JP2020185667A - Image processing device, liquid discharge device including the same, terminal, image processing method and program for executing the same - Google Patents

Abstract

To control multiple pieces of liquid necessary to be separated from each other on a recording medium from coming into contact with each other on the recording medium when a liquid discharge device discharges those multiple pieces of liquid.SOLUTION: An image processing device for a recording device that discharges first ink and second ink performs contact prevention processing of preventing the first ink and the second ink discharged from the recording device from coming into contact with each other on a recording medium on the basis of image data including a discharge area 41 for the first ink and a discharge area 42 for second liquid.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

The present invention relates to an image processing device, a liquid ejection device and a terminal provided with the image processing apparatus, an image processing method, and a program for executing the image processing apparatus, and a liquid that ejects a plurality of liquids that need to be separated from each other, particularly on a recording medium. The present invention relates to an image processing device for a discharge device.

Special inks or functional inks may be used in inkjet printers. An example of such an ink is a conductive ink containing metal particles. By printing conductive ink on a recording medium with an inkjet printer, an electric circuit can be easily created on the recording medium (Patent Document 1). Further, the glossiness of the metal particles contained in the conductive ink can be used to impart a metallic expression to the printed matter (Patent Document 2). As described above, since the conductive ink has a plurality of functions such as electric circuit formation and metallic expression, it may be used properly according to the purpose.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2005-241685 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2015-231736

Conductive ink for forming an electric circuit and conductive ink for metallic expression may be ejected to the same region on a recording medium. However, if the conductive ink ejected for the purpose of forming an electric circuit comes into contact with the conductive ink ejected for the purpose of metallic expression, the desired resistance value may not be obtained in the electric circuit or a short circuit may occur. Sex occurs. More generally, undesired results can occur when liquids that need to be separated on the recording medium come into contact with each other on the recording medium.

An object of the present invention is to suppress the occurrence of contact between these liquids on the recording medium when a plurality of liquids that need to be separated on the recording medium are discharged from the liquid discharge device.

The present invention relates to an image processing device for a liquid discharge device that discharges a first liquid and a second liquid. The image processing device is based on image data including a first liquid discharge area and a second liquid discharge area, and the first liquid and the second liquid discharged from the liquid discharge device are formed on a recording medium. Perform contact prevention treatment to prevent contact.

According to the present invention, when a plurality of liquids that need to be separated on a recording medium are discharged from a liquid discharge device, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of contact between these liquids on the recording medium.

It is the schematic of the recording apparatus applicable to this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the control composition of a recording apparatus and an image processing apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows each step of 1st Embodiment. This is an example of the main screen of an application in an information device. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the formation position of ink in 1st Embodiment. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the processing of image data in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the ink ejection area in 2nd Embodiment for each pixel. It is a flowchart which shows each step of 3rd Embodiment. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the formation position of ink in 3rd Embodiment. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the processing of the image data in 3rd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows each step of 5th Embodiment.

Some embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, an inkjet printer (hereinafter referred to as a recording device) that ejects two types of conductive inks that need to be separated on a recording medium is targeted. However, the present invention can be widely applied to a liquid discharge device that discharges a plurality of liquids that need to be separated on a medium. The discharged liquid may be the same liquid or a different liquid, and may be an ink or a liquid other than ink, as long as it needs to be separated on a recording medium. The purpose of ejecting the conductive ink is not limited, but in the present embodiment, one conductive ink is ejected for the purpose of imparting a metallic expression to the printed matter, and the other conductive ink is ejected for the purpose of forming an electric circuit. .. Such uses are envisioned, for example, in greeting cards such as Christmas, party invitations, and the like. For example, in a greeting card, it is conceivable to print the green color of the Christmas tree in a metallic expression, illuminate the decorative part of the tree with an LED, and form the wiring for the LED along the circumference of the Christmas tree. The present invention is also applicable when the same or similar liquids are ejected for the same purpose, such as when the same ink is used to form a plurality of electric circuits. In the following description, the ink ejected for imparting a metallic expression is referred to as a first ink (first liquid), and the ink ejected for forming an electric circuit is referred to as a second ink (second liquid). ).

(First Embodiment)
First, a schematic configuration of the recording device will be described with reference to FIG. The recording device 1 has a recording head 13 (liquid discharge head) mounted on the carriage. The recording head 13 has a plurality of recording elements capable of ejecting ink droplets and a plurality of ejection ports (both not shown). The carriage 4 reciprocates along the guide shaft 5 in the width direction B of the recording medium P. The recording medium P made of paper, a plastic sheet, or the like is conveyed in the transfer direction A by the transfer roller pair 6. Printing is performed on the recording medium P by transporting the recording medium P in the transport direction A and ejecting ink from the recording head 13 while scanning the recording head 13 mounted on the carriage 4 in the width direction B of the recording medium P. Will be done. In addition to the conductive first and second inks, the recording head 13 has cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (B) inks (collectively referred to as CMYB ink or colored ink). May) be discharged.

