JP6295710B2 - Printer, printer print control method, and print control apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a printer that prints an image by ejecting ink from a nozzle of a print head onto a transported recording medium, a printing control method for the printer, and a printing control apparatus.

  If there is a defective nozzle that cannot eject ink (ink droplets) in the print head, it may not be possible to perform desired printing because the ink cannot be landed on a predetermined position on the recording medium. In particular, in a line-type inkjet printer having a nozzle row extending in a direction intersecting with the conveyance direction of the recording medium, a stripe-shaped unprinted portion (dot missing portion) extending in the conveyance direction on a printed image printed based on print data May appear. In order to suppress the occurrence of such an unprinted portion, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 disclose that when a defective nozzle as described above is detected, cyan ink instead of black ink that should have been ejected by the nozzle, A technique is disclosed in which magenta ink and yellow ink are ejected and mixed to generate black, thereby complementing defective nozzles.

Japanese Patent No. 3157880 Japanese Patent No. 4083403

  The printer disclosed in Patent Document 1 has only one amount of ink ejected from each nozzle. In other words, there is only one size of dot that can be formed by the ink ejected from each nozzle. In this configuration, when the defective nozzle is compensated as described above, black dots originally formed by a single black ink droplet are formed by cyan ink droplets, magenta ink droplets, and yellow ink droplets that are three times the amount. Will be done. The dots that are inevitably formed become large, and dot omission can be avoided, while deviation from the desired printing result is unavoidable. Further, when paper is a recording medium, there is a risk of ink bleeding or show-through occurring at the location where the supplement is performed, or contamination due to delayed drying. Patent Document 2 discloses a printer that can eject different amounts of ink droplets from the same nozzle. However, the black ink nozzle ejection failure is caused by the formation of dots obtained by mixing cyan ink, magenta ink, and yellow ink. In the case of complementation, nothing is mentioned about the relationship between the amount of black ink and the amount of other color ink.

  In view of such problems, the problem of the present invention is that when there are defective nozzles that cannot eject ink to the nozzles mounted on the print head, by ejecting color ink from each nozzle that ejects other color inks, An object of the present invention is to propose a printer, a printing control method for a printer, and a printing control apparatus that can easily fill an area that is an unprinted portion in normal printing.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the printer of the present invention includes a first nozzle row in which a plurality of first nozzles that eject first color ink are arranged, and a plurality of nozzles that eject other color inks. A line-type print head having a plurality of nozzle rows arranged in parallel, a transport mechanism for transporting a recording medium in a transport direction crossing each nozzle row via a printing position by the print head, and ejection in the first nozzle row Based on print data, a detection unit that detects defective defective nozzles, and an amount of the first color ink scheduled to be ejected to a dot formation planned position of the recording medium by the defective nozzle, and the other color inks A discharge ink amount acquisition unit that acquires the amount of other color ink to be discharged from the discharge nozzle to the dot formation planned position and a nozzle that discharges the other color ink are actually discharged. The actual ejection ink amount setting for setting the actual ejection ink amount of the color ink based on the ink amount of the first color ink scheduled to be ejected at the acquired dot formation scheduled position and the ink amount of the other color ink. When the print data is printed, complementary printing is performed to discharge the color ink of the actual discharge ink amount from the nozzle that discharges the other color ink to the dot formation scheduled position when the print data is printed. And a complementary printing unit to be performed.

  According to the present invention, when a defective nozzle is detected in the first nozzle row composed of nozzles that eject the first color ink, other color inks are ejected to the planned dot formation position by the defective nozzle. Complementary printing is performed by discharging color ink from the nozzles. Accordingly, it is possible to fill a region that is an unprinted portion in normal printing. Here, in complementary printing, the amount of ink of the first color ink scheduled to be ejected by the defective nozzle at the dot formation scheduled position, and the amount of ink of other color inks scheduled for ejection by the nozzle used for complementary printing at the dot formation scheduled position Is set based on Therefore, it becomes easy to make the printing result by complementary printing close to the printing result when no defective nozzle is detected.

