JP4333396B2 - Print data creation apparatus and print data creation method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a print data creation apparatus and a print data creation method, and more particularly to a print data creation apparatus and a print data creation method for printing a medium on which washing is performed after printing.

Conventionally, image data displayed on a monitor and edited on a personal computer or the like is configured as a set of a plurality of pixels. Each pixel has lightness gradation data for each of the three primary colors of light, red (R), green (G), and blue (B). However, since there are several types of monitors and their characteristics are different, even if they have the same RGB value, the color displayed on the monitor is not always visible to the human eye as the same color. Therefore, the L ^* a ^* b ^* value format may be used in order to make the same color appear on any monitor. In this L ^* a ^* b ^* value format, the pixel color is L ^* value (lightness), a ^* value (degree of color changing from red to green), b ^* value (degree of color changing from blue to yellow) ) As gradation data. Therefore, each monitor has a conversion table (color profile) from RGB values to L ^* a ^* b ^* values according to the characteristics, and pixels uniquely determined by the L ^* a ^* b ^* values. The color of is controlled so that it can be seen as the same color regardless of which monitor is displayed.

  Conventionally, in an image data output device such as a printer, a color expression method using a CMY value format or a CMYK value format is used. In this CMY value format, the pixel color is separated into the three primary colors, and the gradation data of the density of three colors, cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y), which are the colors of the reprinted ink to be printed. In the CMYK value format, the pixel color is divided into three primary colors, and the density levels of four colors are obtained by adding cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y) to black (K). It is expressed as key data.

Therefore, when outputting image data with an output device such as a printer, in order to perform color reproduction between different devices such as a monitor and an output device, conversion tables (colors) that are compatible with colors expressed in the respective data formats are used. Profile) is used. For example, a conversion method (for example, see Patent Document 1) for converting from an RGB value format to a CMY value format, or a conversion method (for example, see Patent Document 2) for converting from an L ^* a ^* b ^* value format to a CMYK value format. Proposed.
JP 59-41227 A JP-A-6-98161

  However, when printing on a fabric such as a T-shirt, it is conceivable to wash the printing medium after printing. Therefore, when washing is performed, discoloration may occur. Further, depending on the type of fiber of the fabric, fluffing may occur, or conversely, the fluffing may settle down and the surface state may change and the color may appear to change. Therefore, there is a problem that the printing result is an image having a different hue from the printing result imaged before printing.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to provide a print data creation apparatus and a print data creation method for printing a medium on which washing is performed after printing.

In order to solve the above-described problem, in the print data creation device according to the first aspect of the present invention, in the print data creation device for creating print data for an ink jet printer that prints on a fabric by ejecting ink from an ink jet head, color printing is performed in advance. Color conversion created based on the color measurement result of the color patch after the patch is printed on a predetermined type of fabric with a predetermined color intensity and washed under the washing condition which is a condition for washing the printed fabric. Color conversion table storing means storing a table, washing condition specifying means for specifying the washing condition, and color conversion for selecting the color conversion table from the storage means based on the washing condition specified by the washing condition specifying means A table selection unit and a mark for creating print data using the color conversion table selected by the color conversion table selection unit. And a data creation means.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect of the invention, the washing condition designating means includes a cloth input means for inputting the type of the cloth, and the cloth input means. And a washing method determining means for determining a washing method based on the type of the fabric input by.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect of the invention, the washing condition designating means is a washing method input means for inputting a washing method of the printed fabric. It is the structure characterized by this.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect of the invention, the washing condition designating unit includes a fabric input unit that inputs a type of the fabric, and a printed fabric. It comprises a washing method input means for inputting a washing method.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the third or fourth aspect, the washing method input means inputs at least one of the type of washing and the number of times of washing. It is characterized by that.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print data creation method for creating print data for an ink jet printer that prints on a cloth by discharging ink from an ink jet head. A washing condition designating step for designating a washing condition, which is a condition, and a color patch printed in advance on a predetermined type of fabric on the basis of the washing condition designated in the washing condition designating step; In a color conversion table selection step for selecting a color conversion table created based on the color measurement result of the color patch after washing in a plurality of color conversion tables stored in advance, and in the color conversion table selection step A print data creation step of creating print data using the selected color conversion table.

  In addition, in the print data creation method of the invention according to claim 7, in addition to the configuration of the invention according to claim 6, the washing condition designating step includes a fabric input step for inputting the type of the fabric, and the fabric input step. And a washing method determining step for determining a washing method based on the type of fabric input by the method.

  In addition, in the print data creation method of the invention according to claim 8, in addition to the configuration of the invention of claim 6, the washing condition designating step is a washing method input step of inputting a washing method of the printed fabric. It is the structure characterized by this.

  In addition, in the print data creation of the invention according to claim 9, in addition to the configuration of the method invention of claim 6, the washing condition designating step includes a fabric input step of inputting the type of the fabric, and a printed fabric It is comprised from the washing method input process which inputs the washing method.

  In addition to the configuration of the invention according to claim 8 or 9, the print data creation method according to claim 10 inputs at least one of the type of washing and the number of times of washing in the washing method input step. It is the structure characterized by this.

  According to a print data creation method of an invention of claim 11, in addition to the configuration of the invention of any one of claims 6 to 10, the test patch is color-measured after washing the fabric on which the test patch is printed. The color conversion table creating step for creating the color conversion table and the storage step for storing the color conversion table created in the color conversion table creating step are provided.

In the print data creation device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the color conversion table storage means is a condition for washing a printed fabric by printing a color patch in advance on a predetermined type of fabric with a predetermined color intensity. A color conversion table created based on the color measurement result of the color patch after washing under the washing condition is stored, the washing condition designating means designates the washing condition, and the color conversion table selecting means is selected by the washing condition designating means. The color conversion table is selected from the storage unit based on the designated washing condition, and the print data creation unit can create the print data using the color conversion table selected by the color conversion table selection unit. Accordingly, the color conversion table is determined based on the washing conditions such as the type of cloth, the type and number of times of washing, the type of drying, and the like designated by the operator, and print data color-matched according to the color conversion table is obtained. Can be created. The color conversion table is created based on the values obtained by printing various colors on various fabrics, performing washing and drying under various conditions such as the type and number of times of washing, and the type of drying, and then measuring the color. The Color matching that optimizes the state after washing of a fabric such as a T-shirt, which is premised on washing, can be performed.

  In addition, in the print data creation device of the invention according to claim 2, in addition to the effect of the invention of claim 1, the cloth input means which is the washing condition designating means inputs the type of the cloth, and the washing method determination means. Can determine the washing method based on the type of fabric input by the fabric input means. Therefore, since the washing method is determined based on the type of fabric and the washing condition is designated, the operator only has to select the type of fabric.

  In addition, in the print data creation device of the invention according to claim 3, in addition to the effect of the invention of claim 1, the washing method input means as the washing condition designating means inputs the washing method of the printed fabric. Can do. Therefore, in a print data creation apparatus that handles only one type of fabric or a print data creation apparatus that handles only types of fabric that do not differ much after washing, washing conditions are determined only by inputting a washing method. Thus, the operator only has to input the washing method. In this case, since there is no difference in the state after washing depending on the type of fabric, a color conversion table corresponding to the washing method may be prepared.

