JP2019045934A - Printing condition management device and printing system - Google Patents

Abstract

To realize sublimation printing appropriate to wide range types of transfer objects in a sublimation printing technology for transferring an image to a transfer object from a printing medium by sublimating an image printed on the printing medium.SOLUTION: A printing condition management device includes a communication unit which communicates with a server storing a printing data generation condition according to a type of a transfer object used in the sublimation printing technology for transferring an image to the transfer object from a printing medium by sublimating the image printed on the printing medium by a printing device, a storage unit which stores, for each of the types of the transfer objects, the printing data generation condition downloaded from the server via the communication unit, and a control unit which outputs the printing data generation condition to a printing data generation device according to a request from the printing data generation device which generates the printing data on the basis of the printing data generation condition.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to sublimation printing technology in which an image is transferred from a print medium to a transfer target by sublimating an image printed on the print medium to the transfer target, and the printing medium is used under printing conditions according to the type of the transfer target. It relates to printing technology.

  Patent Document 1 describes a technology in which print data generated by a print data generation device is transmitted to a printing device, and the printing device prints an image on a print medium in accordance with the print data. In particular, the print data generation apparatus performs color matching such as performing color matching using an ICC profile (profile conforming to the definition of the International Color Consortium) corresponding to the type of print medium set in the paper feed apparatus of the printing apparatus. Generate print data based on it.

JP, 2010-10239, A

  As in Patent Document 1, if the type of print medium set in the printing apparatus is about the same, the print data generation apparatus is provided with a function of preparing print data generation conditions such as an ICC profile according to each type. I don't care. However, in order to produce high-quality products in sublimation printing, it is necessary to consider not only the printing on the transfer paper by the printing apparatus but also the characteristics of the object to which the transfer paper is transferred. There is a wide variety of types. Therefore, it has not been practical to prepare print data generation conditions for all types of transfer objects in the print data generation apparatus.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and relates to a sublimation printing technique for transferring an image from a print medium to a transfer target by sublimating an image printed on the print medium to the transfer target. It is an object of the present invention to provide a technology that can realize appropriate sublimation printing according to the type of

  A printing condition management device according to the present invention is a transfer target object used in sublimation printing technology for transferring an image from a print medium to a transfer target by sublimating an image printed on a print medium by the printing device to the transfer target. A communication unit that communicates with a server that stores print data generation conditions according to the type; a storage unit that stores, for each type of transfer target, print data generation conditions downloaded from the server via the communication unit; And a control unit that outputs the print data generation condition to the print data generation device according to a request from the print data generation device that generates the print data based on the condition.

  In the present invention (print condition management apparatus) configured as described above, print data generation conditions corresponding to the type of transfer target used in sublimation printing technology are stored in the server. Then, the print data generation conditions downloaded from the server are stored for each type of transfer object, and are output to the print data generation apparatus according to the request. Therefore, appropriate print data generation conditions can be downloaded from the server according to the type of the transfer target, and appropriate sublimation printing can be realized according to the wide type of the transfer target.

  Further, the print condition management apparatus may be configured such that the print data generation condition includes a color conversion LUT used for color conversion. Thus, appropriate sublimation printing can be realized using a color conversion LUT corresponding to the type of transfer target.

  In addition, the printing apparatus prints an image on a printing medium by discharging ink droplets by the inkjet method, and the print data generation condition includes the printing condition management apparatus so that the SML table indicating the size of ink droplets is included. You may. As a result, appropriate sublimation printing can be realized by ink droplets of a size corresponding to the type of transfer target.

  Also, the print condition management apparatus may be configured such that the print data generation condition includes an ICC profile used for color matching. By this, appropriate sublimation printing can be realized using an ICC profile corresponding to the type of transfer target.

  Further, the printing apparatus executes printing by operating based on predetermined print setting conditions, the server stores the print setting conditions according to the type of the transfer object, and the communication unit prints with the print data generation conditions The setting condition is downloaded from the server, the storage unit stores the print setting condition downloaded from the server via the communication unit for each type of transfer object, and the control unit instructs the printing apparatus about the print setting condition used for printing. The printing condition management apparatus may be configured to Thereby, appropriate sublimation printing can be realized by the print setting conditions corresponding to the type of the transfer target.

