driver program that executes the process. In the inkjet printer 200 according to the second embodiment, a print data creation program is executed as one of modules executed when print data is created from received image data or the like, and print processing is executed. As one of the modules for this, a print execution program is executed.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the personal computer 100 is provided with a CPU 110 that controls the personal computer 100. The CPU 110 is inserted with a ROM 120 storing a program such as a BIOS executed by the CPU 110, a RAM 130 temporarily storing data, and a CD-ROM 141 which is a data storage medium via the bus 115 to read data. And a hard disk drive (hereinafter referred to as “HDD”) 150, which is a data storage device, are connected. The RAM 130 also has an input side color conversion table for converting the color space of the image data, and an output side for converting the color space converted by the input side color conversion table into the color space of the inkjet printer 200. The color conversion table is stored in detail.

  Furthermore, a USB interface 160 for performing communication with external devices including the inkjet printer 200, a display control unit 170 for performing screen display processing of the monitor 171 for displaying an operation screen to the user, and a user operation A keyboard 181 and a mouse 182 are connected to each other, and an input detection unit 180 that detects these inputs is connected to the CPU 110 via the bus 115. The personal computer 100 is also provided with a floppy (registered trademark) disk drive (not shown), an input / output unit for sound, various interfaces, and the like.

  The CD-ROM 141 stores a print data creation program shown in the flowchart of FIG. 7 to be described later, settings and data used at the time of executing the program, and the CD-ROM 141 is loaded from the CD-ROM 141 onto the HDD 150 at the time of introduction. The program storage area 152 and the information storage area 153 (see FIG. 3) are set up and stored.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 2, the RAM 130 of the personal computer 100 stores a work area 131 that stores temporary data during execution of the program, and input image data storage that temporarily stores input image data. An area 132 and an output image storage area 133 for storing a plurality of print data created based on image data by the print data creation program in the first embodiment are provided. Further, the RAM 130 is provided with various storage areas not shown.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the HDD 150 of the personal computer 100 includes an operating system (OS) storage area 151 that stores various programs executed by the CPU 110 to control the operation of the personal computer 100, and the personal computer 100. The program storage area 152 that stores various programs executed in step 1 and the print data creation program, the information storage area 153 that stores information such as settings, initial values, and data necessary for program execution, and the first embodiment In the embodiment, print data created from image data stored in the print image data storage area 133 is temporarily transmitted to the inkjet printer 200 in the second embodiment, and image data created by an application or the like is transmitted to the inkjet printer 200 in the second embodiment. Memorized printing key It is provided and over 154. Further, the HDD 150 is provided with various storage areas not shown.

  Next, the inkjet printer 200 shown in FIG. 4 is provided with a CPU 210 that controls the inkjet printer 200. The CPU 210 is connected via a bus 215 to a ROM 220 that stores a control program for controlling the operation of the ink jet printer 200 executed by the CPU 210 and a RAM 230 that temporarily stores data.

  The CPU 210 also has a head drive unit 240 for driving a piezoelectric actuator (not shown) provided in each channel of the inkjet head 241 that performs ink ejection via the bus 215, and a carriage (on which the inkjet head 241 is mounted). Carriage motor 251 for driving (not shown), and platen roller (not shown) for adjusting the timing and speed of feeding the T-shirt to the platen (not shown) that holds the T-shirt that is the fabric to be printed during printing A platen motor 252 for driving, a motor driving unit 250 for controlling and driving a conveyance motor 253 for driving a conveyance roller (not shown) for conveying a T-shirt, and external devices including the personal computer 100 Connect with a USB cable (not shown) for communication A USB interface 260 for sea urchin is connected.

  Four piezoelectric inkjet heads 241 are mounted on the carriage (not shown) of the inkjet printer 200. The four inkjet heads 241 are provided corresponding to, for example, four color inks of cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K), for ejecting each ink. For example, 128 channels (not shown) are provided. Each channel is provided with a piezoelectric actuator (not shown) that is individually driven, and a fine jet nozzle (not shown) formed in the ink jet surface of the ink jet head 241 corresponding to each channel. From this, the ink droplets are controlled to be ejected.

  Further, a display control unit 270 that performs screen display processing of the display 271 for displaying various information related to the operation screen and printing to the user is connected to the CPU 210 via the bus 215, and the temperature in the inkjet printer 200 A temperature sensor 281 that measures the humidity, a humidity sensor 282 that measures the humidity in the inkjet printer 200, and detection of input on an input panel 283 that includes buttons and switches for the user to set various conditions for printing. An input detection unit 280 to be performed is connected to the CPU 210 via the bus 215.

  The temperature sensor 281 and the humidity sensor 282 are not particularly limited as long as the temperature and humidity can be effectively measured in the inkjet printer 200, but preferably the inkjet head 241 from which ink is ejected and the recording medium on which the ink is formed. Is set near the T-shirt. The various setting information input from the input panel 283 by the user includes, for example, the type of recording medium such as paper and fabric, the printing resolution of print data, and the printing method such as color and monochrome. May be input as a printing condition. The input panel 283 is provided with a print button (not shown) for instructing the inkjet printer 200 to execute printing.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 5, the ROM 220 of the ink jet printer 200 has a control program for controlling the operation of the ink jet printer 200, a print execution program for executing print processing, and the second embodiment. A program storage area 221 that stores a print data creation program (see FIG. 7) in the embodiment and an information storage area 222 that stores information such as settings, initial values, and data necessary for executing the program are provided. Further, the ROM 220 is provided with various storage areas not shown.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the RAM 230 of the inkjet printer 200 stores a work area 231 for storing temporary data during execution of the program and a plurality of print data received in the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, a reception buffer 232 for storing received image data and the like, and a print data storage area for storing a plurality of print data created based on the image data by the print data creation program in the second embodiment 233 and a print buffer 234 for storing print data being printed. Further, the RAM 230 is provided with various storage areas not shown.