  In addition, in the print data creation device of the invention according to claim 4, in addition to the effect of the invention according to claim 1, the cloth input means as the washing condition designating means inputs the type of the cloth, and the washing method input means A method for washing printed fabric can be entered. Therefore, since the operator can input both the type of cloth and the washing method, color matching of various combinations of washing conditions can be performed.

  In addition, in the print data creation device of the invention according to claim 5, in addition to the effect of the invention of claim 3 or 4, the washing method input means inputs at least one of the type of washing and the number of times of washing. Can do. Therefore, color matching of various combinations of washing conditions can be performed.

In the print data creation method according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the washing condition designating step designates a washing condition that is a condition for washing the printed fabric, and the color conversion table selecting step is designated in the washing condition designating step. A color conversion table created based on a color measurement result of the color patch after a color patch is printed on a predetermined type of fabric under a predetermined printing condition and washed under the washing condition based on the washed condition. By selecting from a plurality of color conversion tables stored in advance, the print data creation step can create print data using the color conversion table selected in the color conversion table selection step. Accordingly, the color conversion table is determined based on the washing conditions such as the type of cloth, the type and number of times of washing, the type of drying, and the like designated by the operator, and print data color-matched according to the color conversion table is obtained. Can be created. The color conversion table is created based on the values obtained by printing various colors on various fabrics, performing washing and drying under various conditions such as the type and number of times of washing, and the type of drying, and then measuring the color. The Color matching that optimizes the state after washing of a fabric such as a T-shirt, which is premised on washing, can be performed.

  Further, in the print data creation method of the invention according to claim 7, in addition to the effect of the invention of claim 6, the cloth input step, which is a washing condition designating step, inputs the type of the cloth, and the washing method determination step Can determine the washing method based on the type of fabric input in the fabric input step. Therefore, since the washing method is determined based on the type of fabric and the washing condition is designated, the operator only has to select the type of fabric.

  In addition, in the print data creation method of the invention according to claim 8, in addition to the effect of the invention of claim 6, the washing method input step which is the washing condition designating step inputs the washing method of the printed fabric. it can. Therefore, in a print data creation apparatus that handles only one type of fabric or a print data creation apparatus that handles only types of fabric that do not differ much after washing, washing conditions are determined only by inputting a washing method. Thus, the operator only has to input the washing method. In this case, since there is no difference in the state after washing depending on the type of fabric, a color conversion table corresponding to the washing method may be prepared.

  Further, in the print data creation method of the invention according to claim 9, in addition to the effect of the invention of claim 6, the cloth input process which is the washing condition designating process inputs the type of the cloth, and the washing method input process includes A method for washing printed fabric can be entered. Therefore, since the operator can input both the type of cloth and the washing method, color matching of various combinations of washing conditions can be performed.

  In the print data creation method of the invention according to claim 10, in addition to the effect of the invention of claim 8 or 9, in the washing method input step, at least one of the type of washing and the number of times of washing is inputted. Can do. Therefore, color matching of various combinations of washing conditions can be performed.

  In addition, in the print data creation method of the invention according to claim 11, in addition to the effect of the invention according to any one of claims 6 to 10, the color conversion table creation step is performed after washing the fabric on which the test patch is printed. The color conversion table is created by measuring the color of the test patch, and the storage step can store the color conversion table created in the color conversion table creation step. Accordingly, it is possible to use a color conversion table created based on the result of measuring the color actually selected.

  Hereinafter, the present embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As a print data creation apparatus according to the present invention, a known personal computer that is connected to a known fabric printing inkjet printer 1 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) and creates print data for printing by the inkjet printer 1 A description will be given by taking 200 (see FIG. 3) as an example.

  Fabrics such as T-shirts, which are printing media, are washed after printing, and color fading may occur. In addition, depending on the type of fiber of the fabric, fluffing may occur, and conversely, the fluffing may settle down, changing the surface state and appearing to change color, resulting in printing. In some cases, the printed image may have a different hue from the printing result imaged before printing. Therefore, in the print data creation device and the print data creation process of the present invention, print data for printing is created so that the color after washing performed after printing of the printing medium becomes the color imaged before printing. To do.

  First, an inkjet printer 1 for printing a fabric such as a T-shirt will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of the inkjet printer 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the inkjet printer 1 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped housing 2 having a longitudinal direction in the left-right direction, and two rails 3 extending in the front-rear direction are arranged in a row at the approximate center of the bottom surface. ing. The two rails 3 are respectively supported on a base portion (not shown) that is raised in the vertical direction of the housing 2, and a flat plate that is movable in the front-rear direction of the housing 2 along the rails 3. A platen support (not shown) is supported. A replaceable platen 5 is fixed to the upper end of the column that is vertically raised substantially at the center of the platen support.

  The platen 5 is a substantially rectangular plate having a longitudinal direction in the front-rear direction of the housing 2 in plan view, and a recording medium made of a cloth such as a T-shirt is placed on the upper surface of the platen 5 horizontally. Is. An anti-slip member (not shown) is provided on the upper surface of the platen 5 in order to prevent the placement position of a T-shirt or the like placed with the printing surface tensioned from shifting during printing. Further, the tray 4 fixed to the support column at a substantially intermediate position between the platen 5 and the platen support base has a bottom surface substantially parallel to the top surface of the platen 5, and the outer periphery thereof is more flat than the platen 5 in plan view. It is a tray that is configured to be larger. The tray 4 is provided to protect the user from receiving the sleeve of the T-shirt and the like and dropping it on the bottom surface of the housing 2 when the user places the T-shirt on the platen 5.

  Further, a platen drive motor 7 is provided at the rear end of the platen drive mechanism 6 provided with the rail 3 for moving the platen support, and the platen support is moved by the drive of the platen drive motor 7. Along the front-rear direction of the housing 2. That is, there is a drive belt (not shown) between the drive shaft of the platen drive motor 7 and a pulley (not shown) provided near the front end of the rail 3 (the end of the rail 3 corresponding to the front side of the housing 2). The platen support that is bridged and fixed to the drive belt is reciprocated in the front-rear direction of the housing 2 along the rail 3 by the drive of the platen drive motor 7 that is a stepping motor. .

  A guide for guiding the movement of the carriage 20 on which the inkjet head 21 is mounted is provided between the both side surfaces of the casing 2 at a position approximately in the center of the casing 2 in the front-rear direction and above the platen 5. A rail 9 is installed. A carriage belt 26 installed between a carriage motor 24 provided near the left end of the guide rail 9 and a pulley 25 provided near the right end is provided at a position below the guide rail 9 in the housing 2. It is arranged over the left and right. The carriage belt 26 is fixed to the back surface of the carriage 20, and the carriage 20 is encased along the guide rail 9 that is engaged with an engaging portion (not shown) provided on the back surface by driving the carriage motor 24. The body 2 is reciprocated in the left-right direction. The carriage motor 24 is a DC motor, and the position of the carriage 20 is detected based on an output from a linear encoder (not shown) provided on the guide rail 9.

  In the inkjet printer 1 of the present embodiment, cyan ink, magenta ink, yellow ink, and black ink are used. Accordingly, the left side surface of the ink jet printer 1 is provided with four ink cartridge storage portions 30 for detachably storing ink cartridges that store the respective inks. Black ink, cyan ink, magenta ink, and yellow ink are accommodated.