The first and second inks contain metal particles that impart conductivity. The metal particles are preferably formed of silver from the viewpoint of storage stability and conductivity. Since silver particles are achromatic and have high gloss, it is possible to express a wide range of metallic colors by combining them with color inks. As the metal particles, gold, copper, platinum, aluminum, titanium, chromium, iron, nickel, zinc, zirconium, and tin can also be used. The first and second inks may further contain a dispersion resin that disperses metal particles in the ink, and a surfactant that adjusts the surface tension of the ink. As the medium of the first and second inks, it is preferable to use an aqueous medium containing water and a water-soluble organic solvent.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of the recording device 1 and the image processing device 2. The image processing device 2 is a terminal or information device such as a personal computer or a smartphone in which a printing application is installed, but it may be incorporated in the recording device 1. The function of the image processing device 2 may be executed on the cloud. That is, one aspect of the present invention is installed in the recording device 1 or some device that controls the recording device 1, and is a program for causing the computer of the image processing device 2 to execute the ink ejection method (liquid ejection method) described below. Is. In this embodiment, the computer is the CPU of the main control unit 21 described below. This program is stored in the computer-readable recording medium. In the present embodiment, the recording medium is the ROM of the main control unit 21 of the image processing device 2, but it may be any recording medium outside the image processing device 2.

The main control unit 11 of the recording device 1 is composed of a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, and controls the entire recording device 1. The recording buffer 12 stores print image data before being transferred to the recording head 13 as raster data. The ink is ejected from the recording head 13 according to the print image data stored in the recording buffer 12. The paper feed / discharge motor control unit 14 controls the transport of the recording medium P and the paper feed / discharge. The interface (I / F) 15 exchanges data signals with and from the image processing device 2. The data buffer 16 temporarily stores print image data received from the image processing device 2. The system bus 17 connects these elements in the recording device 1 to each other.

The main control unit 21 of the image processing device 2 is composed of a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, and creates and modifies image data in the image processing device 2. The main control unit 21 has an image creation unit 26 that creates image data, an image analysis unit 27 that analyzes image data, and an image processing unit 28 that corrects image data and the like. The interface (I / F) 22 exchanges data signals with and from the recording device 1 via the I / F signal line 3 (communication means). The recording device 1 and the image processing device 2 may be connected by a wireless communication means such as a wireless LAN, or may be connected via a server or a cloud terminal. The display unit 23 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display, and displays various information to the user. The operation unit 24 is composed of, for example, a keyboard or a mouse, and accepts a user's input operation. The display unit 23 and the operation unit 24 may be shared by using, for example, a touch panel. The system bus 25 connects these elements in the image processing device 2 to each other.

FIG. 3 shows a flowchart showing steps from image data creation to printing, and FIG. 4 shows an example of an application main screen 31 for a user to execute these steps. FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing the formation positions of the first ink and the second ink in the first embodiment, as viewed from a direction parallel to the recording medium P. First, when the user presses or clicks the input icon 33, the image creation unit 26 creates a base image in the image area 32 (step S1). The base image may be acquired from the internal memory of the terminal, may be acquired from an external storage medium such as an SD card, or the cloud, or may be newly created by the user.

Next, the user edits the base image and creates an electric circuit (step S2). When the user presses or clicks the draw icon 34, the image creation unit 26 colors the base image of the image area 32 with a desired color and creates an object. The color can be specified by the color icon 37. The metallic representation is specified as part of the color representation. For example, by inputting R (red) value = 0, G (green) value = 255, B (blue) value = 255, and Ag (silver) value = 255, RGB color expression and metallic expression can be specified at the same time. can do. The higher the Ag value, the stronger the gloss effect is expressed, and in the above example, green having a strong gloss effect is specified. Next, when the user presses or clicks the circuit icon 35, the image creation unit 26 forms an electric circuit. Since the width of the electric circuit is related to the resistance value, it may be specified by the user.

In this embodiment, two base images are formed. Referring to FIG. 4, on the left side of the image area 32, an image in which an electric circuit WA is provided around a trapezoidal object OA is formed. A button battery connection portion WA1 is provided in a part of the electric circuit WA. By attaching a button battery to the connection portion WA1 and attaching an LED on the electric circuit WA, the boundary of the object OA can be lit. On the right side of the image area 32, an image in which an electric circuit WB is provided so as to overlap the star-shaped object OB is formed. The end of the electric circuit WB is a button battery connection WB1. By attaching a button battery to the connection portion WB1 and attaching an LED on the electric circuit WB, the center of the object OB can be lit. A first ink 51 for metallic expression is designated on the entire surface of the object OA, and a second ink 52 is designated so that the electric circuit WA is in contact with the object OA. A first ink 51 for metallic expression is designated on the entire surface of the object OB, and a second ink 52 is designated so that the electric circuit WB overlaps the object OB.

