JP6167580B2 - Printing control apparatus, printing apparatus control method, and printing system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a print control apparatus, a control method for a printing apparatus, and a printing system that can be set to reduce the discharge amount of a specific ink onto a recording medium when printing is performed using a plurality of inks.

  Some ink jet printers use chromatic color ink and black ink such as cyan ink, magenta ink, and yellow ink for printing, as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-228707. Such an ink jet printer ejects not only black ink from an ink jet head but also chromatic ink when forming a black region on a recording medium.

JP 2006-279922 A

  When bleeding occurs in a printed image when printing is performed using an ink jet printer, the print density may be lowered by reducing the amount of all ink ejected to the recording medium, depending on user settings. Also, the water resistance and rubbing resistance of black ink is generally inferior to chromatic ink due to the content of the coloring material, etc., so if you want to improve the water resistance and rubbing resistance of the printed image. Depending on user settings, the amount of black ink discharged to the recording medium may be reduced.

  Here, when the discharge amount of black ink is reduced according to the user setting, there may occur a dot dropout where dots are not formed on the recording medium. For example, dot omission occurs in a black ruled line formed on the recording medium. In addition, dot missing may occur in the outline of the figure formed on the recording medium, and the outline of the figure may be lost.

  In view of such a problem, an object of the present invention is to provide a print control apparatus capable of suppressing the occurrence of missing dots in a print result when the discharge amount of a specific ink among a plurality of inks used for printing is reduced. Another object of the present invention is to provide a printing apparatus control method and a printing system.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the present invention provides a print control apparatus that controls a printing apparatus that performs printing by discharging a plurality of inks onto a recording medium, and includes a specific ink among the plurality of inks. At least one of a specific correction ratio for correcting the discharge amount to decrease from the specified discharge amount of the specific ink, or an overall correction ratio for correcting the discharge amount of each of the plurality of inks to be uniformly decreased from the specified discharge amount value of each ink. Based on this, the specified discharge amount of the specific ink is corrected to be reduced to an actual discharge amount for discharging the specific ink during printing, and the specified discharge amounts of other inks other than the specific ink among the plurality of inks are set. It is characterized by having an actual discharge amount setting unit for increasing each of the actual discharge amounts to discharge each of the other inks during printing.

  According to the present invention, when the discharge amount of the specific ink is reduced, a part or all of the decrease of the specific ink is compensated by increasing the discharge amount of the other ink. Accordingly, it is possible to cover the missing dots in the printing result caused by the decrease in the discharge amount of the specific ink by discharging other inks, and thus it is possible to suppress the missing dots in the printing result.

  In the present invention, a correction ratio receiving unit that receives at least one of the specific correction ratio and the entire correction ratio is provided, and the actual discharge amount setting unit is based on the specific correction ratio when only the specific correction ratio is received. The specified discharge amount of the specific ink is corrected to be reduced to an actual discharge amount for discharging the specific ink during printing, and the specified discharge amounts of the other inks other than the specific ink among the plurality of inks are respectively increased. The first actual ejection amount setting unit for each actual ejection amount for ejecting each of the other inks at the time of printing, and when the overall correction ratio is received, based on the overall correction ratio and the specific correction ratio The specified ejection amount of the specific ink is corrected to decrease to obtain the actual ejection amount of the specific ink, and each of the other inks is determined based on the overall correction ratio. Calculating a respective correction discharge amount corrected by decreasing the constant discharge amount, it is desirable to provide a second actual discharge amount setting unit to the actual discharge amount of the other ink, respectively increasing the correction discharge amount.

  In this way, when a specific correction ratio for reducing only the discharge amount of the specific ink is received, the actual discharge amounts of the other inks excluding the specific ink are set to values that are increased from the specified discharge amounts. In addition, when an overall correction ratio that reduces the discharge amount of all inks is accepted, the actual discharge amount of other inks is increased above each corrected discharge amount that is obtained by reducing and correcting each specified discharge amount based on the overall correction ratio. Value. That is, when the discharge amount of the specific ink is decreased, a part or all of the decrease in the specific ink is compensated by increasing the discharge amount of the other ink. Accordingly, it is possible to cover the missing dots in the printing result caused by the decrease in the discharge amount of the specific ink by discharging other inks, and thus it is possible to suppress the missing dots in the printing result.

  In the present invention, in order to increase the discharge amount of other ink when an input of only a specific correction ratio for reducing and correcting the discharge amount of the specific ink is received, the first actual discharge amount setting unit is configured to It is desirable that each specified discharge amount of the other ink is increased based on a difference between the specified discharge amount of the specific ink and the actual discharge amount of the specific ink.