  Ink supply tubes 10 a to 10 d are connected to each ink cartridge housing portion 30, and are connected to the inkjet heads 21 of the respective colors via guide members 40 and tube support members 60. The ink supply tubes 10a to 10d are flexible tubes made of polyethylene or the like, and have such flexibility that the ink jet printer 1 is bent or twisted in accordance with the movement of the carriage 20 or the like. In addition, the guide member 40 is provided at a position substantially above the platen 5 in the horizontal center of the housing 2 and supports the four ink supply tubes 10 a to 10 d behind the carriage 20. is there. The tube support member 60 is provided at the upper end of the carriage 20 and supports the four ink supply tubes 10a to 10d.

  Four inkjet heads 21 are mounted on the carriage 20. Each inkjet head 21 includes, for example, 128 ejection channels (not shown) for ejecting each ink, and each ejection channel is provided with a piezoelectric actuator (not shown) that is individually driven. The ink droplets are controlled to be ejected downward from fine ejection nozzles (not shown) formed in the bottom surface of the inkjet head 21 corresponding to the ejection channels. Therefore, the black ink accommodated in each ink cartridge accommodating part 30 is supplied to the inkjet head 21 by the ink supply tubes 10a to 10d and is ejected from the ejection nozzle.

  Further, a purge unit 22 having a suction cap 23 that can be brought into close contact with and detached from the nozzle surface of each inkjet head 21 is provided at a position where the carriage 20 has moved to the right end of the guide rail 9. The purge unit 22 is provided with a suction pump (not shown). When each suction cap 23 is in close contact with the inkjet head 21, ink can be sucked through the suction cap 23. Yes. Further, when printing is not performed, the suction cap 23 covers the nozzle surface of the ink jet head 21 to prevent ink drying.

  A clearance sensor 8 is provided across the left and right sides of the housing 2 at a position in front of the guide rail 9. The clearance sensor 8 detects obstacles such as wrinkles and dust on the recording medium placed on the platen 5 when the platen 5 moves from the front to the rear of the housing 2 along the rails 3 during recording. .

  In addition, an operation panel 28 for operating the ink jet printer 1 is provided at a position in front of the right side of the housing 2. The operation panel 28 includes a display 175, a print button 182, a stop button 183, a platen feed button 188, and the like. When the platen feed button 188 is pressed, the platen 5 moves to a position where the platen 5 can set or remove a cloth such as a T-shirt as a recording medium. When the print button 182 is pressed, the personal computer Printing of the print data received from 200 is started. Further, when the cancel button 183 is pressed during printing, the printing is stopped.

  Next, the electrical configuration of the inkjet printer 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the inkjet printer 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, a CPU 110 that controls the ink jet printer 1 is provided. The CPU 110 stores a control program for controlling the operation of the ink jet printer 1 executed by the CPU 110 via a bus 190. A ROM 120 and a RAM 130 for temporarily storing data are connected.

  The CPU 110 also includes a head drive unit 140 for driving a piezoelectric actuator (not shown) provided in each ejection channel of the inkjet head 21 that performs ink ejection via the bus 190, and a carriage on which the inkjet head 21 is mounted. A carriage motor 24 for driving 20, and a platen drive motor 7 for driving a platen roller (not shown) for adjusting the timing and speed of feeding the platen 5 holding the T-shirt that is the fabric to be printed during printing. A motor drive unit 150 for controlling and driving each of them and a USB interface 160 for enabling communication by connecting to an external device including the personal computer 200 via a USB cable (not shown) are connected. .

  Further, the operation panel 28 (FIG. 1) is provided with a display 175, a power lamp 172, a data lamp 173, and an error lamp 174, and a display control unit 170 for performing these display processes is sent to the CPU 110 via the bus 190. Connected with. The operation panel 28 is provided with a menu button 184, a left arrow button 185, a right arrow button 186, and a confirm button 187 in addition to the print button 182, the cancel button 183, and the platen feed button 188 (see FIG. 1). An input detection unit 180 that detects these inputs is connected to the CPU 110 via the bus 190. This display 175 displays information such as the data name and size of the print data that is being received from the personal computer 200, is waiting for printing after reception, is printing, or has been printed. Is done. In addition, a menu screen (not shown) for performing various settings is displayed, and when an error occurs, the contents of the error are displayed. When the menu button 184 is pressed, a menu screen is displayed on the display 175. The left arrow button 185 moves the cursor displayed on the display 175 to the left, and the right arrow button 186 moves to the right. When the confirm button 187 is pressed, the cursor is confirmed to the selected item.

  The ROM 120 of the inkjet printer 1 has a program storage area for storing a control program for controlling the operation of the inkjet printer 1 and a print execution program for executing a printing process, and settings necessary for executing the program. And a program-related information storage area for storing information such as initial values and data.

  Further, the RAM 130 of the inkjet printer 1 stores a received print data storage area for storing print data received from the personal computer 200 and a printing data storage area for storing print data that is being printed by pressing the print button 182. And a setting information storage area for storing various setting information.

  Next, the personal computer 200 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the personal computer 200, FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the RAM 230 of the personal computer 200, and FIG. 5 is a hard disk drive (hereinafter referred to as “HDD”) of the personal computer 200. .) FIG. A personal computer 200 shown in FIG. 3 is connected to the inkjet printer 1 by a communication cable based on a standard such as USB, for example, image data created by graphic software, image data captured by a scanner, and photographed by a digital camera. Print data for printing various types of image data such as the created image data is created based on the image data, and the created print data is transmitted to the inkjet printer 1.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the personal computer 200 is provided with a CPU 210 that controls the personal computer 200. The CPU 210 is inserted with a ROM 220 storing a program such as a BIOS executed by the CPU 210, a RAM 230 temporarily storing data, and a CD-ROM 241 as a data storage medium via the bus 290, and reading data. Are connected to a CD-ROM drive 240 that performs data storage and an HDD 250 that is a data storage device.

  Further, the CPU 210 performs screen display processing of the USB interface 260 for communicating with external devices including the inkjet printer 1 and the monitor 271 for displaying an operation screen to the user via the bus 290. A display control unit 270 is connected to a keyboard 281 and a mouse 282 for inputting an operation by a user, and an input detection unit 280 for detecting these inputs. The personal computer 200 is also provided with a floppy (registered trademark) disk drive (not shown), an input / output unit for sound, various interfaces, and the like.

  The CD-ROM 241 stores a print data creation program, settings and data used when the program is executed, and a program storage area 251 provided in the HDD 250 from the CD-ROM 241 (see FIG. 5) and the program related information storage area 252 (see FIG. 5). The print data creation program of the personal computer 200 and the method for acquiring the use data are not limited to those using the CD-ROM 241, but may be other recording media such as a floppy (registered trademark) disk or MO, The personal computer 200 may be connected to a network and acquired from another terminal on the network.

As shown in FIG. 4, the RAM 230 has an input RGB data storage area 231 for temporarily storing input RGB data, which is image data from which print data is created, and an L ^* converted from the input RGB data ^. a ^* b ^* conversion stores data ^L * ^a * ^{b *} data storage area ^{232, L *} a * ^{b *} conversion CMYK data storing area 233 for storing the converted CMYK data from the data, the print made from CMYK data A print data storage area 234 for storing data, and another runtime information storage area 235 for storing temporary data during execution of other programs are provided. Further, the RAM 230 is provided with various storage areas not shown.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the HDD 250 has a program storage area 251 for storing various programs executed by the personal computer 200 including a print data creation program, settings and initial values necessary for program execution, Program related information storage area 252 storing information such as data, input side color conversion table storage area 253 storing a color conversion table for converting input RGB data to L ^* a ^* b ^* data, L ^* a ^* b ^* An output side color conversion table storage area 254 for storing a color conversion table for converting data to CMYK data, an image data storage area 255 for storing image data, and the like are provided. Further, the HDD 250 is provided with various storage areas not shown.