The difference in color between the objects OA and OB and the electric circuits WA and WB indicates that the coating thickness of the ink is different. In the present embodiment, the first ink 51 for metallic expression is ejected with a thin coating thickness, and the second ink 52 for forming an electric circuit is ejected with a thick coating thickness. However, the coating thickness of objects and electric circuits is not limited in any way. For example, the objects OA and OB may be formed thicker than the electric circuits WA and WB in order to emphasize the metallic expression, or the coating thickness may be different between the object OA and the object OB.

Next, the user presses or clicks the print icon 36. The user operates the application and sets printing conditions such as paper type and printing resolution (step S3). Subsequently, the user gives a print instruction to the recording device 1 (step S4).
The image processing device 2 performs ink color conversion (step S5). When the user presses or clicks the print icon 36, the image data has an RGB color representation plane. Alternatively, the image data may have another color representation plane such as a Lab. Further, the image data has a plane of the first ink 51 and a plane of the second ink 52. In this step, the image processing device 2 uses the conversion table to convert the RGB color expression plane into a CMYB color expression plane that can be ejected by the recording device 1. The planes of the first and second inks 51 and 52 are not converted, but the Ag value may be adjusted. For example, the Ag value of the plane of the first ink 51 can be adjusted in order to achieve the desired glossiness. When adjusting the Ag value, the CMYB color expression plane can be referred to. Alternatively, when it is necessary to limit the total ink ejection amount for a certain area of the recording medium, the Ag value may be adjusted in consideration of the total ink ejection amount and the CMYB color expression plane. In the following description, the planes of the first and second inks 51 and 52 obtained in step S5 are referred to as ejection regions 41 and 42 of the first and second inks 51 and 52 (see FIG. 6).

In the image data created in the above steps, the positional relationship between the ejection region 41 of the first ink 51 and the ejection region 42 of the second ink 52 is not adjusted. Therefore, there is a possibility that the ejection region 41 of the first ink 51 and the ejection region 42 of the second ink 52 overlap each other. The overlap includes both a case where the common portion of the ejection area 41 of the first ink 51 and the ejection area 42 of the second ink 52 is a surface and a case where a point or a line is formed. Since the first ink 51 and the second ink 52 are ejected to the recording medium P at the same timing, there is a possibility that the first ink 51 and the second ink 52 come into contact with each other on the recording medium P. The ejection region 42 of the second ink 52 usually includes a linear portion 42A that serves as wiring. In particular, when the linear portion 42A overlaps with the ejection region 41 of the first ink 51, the second ink 52 comes into contact with the first ink 51 on the recording medium P, and the resistance of the electric circuit becomes a design value. There is a possibility of a large deviation from the above or a short circuit in the electric circuit. For example, an LED has polarity and operates only when a voltage (forward voltage) is applied in a fixed direction. If the applied voltage is low, no current will flow, and if it exceeds a certain voltage, current will flow and emit light. Higher forward voltage emits brighter light, but excessive current can destroy the device. Therefore, in the electric circuit for lighting the LED, it is necessary to appropriately set the resistance value of the electric circuit in order to prevent the LED from lighting, insufficient illuminance, and damage.

Therefore, after the user sets the printing conditions and gives a printing instruction to the recording device 1, in the image processing device 2, the first ink 51 and the second ink 52 ejected from the recording device 1 are placed on the recording medium P. Perform contact prevention treatment to prevent contact with. The contact prevention process is performed based on the image data obtained in step S5, that is, the image data including the ejection region 41 of the first ink 51 and the ejection region 42 of the second ink 52. The contact prevention process in the present embodiment is a process of separating the first ink 51 and the second ink 52 in a plane on the recording medium P (such a process is referred to as a first process). When other inks are ejected onto the recording medium P and the first and second inks 51 and 52 are ejected onto the recording medium P, the first ink 51 and the second ink 52 are separated from the recording medium P and It is planarly separated on the same plane parallel to the recording medium P. Hereinafter, this contact prevention treatment will be described with reference to FIG.

First, the image analysis unit 27 of the image processing device 2 obtains an overlapping region 43 in which the ejection region 41 of the first ink 51 and the ejection region 42 of the second ink 52 overlap in the image data (step S6). FIG. 6A shows the ejection region 41 of the first ink 51, that is, the ejection region of the ink for metallic expression. FIG. 6B shows an ejection region 42 of the second ink 52, that is, an ink ejection region for forming an electric circuit. FIG. 6 (c) shows the overlapping region 43. The overlapping region 43 can be obtained by taking the logical product of the ejection region 41 of the first ink 51 and the ejection region 42 of the second ink 52 on the image data. The overlapping area 43 can be obtained by adding not only the image data but also the information on the recording device 1 side such as the position accuracy of the discharge port.

