JP2016122224A - Printing system, printing method and printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printing system, a printing method and a printer capable of preventing degradation of printing quality due to a printer.SOLUTION: The host computer 3 divides a printing data into predetermined units and transmits the same. The host computer causes a printer 1 to receive the divided printing data and executes an image data generation processing to generate an image data based on the divided printing data and an image data transmission processing to transmit the generated image data, by a first processor. The host computer stops from assigning the first processor to the image data generation processing for a predetermined waiting period between an image data generation processing and the following image data generation processing.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing system, a printing method, and a printing apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known a printing apparatus (image forming apparatus) that executes printing by adjusting execution of processing for developing image data in accordance with the remaining capacity of a semiconductor image memory (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2004-276448 A

In an apparatus that processes image data and executes printing, such as a printing apparatus according to Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228688, for example, due to a delay in the transfer of image data, the image data transfer waiting state during the print scan of the print head Therefore, it is necessary to suppress a decrease in print quality due to the stop of the print head.
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a printing system, a printing method, and a printing apparatus that suppress a decrease in print quality of printing by a printing apparatus.

In order to achieve the above object, a printing system of the present invention is divided by a control device that divides and transmits first print data in predetermined units, a printing unit that prints on a recording medium, and a first processor. Image data that can receive the second print data and execute image data generation processing that generates image data based on the divided second print data and image data transfer processing that transmits the generated image data A printing apparatus having a print control unit that receives a transfer of the image data from the image data processing unit by the processing unit and a second processor, and controls the printing unit based on the image data to execute printing; And the image data processing unit of the printing apparatus generates the image data based on the divided second print data. And the image data generation process for generating the image data based on the second print data divided after the one divided second print data. In the meantime, the allocation of the first processor to the image data generation process is stopped.
According to the configuration of the present invention, it is possible to suppress a decrease in print quality of printing by a printing apparatus.

The printing system of the present invention is characterized in that the image data processing unit of the printing apparatus adjusts the length of the waiting time according to the status of the image data transfer process.
According to the configuration of the present invention, it is possible to improve the processing efficiency of the image data generation process and shorten the time required for the image data generation process.

In the printing system according to the aspect of the invention, the second print data may include compressed image data that has been compressed, and the control device may cause the size of the divided compressed image data to be smaller than a predetermined size. Further, the compressed image data is divided.
According to the configuration of the present invention, it is possible to make the size of the target of data to be compressed by the image data processing unit of the printing apparatus through the image data generation processing appropriate.

In the printing system of the present invention, the image data generation process includes a process of restoring the compressed image data.
According to the configuration of the present invention, with respect to a printing apparatus that executes an image data generation process including a process of restoring compressed image data and an image data transfer process in parallel, the print quality of printing by the printing apparatus is reduced. Can be suppressed.

Further, in the printing system of the present invention, the first processor executes the image data transfer process and the image data generation process alternately in a time division manner, so that the first print data based on the first print data is obtained. In the period for executing the second print data transfer process, the image data transfer process and the image data generation process are executed in parallel.
According to the configuration of the present invention, the first processor executes the image data transfer process and the image data generation process alternately in a time-sharing manner, thereby suppressing a decrease in print quality and performing these processes in parallel. Can be executed.

In order to achieve the above object, according to the printing method of the present invention, the control device divides the first print data by a predetermined unit and transmits it, and the printing device divides the first print data by the first processor. 2 print data, an image data generation process for generating image data based on the divided second print data, and an image data transfer process for transmitting the generated image data are executed. Between the image data generation process and the next image data generation process, the allocation of the first processor to the image data generation process is stopped for a predetermined waiting period.
According to the configuration of the present invention, it is possible to suppress a decrease in print quality of printing by a printing apparatus.