  Therefore, in the inkjet printer 1 of the present embodiment, the personal computer 200 executes the print data creation program and transmits the print data. After receiving the print data, the operator sets the T-shirt on the platen 5 and presses the print button. When 182 is pressed, the platen 5 is first moved to the rear of the housing 2 along the rail 3 by the drive of the platen drive motor 7 so that the movement path of the carriage 20 becomes the recording start position. Then, while the carriage 20 moves from the right direction to the left direction of the housing 2, ink is ejected from the inkjet head 21 in accordance with a recording instruction, and one line recording is performed. Then, the platen 5 for one line is moved from the rear to the front of the housing 2, and then the carriage 20 is ejected from the inkjet head 21 in accordance with the recording instruction while moving from the left to the right of the housing 2. One line is recorded. Further, the platen 5 for one line is moved from the rear to the front of the housing 2. By repeating these operations, printing on the T-shirt is performed. When printing is completed, the platen 5 is sent to a position where the T-shirt can be removed, so that the operator removes the printed T-shirt.

  Here, color expression in the personal computer 200 and the inkjet printer 1 will be described. When displaying colors on the monitor 271 or the like of the personal computer 200, the colors are expressed in a format called RGB value format for each pixel forming the image. This is a color expression method using the three primary colors of light of R (Red: red), G (Green: green), and B (Blue: blue). The R value representing red, the G value representing green, and blue The color is expressed by three kinds of numerical values of the B value. Image data created by graphic software handled by the personal computer 200 or the like, image data captured by a scanner, image data taken by a digital camera, and the like are often expressed in color in these formats.

  In addition, when printing is performed by ejecting ink with the inkjet printer 1 or the like, colors are expressed in a format called a CMYK value format. This is a color expression method using four colors obtained by adding K (black) to the three primary colors of C (cyan), M (magenta), and Y (yellow), and the C value, M value, Y value, The color is expressed by four kinds of K values. In order to print the print data created in this format, the ink jet printer 1 uses four colors of ink of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black, and the cyan ink ejection amount is C value and magenta ink is M value. The yellow ink ejection amount is determined by the Y value, and the black ink ejection amount is determined by the K value.

As described above, in order to print the image data displayed on the monitor 271 of the personal computer 200 with the inkjet printer 1, it is necessary to convert the image data from the RGB value format to the CMYK value format. Therefore, the color representation method of each pixel is converted from the RBG value format to the CMYK value format via a color representation called L ^* a ^* b ^* value format. In this L ^* a ^* b ^* value format, a color is expressed by three types of numerical values: an L * value, an a * value, and a b * value. The L ^* value represents lightness, and the a * value indicates the degree of color change from red to green. The larger the positive number, the stronger the red, and the negative value, the greener the green. It is getting stronger. The b * value indicates the degree of color change from blue to yellow. The larger the positive value, the stronger yellow, and the negative value, the stronger blue.

In general, an input side color conversion table for converting an RGB value format into an L ^* a ^* b ^* value format and an output side color conversion table for converting an L ^* a ^* b ^* value format into a CMYK value format are used. ing. Since the RGB value and the actual expression color on the monitor depend on the monitor model, the input side color conversion table is defined for each monitor model. Since the CMYK value and the color of the print result depend on the model of the inkjet printer 1 and the type of ink, the output side color conversion table is defined for each model of the inkjet printer 1.

Therefore, each data generated in the process of creating the print data according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a transition diagram of each data in the print data creation process. As shown in FIG. 6, the base data for creating the print data 340 is input RGB data 310. This is image data created by graphic software, image data captured by a scanner, image data taken by a digital camera, and the like, and is expressed in an RGB value format. When the RGB value of each pixel of the input RGB data 310 is converted into an L ^* a ^* b ^* value based on the input side color conversion table 410, converted L ^* a ^* b ^* data 320 is created. Then, when the L ^* a ^* b ^* value of each pixel of the converted L ^* a ^* b ^* data 320 is converted into a CMYK value based on the output side color conversion table 420, converted CMYK data 330 is created. Then, pseudo gradation processing is performed by the error diffusion method, and print data 340 is generated. The input RGB data 310 is stored in the input RGB data storage area 231, the conversion L ^* a ^* b ^* data 320 is stored in the conversion L ^* a ^* b ^* data storage area 232, and the conversion CMYK data 330 is converted CMYK data. The print data 340 is stored in the storage area 233 and the print data 340 is stored in the print data storage area 234.

  An object of the present invention is to create print data 340 that is printed with a hue such that the color of the printed result after washing performed after printing of the printing medium is the color displayed on the monitor 271 of the input RGB data 310. That is. Therefore, in the present invention, the output side color conversion table 420 assuming that washing is performed is created, and this output side color conversion table 420 is used when creating the converted CMYK data 330. Further, the color of the printed result after washing varies depending on the washing conditions such as the type of fabric (for example, cotton, rayon, etc.) that is the printing medium and the washing method (washing or dry cleaning). Therefore, in the present embodiment, the output side color conversion table 420 is created for each combination of the fabric type and the washing method, and the output side color conversion table 420 is determined according to the instruction of the washing condition by the operator, and the conversion CMYK. Data 330 is created. The input side color conversion table 410 is stored in the input side color conversion table storage area 253 of the HDD 250, and the output side color conversion table 420 is stored in the output side color conversion table storage area 254.

Here, a method of creating the output side color conversion table 420 will be described. First, an IT8 color patch, which is a color patch that is generally widely used, is printed on a printing medium and washed. Then, the color patch after washing is measured with a colorimeter, and the L ^* a ^* b ^* value of each color patch is obtained. As a result, the CMYK value (output data) and the L ^* a ^* b ^* value (washing result) are determined for a certain color patch. Therefore, the output side color conversion which is a comparison table of the L ^* a ^* b ^* value and the CMYK value. A table 420 can be created. Instead of printing color patches for all combinations of CMYK values and performing color measurement to create an output-side color conversion table, only a predetermined type of color patch is printed and measured, and L ^{* of} each color patch is measured ^. For a color for which a ^* b ^* value is acquired and colorimetry is not performed, based on the colorimetric data of IT8 by a known color interpolation method (for example, volume interpolation is performed by sequentially changing CMYK values as parameters). The output side color conversion table may be created by complementing.

In the present embodiment, four types of output side color conversion tables 420 are prepared depending on the type of fabric and the washing method. The first output side color conversion table 421 when the cotton is washed with water, the second output side color conversion table 422 when the cotton is dry cleaned, the third output side color conversion table 423 when the rayon is washed with water, and the rayon are dry cleaned. It is the 4th output side color conversion table 424 in the case of having carried out. 7 is a schematic diagram of the first output side color conversion table 421 when the cotton is washed with water, and FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of the second output side color conversion table 422 when the cotton is dry cleaned. 9 is a schematic diagram of the third output side color conversion table 423 when the rayon is washed with water, and FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of the fourth output side color conversion table 424 when the rayon is dry-cleaned. Each value of L ^* a ^* b ^* value is expressed as (L ^* value, a ^* value, b ^* value), and each value of CMYK value is expressed as (C value, M value, Y value, K value). I will do it. The RGB values are expressed by 256 gradations from “0” to “255”, the CMYK values are respectively expressed by 256 gradations from “0” to “255”, and the L ^* a ^* b ^* value is L ^* Expressed with 101 gradations of values “0” to “100”, 256 gradations of a ^* values “−128” to “127”, and 256 gradations of b ^* values “−128” to “127”.