  Next, the print data creation operation of the personal computer 100 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the print data creation process. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the correspondence between the printing environment and the color conversion table on the output side. FIG. 9 shows print data for C (cyan). FIG. 10 shows print data for M (magenta). FIG. 11 shows print data for Y (yellow). FIG. 12 shows print data for K (black). FIG. 13 shows print data for another C (cyan). FIG. 14 shows print data for another M (magenta). FIG. 15 shows print data for other Y (yellow). FIG. 16 shows print data for another K (black). Hereinafter, each step of the flowchart is abbreviated as “S”.

  In an application or the like executed by the personal computer 100, the image data is created as so-called RGB format image data. When the user gives an instruction to create print data for the image data, the print data creation program is called from the application or the OS and activated.

  First, when image data for printing is input, it is stored in the input image data storage area 132, and when an input side color conversion table is input, it is stored in the RAM 130 (S11). The color conversion table on the input side need not be input if it is stored in the RAM 130 in advance. The image data may be stored in advance in the personal computer 100 or may be captured from an external storage medium.

  The color conversion table on the input side stored in the RAM 130 is a profile for converting the color space of image data in RGB format to L * a * b * format, and is an LUT for performing color reproduction between different devices. (Lookup table). The input side color conversion table converts the RGB format image data stored in the input image data storage area 132 into the L * a * b * format.

  Generally, image data that is displayed on a monitor and edited in a personal computer or the like is configured as a set of a plurality of pixels. Each pixel has lightness (gradation) data for each of the three primary colors of light, red (R), green (G), and blue (B), and the lightness is indicated by a value from 0 to 255, for example. It is. If the brightness of each of the R value, G value, and B value is 0, the pixel is expressed as black, and if it is 255, the pixel is expressed as white. If the R value is 255 and the G value and the B value are 0, the pixel is expressed as red. Such image data having so-called 8-bit color data can express about 16.77 million colors.

  However, since there are several types of monitors and their characteristics are different, even if the pixels have the same R value, G value, and B value, they may appear as different colors for each monitor. For example, a pixel that appears red on one monitor may appear pink when viewed on another monitor without changing its R, G, and B values. Therefore, the L * a * b * format has been generalized as a reference for making it appear as the same color no matter which monitor displays the image data. L * a * b * indicates the color of a pixel by L * (lightness), a * (degree of color changing from red to green), and b * (degree of color changing from blue to yellow). Each monitor has a color conversion table (profile) on the input side to convert from L * a * b * format to RGB format according to the characteristics of each monitor, so it is uniquely determined by L * a * b * The color of the selected pixel can be seen as the same color on any monitor.

  Such a color reference based on L * a * b * is not limited to color adjustment between monitors. For example, L * a * b also applies to image data captured by a scanner or image data printed by a printer. * By handling data between devices, users can recognize the same color regardless of the device characteristics. The profile for each device is generally provided by the producer of each device.

  When the input side color conversion table does not exist in the RAM 130, the color space is converted using sRGB (standard RGB). sRGB is an international standard color space that prescribes and unifies color, saturation, etc. in order to unify differences in color reproduction between image data. For example, many PC peripheral devices such as digital cameras, printers, monitors, etc. Then, it is known that the color difference according to the sRGB makes it possible to minimize the difference in color when viewed on a monitor and output by a printer. Therefore, in this embodiment, it is assumed that the color conversion table on the input side does not exist in the RAM 130, and the following color conversion is executed on the image data by sRGB.

  Next, an output side color conversion table corresponding to one combination of printing conditions and environmental conditions of the ink jet printer 200 is selected from the output side color conversion tables stored in the RAM 130 (S12). A plurality of output side color conversion tables are stored in advance in the RAM 130 corresponding to the combination of printing conditions and environmental conditions, and in S12, among the plurality of output side color conversion tables stored in the RAM 130 in order from the top. Selected.

  The output side color conversion table stored in the RAM 130 is in the L * a * b * format converted by the input side color conversion table according to the printing environment defined by a combination of predetermined printing conditions and environmental conditions. It is a profile for converting the color space of image data into the CMYK format, and is an LUT (look-up table) for performing color reproduction between different devices. In the following processing, the color space of the image data in the L * a * b * format stored in the input image data storage area 132 is converted into the CMYK format by the output side color conversion table.

  In this way, the process of converting the color space of the image data in the L * a * b * format into the CMYK format is performed by referring to the color conversion table on the output side, which is a profile based on the characteristics of the inkjet printer 200. This output-side color conversion table is provided as a profile based on the characteristics of the inkjet printer 200 as described above. For example, the color conversion table on the output side of the ink jet printer 200 is prepared and provided as follows through experiments and the like. First, halftone processing (binarization processing) is performed for all combinations of CMYK values, print data is created, and printing is performed by the inkjet printer 200. At this time, printing is performed under a plurality of predetermined printing environments. Then, the value of L * a * b * is determined by measuring the print result with a colorimeter. Thus, a table defining the relationship between L * a * b * and CMYK is created and provided as a profile for each printing environment based on the characteristics of the inkjet printer 200. Since there are an enormous number of combinations of CMYK values, it is preferable to perform the color measurement for a predetermined combination and complement the combinations that have not been measured based on the result. In this way, a plurality of color conversion tables respectively corresponding to a plurality of predetermined printing environments are created and stored in the RAM 130.

