JP5884517B2 - Print data creation device and print data creation program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a print data creation apparatus and a print data creation program capable of ejecting more ink than the amount of ink that can be ejected by scanning the carriage once for each of the pixel rows arranged in the main scanning direction. About.

  Conventionally, a technique for ejecting ink while scanning a carriage a plurality of times in order to form one pixel row is known. For example, the image forming apparatus disclosed in Patent Literature 1 performs printing using white ink, and then heat-fixes the printed white ink. The image forming apparatus repeatedly prints white ink and heat-fixes a plurality of times, thereby ejecting a large amount of white ink onto a recording medium and obtaining good color development. Hereinafter, a printing method in which the same ink is printed by scanning the carriage a plurality of times for each pixel row is referred to as overlapping printing.

JP-A-2005-161583

  One of the overlapping printing methods is a multi-pass method (hereinafter, multi-pass printing is referred to as “multi-pass printing”). In multi-pass printing, printing of each pixel column is completed by scanning different nozzles of the plurality of nozzles provided in the ink head onto the same pixel column. According to multi-pass printing, the number of times of scanning nozzles in the same pixel row (hereinafter referred to as “pass number”) increases, and the time required for printing increases. However, according to the multi-pass printing, it is possible to improve the print quality by reducing the influence of the variation in the ink ejection direction and ejection amount at the nozzles and the variation in the movement amount in the sub-scanning direction at the carriage. As the number of passes increases, the influence of variation decreases and print quality improves. Furthermore, by adjusting the rate of thinning out the ink ejection in each pass (thinning rate), printing with a density higher than the density of ink that can be printed in one pass (hereinafter referred to as “unit density”) It can also be done by a pass method.

  The number of passes that can be set in multi-pass printing is limited according to the number of nozzles provided in the ink head. Therefore, when the number of carriage scans necessary for performing overlapping printing (hereinafter referred to as “necessary number of scans”) is larger than the minimum value of the settable number of passes, the printing method becomes complicated. For example, overlapping printing must be executed by a method of combining a plurality of times of multi-pass printing, a method of combining multi-pass printing and normal printing, or the like. In this case, it has not been possible to create print data that can execute optimum printing in consideration of both printing efficiency and printing quality.

  The present invention creates print data that can execute optimum printing in consideration of both printing efficiency and print quality when the required number of scans in overlapping printing is larger than the minimum number of passes that can be set in multi-pass printing. An object of the present invention is to provide a print data creation device and a print data creation program.

A printing data creation apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention is a printing apparatus that performs printing on a recording medium by causing a carriage mounted with a plurality of ink heads that discharge different inks to scan relative to the recording medium. A print data creation device for creating print data used in the above, wherein a maximum value of the density of a part of the plurality of inks is set once for each of the pixel rows arranged in the main scanning direction. When the density is higher than the unit density, which is the maximum density that can be ejected by scanning, the required number of scans, which is the number of scans of the carriage that needs to be executed for each of the pixel columns, is determined. The required scanning times determined by the determining unit and the determining unit are different from each other in a plurality of nozzles provided in the ink head, and the different nozzles are applied to the same pixel row a plurality of times. When the number of passes, which is the number of scans of the carriage that can be set, is larger than the minimum number of passes that can be set in multi-pass printing that performs printing, scanning by the multi-pass printing is performed for the plurality of scans that are executed as many times as necessary. And creating means for creating the print data including printing, and the creating means is a final scan that is the number of consecutive passes including the scan executed last among the plurality of scans. In the printing unit, the multi-pass printing is performed to discharge the high-density ink that is the partial ink and the normal-density ink that is the normal density equal to or lower than the unit density among the plurality of inks. wherein to create the print data, the case of executing the multi-pass printing of a plurality of times in the plurality of scanning, before each of the multi-pass printing of the plurality of times Of the number of passes, the maximum the number of passes of the multipass printing that is performed in the final print unit.

The print data generation apparatus according to the first aspect performs the last scan when it is necessary to perform printing (hereinafter referred to as “overlapping printing”) in which high-density ink is ejected by a plurality of scans to overlap droplets (hereinafter referred to as “overlap printing”). In a continuous scan including the following (hereinafter referred to as “final printing unit”), the multi-pass printing is executed by the printing apparatus to discharge both the high density ink and the normal density ink. When the printing apparatus performs multi-pass printing in the final printing unit, at least the uppermost surface of the high-density ink that is overprinted by overlapping printing is formed by multi-pass printing, so that the print quality of the high-density ink is improved. Further, since the normal density ink is printed by the multi-pass method together with the high density ink, the print quality of the normal density ink is improved. Furthermore, since multi-pass printing is performed in the process of overlapping printing, there is no need to increase the number of scans, and printing efficiency is high. Therefore, the print data creation apparatus according to the first aspect efficiently prints both high density ink and normal density ink on the printing apparatus efficiently and with high quality even when the minimum number of passes that can be set does not match the required number of scans. Can be made. In multi-pass printing, as the number of passes is increased, the influence of variations in nozzle performance and the like is reduced, and the print quality is improved. The print data creation device maximizes the number of passes of multi-pass printing in the final print unit so that the top surface of the high-density ink color and the normal-density ink color can be printed together with a higher quality on the printing device. Can do.

The creation unit executes, in the final printing unit, the maximum number of passes that is equal to or less than the necessary number of scans determined by the determination unit among the number of passes that is a divisor of the number of the plurality of nozzles. By setting the number of passes of the multi-pass printing, the number of passes of the multi-pass printing executed in the final printing unit is the multi-pass executed in a printing unit using the high-density ink other than the final printing unit. It may be larger than printing .

  The creation unit may create the print data that causes the multi-pass printing with the larger number of passes to be executed more. By performing multi-pass printing, the printing apparatus can execute high-density ink overstrike with higher quality than when multi-pass printing is not performed. In multi-pass printing, the print quality improves as the number of passes increases. Therefore, the print data creation apparatus can further improve the print quality by creating print data that causes more multi-pass printing with a larger number of passes.

  The high density ink may be white ink. When the print area is filled with white, it is difficult to obtain a good color unless overlapping printing is executed. According to the print data creation device according to the first aspect, it is possible to easily create print data that provides a good white color.

  The print data creation device includes a plurality of ink heads that discharge the high-density ink arranged side by side in the main scanning direction in the carriage, and a sub-scan with respect to the ink head that discharges the high-density ink. The print data for controlling the printing apparatus in which a plurality of the ink heads that eject the normal density ink are arranged in the main scanning direction at positions shifted in the direction may be created. In this case, the print data creating apparatus can efficiently eject both the high density ink and the normal density ink to the printing apparatus with one carriage.

A printing data creation program according to a second aspect of the present invention is a printing apparatus that performs printing on a recording medium by causing a carriage mounted with a plurality of ink heads that eject different inks to scan relative to the recording medium. A print data creation program that is executed in a print data creation device that creates the print data, in order to create print data to be used in the printing data, wherein the maximum value of the density of some of the plurality of inks, When the density is higher than the unit density, which is the maximum density that can be ejected by scanning the carriage once for each of the pixel rows arranged in the main scanning direction, the processing is executed for each of the pixel rows. A determining step of determining a necessary number of times of scanning of the carriage that is necessary, and the necessary scanning determined in the determining step The minimum value of the number of passes, which is the number of scans of the carriage that can be set in multi-pass printing, in which printing is performed by causing different nozzles of the plurality of nozzles provided in the ink head to scan the same pixel row a plurality of times. The controller for the print data creation device executes a creation step for creating the print data that causes the plurality of scans executed for the required number of scans to include the scan by the multi-pass printing to execute printing. In the creating step, the high ink that is the partial ink in a final printing unit that is a scan corresponding to the number of consecutive passes including a scan to be executed last among the plurality of scans in the creating step. Before the discharge of the density ink and the discharge of the normal density ink which is an ink having a normal density equal to or lower than the unit density among the plurality of inks, There rows instruction to create the print data to be executed by the multi-pass printing, when the multi-pass printing of a plurality of times is performed in the plurality of scanning, the number of passes of each of the multi-pass printing of the plurality of times Among them, an instruction is given to maximize the number of passes of the multi-pass printing executed in the final printing unit .

