JP2016172417A - Droplet discharge device and droplet discharge method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a droplet discharge device that properly performs preliminary discharge (nozzle flushing) corresponding to an image to be printed and a layout of the image.SOLUTION: A droplet discharge device 1 discharges a droplet to a print medium to form an image thereon. The droplet discharge device includes: a nozzle for discharging the droplet; a printer control part 111 controlling the nozzle to perform the preliminary discharge on the basis of a designated preliminary discharge specification; and an input device 112 for receive a designation of the preliminary discharge specification.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a droplet discharge device and a droplet discharge method.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a droplet discharge device that forms an image by discharging droplets onto a print medium, for example, an ink jet printer including a plurality of nozzles that discharge ink droplets is known. Inkjet printers do not eject ink from a specific nozzle for a certain period of time, causing the ink in the nozzle to thicken, resulting in deterioration of ejection characteristics or failure of ejection. In some cases, the print quality may deteriorate. In order to prevent such a decrease in print quality, for example, Patent Document 1 describes a technique for performing preliminary discharge in a region other than a region where an image is formed (for example, a position where a continuous sheet is cut). Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228561 describes a technique for performing preliminary ejection in an area where an image is formed (on an actual image).

JP 2008-36825 A JP 2007-144681 A

  However, in the case of the method according to the technique described in Patent Document 1, when there are few areas where images are not formed and it is necessary to perform printing continuously for a long time, it is necessary and sufficient for spare nozzles that are not used. There existed a subject that discharge may not be performed. Further, in the method based on the technique described in Patent Document 2, depending on the image to be formed, the image quality is deteriorated by the preliminary ejection, or sufficient preliminary ejection is performed if the amount of preliminary ejection is reduced to maintain the image quality. There was a problem that it may become impossible to perform. That is, depending on the image to be printed, there is a case where necessary and sufficient preliminary discharge cannot be performed, and there is a problem that deterioration in print quality is unavoidable.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to solve at least a part of the problems described above, and the invention can be implemented as the following application examples or forms.

  Application Example 1 A liquid droplet ejection apparatus according to this application example is a liquid droplet ejection apparatus that forms an image by ejecting liquid droplets onto a print medium, the nozzle ejecting the liquid droplets, and the nozzle On the other hand, a control unit that performs preliminary ejection based on the designated preliminary ejection specification and an input unit that receives designation of the preliminary ejection specification are provided.

  According to this application example, since the droplet discharge device includes the input unit that receives the specification of the preliminary discharge specification, it is possible to specify a more appropriate preliminary discharge specification depending on the image to be printed. As a result, the preliminary ejection can be performed without being limited to the preliminary ejection method specified in advance, and it is possible to suppress the deterioration of the print quality.

  Application Example 2 In the liquid droplet ejection apparatus according to the application example, the preliminary ejection includes a first preliminary ejection in which preliminary ejection is performed in an image forming region where a desired image is formed by ejection of the droplets, Second preliminary discharge for performing preliminary discharge in an image non-formation area outside the image forming area, and the specification of the preliminary discharge specification includes one of the first preliminary discharge and the second preliminary discharge. The designation includes the designation of the combined use of the first preliminary ejection and the second preliminary ejection.

  According to this application example, as a preliminary ejection method, either the first preliminary ejection for performing preliminary ejection in the image forming area or the second preliminary ejection for performing preliminary ejection in an image non-forming area outside the image forming area. On the other hand, it becomes possible to select either or a combination thereof. As a result, the preliminary ejection can be performed without being limited to the preliminary ejection method specified in advance, and it is possible to suppress the deterioration of the print quality.

  Application Example 3 In the droplet discharge device according to the application example described above, in order to specify the combined use of the first preliminary discharge and the second preliminary discharge, an execution ratio of the first preliminary discharge and the second preliminary discharge is set. The specification is included.

  According to this application example, when the first preliminary discharge and the second preliminary discharge are used in combination, it is possible to specify the execution ratio thereof. As a result, more appropriate preliminary discharge can be performed.

  Application Example 4 In the liquid droplet ejection apparatus according to the application example, the control unit determines the execution ratio of the second preliminary discharge when the execution ratio of the first preliminary discharge is specified. And

  According to this application example, when the first preliminary discharge and the second preliminary discharge are used in combination, the specification of the preliminary discharge can be determined more easily.

