JP2010089411A - Recording system and information processing means - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To achieve a recording system and an information processing apparatus in which preparation and changing of recording data by an operator are unnecessary even when the color composition of an ink to be delivered is changed in a recording apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: The information processing apparatus acquires device information from respective recording apparatuses, and prepares a recording apparatus information table according to the device information and performs recording. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a recording system and information processing means for recording using a plurality of recording units on a common (one) recording medium.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, recording apparatuses that perform color recording using a recording head that employs an ink jet recording method are required to perform high-speed continuous recording such as recording on business forms (various slips). In recording, the recording head built in the recording apparatus has a color configuration of C (cyan), M (magenta), Y (yellow), and K (black), and includes only one head per color. In the case of an apparatus, it is difficult to perform high-speed recording. Therefore, conventionally, for the purpose of increasing the recording speed, a method of recording with a plurality of recording heads per color has been adopted.

  In Patent Document 1, four recording heads that integrate four recording heads that discharge each color of Y, M, C, and K are mounted on a single recording apparatus to increase the recording density and speed. A technique for realizing the above is disclosed.

  Patent Document 2 discloses two head units, four heads each including Y, M, C, and K, and four heads each including four recording heads that discharge K color. A technique for performing high-speed monochrome printing with a recording apparatus equipped with a head unit is disclosed.

  In addition, a head unit including a plurality of single color recording heads is provided for each of the colors Y, M, C, and K, such as a head unit dedicated to CCC, that is, a C (cyan) recording head. Therefore, a method for enabling high-speed recording is also performed.

JP 2003-127352 A JP 2007-1251 A

  In this way, it is possible to increase the recording speed by ejecting ink of the same color from a plurality of recording heads. However, the color configuration is changed from the state in which the four recording heads provided in the head unit discharge four colors (YMCK), and for example, the four recording heads provided in the head unit as described above are changed to C. When discharging only the color, the recording data must be changed.

  As described above, the combination of colors of the recording heads mounted on the head unit may differ between color printing at high speed and monochrome printing at high speed. Conventionally, when recording is performed with different color combinations as described above, an operator regenerates and inputs recording data each time. Therefore, there has been a concern that workability may be deteriorated by changing the combination of colors of the recording heads mounted on the head unit.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to realize a recording system and information processing means that do not require creation and change of recording data by an operator even when the color configuration of ink ejected in a recording apparatus is changed.

  Therefore, a recording system according to the present invention is a recording system including a plurality of recording units including a plurality of recording heads that eject ink, and an information processing unit that generates recording data of recording performed by the recording head. The information processing means acquires device information including position information of the plurality of recording units and color information of the plurality of recording heads included in the plurality of recording units from the recording unit, and acquires the device information. Based on this, recording data used for recording is created.

  The information processing means of the present invention is information processing means connected via a interface to a plurality of recording units having a plurality of recording heads for ejecting ink, and includes a plurality of positional information of the recording units, Device information including a plurality of color information of the recording heads included in the recording unit is acquired from the recording unit, and recording data used for recording is generated based on the device information. .

  According to the present invention, the information processing unit acquires device information including position information of a plurality of recording units and color information of a plurality of recording heads included in the plurality of recording units from the recording unit, and the device Based on the information, recording data used for recording is created. As a result, it is possible to realize a recording system and an information processing unit that do not require the operator to create and change recording data even when the recording apparatus changes the color configuration of the ejected ink.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration of a recording system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The recording system 1000 of this embodiment includes an information processing apparatus 100 that includes a communication interface 101, and the information processing apparatus 100 is connected to a plurality of recording apparatuses 110 to 180 via the communication interface 101. In the present embodiment, the configuration of the eight recording apparatuses 110 to 180 will be described. However, the number of the recording apparatuses is not limited to eight. An effect can be obtained.

  The communication interface 101 is an interface such as USB (Universal Serial Bus), IEEE 1394, or network (10/100 / 1000BaseT) that can connect a plurality of recording devices 110 to 180 to the information processing apparatus 100. In the present embodiment, the wired type communication interface 101 is used, but the same effect can be obtained even with a wireless type communication interface such as a wireless LAN. Further, when the interface 101 is a network, USB, or the like, the same effect can be obtained through HUB in connecting the information processing apparatus 100 and the recording apparatuses 110 to 180.