According to the print data creation program according to the second aspect, the print data creation apparatus needs to perform printing (hereinafter referred to as “overlapping printing”) in which high-density ink is ejected by a plurality of scans to overlap droplets. In this case, in a continuous scan including the last scan (hereinafter referred to as “final print unit”), the multi-pass printing is executed by the printing apparatus so that the high density ink and the normal density ink are ejected together. When the printing apparatus performs multi-pass printing in the final printing unit, at least the uppermost surface of the high-density ink that is overprinted by overlapping printing is formed by multi-pass printing, so that the print quality of the high-density ink is improved. Further, since the normal density ink is printed by the multi-pass method together with the high density ink, the print quality of the normal density ink is improved. Furthermore, since multi-pass printing is performed in the process of overlapping printing, there is no need to increase the number of scans, and printing efficiency is high. Therefore, even if the minimum value of the number of passes that can be set does not match the required number of scans, the print data creation device can cause the printing device to print both high-density ink and normal-density ink efficiently and with high quality. In multi-pass printing, as the number of passes is increased, the influence of variations in nozzle performance and the like is reduced, and the print quality is improved. The print data creation device maximizes the number of passes of multi-pass printing in the final print unit so that the top surface of the high-density ink color and the normal-density ink color can be printed together with a higher quality on the printing device. Can do.

1 is a perspective view showing an outline of a printing system 100. FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the carriage 34. FIG. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the 1st method of duplication printing. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the 2nd method of duplication printing. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the 3rd method of duplication printing. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the printing apparatus 30. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the electric constitution of PC1. 3 is a data configuration diagram of a color mode conversion table 21. FIG. It is a flowchart of the main process which PC1 performs. It is a flowchart of a printing condition setting process executed in the main process. It is a figure which shows the printing condition input screen 61 (initial screen) in case the number of heads used is "4". It is a figure which shows the printing condition input screen 62 (initial screen) in case the number of heads used is "2". It is a figure which shows the printing condition input screen 63 (initial screen) in case the number of heads used is "0". It is a flowchart of the gradation value conversion process performed in the main process. 6 is a flowchart of print data creation processing executed in main processing. 10 is a flowchart of used white head determination processing executed in print data creation processing. It is a flowchart of the 1st creation process performed by a print data creation process. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the printing operation performed when the required scanning frequency is seven times.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, with reference to FIG. 1, a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as “PC”) 1 which is an embodiment of a print data creation apparatus according to the present invention, and a printing system 100 including the PC 1 will be described. The printing system 100 includes a PC 1 and a printing device 30. The printing device 30 is a known fabric ink jet printer, and can print on a fabric that is a recording medium by scanning an ink head 35 (see FIG. 2). The PC 1 can create print data for causing the printing apparatus 30 to execute printing.

  An overview of the printing apparatus 30 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. The lower left side and upper right side in FIG. 1 are the front side and the back side of the printing apparatus 30, respectively. The left-right direction and the up-down direction in FIG. 1 are the left-right direction and the up-down direction of the printing apparatus 30, respectively. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the printing apparatus 30 includes a rectangular box-shaped casing 31. A pair of guide rails 33 extend in the left-right direction substantially at the center of the casing 31 in the front-rear direction. The carriage 34 is supported by the guide rail 33 so as to be movable in the left-right direction (main scanning direction) along the guide rail 33. Although details are not shown, the carriage 34 is scanned in the main scanning direction by a main scanning mechanism including a main scanning motor 46 (see FIG. 6) and a belt. The carriage 34 includes a plurality of ink heads 35 (see FIG. 2) at the bottom. The arrangement of the plurality of ink heads 35 will be described later with reference to FIG.

  A pair of guide rails 37 extend in the front-rear direction at a substantially central lower portion in the left-right direction inside the housing 31. The platen support 38 is supported by the guide rail 37 so as to be movable in the front-rear direction (sub-scanning direction) along the guide rail 37. Although not shown in detail, the platen support 38 is scanned in the sub-scanning direction by a sub-scanning mechanism including a sub-scanning motor 47 (see FIG. 6) and a belt. A replaceable platen 39 is fixed substantially at the center in the left-right direction on the upper surface of the platen support 38. The platen 39 is a plate having a substantially pentagonal shape in plan view, and is for placing a cloth such as a T-shirt on the upper surface thereof.

  The printing apparatus 30 can form a pixel row (dot row) in the main scanning direction by ejecting ink while causing the ink head 35 to scan in the main scanning direction. When the scanning in the main scanning direction is completed, the printing apparatus 30 scans the ink head 35 in the sub-scanning direction and then forms a pixel row in the main scanning direction again. The printing apparatus 30 repeatedly performs the above operation according to the print data, thereby forming a plurality of pixel rows on the recording medium and performing printing.

  Note that the printing apparatus 30 according to the present embodiment moves the carriage 34 in the main scanning direction and moves the platen 39 in the sub-scanning direction, thereby relatively moving the carriage 34 and the recording medium held by the platen 39. Move to. However, the present invention can be applied to the case where a printing apparatus that relatively moves the carriage 34 and the recording medium is used, and the specific moving method is not limited to the method of the present embodiment. That is, in the present invention, “scan the carriage 34 relative to the recording medium” means that when the platen 39 is moved in the main scanning direction and the carriage 34 is moved in the sub scanning direction, only the platen 39 is main scanned. The case of moving in the direction and the sub-scanning direction includes the case of moving only the carriage 34 in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction. When only the platen 39 is moved, the carriage 34 only holds the ink head 35. Further, the present invention is not limited to moving the recording medium by moving the platen 39, and only the recording medium may be moved using a roller or the like.

  The structure of the carriage 34 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the carriage 34 in this embodiment is equipped with a plurality of ink heads 35. A plurality of fine nozzles 36 are provided on the bottom surface of each ink head 35. In the present embodiment, 128 nozzles 36 are provided in each ink head 35, but the number of nozzles 36 is simplified in the drawing. The ink supplied from the ink cartridge (not shown) to the ink head 35 is ejected downward from the nozzle 36 by driving the piezoelectric element. The plurality of nozzles 36 in each ink head 35 are arranged side by side in a direction that intersects the main scanning direction (in the present embodiment, the sub-scanning direction).

  The printing apparatus 30 in the present embodiment can perform printing by ejecting both white ink and color ink onto a recording medium while the carriage 34 is scanned in the main scanning direction. That is, the printing apparatus 30 in the present embodiment can execute white and color simultaneous printing by using the carriage 34 shown in FIG. Therefore, the printing apparatus 30 can complete printing in a short time. On the carriage 34, a white ink head 35W that discharges white ink and color ink heads 35C, 35M, 35Y, and 35K that discharge color ink are mounted. In the example shown in FIG. 2, four white ink heads 35W are arranged side by side in the main scanning direction. Further, four color ink heads 35C, 35M, 35Y, and 35K are arranged side by side in the main scanning direction at positions shifted in the sub-scanning direction with respect to the four white ink heads 35W. The color ink head 35C discharges cyan ink. The color ink head 35M ejects magenta ink. The color ink head 35Y discharges yellow ink. The color ink head 35K discharges black ink. Since the color ink is ejected onto the white ink, the platen 39 (see FIG. 1) moves downward in FIG. The white ink head 35W and the color ink heads 35C, 35M, 35Y, and 35K may be in contact with each other or may be separated from each other.