As shown in FIG. 7, in the first output side color conversion table 421 when the cotton is washed with water, the L ^* a ^* b ^* values (50, 0, 0) are changed to CMYK values (138, 117, 117, 28). L ^* a ^* b ^* values (50, 0, 10) are converted to CMYK values (128, 112, 148, 36), and L ^* a ^* b ^* values (50, 0, 20) are CMYK values. (120, 110, 179, 43), L ^* a ^* b ^* values (50, 0, 30) are converted to CMYK values (115, 110, 212, 46), and L ^* a ^* b ^* values (50, 0, 40) is converted into CMYK values (112, 110, 252, 46), and other L ^* a ^* b ^* values are omitted.

As shown in FIG. 8, in the second output side color conversion table 422 when cotton is dry-cleaned, the L ^* a ^* b ^* values (50, 0, 0) are CMYK values (132, 111, 110, 19) and L ^* a ^* b ^* values (50, 0, 10) are converted to CMYK values (127, 105, 144, 30), and L ^* a ^* b ^* values (50, 0, 20). Is converted to CMYK values (118, 106, 178, 41), L ^* a ^* b ^* values (50, 0, 30) are converted to CMYK values (106, 102, 205, 44), and L ^* a ^* The b ^* values (50, 0, 40) are converted into CMYK values (110, 105, 246, 40), and other L ^* a ^* b ^* values are omitted.

Further, as shown in FIG. 9, in the third output side color conversion table 423 when the rayon is washed with water, the L ^* a ^* b ^* value (50, 0, 0) is the CMYK value (58, 60, 44, 14). ), L ^* a ^* b ^* values (50, 0, 10) are converted to CMYK values (68, 101, 134, 16), and L ^* a ^* b ^* values (50, 0, 20) are Converted to CMYK values (68, 97, 132, 22), L ^* a ^* b ^* values (50, 0, 30) are converted to CMYK values (47, 45, 109, 19), and L ^* a ^* b ^* Values (50, 0, 40) are converted to CMYK values (74, 45, 120, 29), and other L ^* a ^* b ^* values are omitted.

As shown in FIG. 10, in the fourth output side color conversion table 424 when the rayon is dry-cleaned, the L ^* a ^* b ^* values (50, 0, 0) are the CMYK values (51, 50, 36, 13), L ^* a ^* b ^* values (50, 0, 10) are converted into CMYK values (65, 97, 130, 9), and L ^* a ^* b ^* values (50, 0, 20). Is converted into CMYK values (67, 88, 128, 13), L ^* a ^* b ^* values (50, 0, 30) are converted into CMYK values (47, 35, 107, 19), and L ^* a ^* The b ^* values (50, 0, 40) are converted into CMYK values (67, 43, 115, 27), and other L ^* a ^* b ^* values are omitted.

Next, the input side color conversion table 410 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of the input side color conversion table 410. The input side color conversion table 410 stores L ^* a ^* b ^* values that are converted according to RGB values. Each value of RGB values is expressed as (R value, G value, B value). In the example shown in FIG. 11, the RGB values (119, 119, 119) are converted into L ^* a ^* b ^* values (50, 0, 0), and the RGB values (125, 119, 102) are converted into L ^* a ^* b. ^* Converted to value (50, 0, 10), RGB value (129, 119, 85) converted to L ^* a ^* b ^* value (50, 0, 20), RGB value (132, 118, 67) Are converted to L ^* a ^* b ^* values (50, 0, 30), RGB values (135, 118, 48) are converted to L ^* a ^* b ^* values (50, 0, 40), and other RGB values. Values are omitted.

Next, the input RGB data 310, the converted L ^* a ^* b ^* data 320, and the converted CMYK data 330 will be described. FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of input RGB data 311 which is an example of input RGB data 310. FIG. 13 shows a conversion L ^{* obtained} by converting the input RGB data 311 shown in FIG. 12 using the input side color conversion table 411 ^. FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram of a ^* b ^* data 321. FIG. 14 shows a case where the converted L ^* a ^* b ^* data 321 shown in FIG. 13 is converted using the first output side color conversion table 421 (washing cotton). 15 is a schematic diagram of the converted CMYK data 331. FIG. 15 shows a case where the converted L ^* a ^* b ^* data 321 shown in FIG. 13 is converted using the second output side color conversion table 422 (cotton is dry-cleaned). is a schematic diagram of the conversion CMYK data 332 in FIG. 16, converts ^{the L} * ^a * ^{b *} data 321 third output-side color conversion table 423 shown in FIG. 13 (wash rayon) Is a schematic diagram of the conversion CMYK data 333 when it is converted you are, 17, using the converted ^L * ^a * ^{b *} data 321 and the fourth output-side color conversion table 424 shown in FIG. 13 (Dry Cleaning rayon) FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of converted CMYK data 334 when converted by

  As shown in FIG. 12, the RGB value of the first pixel of the input RGB data 311 which is an example of the input RGB data 310 is (129, 119, 85), and the RGB value of the second pixel is (128, 0). , 0), the RGB value of the third pixel is (0, 128, 0), the RGB value of the fourth pixel is (0, 0, 128), and the RGB value of the fifth pixel is (0, 150, 150), the RGB value of the sixth pixel is (200, 200, 0), the RGB value of the seventh pixel is (70, 70, 70), and so on. Pixels are omitted.

Further, as shown in FIG. 13, converted ^L * ^a * ^{b *} is one example of data 320, converted ^L * ^a of the input RGB data 311 shown in FIG. 12 has been converted using the input-side color conversion table 411 ^* The L ^* a ^* b ^* value of the first pixel of the b ^* data 321 is (50, 0, 20), and the L ^* a ^* b ^* value of the second pixel is (26, 48, 39). The L ^* a ^* b ^* value of the third pixel is (48, −48, 49), the L ^* a ^* b ^* value of the fourth pixel is (11, 41, −67), and 5 The L ^* a ^* b ^* value of the sixth pixel is (56, −34, −10), the L ^* a ^* b ^* value of the sixth pixel is (79, −13, 78), and the seventh The L ^* a ^* b ^* value of this pixel is (30, 0, 0), and the eighth and subsequent pixels are omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 14, in the converted CMYK data 331 converted using the first output side color conversion table 421 when cotton is washed with water, the CMYK value of the first pixel is (120, 110, 179, 43), the CMYK value of the second pixel is (76, 255, 255, 107), the CMYK value of the third pixel is (242, 33, 255, 28), and the fourth The CMYK value of the pixel is (255, 249, 61, 66), the CMYK value of the fifth pixel is (226, 68, 132, 20), and the CMYK value of the sixth pixel is (86, 43, 255, 5), the CMYK value of the seventh pixel is (130, 160, 153, 114), and the eighth and subsequent pixels are omitted.