  In the CMYK format, the pixel colors are separated into the three primary colors, and the ink colors used for printing are cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y) plus black (K). For example, the density value of each color is represented by a value of 0 to 255 so that it can be expressed. A dark part is indicated by a high density value, and a light part is indicated by a low density value. In general, in an ink jet printer, if a density value is high for a certain pixel, the probability that an ink droplet is ejected in the vicinity of the pixel is increased by processing based on a known error diffusion method.

  Here, a printing environment defined by a combination of printing conditions and environmental conditions will be described. When printing is performed in the inkjet printer 200, the print result varies depending on the printing environment at the time of execution. The printing environment is composed of a combination of one or more elements that affect the printing result, and each element is classified into a printing condition or an environmental condition.

  The printing condition is a condition for executing printing of image data arbitrarily set by the user. For example, “type of recording medium”, “printing resolution”, “type of printing method”, and the like are listed as elements. . The “type of recording medium” is information indicating the material of the recording medium such as plain paper or fabric. “Print resolution” is information indicating print quality by the number of pixels (dots) per unit area. “Type of printing method” is information indicating a printing method such as color printing or monochrome printing. The environmental conditions are external environmental factors surrounding the ink jet printer 200, and examples thereof include “temperature” and “humidity”. “Temperature” and “humidity” refer to temperature and humidity at the time of execution of printing in the ink jet printer 200, and the values change with each execution of printing.

  As described above, there are a plurality of elements for defining the printing environment. Which element is used to implement the printing apparatus and the printing system according to the present invention is arbitrarily determined by the user or the designer. It is. For example, if many elements are used, the accuracy is improved, but the processing amount increases. Therefore, representative elements may be used. In the present embodiment, the following description is continued using three elements of “printing resolution”, “temperature”, and “humidity”.

  The printing environment is defined by a printing condition or a combination of a plurality of elements classified into environmental conditions. Each element has a numerical value that changes, and a combination is generated for each state in which each element has changed. Here, a combination of each element is defined by a predetermined representative numerical value. For example, if “temperature” is set to 6 patterns every 10 ° C. from 0 ° C. to 50 ° C., and “humidity” is set to 5 patterns every 20% from 20% to 100%, and “printing resolution”. , 300 dpi, 600 dpi, and 1200 dpi are set, and a total of 90 pattern combinations are defined by combinations of these element patterns. As shown in FIG. 8, an output-side color conversion table corresponding to the combination of elements (printing environment) is stored in the RAM 130. In S12, the output-side color conversion table in order from the top. One of them will be acquired. This printing environment corresponds to the “printing environment condition” of the present invention.

  In the next processing of S13 to S16, image processing is sequentially performed on all the pixels constituting the image data. Therefore, first, in S13, one pixel of image data is selected (attention) (S13). In the subsequent processing, the RGB image data is converted (profiled) into a device-independent L * a * b * format using the input side color conversion table, and this L * a * b * is further converted. The color space is converted into CMYK format data used in the ink jet printer 200 by using the output side color conversion table. There are various techniques for converting RGB format data into the CMYK format via the L * a * b * format, and any technique can be applied to the present invention. .

  Then, the pixel of interest (pixel of interest) is taken into the work area 131 and the pixel data is converted from the RGB format to the L * a * b * format and the CMYK format by the color conversion table on the input side stored in the RAM 130. Conversion processing is performed (S14). As described above, in this embodiment, the color conversion table on the input side is not input in S11, and conversion is executed based on sRGB. Similarly, when there is no color conversion table on the input side, it may be converted into a general value calculated based on a known calculation formula.

  Further, the pixel data converted into the L * a * b * format in S14 is converted from the L * a * b * format to the CMYK format using the output side color conversion table selected in S12. Is performed (S15). Specifically, when “color conversion table 1” corresponding to the printing environment “temperature 0 ° C./humidity 20% / printing resolution 300 dpi” is selected in S12 in the conversion table shown in FIG. Based on Table 1, the pixel data converted to the L * a * b * format is converted to the CMYK format in S14.

  In S16, it is confirmed whether or not the processing of S13 to S15 has been performed for all the pixels of the image data (S16). If there is a pixel that has not been subjected to image processing yet (S16: NO), the processing returns to S13 and the above processing is performed. repeat. If image processing has been performed on all pixels (S16: YES), pseudo gradation processing is performed on all the pixels converted into the CMYK format, and printing is performed in the inkjet printer 200. Print data is created (S17). The pseudo gradation process is a process for dropping data in CMYK format into a print gradation. Here, the description is continued on the assumption that the pseudo gradation process is performed by the error diffusion method.

  Through the above processing, print data is created based on the image data. Here, regarding the color space conversion by the processing of S14, S15, and S17, the image data input in S11 is composed of 5 × 5 pixels. A specific description will be given by taking as an example a case where all the colors of each pixel are RGB values of RGB = (200, 0, 0). Note that the inkjet printer 200 is controlled by two gradations of “drop dots” and “not hit dots”, and the type of recording medium is plain paper.