  The specific configuration of the carriage 34 can be changed. For example, instead of using the color ink head 35K that discharges black ink, only the three color ink heads 35C, 35M, and 35Y may be used. In this case, black is expressed by mixing three colors of cyan, magenta, and yellow. In addition, an ink head that discharges ink other than cyan, magenta, yellow, and black (for example, an ink head that discharges ink such as gold and silver) may be included in the color ink head. The number of white ink heads 35W is not limited to four. The number of nozzles 36 provided in each ink head 35 can also be changed.

  In the printing apparatus 30, the white ink head 35 </ b> W is detachably attached to the carriage 34. Therefore, the user can change the number of white ink heads 35 </ b> W attached to the carriage 34. More specifically, even after the user purchases a model in which two white ink heads 35W are mounted on the carriage 34, the user can additionally mount the two white ink heads 35W on the carriage 34 to thereby install the printing apparatus. Thirty models can be changed. Although details will be described later, the PC 1 according to the present embodiment can execute printing on all of a plurality of models having different numbers of white ink heads 35W. Further, the user can execute printing using only a part of the plurality of white ink heads W mounted on the carriage 34.

  A printing method that the PC 1 can cause the printing apparatus 30 to execute will be described. The PC 1 can cause the printing apparatus 30 to eject more ink than can be ejected by scanning the carriage 34 once for each of the pixel rows arranged in the main scanning direction. A specific ink such as white ink may not be able to obtain a good color just by scanning the carriage 34 once. The printing apparatus 30 performs an operation of forming each pixel row in the process of scanning the carriage 34 a plurality of times (so-called “superimposing”), thereby reproducing a good color by ejecting a lot of ink onto a recording medium. be able to. Hereinafter, a printing method in which the same color ink is overprinted is referred to as overlapping printing.

  The PC 1 can also cause the printing apparatus 30 to execute multi-pass printing, which is one type of overlapping printing. The multi-pass method is a method in which printing is performed by scanning different nozzles 36 for each pixel row a plurality of times. The ink ejection direction and ejection amount vary for each nozzle 36. Furthermore, the amount of movement of the ink head 35 in the sub-scanning direction may vary. Accordingly, when one pixel row is completed by one operation (pass) in the main scanning direction, streaks (so-called “horizontal streaks” and “banding”) are generated between the pixel rows, and the print quality deteriorates. . Further, a difference in ink amount for each pixel column also causes a decrease in print quality. The printing apparatus 30 performs multi-pass printing (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “multi-pass printing”), thereby reducing the influence of various variations of the printing apparatus 30 itself and improving print quality. be able to.

  As specific methods for causing the printing apparatus 30 to perform the above-described overlapping printing, the first method using the multi-pass method, the second method for repeating printing of the entire plate a plurality of times, and the sub-scanning after the movement in the main scanning direction is repeated. There is a third method for moving in the scanning direction. Hereinafter, details of each method will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5.

  The first method will be described. Generally, when creating multi-pass print data, a thinning process is performed. The thinning-out process is a process for controlling the ink discharge amount by thinning out the ink discharge in each of a plurality of scans according to a predetermined algorithm with respect to a pixel determined to discharge ink. The probability that ink ejection is thinned out in each scan is called a thinning rate. If the sum of the thinning rates in each scan is less than 100%, a larger amount of ink is ejected than the amount of ink that can be ejected in one scan. That is, according to the multi-pass method, it is possible to increase the amount of ink to be ejected while improving the printing quality. However, if the thinning process is performed for each scan, the processing load on the PC 1 increases. The PC 1 of the present embodiment can create multi-pass print data without increasing the processing load. Specific processing contents will be described later.

  FIG. 3 illustrates a case where four pixel columns 24A, 24B, 24C, and 24D formed by a plurality of pixels 23 are formed by the first method. The printing apparatus 30 first scans the carriage 34 (see FIG. 2) once in the main scanning direction, and ejects ink from a specific nozzle X of the plurality of nozzles 36 to the pixel row 24A. Next, the recording medium is moved in the sub-scanning direction (specifically, upward in FIG. 3) with respect to the carriage 34, and ink is ejected from the nozzles X to the pixel rows 24B. The above operation is repeated, and printing is performed by scanning the nozzles X once in each of the four pixel rows 24A to 24D. Next, the printing apparatus 30 further moves the recording medium upward in FIG. 3 to eject ink from the nozzle Y different from the nozzle X to the pixel row 24A. Similarly, the nozzle Y is scanned in each of the four pixel rows 24B to 24D to complete printing. As described above, in the first method, different nozzles 36 are scanned for each of the four pixel rows 24A to 24D. As a result, the influence of various variations is reduced.

  The second method will be described. In the second method, the printing operation is repeated according to one print data. As shown in FIG. 4, an operation for printing the entire print region while scanning one nozzle 36 (nozzle X in FIG. 4) once in each of the plurality of pixel rows 24 </ b> A to 24 </ b> D is a unit operation. In the second method, one piece of print data for controlling this unit operation is created. When the printing apparatus 30 ends the unit operation according to one print data, the position of the recording medium with respect to the carriage 34 is returned to the printing start position, and the unit operation is repeated. As a result, overstrike for each of the plurality of pixel rows 24A to 24D is performed by the same nozzle X. In the second method in which printing of the entire plate is repeated a plurality of times, an increase in the amount of print data can be prevented. Further, after the ink ejected by one unit operation is dried to some extent, the ink is ejected by the next unit operation. Therefore, it is difficult for ink to bleed and an accurate image is created.

  The third method will be described. In the third method, one nozzle 36 is scanned in one pixel row a plurality of times and the same ink is overprinted, and then the position of the carriage 34 with respect to the recording medium is moved in the sub-scanning direction. That is, the printing apparatus 30 discharges ink to the next pixel row after performing overstrike for one pixel row. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the printing apparatus 30 first scans the nozzles X in the main scanning direction with respect to the pixel rows 24A and ejects ink. Next, without moving in the sub-scanning direction, the carriage 34 is moved backward in the main scanning direction, and the nozzles X are scanned again with respect to the pixel row 24A. Thereafter, the recording medium is moved in the sub-scanning direction to perform overstrike for the pixel row 24B. Even in the third method, it is possible to prevent an increase in the amount of print data. Furthermore, since the ink to be overprinted is ejected before the previously ejected ink dries, the ink spreads more than in the second method. Therefore, the gap where ink does not adhere is reduced, and the color of the ink is accurately expressed.

  The electrical configuration of the printing apparatus 30 will be described with reference to FIG. The printing apparatus 30 includes a CPU 40 that controls the printing apparatus 30. A ROM 41, a RAM 42, a head drive unit 43, a motor drive unit 45, a display control unit 48, an operation processing unit 50, and a USB interface 52 are connected to the CPU 40 via a bus 55.

  The ROM 41 stores a control program for controlling the operation of the printing apparatus 30, initial values, and the like. The RAM 42 temporarily stores various data such as print data received from the PC 1. The head driving unit 43 is connected to the ink head 35 that ejects ink, and drives the piezoelectric element provided in each ejection channel of the ink head 35. The motor driving unit 45 drives a main scanning motor 46 that moves the ink head 35 in the main scanning direction and a sub scanning motor 47 that moves the ink head 35 in the sub scanning direction. The display control unit 48 controls display on the display 49 in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 40. The operation processing unit 50 detects an operation input to the operation panel 51. The USB interface 52 connects the printing apparatus 30 to an external device such as the PC 1.

  The electrical configuration of the PC 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The PC 1 includes a CPU 10 that controls the PC 1. A ROM 11, a RAM 12, a CD-ROM drive 13, an HDD 14, a display control unit 16, an operation processing unit 17, and a USB interface 18 are connected to the CPU 10 via a bus 19.