The image processing unit 28 of the image processing device 2 generates a discharge prohibition area 44 including the overlapping area 43 (step S7). The ejection prohibition region 44 is an region in which the first ink 51 is not ejected. FIG. 6D shows a discharge prohibition area 44. The black area is the area where the first ink 51 can be ejected, and the white area is the ejection prohibited area 44 of the first ink 51. FIG. 6 (e) is an enlarged view of part A of FIG. 6 (d) showing the relationship between the overlapping region 43 and the discharge prohibition region 44. The discharge prohibition area 44 is generated by expanding the overlapping area 43. That is, the discharge prohibition region 44 includes the overlap region 43, and the outer peripheral portion of the discharge prohibition region 44 is separated from the outer peripheral portion of the overlap region 43 by a predetermined distance (equal to the width Δd of the strip-shaped portion 45 described later). Since even a slight contact between the first ink 51 and the second ink 52 has a great influence on the characteristics of the electric circuit, it is desirable to reduce the possibility of contact between the first ink 51 and the second ink 52 as much as possible. .. By providing the strip-shaped portion 45 between the outer peripheral portion of the discharge prohibition region 44 and the outer peripheral portion of the overlapping region 43, it is possible to absorb an error in discharge accuracy and reduce the possibility of contact.

Examples of the element (hereinafter referred to as an error element) that determines the width Δd of the strip-shaped portion 45 include an ink dot size, a tolerance peculiar to the recording device 1, printing conditions, and the like. The dot size of the ink is the size of the droplets ejected from the first and second inks 51 and 52, the size of the dots on the recording medium P, and the like. The tolerance peculiar to the recording device 1 includes the discharge position accuracy of the discharge port, the transfer accuracy of the recording medium P, and the like. The discharge position accuracy of the discharge port is affected by the position deviation of the discharge port with respect to the reference position of the recording head 13, the movement accuracy of the carriage 4, the deviation of the movement path of the carriage 4 in the forward direction and the return direction, and the like. The printing conditions are the resolution of the image data, the resolution of the image formed on the recording medium P, and the like, and may include the area where the object and the electric wiring are formed, and the influence of the wind at the time of continuous ejection. The image processing unit 28 stores all or at least one of these error elements in advance, and calculates a predetermined width, that is, the width Δd of the strip-shaped portion 45 based on the error elements. The image processing unit 28 may store the width Δd itself of the strip-shaped portion 45. Increasing the width Δd of the strip-shaped portion 45 makes it difficult for ink to come into contact with each other, but since the ejection prohibited area 44 can be easily visually recognized, it is desirable to consider the balance between the two.

Since the width of the linear portion 42A (width d in FIG. 6E) affects the resistance of the electric circuit, it is preferable to eject the second ink 52 according to the planned ejection region as much as possible. On the other hand, the first ink 51 for metallic expression has no effect on the function. Therefore, the image processing unit 28 of the image processing device 2 excludes the ejection prohibition region 44 from the ejection region 41 of the first ink 51 (step S8). As a result, a part of the ejection region 41 of the first ink 51, that is, a portion adjacent to the linear portion 42A of the ejection region 41 of the first ink 51 is removed, and image data for printing is created. If there is a margin in the wiring width, a part of the ejection region 42 of the second ink 52 may be removed, or the ejection region 41 of the first ink 51 and the ejection region 42 of the second ink 52, respectively. A part may be removed. FIG. 6F shows the ejection regions 46 and 42 in the print image data of the first and second inks 51 and 52. The ejection region 46 of the first ink 51 has been reduced from the original ejection region 41 of the first ink 51 by the above processing. Since a gap 47 due to the ejection prohibition region 44 is provided between the ejection region 46 of the first ink 51 and the ejection region 42 of the second ink 52, the first ink 51 and the first ink 51 are provided on the recording medium P. The occurrence of contact with the ink 52 of 2 is suppressed. The CMYB image data is not modified. The processing necessary for creating image data for printing, such as gradation conversion and quantization processing, is performed in this step.
The image processing device 2 transmits image data for printing to the recording device 1. Each print image data is stored in the recording buffer 12 as raster data. The recording device 1 ejects the first and second inks 51 and 52 and the CMYB ink to the recording medium P according to the image data for printing, and forms an electric circuit together with the image (step S9).

The order of the ink color conversion (step S5), the detection of the overlapping region 43 (step S6), and the generation of the ejection prohibition region 44 (step S7) may be changed. That is, step S6, step S7, and step S5 may be performed in this order. However, when conductive inks are used in addition to the first and second inks 51 and 52, the processing order shown in FIG. 3 is preferable. In that case, in the generation of the ejection prohibition region 44 (step S7), the ejection prohibition region 44 is generated for all the conductive inks. That is, the ejection prohibition region 44 is generated for each conductive ink. In the print image data generation (step S8), the ejection range of the conductive ink other than the second ink 52 is corrected with reference to the respective ejection prohibited areas 44.