  The recording devices 110 to 180 are installed in the transport device 105, and the transport device 105 includes a paper feed unit 102, a transport unit 103, and a paper discharge unit 104. The recording medium P is transported in the direction of the arrow θ by the transport device 105, and recording is performed on the recording unit E and the recording unit F.

  The information processing apparatus 100 reads position information of each recording apparatus from the recording apparatuses 110 to 80 connected via the communication interface 101, and recognizes the positions of the recording apparatuses 110 to 80 based on the read information. Further, by recognizing the quantity of the recording apparatus and the color of each recording head included in the recording apparatus together with the position information, the data to be recorded is divided to generate and divide the recording data (assignment to each recording apparatus). To implement. Further, the information processing apparatus 100 transfers the generated recording data to each of the recording apparatuses 110 to 180.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating the recording apparatuses 110 to 180. Each of the recording devices 110 to 180 communicates with three recording heads, a CPU (not shown), a ROM (not shown) that stores a control program, a RAM (not shown) that stores recording data, and the information processing device 100. A communication interface (not shown) for performing is provided. Further, each of the recording devices 110 to 180 includes a recording head control unit (not shown) that controls the recording heads 110 to 180, and a memory control (R / W) circuit that performs reading and writing on the memory in each recording head ( (Not shown).

  The recording apparatuses 110 to 180 provided in the recording system 1000 of the present embodiment are arranged such that the recording apparatuses 110, 130, 150, and 170 that bear the recording unit E (see FIG. 1) on one side of the recording medium, It is divided into recording devices 120, 140, 160, and 180 that bear the recording unit F (see FIG. 1) on the other side. The recording heads 210 to 212 included in the recording apparatus 110 and the recording heads 220 to 222 included in the recording apparatus 120 eject C (cyan) ink. The recording heads 230 to 232 included in the recording apparatus 130 and the recording heads 240 to 242 included in the recording apparatus 140 eject M (magenta) ink. The recording heads 250 to 252 included in the recording apparatus 150 and the recording heads 260 to 262 included in the recording apparatus 160 eject ink of Y (yellow) color. The recording heads 270 to 272 included in the recording apparatus 170 and the recording heads 280 to 282 included in the recording apparatus 180 eject ink of K (black) color. In this embodiment, the recording heads provided in one recording apparatus record the same color, but may be configured to record different colors. That is, any recording head of any recording apparatus may be provided with a color necessary for recording.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart for the information processing apparatus 100 to read the position and recording color information from the recording apparatuses 110 to 180 and recognize the number of recording apparatuses (the number of divisions to be performed when recording one page). Hereinafter, the processing contents will be described along the flowchart.

  When the processing is started and the recording program stored in the information processing apparatus 100 is executed, the information processing apparatus 100 searches the recording apparatuses 110 to 180 connected via the communication interface 101 in step S301. Then, the process proceeds to step S302, and if there is a connected recording apparatus, the process proceeds to step S311. If the recording apparatus is not connected, the process ends.

  In step S311, it is confirmed whether or not a recording apparatus for which the recording apparatus information table generated in step S308 described later has not yet been generated is connected. If a recording device for which a recording device information table has not yet been generated is connected, the process proceeds to step S303.

  In step S303, the port corresponding to the recording device for which the recording device information table has not been generated is opened. However, when there are a plurality of recording devices for which the recording device information table has not been generated, only one of the ports is opened. In this embodiment, the ports are opened in the order of the serial number of each port. In addition, it is not limited to opening ports in the order of serial numbers of the respective ports, and in what order the ports are opened can be arbitrarily determined.

  In step S304, device information (including position and recording color information) is acquired from the recording apparatus. This device information includes information relating to the arrangement of the recording apparatus (including matrix information and arrangement order), the arrangement of the recording head of the recording apparatus, the color of the recording head, and the like. Based on this, a recording device information table is created.

  In step S305, the device information acquired in step S304 is checked. The contents of the check are whether or not a recording apparatus for position information of the same row and column already exists. When checking here, check for communication errors and so on. If the device information is normal in step S305, the process proceeds to step S306, and if not normal, the process proceeds to step S307.