  Application Example 5 In the liquid droplet ejection apparatus according to the application example described above, the control unit determines the execution ratio of the first preliminary discharge by specifying the execution ratio of the second preliminary discharge. And

  According to this application example, when the first preliminary discharge and the second preliminary discharge are used in combination, the specification of the preliminary discharge can be determined more easily.

  Application Example 6 In the droplet discharge device according to the application example, when the preliminary discharge specification is specified, when the first preliminary discharge and the second preliminary discharge are specified, the control unit is configured to display the image. An implementation ratio of the first preliminary discharge and the second preliminary discharge is determined based on the amount of the droplets discharged to the formation region.

  According to this application example, since the pre-ejection implementation ratio is determined based on the amount of droplets ejected to the image forming area for image formation, it is possible to more easily determine the pre-ejection specifications. it can.

  Application Example 7 In the liquid droplet ejection apparatus according to the application example described above, when the preliminary ejection specification is designated, when the combination of the first preliminary ejection and the second preliminary ejection is designated, the control unit The execution ratio of the first preliminary discharge and the second preliminary discharge is determined based on the position and size of the formation region.

  According to this application example, since the pre-ejection implementation ratio is determined based on the position and size of the image forming region, the pre-ejection specification can be more easily determined.

  Application Example 8 In the droplet discharge device according to the application example described above, a display unit that displays the implementation ratio is provided.

  According to this application example, since the display unit is provided, it is possible to more easily determine the specifications for preliminary ejection.

  Application Example 9 In the liquid droplet ejection apparatus according to the application example, the display unit can input the implementation ratio.

  According to this application example, it is possible to input the implementation ratio on the display unit, and it is possible to more easily determine the pre-discharge specification.

  Application Example 10 A droplet discharge method according to this application example is a droplet discharge method in which an image is formed by discharging a droplet onto a print medium using a nozzle, and specifications for preliminary discharge performed by the nozzle are provided. And a preliminary discharge step of performing the preliminary discharge based on the specified preliminary discharge specification.

  According to this application example, it is possible to specify more appropriate preliminary ejection specifications depending on the image to be printed. As a result, the preliminary ejection can be performed without being limited to the preliminary ejection method specified in advance, and it is possible to suppress the deterioration of the print quality.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a droplet discharge device according to a first embodiment. 1 is a front view of a droplet discharge device according to Embodiment 1. FIG. Conceptual diagram for explaining the first preliminary discharge and the second preliminary discharge Example of user interface screen when the pre-discharge controller is activated An example of a user interface screen for designating the position of the blank area for performing the second preliminary discharge An example of a UI screen for designating a level for performing the first preliminary discharge The flowchart which shows the basic flow of the droplet discharge method concerning this embodiment. Explanatory drawing of UI screen concerning the modification 2 Explanatory drawing of UI screen concerning the modification 3

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Embodiments embodying the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The following is one embodiment of the present invention and does not limit the present invention. In the following drawings, the scale may be different from the actual scale for easy understanding.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a droplet discharge device 1 according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a front view of the droplet discharge device 1.
The droplet discharge device 1 includes an inkjet printer 100 (hereinafter referred to as a printer 100) and a personal computer 110 (hereinafter referred to as a PC 110) that print an image on a long print medium 10 that is supplied in a rolled state. Etc.

<Personal computer (PC110)>
The PC 110 includes a printer control unit 111 as a “control unit”, an input device 112 as an “input unit”, a display device 113 as a “display unit”, a storage device 114, and the like, and causes the printer 100 to perform printing. Control.
The printer control unit 111 includes a CPU (calculation unit), a storage medium such as a RAM and a ROM (not shown), and performs centralized control of the entire droplet discharge device 1.
The input device 112 is information input means as a human interface. Specifically, for example, a port to which a keyboard or an information input device is connected.
The display device 113 is information display means (display) as a human interface, and is related to information input from the input device 112, an image to be printed on the printer 100, and a print job under the control of the printer control unit 111. Information etc. are displayed.
The storage device 114 is a rewritable storage medium such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a memory card, and includes software that operates the PC 110 (a program that runs on the printer control unit 111), information to be printed, information related to a print job, and the like. Is memorized.

Software that operates the PC 110 includes general image processing application software (hereinafter referred to as an application) and printer driver software (hereinafter referred to as a printer driver).
Further, the printer control unit 111 configures a preliminary ejection control unit 115 in the printer driver as its function. The preliminary ejection control unit 115 and the input device 112 constitute a user interface that receives designation of preliminary ejection specifications. The preliminary discharge specification and the preliminary discharge control unit 115 will be described later.