  Also, as shown in FIG. 15, in the converted CMYK data 332 converted using the second output side color conversion table 422 when cotton is dry cleaned, the CMYK value of the first pixel is (118, 106). , 178, 41), the CMYK value of the second pixel is (73, 255, 249, 102), the CMYK value of the third pixel is (219, 25, 255, 17), and the fourth The CMYK value of the second pixel is (255, 242, 51, 53), the CMYK value of the fifth pixel is (219, 61, 127, 12), and the CMYK value of the sixth pixel is (76, 38). , 255, 0), and the CMYK value of the seventh pixel is (127, 153, 147, 107), and the eighth and subsequent pixels are omitted.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 16, in the converted CMYK data 333 converted using the third output side color conversion table 423 when the rayon is washed with water, the CMYK value of the first pixel is (68, 97, 132, 22), the CMYK value of the second pixel is (27, 93, 70, 44), the CMYK value of the third pixel is (61, 13, 105, 11), and the fourth The CMYK value of the pixel is (75, 84, 23, 21), the CMYK value of the fifth pixel is (104, 22, 39, 6), and the CMYK value of the sixth pixel is (22, 14, 78, 1), the CMYK value of the seventh pixel is (52, 40, 43, 31), and the eighth and subsequent pixels are omitted.

  Also, as shown in FIG. 17, in the converted CMYK data 334 converted using the fourth output side color conversion table 424 when rayon is dry cleaned, the CMYK value of the first pixel is (67, 88). 128, 13), the CMYK value of the second pixel is (26, 88, 66, 39), the CMYK value of the third pixel is (57, 10, 104, 6), and the fourth The CMYK value of the fifth pixel is (72, 83, 20, 17), the CMYK value of the fifth pixel is (103, 20, 37, 1), and the CMYK value of the sixth pixel is (19, 9). , 76, 0), the CMYK value of the seventh pixel is (50, 36, 42, 29), and the eighth and subsequent pixels are omitted.

  Next, print data creation processing performed by the personal computer 200 will be described with reference to a flowchart. This print data creation process is executed when a wash condition is designated on the print screen 500 and printing is instructed. 18 is an image diagram of the print screen 500, FIG. 19 is a flowchart of print data creation processing, and FIG. 20 is a flowchart of output side color conversion table determination processing performed in the print data creation processing.

  As shown in FIG. 18, the print screen 500 displays a message “Printing. Are you sure? Please select laundry conditions”, and has a laundry condition column, an OK button, and a cancel button. . In the washing condition column, a cloth type and a washing method can be designated by a radio button. The cloth type can be selected from two types of “cotton” and “rayon”, and the washing method can be selected from two types of “water washing” and “dry cleaning”. When the OK button is selected, the print data creation process is executed, and when the cancel button is selected, the print data creation process is not executed. If the washing condition is not specified by the radio button, a print screen 500 on which a message such as “Please specify the washing condition” is displayed, and the operator is prompted to specify the selection condition. .

  As shown in FIG. 19, in the print data creation process, first, the determination process of the output side color conversion table 420 is performed according to the designated washing condition (S1). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 20, if “cotton” is selected as the fabric type on the print screen (S11: YES), and “washing” is selected as the washing method (S12: YES), The first output side color conversion table 421 is determined (S13). If “Cotton” is selected as the fabric type (S11: YES) and “Dry cleaning” is selected as the washing method, “Washing” is not selected (S12: NO). The output side color conversion table 422 is determined (S14). If “rayon” is selected, “cotton” is not selected as the fabric type (S11: NO), and if “washing” is selected as the washing method (S15: YES), the third The output side color conversion table 423 is determined (S16). In addition, “rayon” is selected as the cloth type, “cotton” is not selected (S11: NO), “dry cleaning” is selected as the washing method, and “washing” is not selected. (S15: NO), the fourth output side color conversion table 424 is determined (S17).

When the output side color conversion table 420 is thus determined (S1), the image data to be printed is set in the input RGB data storage area 231 (S2). Then, the RGB value of the first pixel is read (S3). In the example of the input RGB data 311 shown in FIG. 12, the RGB value (129, 119, 85) of the pixel number “1” is read. Then, the L ^* a ^* b ^* value stored in the input side color conversion table 410 corresponding to the read RGB value is acquired, and the RGB value is converted into the L ^* a ^* b ^* value, and the conversion L ^* It is stored in the equal pixel number column of the a ^* b ^* data storage area 232 (S4). Next, in the output side color conversion table 420 selected in S1, CMYK values stored corresponding to the converted L ^* a ^* b ^* values are acquired, and the L ^* a ^* b ^* values are converted into CMYK values. After conversion, the corresponding information in the converted CMYK data storage area 233 is stored in the grand number column (S5). For example, the RGB values (129, 119, 85) are converted into L ^* a ^* b ^* values (50, 0, 20) with reference to the input side color conversion table 411 shown in FIG. If “Cotton / Washing” is selected as the washing condition, the first output side color conversion table 421 (see FIG. 7) is selected in S1 and converted into CMYK values (120, 110, 179, 43). Is done.

Then, it is determined whether or not conversion has been performed for all pixels (S6). Since only the first pixel has been processed and not all the pixels have been processed (S6: NO), the process returns to S3, and the RGB value of the next pixel is read (S3). ). Next, the stored L ^* a ^* b ^* values corresponding to the RGB values read from the input side color conversion table 410 are acquired, and the RGB values are converted into L ^* a ^* b ^* values (S4). In the output side color conversion table 420 selected in S1, the stored CMYK values corresponding to the converted L ^* a ^* b ^* values are acquired, and the L ^* a ^* b ^* values are converted into CMYK values. (S5). Since all the pixels have not been converted (S6: NO), the process returns to S3. In the example of input RGB data 311 shown in FIG. 12, RGB values (128, 0, 0) are converted into L ^* a ^* b ^* values (26, 48, 39) (see FIG. 13) (S4), and CMYK values. (76, 255, 255, 107) (see FIG. 14) (S5).

  Then, the processes of S3 to S6 are repeatedly performed, and if all the pixels are converted (S6: YES), the pseudo gradation process by the error diffusion method or the dither matrix method is performed to generate print data (S7). ). Then, the created print data is transmitted to the inkjet printer 1 (S8), and this process ends.

As described above, the color representation in the RGB value format is converted into the color representation in the L ^* a ^* b ^* value format, and the L ^* a ^* b based on the output side color conversion table 420 selected based on the selection condition. ^* Value format color representation is converted to CMYK value format color representation to generate print data. Then, the print data is transmitted to the inkjet printer 1 and printing is performed. Although the printing medium is washed after printing, since the CMYK value is determined using the output side color conversion table 420 created based on the color after washing, printing is performed. Is the color of the image data displayed on the monitor 271 of the personal computer 200.

  The personal computer 200 in the above embodiment corresponds to a “print data creation apparatus”, and the input side color conversion table storage area 253 and the output side color conversion table storage area 254 of the HDD 250 of the personal computer 200 are “color conversion table storage”. It corresponds to "means". Further, the radio button of the print screen 500 corresponds to “selection condition specifying means”, the radio button for specifying the cloth type corresponds to “cloth input means”, and the radio button for specifying the washing method is “washing method input means”. It corresponds to. The CPU 210 that performs the print data creation process shown in FIG. 20 (S1 in the flowchart of the print data creation process shown in FIG. 19) corresponds to the “color conversion table selection unit”, and the print data creation process shown in FIG. The CPU 210 that performs the processes of S2 to S7 in the flowchart corresponds to “print data creating means”.