  In step S306, the recording device information is counted up to recognize the number of recording devices. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S308, and a recording apparatus information table, which will be described later, including position information and recording color information is generated. Thus, in this embodiment, the recording apparatus information table is generated using the device information including the position and color information of the recording apparatus acquired by the information processing apparatus 100 in step S304. Thereby, it is possible to freely select which recording head of which recording apparatus is provided with the color necessary for recording.

  In step S309, the communication port for the recording apparatus is closed, the process returns to step S311 again, and the processing from step S311 to step S309 is repeated. If there is no recording device that has not yet generated a recording device information table in step S311, the process ends.

  If it is determined in step S305 that the device information is not normal, connection abnormality information is created in step S307, the port of the corresponding recording apparatus is closed in step S312, and the process ends.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of the recording device information table created in step S308 of FIG. The recording apparatus information table 400 includes a recording apparatus position information command 401, row direction position information 402, column direction information 403, and recording color information 404 to 406 of the first to third recording heads. From the row direction position information 402 and the column direction information 403, the information processing apparatus 100 can recognize the configuration of the recording apparatuses 110 to 180 arranged in a staggered pattern.

  FIG. 5 shows a flowchart for creating recording data of each recording device by a recording data creation program stored in the information processing device 100.

  When the user is instructed to start generating recording data, the information processing apparatus 100 confirms in step S501 the quantity information of the connected connection recording apparatus confirmed in step S301 in FIG. 3 and the recording apparatus information in FIG. Get the table. In step S502, recording data for one page of cyan among the recording data of the colors to be recorded (cyan, magenta, yellow, black in this embodiment) is created from the recording color information in the recording device information table.

  Next, in step S503, the created recording data is divided into recording data to be transmitted to the recording device 110 and the recording device 120. In step S504, one page of magenta recording data is created as in step S502, and in step S505, it is divided into recording data to be transmitted to the recording device 130 and the recording device 140. In step S506, yellow recording data for one page is created, and in step S507, the recording data is divided into recording data to be transmitted to the recording device 150 and the recording device 160. In step S508, black recording data for one page is created. In step S509, the recording data is divided into recording data to be transmitted to the recording device 170 and the recording device 180. The information processing apparatus 100 creates recording data through the processing steps as described above.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation sequence when recording data is transferred to each recording apparatus by the recording data creation program of the information processing apparatus 100. When the user instructs transmission of recording data on the information processing apparatus 100, in step S601, the number of connected recording devices confirmed in step S301 is referred to and the number of times recording data is transferred is compared with the number of connected recording devices.

  Next, in step S602, recording data is not transferred with reference to the communication resource information (port identifier, port name, port symbol name, etc.), row direction position information 402, and column direction information 403 of each recording device. Open the communication port of the recording device. In step S603, the divided recording data is transferred to the recording apparatus via the communication interface 101.

  Next, in step S604, it is checked whether data transfer has been normally performed in step S603. If no communication error has occurred, the process proceeds to step S605. If a communication error has occurred, the process proceeds to step S607. In step S605, the communication port is closed, and in step S606, the number of connected counters for repetition is reduced. Thereafter, Steps S601 to S606 are repeated, and if there is no recording device that has not yet transferred the recording data in Step S601, the process proceeds to Step S607.

  When the process proceeds from step S604 or from step S601 to step S607, the number of recording apparatuses that have been successfully transferred is set in step S607, and the process proceeds to step S608.

  In step S608, it is determined whether the number of recording apparatuses set in step S607 is equal to the number of connected recording apparatuses. As a result, it is determined whether or not the transfer of all the recording data has been performed normally. If they are equal, the recording data transfer ends, and if they are not equal, an error is displayed in step S609 and the process ends.

  In the present embodiment, the configuration of a recording system including a plurality of recording heads and including a plurality of recording heads has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the object of the present invention can also be achieved by a single recording apparatus including a plurality of recording units and including a plurality of recording units.

  In this manner, the information processing apparatus acquires device information from each recording apparatus, creates a recording apparatus information table according to the device information, and performs recording. As a result, it is possible to realize a recording system and information processing means that do not require the creation and change of recording data by an operator even when the color configuration of ink ejected in the recording apparatus is changed.

