JP2010137403A - Printing system, program, and printing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the throughput of an output image even in the case of forming an image using a plurality of dots. <P>SOLUTION: The printing system includes: a printer for performing a printing process using print data; and a printing control device that creates print data from image data and causes the printer to perform the printing process. The printer has a printing section that is configured so that a plurality of line heads in which a plurality of ink jet mechanisms are arranged in a main scanning direction are arranged in a sub-scanning direction and that can change the dot size of ink ejected for each line head. The printing control device has a first means for creating print data for each dot size from image data according to the characteristic of the printing process, and a second means for specifying the dot size of ink ejected by each line head and supplying print data corresponding to each line head specified in the dot size. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing system using a line head type printing apparatus, and more particularly to a printing system capable of changing a dot diameter.

  Conventionally, a line head printer in which nozzles for ejecting ink are arranged in the main scanning direction is known. In the line head printer, data expressed by gradation values is converted into print data expressed by the presence or absence of ink dots, and printing is performed on a medium using the print data.

A line head printer that can print on a medium by changing the dot size of ink is also known. In such a line head printer, it is necessary to supply the head module with data specifying the dot size in addition to the data specifying the presence / absence of dots (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2008-142934 A

  When a plurality of dot sizes can be changed, it is necessary to supply the head module with data for specifying the dot size in addition to the presence or absence of dots, and the amount of data to be transmitted increases. For this reason, when the resolution is improved using a plurality of dots, it is difficult to improve the throughput of the output image.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides a printing system, a program, and a printing apparatus capable of improving the throughput of an output image even when an image is formed using a plurality of dots. And

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention includes a printing apparatus that performs print processing using print data, and a print control apparatus that creates print data from image data and causes the printing apparatus to execute print processing. In the printing system, the printing apparatus arranges a plurality of line heads in which a plurality of ink ejection mechanisms are arranged in the main scanning direction in the sub-scanning direction, and changes the dot size of the ink ejected by each line head. A print execution unit capable of performing print processing, wherein the print control device includes: a first unit that creates print data for each dot size from the image data according to characteristics of the print processing; A second means for designating a dot size of the ink to be ejected and a line head to which print data for each dot size is supplied; It is constituted to execute a print process in accordance with a constant.

In the invention configured as described above, the first means in the print control device creates print data for each dot size from the image data according to the characteristics of the printing process, and the second means A dot size of ink ejected by the head is designated, and the print data corresponding to each line head designated with the dot size is supplied. In the printing apparatus, each line head of the print execution unit prints corresponding print data with the dot size specified by the second means.
Therefore, since the printing apparatus executes the printing process with the designated dot size after the dot size is designated in advance for each line head, it is not necessary to include data for designating the dot size in the print data. . As a result, it is possible to improve the throughput of the output image by reducing the amount of data while improving the resolution of the output image.

Further, as one aspect of the present invention, in the print execution unit, each line head and a head controller for controlling the line head are serially connected.
In the invention configured as described above, it is possible to improve the throughput of the output image by increasing the data transfer speed with respect to the printing apparatus in which the line head and the head controller are serially connected.

As one aspect of the present invention, as the print processing characteristics considered by the print control device, the first means may be configured to perform dot printing for all pixels when the print device performs print processing with priority on the print speed. The dot size is configured to increase the size.
Similarly, the first means configures the dot size so that the dot size of all the pixels is reduced when the printing apparatus performs the printing process in preference to improving the image quality of the output image.
In the invention configured as described above, it is possible to effectively cope with improvement in output speed or image quality of an output image.

Furthermore, as one aspect of the present invention, the second means increases the dot size of the ink in accordance with the ink ejection order when the printing apparatus performs printing processing with priority given to suppression of blurring on the paper. The line head is designated as follows.
In the invention configured as described above, it is possible to effectively cope with the suppression of the bleeding on the paper.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, a plurality of line heads having a plurality of ink ejection mechanisms arranged in the main scanning direction are arranged in the sub-operation direction, and printing is performed so that the dot size of ink ejected for each line head can be changed. A computer-readable program for causing a printing apparatus having a printing unit to execute a printing process, the first unit for creating print data for each dot size from the image data according to the characteristics of the printing process, and each line And a second means for designating a line head to which print data for each dot size is supplied.