  In the present invention, the line-type print head includes the first nozzle row in which the plurality of first nozzles for discharging black ink are arranged, and the second nozzle in which the plurality of second nozzles for discharging cyan ink are arranged. A first nozzle array including a third nozzle array in which a plurality of third nozzles for ejecting magenta ink are arranged, and a fourth nozzle array in which a plurality of fourth nozzles for ejecting yellow ink are arranged, The detection unit that detects the defective first nozzle of the ejection failure in the row, and when the defective first nozzle is detected, at the dot formation scheduled position of the recording medium by the defective first nozzle based on the print data The defective ejection dot size which is the ink amount of the black ink scheduled to be ejected is acquired, and the first position in the overlapping position when viewed from the transport direction. A nozzle, a discharge dot size acquisition unit that acquires a discharge dot size that is the ink amount of each color ink scheduled to be discharged from the fourth nozzle to the dot formation planned position, and prints the print data In this case, the actual ejection dot size of the color ink that is actually ejected from at least one of the second nozzle, the third nozzle, and the fourth nozzle is set to be larger than the ejection failure dot size. When the ejection dot size setting unit and the actual ejection dot size are set, the color ink of the actual ejection dot size is supplied from each of the second nozzle, the third nozzle, and the fourth nozzle when the print data is printed. It is desirable to include a complementary printing unit that performs complementary printing to be ejected to the dot formation scheduled position.

  In this way, when a defective first nozzle is detected in the first nozzle row composed of nozzles that discharge black ink, and a streak-like unprinted portion is expected to appear on the recording medium, recording is performed. Complementary printing is performed in which color ink of the actual ejection dot size is ejected from each of the second nozzle, the third nozzle, and the fourth nozzle that are in a position overlapping the defective first nozzle when viewed from the medium conveyance direction. Here, in complementary printing, the actual ejection dot size of the color ink ejected from each of the second nozzle, the third nozzle, and the fourth nozzle is such that at least one of them is larger than the ejection failure dot size of the black ink. Is done. Accordingly, the dots formed at the dot formation scheduled position can be enlarged by the mixed color of each ink of cyan, magenta, and yellow, and an area that is an unprinted portion can be filled in normal printing. The dot size is the size of ink droplets ejected from each nozzle and corresponds to the amount of ink.

  In the present invention, the actual ejection dot size setting unit sets the actual ejection dot size of each color ink actually ejected from each of the second nozzle, the third nozzle, and the fourth nozzle, and the ejection dot size of each color ink. It is desirable to set to the above size. In this way, the dots formed at the planned dot formation position can be increased by the mixed colors of the cyan, magenta, and yellow inks, and it becomes easy to fill the area that is not to be printed.

  In the present invention, a receiving unit that receives a setting command for setting that the complementary printing is not performed, and when the setting command is received, the second nozzle, the third nozzle, and the first nozzle when printing the print data. A normal printing unit that performs normal printing for discharging the color ink of the ejection dot size from each of the four nozzles to the dot formation scheduled position, and the complementary printing unit, when not receiving the setting command, It is desirable to perform complementary printing. In this way, it is possible to select whether or not to perform complementary printing.

  In the present invention, it is desirable to provide a notification unit that notifies that the complementary printing is being performed while the complementary printing is being performed. In this way, it is possible to easily grasp whether or not complementary printing is being performed.

  Next, the present invention includes a first nozzle row in which a plurality of first nozzles that eject first color ink are arranged, and a nozzle row in which a plurality of nozzles that eject other color inks are arranged in parallel. In a print control method for a printer that drives a line-type print head to print print data on a recording medium that is conveyed in a conveyance direction that intersects each nozzle row, a defective nozzle that is defective in ejection in the first nozzle row. Based on the detected print data, the amount of the first color ink scheduled to be ejected to the dot formation planned position of the recording medium by the defective nozzle, and the dot formation schedule from the nozzle that ejects the other color ink The ink amount of the other color ink scheduled to be ejected at the position is acquired, and the actual ejection ink amount of the color ink that is actually ejected from the nozzle that ejects the other color ink is obtained. Based on the ink amount of the first color ink scheduled to be ejected and the ink amount of the other color ink at the scheduled position, and when the actual ink ejection amount is set, the other color is printed when the print data is printed. The complementary printing is performed by discharging the color ink of the actual discharge ink amount from the nozzle for discharging the color ink to the dot formation scheduled position.