<Basic configuration of inkjet printer (printer 100)>
A basic configuration of the printer 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.
The printer 100 includes a transport unit 20, a head unit 40, a supply unit 50, a winding unit 51, a controller 60, and the like. The printer 100 that has received the print data (image forming data) from the PC 110 controls each unit (conveyance unit 20, head unit 40, supply unit 50, winding unit 51) by the controller 60. The controller 60 controls each unit based on the print data received from the PC 110 and prints an image on the print medium 10 (image formation).

The print data is, for example, image forming data obtained by converting general RGB digital image information obtained by a digital camera or the like so that it can be printed by the printer 100 using an application and printer driver included in the PC 110. Commands that control 100 are included.
The print data also includes information for controlling preliminary ejection based on preliminary ejection specifications described later.

  The transport unit 20 includes a supply roller 21, a transport motor 22, a transport roller 23, a platen 24, a discharge roller 25, and the like, and the print medium 10 passes from the supply unit 50 through a print region below the head unit 40 and is taken up by the winding unit 51. A transport path for transporting the sheet is configured. The platen 24 supports the printing medium 10 during printing.

The head unit 40 has a function of ejecting ink onto the printing medium 10 as “droplets” (hereinafter also referred to as ink droplets). The head unit 40 includes a plurality of inkjet heads (hereinafter referred to as heads 41) that eject ink droplets, and constitutes a line head that is fixed with respect to the transport path. Each head 41 includes a plurality of nozzles that eject common ink. The nozzles are arranged across the width direction of the print medium 10. For example, inks of colors such as yellow, magenta, cyan, black, and clear are used as the ink.
The configuration of the head unit 40 is not limited to a line head, and may be a serial head or the like.

As a method for ejecting ink droplets (inkjet method), a piezo method is used as a preferred example. The piezo method is a method in which a pressure corresponding to a print information signal is applied to ink stored in a pressure chamber by a piezoelectric element (piezo element), and ink droplets are ejected (discharged) from a nozzle communicating with the pressure chamber for printing.
The method for ejecting ink droplets is not limited to this, and other recording methods for ejecting ink into droplets to form dot groups on a print medium may be used. For example, pressure is applied to the ink with a small pump and the nozzle is mechanically vibrated with a quartz crystal vibrator, etc. to forcibly eject ink droplets. A method of jetting and recording a droplet (thermal jet method) may be used.

  The supply unit 50 rotatably supports a reel on which the print medium 10 is wound in a roll shape, and sends the print medium 10 to the conveyance path. The winding unit 51 rotatably supports a reel that winds up the print medium 10 that has been printed from the conveyance path.

The controller 60 includes an interface unit 61, a CPU 62, a memory 63, a unit control unit 64, a drive signal generation unit 65, and the like, and controls the printer 100. The controller 60 discharges ink droplets from the head 41 and prints an image composed of a plurality of dots on the print medium 10.
The interface unit 61 transmits and receives data between the PC 110 and the printer 100.
The CPU 62 is an arithmetic processing device for controlling the entire printer 100.
The memory 63 is a storage medium that secures an area for storing a program for the CPU 62 to operate, an operation area for the operation, and the like, and includes a storage element such as a RAM or an EEPROM.
The CPU 62 controls each unit (the conveyance unit 20, the head unit 40, the supply unit 50, the winding unit 51) via the unit control unit 64 according to the program stored in the memory 63 and the print data received from the PC 110. To do.
The drive signal generation unit 65 generates a drive signal for driving the piezo element included in the head 41.

<Basic functions of the printer driver>
Printing on the print medium 10 is started when print data is transmitted from the PC 110 connected to the printer 100 as described above. The print data is generated by the printer driver.
The printer driver receives image data (text data, image data, etc.) from the application, converts the print data into a format that can be interpreted by the printer 100, and outputs the print data to the printer 100. When converting image data from an application into print data, the printer driver performs resolution conversion processing, color conversion processing, halftone processing, rasterization processing, command addition processing, and the like. Description of each processing is omitted.

  In addition to data based on image data, the print data includes information for controlling preliminary ejection described below. The data for controlling the preliminary ejection is print data for forming an image when a set of dots formed by the preliminary ejection is used as one image.