In order to achieve the above object, the printing apparatus of the present invention receives print data divided from an external device by a printing unit that prints on a recording medium and a first processor, and the divided print data And an image data processing unit capable of executing an image data generation process for generating image data based on the image data and an image data transfer process for transmitting the generated image data, and a second processor from the image data processing unit. A printing control unit that receives data and controls the printing unit based on the image data to execute printing, and the image data processing unit performs the image processing based on the divided print data. The image data is generated based on the image data generation processing for generating data and the divided print data next to the one divided print data. Between the image data generation processing for a predetermined waiting time, characterized by stopping the allocation of the first processor for said image data generation processing.
According to the configuration of the present invention, it is possible to suppress a decrease in print quality of printing by a printing apparatus.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment. The figure which shows roll paper. 1 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of each device of a printing system. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a main part of the printing apparatus. 6 is a flowchart illustrating operations of a host computer and a printing apparatus. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the printing apparatus. The figure which shows the memory area of DRAM. The figure which shows the utilization rate of the processor by the process. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the printing apparatus.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a main part of a printing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment.
In the description using FIG. 1, as indicated by an arrow, the direction toward the left in the figure is “front”, the direction toward the right in the figure is “rear”, and the direction “up” in the figure is upward. And the downward direction in the figure is “downward”.
The printing apparatus 1 is a serial inkjet printer. The printing apparatus 1 accommodates roll paper R (recording medium), feeds the roll paper R, and transports it in the transport direction H. The printing apparatus 1 performs printing by ejecting ink onto a roll paper R to be conveyed by a serial head 10 configured as a serial inkjet head.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the roll paper R accommodated in the printing apparatus 1.
The roll paper R shown in FIG. 2 is a label paper in which a plurality of labels R2 are attached to a strip-like release paper R1 at intervals. The back surface of the label R2 is a seal, and the label R2 can be peeled off from the release paper R1 along the frame. The length of the label R2 in the longitudinal direction is constant. Further, the interval between adjacent labels R2 is constant.
In the roll paper R, an area corresponding to the label R2 is an area where an image can be printed (area where dots can be formed). The printing apparatus 1 forms dots on the label R2 and prints an image using a combination of dots.
As shown in FIG. 2, on the back surface of the roll paper R, black marks BM, which are black marks, are formed corresponding to the labels R2.
The printing apparatus 1 can continuously print images on a plurality of labels R2 under the control of the host computer 3 described later.

  As illustrated in FIG. 1, the printing apparatus 1 includes a roll paper storage unit 11 that stores the roll paper R. In the following description, the roll-shaped part accommodated in the roll paper accommodating part 11 among roll paper R is expressed as "roll body RB." In addition, a portion of the roll paper R that is fed from the roll body RB accommodated in the roll paper accommodation unit 11 and conveyed is expressed as “conveyance roll paper RH”.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the printing apparatus 1 is formed with a conveyance path 13 that is a path along which the conveyance roll paper RH is conveyed. The transported roll paper RH fed out from the roll body RB is transported in the transport direction H along the transport path 13.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the transport path 13 is provided with three transport rollers 141, 142, and 143 from upstream to downstream in the transport direction H. Driven rollers 151, 152, and 153 that rotate following the rotation of the transport rollers 141, 142, and 143 are provided at positions that face the transport rollers 141, 142, and 143, respectively. The transport roll paper RH is sandwiched between transport rollers 141, 142, and 143 and driven rollers 151, 152, and 153, and transported in the transport direction H according to the rotation of the transport rollers 141, 142, and 143. The transport rollers 141, 142, and 143 are connected to the transport motor via a power transmission mechanism, and rotate according to the drive of the transport motor.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a guide member 17 is provided between a conveyance roller 141 provided on the most upstream side in the conveyance direction H and a conveyance roller 142 provided on the downstream side of the conveyance roller 141. The guide member 17 contacts the back surface of the transport roll paper RH and bends the transport roll paper RH fed upward toward the front. The guide member 17 applies tension to the transport roll paper RH by contacting and bending the transport roll paper RH, and suppresses the occurrence of slackness of the transport roll paper RH.

  A black mark sensor 18 is provided downstream of the transport roller 142 in the transport direction H. The black mark sensor 18 is a sensor that optically detects the black mark BM formed on the back surface of the roll paper R. Based on the detection value of the black mark sensor 18, the control unit 30 (FIG. 3) detects that when the black mark BM is located at the detection position of the sensor. The control unit 30 manages the position of the roll paper R based on the detection result.

A transport roller 143 is provided downstream of the black mark sensor 18 in the transport direction H, and a printing unit 19 is provided downstream of the transport roller 143.
The printing unit 19 includes a carriage 20 and a serial head 10 mounted on the carriage 20.
The carriage 20 is supported by a carriage shaft 20a extending in the scanning direction Y intersecting the transport direction H, and scans the serial head 10 in the scanning direction Y along the carriage shaft 20a.
The serial head 10 is an inkjet head, and includes a nozzle array of a plurality of colors (for example, four colors of CYMK). The serial head 10 receives ink supplied from an ink cartridge (not shown), discharges ink from the nozzles provided in each nozzle row, forms dots on the transport roll paper RH, and prints an image.

  A cutter unit 21 is provided downstream of the printing unit 19 in the transport direction H. The cutter unit 21 includes a fixed blade 22 and a movable blade 23 that can move so as to cross the fixed blade 22. The cutter unit 21 moves the movable blade 23 to cut the transport roll paper RH.