  In this case, the difference between the specified discharge amount of the specific ink and the actual discharge amount of the specific ink is equal to the sum of the differences between the actual discharge amount and the specified discharge amount of each of the other inks. Can be. In this way, the decrease in the discharge amount of the specific ink that decreases based on the specific correction ratio can be supplemented by the increase in the discharge amount of other inks. Even when the discharge amount of the specific ink is reduced, the total ink discharge amount of the specific ink and the other inks is maintained at the same value as the state before correction in which each ink is discharged at the specified discharge amount. it can.

In the present invention, in order to increase each actual ejection amount of other inks than each corrected ejection amount when receiving an input of an overall correction ratio for decreasing the ejection amount of all inks, the second actual ejection The amount setting unit is based on a difference between the specified discharge amount of the specific ink and the specific correction discharge amount obtained by reducing and correcting the actual discharge amount of the specific ink based on the overall correction ratio.
The difference between, based on the difference between the reduced corrected specified correction discharge amount based on the previous SL entire correction ratio, it is desirable to increase the respective correction ejection amount of the other ink.

  In this case, the difference between the specified discharge amount of the specific ink and the specific correction discharge amount is equal to the sum of the differences between the actual discharge amount and the correction discharge amount of each of the other inks. be able to. In this way, the decrease in the discharge amount of the specific ink that decreases based on the overall correction ratio can be compensated by the increase in the discharge amount of other inks.

  In the present invention, it is preferable that the correction ratio receiving unit displays a correction ratio input screen for receiving the overall correction ratio and the specific correction ratio on a display. In this way, it becomes easy to accept input of the specific correction ratio and the overall correction ratio.

  In the present invention, it is preferable that the plurality of inks are cyan ink, magenta ink, yellow ink, and black ink, and the specific ink is black ink. In this way, when printing is performed with a reduced discharge amount of the black ink, it is possible to suppress dot missing from appearing on the black ruled lines and figures formed on the recording medium.

  Next, the present invention relates to a control method for a printing apparatus that performs printing by ejecting a plurality of inks onto a recording medium, and the ejection amount of one specific ink among the plurality of inks is defined as the prescribed ejection of the specific ink Based on at least one of a specific correction ratio for correcting a decrease from the amount or an overall correction ratio for correcting the discharge amount of each of the plurality of inks uniformly from a specified discharge amount value of each ink, the specified discharge of the specific ink The amount is corrected to decrease to obtain an actual ejection amount that causes the specific ink to be ejected during printing, and among the plurality of inks, each specified ejection amount of other inks other than the specific ink is increased to increase the other specific amount during printing. It is characterized by the actual ejection amount for ejecting each ink.

  According to the present invention, when the discharge amount of the specific ink is reduced, a part or all of the decrease of the specific ink is compensated by increasing the discharge amount of the other ink. Accordingly, it is possible to cover the missing dots in the printing result caused by the decrease in the discharge amount of the specific ink by discharging other inks, and thus it is possible to suppress the missing dots in the printing result.

  In the present invention, when at least one of the specific correction ratio or the entire correction ratio is received and only the specific correction ratio is received, the specified ejection amount of the specific ink is decreased and corrected based on the specific correction ratio. In addition to the actual discharge amount for discharging the specific ink during printing, the specified discharge amounts of other inks of the plurality of inks other than the specific ink are increased to discharge each of the other inks during printing. When each of the actual discharge amounts is accepted and the overall correction ratio is accepted, the actual discharge amount of the specific ink is corrected by decreasing the specified discharge amount of the specific ink based on the overall correction ratio and the specific correction ratio. And calculating each corrected discharge amount obtained by reducing and correcting each specified discharge amount of the other ink based on the overall correction ratio, Each increase, characterized in that each actual discharge amount of the other ink.

  In this way, when a specific correction ratio for reducing only the discharge amount of the specific ink is received, the actual discharge amounts of the other inks excluding the specific ink are set to values that are increased from the specified discharge amounts. In addition, when an overall correction ratio that reduces the discharge amount of all inks is accepted, the actual discharge amount of other inks is increased above each corrected discharge amount that is obtained by reducing and correcting each specified discharge amount based on the overall correction ratio. Value. That is, when the discharge amount of the specific ink is decreased, a part or all of the decrease in the specific ink is compensated by increasing the discharge amount of the other ink. Accordingly, it is possible to cover the missing dots in the printing result caused by the decrease in the discharge amount of the specific ink by discharging other inks, and thus it is possible to suppress the missing dots in the printing result.