  The ROM 11 stores a program such as BIOS executed by the CPU 10. The RAM 12 temporarily stores various information. A CD-ROM 6 as a recording medium is inserted into the CD-ROM drive 13. Data recorded on the CD-ROM 6 is read by the CD-ROM drive 13. The PC 1 acquires a print data creation program and the like according to the present invention via the CD-ROM 6 and the Internet, and stores them in an HDD (hard disk drive) 14. The HDD 14 is a nonvolatile storage device, and stores a print data creation program and various tables (for example, see FIG. 8). The display control unit 16 controls the display on the monitor 2. The operation processing unit 17 is connected to the keyboard 3 and the mouse 4 for the user to perform operation input, and detects the operation input. The USB interface 18 connects the PC 1 to an external device such as the printing device 30.

  The color mode conversion table 21 will be described with reference to FIG. The color mode conversion table 21 is a table for converting image data expressed in 256 gradations in the sRGB format into gradation data that is image data expressed in 256 gradations in CMYKW. In the color mode conversion table 21, CMYKW values corresponding to the sRGB values are associated with each other. The color mode conversion table 21 is created by a known method and stored in the HDD 14 of the PC 1 in advance. The specific configuration of the table may be changed. For example, a table for performing conversion from sRGB to CMYK and a table for performing conversion from sRGB to W may be provided separately. The color mode may be converted by calculation or the like without using a table.

  A main process executed by the PC 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 18. As described above, the print data creation program (printer driver program) is stored in the HDD 14 of the PC 1. When the print data creation instruction is input, the CPU 10 of the PC 1 activates the printer driver according to the print data creation program, and executes the main process shown in FIG.

  When the main process is executed, first, a print condition setting process is performed (S1). The printing conditions set in the printing condition setting process will be described. In the printing condition setting process, the number of heads used, the resolution, and the maximum density are set.

  The number of used heads is the number of white ink heads 35W that eject ink during one scanning in the main scanning direction among the white ink heads 35W (see FIG. 2) mounted on the carriage 34 of the printing apparatus 30. is there. In the present embodiment, the carriage 34 can mount a maximum of four white ink heads 35W. Therefore, in the print condition setting process, any one of “4”, “2”, and “0” is set as the number of heads used (see FIGS. 11 to 13). The number of usable heads that can be set may be equal to or less than the number of white ink heads 35W on which the carriage 34 can be mounted. Therefore, in this embodiment, “3” and “1” can be set as the number of used heads, but this description is omitted.

  The resolution is a known printing condition and indicates the pixel density. In this embodiment, either “600 dpi × 600 dpi” or “1200 dpi × 1200 dpi” is set, but other resolutions may be set. The higher the resolution, the longer the printing time, but the higher the printing quality.

  The maximum density is a parameter indicating the density of white ink ejected to a region where the maximum amount of white ink is ejected. The user can set the maximum density in consideration of the color of the recording medium, desired print quality, white ink cost, printing time, and the like. The PC 1 acquires gradation data represented by 256 gradations (0 to 255) of CMYKW in order to determine the ejection amount of each ink per unit area (pixel). The maximum amount of ink is ejected to an area where the gradation value is 255. Therefore, the maximum density is the density of the white ink ejected to the area where the value of W in the gradation data is 255. In the present embodiment, the density of the maximum amount of white ink that can be ejected by scanning one nozzle 36 of one white ink head 35W once for each of the pixel rows arranged in the main scanning direction is 100%. Determine. Accordingly, when white ink is ejected using all of the four white ink heads 35W mounted on the carriage 34, the density of white ink that can be printed in one scan is 400%. Hereinafter, the maximum density of white ink that can be ejected by scanning the carriage 34 once for each pixel row is referred to as a unit density. The unit density changes according to the number of used heads, and in this embodiment, “unit density = number of used heads × 100%”. For example, when the unit density is 400%, if the maximum density is set to 1000%, the printing apparatus 30 needs to scan the carriage 34 three times or more for each pixel column. The unit of the unit density and the maximum density can be set as appropriate, and is not limited to “%”.

  The print condition setting process will be described with reference to FIGS. When the printing condition setting process is started, the number of used heads set during the previous process is read from the HDD 14 as a candidate value for the number of used heads and stored in the RAM 12 (S21). A print condition input screen (see FIGS. 11 to 13) corresponding to the candidate number of heads to be used is displayed on the monitor 2 (S22).

  As shown in FIG. 11, on the print condition input screen 61 when the candidate value for the number of used heads is “4”, the number of used heads, the resolution, and the maximum density are all displayed in a state that can be designated by the user. When the candidate value for the number of used heads is “4”, the maximum density is displayed in a state that can be designated from among five ranges from 200% to 1000%.

  As shown in FIG. 12, in the printing condition input screen 62 when the candidate value for the number of used heads is “2”, all of the number of used heads, the resolution, and the maximum density are all the same as when the candidate value is “4”. Is displayed in a state that can be specified. However, when the candidate value of the number of used heads is “2”, the maximum density is displayed in a state where only four in the range of 200% to 800% can be specified, and the display of 1000% is grayed out. That is, the CPU 10 changes the maximum density range that can be specified according to the number of heads used. More specifically, the CPU 10 changes the maximum density range so that the lower the upper limit of the maximum density range is, the smaller the designated number of used heads is. When printing with high density in a state where the number of heads used is small, the number of scans may be excessively increased, and work efficiency may be significantly reduced. The CPU 10 can prevent the user from setting printing conditions that greatly reduce work efficiency by changing the range of the maximum density that can be specified according to the number of heads used.

  As shown in FIG. 13, in the print condition input screen 63 when the candidate value for the number of used heads is “0”, the number of used heads and the resolution are displayed in a state that can be specified, and the display of the maximum density is grayed out. In other words, the CPU 10 prohibits display of print conditions relating only to white ink among print conditions other than the number of used heads in a specifiable state. Therefore, the user can easily grasp that it is not necessary to specify the printing condition for only the white ink, and can perform an appropriate operation.

  Returning to the description of FIG. When the print condition input screen is displayed (S22), initial values of resolution and maximum density corresponding to the number of used heads are acquired from the HDD 14 as candidate values (S23). In the HDD 14, initial values of resolution and maximum density are stored in advance according to the number of heads used. The initial value may be determined in consideration of printing efficiency, designated frequency, etc. for each number of heads used. In this embodiment, the initial value of the maximum density is 600% when the number of used heads is “4” and 400% when the number of used heads is “2”. The initial value of the resolution is 1200 dpi × 1200 dpi regardless of the number of heads used. By displaying the initial value corresponding to the number of used heads, the user can easily grasp appropriate printing conditions determined in consideration of printing efficiency and the like. When there are three or more types of usable heads that can be specified, it is not necessary that all initial values differ for each number of used heads. Next, the number of heads used, resolution, and maximum density candidate values are displayed on the print condition input screen (see FIGS. 11 to 13) (S24). When specifying a value other than the current candidate value, the user operates the mouse 4 (see FIG. 7) or the like to select a circular button displayed beside the desired value.

  It is determined whether a resolution has been designated (S26). When the resolution is designated (S26: YES), the designated resolution is stored as a candidate value in the RAM 12 (S27), and the stored resolution candidate value is displayed (S24). When the resolution is not specified (S26: NO), it is determined whether or not the maximum density is specified (S29). When the maximum density is designated (S29: YES), the designated maximum density is stored as a candidate value (S30) and displayed (S24).

  If the maximum density is not designated (S29: NO), it is determined whether or not a reset instruction for returning the candidate value of the printing condition to the initial value is input (S32). When the reset button 65 on the printing condition input screens 61 to 63 (see FIGS. 11 to 13) is operated, it is determined that a reset instruction has been input. When a reset instruction is input (S32: YES), the process returns to S23, and the initial values of the resolution and the maximum density corresponding to the candidate values for the number of used heads at that time are obtained again (S23) and displayed ( S24). That is, when a reset instruction is input, the CPU 10 returns the candidate values for the resolution and the maximum density to the initial values corresponding to the candidate values for the number of used heads while maintaining the candidate values for the number of used heads. Accordingly, the user can easily return only the printing condition candidate values that are changed more frequently than the number of used heads to the initial value. The user does not need to wastefully specify the number of heads used.