  According to the present invention, when a defective nozzle is detected in the first nozzle row composed of nozzles that eject the first color ink, other color inks are ejected to the planned dot formation position by the defective nozzle. Complementary printing is performed by discharging color ink from the nozzles. Accordingly, it is possible to fill a region that is an unprinted portion in normal printing. Here, in complementary printing, the amount of ink of the first color ink scheduled to be ejected by the defective nozzle at the dot formation scheduled position, and the amount of ink of other color inks scheduled for ejection by the nozzle used for complementary printing at the dot formation scheduled position Is set based on Therefore, it becomes easy to make the printing result by complementary printing close to the printing result when no defective nozzle is detected.

  In the present invention, the line-type print head includes the first nozzle row in which the plurality of first nozzles for discharging black ink are arranged, and the second nozzle in which the plurality of second nozzles for discharging cyan ink are arranged. A first nozzle array including a third nozzle array in which a plurality of third nozzles for ejecting magenta ink are arranged, and a fourth nozzle array in which a plurality of fourth nozzles for ejecting yellow ink are arranged, When a defective first nozzle of defective ejection in a row is detected and the defective first nozzle is detected, ejection is planned to be performed at a dot formation scheduled position of the recording medium by the defective first nozzle based on the print data. And obtaining the black ink ejection failure dot size that is the ink amount of the second nozzle at a position overlapping when viewed from the transport direction, When the print data is printed, the second and third nozzles obtain the discharge dot size that is the ink amount of each color ink scheduled to be discharged from the three nozzles and the fourth nozzle to the dot formation scheduled position. An actual ejection dot size of color ink that is actually ejected from at least one of the nozzle and the fourth nozzle is set to be larger than the ejection failure dot size, and the second nozzle is printed when the print data is printed. It is desirable to perform complementary printing in which the color ink of the actual ejection dot size is ejected from each of the third nozzle and the fourth nozzle to the dot formation scheduled position.

  In this way, when a defective first nozzle is detected in the first nozzle row composed of nozzles that discharge black ink, and a streak-like unprinted portion is expected to appear on the recording medium, recording is performed. Complementary printing is performed in which color ink of the actual ejection dot size is ejected from each of the second nozzle, the third nozzle, and the fourth nozzle that are in a position overlapping the defective first nozzle when viewed from the medium conveyance direction. Here, in complementary printing, the actual ejection dot size of the color ink ejected from each of the second nozzle, the third nozzle, and the fourth nozzle is such that at least one of them is larger than the ejection failure dot size of the black ink. Is done. Accordingly, the dots formed at the dot formation scheduled position can be enlarged by the mixed color of each ink of cyan, magenta, and yellow, and an area that is an unprinted portion can be filled in normal printing. The dot size is the size of ink droplets ejected from each nozzle and corresponds to the amount of ink.

  In the present invention, the actual ejection dot size of each color ink actually ejected from each of the second nozzle, the third nozzle, and the fourth nozzle may be set to be larger than the ejection dot size of each color ink. desirable. In this way, the dots formed at the planned dot formation position can be increased by the mixed colors of the cyan, magenta, and yellow inks, and it becomes easy to fill the area that is not to be printed.

  In the present invention, before performing the complementary printing, a setting as to whether or not to perform the complementary printing is accepted, and when the complementary printing is selected, the complementary printing is performed and the complementary printing is performed. When it is selected that no printing is performed, the color ink of the discharge dot size is normally discharged from the second nozzle, the third nozzle, and the fourth nozzle to the dot formation scheduled position when the print data is printed. Printing can be performed. In this way, it is possible to select whether or not to perform complementary printing.