  The present invention is effective only in the printing apparatus constituting the printing system. Therefore, as another aspect of the present invention, a plurality of line heads in which a plurality of ink ejection mechanisms are arranged in the main scanning direction are arranged in the sub scanning direction, and a printing process is performed by changing the dot size of the ink ejected by each line head. Possible print execution unit, print data for each dot size, receiving unit for receiving designation of each line head for printing the print data, and executing print processing with the designated dot size for each line head As described above, the data supply unit supplies print data corresponding to each dot size to each line head.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in the following order with reference to the drawings.
1. First embodiment:
2. Second embodiment:
3. Other embodiments:

1. First embodiment:
1.1. Summary of the invention:
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of a printing system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a printing system 100 as an embodiment. The printing system 100 includes a PC (printing control device) 90 for creating print data from image data, and a printer (printing device) 80 that performs printing processing on paper. Are connected via a high-speed interface 40 such as an optical network. Here, the printer 80 is a line head type printer, and forms dots on the paper by ejecting ink from the line heads 81 to 83 at a time in the main scanning direction.

Hereinafter, a schematic function of the printing system 100 will be described.
FIG. 2 is an image diagram for explaining the functions of the printing system 100. The PC 90 designates the dot size of the ink to be ejected to each line head of the printer 80, creates print data composed of different dots from the acquired image data, and each line head in which the dot size is designated. The print data corresponding to is supplied. In the printer 80, each line head performs print processing with a dot size designated using print data for each dot size. Therefore, print data that specifies only the presence or absence of dots according to each dot size is supplied.

  Normally, in order to cause the printer 80 to create an image composed of a plurality of dot sizes, it is necessary to add information representing the dot size to the print data in addition to the information representing the dot on / off. For example, when an image is represented by dot sizes of “large”, “medium”, and “small”, the print data has a total of 3 bits of 1 bit (dot on / off) + 2 bits (dot size) for each color system of CMYK. Necessary. However, in the printing system 100 according to the present invention, by designating in advance the dot size of the ink ejected by the line heads 81 to 83, the data for designating the dot size can be omitted from the print data. Therefore, even when an image composed of different dots is output, the amount of print data can be reduced, and the throughput of the output image can be improved. Hereinafter, the configurations of the printer 80 and the PC 90 constituting the printing system 100 will be described in more detail.

1.2. Printer configuration:
The printer 80 is connected to the line heads 81 to 83 for discharging ink, the head controllers 70 to 72 for driving the line heads 81 to 83, and the PC 90, and the main controller 60 for controlling each part of the printer 80. And a transport mechanism 50 for transporting the paper. The printer 80 has three line heads 81 to 83 arranged in the sub-scanning direction, and each line head 81 to 83 is connected to the head controllers 70 to 72 through the clock line 41 and the data line 42. Furthermore, the head controllers 70 to 72 are connected to the PC 90 via the main controller 60, and the main controller 60 supplies the print data output from the PC 90 to the head controllers 70 to 72. Therefore, the print head of the present invention is realized by the line heads 81 to 83, the head controller 70, and the main controller 60.

  The main part of the main controller 60 includes a distributor 61 that transmits print data supplied from the PC 90 to each head controller 70. The supplied print data of each dot size is sent to the corresponding head controllers 70 to 72. Send to.

  The head controller 70 includes a CPU 70a, a memory 70b for storing print data, and a print data transfer circuit 70c for transferring the print data stored in the memory 70b to the line heads 81 to 83 via the data line 42. is doing. The print data transfer circuit 70c digital / analog converts the print data input via the distributor 61 to generate a head drive waveform. The print data transfer circuit 70c transmits the head drive waveform to each head module of the line heads 81 to 83 in synchronization with the clock. Further, when the head controller 70 receives a signal designating the dot size of the ink ejected from the line heads 81 to 83 from the PC 90, the size designation signal for setting the dot size of the ink ejected to each of the line heads 81 to 83. Is output. The head controllers 71 and 72 have the same configuration, and the description thereof is omitted.

  The line heads 81 to 83 can change the ink recorded on the paper to different dot sizes of “large”, “medium”, and “small”. In the first embodiment, the line heads 81 to 83 can change the dot size of the ink ejected by the size designation signal output from the head controllers 70 to 72.

  FIG. 3 is a top view for explaining a line head 81 as an embodiment. The line head 81 is configured by arranging a plurality of head modules 81 (1) to 81 (n) in a crank shape in the main scanning direction. Each of the head modules 81 (1) to 81 (n) has a plurality of nozzles # 1 to #m (ejection mechanisms) that eject ink using piezoelectric elements in the main scanning direction. The head modules 81 (1) to 81 (n) are configured by arranging nozzles # 1 to #m in the sub-scanning direction for each color of CMYK. Here, a piezo element (not shown) is controlled by a head drive waveform output from the head controller 70 and ejects ink. Note that the line heads 82 and 83 have the same configuration and will not be described.