  A paper discharge port 24 is provided downstream of the cutter unit 21 in the transport direction H. The transported roll paper RH is discharged out of the casing of the printing apparatus 1 through the paper discharge port 24.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the printing system 2 according to the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 3, the printing system 2 includes a printing apparatus 1 and a host computer 3 (control apparatus) that is connected to the printing apparatus 1 and controls the printing apparatus 1.

  As illustrated in FIG. 3, the printing apparatus 1 includes a control unit 30, a printing unit 31, an input unit 36, a notification unit 37, a communication unit 38, and a storage unit 39.

  The control unit 30 includes an SOC (System on a chip) 301 (integrated circuit) (FIG. 4), a ROM, a RAM, and other control circuits, and controls the printing apparatus 1. The control unit 30 controls the printing apparatus 1 by functions of the first processor unit P1 (first processor) and the second processor unit P2 (second processor) mounted on the SOC 301. The SOC 301 will be described later.

The printing unit 31 includes a printing mechanism 311, a transport mechanism 312, and a cutting mechanism 313.
The printing mechanism 311 includes a serial head 10, a head drive circuit that drives the serial head 10, a carriage 20, a carriage movement motor that moves the carriage 20, a motor drive circuit that drives the carriage movement motor, and the like. The printing mechanism 311 prints an image by forming dots on the label R2 under the control of the control unit 30.
The transport mechanism 312 includes transport rollers 141, 142, and 143, a transport motor that rotates the transport rollers, a motor drive circuit that drives the transport motor, and the like. The transport mechanism 312 transports the roll paper R under the control of the control unit 30.
The cutting mechanism 313 includes a cutter unit 21, a cutter drive motor that moves the movable blade 23 included in the cutter unit 21, a motor drive circuit that drives the cutter drive motor, and the like. The cutting mechanism 313 cuts the roll paper R under the control of the control unit 30.

  The input unit 36 includes an operation switch provided on the casing of the printing apparatus 1. The input unit 36 detects an operation on the operation switch and outputs a signal indicating the detected operation to the control unit 30. The control unit 30 executes processing corresponding to the operation in response to an input from the input unit 36.

The notification unit 37 includes an LED unit 371 and a display unit 372.
The LED unit 371 includes a plurality of LEDs. The LED unit 371 turns on / off a plurality of LEDs in a predetermined manner under the control of the control unit 30, and notifies the operation mode and the state of the printing apparatus 1 such as whether or not an error has occurred.
The display unit 372 includes a liquid crystal display panel. The display unit 372 displays information on the display unit 372 under the control of the control unit 30.

  The communication unit 38 communicates with the host computer 3 according to a predetermined communication standard under the control of the control unit 30. Data received from the host computer 3 by the communication unit 38 is sequentially stored in the reception buffer 381 (FIG. 4).

  The storage unit 39 includes a memory and stores various data. The storage unit 39 includes a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) 391 (FIG. 4) such as a DDR-SDRAM (Double Data Rate SDRAM).

  Further, as described above, the printing apparatus 1 includes the black mark sensor 18. The black mark sensor 18 outputs the detection value to the control unit 30 at a predetermined cycle. Based on the input from the black mark sensor 18, the control unit 30 detects that the black mark BM is located at the detection position of the black mark sensor 18.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the host computer 3 includes a control device control unit 50, a control device input unit 51, a control device display unit 52, a control device storage unit 53, and a control device communication unit 54.

  The control device control unit 50 includes a CPU, ROM, RAM, other control circuits, and the like, and controls the host computer 3.

  The control device input unit 51 is connected to an input device such as a keyboard or a mouse, detects an input from the input device, and outputs it to the control device control unit 50. The control device control unit 50 executes processing corresponding to the input based on the input from the control device input unit 51.

  The control device display unit 52 is connected to a display device such as a liquid crystal display panel, and displays various types of information on the display device under the control of the control device control unit 50.

  The control device storage unit 53 includes a nonvolatile memory and stores various data.

  The control device communication unit 54 communicates with the printing device 1 according to a predetermined communication standard under the control of the control device control unit 50.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a main part including the SOC 301 of the printing apparatus 1.
As shown in FIG. 4, the SOC 301 includes a first processor unit P1 and a second processor unit P2.

The first processor unit P1 includes a first processor mounted on the SOC 301, and executes processing by the function of the non-real-time OS related program LPG. The non-real-time OS related program LPG is a program related to Linux (registered trademark), which is a non-real-time OS, and a program operating on Linux, and is installed in the printing apparatus 1 in advance.
The first processor unit P1 includes an image data processing unit P11. The function of the image data processing unit P11 and processing based on the function will be described later.

The second processor unit P2 has a second processor mounted on the SOC 301, and executes processing by the function of the real-time OS related program RPG. The real-time OS related program RPG is a program related to a predetermined real-time OS and a program that operates on the predetermined real-time OS, and is installed in the printing apparatus 1 in advance.
The second processor unit P2 includes a print control unit P21. The function of the print control unit P21 and processing based on the function will be described later.