<Preliminary discharge>
When printing on the print medium 10, depending on the image to be printed (and depending on the frequency of printing), ink may not be ejected from a specific nozzle for a long time. Inkjet printers do not eject ink from a specific nozzle for a certain period of time, causing the ink in the nozzle to thicken, resulting in deterioration of ejection characteristics or failure of ejection. In some cases, the print quality may deteriorate. In order to prevent such deterioration in print quality, that is, to eliminate nozzles that do not eject ink droplets over a long period of time, the printer control unit 111 applies to nozzles that require ejection separately from image formation. Preliminary discharge is performed.

The preliminary discharge includes a first preliminary discharge and a second preliminary discharge.
The first preliminary ejection is preliminary ejection performed on an image forming area of a desired image to be formed. Preliminary ejection is ejection that forcibly ejects ink droplets separately from the image to be formed on nozzles that have not been used. Therefore, preliminary ejection performed on the image forming area has a significant effect on the print quality of the image. Must be implemented to the extent that does not give That is, as a result of the preliminary ejection, it is necessary to perform the preliminary ejection so as not to cause the difference. Accordingly, the preliminary ejection is performed with a low duty, but there may be a difference in the degree of implementation (the number of preliminary ejections and the duty) depending on the image to be formed.
The first preliminary discharge is a useful preliminary discharge when the second preliminary discharge cannot be performed or when the necessary second preliminary discharge is not performed even if it can be performed.

The second preliminary ejection is preliminary ejection performed in an image non-formation area outside the image formation area. Therefore, it does not affect the image to be formed, but it cannot be carried out when an image non-formation area cannot be provided on the print medium 10. Even if an image non-formation region is provided, it is sufficient when the area is small, when the position on the print medium 10 is limited, when the appearance frequency is low, or when contamination due to preliminary ejection is not allowed. Cannot perform preliminary discharge.
The second preliminary discharge is a useful preliminary discharge when the first preliminary discharge cannot be performed or when the necessary and sufficient first preliminary discharge is not performed.

FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram for specifically explaining the first preliminary discharge and the second preliminary discharge, and shows an example in which a plurality of labels 11 are printed on the print medium 10.
In FIG. 3, three labels 11 are arranged in the width direction of the print medium 10 and are continuously printed with a gap around each of them (up, down, left and right when viewing FIG. 3).
In such printing specifications, the first preliminary ejection is preliminary ejection performed on the inner area (image forming area) of the label 11, and the second preliminary ejection is a gap area (image non-forming area) around the label 11. Is a preliminary discharge.

  For example, when the label 11 is a light monotone label, since there are many nozzles that are not used, the number of nozzles to be predischarged increases, and when the first predischarge with a high duty is performed, the label 11 Since the appearance is affected, the first preliminary discharge may not be effectively performed within a necessary and sufficient range. Therefore, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, when an area where the second preliminary ejection can be performed, such as the gap 12 in the width direction of the print medium 10, is provided at a constant interval, this area (gap 12). Second preliminary discharge is performed. In order to perform necessary and sufficient preliminary discharge, adjustment can be performed by increasing the width of the gap portion 12 for performing the second preliminary discharge or increasing the appearance frequency of the gap portion 12.

  As described above, in order to enable preliminary ejection necessary and sufficient for maintaining print quality, it is preferable that the preliminary ejection specifications can be appropriately changed according to the specifications of the image to be printed. That is, it is preferable that the user can specify (set) specifications for preliminary ejection including the first preliminary ejection and the second preliminary ejection at the stage of printing using the droplet ejection apparatus 1.

<Preliminary discharge controller 115>
In the present embodiment, the printer driver includes a preliminary ejection control unit 115 as a functional unit that controls preliminary ejection. The preliminary ejection control unit 115 is a functional unit that characterizes the present embodiment, and constitutes a user interface that accepts designation of preliminary ejection specifications from the user of the droplet ejection device 1 together with the input device 112. In addition, the preliminary ejection control unit 115 generates print data corresponding to the designated preliminary ejection specification.
This will be specifically described below.

  The designation of the preliminary ejection specification includes designation of the type of preliminary ejection to be performed (either the first preliminary ejection or the second preliminary ejection, or the combination of the first preliminary ejection and the second preliminary ejection), the first preliminary ejection, The specification of the discharge specification for each of the second preliminary discharges and the specification of the respective degrees when the first preliminary discharge and the second preliminary discharge are used together are included.