  In the present invention, in order to increase the discharge amount of other ink when an input of only a specific correction ratio for reducing and correcting the discharge amount of a specific ink is received, when only the specific correction ratio is received, It is desirable to increase each specified discharge amount of the other ink based on the difference between the specified discharge amount of the specific ink and the actual discharge amount of the specific ink.

  Next, a printing system according to the present invention includes the above-described printing control apparatus, and a printing apparatus that is connected to the printing control apparatus and that records on a recording medium by discharging a plurality of inks. To do.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, when the discharge amount of the specific ink of the some ink used for printing is reduced, it can suppress or prevent that a missing dot appears in a printing result.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to cover the missing dot in the printing result caused by the decrease in the discharge amount of the specific ink by increasing the ejection amount of the other ink. Appearance can be suppressed.

1 is a schematic block diagram of a printing system to which the present invention is applied. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a dialog box displayed by the printer driver. It is explanatory drawing of the discharge amount setting operation | movement in which an actual discharge amount setting part sets an actual discharge amount. 6 is a flowchart of a printing process operation in the printing system.

  A printing system to which the present invention is applied will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(Printing system)
FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a printing system to which the present invention is applied. The printing system 1 of this example includes a host computer (printing control device) 2 and an ink jet printer (printing device) 3 connected to the host computer 2. A display 4 and an input device 5 such as a keyboard and a mouse are connected to the host computer 2.

  The host computer 2 includes an OS unit 10, an application program execution unit 11, and a printer driver execution unit 12. In the application program execution unit 11, software for creating image data is operating. The printer driver execution unit 12 receives image data output from the application program execution unit 11 via the OS unit 10. The printer driver execution unit 12 converts image data into a print command (print data), and outputs the print command to the ink jet printer 3 to drive and control the ink jet printer 3 to print a two-dimensional code or an image.

  The ink jet printer 3 performs color printing using four colors of ink, cyan ink C, magenta ink M, yellow ink Y, and black ink Bk. Further, in the inkjet printer 3 of this example, when forming black lines and regions on the recording paper, not only the black ink Bk is ejected from the inkjet head, but also the chromatic color inks C, M, Y (cyan ink) C, magenta ink M and yellow ink Y) are also ejected.

  Each ink C, M, Y, Bk (cyan ink C, magenta ink M, yellow ink Y, and black ink Bk) contains a coloring material, a solvent, a resin, etc., and each component, component ratio, and content Due to these differences, water resistance and rubbing resistance (fixability of ink droplets to a printing medium) are individually different. In this example, the water resistance and rubbing resistance of the black ink Bk are inferior to those of the chromatic inks C, M, and Y. Note that the water resistance and rubbing resistance of the black ink Bk are inferior to the chromatic color inks C, M, and Y in order to absorb visible light, and the ink jet head (unsatisfactory). This is because, when the ink droplets ejected from the drawing are landed on the recording paper (recording medium), the pigment remaining on the surface layer of the recording paper is raised.

(Printer driver execution unit)
As shown in FIG. 1, the printer driver execution unit 12 includes a driver upper layer 21 and an image processing module 22. The driver upper layer 21 renders the image data supplied from the application program execution unit 11, and converts each pixel of the image data into RGB multi-value data. The image processing module 22 converts RGB multi-value data supplied from the driver upper layer 21 into ink amount data of each ink C, M, Y, Bk, and further converts the ink amount data into a print command to convert the ink amount data into an ink jet printer. 3 is output. The image processing module 22 includes a color conversion module 23, a color processing LUT (lookup table) 24, a correction ratio input unit 25, an actual discharge amount setting unit 26, a command conversion module 27, and a print command output unit 28.

  The color conversion module 23 refers to the color processing LUT 24 to convert RGB multi-value data of each pixel into ink amount data of each ink C, M, Y, and Bk. The ink amount data of each ink C, M, Y, Bk output from the color conversion module 23 is the specified ejection amount of each ink C, M, Y, Bk when printing each pixel of the image data on the recording paper. (The amount of driving). In this example, the image processing module 22 includes a plurality of color processing LUTs 24, and one color processing LUT 24 corresponding to a print mode preset by the user is selected and used. Here, the discharge amount is mainly expressed by the amount of ink discharged from the inkjet head, and the driving amount is expressed mainly by the amount of ink discharged on the recording paper.

  The correction ratio input unit 25 displays a dialog box on the display 4 and receives an input of a specific correction ratio for correcting the discharge amount of the black ink Bk (specific ink) and discharges the inks C, M, Y, and Bk. Accepts input of the overall correction ratio for correcting the amount uniformly.

  FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a dialog box displayed on the display 4 by the correction ratio input unit 25. The dialog box 30 includes a first slider 31 for receiving an input of a specific correction ratio at the center portion. Further, the dialog box 30 includes a second slider 32 for receiving an input of the overall correction ratio above the first slider 31.

  The first slider 31 is normally set to zero. The scales -1 to -6 of the first slider 31 are respectively associated with specific correction ratios for reducing and correcting the specified ejection amount of the black ink Bk. In this example, specific correction ratios of 95%, 90%, 85%, 80%, 75%, and 70% are associated with -1 to -6 in this order. When the first slider 31 is not operated and the scale is set to 0, the specific correction ratio is 100%.

  When the first slider 31 is operated and set to an arbitrary scale from −1 to −6, the actual discharge amount setting unit 26 decreases the discharge amount of the black ink Bk from the specified discharge amount. Here, since the black ink Bk is inferior in water resistance and abrasion resistance as compared with other inks, the water resistance and abrasion resistance of the printed image are relatively improved when the discharge amount of the black ink Bk is reduced. . Therefore, the first slider 31 is operated when it is desired to improve the water resistance and the scratch resistance of the printed image.

  The second slider 32 is also normally set to the scale 0. Scales -1 to -6 of the second slider 32 are associated with the overall correction ratios for reducing and correcting the prescribed ejection amounts of the inks C, M, Y, and Bk, respectively. In this example, 95%, 90%, 85%, 80%, 75%, and 70% of overall correction ratios are associated with -1 to -6 in this order. When the second slider 32 is not operated and the scale is set to 0, the overall correction ratio is 100%.

  When the second slider 32 is operated and set to an arbitrary scale from -1 to -6, the actual discharge amount setting unit 26 sets the discharge amount of each ink C, M, Y, Bk to the recording sheet. Reduced from the amount. Thereby, the discharge amount of the entire ink is reduced and the print density is lowered. Therefore, the second slider 32 is operated when suppressing occurrence of bleeding in the print image.

  Here, both the first slider 31 and the second slider 32 are operated in order to suppress the occurrence of bleeding in the printed image and to improve the water resistance and abrasion resistance of the printed image.

  The actual ejection amount setting unit 26 defines the prescribed ejection of each ink C, M, Y, and Bk based on the specific correction ratio corresponding to the setting value of the first slider 31 and the overall correction ratio corresponding to the setting value of the second slider 32. The amount is corrected to be the actual ejection amount for ejecting each of the inks C, M, Y, and Bk during printing. The actual discharge amount setting unit 26 sets the specified discharge amounts of the inks C, M, Y, and Bk as they are as the actual discharge amounts when the first slider 31 and the second slider 32 are not operated. To do. The actual discharge amount setting unit 26 includes a first actual discharge amount setting unit 35 that sets the actual discharge amount of each ink C, M, Y, and Bk when only the first slider 31 is operated, and the second slider 32. Is provided with a second actual discharge amount setting unit 36 that sets the actual discharge amount of each ink C, M, Y, and Bk. The case where the second slider 32 is operated includes a case where only the second slider 32 is operated and a case where both the first slider 31 and the second slider 32 are operated.

When only the first slider 31 is operated, the first actual ejection amount setting unit 35 decreases the specified ejection amount of the black ink Bk by a specific correction ratio corresponding to the set value of the first slider 31 to thereby increase the black ink. The actual discharge amount of Bk is used. Assuming that the specified discharge amount of black ink Bk is Bkrq, the specific correction ratio is Bkfr (%), and the actual discharge amount of black ink Bk is Bkvq, the actual discharge amount Bkvq of black ink Bk in this case is given by the following formula (1). Indicated.
Bkvq = Bkrq × Bkfr (1)

  Further, the first actual discharge amount setting unit 35 sets the specified discharge amount of each of the chromatic inks C, M, and Y to the specified discharge amount of the black ink Bk and the black when only the first slider 31 is operated. The actual discharge amount of each of the chromatic inks C, M, and Y is increased based on the difference in the actual discharge amount of the ink Bk. The difference between the specified discharge amount of the black ink Bk and the actual discharge amount of the black ink Bk is a decrease in the discharge amount of the black ink Bk that is reduced based on the specific correction ratio.