  As shown in FIG. 4, a reception buffer 381, a DRAM 391, and a printing unit 31 are communicably connected to the first processor unit P1 and the second processor unit P2 via a bus BUS.

Next, operations of the host computer 3 and the printing apparatus 1 when images are continuously printed on the plurality of labels R2 of the roll paper R will be described.
In the following description, an image printed on one label R2 is expressed as a “label image”.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating operations of the host computer 3 and the printing apparatus 1 when images are continuously printed on the plurality of labels R2 of the roll paper R. 5A shows the operation of the host computer 3, FIG. 5B shows the operation of the first processor unit P1 of the printing apparatus 1, and FIG. 5C shows the operation of the second processor unit P2 of the printing apparatus 1.

The control device control unit 50 of the host computer 3 sequentially sets a plurality of labels R2 on which the label images are printed in sequence in the order of printing the label images.
As shown in FIG. 5A, the control device control unit 50 acquires compressed image data of a label image to be printed on the label R2 to be processed (step SA1).
The compressed image data is a PNG file (file format is PNG (Portable Network Graphics) data) obtained by compressing the image data of the label image with a predetermined compression algorithm. The image data of the label image before compression is bitmap data that holds information about the color as gradation values for each of the RGB dots.

  In the present embodiment, the compressed image data acquired in step SA1 corresponds to “first print data”.

Next, the control device control unit 50 divides the compressed image data acquired in step SA1 so that the size of the compressed image data after division is smaller than a predetermined size (step SA2).
In the following description, each of the compressed image data divided by the control device control unit 50 is expressed as “divided compressed image data”. The divided compressed image data corresponds to “second print data”.

  In the present embodiment, the process of step SA2 corresponds to a process of dividing print data by a predetermined unit.

  Next, the control device control unit 50 controls the control device communication unit 54 to transmit each of the divided compressed image data to the printing device 1 in order (step SA3).

  As described above, in this embodiment, the control device control unit 50 generates divided compressed image data by dividing the compressed image data related to the label image by a predetermined unit, instead of transmitting the compressed image data to the printing device 1 as it is. Each of the divided compressed image data is transmitted. The effect of this will be described later.

After transmitting each of the divided compressed image data, the control device control unit 50 determines whether or not there is a label R2 not to be processed (step SA4).
When there is a label R2 not to be processed (step SA4: YES), the control device control unit 50 returns the processing procedure to step SA1.
When there is no label R2 not to be processed (step SA4: NO), the control device control unit 50 ends the process.

  As shown in FIG. 5B, in response to the transmission of the divided compressed image data by the host computer 3, the communication unit 38 of the printing apparatus 1 receives each of the divided compressed image data in order (step SB1). Each of the divided compressed image data received by the communication unit 38 is stored in the reception buffer 381 in order.

In response to the reception of the divided compressed image data, the image data processing unit P11 of the first processor unit P1 executes image data processing (step SB2).
Hereinafter, the image data processing in step SB2 will be described in detail.

In the image data processing in step SB2, the image data processing unit P11 executes image data decompression processing and image data transfer processing in parallel. The image data decompression process includes an image data generation process, as will be described later.
First, each of the image data decompression process and the image data transfer process will be described, and then the execution of these processes in parallel will be described.

<Image data decompression process>
The image data decompression process will be described.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the image data processing unit P11 when executing the image data decompression process.
In the image data decompression process, the image data processing unit P11 of the first processor unit P1 processes each of the divided compressed image data stored in the reception buffer 381 in the order stored in the buffer.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the image data processing unit P11 reads out the divided compressed image data to be processed from the reception buffer 381 (step SD1).

Next, the image data processing unit P11 executes image data generation processing for decompressing the read divided compressed image data and generating corresponding image data (bitmap data) (step SD2).
Hereinafter, the image data generated by decompressing the divided compressed image data by the image data generation processing in step SD2 is expressed as “divided decompressed image data”.

The image data generation process in step SD2 is performed as follows.
That is, the image data processing unit P11 generates divided decompressed image data based on the divided compressed image data by using a function of a predetermined library (hereinafter referred to as “dedicated library”) that operates on Linux.
The dedicated library is a program that receives divided compressed image data as an input and outputs divided decompressed image data as an output. The dedicated library has a function of decompressing the input divided compressed image data according to a predetermined decompression algorithm to generate divided decompressed image data, and outputting the generated divided decompressed image data.