  When each pixel constituting the image data is converted into the L * a * b * format based on sRGB (S14), L * a * b * = (43, 67, 58). In addition, the color conversion table on the output side corresponding to the printing environment “temperature 20 ° C./humidity 40% / printing resolution 300 dpi” is selected (S12), and L * a * b * = (43, 67, 58), the CMYK value is converted into data having a value such as CMYK = (0, 200, 150, 0) (S15). When pseudo gradation processing is performed on each pixel of CMYK = (0, 200, 150, 0) by the error diffusion method, print data as shown in FIGS. 9 to 12 is created (S17).

  Based on the C value, M value, Y value, and K value of each pixel, the print data is an ink liquid with respect to a position where ink droplets can be ejected in a region for representing the pixel on the recording medium. FIG. 9 shows the print data for C (cyan), FIG. 10 shows the print data for M (magenta), and FIG. 11 shows the data for Y (yellow). FIG. 12 shows print data for K (black). In FIG. 9 to FIG. 12, “0” indicates “do not hit a dot”, and “1” indicates “drop a dot”.

  Similarly, when the color conversion table on the output side corresponding to the printing environment “temperature 30 ° C./humidity 60% / printing resolution 600 dpi” is selected in S12 (S12), L * a * b is determined by this color conversion table. Each pixel of * = (43, 67, 58) is converted into data having a CMYK value such as CMYK = (0, 120, 70, 0) (S15). When pseudo gradation processing is performed by the error diffusion method for each pixel of CMYK = (0, 120, 70, 0), print data as shown in FIGS. 13 to 16 is created (S17). 13 shows print data for C (cyan), FIG. 14 shows print data for M (magenta), FIG. 15 shows print data for Y (yellow), and FIG. 16 shows K (black). ). In FIG. 13 to FIG. 16, “0” indicates “do not hit a dot” and “1” indicates “drop a dot”.

  Note that the L * a * b * value calculated in S14 is an example, and the values calculated by the color conversion table on the input side and the conversion method are different, but the values calculated by the color conversion table on the output side in S15 are different. A numerical value in a format suitable for data conversion may be calculated. The CMYK values calculated in S15 are also examples, and the values calculated by the color conversion table and conversion method on the output side are different, but numerical values in a format suitable for creating print data in S17 are calculated. It only has to be done.

  As described above, print data corresponding to one printing environment is created based on the color conversion table selected in S12. In S18, it is confirmed whether the processing in S12 to S17 has been performed for all combinations of printing conditions and environmental conditions (S18). If there is a combination of printing conditions and environmental conditions that has not yet been processed (S18). : NO), the process returns to S12, the next color conversion table is selected, and the above process is repeated.

  On the other hand, when the processing of S12 to S17 is executed for all combinations of printing conditions and environmental conditions (S18: YES), corresponding print data is created for all combinations. In S19, these print data are collectively stored in the print queue 154 of the HDD 150, and the print data group collected at a predetermined timing is collectively sent to the inkjet printer 200 via the USB interface 160. It is transmitted (S19). Thereafter, the print data creation program is terminated and the present process is terminated.

  In the print data group collected in S19, a combination of print conditions and environmental conditions (print environment) is shown in the header portion of each print data. In the ink jet printer 200, the print environment corresponding to the data can be determined on the data.

  Note that even if a method other than the method using the header portion is used, the print data group may be configured in any way as long as each print data and its printing environment can be effectively identified in the inkjet printer 200. In addition, because each print data is created based on the same image data and for convenience in handling the data, each print data is transmitted to the inkjet printer 200 as a print data group. You may make it transmit to the inkjet 200 separately for every printing data.

  Note that the CPU 110 that creates print data indicating whether or not to eject ink droplets based on image data corresponds to the “print data creation means” in the present invention, and this is the ink jet printer 200 via the USB interface 160. The CPU 110 that transmits to the printer corresponds to the “print data transmission unit” in the present invention.

  Next, the print execution operation of the inkjet printer 200 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 17 and 18. FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a print data group. FIG. 18 is a flowchart of the print execution process.

  As a premise of this process, the print data group for all combinations of print conditions and environmental conditions transmitted to the inkjet printer 200 in S19 of the print data creation process (FIG. 7) in the personal computer 100 is received by the inkjet printer 200. Is done. In the inkjet printer 200, it is assumed that the received print data group is stored in the print data storage area 233 via the reception buffer 232.

  As illustrated in FIG. 17, the print data group stored in the print data storage area 233 includes a plurality of print data 10. Each print data 10 includes a header portion 11 having information indicating a combination of print conditions and environmental conditions (print environment), a print data portion 12 that is print data for C (cyan), and M (magenta). The print data portion 13 is print data, the print data portion 14 is print data for Y (yellow), and the print data portion 15 is print data for K (black).

  As described above, the print data 10 shown in FIG. 17 is created based on the output-side color conversion table shown in FIG. 8. In this case, since there are 90 output-side color conversion tables, FIG. The print data group shown in FIG. 8 is composed of 90 pieces of print data 10. Each print data 10 includes information on the print environment associated with the color conversion table in the header section 11.