In this example, the difference between the specified discharge amount of the black ink Bk and the actual discharge amount of the black ink Bk is divided evenly by 3 which is the number of chromatic inks, and this calculated value is calculated for each of the chromatic inks C, M, and Y. Each actual discharge amount is set in addition to each specified discharge amount. Therefore, a value obtained by increasing the specified discharge amounts of the chromatic inks C, M, and Y by the same amount becomes the actual discharge amounts of the chromatic inks C, M, and Y. Also, the difference between the specified discharge amount of the black ink Bk and the actual discharge amount of the black ink Bk, and the sum of the differences between the actual discharge amount and the specified discharge amount in each of the chromatic inks C, M, and Y are equal. Become. As a result, the total ink ejection amount after correction when only the first slider 31 is operated is the total ink ejection amount when each of the inks C, M, Y, and Bk is ejected at the specified ejection amount. It remains the same without changing. The specified discharge amount of each of the chromatic inks C, M, and Y is CMYrq, the specified discharge amount of the black ink Bk is Bkrq, the actual discharge amount of the black ink Bk is Bkvq, and each of the chromatic inks C, M, and Y When the actual discharge amount is CMYvq, each actual discharge amount CMYvq of each of the chromatic inks C, M, and Y is expressed by the following equation (2). Note that Bkvq (actual discharge amount of black ink Bk) is obtained by the above equation (1).
CMYvq = CMYrq + (Bkrq−Bkvq) / 3 (2)

The second actual discharge amount setting unit 36 is operated when the second slider 32 is operated (when only the second slider 32 is operated and when both the first slider 31 and the second slider 32 are operated). In addition, the specified discharge amount of the black ink Bk is decreased by the specific correction ratio corresponding to the set value of the first slider 31 and the overall correction ratio corresponding to the set value of the second slider 32 to obtain the actual discharge amount of the black ink Bk. To do. In this case, the actual discharge amount of the black ink Bk is defined as Bkrq, the overall correction ratio is Allfr (%), the specific correction ratio is Bkfr (%), and the actual discharge amount of the black ink Bk is Bkvq. Bkvq is represented by the following formula (3).
Bkvq = Bkrq × Allfr × Bkfr (3)

  In addition, the second actual discharge amount setting unit 36 operates when the second slider 32 is operated (when only the second slider 32 is operated, and when both the first slider 31 and the second slider 32 are operated). In this case, the correction discharge amount is calculated by reducing the specified discharge amount of each of the chromatic inks C, M, and Y based on the overall correction ratio, and the calculated correction discharge amount is used as the black ink Bk. The specified discharge amount of black ink Bk and the specified discharge amount of black ink Bk are increased based on the difference between the specific correction discharge amounts reduced based on the overall correction ratio, and the actual discharge amounts of the chromatic inks C, M, and Y are increased. To do. The difference between the specified discharge amount of the black ink Bk and the specific correction discharge amount of the black ink Bk is a decrease in the discharge amount of the black ink Bk that is obtained by reducing the specified discharge amount based on the overall correction ratio.

In this example, the difference between the specified discharge amount of the black ink Bk and the specific correction discharge amount of the black ink Bk is equally divided by 3 which is the number of chromatic inks, and this calculated value is divided into each of the chromatic inks C, M, Y In addition to each corrected discharge amount, each actual discharge amount is set. Accordingly, the actual discharge amount is a value obtained by increasing the correction discharge amounts of the chromatic inks C, M, and Y by the same amount. The specified discharge amounts of the chromatic inks C, M, and Y are CMYrq, the specified discharge amount of the black ink Bk is Bkrq, the overall correction ratio is Allfr (%), the specific correction ratio is Bkfr (%), and the black ink Bk If the specific correction discharge amount is Bkaq, the correction discharge amounts of the chromatic inks C, M, and Y are CMYaq, and the actual discharge amounts of the chromatic inks C, M, and Y are CMYvq, the black ink Bk is specified. The corrected discharge amount Bkaq is expressed by the following equation (4), and the corrected discharge amounts CMYaq of the chromatic inks C, M, and Y are expressed by the following equation (5). Accordingly, the actual ejection amounts CMYvq of the chromatic inks C, M, and Y are expressed by the following equation (6).
Bkaq = Bkrq × Allfr (4)
CMYaq = CMYrq × Allfr (5)
CMYvq = CMYaq + (Bkrq−Bkaq) / 3 (6)

  Here, the discharge amount setting operation by the actual discharge amount setting unit 26 will be described more specifically with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a discharge amount setting operation in which the actual discharge amount setting unit 26 sets the actual discharge amount of each ink C, M, Y, and Bk. In this example, when the color conversion module 23 converts the RGB multi-value data of specific pixels of the image data into ink amount data, the specified ejection amounts of the respective inks C, M, Y, and Bk are 25, It is assumed that the total ink discharge amount is 100.