  In the present invention, it is desirable to notify that the complementary printing is being performed while the complementary printing is being performed. In this way, it is possible to easily grasp whether or not complementary printing is being performed.

  Next, the present invention includes a first nozzle row in which a plurality of first nozzles that eject first color ink are arranged, and a nozzle row in which a plurality of nozzles that eject other color inks are arranged in parallel. The printing position is transported by driving and controlling a printer having a line-type print head and a transport mechanism that transports the recording medium in the transport direction intersecting each nozzle row via the print position by the print head. A print control apparatus for executing printing on the recording medium based on print data, a detection unit for detecting defective nozzles of defective discharge in the first nozzle row, and the recording by the defective nozzles based on print data The amount of ink of the first color ink scheduled to be discharged at the dot formation planned position of the medium, and another color ink to be discharged from the nozzle for discharging the other color ink to the dot formation planned position. A discharge ink amount acquisition unit that acquires the ink amount of the second ink, and an actual discharge ink amount of the color ink that is actually discharged from the nozzle that discharges the other color ink. Based on the ink amount of one color ink and the ink amount of the other color ink, the actual discharge ink amount setting unit to be set and the actual discharge ink amount are set, and when the print data is printed, A complementary printing unit that performs complementary printing in which the color ink of the actual ejection ink amount is ejected from the nozzle that ejects the color ink to the dot formation scheduled position.

  According to the present invention, when a defective nozzle is detected in the first nozzle row composed of nozzles that discharge the first color ink, the printer uses another color ink at the dot formation scheduled position by the defective nozzle. Complementary printing is performed in which color ink is ejected from nozzles that eject ink. Accordingly, it is possible to fill a region that is an unprinted portion in normal printing. Here, in complementary printing, the amount of ink of the first color ink scheduled to be ejected by the defective nozzle at the dot formation scheduled position, and the amount of ink of other color inks scheduled for ejection by the nozzle used for complementary printing at the dot formation scheduled position Is set based on Therefore, it becomes easy to make the printing result by complementary printing close to the printing result when no defective nozzle is detected.

  In the present invention, the line-type print head includes the first nozzle row in which the plurality of first nozzles for discharging black ink are arranged, and the second nozzle in which the plurality of second nozzles for discharging cyan ink are arranged. A first nozzle array including a third nozzle array in which a plurality of third nozzles for ejecting magenta ink are arranged, and a fourth nozzle array in which a plurality of fourth nozzles for ejecting yellow ink are arranged, A defective nozzle information acquisition unit that acquires, from the printer, nozzle information of defective first nozzles of ejection defects present in a row; and when the nozzle information is acquired, based on the print data, the defective first nozzles Acquiring a defective ejection dot size that is the ink amount of the black ink scheduled to be ejected to a dot formation scheduled position of a recording medium, and the transport method Ejection for acquiring the ejection dot size that is the ink amount of each color ink that is scheduled to be ejected from the second nozzle, the third nozzle, and the fourth nozzle that are in an overlapping position when viewed from above to the dot formation planned position A dot size acquisition unit, and an actual ejection dot size of color ink that is actually ejected from at least one of the second nozzle, the third nozzle, and the fourth nozzle when the print data is printed, An actual ejection dot size setting unit that is set to a size equal to or greater than the ejection failure dot size, and when the actual ejection dot size is set, the second nozzle, the third nozzle, and the fourth nozzle when printing the print data Complementary printing is performed on the printer to cause the color ink of the actual ejection dot size to be ejected to the dot formation scheduled position from each of the printers. A complementary printing unit that, it is desirable to have a.