In step SD2, the image data processing unit P11 calls a dedicated library. In response to the calling of the dedicated library, a corresponding process (hereinafter referred to as “image data generation processing process”) is started, and the first processor is assigned to the process.
Next, the image data processing unit P11 outputs the divided compressed image data read from the reception buffer 381 in step SD1 to a dedicated library. The dedicated library decompresses the input divided compressed image data to generate divided decompressed image data, and outputs it to the image data processing unit P11.

  Here, the dedicated library has the following characteristics. That is, the dedicated library, when compressed image data is input, decompresses the image data and outputs the decompressed image data to the processor (first processor) corresponding process. (Image data generation processing process) is used exclusively. Therefore, in step SD2, after the compressed compressed image data is input to the dedicated library, the first processor occupies the first processor by the image data generation process until the dedicated library outputs the divided decompressed image data. used.

  After the generation of the divided decompressed image data based on the divided compressed image data, the image data processing unit P11 cancels the calling of the dedicated library and stops the image data generation processing process (step SD3).

  Next, the image data processing unit P11 stores the generated divided decompressed image data in a predetermined storage area of the DRAM 391 (step SD4).

FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically showing a storage area of the DRAM 391.
As shown in FIG. 7, the storage area of the DRAM 391 is divided into three areas: a first processor area A1, a shared area A2, and a second processor area A3.
The first processor area A1 is a storage area where the first processor unit P1 can execute data writing and reading.
The shared area A2 is a storage area in which both the first processor unit P1 and the second processor unit P2 can execute data writing and reading.
The second processor area A3 is an area in which the second processor unit P2 can execute writing and reading of data.

In step SD4, the image data processing unit P11 stores the divided decompressed image data in the first processor area A1 of the DRAM 391 in the following manner.
That is, with respect to the divided decompressed image data based on the divided compressed image data to be processed first, the divided compressed image data is stored in a predetermined area of the first processor area A1. With respect to the divided decompressed image data based on the divided compressed image data to be processed after the second, the divided decompressed image data is stored in an area continuous with the area where the previously stored divided decompressed image data is stored. .
By storing the divided decompressed image data in the first processor area A1, the divided decompressed image data is stored in the first processor area A1 based on all the divided compressed image data related to one label image. Then, each of the divided and decompressed image data continues in the region, and constitutes image data of bitmap data corresponding to the one label image (hereinafter referred to as “label image data”).

  After storing the divided decompressed image data in the first processor area A1, the image data processing unit P11 determines whether there is any divided compressed image data that is not a processing target (= the divided compressed image data that has not been read from the reception buffer 381). Whether or not) (step SD5).

  When there is no divided compressed image data not to be processed (step SD5: YES), the image data processing unit P11 executes an image data transfer process (step SD6). The image data transfer process will be described later.

When there is divided compressed image data not to be processed (step SD5: NO), the image data processing unit P11 reads and compresses the divided compressed image data stored in the reception buffer 381 during a predetermined standby time TT1. The process waits without executing a call to the dedicated library accompanying the reading of the compressed image data (step SD7).
As a result of executing the process of step SD7, the assignment of the first processor to the image data generation process based on the dedicated library is stopped for at least a predetermined waiting period.
The length of the standby time TT1 will be described later.

  After waiting for a predetermined waiting time TT1, the image data processing unit P11 returns the processing procedure to step SD1, and reads out the divided compressed image data to be processed next.

As described above, in the present embodiment, a period in which the first processor is not allocated to the process between the image data generation process based on the image data generation process based on the dedicated library and the image data generation process. Provided. As a result, the manner of use of the first processor by the image data generation process is as follows, for example.
FIG. 8A is a diagram schematically showing the usage rate of the first processor by the image data generation process in a manner suitable for explanation, with the passage of time as the horizontal axis.
In FIG. 8A, there are four pieces of divided compressed image data relating to one label image, ie, first divided compressed image data to fourth divided compressed image data. Based on the fourth divided compressed image data, an example of sequentially generating four divided decompressed image data (first to fourth divided decompressed image data) represents the usage rate of the first processor by the process. .

As shown in FIG. 8A, a period between timing T1 and timing T2 (hereinafter referred to as “timing T1-T2 period”. Hereinafter, timing 1 shown in FIG. 8 and other timings are shown. The first processor is assigned to the image data generation process, and the first divided decompressed image data is generated based on the first divided compressed image data.
Next, the process of step SD7 is executed, and the allocation of the first processor to the image data generation process is stopped in the period of timing T2-T3.
Next, the first processor is assigned to the image data generation processing process at the timing T3-T4, and the second divided decompressed image data is generated based on the second divided compressed image data.
Next, in the period of timing T4-T5, the allocation of the first processor to the image data generation process is stopped.
Next, the first processor is assigned to the image data generation processing process at timing T5-T6, and the third divided decompressed image data is generated based on the third divided compressed image data.
Next, in the period of timing T6-T7, the allocation of the first processor to the image data generation process is stopped.
Next, the first processor is assigned to the image data generation process in the period of timing T7 to T8, and the fourth divided decompressed image data is generated based on the fourth divided compressed image data.
As described above, an effect obtained by providing a period during which no allocation is performed between the image data generation process by the image data generation process and the image data generation process will be described later.