  If the reset instruction has not been input (S32: NO), it is determined whether or not the number of used heads has been specified (S33). When the number of used heads is designated (S33: YES), the designated number of used heads is stored as a candidate value (S34). The process returns to S22, a printing condition input screen corresponding to the designated number of used heads is displayed (S22), and a corresponding initial value is acquired (S23) and displayed (S24). That is, when the number of used heads is changed, the print condition input screen is changed to a screen suitable for the designated number of used heads. Therefore, the user can easily designate the resolution and the maximum density according to the designated number of used heads.

  If the number of heads used is not specified (S33: NO), it is determined whether or not a cancel instruction has been input (S35). When the cancel button 66 (see FIGS. 11 to 13) is operated and a cancel instruction is input (S35: YES), the process ends. If no cancel instruction has been input (S35: NO), it is determined whether an OK instruction has been input (S36). When the OK button 67 (see FIGS. 11 to 13) is not operated (S36: NO), the process returns to the determination of S26.

  When the OK button 67 is operated and an OK instruction is input (S36: YES), the number of white ink heads 35W mounted on the carriage 34 by the printing apparatus 30 (hereinafter referred to as “the number of mounted heads”) is acquired. (S37). Various methods can be employed for obtaining the number of mounted heads. For example, the CPU 10 may acquire the number of mounted heads by transmitting an instruction to output the number of mounted heads to the printing apparatus 30 and receiving the number of mounted heads output from the printing apparatus 30. Further, the CPU 10 may allow the user to input the number of heads mounted on the printing apparatus 30 in advance and store the number in the HDD 14, and obtain the number of heads mounted from the HDD 14.

  It is determined whether the number of mounted heads is smaller than a candidate value for the number of used heads (S38). When the number of mounted heads is smaller than the number of used heads (S38: YES), the printing apparatus 30 cannot execute printing under the designated printing conditions. Therefore, the CPU 10 outputs an error (S39), and the process returns to the determination of S26. As a result, the user can easily grasp that the designation of the number of used heads should be changed. As an error output method, various methods such as a method of displaying an error screen on the monitor 2 and a method of generating an error sound can be adopted. If the number of mounted heads is equal to or greater than the number of used heads (S38: NO), the number of used heads, resolution, and maximum density candidate values stored in the RAM 12 are set as printing conditions and stored in the HDD 14 (S40). . The process returns to the main process (see FIG. 9).

  As described above, according to the printing condition setting process, the user can freely specify the number of heads to be used and cause the printing apparatus 30 to execute printing. If the number of heads used is large, printing is completed in a short time. On the other hand, if overlap printing is performed with a reduced number of heads used, the next white ink is ejected after the previously ejected white ink has dried to some extent. Will improve. Therefore, by specifying the number of heads to be used, the user can perform printing in a short time with a large number of white ink heads 35W, and can prevent bleeding of ink with a small number of white ink heads 35W. Further, the printing condition setting process described above can be used in common for a plurality of printing apparatuses having different numbers of white ink heads 35W mounted on the carriage 34. Therefore, the manufacturer and user of the printing apparatus do not need to prepare a printer driver separately for each of the plurality of printing apparatuses. Furthermore, even when the number of white ink heads 35W mounted on the carriage 34 of the printing apparatus 30 is changed, the user can easily create print data simply by changing the designation of the number of used heads.

  As shown in FIG. 9, when the printing condition setting process (S1) ends, image data expressed in 256 gradations in the sRGB format is acquired (S2). The acquired image data is converted into gradation data expressed in 256 gradations in the CMYKW format by the color mode conversion table 21 (see FIG. 8) and stored (S3). The number of used heads set in the printing condition setting process (S1) is acquired (S4). A unit density U corresponding to the acquired number of used heads is acquired (S5). As described above, in this embodiment, the unit density U is “the number of used heads × 100%”. The set maximum density M is acquired (S6).

  From the unit density U and the maximum density M, the required number of scans n is determined (S7). The required number of scans n is the number of times the carriage 34 is scanned with respect to each of the pixel columns in order to eject white ink with the maximum density M. For example, if the unit density is 400% and the maximum density is 1000%, the required number of scans n is “3”. Specifically, in S7, “K = maximum density M / unit density U” is calculated. If the calculated value K is an integer, K is determined as the required number of scans n. If the value K is not an integer, a value obtained by adding 1 to a value obtained by rounding down the decimal point of the value K is determined as the necessary scan count n. As a result, even if the maximum density M is set to any value, it is possible to easily determine an appropriate necessary scan count n. For example, when the user can directly input the numerical value of the maximum density M freely, even when the user can finely change the value of the maximum density M by scanning the mouse 4, the CPU 10 accurately and easily sets the necessary number of scans n. Can be determined.

  It is determined whether the required number of scans n is 2 or more (S8). If it is 2 or more (S8: YES), it is necessary to cause the printing apparatus 30 to perform duplicate printing. In this case, gradation value conversion processing is performed (S9). In the gradation value conversion process, W gradation values are converted in order to create common data. The common data is data that determines the discharge amount of white ink for each pixel, and is used in common for each of a plurality of scans executed in overlapping printing. If the required number of scans n is less than 2 (that is, 1) (S8: NO), the process proceeds directly to S10.

  The gradation value conversion process will be described with reference to FIG. First, one of the plurality of pixels constituting the print area is set as a target pixel in order (S41). Next, the gradation value W is converted by multiplying the ratio of the maximum density M to the value obtained by multiplying the unit density U and the required number of scans n by the gradation value W of the white ink in the target pixel (S42). It is determined whether or not all pixels are the target pixel (S43). If all the pixels are not the target pixel (S43: NO), the process returns to S41, and the processes of S41 to S43 are repeated. When the process for the gradation value W of all pixels is completed (S43: YES), the process returns to the main process (see FIG. 9).

  Returning to the description of FIG. When the processes of S8 and S9 are completed, error diffusion processing is performed on the gradation data expressed in 256 gradations in the CMYKW format, and the gradation value is lowered (S10). When the required number of scans n is 2 or more, the W data with reduced gradation becomes common data. The error diffusion process is a known process for dropping data of 256 gradations to print gradations. In the present embodiment, since the print data is represented by binary values of “1: eject” and “2: not eject”, the gradation data is reduced to binary data. However, when the printing apparatus 30 can process multi-value print data (for example, when large, medium, and small droplets can be sorted), the CPU 10 reduces the gradation to ternary or higher data. There is also. Note that gradation reduction may be performed using a method other than the error diffusion method. Next, print data creation processing is performed (S11). In the print data creation process, print data for driving the printing apparatus 30 is created according to the CMYKW data with reduced gradation and the set printing conditions. When the print data creation process ends, the main process ends.

  In the case of causing the printing apparatus 30 to perform overlapping printing, in the conventional technique, print data for controlling the operation of the printing apparatus 30 is created for each scan. Therefore, the processing load on the PC 1 is increased and the amount of print data is increased as compared with the case where duplicate printing is not executed. In particular, the PC 1 needs to perform a thinning process for each scan when creating multi-pass print data. The thinning-out process is a process for controlling the ink discharge amount by thinning out the ink discharge in each of a plurality of scans according to a predetermined algorithm with respect to a pixel determined to discharge ink. By performing the thinning process for each scan, the processing load on the PC 1 increases. When a mask pattern (thinning pattern) used for performing the thinning process is created for each scan, the processing load on the PC 1 further increases. In the present embodiment, the CPU 10 can easily create common data for W that determines the amount of white ink discharged for each pixel. Since the created common data can be used in common for each scan in overlapping printing, the amount of data is small. The CPU 10 does not need to create data for each scan and does not need to execute the thinning process for each scan. Therefore, the CPU 10 can quickly create print data with a small processing load.