  In this way, when it is expected that a defective first nozzle is detected in the first nozzle row composed of nozzles that discharge black ink and a streaky unprinted portion appears on the recording medium, the printer , Supplementary printing is performed in which color ink of the actual ejection dot size is ejected from each of the second nozzle, the third nozzle, and the fourth nozzle that are in a position overlapping the defective first nozzle when viewed from the conveyance direction of the recording medium. . Here, in complementary printing, the actual ejection dot size of the color ink ejected from each of the second nozzle, the third nozzle, and the fourth nozzle is such that at least one of them is larger than the ejection failure dot size of the black ink. Is done. Accordingly, the dots formed at the dot formation scheduled position can be enlarged by the mixed color of each ink of cyan, magenta, and yellow, and an area that is an unprinted portion can be filled in normal printing.

  In the present invention, the actual ejection dot size setting unit sets the actual ejection dot size of each color ink actually ejected from each of the second nozzle, the third nozzle, and the fourth nozzle, and the ejection dot size of each color ink. It is desirable to set to the above size. In this way, the dots formed at the planned dot formation position can be increased by the mixed colors of the cyan, magenta, and yellow inks, and it becomes easy to fill the area that is not to be printed.

  In the present invention, a receiving unit that receives a setting command for setting that the complementary printing is not performed, and when the setting command is received, the second nozzle, the third nozzle, and the first nozzle when printing the print data. A normal printing unit that causes the printer to perform normal printing for discharging the color ink of the ejection dot size from each of the four nozzles to the dot formation scheduled position, and the complementary printing unit does not accept the setting command In this case, the printer can be made to perform the complementary printing. In this way, it is possible to select whether or not to perform complementary printing.

  In the present invention, it is desirable to provide a notification unit that notifies that the complementary printing is being performed while the complementary printing is being performed. In this way, it is possible to easily grasp whether or not complementary printing is being performed.

  According to the present invention, when there is a defective first nozzle that cannot eject black ink in the nozzles mounted on the print head, by ejecting color ink from each nozzle that ejects cyan, magenta, and yellow color inks, It is possible to fill a region that is an unprinted portion that appears in the print result.

1 is a schematic block diagram of a printing system to which the present invention is applied. It is explanatory drawing which showed typically the arrangement | sequence of the nozzle in a print head. It is a transition diagram of a setting reception screen when complementary printing is set. It is an example of a dot size setting table. FIG. 6 is a transition diagram of status and the like displayed by a print control unit. 6 is a flowchart of a printing process operation in the printing system. It is explanatory drawing of a printing image in case a bad 1st nozzle exists. It is explanatory drawing of a printing image in case a bad 1st nozzle exists.

  A printing system equipped with a printer 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 computer 2 and a printer 3 connected to the computer 2.

(computer)
As shown in FIG. 1, a display 4 and an input device 5 such as a keyboard and a mouse are connected to the computer 2. In the arithmetic processing unit 6 of the computer 2, an OS 7 (operating system), an application program 8, and a printer driver 9 are operating. The application program 8 is software for creating image data. The printer driver 9 receives image data from the application program 8 via the OS 7, generates print data, and supplies it to the printer 3.

(printer)
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the arrangement of nozzles in the print head. The printer 3 forms dots by ejecting ink from nozzles based on print data on a printing paper (recording medium) 12 that is conveyed at a constant speed along a conveyance path that passes through the printing position A by the print head 11. Thus, a line-type inkjet printer that performs printing. As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 3 includes a print head 11, a paper transport mechanism 13, a head moving mechanism 14, a maintenance mechanism 15, a defective nozzle detection mechanism 16, and a touch panel 17 as an input / output device.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the print head 11 includes four sets of line-type ink jet heads 21 to 24 arranged at regular intervals along the conveyance direction B of the print paper 12. The first line-type inkjet head 21 located at the uppermost stream in the transport direction A of the printing paper 12 ejects black ink, and the second line-type inkjet head 22 on the downstream side ejects cyan ink. . Further, the third line-type inkjet head 23 on the downstream side of the second line-type inkjet head 22 ejects magenta ink, and the downstream of the fourth line-type inkjet head 24 ejects yellow ink. . Here, it is assumed that black, cyan, magenta, and yellow each include colors in the vicinity thereof.