(Second Embodiment)
Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the basic configuration of the present embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, and is omitted. Only the characteristic configuration will be described below.

  FIG. 7 shows a schematic configuration of the recording system of this embodiment in which one recording apparatus is arranged in the arrow α direction (column direction) and eight recording apparatuses are arranged in the arrow β direction (row direction) in order to perform high-speed recording. In the present embodiment, all the printing apparatuses are linearly arranged, and two printing apparatuses are configured so as to eject ink of the same color in order by eight printing apparatuses. The recording apparatuses 110 and 120 perform recording by ejecting cyan ink from the three recording heads. Similarly, the recording devices 130 and 140 eject magenta ink, the recording devices 150 and 160 eject yellow ink, and the recording devices 170 and 180 eject black ink.

  The recording data sent to each recording apparatus that ejects the same color ink is one of the recording data for one page divided into odd and even lines.

  In this embodiment, two recording apparatuses having the same color configuration are arranged in the arrow β direction (row direction). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and two or more recording apparatuses having the same color configuration are used. You may arrange.

  In this way, the information processing apparatus acquires device information from each recording apparatus, creates a recording apparatus information table according to the device information, and records two or more recording apparatuses having the same color configuration in the row direction. I do. As a result, it is possible to realize a recording system and information processing means that do not require the creation and change of recording data by an operator even when the color configuration of ink ejected in the recording apparatus is changed.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a recording system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic block diagram which shows a recording device. 6 is a flowchart for the information processing apparatus to read position and recording color information from the recording apparatus and recognize the quantity of the recording apparatuses. It is a figure which shows the structure of a recording device information table. 3 shows a flowchart for creating recording data of each recording device by a recording data creation program stored in the information processing device. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement sequence at the time of recording data being transferred to each recording device with the recording data creation program of information processing apparatus. It is a schematic block diagram of the recording system of 2nd Embodiment for performing high-speed recording.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Information processing apparatus 101 Communication interface 102 Paper feed part 103 Conveying part 104 Paper discharge part 110 Recording apparatus 120 Recording apparatus 130 Recording apparatus 140 Recording apparatus 150 Recording apparatus 160 Recording apparatus 170 Recording apparatus 180 Recording apparatus 1000 Recording system

Claims (14)

In a recording system comprising a plurality of recording units having a plurality of recording heads for ejecting ink, and information processing means for creating recording data for recording performed by the recording head,
The information processing means acquires device information including position information of the plurality of recording units and color information of the plurality of recording heads included in the plurality of recording units from the recording unit,
A recording system for generating recording data used for recording based on the device information.   The recording system according to claim 1, wherein the position information includes matrix information, arrangement order, and quantity information of the recording unit.   The recording according to claim 1, wherein the color information includes a quantity of the recording heads provided in the recording unit and a color of the ink ejected by the recording head. system.   4. The ink according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of recording heads included in one of the plurality of recording units discharges the same color. 5. Recording system described in.   4. The color of the ink ejected by each of the plurality of recording heads included in one of the plurality of recording units is different from each other. The recording system according to any one of the above.   6. The recording system according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of recording units are arranged in a staggered manner.   The recording system according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of recording units are arranged linearly. Information processing means connected via a plurality of recording units having a plurality of recording heads for ejecting ink,
Acquiring device information including position information of the plurality of recording units and color information of the plurality of recording heads included in the plurality of recording units from the recording unit;
Information processing means for generating recording data used for recording based on the device information.   The information processing means according to claim 8, wherein the position information includes matrix information, arrangement order, and quantity information of the recording unit.   10. The information according to claim 8, wherein the color information includes a quantity of the recording heads provided in the recording unit and a color of the ink ejected by the recording heads. Processing means.   11. The color of the ink ejected by each of the plurality of recording heads provided in one of the plurality of recording units is the same color. Information processing means described in 1.   11. The color of the ink ejected by each of the plurality of recording heads included in one of the plurality of recording units is different from each other. The information processing means according to any one of the above.   The information processing means according to any one of claims 8 to 12, wherein the plurality of recording units are arranged in a staggered pattern.   The information processing means according to any one of claims 8 to 12, wherein the plurality of recording units are arranged linearly.

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