  The print data creation process will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 15, first, it is determined whether or not the required number of scans n is 2 or more (S51). When the required number of scans n is 1 and the density of the white ink does not need to be higher than the unit density (S51: NO), print data is created by the same method as before (S52 to S54). That is, when the number of heads used is not “0” and printing of white ink is executed (S52: NO), CMYKW print data is created (S53). When the number of heads used is “0” and printing of white ink is not executed (S52: YES), CMYK print data is created using data other than W among the CMYKW data (S54). The print data creation process ends. Note that, in the processes of S53 and S54, if the setting for executing the multi-pass printing is performed in advance by the user, print data for driving the printing apparatus 30 by the multi-pass printing is created. In this case, the print data created in S53 is not created for the purpose of making the density of the white ink higher than the unit density U. That is, according to the print data created in S53, the white ink having the same density as that discharged in one scan of the carriage 34 is discharged in a plurality of scans by the multi-pass method.

  When the required number of scans n is 2 or more and the white ink overlap printing is executed (S51: YES), the used white head determination process is performed (S56). In the used white head determination process, the white ink head 35W that ejects (uses) ink in each scan is determined from the white ink head 35W mounted on the carriage 34 by the printing apparatus 30.

  As shown in FIG. 16, when the used white head determination process is started, it is determined whether the number of mounted heads (S37, see FIG. 10) is larger than the number of used heads (S71). If the number of mounted heads is the same as the number of used heads (S71: NO), since all the white ink heads 35W mounted on the carriage 34 are used for all scanning, the processing is directly performed as print data creation processing (FIG. 15). Return to Reference).

  When the number of mounted heads is larger than the number of used heads (S71: YES), it is determined whether or not the user has designated the used head (S72). When the user causes the specific white ink head 35W to eject white ink, the user inputs the white ink head 35W to be used to the PC 1 in advance. For example, when some of the plurality of white ink heads 35W are out of order, the user can input the white ink head 35W that is not out of order as a use head. When the use head is designated (S72: YES), the designated white ink head 35W is determined as the white ink head 35W used in all the scans (S73). The process returns to the print data creation process.

  When the use head is not designated (S72: NO), the same number of white ink heads 35W as the number of use heads is selected from the plurality of mounted white ink heads 35W for each scan executed a plurality of times. A head to be used is determined at random (S74). The process returns to the print data creation process. By executing the processing of S74, printing is executed while the white ink head 35W that discharges white ink is changed. Therefore, the PC 1 can prevent the ink from drying at the nozzles 36 without using the specific white ink head 35W for a long time, and can improve the printing quality. The possibility of ink clogging also decreases.

  Returning to the description of FIG. When the used white head determination process (S56) is completed, an instruction to select a printing method is accepted (S57). Specifically, three overlapping printing methods can be selected: "First method (multi-pass method)", "Second method (priority for prevention of bleeding)", and "Third method (priority for white coloring)". Is displayed on the monitor 2 in a stable state. The user operates the mouse 4 or the like to input an instruction for selecting one of the printing methods to the PC 1. When the first method is selected (S59: YES), a first creation process is performed (S60), and the process ends. Although details will be described later, in the first creation process, print data for executing printing by the first method is created from the common data.

  If the selected printing method is not the first method (S59: NO) but the second method (S62: YES), the second creation process is performed (S63), and the process ends. In the second creation process, CMYKW print data that causes the printing apparatus 30 to repeatedly print the entire white plate a plurality of times is created from the common data (see FIG. 4). In the second method, for example, when the required number of scans n is 4, the printing operation of the white plate is repeated 3 times, and then the white plate and the color plate are simultaneously printed for the fourth time. Is completed. In other words, in the final unit operation, the printing apparatus 30 discharges color ink on the overprinted white while performing the nth white overstrike. Note that the CPU 10 can execute the unit operation only for color once after repeating the unit operation for printing only white n times. According to the second creation process, the PC 1 can create print data that can develop a stable color that does not easily spread ink.

  If the selected printing method is the third method (S62: NO), CMYKW print data is created from the common data in the third creation process (S64), and the process ends. According to the print data created in the third creation process, after the white ink printing for one pixel row is completed by n scans, the white ink is ejected to the next pixel row (see FIG. 5). The color ink is ejected in one of the scans executed n times when the color ink heads 35C, 35M, 35Y, and 35K are moved onto the pixel rows on which the white ink has already been printed. According to the print data created by the third creation process, it is possible to prevent ink from being appropriately blotted to form a gap and to obtain good color development.

  The first creation process will be described with reference to FIG. First, the characteristics of the multi-pass print data created in the first creation process will be described. As described above, in multi-pass printing, printing is executed by scanning different nozzles 36 for each pixel row, so that the influence of various variations is reduced and print quality is improved. In multi-pass printing, the number of times that different nozzles 36 are scanned in the same pixel row (hereinafter referred to as “pass number”) is increased (that is, the number of nozzles 36 is used to form one pixel row). The effect of variation is significantly reduced. In the first creation process, the print quality is improved using the above characteristics. The number of passes that can be set in multi-pass printing is limited according to the number of nozzles 36 provided in each ink head 35. Specifically, unless the number of passes is a divisor of the number of nozzles 36, the control of multi-pass printing becomes complicated. In the present embodiment, since the number of nozzles 36 included in each ink head 35 is 128, the number of passes that can be set is limited to “2, 4, 8, 16,...”. Therefore, if the required number of scans n does not match the number of passes that can be set by multipass printing, duplicate printing can be performed by combining multiple multipass printing, combining multipass printing and normal printing, etc. It needs to be executed. In this case, in the first creation process, optimum print data is created in consideration of both print quality and print efficiency.

  As shown in FIG. 17, when the first creation process is started, “1” is set to the number R of the printing unit (S81). In the following description, when printing is executed by a single method in which one of a plurality of nozzles 36 included in each ink head 35 is scanned once for one pixel row without performing multi-pass printing, single printing is performed. One scan in the system is defined as one printing unit. Further, a plurality of scans of each multi-pass method executed for the settable number of passes are set as one printing unit. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 18, the fourth to seventh four-pass scanning is the printing unit R = 1. The second and third two-time multi-pass scanning is performed with the printing unit R = 2. The first single-type scanning is performed with the printing unit R = 3.

  The required number of scans “n” is set in the remaining processing required number S (S82). The remaining processing required number S is the number of scans in which corresponding print data has not yet been created (scans to which print data needs to be allocated) among a plurality of scans executed for the required number of scans n.

  Next, the maximum number of passes P that is equal to or less than the remaining number of required processing S is extracted from the settable number of passes (S83). In the example shown in FIG. 18, the number of paths that can be set is “2, 4, 8,...”, And the initial value of the remaining processing required number S is 7. The maximum number of paths “4” out of “2, 4” is extracted as the first P value.

  It is determined whether or not the set printing unit number R is “1” (S84). If R is “1” (S84: YES), among the plurality of scans that are executed only n times as many times as necessary, consecutive P scans including the last (nth) scan are the last of the printing operation. Is set to the final printing unit which is the printing unit to be executed (S85). In the final printing unit, W print data for printing white ink having a higher density than the unit density by the multi-pass method is created (S86). In the process of S86, the common data of W is used in common for a plurality of scans, but the W print data is created so that the nozzles 36 that eject white ink to each pixel row are different for each scan. Therefore, by using the common data, the CPU 10 can easily create W print data with a small amount of data without performing a thinning process. Next, CMYK print data for printing the color ink having the normal density equal to or lower than the unit density in the final print unit by the multi-pass method is created (S87). In the process of S87, a thinning process is executed in each scan. Since the thinning process is a known process, this description is omitted.

  Next, the number of scans “P” at which the print data allocation has been completed is subtracted from the value of the remaining processing required number S (S92). It is determined whether or not the required processing remaining number S is “0” (S93). If S is not “0” (S93: NO), “1” is added to the value of the printing unit number R (S94), and the process returns to S83. In the example shown in FIG. 18, the value of the required process remaining number S is 3 in the process of S83 executed for the second time. Therefore, the maximum number of paths “2” that is equal to or less than the number of remaining processing required S is set as the value of P.