1.3. PC configuration:
The configuration of the PC 90 according to the first embodiment will be described in more detail. FIG. 4 is a block configuration diagram for explaining the configuration of the PC 90. The PC 90 includes a CPU, ROM, and RAM, and includes a main controller 91 that performs main control and an HDD 92 that stores a predetermined program. The main controller 91 also includes an operation input unit 93 that receives an operation input from the user, a display unit 95 that functions as a screen, an input IF 94 for acquiring image data from the outside, and an output IF 96 that outputs print data and the like. And are connected. The HDD 92 stores an application program (hereinafter referred to as AP) 92a and a printer driver program (hereinafter referred to as PD) 92b. The main controller 91 stores each program stored in the HDD 92. By executing this function, a function for causing the printer 80 to execute print processing is realized.

  The AP 92a causes the main controller 91 to realize a function of performing image processing so that the PD 92b can process image data acquired from the outside via the input IF 94. In addition, the AP 92a causes the main controller 91 to realize a function of performing image processing so that the display unit 95 can display the acquired image data.

  The PD 92b causes the main controller 91 to realize a function for causing the printer 80 to execute print processing according to the present invention, using the image data output from the AP 92a. That is, the main controller 91 creates print data for each dot size (first means), designates the dot size of the ink ejected by each line head 81 to 83 to the printer 80, and the line head 81. The print data corresponding to .about.83 are transmitted (second means). These functions are executed by the main controller 91 executing the PD 92b, and each of the mode setting module 91a, resolution conversion module 91b, color conversion module 91c, halftone module 91d, dot size / head association module 91e, and print data generation module 91f. It is realized by realizing the function.

  Hereinafter, the function of the main controller 91 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a block configuration diagram for explaining a logical configuration of the main controller 91. The mode setting module 91a specifies the dot size of the ejected ink to the line heads 81 to 83 of the printer 80 according to the mode selected by the user. In the present embodiment, three modes of “output speed priority mode”, “image quality priority mode”, and “bleeding suppression mode” can be set as print modes, and the mode setting module 91a performs the following according to the set mode: Set up.

  6, 7, and 8 are diagrams for explaining a print mode that can be realized by the PC 90 and a change in dot size when each mode is realized. FIG. 6 is an image diagram for explaining an output image when the “output speed priority mode” is selected. The printing speed is increased by reducing the number of dots by setting the dot size to “large”. FIG. 7 is an image diagram for explaining an output image when the “image quality priority mode” is selected, and the dot size is set to “small” to improve the resolution. Further, FIG. 8 is an image diagram for explaining an output image when the “bleeding suppression mode” is suppressed. By changing the recording order of large, medium, and small dots with different bleeding degrees on the paper, Suppresses bleeding.

  The resolution conversion module 91b performs processing for converting the resolution of the image data supplied from the AP 92a in accordance with the resolution of the printer 80.

  The color conversion module 91c performs processing for converting image data expressed in the RGB color system into image data in the CMYK color system with reference to the color conversion table.

  The halftone module 91d converts the image data expressed by the CMYK color system into bitmap data for each of three types of “large”, “medium”, and “small” designated by the mode setting module 91a. That is, in the “output speed priority mode” in which the throughput of the output image is prioritized, the bitmap data is created so that all the ink dot sizes are “large”. In addition, in the “image quality priority mode” in which priority is given to improving the output image quality, bitmap data is created so that all the ink dot sizes are “small”. Further, in the “bleeding suppression mode” for suppressing the bleeding of the output image on the paper, the bitmap data is created so that the “large”, “medium”, and “small” dots are recorded in a predetermined order.

  The dot size / head association module 91e sets which line head of the printer 80 is used to print the bitmap data for each dot size created by the halftone module 91d. Specifically, bitmap data representing each of the “large”, “medium”, and “small” dot sizes created by the halftone module 91d is supplied to the line head in which the mode setting module 91a designates the output dot size. Give data. This data is identified by the distributor 61 of the printer 80.

  The print data generation module 91f creates raster data representing data for one line at the time of main scanning from the bitmap data output from the dot size / head association module 91e, and outputs it as print data. Thereafter, the print data output from the print data generation module 91 f is supplied to the printer 80 via the output IF 96.