  The present invention is not limited to the first embodiment described in detail above, and various modifications can be made. Below, the modification of 1st Embodiment to which this invention is applied is demonstrated. In the above embodiment, “cotton” and “rayon” are exemplified as the fabric types, but the fabric types are not limited to this, and other fabrics such as silk, wool, cupra, various blended fibers and chemical fibers are used. Needless to say, it may be possible to select one. Further, although “washing with water” and “dry cleaning” are given as examples of the washing method, it goes without saying that the washing method is not limited to this. Other washing methods include "washing with detergent", "ironing", "twice with water", "washing with water", etc., such as the presence and type of detergents and softeners, and the presence or absence of ironing Or you may enable it to select the frequency | count of washing. Also, the washing method may be classified in consideration of the drying method after washing such as “natural drying”, “shade drying”, “dryer”. In addition, when handling these other fabric types and washing methods, the output side color conversion table 420 corresponding to each is created. Also, an output side color conversion table 420 (output side color conversion table that does not consider conventional washing) when not washing may be prepared so that “do not wash” can be selected.

  In the above embodiment, the radio button of the printing screen 500 is used as “clothing input means” and “washing method input means” which are “washing condition designating means”. Other input methods such as selection using a list box, combo box, or check box, and character input into a text box may be used.

  Further, when the washing method is determined depending on the type of fabric used as the printing medium, the washing method may be determined based on the fabric type input by the operator. For example, in the program for controlling the input of the print screen 500 (FIG. 18) according to the above embodiment, the process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 21 is performed, and if the cloth type is “rayon”, the washing method is “dry cleaning”. May be determined.

  The flowchart of FIG. 21 is a flowchart of the input reception process of the print screen 500 that is performed when the print screen 500 is displayed. When the print screen 500 is displayed and the “rayon” radio button is selected by mouse operation or keyboard operation (S51: YES), “rayon” is designated as the cloth type (S61). Specifically, the radio button of the print screen 500 is selected and displayed, and information for designating “rayon” is stored in the storage area for storing the cloth type provided in the other runtime information storage area 235. Then, “dry cleaning” is designated as the washing method (S62). Specifically, the “dry cleaning” radio button on the print screen 500 is selected and displayed, and the “washing” radio button is disabled. Then, information for specifying “dry cleaning” is stored in a storage area for storing the washing method provided in the other runtime information storage area 235. Then, the process returns to S51.

  Then, while the input receiving process is continued (S51 to S56: NO), if the “OK” button is selected (S51 to S55: NO, S56: YES), the washing condition is specified ( (S68: YES), this process ends, and the print data creation process shown in FIG. 19 is started. If the “Cancel” button is selected (S51 to S54: NO, S55: YES), the stored washing condition is cleared (S67), and this process ends.

  When “cotton” is selected by mouse operation or keyboard operation (S51: NO, S52: YES), “cotton” is designated as the cloth type (S63). Specifically, the radio button of the print screen 500 is selected and displayed, and information for designating “cotton” is stored in an area for storing the cloth type provided in the other runtime information storage area 235. If “rayon” is already specified as the fabric type, “dry cleaning” is confirmed as the washing method, and the “washing” radio button is disabled, the washing method column can be selected. (S64). Then, the process returns to S51.

  When “washing with water” is selected (S51, S52: NO, S53: YES), “washing with water” is designated as the washing method (S65). Specifically, information indicating that “Washing” is specified in the storage area for storing the washing method provided in the other runtime information storage area 235 is displayed by selecting the “washing” radio button of the print screen 500. Is memorized. If “dry cleaning” is selected (S51 to S53: NO, S54: YES), “dry cleaning” is designated as the washing method (S66). Then, the process returns to S51. When the “OK” button is eventually selected (S51 to S55: NO, S56: YES), since the washing condition is specified (S68: YES), this process ends and the print data creation process shown in FIG. Is started. If neither the cloth type nor the washing method is designated, and the “OK” button is selected (S56: YES, S68: NO), a message such as “Please specify washing conditions.” Is displayed (S69), the process returns to S51, and the process for accepting input to the print screen 500 is continued.

  In this case, the cloth type radio button on the print screen 500 corresponds to the “cloth input means” of the “washing condition designating means”, and the CPU 110 that performs the process of S62 in the flowchart shown in FIG. It corresponds to “means”.

  In addition, when only one type of fabric is used as the printing medium or when handling fabrics that do not have much difference in color after washing depending on the type of fabric, only the washing method can be specified as the washing condition. It may be specified (Claim 3). For example, when only “cotton” is handled as the print medium, the operator only specifies the washing method on the print screen 600 (see FIG. 22). FIG. 22 is an image diagram of the print screen 600. As shown in FIG. 22, the print screen 600 displays a message “Printing. Are you sure? Please select a washing method?” And includes a washing method column, an OK button, and a cancel button. Yes. In the washing method column, a washing method can be selected from two types of “washing with water” and “dry cleaning” with a radio button. When the OK button is selected, the print data creation process is executed, and when the cancel button is selected, the print data creation process is not executed. If the washing condition is not specified by the radio button, a print screen 600 with a message such as “Please specify the washing condition” is displayed, and the operator is prompted to specify the selection condition. .

  Further, in the personal computer 200, as the output side color conversion table, the first output side color conversion table 421 (cotton / washing) (see FIG. 7) and the second output side color conversion table 422 (cotton / dry cleaning) (see FIG. 8). ) Prepare only. Then, in the output side color conversion table determination process (S1) of the print data creation process (see FIG. 19), when “washing” is designated as the washing method, the first output side color conversion table 421 is used to perform washing. When “dry cleaning” is designated as the method, the second output side color conversion table 422 is used. In this case, the radio button of the print screen 600 corresponds to “washing method input means” which is “washing condition designation means”.

  In the above embodiment, the personal computer 200 creates print data. However, the “print data creation device” for creating print data is not limited to the personal computer 200, and print data is created by the inkjet printer 1. The inkjet printer 1 may be a “print data creation device”.

  In this case, by operating the menu button 184, the left arrow button 185, the right arrow button 186, and the confirmation button 187 on the operation panel 28, the “washing condition setting screen” is displayed on the display 175, and the washing condition is designated. do it. FIG. 23 is an image diagram of a laundry condition setting screen 700 which is an example of a laundry condition setting screen. As shown in FIG. 23, a message “Please select cloth type”, a “Cotton” button, a “Rayon” button, an “OK” button, and a “Cancel” button are displayed on the washing condition setting screen 700. For example, when the confirm button 187 is operated while the “cotton” button is selected by operating the left arrow button 185, the right arrow button 186, and the confirm button 187, the “OK” button or the “cancel” button can be selected. When the OK button 187 is operated while the “OK” button is selected, the cloth type is input as “Cotton” as a selection condition. Next, a second washing condition setting screen (not shown) for selecting a washing method is displayed so that the washing condition can be input by the operation panel 28. Finally, the designated washing condition is set. The confirmation screen (not shown) may be displayed, and the print data creation process may be executed when the “OK” button provided on the confirmation screen is selected. In this case, the operation panel 28 corresponds to “selection condition designating means”, “fabric input means”, and “washing method input means”.