  The example shown in FIG. 3A is a case where the first slider 31 and the second slider 32 are not operated. In this case, the specified ejection amounts of the inks C, M, Y, and Bk are set as they are as the actual ejection amounts of the inks C, M, Y, and Bk.

  The example shown in FIG. 3B is a case where only the first slider 31 for reducing and correcting the discharge amount of the black ink Bk is operated and the scale is set to -1. In this case, the specific correction ratio corresponding to the set value of the first slider 31 is 95%. Therefore, the first actual discharge amount setting unit 35 substitutes the specified discharge amount (Bkrq = 25) and the specific correction ratio (Bkfr = 95%) of the black ink Bk into the above formula (1), and the calculation result is black. The actual ejection amount of ink Bk (Bkvq = 23.8) is assumed. Further, the first actual discharge amount setting unit 35 determines the predetermined discharge amount (CMYrq = 25) of each of the chromatic inks C, M, and Y and the predetermined discharge amount (Bkrq = 25) of the black ink Bk in the above equation (2). 25) and the actual discharge amount (Bkvq = 23.8) of the black ink Bk are substituted, and this calculation result is used as the actual discharge amount (CMYvq = 25.4) of each of the chromatic inks C, M, and Y.

  In the example shown in FIG. 3C, both the second slider 32 for reducing and correcting the discharge amount of each ink C, M, Y, and Bk and the first slider 31 for decreasing and correcting the discharge amount of the black ink Bk are operated. In this case, the scales are set to -1. In this case, the specific correction ratio corresponding to the setting value of the first slider 31 is 95%, and the overall correction ratio corresponding to the setting value of the second slider 32 is 95%.

  Therefore, the second actual ejection amount setting unit 36 adds the specified ejection amount (Bkrq = 25), the overall correction ratio (Allfr = 95%), and the specific correction ratio (Bkfr = 95%) of the black ink Bk to the above equation (3). ) Is substituted, and this calculation result is set as the actual ejection amount (Bkvq = 22.6) of the black ink Bk. The second actual ejection amount setting unit 36 substitutes the specified ejection amount (Bkrq = 25) and the overall correction ratio (Allfr = 95%) of the black ink Bk into the above equation (4), and the calculation result is black. The specific correction discharge amount of ink Bk (Bkaq = 23.75) is set. Further, the prescribed discharge amount (CMYrq = 25) and the overall correction ratio (Allfr = 95%) of each chromatic ink C, M, Y are substituted into the above equation (5), and this calculation result is substituted for the chromatic color. The corrected ejection amounts for each ink C, M, and Y (CMYaq = 23.8) are used. Further, in the above equation (5), the corrected discharge amount (CMYaq = 23.8) of each of the chromatic inks C, M, and Y calculated by the above equation (5) and the specified discharge amount of the black ink Bk (Bkrq = 25) and the specific corrected discharge amount (Bkaq = 23.8) of the black ink Bk are substituted, and this calculation result is used as the actual discharge amount (CMYvq = 24) of each of the chromatic inks C, M, and Y. .2). When the first slider 31 and the second slider 32 are operated, the total ink discharge amount after correction is smaller than the total ink discharge amount before correction.

  When only the second slider 32 for reducing and correcting the ejection amounts of the inks C, M, Y, and Bk is operated, the specific correction ratio is set to 100%, which is the same as the case shown in FIG. In addition, the actual ejection amount of each ink C, M, Y, Bk is set. Even when only the second slider 32 is operated, the total ink ejection amount after correction becomes a value that is smaller than the total ink ejection amount before correction.

  In this example, the calculated value obtained by equally dividing the difference between the specified discharge amount of the black ink Bk and the specific correction discharge amount of the black ink Bk by 3 that is the number of chromatic inks is the same amount for each chromatic ink C, In addition to the corrected discharge amounts of M and Y, each actual discharge amount was set. However, the difference between the specific correction discharge amounts is not equally divided by 3 (C, M, Y) of the number of chromatic inks, but the calculated value distributed according to the CMY ratio before the correction is used for each chromatic ink C In addition to the corrected discharge amounts of M, Y and M, the actual discharge amounts may be used.