1.4. How the printing system works:
Hereinafter, functions of the printing system 100 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a flow until the PC 90 that has acquired the image data transmits print data to the printer 80. In FIG. 9, the description will focus on the processing of the printing system when the user selects the “bleeding suppression mode”.

  When the user operates the PC 90 to set the “bleeding suppression mode”, the mode setting module 91a accepts the selected mode (step S110).

  Further, the mode setting module 91a sets the dot size of the ink ejected by each line head 81-83 of the printer 80 according to the set mode (step S120). Specifically, the mode setting module 91a transmits size designation data for determining the ink size ejected by each line head to the printer 80 via the output IF 94.

  Here, since the user selects the “bleeding suppression mode”, the mode setting module 91a sets the dot size of the ink ejected by the line head 81 to “small” and the dot size of the ink ejected by the line head 82 to “ Size designation data is transmitted so that the dot size of the ink ejected by the line head 83 is “large” (steps 150 and 155). The processing in the printer 80 will be described in step S210 (described later) in FIG.

  When the user selects the “output speed priority mode” (step S130), the subsequent processes are controlled so that the dot sizes of the ink ejected from the line heads 81 to 83 all become “large” (step S135). . If the user selects the “image quality priority mode” (step S140), the subsequent processing is controlled so that all the dot sizes of the ink ejected from the line heads 81 to 83 are “large” (step S145). .

  The main controller 91 uses the functions of the resolution conversion module 91b and the color conversion module 91c to create bitmap data expressed in the CMYK color system from image data expressed in the RGB color system. Further, the halftone module 91d creates bitmap data corresponding to each dot of “large”, “medium”, and “small” according to the mode accepted by the mode setting module 91a (step S160).

  The dot size / head association module 91e converts the bit map data created in step S180 into bit data that designates the destination line head so as to correspond to the dot size ejected by each line head designated in step S120. Assigned to the top of the map data (step S170)

  The print data generation module 91f creates raster data from the bitmap data created in step S170 and transmits it as print data to the printer 80 via the IF (step S180). This is the process executed by the PC 90.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining processing executed by the printer 80.
First, the head controllers 70 to 72 set the dot sizes of ink ejected by the line heads 81 to 83 based on the size designation signal transmitted from the PC 90 in step S120 of FIG. 9 (step S210).

  Next, when the printer 80 receives the print data transmitted from the PC 90, the distributor 61 transmits the print data to each of the head controllers 70 to 72 according to the dot size represented by the print data (step S220). Specifically, the distributor 61 refers to the data given to the head of the print data, transmits the image data formed with the dot size “small” to the head controller 70, and is formed with the dot size “medium”. Image data to be transmitted to the head controller 71, and image data formed with a dot size “large” is transmitted to the head controller 73.

  Further, the main controller 60 starts the paper feeding by driving the transport mechanism 50 (step S230).

  The head controller 70 transmits the print data to the connected line head 81 (step S240). Specifically, the head controller 70 temporarily stores the received print data in the memory 70b in units of raster data. Next, the CPU 70a reads the raster data stored in the memory 70b, and creates a clock signal from this raster data. The print data transfer circuit 70c converts the raster data composed of bits per dot into analog data to generate a head drive waveform, and transmits the generated head drive waveform to each head module in synchronization with the clock.

  Here, since a head drive waveform that simply designates the presence or absence of dots is supplied from the head controller 70 to the line head 81, the amount of data for the line head 81 to eject ink of “small” dots is reduced. Data transfer speed can be increased. As a result, the printer 80 can improve the throughput of the output image. The other head controllers 71 and 72 also supply data to the line heads 82 and 83 by the same method.

  When the print data is transmitted from the head controllers 70 to 72 to the line heads 81 to 83, the line head 81 for forming small dots causes ink to be ejected onto the paper when the head drive waveform is high (step S250). Thereafter, ink is ejected onto the paper in the order of the line head 82 for forming medium dots (step S260) and the line head 83 for forming large dots (step S270). Therefore, ink is ejected onto the paper in the order of dot size “small”, “medium”, and “large”, and an image is formed. The first embodiment has been described above.

2. Second embodiment:
The relationship between the head controller of the printer 80 and the line head is not limited to the above. That is, only digital data may be supplied from the head controllers 70 to 72 to the line heads 81 to 83, and a head drive waveform may be generated by a digital / analog conversion circuit in the line head to eject ink. . Here, the throughput of the output image can be further improved by performing communication between the head controllers 70 to 72 and the line heads 81 to 83 using only digital data.