  Then, the input RGB data 310 is transmitted from the personal computer 200 to the inkjet printer 1. Further, the input side color conversion table 410 and the output side color conversion table 420 may be stored in the ROM 120 of the inkjet printer 1, and the print data creation process shown in FIG. 19 may be performed by the CPU 110 of the inkjet printer. Note that “print data transmission” in S8 is “print data output (print)”. In this case, the ROM 120 of the inkjet printer 1 corresponds to the “color conversion table storage unit”, and the CPU 110 that performs the print data creation process shown in FIG. 20 (S1 in the flowchart of the print data creation process shown in FIG. 19). The CPU 110 that corresponds to the “color conversion table selection unit” and performs the processes of S2 to S7 in the flowchart of the print data generation process illustrated in FIG. 19 corresponds to the “print data generation unit”.

When the inkjet printer 1 is a “print data creation device”, the personal computer 200 converts the input RGB data 310 into the converted L ^* a ^* b ^* data 320 using the input side color conversion table 410. The conversion L ^* a ^* b ^* data 320 may be transmitted to the inkjet printer 1 by performing the steps up to (only the print data creation process S2, S3, S4, and S6 in FIG. The inkjet printer 1 may store the output side color conversion table 420 in the ROM 120 and perform conversion processing from the converted L ^* a ^* b ^* data 320 to the converted CMYK data 330.

That is, the CPU 110 of the inkjet printer 1 reads the L ^* a ^* b ^* values of the pixels of the received converted L ^* a ^* b ^* data 320 one by one, and is based on the washing condition specified by operating the operation panel 28. When the output side color conversion table 420 selected in this way is converted into CMYK values and all pixels are converted into CMYK values, pseudo gradation processing is performed to generate print data. Then, output (printing) of print data is performed. In this case, the ROM 120 of the inkjet printer 1 corresponds to the “color conversion table storage unit”, and the test patch is washed under the same washing condition as the washing condition based on the washing condition designated by the operation of the operation panel 28. The CPU 110 that selects the output side color conversion table 420 created by measuring colors corresponds to “color conversion table selection means”, and uses the output side color conversion table 420 selected by “color conversion table selection means”. The CPU 110 that creates the converted CMYK data 330 from the converted L ^* a ^* b ^* data 320 and performs the pseudo gradation processing to generate the print data corresponds to the “print data generating means”.

  The print data creation apparatus of the present invention is not limited to a personal computer and an ink jet printer connected to an ink jet printer, and washing and coating are performed after printing, and the color immediately after printing and the color after processing change. The present invention can be applied to a printing apparatus that performs printing on such a printing medium and a computer that can be connected thereto.

1 is a perspective view illustrating an overall configuration of an inkjet printer 1. 1 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of an inkjet printer 1. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a personal computer 200. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a RAM 230 of the personal computer 200. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an HDD 250 of a personal computer 200. FIG. It is a transition diagram of each data in the creation process of print data. It is a schematic diagram of the 1st output side color conversion table 421 (washing cotton with water). It is a schematic diagram of the 2nd output side color conversion table 422 (cotton is dry-cleaned). It is a schematic diagram of the 3rd output side color conversion table 423 (washing rayon with water). It is a schematic diagram of the 4th output side color conversion table 424 (a rayon is dry-cleaned). 4 is a schematic diagram of an input side color conversion table 410. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of input RGB data 311. FIG. It is a schematic diagram of conversion L ^* a ^* b ^* data 321. It is a schematic diagram of the conversion CMYK data 331 when it converts using the 1st output side color conversion table 421 (cotton is washed with water). It is a schematic diagram of the conversion CMYK data 332 converted by the second output side color conversion table 422 (cotton is dry-cleaned). It is a schematic diagram of the conversion CMYK data 333 converted by the third output side color conversion table 423 (washing rayon with water). FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of converted CMYK data 334 converted by a fourth output side color conversion table 424 (rayon is dry-cleaned). 5 is an image diagram of a print screen 500. FIG. 5 is a flowchart of print data creation processing. 10 is a flowchart of output side color conversion table determination processing performed in print data creation processing. 10 is a flowchart of an input reception process on a print screen 500. 5 is an image diagram of a print screen 600. FIG. It is an image figure of the washing condition setting screen.

1 Inkjet printer 28 Operation panel 110 CPU
120 ROM
130 RAM
184 Menu button 185 Left arrow button 186 Right arrow button 187 Confirm button 200 Personal computer 210 CPU
220 ROM
231 Input RGB data storage area 232 Conversion L ^* a ^* b ^* Data storage area 233 Conversion CMYK data storage area 234 Print data storage area 250 HDD
253 Input side color conversion table storage area 254 Output side color conversion table storage area 255 Image data storage area 310 Input RGB data 311 Input RGB data 320 Conversion L ^* a ^* b ^* Data 321 Conversion L ^* a ^* b ^* Data 330 Conversion CMYK Data 331 Conversion CMYK data 332 Conversion CMYK data 333 Conversion CMYK data 334 Conversion CMYK data 340 Print data 410 Input side color conversion table 411 Input side color conversion table 420 Output side color conversion table 421 First output side color conversion table 422 Second output Side color conversion table 423 Third output side color conversion table 424 Fourth output side color conversion table 500 Print screen 600 Print screen 700 Washing condition setting screen

Claims (11)

In a print data creation device for creating print data for an ink jet printer that discharges ink from an ink jet head and prints on a fabric,
Color conversion created based on the color measurement result of the color patch after the color patch is printed on a predetermined type of fabric in advance under a predetermined printing condition and washed under the washing condition which is a condition for washing the printed fabric. Color conversion table storage means storing the table;
Washing condition designating means for designating the washing conditions;
Color conversion table selection means for selecting the color conversion table from the storage means based on the washing conditions designated by the washing condition designation means;
A print data creation device comprising: print data creation means for creating print data using the color conversion table selected by the color conversion table selection means. The washing condition designating means is
Cloth input means for inputting the type of the cloth;
2. The print data creating apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a washing method determining unit that determines a washing method based on a type of fabric input by the fabric input unit.   2. The print data creation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the washing condition designating unit is a washing method input unit that inputs a washing method of printed fabric. The washing condition designating means is
Cloth input means for inputting the type of the cloth;
The print data creating apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a washing method input unit that inputs a washing method of printed fabric.   5. The print data creation apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the washing method input unit inputs at least one of a type of washing and a number of times of washing. In a print data creation method for creating print data for an inkjet printer that discharges ink from an inkjet head and prints on a fabric,
A washing condition designating step of designating a washing condition that is a condition for washing the printed fabric;
Based on the color measurement result of the color patch after the color patch is printed on a predetermined type of fabric in a predetermined printing condition and washed in the washing condition based on the washing condition specified in the washing condition specifying step. A color conversion table selection step of selecting the created color conversion table from a plurality of pre-stored color conversion tables;
A print data creation method comprising: a print data creation step of creating print data using the color conversion table selected in the color conversion table selection step. The washing condition designation step includes
A fabric input step for inputting the type of fabric;
The print data creation method according to claim 6, further comprising a washing method determination step of determining a washing method based on a type of the fabric input in the fabric input step.   The print data creation method according to claim 6, wherein the washing condition designating step is a washing method input step of inputting a washing method of printed fabric. The washing condition designation step includes
A fabric input step for inputting the type of fabric;
The printing data creation method according to claim 6, further comprising a washing method input step of inputting a washing method of the printed fabric.   The print data creation method according to claim 8 or 9, wherein in the washing method input step, at least one of a type of washing and a number of washings is inputted. A color conversion table creating step of creating a color conversion table by measuring the color of the test patch after washing the fabric on which the test patch is printed;
The print data creation method according to claim 6, further comprising a storage step of storing the color conversion table created in the color conversion table creation step.

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