As for the non-conductive ink, the ejection region can be changed in the same manner as the first ink 51 from the viewpoint of designability. For example, in the original image data, consider the case where the entire area of the object is formed by the color ink and the first ink 51 for metallic expression. When the ejection region 41 of the first ink 51 is reduced, an object is printed on the recording medium P in which a color region having a metallic representation appears in the central portion and a color region having no metallic representation appears in the peripheral portion. Further, if the ejection region is changed so that the color ink is not ejected at the peripheral portion, the color region in which the metallic expression is made appears in the central portion, and the ground color of the recording medium P appears in the peripheral portion. It is also included in the present invention to change the ejection region of the non-conductive ink in this way. The ejection area of the non-conductive ink can be set manually or automatically. In the case of manual operation, the user inputs to the application whether or not to eject the color ink in the peripheral portion. In the automatic case, the image processing unit 28 determines whether or not to eject the color ink in the peripheral portion from preset conditions such as the color of the color metallic region and the color of the recording medium P. If the color of the color metallic region is close to the color of the recording medium P, the background color of the recording medium P is not noticeable even if it is visible, so that the image processing unit 28 determines that the color ink is not ejected to the peripheral portion. On the contrary, when the color of the color metallic region is significantly different from the color of the recording medium P, it is less noticeable to leave the color region than to produce the ground color of the recording medium P. Therefore, the image processing unit 28 has a color ink on the peripheral portion. Is judged to be discharged.

(Second Embodiment)
In the present embodiment, the ejection prohibition region 44 is not generated, and the ejection region 41 of the first ink 51 is rewritten for each pixel according to the ejection region 42 of the second ink 52. FIG. 7A shows the ejection region 41 of the first ink 51 and the ejection region 42 of the second ink 52 for each pixel 49. In this example, a part of the ejection region 41 (thin hatching region) of the first ink 51 and the ejection region 42 (dark hatching region) of the second ink 52 overlap. The image processing unit 28 determines whether or not each pixel 49 in the ejection region 42 of the second ink 52 overlaps with the pixel 49 in the ejection region 41 of the first ink 51. In the case of overlapping, the image processing unit 28 removes the pixel 49 of the ejection region 41 of the first ink 51. Specifically, the signal value of the pixel 49 is rewritten to 0. Further, the image processing unit 28 considers an error factor as in the first embodiment, and considers the pixels within the range of a predetermined number of pixels (the area 50 surrounded by the thick dotted line) from the ejection area 42 of the second ink 52. It is determined whether or not 49 overlaps with the ejection region 41 of the first ink 51. In the case of overlapping, the image processing unit 28 removes the pixel 49 of the ejection region 41 of the first ink 51. FIG. 7B shows the modified ejection region 41 of the first ink 51. The ejection region 42 of the second ink 52 is unchanged. In the present embodiment, the pixel 49 separated from any pixel 49 in the ejection region 42 of the second ink 52 by one pixel or two pixels in any of the vertical, horizontal, and diagonal directions is removed, but the predetermined number of pixels is It can be set appropriately in consideration of the error factor.

In the present embodiment, in order to correct the ejection region 41 of the first ink 51 by comparing the ejection region 41 of the first ink 51 and the ejection region 42 of the second ink 52 for each pixel 49, step S6 of FIG. , S7 is not implemented. Except for this point, the present embodiment is the same as the first embodiment. Even when a conductive ink other than the first ink 51 is used, the ejection region of the conductive ink and the ejection region 42 of the second ink 52 are compared for each pixel 49, and the ejection region of the conductive ink is determined. It is corrected for each pixel 49. Since the discharge prohibition area 44 is not generated, the amount of data retained and the amount of data transmitted in the image processing device 2 can be small.

(Third Embodiment)
FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating the steps from image creation to printing in the third embodiment. The contact prevention process in the present embodiment is a process of separating the first ink 51 and the second ink 52 in a direction perpendicular to the recording medium P (this process is referred to as a second process). As described above, in the first embodiment, the first ink 51 and the second ink 52 are separated in a plane on the recording medium P. Therefore, the ejection order of the first ink 51 and the second ink 52 is not limited, and usually, one scan is performed at the same time. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram similar to FIG. 5 showing the formation positions of the first ink 51 and the second ink 52 in the present embodiment. The first ink 51 and the second ink 52 overlap when viewed from the direction perpendicular to the recording medium P (however, overlapping is not an essential condition), but the direction perpendicular to the recording medium P. Is separated via a third ink 53 (third liquid). The third ink 53 is a transparent clear ink. Therefore, the recording device 1 according to the present embodiment is equipped with the third ink 53 in addition to the CMYB ink and the first and second inks 51 and 52. Conventionally, clear ink has been used for the purpose of alleviating unevenness of color ink, eliminating non-uniform reflection, and achieving glossiness evenly by superimposing it on color ink. In the present embodiment, the clear ink is used for the purpose of separating the first ink 51 and the second ink 52. In FIG. 9, the first ink 51 is formed in the lower layer and the second ink 52 is formed in the upper layer, but the first ink 51 may be formed in the upper layer and the second ink 52 may be formed in the lower layer. Further, FIG. 9 shows the ejection order of each ink. That is, FIG. 9 shows that the first ink 51, the third ink 53, and the second ink 52 are ejected in this order.