  Each of the line-type inkjet heads 21 to 24 includes four head units 26 to 29 arranged in a direction intersecting the transport direction B, for example, an orthogonal direction C (paper width direction of the printing paper 12). The four head units 26 to 29 are arranged in a zigzag pattern back and forth in the transport direction B. Each of the head units 26 to 29 includes a plurality of nozzles arranged in the orthogonal direction C. The plurality of nozzles are arranged in a zigzag pattern back and forth in the transport direction B to form a nozzle row.

  The first nozzle row 36 of the first nozzle 31 that discharges black ink is constituted by the nozzle rows of the head units 26 to 29 in the first line type inkjet head 21. The second nozzle row 37 of the second nozzle 32 that discharges cyan ink is constituted by the nozzle rows of the head units 26 to 29 in the second line type inkjet head 22. A third nozzle row 38 of the third nozzle 33 that discharges magenta ink is configured by the nozzle rows of the head units 26 to 29 in the third line type inkjet head 23. The nozzle rows of the head units 26 to 29 in the fourth line type inkjet head 24 constitute a fourth nozzle row 39 of the fourth nozzle 34 that discharges yellow ink. Here, each first nozzle 31 constituting the first nozzle row 36, each second nozzle 32 constituting the second nozzle row 37, and each third nozzle 33 constituting the third nozzle row 38. The fourth nozzles 34 constituting the fourth nozzle row 39 are provided at overlapping positions when viewed from the transport direction B.

  The paper transport mechanism 13 transports the print paper 12 at a constant speed along a transport path that passes through the printing position A. The paper transport mechanism 13 includes a transport motor 41 as a drive source.

  The head moving mechanism 14 moves the print head 11 between the printing position A and a maintenance position that is separated from the printing position A. The head moving mechanism 14 includes a head moving motor 42 as a drive source.

  The maintenance mechanism 15 includes a head cap 43 disposed at the maintenance position. The maintenance mechanism 15 moves the head cap 43 up and down to move between a raised position where the print head 11 is capped and a lowered position where the print head 11 is separated. The maintenance mechanism 15 includes a lift motor 44 as a drive source for moving the head cap 43 up and down.

  Here, the print head 11 is periodically placed at the maintenance position by the head moving mechanism 14 to perform the flushing operation. The flushing operation is to eject ink from the print head 11 toward the head cap 43. By regularly performing the flushing operation, clogging of the nozzles due to ink thickening is prevented or suppressed. Thereby, generation | occurrence | production of a defective nozzle is suppressed.

  The defective nozzle detection mechanism 16 includes a current sensor 45 that detects a change in current generated in the ink absorbing material accommodated in the head cap 43. In the defective nozzle detection operation for detecting a defective nozzle, the defective nozzle detection mechanism 16 sequentially discharges charged ink charged from the nozzles 31 to 34 of the print head 11 toward the head cap 43, and this ink is an ink absorbing material. The current sensor 45 takes out the current change that occurs when landing on the current sensor. If the current change signal is smaller than the set threshold value even though ink is ejected, it is determined that the nozzle that ejected ink is a defective nozzle. As the defective nozzle detection mechanism 16, a mechanism for detecting defective nozzles by detecting the ejection of ink from the nozzles 31 to 34 by an optical means such as a laser can be mounted.

(Printer control system)
As shown in FIG. 1, the control system of the printer 3 is configured around a control unit 51 including a CPU. The control unit 51 is connected to the communication unit 52 and the touch panel 17 for connecting the printer 3 and the computer 2 so as to communicate with each other. The communication unit 52 inputs image data supplied from the computer 2 (printer driver 9) to the control unit 51. The touch panel 17 displays the status of the printer 3 and accepts input of various setting commands.

  A current sensor 45 of the defective nozzle detection mechanism 16 is connected to the input side of the control unit 51. On the output side of the control unit 51, the print head 11, the transport motor 41, the head moving motor 42, and the lifting / lowering motor 44 are respectively connected via device drivers (not shown). In addition, a memory 53 is connected to the control unit 51.