  A printing system according to the present invention includes the above-described printing condition management device, a printing data generation device that generates printing data based on printing data generation conditions acquired from the printing condition management device, and printing an image to be sublimated to a transfer target And a printing device for printing on a print medium based on the data. Therefore, appropriate print data generation conditions can be downloaded from the server according to the type of the transfer target, and appropriate sublimation printing can be realized according to the wide type of the transfer target.

  Further, the printing condition management device may configure the printing system so as to be incorporated in the printing device. That is, the present invention can be suitably applied to such a printing system.

  Although the present invention is particularly suitable for sublimation printing, the application target is not limited to sublimation printing. In other words, the printing condition management apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention communicates with a server that stores printing data generation conditions according to the type of printing medium on which an image is printed by the printing apparatus and printing setting conditions for operating the printing apparatus. A communication unit, a storage unit for storing print data generation conditions and print setting conditions downloaded from the server via the communication unit for each type of print medium, and a control unit for instructing the printing apparatus of print setting conditions used for printing The print data generation condition includes a color conversion LUT used for color conversion, an SML table indicating the size of the ink droplet when printing an image on a print medium by ejecting the ink droplet in an inkjet printing apparatus, And print data including ICC profiles used for color matching and generating print data based on print data generation conditions In response to a request from the generator, and a controller for outputting the print data generation condition in the print data generating device.

  In the present invention (print condition management apparatus) configured as described above, print data generation conditions corresponding to the type of print medium are stored in the server. Then, print data generation conditions downloaded from the server are stored for each type of print medium, and are output to the print data generation apparatus in response to a request. Therefore, appropriate print data generation conditions can be downloaded from the server according to the type of print medium, and appropriate printing can be realized according to a wide range of print medium types.

1 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a view schematically showing an example of a print execution unit provided in the printing apparatus. FIG. 6 is a view showing an example of a storage mode of printing conditions corresponding to the type of transfer target. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation of acquiring a printing condition by the management device. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of print processing using print conditions.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a printing system 1 and a database server S are provided. The printing system 1 includes the RIP 2 and the printing device 3, and executes printing processing for printing the image indicated by the print data Dp generated by the RIP 2 by the printing device 3. In particular, the printing system 1 prints an image by sublimation ink, and the image is sublimation-transferred onto a transfer target by a transfer device (not shown). The printing system 1 further includes a management device 4 that manages the RIP 2 and the printing device 3. The management device 4 includes a control unit (processor) 41 including a central processing unit (CPU) and a random access memory (RAM), a storage unit 42 including a hard disk drive, and an external device. And a communication unit 43 that communicates with the The communication unit 43 communicates with the RIP 2 and the printing apparatus 3 via the local area network, and communicates with the database server S via the Internet communication network.

  The RIP 2 generates print data Dp by executing color conversion processing, color correction processing, and dot size determination processing in this order. The color conversion process uses a color conversion LUT (Look Up Table) to generate image data of R (red) G (green) B (blue) as C (cyan) M (magenta) Y (yellow) K (black) Convert to data. The color correction process performs color matching using an ICC (International Color Consortium) profile. Further, in the dot size determination process, the dot size of each pixel is determined based on the gradation value of each pixel indicated by the gradation data after the color correction process. Specifically, the dot size is determined with reference to the SML table indicating the dot size corresponding to the tone value out of S (small), M (medium), and L (large).

  The printing apparatus 3 includes a control unit (processor) 301 including a CPU, a RAM, and the like, a storage unit (storage) 302 including a hard disk drive and the like, and a machine for printing an image on a print medium And a print execution unit 303, which has the following configuration. In the printing apparatus 3, the control unit 301 causes the print execution unit 303 to execute the print data Dp received from the RIP 2 to print the image indicated by the print data Dp on the print medium.