Hereinafter, a description will be given with reference to an example of a specific user interface screen (hereinafter referred to as a UI screen) displayed on the display device 113 by the preliminary ejection control unit 115.
The UI screen for accepting the specification of the preliminary ejection specification (that is, activation of the preliminary ejection control unit 115) can be performed from the property screen of the printer 100 controlled by the printer driver.

FIG. 4 is an example of a UI screen when the preliminary ejection control unit 115 is activated. In the UI screen, “preliminary ejection” is expressed as “flushing”.
This UI screen is a screen for selecting the type of preliminary ejection to be performed. By clicking a selection button or the like, the first preliminary ejection (flushing to the image area) and the second preliminary ejection (to the blank area) are performed. Flushing) or a combination thereof (flushing to a blank area and an image area) can be selected.

FIG. 5 is an example of a UI screen for designating the position of the blank area where the preliminary discharge is performed when the second preliminary discharge (flushing to the blank area) is selected on the UI screen of FIG.
When the second preliminary ejection (flushing to the blank area) is selected, the preliminary ejection control unit 115 is necessary and sufficient based on the image data of the label 11 and the layout information of the label 11 performed by the printer driver (or application). The recommended area where the preliminary ejection can be performed is displayed in the preview screen on which the label 11 is laid out. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 5, the preliminary discharge area having the width w is displayed in the gap area (gap area extending in the width direction of the print medium 10) of the label 11 in units of 3 rows × 3 columns. . The recommended preliminary ejection is displayed as a flushing level of 100% as necessary and sufficient preliminary ejection.

  On the other hand, the user uses the input device 112 on this UI screen (specifically, using a pointer for setting an area or a keyboard), and arbitrarily arranges the label 11 ( The size of the gap) and the area (position, size, frequency, etc.) for preliminary ejection can be changed. The amount of preliminary ejection that accompanies this change is displayed as a flushing level, and is displayed so that the comparison can be made visually against the recommended level of 100%.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the area where the preliminary ejection is performed is basically an area width w in the conveyance direction that intersects the width direction in a range extending in the width direction of the print medium 10 in the gap between the labels 11. However, it is not always necessary to be continuous in the width direction. Depending on the arrangement of the label 11, it may be designated as a divided area.

FIG. 6 is an example of a UI screen for designating a level for performing preliminary ejection when the first preliminary ejection (flushing to an image area) is selected on the UI screen of FIG.
When the first preliminary ejection (flushing to the image area) is selected, the preliminary ejection control unit 115 displays a preview screen of the label 11 when necessary and sufficient preliminary ejection is performed based on the image data of the label 11. It is displayed so that it can be compared with the case where preliminary ejection is not performed.

In contrast, the user can change the flushing level on the UI screen while confirming the degree of print quality of the label 11 (effect of preliminary ejection). For example, when it can be determined that the influence of the preliminary ejection on the label 11 is small, it is possible to change the flushing level for the purpose of stabilizing printing. Specifically, on the UI screen, for example, the level is changed to the + side by a slider 90 shown in FIG.
Or, conversely, when it is determined that the print quality is deteriorated due to the preliminary discharge, or when the set preliminary discharge is not acceptable, the flushing level can be lowered to the allowable range of the print quality. On the UI screen, for example, the level is changed to the-side by a slider 90 or the like.
However, there are cases where the flushing level is lowered and the effect is lowered, so that there is a concern that the print quality may be degraded or unstable. In this case, for example, the screen returns to the screen of FIG. (Flushing to area) can be specified.

  When the combination of the first preliminary ejection (flushing to the image area) and the second preliminary ejection (flushing to the blank area) is selected on the UI screen in FIG. 4, the UI screen shown in FIG. 6 is displayed first. Then, the flushing level by the first preliminary ejection (flushing to the image area) is designated within the allowable range. Next, the UI screen shown in FIG. 5 is displayed, the flushing level by the second preliminary ejection (flushing to the blank area) is designated, and the necessary flushing level is determined as a total.

At this time, the recommended preliminary ejection specifications displayed on the preview screen of FIG. 5 are necessary and sufficient (remaining) according to the previously specified flushing level by the first preliminary ejection (flushing to the image area). This is the specification of the second preliminary discharge (flushing to the blank area) that is necessary and sufficient as an amount.
That is, the printer control unit 111 (preliminary ejection control unit 115) determines the specification of the first preliminary ejection and determines (calculates) the necessary second preliminary ejection implementation ratio by determining the implementation ratio. It has a function.