In this embodiment, steps S1 to S4 are performed in the same manner as in the first embodiment. In step S5, the image processing device 2 adds the ejection region 48 of the non-conductive third ink 53 to the image data. FIG. 10A shows the ejection region 41 (shaded region) of the first ink 51 and the ejection region 48 (internal region of the black line) of the third ink 53. The ejection region 48 of the third ink 53 is generated so as to coincide with the ejection region 41 of the first ink 51 and have a uniform density. After that, the ink color conversion is executed in the same manner as in the first embodiment. Steps S6 and S7 of the first embodiment are omitted, and the ejection order of the CMYB ink and the first to third inks 51 to 53 is newly set as step S16. This processing is performed by the image processing unit 28. In the present embodiment, the first ink 51 is ejected first, the CMYB ink is ejected second, the third ink 53 is ejected third, and the second ink 52 is ejected fourth. The order in which the CMYB ink is ejected is not limited to the second, and can be appropriately set in consideration of the arrangement of the ejection ports and the throughput. The CMYB inks are ejected at the same timing, but the ejection order may be set inside these. The ejection order of the first ink 51 and the second ink 52 may be reversed. What is important is that the third ink 53 is physically formed between the first ink 51 and the second ink 52. Therefore, the ejection order of the first to third inks 51 to 53 is the order of the first ink 51, the third ink 53, the second ink 52, or the second ink 52, the third ink 53, The first ink 51 is set in this order. That is, the first ink 51 and the second ink 52 are ejected at different timings, and a third ink is ejected between the timing at which the first ink 51 is ejected and the timing at which the second ink 52 is ejected. Ink 53 is ejected.

In step S8, print image data generation is executed. Each print image data is stored in the recording buffer 12. The recording device 1 ejects each ink according to the image data for printing, that is, according to the ink ejection order set in step S16 (step S9). In order to control the ejection order, the order of storing the print image data that is converted into raster data and stored in the recording buffer 12 may be the order set in step S16. Alternatively, the main control unit 11 of the recording device 1 may control the ejection order of the recording head 13.
Since the third ink 53 is formed so as to cover the first ink 51, the third ink 53 is always formed on the first ink 51. Therefore, even if the ejection region 41 of the first ink 51 and the ejection region 42 of the second ink 52 overlap in a plane, the second ink 52 is transmitted through the third ink 53 on the recording medium P. Separated from the first ink 51. In order to prevent the second ink 52 (or the first ink 51) from penetrating the third ink 53 and coming into contact with the first ink 51 (or the second ink 52), the first to third inks 52 The inks 51 to 53 are preferably pigment inks.

As described above, the ejection region 48 of the third ink 53 is set to coincide with the ejection region of the first ink 51 (or the second ink 52) that is ejected first. However, as shown in FIG. 10B, the ejection region 48 of the third ink 53 may include the ejection region 41 of the first ink 51. The ejection region 48 of the third ink 53 includes the ejection region 41 of the first ink 51, and the outer peripheral portion of the ejection region 48 of the third ink covers the entire circumference, and the ejection region 41 of the first ink 51 It is separated from the outer circumference of the ink. The distance between the outer peripheral portion of the ejection region 48 of the third ink 53 and the outer peripheral portion of the ejection region 41 of the first ink 51 can be set in consideration of the error factor described in the first embodiment. This makes it possible to more reliably completely cover the first ink 51 with the third ink 53 on the recording medium P.

The ejection region 48 of the third ink 53 may be formed so as to overlap the ejection region 42 of the second ink 52. Similar to the first embodiment, the overlapping region 43 of the first ink 51 and the second ink 52 may be detected, and the overlapping region 43 may be used as the ejection region 48 of the third ink 53. Further, as in the first embodiment, the ejection prohibition region 44 which is an extension of the overlapping region 43 may be set, and the ejection prohibition region 44 may be used as the ejection region 48 of the third ink 53. As a result, it is possible to efficiently prevent the first ink 51 and the second ink 52 from coming into contact with each other on the recording medium P while suppressing the consumption of the third ink 53.