<Image data transfer process>
Next, the image data transfer process will be described.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operations of the image data processing unit P11 of the first processor unit P1 and the print control unit P21 of the second processor unit P2 during execution of the image data transfer process. The operation of the processing unit P11 and (B) shows the operation of the print control unit P21.

  As described above, in the image data transfer process, the generation of the divided decompressed image data based on all the divided compressed image data related to one label image is completed, and the one label is added to the predetermined area of the first processor area A1. Execution is triggered by the storage of image data (label image data) corresponding to the image.

  In the image data transfer process, the image data processing unit P11 starts a process for executing the image data transfer process (hereinafter referred to as “image data transfer process”). Then, the image data processing unit P11 sequentially processes the data for each size corresponding to the size of the shared area A2 for the label image data stored in the first processor area A1 by the image data transfer process. The process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 9A is executed.

  As shown in FIG. 9A, the image data processing unit P11, for the label image data stored in the first processor area A1, has a size corresponding to the size of the shared area A2 in the untransferred label image data. (Hereinafter referred to as “transfer image data”), and the transfer image data to be processed is read out.

Next, the image data processing unit P11 writes the transfer image data read in step SE1 in the shared area A2 (step SE2).
Next, the image data processing unit P11 communicates with the print control unit P21 between the processors, and notifies the print control unit P21 that the transfer image data has been written in the shared area A2 (step SE3).

Next, the image data processing unit P11 determines whether there is untransferred label image data for the label image data stored in the first processor area A1 (step SE4).
If there is no untransferred label image data (step SE4: NO), the image data processing unit P11 ends the process.
When there is untransferred label image data (step SE4: YES), the image data processing unit P11 returns the processing procedure to step SE1 and executes reading of transfer image data.

As shown in FIG. 9B, upon receiving the notification output by the image data processing unit P11 in step SE3, the print control unit P21 reads the transfer image data written in the shared area A2 (step SF1).
Next, the print controller P21 stores the transfer image data read from the shared area A2 in a predetermined storage area of the second processor area A3 (step SF2).
In step SF2, the print control unit P21 stores the transfer image data in the second processor area A3 in the following manner.
That is, for the transfer image data read from the shared area A2 based on the notification at the first step SE2, the transfer image data is stored in a predetermined area of the second processor area A3. With respect to the transfer image data read from the shared area A2 based on the notification in the second and subsequent steps SE2, the transfer image data is stored in an area continuous with the area in which the transfer image data stored immediately before is stored.

As described above, in the image data transfer process, the label image data stored in the first processor area A1 is stored in the second processor area A3 via the shared area of the DRAM 391.
Hereinafter, the label image data stored in the first processor area A1 is stored in the second processor area A3 via the shared area of the DRAM 391 as appropriate from the first processor section P1 to the second processor section P2. "Transfer label image data".

<Description of Execution of Image Data Decompression Processing and Image Data Transfer Processing in Parallel in Image Data Processing in Step SB2 of FIG. 5B>
The image data processing unit P11 executes the image data decompression process and the image data transfer process described above in parallel in the same period in the following cases.
That is, this is a case where the printing apparatus 1 receives each of the divided compressed image data related to the next label image from the host computer 3 while executing the image data transfer process for the label image data related to the one label image.
In such a case, the first processor is used in a time-sharing manner for the image data transfer process for one label and the image data decompression process for the next label. As a result, during the period in which the image data transfer process for one label for which the decompression process has been completed is executed, the image data transfer process and the image data decompression process for the next label are executed in parallel.

While the image data decompression process and the image data transfer process are executed in parallel, the manner of use of the first processor by the image data transfer process is as follows, for example.
FIG. 8B is a diagram schematically showing the usage rate of the first processor in the image data transfer processing process in a mode suitable for explanation, with the passage of time as the horizontal axis.
The passage of time indicated by the horizontal axis in FIG. 8A and the passage of time indicated by the horizontal axis in FIG. 8B are synchronized. For example, timing T1 shown in FIG. The timing T1 shown in FIG. 8B is the same timing.