The recommended preliminary ejection specifications displayed on the preview screens of FIGS. 6 and 5 before the user changes are based on the image data of the label 11 and the layout information of the label 11 by the preliminary ejection control unit 115. The execution ratio of each of the first preliminary discharge and the second preliminary discharge is determined as a recommended value, and the specifications apportioned according to the ratio are displayed as the recommended specifications of the first preliminary discharge and the second preliminary discharge. Yes.
That is, the printer control unit 111 (preliminary ejection control unit 115) determines the implementation ratios of the first preliminary ejection and the second preliminary ejection as recommended values based on the specifications of the image to be printed, and displays them on the display device 113. It has a function.
The user can make changes to the indicated recommended conditions as needed as described above.

Note that various methods are conceivable as algorithms for determining the implementation ratios of the first preliminary ejection and the second preliminary ejection as recommended values based on the specifications of the image to be printed.
The information obtained from the specifications of the image to be printed is information obtained from the image data and image layout information. Specifically, the gradation value (image density) of the image, the gradation distribution, and the ejection for each ink type The amount, ejection dot size, ejection position, ejection frequency, position and area of the non-image forming area, etc., and a decision algorithm is constructed by preparing a condition table based on these element information in advance. I can keep it.

  In the present embodiment, it is presumed that print quality is not significantly affected from information obtained from image data in advance (that is, information such as the discharge amount, discharge dot size, discharge position, and discharge frequency for each ink type). A condition table for selecting a preliminary ejection specification of the first preliminary ejection that can be performed (flushing to an image area) is prepared. Using this table, the preliminary ejection specification of the first preliminary ejection (flushing to the image area) corresponding to the image to be printed is selected (calculated) and displayed on the display device 113 as a recommended condition.

  In the present embodiment, preliminary ejection specifications for second preliminary ejection (flushing to a blank area) are obtained from information obtained from image layout information in advance (that is, information such as the position and area of an image non-formation area). Prepare a condition table to be selected. Using this table, the preliminary ejection specification of the second preliminary ejection (flushing to the blank area) corresponding to the image to be printed is selected (calculated) and displayed on the display device 113 as a recommended condition.

  The preliminary ejection control unit 115 generates print data corresponding to the preliminary ejection specification designated by the user via the UI screen, and causes the printer driver to execute printing. Specifically, the preliminary ejection control unit 115 generates print data corresponding to an image formed by preliminary ejection of the selected and designated implementation level, and delivers it to the printer driver. The printer driver superimposes print data to be printed in a layout in which image data to be printed is designated and print data corresponding to the generated preliminary ejection specifications, and transmits the data to the printer 100.

<Droplet ejection method>
The liquid droplet ejection method according to the present embodiment is a printing method for forming an image by ejecting ink droplets onto a print medium 10 using nozzles, and designates preliminary ejection specifications for performing preliminary ejection performed by the nozzles. And a preliminary discharge step of performing preliminary discharge based on the designated preliminary discharge specification.
This will be specifically described below.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a basic flow of a droplet discharge method (that is, a printing method) performed using the droplet discharge apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment.
First, the droplet discharge device 1 is started up, an image processing application is activated, and image data to be printed is selected (step S1).
Next, a layout for printing image data is set (step S2). For example, as shown in FIG. 3, it is set so that three images are continuously printed in the width direction.
Next, the specification of preliminary discharge is designated. Specifically, the printer driver is started in order to make print settings from the application, the preliminary discharge control unit 115 is started from the printer driver, the UI screen shown in FIG. 4 is displayed, and the type of preliminary discharge to be performed is selected. (Step S3).

Next, the pre-discharge execution level corresponding to the selected pre-discharge type is designated (step S4).
Specifically, for example, when the selected preliminary ejection is the first preliminary ejection (flushing to the image area), the flushing level to the image area is designated on the UI screen shown in FIG.
Further, for example, when the selected preliminary ejection is the second preliminary ejection (flushing to a blank area), an area for performing preliminary ejection is designated on the UI screen shown in FIG.
Further, for example, when the selected preliminary ejection is a combination of the first preliminary ejection (flushing to the image area) and the second preliminary ejection (flushing to the blank area), the UI screen shown in FIG. 6 is displayed, The flushing level by the first preliminary ejection (flushing to the image area) is designated within the allowable range. Next, the UI screen shown in FIG. 5 is displayed, the flushing level by the second preliminary ejection (flushing to the blank area) is designated, and the necessary flushing level is determined as a total.