  Next, the command conversion module 27 converts the ink amount data (actual ejection amount) of each ink C, M, Y, and Bk for printing each pixel into a print command. In this example, when inks C, M, Y, and Bk are shot onto the recording paper, three types (large, medium, and small) of ink droplets having different sizes are ejected from the inkjet head toward the recording paper. The discharge amount of each ink (C, M, Y, Bk) to the recording paper is adjusted by controlling the discharge ratio of each type (large, medium, small) of ink droplets by a print command. In this example, the ejection amount is represented by a capacity (nl), a weight (ng), or the like, and is also represented by the ejection ratio of three types of ink droplets (large, medium, and small).

  The print command output unit 28 outputs the print command generated by the command conversion module 27 to the inkjet printer 3. The inkjet printer 3 is driven and controlled by a print command, and prints an image on a recording sheet.

(Image data printing process)
FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the image data print processing operation. When the printer driver execution unit 12 receives image data supplied from the application program execution unit 11, the driver upper layer 21 renders the image data and converts each pixel into RGB multi-value data (step ST1). When RGB multi-value data is output from the driver upper layer 21, the color processing module converts the RGB multi-value data into ink amount data (specified discharge amount) of each ink C, M, Y, Bk by the color processing LUT 24. Conversion processing is performed (step ST2).

  Here, the actual ejection amount setting unit 26 confirms the setting value of the first slider 31 and the setting value of the second slider 32, and each ink C, M based on the specific correction ratio and the overall correction ratio corresponding to each setting value. , Y, and Bk are corrected to the actual discharge amounts for discharging the inks C, M, Y, and Bk during printing (steps ST3 and ST4).

  When the ink amount data (actual discharge amount) of each ink C, M, Y, and Bk is set by the actual discharge amount setting unit 26, the command conversion module 27 generates a print command based on the ink amount data (step). ST5) The print command output unit 28 outputs the generated print command to the inkjet printer 3 (step ST6). The inkjet printer 3 is driven and controlled by a print command, and prints an image.

(Function and effect)
In this example, by operating the first slider 31, the discharge amount of the black ink Bk can be reduced, and the water resistance and abrasion resistance of the printed image can be improved. Therefore, for example, when the image data is for printing a two-dimensional code, and the printed matter issued based on the image data is used for an application that may be subject to water droplets, the first slider 31 is operated. Thus, the discharge amount of the black ink Bk can be reduced to improve the water resistance of the two-dimensional code. In addition, even when a printed matter issued based on the image data is used for an application in which rubbing is likely to occur, the discharge amount of the black ink Bk is decreased by operating the first slider 31 to improve the resistance of the two-dimensional code. Rubability can be improved.

  Further, in this example, by operating the second slider 32, the discharge amount of each ink C, M, Y, Bk can be reduced, and the occurrence of bleeding in the printed image can be suppressed. For example, when the image data is for printing a two-dimensional code, the reading accuracy of reading the two-dimensional code with a code reader decreases if bleeding occurs in the printing result. Therefore, when the image data is printed on a recording sheet that tends to bleed, the second slider 32 is operated to reduce the ejection amount of each ink C, M, Y, and Bk, thereby suppressing the occurrence of bleed. By operating the second slider 32, the discharge amount of each ink C, M, Y, Bk to the recording paper is reduced. Therefore, by operating the second slider 32, each ink C, M, Y, Bk The amount of consumption can also be suppressed.

  Here, when the discharge amount of the black ink Bk is reduced by operating the first slider 31 or the second slider 32, dot omission may occur in the black ruled line formed on the recording paper. Also, missing dots may occur in the outline of the figure formed on the recording paper, making it difficult to identify the outline of the figure. Therefore, for example, when the image data is for printing a two-dimensional code, the black ruled line forming the two-dimensional code is missing in the printed image, the outline of the black region becomes ambiguous, and the two-dimensional code There arises a problem that the reading accuracy is lowered.

  In order to deal with such a problem, in this example, when a specific correction ratio for reducing only the discharge amount of the black ink Bk is received, the actual discharge amount of each of the chromatic inks C, M, and Y is changed to each chromatic color. The value is set to be larger than the specified ejection amounts of inks C, M, and Y. When an overall correction ratio that reduces the discharge amount of all inks is received, the actual discharge amount of each of the chromatic inks C, M, and Y is calculated based on the overall correction ratio. , Y is set to a value that is increased from each corrected discharge amount obtained by reducing and correcting each specified discharge amount. That is, in this example, when the discharge amount of the black ink Bk is decreased, the discharge amount of each of the chromatic inks C, M, and Y is increased for a part or all of the decrease of the black ink Bk. Make up for it. As a result, it is possible to cover the missing dot of the printing result caused by the decrease in the discharge amount of the black ink Bk by increasing the discharge amount of each of the chromatic inks C, M, and Y onto the recording paper. Therefore, it can be suppressed that missing dots appear in the printing result. Therefore, when the image data is for printing a two-dimensional code on a recording sheet, it is possible to suppress or prevent a decrease in the reading accuracy of the printed two-dimensional code due to a decrease in the discharge amount of the black ink Bk. it can.