  The control unit 51 includes a defective nozzle information acquisition unit 55, a paper information acquisition unit 56, a setting command reception unit 57, an image data processing unit 58, an error detection unit 59, an ejection dot size acquisition unit (ejection ink amount acquisition unit) 60, an actual An ejection dot size setting unit (actual ejection ink amount setting unit) 61 and a print control unit 62 are provided. The memory 53 stores and holds a color processing lookup table 65, an SML table 66, and a dot size setting table 67.

  The defective nozzle information acquisition unit 55, together with the defective nozzle detection mechanism 16, constitutes a detection unit that detects defective nozzles with defective ejection. The defective nozzle information acquisition unit 55 performs a defective nozzle detection operation on the defective nozzle detection mechanism 16 at a predetermined timing, such as when the printer 3 is turned on, when the print job is completed, or whenever a certain time elapses. Make it. In the defective nozzle detection operation, the defective nozzle information acquisition unit 55 drives the head moving motor 42 to place the print head 11 at the maintenance position. Thereafter, the defective nozzle information acquisition unit 55 drives the print head 11 to discharge the charged ink from the nozzles 31 to 34, and acquires a current change signal from the current sensor 45. Further, the defective nozzle information acquisition unit 55 determines whether or not each of the nozzles 31 to 34 is a defective nozzle based on a current change signal from the current sensor 45. And the defective nozzle information acquisition part 55 acquires the nozzle information about the nozzle detected to be a defective nozzle. The nozzle information includes, for example, a line number assigned to each of the four sets of line-type inkjet heads 21 to 24, a unit number assigned to each of the four head units 26 to 29, and each head unit 26 to 29. The nozzle numbers are assigned to the nozzles 31 to 34.

  The paper information acquisition unit 56 acquires paper type specifying information. The paper type identification information is input in advance to the control unit 51 via the touch panel 17. The paper type specifying information may be supplied from the computer 2 together with the image data. In this example, plain paper and matte paper are set as the paper type of the printing paper 12. Matte paper has less ink bleeding (spreading of ink) on the paper surface than plain paper, and is suitable for high-resolution printing.

  The setting command receiving unit 57 receives an input of a setting command for setting whether or not to perform complementary printing via the touch panel 17. Complementary printing refers to dot formation on the printing paper 12 by the defective first nozzle 31 (F) when there is a defective first nozzle 31 (F) that cannot eject black ink to the first nozzle 31 of the first nozzle row 36. The color ink is ejected from each of the second nozzle 32 (H), the third nozzle 33 (H), and the fourth nozzle 34 (H) that are overlapped with each other when viewed from the transport direction B at the planned position. A dot (composite black dot) in which cyan ink, magenta ink, and yellow ink are mixed is formed at a planned formation position.

  Here, when the defective first nozzle 31 (F) is present in the first nozzle row 36, a streaky unprinted portion extending in the transport direction B appears in the printed image. Therefore, when the image data includes data for forming a two-dimensional code such as a barcode, it may be difficult to read the two-dimensional code of the printed image by the code reader if the image data is printed as it is. Occur. Complementary printing is used to suppress the occurrence of such a situation. According to the complementary printing, dots mixed with cyan ink, magenta ink, and yellow ink are formed in an area that is not printed in normal printing, and the area is filled. Accordingly, it is possible to improve the reading accuracy when reading the two-dimensional code by the code reader.

  FIG. 3 is a transition diagram of the setting reception screen displayed on the touch panel 17 by the setting command receiving unit 57 when setting commands are received. At the time of accepting the setting, the setting command accepting unit 57 displays a message “nozzle missing complementing function” on the touch panel 17 indicating that the complementary printing is performed (step ST11). In this state, when the OK key displayed on the touch panel 17 is pressed, the setting command receiving unit 57 receives a complementary print setting command for setting to perform complementary printing. In step ST11, when the arrow symbol displayed on the touch panel 17 is pressed, the setting command receiving unit 57 displays a message “nozzle missing complement valid / invalid” on the setting receiving screen (step ST12). When the OK key is pressed in this state, the setting command receiving unit 57 receives a normal print setting command for setting normal normal printing without performing complementary printing.