  If the set printing unit number R is not “1” (S84: NO), it is determined whether or not the pass number P has been extracted in the process of S83 performed immediately before (S89). When the pass number P is extracted (S89: YES), P consecutive scans executed immediately before the printing unit of “R-1” (that is, the printing unit set last time) are the printing unit R. It is set (S90). In the example shown in FIG. 18, the print unit “2” is set to the second and third scans that are executed immediately before the previously set print unit “1” (final print unit). Next, in the set printing unit R, W print data for printing the white ink having a high density by the multi-pass method is created (S91). As a result, the printing apparatus 30 executes multi-pass printing a plurality of times (a plurality of sets). The process proceeds to S92.

  If the number of passes P is not extracted in the process of S83, multi-pass printing cannot be executed for the remaining scans. That is, when printing is completed only by the multi-pass method, the required number of scans n needs to match any of the settable number of passes or the sum of the number of passes. If this condition is not satisfied (S89: NO), W print data for printing the remaining scans (the first scan in the present embodiment) in a single mode is created (S96), and the first creation process ends. To do. Therefore, the PC 1 can easily create print data that can obtain good print quality regardless of the required number of scans n. In the example shown in FIG. 18, the value of the required process remaining number S is 1 in the process of S83 executed for the third time. Therefore, W print data for executing single printing in the printing unit “3” (first scan) is created. If it is determined in S93 that the required process remaining number S is “0” (S93: YES), since the processes for all the scans executed n times have been completed, the first creation process ends.

  In S96, there are various methods for combining the single method with the multipath method. For example, before executing multi-pass printing, the white ink nozzles 36 may be scanned once for all pixel rows. Also, the single-pass method and the multi-pass method may be combined by repeating the first scan in the main scanning direction of the multi-pass method that is executed first without executing the scanning in the sub-scanning direction. In the example shown in FIG. 18, in the first scan, any one of the white ink nozzles 36 is scanned once for all the pixel columns by the single method. Next, multi-pass printing with the number of passes “2” is performed, and only white ink is overprinted twice. Next, multi-pass printing with the number of passes of “4” is performed, and printing with white ink overprinting and color ink thinning is performed simultaneously. The white ink head 35W enters the print area before the color ink heads 35C, 35M, 35Y, and 35K. Therefore, the color ink is ejected onto the print area where the white printing is completed.

  According to the first creation process, white ink (high density ink) and color ink (normal density ink) are mixed in a plurality of scans (final print unit) including the last scan among the multiple scans executed n times. It is discharged together. As a result, at least the uppermost surface of the white print surface is formed by multi-pass printing, so that the print quality of the white ink is improved. In the final printing unit, since the color ink is also ejected by multipass printing, the printing quality of the color ink is improved. Furthermore, since multi-pass printing is performed in the process of overlapping printing for increasing the density of white ink, there is no need to increase the number of scans of the carriage 34 in the main scanning direction, and printing efficiency is high. Therefore, even if the minimum value of the number of passes that can be set (“2” in the present embodiment) and the necessary number of scans n for overlapping printing do not coincide with each other, the PC 1 uses both white ink and color ink efficiently and with high quality. It can be executed by the printing apparatus 30.

  According to the first creation process, when performing multi-pass printing multiple times, the number of passes of multi-pass printing executed in the final printing unit becomes the maximum among the number of passes of multi-pass printing. As a result, the top surface of the white ink and the color ink are formed by multipass printing with a larger number of passes. Therefore, the PC 1 can cause the printing apparatus 30 to efficiently perform printing with higher quality. Also, according to the first creation process, multi-pass printing with a large number of passes is executed more frequently. Therefore, the PC 1 can improve the print quality as compared with the case where a large number of multi-pass printings with a small number of passes are executed.

  In the above embodiment, the PC 1 corresponds to the “print data creation device” of the present invention. The white ink corresponds to “partial ink” and “high density ink” of the present invention. Color ink corresponds to “normal density ink”. The CPU 10 that determines the required scan count n in S7 of FIG. 9 functions as the “determination unit” of the present invention. The CPU 10 that executes the first creation process illustrated in FIG. 17 functions as a “creation unit”. The process of determining the required scan count n in S7 of FIG. 9 corresponds to the “determination step” of the present invention. The process of executing the first creation process shown in FIG. 17 corresponds to a “creation step”.

  It goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible. In the above embodiment, the process for setting the printing conditions and the process for creating the print data are performed by the PC 1 that is an external device of the printing apparatus 30. That is, the PC 1 of the above embodiment corresponds to a “print data creation device” of the present invention. However, the PC 1 can operate as a print data creation device. For example, the printing apparatus 30 itself may execute the main process shown in FIG.

  The processes described in FIGS. 9 to 18 may be executed by a plurality of devices in the printing system 100. For example, in the above embodiment, when the number of mounted heads is smaller than the candidate number of used heads, the PC 1 outputs an error (see S38 and S39 in FIG. 10). However, it is not necessary for the PC 1 to output an error. More specifically, the PC 1 creates print data without executing the processes of S38 and S39 in FIG. 10 and transmits the created print data to the printing apparatus 30. The CPU 40 of the printing apparatus 30 may read the number of used heads from the received print data and output an error on the printing apparatus 30 side when the number of mounted heads is smaller. In this case, the printing apparatus 30 may store the number of mounted heads in advance, or may acquire the number of mounted heads using a switch, sensor, or the like that detects the mounting of the white ink head 35W. Further, in the main process (see FIG. 9), the printing condition setting process (S1) can be executed by the PC 1, and the processes of S2 to S11 can be executed by the printing apparatus 30. In this case, the PC 1 may transmit the set printing conditions to the printing apparatus 30. Alternatively, two PCs 1 may be used, one PC 1 may execute the printing condition setting process (S1), and the other PC 1 may execute the processes S2 to S11. As described above, each processing described in the above embodiment may be executed by any of the devices in the printing system 100, and the processing may be shared by a plurality of devices.

  Needless to say, the format and gradation of various data such as image data can be changed. For example, the format of the image data acquired by the PC 1 in S2 of FIG. 9 is not limited to the sRGB format, and the gradation is not limited to 256 gradations. Similarly, the data format and gradation of gradation data are not limited to 256 gradations in the CMYKW format. The present invention can be applied even when a color material other than CMYKW (for example, orange) is used. The print data can also be multi-valued (3 gradations or more). Further, the PC 1 may directly input gradation data in CMYKW format from another device without inputting image data in sRGB format.

  In the above-described embodiment, the printing system 100 that can execute overlapping printing of white ink has been exemplified. However, the application of the present invention is not limited to a case where white ink overlap printing can be executed. As in the case of the white ink, the present invention can be applied to the case of using an ink for which it is desirable to execute overlapping printing in order to obtain good color development. For example, the present invention can be applied to a case where a solid silver color is applied to the background without a gap.

  The printing apparatus 30 according to the above embodiment can be equipped with a plurality of white ink heads 35W that discharge exactly the same white ink. However, the present invention can be applied even when the printing apparatus 30 is equipped with a plurality of ink heads 35 that eject different colors of similar colors. For example, the printing apparatus 30 may be equipped with a plurality of white ink heads 35W having slightly different ink colors. In this case, the user can designate only a desired white ink head 35W according to the color of the white ink, and can simultaneously eject ink from a plurality of white ink heads 35W. Needless to say, the number of nozzles 36 provided in each ink head 35 is not limited to 128.

  In the above-described embodiment, there are three printing conditions designated by the user: the number of heads used, the resolution, and the maximum density. However, the printing conditions that can be specified by the user can be changed. For example, the resolution may not be specified by the user. The PC 1 may cause the user to specify conditions (for example, image brightness) other than the above three printing conditions.