  Next, printing including preliminary ejection at the selected and designated implementation level is executed (step S5). Print data in which print data to be printed in a layout in which image data to be printed is specified and print data corresponding to the generated preliminary ejection specification is transmitted to the printer 100, and the printer 100 executes printing.

As described above, according to the droplet discharge device and the droplet discharge method according to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
The droplet discharge device 1 includes an input device 112 that accepts designation of preliminary discharge specifications, and a user interface that includes the input device 112 and the preliminary discharge control unit 115. Therefore, more appropriate preliminary discharge can be performed depending on the image to be printed. Specification can be specified. As a result, the preliminary ejection can be performed without being limited to the preliminary ejection method specified in advance, and it is possible to suppress the deterioration of the print quality.

  In addition, as a preliminary ejection method, either the first preliminary ejection for performing preliminary ejection on the image forming area, the second preliminary ejection for performing preliminary ejection on an image non-forming area outside the image forming area, or those It becomes possible to select the combination. As a result, the preliminary ejection can be performed without being limited to the preliminary ejection method specified in advance, and it is possible to suppress the deterioration of the print quality.

  In addition, when the first preliminary discharge and the second preliminary discharge are used in combination, it is possible to specify the execution ratio thereof. As a result, more appropriate preliminary discharge can be performed.

  The printer control unit 111 (preliminary ejection control unit 115) has a function of determining the implementation ratio of the second preliminary ejection by designating the implementation ratio of the first preliminary ejection. When the discharge and the second preliminary discharge are used in combination, the preliminary discharge specification can be more easily determined as the first preliminary discharge priority designation mode.

  In addition, the printer control unit 111 (preliminary ejection control unit 115) determines the preliminary ejection specification based on the amount of ink droplets ejected to the image forming area, and thus the preliminary ejection specifications are more easily determined. be able to.

  In addition, since the printer control unit 111 (preliminary ejection control unit 115) determines the preliminary ejection implementation ratio based on the position and size of the image forming area, it is possible to more easily determine the preliminary ejection specifications. .

  Further, according to the droplet discharge method according to the present embodiment, it is possible to specify a more appropriate preliminary discharge specification depending on the image to be printed. As a result, the preliminary ejection can be performed without being limited to the preliminary ejection method specified in advance, and it is possible to suppress the deterioration of the print quality.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications and improvements can be added to the above-described embodiment. A modification will be described below. Here, the same components as those in the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

(Modification 1)
In the first embodiment, when the combined use of the first preliminary discharge and the second preliminary discharge is selected, first, the flushing level by the first preliminary discharge is specified within the allowable range, and then by the second preliminary discharge. It has been described that the flushing level is designated and the necessary flushing level is determined as a total. Therefore, the printer control unit 111 (preliminary discharge control unit 115) designates the first preliminary discharge execution ratio (preliminary discharge specification), so that the second preliminary discharge execution ratio that is necessary and sufficient as the remaining amount ( Pre-discharge specification) was determined. However, it is not limited to this method.
The present modification is characterized in that the printer control unit 111 (preliminary ejection control unit 115) determines the implementation ratio of the first preliminary ejection by designating the implementation ratio of the second preliminary ejection.

  That is, the preliminary ejection control unit 115 determines the specifications of the second preliminary ejection (flushing to the blank area) and determines the implementation ratio thereof, so that the necessary first preliminary ejection (flushing to the image area) is performed. It has a function to determine (calculate) the implementation ratio. When the combination of the first preliminary discharge and the second preliminary discharge is selected, first, the flushing level by the second preliminary discharge is specified within the allowable range, and then the flushing level by the first preliminary discharge is specified. To determine the required flushing level as a total.

  According to this modification, when the first preliminary discharge and the second preliminary discharge are used in combination, the specification of the preliminary discharge can be more easily determined as the second preliminary discharge priority designation mode.

(Modification 2)
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a UI screen according to the second modification.
In the first embodiment, when the combination of the first preliminary discharge and the second preliminary discharge is selected, the preliminary discharge specifications of the first preliminary discharge and the second preliminary discharge are separately set as shown in FIGS. Although specified on the UI screen, the UI screen is not limited to this.
For example, as in the example shown in FIG. 8, the UI screen can set the flushing levels of the first preliminary ejection (flushing to the image area) and the second preliminary ejection (flushing to the blank area) in conjunction with each other. Also good.