3. Other embodiments:
There are various embodiments of the present invention.
The number of line heads that eject ink is an example, and is not limited to the above three.
Further, the ink ejected by the line head is an example, and is not limited to the four colors CMYK.

Needless to say, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. That is, the mutually replaceable members and configurations disclosed in the above embodiments are applied by changing their combinations as appropriate. The members and configurations disclosed in the examples can be replaced with the members and configurations interchangeable with each other as appropriate, and the combination thereof is changed and applied. It is one of the present invention that a person skilled in the art can appropriately substitute the members and configurations that can be assumed as substitutes for the members and configurations disclosed in the above-described embodiments based on the above, and change the combination to apply. It is disclosed as an example.

1 is a block configuration diagram showing a printing system 100 as one embodiment. FIG. FIG. 2 is an image diagram for explaining functions of the printing system 100. It is a top view for demonstrating the line head 81 as one Embodiment. It is a block block diagram for demonstrating the structure of PC90. 3 is a block configuration diagram for explaining a logical configuration of a main controller 91. FIG. It is an image figure explaining the output image at the time of selecting "output speed priority mode". It is an image figure explaining an output picture at the time of selecting "image quality priority mode". It is an image figure explaining the output image at the time of suppressing "a blur suppression mode". 4 is a flowchart showing a flow until the PC 90 that has acquired image data transmits print data to the printer 80. 4 is a flowchart for explaining processing executed by a printer.

Explanation of symbols

40 ... High-speed interface, 41 ... Clock line, 42 ... Data line, 50 ... Transport mechanism, 60 ... Main controller, 61 ... Distributor, 70, 71, 72 ... Head controller, 70a ... CPU, 70b ... Memory, 70c ... Printing Data transfer circuit, 80 ... printer, 81, 82, 83 ... line head, 91 ... main controller, 91a ... mode setting module, 91b ... resolution conversion module, 91c ... color conversion module, 91d ... halftone module, 91e ... head compatible Attaching module, 91f ... print data generation module, 92a ... application program, 92b ... printer driver program, 93 ... operation input unit, 94 ... input IF, 95 ... display unit, 96 ... output IF, 100 ... printing system

Claims (7)

A printing system comprising: a printing apparatus that performs print processing using print data; and a print control apparatus that creates print data from image data and causes the printing apparatus to execute print processing;
The printing apparatus includes:
A plurality of line heads having a plurality of ink ejection mechanisms arranged in the main scanning direction are arranged in the sub scanning direction, and a print execution unit capable of performing print processing by changing the dot size of ink ejected for each line head,
The print control device includes:
First means for creating print data for each dot size from the image data in accordance with the characteristics of the printing process;
And a second means for designating a dot size of ink ejected by each line head and a line head to which print data for each dot size is supplied,
The printing system, wherein the printing execution unit executes a printing process according to the designation.   The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the print execution unit includes a serial connection of each line head and a head controller for controlling the line head.   2. The first means according to claim 1, wherein when the printing apparatus performs printing processing with priority on printing speed, the dot size is configured so that the dot size of all pixels is increased. The printing system according to 2.   The first means is configured to configure the dot size so that the dot size of all pixels is reduced when the printing apparatus performs print processing in preference to high image quality of an output image. The printing system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.   The second means is configured to designate the line head so that the dot size of the ink is increased according to the ink ejection order when the printing apparatus performs printing processing with priority given to suppression of blurring on the paper. The printing system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the printing system is characterized. A plurality of line heads having a plurality of ink ejection mechanisms arranged in the main scanning direction are arranged in the sub-operation direction, and a printing process is executed on a printing apparatus having a print execution unit capable of changing the dot size of ink ejected for each line head. A computer-readable program
First means for creating print data for each dot size from the image data in accordance with the characteristics of the printing process;
A computer-readable program comprising: a dot size of ink ejected by each line head; and second means for designating a line head to which print data for each dot size is supplied. A print execution unit capable of performing print processing by arranging a plurality of line heads in which a plurality of ink ejection mechanisms are arranged in the main scanning direction and changing the dot size of the ink ejected for each line head;
Print data for each dot size, and a receiving unit that receives designation of each line head for printing the print data;
And a data supply unit configured to supply print data corresponding to each dot size to each line head so that the print processing is executed with the designated dot size for each line head.