  In the above embodiment, the maximum density is designated by the user as shown in S29 in FIG. Therefore, the user can execute white printing at a desired density. However, the present invention can be realized without having the user specify the maximum density. For example, the PC 1 may store in advance a maximum density suitable for the color, material, and the like of the recording medium, and automatically set the maximum density suitable for the recording medium to be printed. When creating image data, maximum density data may be added to the image data. The present invention is applicable even when the maximum density is a fixed value and only the unit density is changed. In addition, when the maximum density is designated by the user, the method for accepting the designation input can be changed as appropriate. For example, the PC 1 may cause the user to directly input a numerical value of the maximum density using the keyboard 3 or the like. The PC 1 may allow the user to input the color of the recording medium and set the maximum density according to the input information. The same applies to the resolution input.

  In the above embodiment, the user directly designates the number of heads to be used on the print condition input screens 61 to 63 (see FIGS. 11 to 13). However, the PC 1 may cause the user to specify model names and the like of a plurality of printing apparatuses 30 with different numbers of mounted heads, and set the number of mounted heads corresponding to the specified model name as the number of used heads.

  When the candidate value for the number of heads to be used is “0”, the PC 1 of the above embodiment grays out the display of the maximum density on the print condition input screen 63 (see FIG. 13), thereby setting the maximum density in a state that can be specified. Display is prohibited (see S22 in FIG. 10). The grayout method is also used to change the maximum density range that can be specified (see FIG. 12). However, the method for restricting the display of the specifiable states is not limited to grayout. For example, the maximum density candidate itself may be hidden. In consideration of the convenience of the user, it is desirable to change the printing condition input screens 61 to 63 according to the candidate values for the number of heads used as in the above embodiment. However, it is also possible to use a common printing condition input screen for a plurality of used heads.

  In the above embodiment, in S7 of FIG. 9, the minimum number of scans that must be performed to perform printing with the maximum density M is determined as the required number of scans n. Therefore, the PC 1 can prevent the printing time from becoming unnecessarily long. However, the present invention can also be applied to the case where the required number of scans n is determined to be equal to or greater than the minimum number of scans that must be performed.

  In the above embodiment, the used white head is randomly determined for each scan in S74 of FIG. As a result, the possibility that the nozzle 36 of the specific white ink head 35W dries is reduced. However, the method for determining the white head to be used may be changed. For example, the PC 1 may change the used white head every time a predetermined number of scans (for example, five scans) are performed instead of every scan. The white head used may be changed every time print data is created. The PC 1 may determine according to a predetermined order without randomly determining the white head to be used.

  In the first creation process shown in FIG. 17, the PC 1 of the above embodiment maximizes the number of passes of multi-pass printing executed in the final printing unit. As a result, the top surface of the white printing surface is formed by multi-pass printing with a large number of passes, and the print quality is further improved. Furthermore, the PC 1 can further improve the print quality by causing the printing apparatus 30 to execute as many multi-pass printings as possible with as many passes as possible. However, even if the multipass printing is executed only in the final printing unit, the printing quality (particularly, the color printing quality) is improved as compared with the case where the single printing is performed in the last scanning. Therefore, for example, it is possible to make the number of passes of multi-pass printing executed a plurality of times the same. Further, the specific processing content of the first creation processing shown in FIG. 17 may be changed. For example, after performing processing (see S85 to S87) for executing multi-pass printing in the final printing unit, performing processing (S96) for executing single-type printing for all the remaining scans, S89 to S94. Processing may be omitted.

  Of the processes described in the above embodiment, only the process for creating print data of the first method (specifically, the process of S7 in FIG. 9 and the first creation process shown in FIG. 17) can be applied. It is. For example, even when creating multi-pass print data for each scan without creating common data, the printing apparatus 30 can efficiently execute white ink and color ink with high quality. The present invention can be applied even when the user cannot specify the number of used heads and the number of used white ink heads 35W is fixed.

1 PC
2 Monitor 10 CPU
14 HDD
24A to 24D Pixel array 30 Printing device 34 Carriage 35 Ink head 35W White ink head 35C, 35M, 35Y, 35K Color ink head
36 nozzle 39 platen 40 CPU
61-63 Printing condition input screen 100 Printing system

Claims (6)

A print data creation apparatus that creates print data used in a printing apparatus that prints on a recording medium by scanning a carriage mounted with a plurality of ink heads that eject different inks relative to the recording medium. And
The maximum value of the density of some of the plurality of inks is higher than the unit density that is the maximum density that can be ejected by scanning the carriage once for each of the pixel rows arranged in the main scanning direction. Determining means for determining a required number of scans, which is the number of scans of the carriage that needs to be performed for each of the pixel rows in the case of high density;
The carriage that can be set in multi-pass printing in which the required number of scans determined by the determination unit is set to perform printing by causing different nozzles of the plurality of nozzles included in the ink head to scan the same pixel row a plurality of times. Creating means for creating the print data that causes printing to be performed by including the scanning by the multi-pass printing in the plurality of scans executed for the required number of scans when the number of passes is greater than the minimum value of the number of passes. With
The creating means includes
Among the plurality of scans, in a final printing unit that is a scan corresponding to the number of consecutive passes including a scan to be executed last, among the plurality of inks, ejection of high-density ink that is the part of ink Creating the print data for causing the multi-pass printing to perform discharge of normal density ink, which is ink having a normal density equal to or lower than the unit density ,
The number of passes of the multipass printing executed in the final printing unit out of the number of passes of each of the plurality of multipass printings when the multipass printing is executed a plurality of times in the plurality of scans. A print data creation apparatus characterized by maximizing the print data. The creation unit executes, in the final printing unit, the maximum number of passes that is equal to or less than the necessary number of scans determined by the determination unit among the number of passes that is a divisor of the number of the plurality of nozzles. By setting the number of passes of the multi-pass printing, the number of passes of the multi-pass printing executed in the final printing unit is the multi-pass executed in a printing unit using the high-density ink other than the final printing unit. The print data creation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print data creation apparatus is larger than printing.   The print data creation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the creation unit creates the print data that causes the multi-pass printing with a larger number of passes to be executed more.   4. The print data creation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the high-density ink is white ink.   In the carriage, the plurality of ink heads that discharge the high-density ink are arranged side by side in the main scanning direction, and are shifted in the sub-scanning direction with respect to the ink head that discharges the high-density ink. 5. The print data for controlling the printing apparatus in which a plurality of the ink heads that discharge the normal density ink are arranged in the main scanning direction is created. 6. Print data creation device. In order to create print data used in a printing apparatus that performs printing on the recording medium by scanning a carriage on which a plurality of ink heads that discharge different inks are mounted relative to the recording medium, the print data A print data creation program executed in a print data creation device for creating
The maximum value of the density of some of the plurality of inks is higher than the unit density that is the maximum density that can be ejected by scanning the carriage once for each of the pixel rows arranged in the main scanning direction. A determination step of determining a required number of scans that is the number of scans of the carriage that needs to be performed for each of the pixel columns in the case of high density;
The carriage that can be set in multi-pass printing in which the required number of scans determined in the determining step is performed by scanning different nozzles of the plurality of nozzles provided in the ink head to the same pixel row a plurality of times. A creation step for creating the print data for executing printing including a scan by the multi-pass printing in a plurality of scans executed for the required number of scans when the number of scans is greater than a minimum value of the number of passes. Including an instruction for causing the controller of the print data creation apparatus to execute,
In the creating step,
Among the plurality of scans, in a final printing unit that is a scan corresponding to the number of consecutive passes including a scan to be executed last, ejection of the high-density ink that is the partial ink, and among the plurality of inks There rows instruction to create the print data to execute the discharge of the normal density ink is an ink for the ordinary concentration of less than or equal to the unit concentration in the multi-pass printing,
When the multi-pass printing is executed a plurality of times in the plurality of scans, the pass of the multi-pass printing executed in the final printing unit out of the number of passes of each of the multi-pass printings. A print data creation program characterized by issuing an instruction to maximize the number .

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