(Fourth Embodiment)
This embodiment is the same as that of the third embodiment except that the third ink 53 is a non-conductive colored ink. Specifically, in step S16 in FIG. 8, the ejection order is set so that the colored ink is ejected between the ejection timing of the first ink 51 and the ejection timing of the second ink 52. In this embodiment, since the colored ink also functions as the third ink 53 of the third embodiment, a dedicated ink is not required as the third ink 53. Further, since the colored ink may be the ink provided in the recording device 1, it is not necessary for the recording device 1 to mount new ink. It is not necessary to omit the loading of other inks in order to mount the clear ink. This embodiment can be effectively applied to a recording device that is not equipped with clear ink. In the present embodiment, as in the third embodiment, the first and second inks 51 and 52 and the colored ink are preferably pigment inks. The colored ink is not limited to the above-mentioned CMYB, and may be, for example, white ink (white ink is also colored ink). Further, even if the ink has other functions such as UV ink, the same effect can be obtained as long as the ink has non-conductive or insulating properties, and the third ink 53 is a recording device for printing. It may be appropriately selected according to the ink mounted on 1.

(Fifth Embodiment)
In the first and second embodiments, in order to reduce the ejection area 41 of the first ink 51, an object having a shape different from the object created by the user is printed. However, if the ejection error assumed due to an error factor does not occur in actual printing, an unprinted "gap 47" occurs between the first ink 51 and the second ink 52 on the recording medium P. When the first ink 51 used for imparting the metallic expression is accurately ejected without error, only the color ink is printed in the gap 47. When the color ink also has conductivity, no ink is printed in the gap 47, and the background color of the recording medium P can be seen. Therefore, it is desirable to narrow the gap 47 as much as possible so that the gap 47 is not conspicuous so as not to impair the shape of the object created by the user, but this requirement may not be satisfied due to the above-mentioned error factors.

On the other hand, in the third and fourth embodiments, the object created by the user can be printed while maintaining the shape. However, since a large amount of silver-containing ink is applied to the region where the first ink 51 and the second ink 52 overlap, the color tone may change with respect to the surroundings. When the ejection region 41 of the first ink 51 and the ejection region 42 of the second ink 52 are arranged in a plane as in the first and second embodiments (FIG. 5), at least the first ink 51 If the second ink 52 is printed with the same coating thickness, the second ink 52 will not be noticeable. On the other hand, in the third and fourth embodiments, as shown in FIG. 9, the second ink 52 overlaps the first ink 51 in a plane on the recording medium P, resulting in a darker color than the surroundings. The electrical circuit may be noticeable. Especially wide electric circuits are easily noticeable.

As described above, each embodiment has a problem under limited conditions. In the present embodiment, among the first process in the first and second embodiments and the second process in the third and fourth embodiments, the size of the gap 47 and the width of the electric circuit are taken into consideration. Select a more appropriate process. FIG. 11 shows a flowchart of this embodiment. The flowchart of FIG. 11 is executed after the user has set the print condition (step S3) and the print command (step S4) by the print icon 36 on the application. The content processed in FIG. 11 is executed by the main control unit 21 of the image processing device 2.

First, the image processing unit 28 acquires the width d of the electric circuit (linear portion 42A) (step S21). Specifically, the width d of the electric circuit drawn on the recording medium P is calculated from the width of the electric circuit created by the user on the application and the paper type (paper size) set in the printing conditions. Next, the width Δd = (D−d) / 2 of the strip-shaped portion 45 is calculated in the same manner as in step S7 of the first embodiment (step S22). The error factor in calculating the width Δd of the strip-shaped portion 45 can be the same as that in the first embodiment. When there is no ejection error during printing, the width Δd of the strip 45 corresponds to the width of the gap 47 described above.

Next, the image processing unit 28 compares the width d of the electric circuit with the width Δd of the strip-shaped portion 45 (step S23). When d> Δd = (D−d) / 2, the first process is performed, and when d ≦ Δd = (D−d) / 2, the second process is performed. That is, when d> Δd, the process proceeds to the ink color conversion of FIG. 3 (step S5), and when d ≦ Δd, the process proceeds to the ink color conversion of FIG. 8 (step S5). It is preferable that the width Δd of the band-shaped portion 45 is stored in the image processing unit 28. When the first process is performed, the width Δd of the strip-shaped portion 45 can be read out from the image processing unit 28, so that recalculation is not necessary.
In the present embodiment, it is determined that the shape of the object can be changed when the gap 47 is relatively inconspicuous (d> Δd), and it is determined that the shape of the object is not changed when the gap 47 is relatively conspicuous (d ≦ Δd). doing. When d ≦ Δd, that is, when the width of the linear portion 42A is equal to or less than the width of the strip portion 45, the width d of the electric circuit is likely to be relatively narrow. Therefore, even if the second process is selected, the electric circuit is still present. Inconspicuous.