  FIG. 2 is a view schematically showing an example of a print execution unit provided in the printing apparatus. The print execution unit 303 has a transport unit 31 that transports the print medium M in the transport direction X by roll-to-roll. The conveyance unit 31 includes a delivery roller 311, a pair of rollers 312 and 313, and a winding roller 314, which are sequentially arranged in the conveyance direction X of the print medium M. The delivery roller 311 delivers the print medium M wound in a roll shape in the transport direction X. The pair of rollers 312 and 313 sandwich the print medium M fed by the feeding roller 311. The roller 313 is biased against the roller 312 and applies a constant load to the print medium M, while the roller 312 applies a predetermined torque to the print medium M to give a constant tension to the print medium M, and the print medium M Are transported in the transport direction X. Then, the winding roller 314 winds the print medium M from the pair of rollers 312 and 313.

  Further, the print execution unit 303 has a pre-heater 32, a platen heater 33, and an after-heater 34 sequentially arranged in the transport direction X between the delivery roller 311 and the roller 312, and heats the print medium M in contact with the upper surface thereof. Do. Furthermore, the print execution unit 303 has a print head 35 facing the platen heater 33 with a predetermined platen gap g open. The print head 35 ejects the sublimation ink to the print medium M supported by the platen heater 33 by an inkjet method.

  In the print execution unit 303, the conveyance unit 31 intermittently conveys the print medium M in the conveyance direction X to send out the unprinted area of the print medium M onto the platen heater 33. Then, the print head 35 performs main scanning that discharges sublimation ink while moving in the scanning direction Y orthogonal to the conveyance direction X. At this time, the number of times the print head 35 executes the main scan (the number of passes) can be set as appropriate, and the print head 35 performs the main scan by the set number of passes to stop printing on the platen heater 33 Print the image on the medium M. Further, by adjusting the execution intervals of the plurality of main scans, the drying time by the platen heater 33 of the sublimation ink that has landed on the print medium M in the previous main scan is controlled.

In such a printing apparatus 3, the load of the tension roller 313 applied to the machine parameters and the print medium M to be exemplified next and the platen gap g
・ Number of executions of main scan (number of passes)
Main scanning execution interval Temperature of preheater 32 Temperature of platen heater 33 Temperature of afterheater 34 and the like can be appropriately optimized to execute printing.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the description will be continued. As described above, the printing system 1 prints an image on a transfer target by sublimation ink. The types of such transfer objects range widely from cloth to pottery. Therefore, the printing system 1 controls the operations of the RIP 2 and the printing apparatus 3 according to the type of the transfer target. Specifically, the printing condition C shown in FIG. 3 is stored in the storage unit 42 for each type K of the transfer target.

  Here, FIG. 3 is a view showing an example of a storage mode of the printing conditions corresponding to the type of the transfer object. As shown in the figure, in the storage unit 42 of the management device 4, the printing condition C is stored in association with the type K of the transfer object, and in the printing process, the printing condition C corresponding to the type K of the transfer object Is used. The print condition C includes a print data generation condition Cd and a print setting condition Cp. The print data generation condition Cd includes the above-described color conversion LUT, ICC profile, and SML table, and the print setting condition Cp includes specific values of the above-described machine parameters. That is, the color conversion LUT, ICC profile and SML table (print data generation condition Cd) and machine parameters (print setting condition Cp) optimized for the corresponding type K transfer object are the print condition C. include. The printing condition C is, for example, obtained experimentally in advance by the maker of the printing apparatus 3 and stored in the database server S (FIG. 1), and the management device 4 appropriately downloads the printing condition C from the database server S get.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the print condition acquisition operation by the management apparatus. In step S101, the control unit 41 of the management apparatus 4 confirms the presence or absence of a user command indicating an acquisition request for the printing condition C. The user can input the user command to the management device 4 by operating the input device (mouse, keyboard or touch panel). More specifically, the control unit 41 waits for a user command while displaying the list of printing conditions C stored in the database server S on the web browser. Then, when a specific printing condition C is selected by the user from the list, the control unit 41 determines “YES” in step S101, and the selected printing condition C is transmitted to the database server via the communication unit 43. Request to S (step S102).