  For example, among the print data 10 shown in FIG. 17, the print data 10 a is created based on the “color conversion table 1”, and the header portion 11 has a print environment “temperature 0 ° C./humidity 20% / print. A resolution of 300 dpi ”is shown. The print data 10 b is created based on a color conversion table corresponding to the printing environment “temperature 20 ° C./humidity 40% / printing resolution 300 dpi”, and the printing environment is stored in the header unit 11. The print data portion 12 for C (cyan) in the print data 10b is as shown in FIG. 9, and the print data portion 13 for M (magenta) is as shown in FIG. The print data portion 14 is as shown in FIG. 11, and the print data portion 15 for (black) is as shown in FIG. Similarly, the print data 10c is created based on a color conversion table corresponding to the printing environment “temperature 30 ° C./humidity 60% / printing resolution 600 dpi”, and the printing environment is stored in the header unit 11. Yes. The print data portion 12 for C (cyan) of the print data 10b is as shown in FIG. 13, and the print data portion 13 for M (magenta) is as shown in FIG. The print data portion 14 is as shown in FIG. 14, and the print data portion 15 for (black) is as shown in FIG. The print data 10d is created based on the “color conversion table 90”, and the header portion 11 indicates the print environment “temperature 50 ° C./humidity 100% / print resolution 1200 dpi”.

  When the user issues an instruction regarding printing for the print data group stored in the print data storage area 233, the print execution program is called from the application or the OS to be activated. The print data reception process shown in FIG. 18 is executed for one print data group, and the print data reception process (FIG. 18) is separately performed in parallel for the other print data groups. Shall be executed.

  As shown in FIG. 18, first, when printing conditions are input, they are stored in the RAM 230 (S21). The user can use the input panel 283 to select an arbitrary element as a printing condition and set an arbitrary numerical value or the like. It should be noted that this processing may be omitted if the printing conditions have already been input, or a default value may be set if there is no input. For example, when the user wants to print the image data at a desired print resolution, print method, or the like, the input panel 283 is used to select the print resolution, print method, etc. as print conditions, and desired numerical values for those elements. Enter etc.

  Thereafter, the process transits to a wait state for pressing the print button (S22), and the wait state is repeated until the print button is pressed (S22: NO). When the print button is pressed (S22: YES), the current environmental conditions are measured by the temperature sensor 281 and the humidity sensor 282 and stored in the RAM 230 (S23). That is, the current temperature and humidity in the inkjet printer 200 are acquired by the temperature sensor 281 and the humidity sensor 282, respectively, and the temperature and humidity are stored in the RAM 230 as the current environmental conditions.

  Based on the combination of printing conditions and environmental conditions (printing environment) stored in the RAM 230, the print data 10 corresponding to the printing environment closest to the printing environment is stored in the print data storage area 233. A group is selected (S24). As described above, in the print data group stored in the print data storage area 233, the print environment is indicated in the header portion 11 of each print data 10, and the print data 10 can be selected based on the header portion 11. It has become. If there is no print data 10 indicating a print environment that matches the combination of print conditions and environmental conditions (print environment) stored in the RAM 230, the print data 10 that is closest to the print environment is selected.

  That is, when “printing resolution 300 dpi” is input as the printing condition in S21 and “temperature 20 ° C.” and “humidity 40%” are measured in S23, the print data 10 corresponding to this printing environment is displayed as FIG. Print data 10b is acquired from the print data group shown in FIG. Further, when “printing resolution 600 dpi” is input as the printing condition in S21 and “temperature 30 ° C.” and “humidity 60%” are measured in S23, the print data 10 corresponding to this printing environment is shown in FIG. Print data 10c is acquired from the print data group shown in FIG.

  Then, printing is executed based on the print data 10 selected in S24 (S25). In the inkjet printer 200, the print data 10 selected in S24 is sent from the print data storage area 233 to the print buffer 234, and printing is started. When the transport motor 253 is driven, the recording medium is transported in a direction orthogonal to the reciprocating direction of the carriage (not shown) of the inkjet printer 200. One surface of the recording medium faces the ink jet head 241 mounted on the carriage, and the recording medium is transported in the sub-scanning direction and the carriage moving direction is in the main scanning direction. Ink droplets are ejected.

  Specifically, when the print data 10b is selected in S24, based on the print data portions 12, 13, 14, and 15, that is, based on the print data of each color as shown in FIGS. Printing is executed. If the print data 10c is selected in S24, printing is performed based on the print data portions 12, 13, 14, and 15, that is, based on the print data of each color as shown in FIGS. Will be executed.

  After printing is executed, the state again shifts to a standby state for pressing the print button in S22. If the print button is pressed (S22: YES), the current environmental conditions are measured again (S23), and the optimum print data 10 is obtained from the print conditions input in S21 and the current environmental conditions. A print data group stored in the print data storage area 233 is selected (S24), and printing is executed based on the print data 10 (S25). Then, when the end of all printing in the inkjet printer 200 is instructed or the power is turned off, the print execution program is ended and this processing is ended.

  As described above, in the personal computer 100 and the ink jet printer 200 according to the first embodiment, a plurality of print conditions and environmental conditions corresponding to all combinations of print conditions and environmental conditions based on the image data to be printed in the personal computer 100. The print data 10 is created, the print data group is stored in the inkjet printer 200 in advance, and the optimum print data 10 is selected based on the print conditions and the environmental conditions (print environment) at the time of printing. I tried to run. Therefore, the processing time at the time of printing execution is short, and the printing suitable for the printing condition and the environmental condition (printing environment) at the time of printing execution is executed, so that a beautiful printing result is not affected by the printing environment and the waiting time is small. Can be obtained at

  In addition, since optimum print data 10 is selected based on environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity, and printing conditions such as the type of recording medium, printing resolution, and type of printing method, printing that occurs based on these factors is performed. It is possible to prevent deterioration of quality accurately.