In the present embodiment, which process is selected from the relationship between the width d of the electric circuit and the width Δd of the strip 45 is determined, but other factors may be considered. For example, when the colored ink is ejected into the gap 47, the gap 47 colored with the colored ink may be visible, and when nothing is ejected into the gap 47, the ground color of the recording medium P may be visible. In general, the gap 47 is less noticeable in the former than in the latter, so there is a high possibility that a large discomfort will not occur even if the first process is selected. In that case, it is possible to change the above-mentioned judgment criteria so that d> c × Δd (c is a decimal number exceeding 0 and less than 1). Alternatively, the length and area of the electric circuit may be used as a determination condition. If the second process is selected when the electric circuit is long or the area of the electric circuit is large, a large amount of the third ink 53 is consumed. Therefore, it is also possible to select the first process when the length of the electric circuit or the area of the electric circuit exceeds a predetermined value, and select the second process when the value is equal to or less than the predetermined value.

1 Recording device 2 Image processing device 41-43 First to third ink ejection areas 51 to 53 First to third ink

Claims (19)

An image processing device for a liquid discharge device that discharges a first liquid and a second liquid.
Based on the image data including the discharge region of the first liquid and the discharge region of the second liquid, the first liquid and the second liquid discharged from the liquid discharge device are formed on the recording medium. An image processing device that performs contact prevention processing to prevent contact. The image according to claim 1, wherein the contact prevention process is a first process for separating the first liquid and the second liquid on the recording medium or on the same plane parallel to the recording medium. Processing equipment. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the contact prevention process is a second process of separating the first liquid and the second liquid in a direction perpendicular to the recording medium. The first and second liquids are conductive inks, and the ejection region of the second liquid includes a linear portion serving as wiring, and overlaps or is adjacent to the linear portion from the ejection region of the first liquid. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the portion to be processed is removed. It is determined whether or not each pixel of the second liquid discharge region or a pixel within a predetermined number of pixels from the second liquid discharge region overlaps with a pixel of the first liquid discharge region. The image processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the overlapping pixels are removed from the discharge region of the first liquid. An image analysis unit that obtains an overlapping region in which the first liquid discharge region and the second liquid discharge region overlap in the image data.
The image processing apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising an image processing unit that removes a part of the first liquid discharge region based on the overlapping region. The sixth aspect of claim 6, wherein the image processing unit includes the overlapping region to generate a discharge prohibition region in which the first liquid is not discharged, and excludes the discharge prohibition region from the discharge prohibition region of the first liquid. Image processing device. The discharge prohibition region includes the overlapping region and a band-shaped portion formed along the periphery of the overlapping region.
The image processing unit has a resolution of the image data, a resolution of an image formed on the recording medium, a size of droplets ejected from the first and second liquids, a size of dots on the recording medium, and the like. The image processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein an error element including at least one of the ejection position accuracy of the ejection port and the conveying accuracy of the recording medium is stored, and the width of the strip-shaped portion is calculated based on the error element. When the width of the linear portion is larger than the width of the strip-shaped portion, the first process is performed.
According to claim 8, when the width of the linear portion is equal to or less than the width of the strip-shaped portion, a second process of separating the first liquid and the second liquid in a direction perpendicular to the recording medium is performed. The image processing apparatus described. As the second process, the image processing unit adds a non-conductive third liquid discharge region including the first or second liquid discharge region to the image data, and the third liquid The image processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the discharge order of the first to third liquids is set so that is formed between the first liquid and the second liquid. As the second process, the image processing unit adds a discharge region of a non-conductive third liquid including the overlapping region to the image data, and the third liquid is the first liquid and the said. The image processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the discharge order of the first to third liquids is set so as to be formed between the liquids and the second liquid. A non-conductive third liquid discharge region including the first or second liquid discharge region is added to the image data, and the third liquid is the first liquid and the second liquid. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising an image processing unit that sets the discharge order of the first to third liquids so as to be formed between the two. An image analysis unit that obtains an overlapping region in which the first liquid discharge region and the second liquid discharge region overlap in the image data.
A non-conductive third liquid discharge region containing the overlapping region is added to the image data so that the third liquid is formed between the first liquid and the second liquid. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising an image processing unit for setting the discharge order of the first to third liquids. The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein the third liquid is transparent. The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein the third liquid is colored. A liquid discharge device including the image processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 15 and a liquid discharge head for discharging the first and second liquids. A terminal having the image processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 15 and a means for communicating with the liquid discharge device including the liquid discharge heads for discharging the first and second liquids. An image processing method for a liquid discharge device that discharges a first liquid and a second liquid.
Based on the image data including the discharge region of the first liquid and the discharge region of the second liquid, the first liquid and the second liquid discharged from the liquid discharge device are formed on the recording medium. An image processing method comprising performing a contact prevention process to prevent contact. A program for causing a computer to execute an image processing method for a liquid discharge device that discharges a first liquid and a second liquid.
The image processing method is based on image data including the discharge region of the first liquid and the discharge region of the second liquid, and the first liquid and the second liquid discharged from the liquid discharge device. A program that comprises performing anti-contact processing to prevent contact with and on a recording medium.

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