  In the above example, the discharge amount of the black ink Bk is corrected by operating the first slider 31, but among the chromatic inks C, M, and Y by operating the first slider 31. It is also possible to input a specific correction ratio for reducing and correcting the discharge amount of one ink.

1 ... Print system 2. Host computer (printing control device) 3. Inkjet printer (printing device) 4. Display 5. Input device 10. OS unit 11. Application program execution , 12 ..Printer driver execution unit, 21 ..Driver upper layer, 22 ..Image processing module, 23 ..Color conversion module, 24 ..Color processing LUT, 25 .. Correction ratio input unit, 26. Discharge amount setting unit, 27... Command conversion module, 28... Print command output unit, 30... Dialog box, 31... First slider, 32 ... Second slider, 35. 36 .. Second actual discharge amount setting section, Bk .. black ink, C .. cyan ink, M .. magenta ink, Y .. yellow ink

Claims (9)

A printing control apparatus that controls a printing apparatus that performs printing by discharging a plurality of inks onto a recording medium,
Based on a correction ratio for correcting and reducing the discharge amount of one specific ink of at least one of the plurality of inks from the specified discharge amount of the specific ink, the specified discharge amount of the specific ink is corrected to be an actual discharge amount, An actual discharge amount setting unit that increases each specified discharge amount of each of the inks other than the specific ink among the plurality of inks to obtain each actual discharge amount; and
Each of the commands based on the actual discharge amount have a command output unit for transmitting to the printing apparatus,
The difference between the specified discharge amount of the specific ink and the actual discharge amount is equal to the sum of the differences between the specified discharge amounts of the other inks and the actual discharge amounts. . In claim 1,
As the correction ratio, a correction ratio receiving unit that receives at least one of a specific correction ratio for the specific ink or an overall correction ratio for the plurality of inks,
The actual discharge amount setting unit is
When the reduction correction of the specific correction ratio is accepted, the specified discharge amount of the specific ink is corrected to decrease based on the specific correction ratio to obtain an actual discharge amount, and other than the specific ink among the plurality of inks is excluded. A first actual discharge amount setting unit that increases each specified discharge amount of ink and sets each actual discharge amount;
When the reduction correction of the total correction ratio is received, the specified discharge amount of the specific ink is corrected to decrease based on the total correction ratio to obtain the actual discharge amount of the specific ink, and the total correction ratio Each correction discharge amount is increased based on the value of the specific ink decrease correction to each correction discharge amount obtained by reducing and correcting each specified discharge amount of the other ink based on each actual discharge of the other ink. A printing control apparatus comprising: at least one of a second actual discharge amount setting unit configured as an amount. In claim 2,
The first actual discharge amount setting unit increases each specified discharge amount of the other ink based on a difference between the specified discharge amount of the specific ink to be decreased and the actual discharge amount of the specific ink. A printing control apparatus characterized by that. In any one of claims 2 to 3 ,
The second actual ejection amount setting unit increases each correction ejection amount of the other ink based on a difference between the specified ejection amount of the specific ink and the actual ejection amount. . In claim 4 ,
The difference between the specified discharge amount of the specific ink and the actual discharge amount is equal to the sum of the differences between the specified discharge amount and the actual discharge amount of each of the other inks. . In any one of claims 1 to 5 ,
The printing control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the specific ink has a higher color material content than the other ink. In any one of claims 1 to 6 ,
The plurality of inks are cyan ink, magenta ink, yellow ink and black ink,
The printing control apparatus, wherein the specific ink is black ink. A control method for a printing apparatus that performs printing by discharging a plurality of inks onto a recording medium,
Based on a correction ratio for correcting and reducing the discharge amount of one specific ink of at least one of the plurality of inks from the specified discharge amount of the specific ink, the specified discharge amount of the specific ink is corrected to be an actual discharge amount, Increase each specified discharge amount of other inks except the specific ink among the plurality of inks to obtain each actual discharge amount ,
The difference between the specified discharge amount of the specific ink and the actual discharge amount is equal to the sum of the differences between the specified discharge amounts of the other inks and the actual discharge amounts . Control method. A printing control apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7 ;
A printing apparatus connected to the printing control apparatus and performing recording on a recording medium by discharging a plurality of inks;
A printing system comprising:

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