In FIG. 8, a period from timing T1 to T8 is a period in which the image data decompression process and the image data transfer process are executed in parallel.
As described above, in the image data decompression process, a period during which no first processor is assigned to the image data generation process is provided between one image data generation process and the next image data process. .
As a result, it is possible to assign the first processor to the image data transfer process in a period in which the first processor is not assigned to the image data generation process. In this period, the first processor to the image data transfer process is assigned. One processor is assigned.
In the example of FIG. 8B, the first processor can be allocated to the image data transfer process for the timing T2-T3 period, the timing T4-T5 period, and the timing T6-T7 period. The first processor is assigned to the image data transfer process.

As described above, a period in which the first processor is not assigned to the image data generation process is provided between one image data generation process and the next image data process, and the image data transfer process is performed during the period. A first processor assignment to is made. Thereby, the following effects are produced.
That is, conventionally, the host computer 3 transmits the compressed image data relating to one label image to the printing apparatus 1 without dividing it. The image data processing unit P11 of the printing apparatus 1 decompresses the compressed image data that has not been divided by a series of processes by an image data generation process based on a dedicated library. As described above, when there is input of compressed image data, the dedicated library decompresses the image data and generates the image data until the decompressed image data is output. It has the property of being used exclusively by the processing process. Therefore, conventionally, the first processor is exclusively used by the image data generation process while decompressing the compressed image data that has not been divided by the function of the dedicated library, and the image data transfer process The first processor assignment could not be made. For this reason, conventionally, there has been a case where a delay in the transfer of the label image data from the first processor unit P1 to the second processor unit P2 occurs due to the execution of the image data decompression process. When a delay in the transfer of the label image data occurs, there is a possibility that the print quality is deteriorated due to the intermittent printing of the image printing by the printing unit 31 and the generation of white stripes accompanying the intermittent printing.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, since the first processor can be assigned to the image data transfer process even during the execution of the image data decompression process, the image data decompression process is executed. Thus, it is possible to suppress a delay in the transfer of the label image data from the first processor unit P1 to the second processor unit P2, and to suppress a decrease in print quality.

<Description of length of standby time TT1>
Here, the length of the standby time TT1 will be described.
The printing apparatus 1 has, as operation modes, a first mode in which the length of the standby time TT1 is predetermined and a second mode in which the length of the standby time TT1 is dynamically determined.

  In the first mode, the length of the waiting time TT1 is determined in advance from the viewpoint of suppressing the deterioration of the printing quality of the printing of the printing apparatus 1 under a prior experiment or simulation.

In the second mode, the length of the standby time TT1 is dynamically determined according to the load status of the image data transfer process executed in parallel with the image data decompression process. That is, in the second mode, the image data processing unit P11 adjusts the length of the standby time TT1 according to the status of the image data transfer process.
For example, the image data processing unit P11 determines that the waiting time increases as the number of data that has not been transferred among the label image data to be transferred from the first processor unit P1 to the second processor unit P2 by the image data transfer process. The length of the waiting time TT1 is dynamically determined so that the length of TT1 becomes longer. The relationship between the data amount of the label image data that has not been transferred and the length of the waiting time TT1 is based on prior experiments and simulations from the viewpoint of suppressing a decrease in print quality of printing by the printing apparatus 1. Determined.
According to the second mode, it is possible to prevent the standby time TT1 from becoming unnecessarily long, to improve the processing efficiency of the image data decompression process (image data generation process), and to the image data decompression process (image data generation process). The time required can be shortened.

  As shown in FIG. 5C, when the transfer of the label image data from the first processor unit P1 to the second processor unit P2 is completed, the print control unit P21 executes the following processing (step SC1). . That is, the print control unit P21 performs necessary processing such as resolution conversion processing, color correction processing, halftone processing, and rasterization processing on the label image data to generate ink amount data. The ink amount data is data indicating, as a gradation value, the ink discharge amount for each ink color included in the printing apparatus 1 for each dot constituting the image printed on the label R2. Next, the print control unit P21 develops the ink amount data in a buffer (not shown), controls the printing unit 31 based on the developed ink amount data, and prints the label image on the label R2.

As described above, the printing system 2 according to the present embodiment includes the host computer 3 (control device) and the printing device 1.
The host computer 3 divides the compressed image data (print data) by a predetermined unit and transmits it.
The printing apparatus 1 also includes a printing unit 31 that prints on the roll paper R (recording medium). The printing apparatus 1 receives the divided compressed image data by the first processor included in the first processor unit P1, and generates the divided decompressed image data based on the divided compressed image data and the generated divided data. An image data processing unit P11 capable of executing in parallel the image data transfer process for transmitting the decompressed image data to the second processor unit P2. Further, the printing apparatus 1 receives transfer of label image data constituted by the divided decompressed image data from the image data processing unit P11 by the second processor included in the second processor unit P2, and prints the printing unit based on the label image data. A print control unit P21 that controls the printer 31 and executes printing is provided. Then, the image data processing unit P11 of the printing apparatus 1 allocates the first processor to the image data generation process during a predetermined waiting time between one image data generation process and the next image data generation process. To stop.
According to this configuration, it is possible to assign the first processor to the image data transfer process in a period in which the first processor is not assigned to the image data generation process, and to the image data transfer process in the period. The first processor is assigned. Thereby, the delay of the transfer of the label image data from the first processor unit P1 to the second processor unit P2 due to the execution of the image data decompression process can be suppressed, and the deterioration of the print quality can be suppressed.