  When the database server S receives this request, it sends the corresponding print condition C to the management device 4, and the control unit 41 of the management device 4 receives the print condition C via the communication unit 43 (step S103). ). Then, the control unit 41 stores the received printing condition C in the storage unit 42 (step S104). Thus, the acquisition of the printing condition C is completed. According to this configuration, when the printing condition C corresponding to the type K of the transfer object is not acquired, the user operates the management device 4 to simply and easily execute the printing condition C corresponding to the type K. It can be acquired.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of print processing using the printing conditions acquired according to the acquisition operation of FIG. When the RIP 2 notifies the management apparatus 4 of the type K of the transfer target to be subjected to sublimation printing (step S201), the management apparatus 4 transmits the print data generation condition Cd corresponding to the type K to the RIP 2 Step S202) The print setting condition Cp corresponding to the type K is transmitted to the printing apparatus 3 (step S203). Then, the RIP 2 performs color conversion processing, color correction processing, and dot size determination processing using the color conversion LUT, ICC profile, and SML table included in the print data generation condition Cd received from the management device 4 to print data Dp. Are generated (step S204), and the print data Dp is transmitted to the printing apparatus 3 (step S205). The printing apparatus 3 sets each value of the machine parameter to the value indicated by the print setting condition Cp received from the management apparatus 4 and prints the image indicated by the print data Dp received from the RIP 2 on the print medium M (step S206).

  In the embodiment described above, the print data generation condition Cd corresponding to the type K of the transfer target used in the sublimation printing technique is stored in the database server S. Then, the print data generation condition Cd downloaded from the database server S is stored in the management device 4 for each type K of the transfer object, and is output to the RIP 2 in response to the request. Therefore, appropriate print data generation conditions Cd corresponding to the type K of the transfer target can be downloaded from the database server S as appropriate, and appropriate sublimation printing can be realized corresponding to the wide type K of the transfer target. ing.

  The print data generation condition Cd also includes a color conversion LUT used for color conversion. Thus, appropriate sublimation printing can be realized using a color conversion LUT corresponding to the type K of the transfer target.

  In addition, the printing apparatus 3 prints an image on a printing medium by discharging ink droplets by the inkjet method, and the print data generation condition Cd includes an SML table indicating the size of the ink droplets. Thus, appropriate sublimation printing can be realized by ink droplets of a size corresponding to the type K of the transfer target.

  The print data generation condition Cd also includes an ICC profile used for color matching. Thereby, appropriate sublimation printing can be realized using the ICC profile corresponding to the type K of the transfer object.

  In addition, the printing apparatus 3 executes printing by operating based on a predetermined print setting condition Cp. On the other hand, the database server S stores the print setting condition Cp corresponding to the type K of the transfer object. Therefore, in the management apparatus 4, the communication unit 43 downloads the print setting condition Cp from the database server S together with the print data generation condition Cd (step S103), and the storage unit 42 downloads from the database server S via the communication unit 43 The setting condition Cp is stored for each type K of the transfer object (step S104). Then, the control unit 41 of the management device 4 instructs the printing device 3 the print setting condition Cp used for printing (step S203). Thus, appropriate sublimation printing can be realized by the print setting condition Cp corresponding to the type K of the transfer target.

  As described above, in the above embodiment, the printing system 1 corresponds to an example of the “printing system” of the present invention, the management device 4 corresponds to an example of the “printing condition management device” of the present invention, and the RIP 2 is the present invention The printing apparatus 3 corresponds to an example of the "printing apparatus" of the present invention, the database server S corresponds to an example of the "server" of the present invention, and the communication unit 43 The storage unit 42 corresponds to an example of the "storage unit" of the present invention, the control unit 41 corresponds to an example of the "control unit" of the present invention, and print data generation The condition Cd corresponds to an example of the “print data generation condition” in the present invention, and the print setting condition Cp corresponds to an example of the “print setting condition” in the present invention.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made to the above-described one without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the timing at which the management apparatus 4 acquires the printing condition C from the database server S is not limited to the above example. That is, when the management device 4 receives the notification of the type K of the transfer object (step S201), it is determined whether the printing condition C corresponding to the type K has already been stored in the storage unit 42. The printing conditions C may be acquired by executing steps S102 to S104.

  Further, the notification of the type K of the transfer object (step S102) may be issued from the printing device 3 to the management device 4, or may be issued by the user's input operation to the management device 4.

  Also, the RIP 2 and the management device 4 do not necessarily have to be separate. Therefore, the management apparatus 4 may incorporate the RIP 2.