  That is, the printer control unit 111 (preliminary ejection control unit 115) performs the first preliminary ejection (flushing to the image area) and the second preliminary ejection (flushing to the blank area) in order to obtain the same preliminary ejection effect. Have a combination table. In order to facilitate the selection of the combination table, the slide bar illustrated in FIG. 8 is displayed on the display device 113 as a UI screen. For example, when the user wants to lower the level of the first preliminary ejection (flushing to the image area), the user slides the slider 90 to the smaller value. Accordingly, the level of the second preliminary discharge (flushing to the blank area) is set to increase.

  According to the UI screen (function of the preliminary discharge control unit 115) according to this modification, the preliminary discharge specifications (each implementation ratio) are set more easily when the combination of the first preliminary discharge and the second preliminary discharge is selected. it can.

(Modification 3)
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of a UI screen according to the third modification.
In Modification 3, each flushing level of the first preliminary ejection (flushing to the image area) and the second preliminary ejection (flushing to the blank area) can be set independently in one UI screen. Yes. Further, as a result of setting each independently, the execution amount of flushing with respect to the necessary and sufficient flushing level (recommended level 100%) is displayed as the total flushing level.

  According to this modification, when combined use of the first preliminary discharge and the second preliminary discharge is selected, it is possible to set the preliminary discharge specifications (respective implementation ratios) more easily than in the first embodiment.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Droplet discharge apparatus, 10 ... Printing medium, 11 ... Label, 12 ... Gap part, 20 ... Conveyance unit, 21 ... Supply roller, 22 ... Conveyance motor, 23 ... Conveyance roller, 24 ... Platen, 25 ... Discharge roller, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 40 ... Head unit, 41 ... Head, 50 ... Supply part, 51 ... Winding part, 60 ... Controller, 61 ... Interface part, 62 ... CPU, 63 ... Memory, 64 ... Unit control part, 65 ... Drive signal generation part, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 90 ... Slider, 100 ... Printer, 110 ... Personal computer (PC), 111 ... Printer control part, 112 ... Input device, 113 ... Display apparatus, 114 ... Memory | storage device, 115 ... Preliminary discharge control part.

Claims (10)

A droplet discharge device that forms an image by discharging droplets onto a print medium,
A nozzle for discharging the droplet;
A control unit for causing the nozzle to perform preliminary discharge based on a specified preliminary discharge specification;
A liquid droplet ejection apparatus comprising: an input unit that receives designation of the preliminary ejection specification. The preliminary ejection includes a first preliminary ejection in which preliminary ejection is performed on an image forming area where a desired image is formed by ejection of the droplets, and a first preliminary ejection in which an image non-forming area outside the image forming area is ejected. 2 preliminary discharges, and
The designation of the preliminary ejection specification includes designation of either the first preliminary ejection or the second preliminary ejection, or designation of combined use of the first preliminary ejection and the second preliminary ejection. The droplet discharge device according to claim 1.   3. The liquid according to claim 2, wherein the designation of combined use of the first preliminary ejection and the second preliminary ejection includes designation of an execution ratio between the first preliminary ejection and the second preliminary ejection. Drop ejection device.   4. The droplet discharge device according to claim 3, wherein the control unit determines the execution ratio of the second preliminary discharge by specifying the execution ratio of the first preliminary discharge. 5.   The droplet discharge device according to claim 3, wherein the control unit determines the execution ratio of the first preliminary discharge by designating the execution ratio of the second preliminary discharge.   In the designation of the preliminary ejection specification, when the combination of the first preliminary ejection and the second preliminary ejection is designated, the control unit, based on the amount of the droplets ejected to the image forming area, The liquid droplet ejection apparatus according to claim 2, wherein an execution ratio between the first preliminary ejection and the second preliminary ejection is determined.   In the designation of the preliminary ejection specification, when the combination of the first preliminary ejection and the second preliminary ejection is designated, the control unit performs the first preliminary ejection based on the position and size of the image forming area. The droplet discharge device according to claim 2, wherein an execution ratio between the first preliminary discharge and the second preliminary discharge is determined.   The liquid droplet ejection apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a display unit that displays the implementation ratio.   The liquid droplet ejection apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the display unit can input the implementation ratio. A droplet discharge method for forming an image by discharging droplets using a nozzle on a print medium,
A preliminary discharge specification designating step of designating a specification of preliminary discharge performed by the nozzle;
And a preliminary ejection step of performing the preliminary ejection based on the designated preliminary ejection specifications.

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