  In addition, the user on the ink jet printer 200 side can instruct printing to execute printing, and the creation of the print data 10 based on the image data and the printing based on the print data 10 are performed independently. Therefore, since the user on the personal computer 100 side can arbitrarily determine the creation timing of the print data 10 and the user on the inkjet printer 200 side can arbitrarily determine the execution timing of printing, the degree of freedom and flexibility can be increased. can do. In addition, since the personal computer 100 and the ink jet printer 200 can be provided at separate positions, the present invention can be realized even when the place where the print data 10 is created and the place where printing is performed are separated, and the free configuration Can be made possible.

  Further, when the user instructs the inkjet printer 200 to print, the environmental conditions are measured by the temperature sensor 281 and the humidity sensor 282, so that the optimum print data 10 is selected based on the latest environmental conditions, so that it is always beautiful. Printing results can be obtained.

  Further, the same image data can be printed many times on the inkjet printer 200 side, and printing can be executed with the print data 10 that is optimal for the printing conditions and environmental conditions (printing environment). A beautiful print result can always be obtained for image data.

  Next, operations of the personal computer 100 and the inkjet printer 200 according to the second embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, image data created by an application or the like executed on the personal computer 100 is transmitted to the inkjet printer 200 as RGB image data. This may be a specification for performing processing for transmitting image data received from an application or the like to the ink jet printer 200 as it is by a driver of the ink jet printer 200 installed in the personal computer 100.

  When transmitting image data, the image data received from the application or the like is stored in the input image data storage area 132 of the RAM 130 shown in FIG. 2, and the number of prints, the print size, etc. are set and then shown in FIG. The data is stored in the print queue 154 of the HDD 150 and transmitted to the inkjet printer 200.

  In the inkjet printer 200, the received image data is stored in the reception buffer 232 of the RAM 230. Then, the print data creation program is activated, and the print data creation process described in FIG. 7 is executed. The processing for the image data in this print data creation processing is the same as in the first embodiment. However, the print data group created by the print data creation process is stored in the print data storage area 233 instead of being sent to the inkjet printer 200 in S19.

  The print execution process shown in FIG. 18 is the same as that in the first embodiment. That is, the optimum print data 10 is selected from the print data group stored in the print data storage area 233 from the input print conditions and the measured environmental conditions, and the print data stored in the print buffer 234 is stored as described above. Ink droplet ejection based on the data 10 is performed.

  As described above, in the personal computer 100 and the inkjet printer 200 according to the first and second embodiments, the print data creation program is used to create the print data 10 for printing from the image data created by an application or the like. Is executed. In the first embodiment, the print data creation program is executed on the personal computer 100, and in the second embodiment, the print data creation program is executed on the inkjet printer 200.

  Next, the operation of the inkjet printer 200 according to the third embodiment will be described. As described above, in the first and second embodiments, after the print data group transmitted from the personal computer 100 in S19 is stored in the inkjet printer 200, after the user inputs the printing conditions ( S21), waiting for a print execution instruction from the user (S22).

  However, as shown in FIG. 19, a print execution process may be executed. FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating a flowchart of print execution processing according to the third embodiment. As shown in FIG. 19, the printing condition input (S32) is also executed after the printing button is pressed (S31: YES). The other processes (S33 to S35) are the same as the processes (S23 to S25) in the print execution process shown in FIG.

  According to the present embodiment, the printing condition is input after the user gives an instruction to execute the printing. Therefore, when the user wants to change the printing condition every time the printing is performed, it can be easily handled. can do.

  Next, the operation of the inkjet printer 200 according to the fourth embodiment will be described. As described above, in the first, second, and third embodiments, the printing environment is defined from both the printing condition and the environmental condition, and printing is executed by the print data 10 corresponding to this printing environment.

  However, as shown in FIG. 20, a print execution process may be executed. FIG. 20 is a flowchart of the print execution process in the fourth embodiment. As shown in FIG. 20, in this embodiment, there is no input of printing conditions, and there is only measurement of environmental conditions (S42). Therefore, in S43, the print data 10 closest to the environmental condition is selected. Alternatively, a default print condition may be acquired as the print condition, and the print data 10 closest to the default print data 10 and the environmental condition measured in S42 may be selected. Other processes (S41, S44) are the same as the processes (S21, S25) in the print execution process shown in FIG.

  According to the present embodiment, when printing execution is instructed, the environmental conditions are measured, and the optimum print data 10 is selected and printing is performed. Therefore, the user desires to set the printing conditions. It is possible to easily cope with the case where it is not necessary or when it is desired to simplify the processing.

  In contrast to the present embodiment, the print execution process may be executed so that only the print condition is input without measuring the environmental condition. Further, only part of the environmental conditions may be measured, or only part of the printing conditions may be input.

  As described above, in the “first embodiment” to “fourth embodiment”, the RAM 230 that stores the print data 10 corresponds to the “print data storage unit” of the present invention, and the temperature sensor 281 and the humidity sensor. 282 corresponds to the “environment measuring unit” (printing environment condition acquisition unit) of the present invention, and the input panel 283 corresponds to the “printing condition input unit” (printing environment condition acquisition unit) of the present invention, and the inkjet head 241. The head driving unit 240 corresponds to the “printing unit” of the present invention, and the print button provided on the input panel 283 corresponds to the “printing instruction unit” of the present invention.