  Further, the number of RIPs 2, printing apparatuses 3 or management apparatuses 4 provided in the printing system 1 can be changed as appropriate.

  Although sublimation printing is used as an example in the above-described embodiment, the present invention is not limited to sublimation printing, and can also be applied to printing such as signage applications where the printing medium itself is a notice such as a signboard. There are also a wide variety of print media in signage applications, and appropriate printing can be realized by controlling the operation of the RIP 2 and the printing apparatus 3 according to the type of print media.

  Specifically, in this modification, the print data generation condition Cd according to the type of print medium M on which an image is printed by the printing device 3 and the print setting condition Cp for operating the printing device 3 are stored in the database server 3 . Then, in the management device 4, the print data generation condition Cd and the print setting condition Cp downloaded from the database server 3 via the communication unit 43 are stored in the storage unit 42 for each type of print medium M, and the control unit 41 The print setting condition Cp used for printing is instructed to the printing apparatus 3.

  The print data generation condition Cd is a color conversion LUT used for color conversion, an SML table indicating the size of the ink droplet when printing an image on the print medium M by discharging the ink droplet in the inkjet printer 3, As well as ICC profiles used for color matching. Then, the control unit 41 outputs the print data generation condition Cd to the RIP 2 in response to a request from the RIP 2 (print data generation device) which generates the print data Dp based on the print data generation condition Cd.

  In the modification configured as described above, the print data generation condition Cd corresponding to the type of the print medium M is stored in the database server 3. The print data generation condition Cd downloaded from the database server 3 is stored for each type of print medium M, and is output to the RIP 2 in response to a request. Therefore, appropriate print data generation conditions Cd corresponding to the type of print medium M can be downloaded from the database server 3 as appropriate, and appropriate printing can be realized according to a wide range of types of print medium M.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... printing system, 2 ... RIP (print data generation device), 3 ... printing device, 4 ... management device (printing condition management device), 41 ... control unit, 42 ... storage unit, 43 ... communication unit, S ... database server (Server), Cd ... Print data generation condition, Cp ... Print setting condition

Claims (8)

Print data generation according to the type of the transfer object used in sublimation printing technology for transferring an image from the print medium to the transfer object by sublimating the image printed on the print medium by the printing apparatus to the transfer object A communication unit that communicates with a server that stores conditions;
A storage unit that stores, for each type of the transfer target, the print data generation condition downloaded from the server via the communication unit;
A control unit that outputs the print data generation condition to the print data generation device according to a request from the print data generation device which generates the print data based on the print data generation condition.   The printing condition management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print data generation condition includes a color conversion LUT used for color conversion. The printing apparatus prints an image on the print medium by ejecting ink droplets by an inkjet method.
The printing condition management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print data generation condition includes an SML table indicating the size of the ink droplet.   The printing condition management apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the printing data generation condition includes an ICC profile used for color matching. The printing apparatus executes printing by operating based on predetermined print setting conditions.
The server stores the print setting condition according to the type of the transfer object.
The communication unit downloads the print setting condition from the server together with the print data generation condition.
The storage unit stores, for each type of the transfer target, the print setting condition downloaded from the server via the communication unit.
The printing condition management apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the control unit instructs the printing apparatus to use the printing setting condition used for printing. A printing condition management device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
A print data generation device that generates print data based on print data generation conditions acquired from the print condition management device;
And a printing apparatus for printing an image to be sublimed to a transfer target on a print medium based on the print data.   The printing system according to claim 6, wherein the printing condition management device is built in the printing device. A communication unit that communicates with a server that stores print data generation conditions according to the type of print medium on which an image is printed by the printing apparatus and print setting conditions that cause the printing apparatus to operate;
A storage unit that stores the print data generation condition and the print setting condition downloaded from the server via the communication unit for each type of print medium;
And a control unit that instructs the printing apparatus on the print setting conditions used for printing.
The print data generation conditions include a color conversion LUT used for color conversion, an SML table indicating the size of the ink droplet when printing an image on the print medium by ejecting the ink droplet in an inkjet printing apparatus, and Contains the ICC profile used for color matching,
A control unit that outputs the print data generation condition to the print data generation device according to a request from the print data generation device which generates the print data based on the print data generation condition.

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