In the present embodiment, in the second mode, the image data processing unit P11 adjusts the length of the standby time TT1 according to the status of the image data transfer process.
According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent the standby time TT1 from becoming unnecessarily long, improve the processing efficiency of the image data decompression process, and shorten the time required for the image data decompression process.

In the present embodiment, the host computer 3 divides the compressed image data so that the size of the divided compressed image data is smaller than a predetermined size.
According to this configuration, the printing apparatus 1 sets the size of the divided compressed image data to be decompressed to an appropriate size smaller than a predetermined size, and the image data generation process is unnecessarily long and occupies the first processor. Can be prevented.

The above-described embodiment is merely an aspect of the present invention, and can be arbitrarily modified and applied within the scope of the present invention.
For example, in the above-described embodiment, the image data generation process is a process of decompressing compressed image data. However, the image data generation process is not limited to the process of decompressing the compressed image data. For example, the image data generation process is a process for generating image data based on a control command as print data, or a character code is converted into font data to generate an image. Other processes such as a process of generating data may be used.
Further, for example, in the above-described embodiment, the printing apparatus 1 is an ink jet printer. However, the printing method of the printing apparatus 1 is not limited to the ink jet method, and other methods such as a thermal method and a dot impact method may be used. Also good.
Further, for example, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the printing apparatus 1 prints an image on the label R2 of the roll paper R is exemplified, but the type of the recording medium on which the printing apparatus 1 prints an image, and the printing on the recording medium. The method is not limited to that illustrated.
Further, for example, each functional block described with reference to the drawings can be arbitrarily realized by hardware and software, and does not suggest a specific hardware configuration.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Printing apparatus, 2 ... Printing system, 3 ... Host computer (control apparatus), 31 ... Printing part, P1 ... 1st processor part (1st processor), P11 ... Image data processing part, P2 ... 2nd processor part (Second processor), P21 ... print control unit, R ... roll paper (recording medium).

Claims (7)

A control device for dividing and transmitting the first print data in predetermined units;
A printing section for printing on a recording medium,
Image data generation processing for receiving the divided second print data by the first processor and generating image data based on the divided second print data, and image data for transmitting the generated image data An image data processing unit capable of executing transfer processing; and
A printing apparatus having a print control unit that receives the transfer of the image data from the image data processing unit by the second processor and controls the printing unit based on the image data to execute printing;
The image data processing unit of the printing apparatus includes:
The image data generation processing for generating the image data based on the one divided second print data, and the second print divided after the first divided second print data A printing system characterized by stopping allocation of the first processor to the image data generation process during a predetermined waiting time with the image data generation process for generating the image data based on data . The image data processing unit of the printing apparatus includes:
The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the length of the waiting time is adjusted according to the status of the image data transfer process. The second print data includes compressed image data that has been compressed,
The controller is
The printing system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the compressed image data is divided so that a size of the divided compressed image data is smaller than a predetermined size.   The printing system according to claim 3, wherein the image data generation process includes a process of restoring the compressed image data. The first processor performs the transfer process of the second print data based on the first print data by alternately executing the image data transfer process and the image data generation process in a time division manner. 5. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the image data transfer process and the image data generation process are executed in parallel during the execution period. In the control device, the first print data is divided and transmitted in predetermined units,
In the printing apparatus, the first processor receives the divided second print data, generates image data based on the divided second print data, and the generated image data. The image data transfer process to be transmitted is executed, and the first image data generation process is performed between the first image data generation process and the next image data generation process for a predetermined waiting period. A printing method characterized by stopping the allocation of processors. A printing section for printing on a recording medium;
An image data generation process for receiving print data divided from an external device by the first processor, generating image data based on the divided print data, and an image data transfer process for transmitting the generated image data; An image data processing unit capable of executing
A second control unit that receives the image data from the image data processing unit and controls the printing unit based on the image data to execute printing;
The image data processing unit
The image data generation process for generating the image data based on the one divided print data, and the image data is generated based on the print data divided next to the one divided print data The printing apparatus, wherein the assignment of the first processor to the image data generation process is stopped for a predetermined waiting time between the image data generation process and the image data generation process.

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