  Further, the CPU 110 that executes the print data creation process shown in FIG. 7 corresponds to the “print data creation means” of the present invention, and the USB interface 160 corresponds to the “print data transmission means” of the present invention. Further, the CPU 210 that performs the process of S24 in the flowchart of the print execution process shown in FIG. 18 corresponds to the “print data selection unit” of the present invention. The print data creation program (see FIG. 7) and the print execution program (see FIGS. 18, 19, and 20) correspond to the “print program” of the present invention.

  The present invention is not limited to the “first embodiment” to “fourth embodiment” described in detail above, and it goes without saying that various modifications are possible. For example, a printing environment is defined by a combination of printing conditions and environmental conditions. What is set as an element included in the printing condition and what is set as an element included in the environmental condition depends on the user and the design. This can be set as desired.

  Further, in the print data creation process (FIG. 7), the elements used for the combination of the print conditions and the environmental conditions (print environment) selected when creating the print data 10 and the input in the print execution process (FIG. 18) The elements of the printing conditions to be measured and the environmental conditions to be measured (printing environment) do not have to match completely. For example, “temperature”, “printing resolution”, and “type of recording medium” are used as printing environment elements in the print data creation process (FIG. 7), while printing environment elements in the print execution process (FIG. 18). Is “temperature”, “humidity”, and “printing resolution”, in S24 of the print execution process (FIG. 18), the optimum is based on “temperature” and “printing resolution” that are elements common to both. The correct print data 10 may be selected.

  Further, in the print execution process (FIG. 18), in the process (S24) of selecting the print data 10 closest to the print condition and the environmental condition, if there is no print data 10 that matches the print condition and the environmental condition, The optimum print data 10 may be selected as follows. First, for each of the environmental condition and the printing condition, the one closest to the printing environment when the output side color conversion table (see FIG. 8) is created is selected. For example, when the printing conditions and environmental conditions (printing environment) acquired in S21 and S23 are “temperature 23 ° C./humidity 38% / printing resolution 400 dpi”, the output side color conversion table (see FIG. 8) is “temperature ”Is created in six stages of 0 ° C., 10 ° C., 20 ° C., 30 ° C., 40 ° C., and 50 ° C.,“ 20 ° C. ”having the smallest absolute value of the difference is selected. Similarly, since “humidity” is created in five stages of 20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, and 100%, “40%” having the smallest absolute value of the difference is selected. Furthermore, since “resolution” is created in three stages of 300 dpi, 600 dpi, and 1200 dpi, “300 dpi” having the smallest absolute value of the difference is selected. As a result, in S24, print data 10b of the print environment “temperature 20 ° C./humidity 40% / print resolution 300 dpi” is acquired from the print data group (see FIG. 17). Therefore, even when there is no print data 10 that matches the print conditions and the environmental conditions, the print data 10 suitable for the print environment can be selected. Needless to say, the processes in S34 and S43 can be similarly performed.

  In the above-described embodiment, the inkjet printer 200 is configured to issue a print execution instruction. However, as in a normal printing system, when a user executes a print execution instruction in the personal computer 100, Printing may be executed by the inkjet printer 200. In this case, the user instructs printing execution in the personal computer 100 and inputs printing conditions. Then, the input printing conditions and a command for instructing printing are transmitted from the personal computer 100 to the inkjet printer 200. In the inkjet printer 200, measurement of environmental conditions is executed in response to a command instructing execution of printing. Based on the received printing conditions and the measured environmental conditions, the optimum print data 10 is selected from the print data group stored in the RAM 230, and printing is automatically executed.

  In this case as well, the input of printing conditions by the user can be omitted. For example, when printing execution is instructed by a user in the personal computer 100, a default value is automatically set as a printing condition, and the inkjet printer 200 has a printing condition of this default value and a command for instructing printing. It may be transmitted. In addition, when the inkjet printer 200 receives a command instructing execution of printing, a default printing condition may be automatically set. In addition, when it is not necessary to use printing conditions, the optimum print data 10 may be selected based on only the measured environmental conditions when a command for instructing printing is received in the inkjet printer 200. .

  In S11 of the print data creation process (FIG. 7), the input image data is not limited to the RGB format, and may be another format such as CMYK or gray scale. Also in this case, the color space of the image data of each format is converted into the L * a * b * format by the color conversion table (profile) on the input side.

  Further, the present invention may be realized as one apparatus having the functions of the personal computer 100 and the ink jet printer 200.

  The present invention can be applied not only to an inkjet printer as a printing apparatus, but also to a dot impact printer, a laser printer, a thermal transfer printer, a line printer, and the like, and as a printing system, can be applied to these printing apparatuses and computers that can be connected thereto.

2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a personal computer 100. FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration of a storage area of a RAM 130 of a personal computer 100. FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration of a storage area of an HDD 150 of a personal computer 100. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an inkjet printer 200. FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a configuration of a storage area of a ROM 220 of the inkjet printer 200. FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a configuration of a storage area of a RAM 230 of the inkjet printer 200. FIG. 5 is a flowchart of print data creation processing. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a correspondence between a printing environment and a color conversion table on an output side. This is print data for C (cyan). This is print data for M (magenta). This is print data for Y (yellow). This is print data for K (black). This is print data for other C (cyan). Print data for other M (magenta) This is print data for other Y (yellow). This is print data for other K (black). It is a figure which shows a print data group. It is a flowchart of a printing execution process. 14 is a flowchart of print execution processing in the third embodiment. 14 is a flowchart of print execution processing in the fourth embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Print data 11 Header part 12 Print data part 13 Print data part 14 Print data part 15 Print data part 100 Personal computer 110 CPU
120 ROM
130 RAM
150 HDD
152 Program storage area 160 USB interface 200 Inkjet printer 210 CPU
220 ROM
221 Program storage area 230 RAM
240 Head Drive Unit 241 Inkjet Head 260 USB Interface 281 Temperature Sensor 282 Humidity Sensor 283 Input Panel

Claims (18)

A printing apparatus that executes printing on a recording medium using print data created based on image data,
Print data storage means for storing a plurality of print data respectively corresponding to a plurality of print environmental conditions consisting of a combination of one or more elements that affect the print result for the image data;
Printing environment condition acquisition means for acquiring the printing environment condition;
Print data selection means for selecting print data corresponding to the print environment condition acquired by the print environment condition acquisition means from a plurality of print data stored in the print data storage means;
A printing apparatus comprising: a printing unit that executes printing on a recording medium based on the print data selected by the print data selection unit. The printing environmental conditions include environmental conditions that are environmental factors surrounding the printing apparatus,
The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing environment condition acquisition unit includes an environment measurement unit that measures the environment condition.   The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the environmental condition includes at least one of temperature and humidity as the element. The printing environment condition includes a printing condition that is setting information indicating a printing execution condition,
4. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing environment condition acquisition unit includes a printing condition input unit for inputting the printing condition.   The printing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the printing condition includes at least one of a recording medium type, a printing resolution, and a printing method type as the element. A printing instruction means for instructing execution of printing;
6. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing environment condition acquisition unit acquires the printing environment condition when a printing instruction is issued from the printing instruction unit.   The print data selection unit selects print data corresponding to a print environment condition that matches or approximates the print environment condition acquired by the print environment condition acquisition unit from among a plurality of print data stored in the print data storage unit The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing apparatus is a printing apparatus. A printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
Print data creation means for creating a plurality of print data corresponding to the printing environment conditions based on the image data for all combinations of the predetermined elements;
A printing system comprising: print data transmission means for transmitting print data created by the print data creation means to the printing apparatus. A printing apparatus that executes printing on a recording medium using print data created based on image data,
Print data storage means for storing a plurality of print data corresponding to each combination of an environmental condition that is an environmental factor surrounding the printing apparatus and a print condition that is setting information indicating a print execution condition for the image data;
Environmental measuring means for measuring the environmental conditions;
Printing condition input means for inputting the printing conditions;
Print data selection means for selecting print data from the print data storage means based on the environmental conditions measured by the environment measurement means and the print conditions input from the print condition input means;
A printing apparatus comprising: a printing unit that executes printing on a recording medium based on the print data selected by the print data selection unit. A printing apparatus according to claim 9;
Print data creation means for creating a plurality of print data based on the image data for all combinations of predetermined environmental conditions and print conditions;
A printing system comprising: print data transmission means for transmitting print data created by the print data creation means to the printing apparatus. In order to execute printing on a recording medium with print data created based on image data,
Print data storage means for storing a plurality of print data respectively corresponding to a plurality of print environmental conditions consisting of a combination of one or more elements that affect the print result for the image data;
Printing environment condition acquisition means for acquiring the printing environment condition;
Print data selection means for selecting print data corresponding to the print environment condition acquired by the print environment condition acquisition means from a plurality of print data stored in the print data storage means;
Printing means for executing printing on a recording medium based on the print data selected by the print data selection means;
Print program to function as The printing environmental conditions include environmental conditions that are environmental factors surrounding the printing apparatus,
The printing program according to claim 11, wherein the printing environment condition acquisition unit includes an environment measurement unit that measures the environmental condition.   The printing program according to claim 12, wherein the environmental condition includes at least one of temperature and humidity as the element. The printing environment condition includes a printing condition that is setting information indicating a printing execution condition,
The printing program according to claim 11, wherein the printing environment condition acquisition unit includes a printing condition input unit for inputting the printing condition.   15. The printing program according to claim 14, wherein the printing condition includes at least one of a recording medium type, a printing resolution, and a printing method type as the element. Let it function as a print instruction means for instructing execution of printing,
16. The printing program according to claim 11, wherein the printing environment condition acquisition unit acquires the printing environment condition when a printing instruction is issued from the printing instruction unit.   The print data selection unit selects print data corresponding to a print environment condition that matches or approximates the print environment condition acquired by the print environment condition acquisition unit from among a plurality of print data stored in the print data storage unit The printing program according to any one of claims 11 to 16, wherein: In order to execute printing on a recording medium with print data created based on image data,
Print data storage means for storing a plurality of print data corresponding to each combination of an environmental condition that is an environmental factor surrounding the printing apparatus and a print condition that is setting information indicating a print execution condition for the image data;
Environmental measuring means for measuring the environmental conditions;
Printing condition input means for inputting the printing conditions;
Print data selection means for selecting print data from the print data storage means based on the environmental conditions measured by the environment measurement means and the print conditions input from the print condition input means;
Printing means for executing printing on a recording medium based on the print data selected by the print data selection means;
Print program to function as

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