  The image data processing unit 58 generates print data for driving the print head 11 based on the image data. The image data processing unit 58 includes a rendering unit 58a, a color conversion unit 58b, a halftone processing unit 58c, and a print data generation unit 58d.

  The rendering unit 58a renders the image data input to the control unit 51, and converts each pixel of the image data into RGB multi-value data. The color conversion unit 58b refers to the color processing lookup table 65 and converts the RGB multi-value data of each pixel into ink amount data of each color ink. The color processing look-up table 65 stores and holds a color composed of a combination of R, G, and B and ink amount data of each color ink in association with each other.

  The halftone processing unit 58c uses the ink amount data of each color ink C, M, Y, and Bk based on the SML table 66 to indicate the proportion of blank dots that do not eject ink and three types of inks having different diameter sizes. Convert to percentage data. In the SML table 66, the color gradation value based on the ink amount data of each color ink and the usage ratios of three types of dots of blank dots, small dots, medium dots, and large dots are stored in association with each other. . The print data generation unit 58d generates print data in a format that can be interpreted by the printer 3 from the dot ratio data generated by the halftone processing unit 58c. The print data is a command group for ejecting ink from each of the nozzles 31 to 34 of the print head 11 and defines the nozzle, the color of the ink, and the dot size.

  The error detection unit 59 detects whether or not an error that prevents complementary printing has occurred based on the nozzle information of the defective nozzle acquired by the defective nozzle information acquisition unit 55. When the number of defective nozzles in the first nozzle row 36 exceeds a predetermined number that can be complemented, the error detection unit 59 has two or more defective first nozzles 31 (F) adjacent to each other in the first nozzle row 36. When detected, at least one of the second nozzle 32 (H), the third nozzle 33 (H), and the fourth nozzle 34 (H) corresponding to the defective first nozzle 31 (F) discharges color ink. An error is detected when the nozzle is defective.

  The ejection dot size acquisition unit 60 receives a setting command for performing complementary printing by the setting command reception unit 57, detects the defective first nozzle 31 (F), and detects no error by the error detection unit 59. Based on the nozzle information and the print data of the defective first nozzle 31 (F), the defective ejection dot size of the black ink scheduled to be ejected to the dot formation scheduled position on the printing paper 12 by the defective first nozzle 31 (F) To get. Further, in this case, the ejection dot size acquisition unit 60 uses the second nozzle 32 (H) and the third nozzle that are overlapped when viewed from the conveyance direction B based on the nozzle information of the defective first nozzle 31 (F). The nozzle 33 (H) and the fourth nozzle 34 (H) are specified. That is, nozzle information is generated by changing the nozzle information line numbers to numbers corresponding to the second to fourth line-type inkjet heads 22 to 24, and the second nozzle 32 (H) and the third nozzle 33 (H ) And the fourth nozzle 34 (H). Then, the discharge dot size acquisition unit 60 discharges from each of the second nozzle 32 (H), the third nozzle 33 (H), and the fourth nozzle 34 (H) to the planned dot formation position based on the print data. The ejection dot size of each scheduled color ink is acquired.

  When the ejection dot size setting unit acquires the ejection failure dot size and the ejection dot size of each color ink, the ejection dot size setting unit prints the second nozzle 32 (H), the third nozzle 33 (H), and the fourth nozzle when printing the print data. The actual ejection dot size of each color ink that is actually ejected from each of 34 (H) to the dot formation scheduled position of the defective first nozzle 31 (F) is set. In the present example, the ejection dot size setting unit performs actual color ink actually ejected from at least one of the second nozzle 32 (H), the third nozzle 33 (H), and the fourth nozzle 34 (H). The ejection dot size is set to be larger than the ejection failure dot size of black ink. The ejection dot size setting unit sets the actual ejection dot size of each color ink to be actually ejected from each of the second nozzle 32 (H), the third nozzle 33 (H), and the fourth nozzle 34 (H). Set to a size larger than the discharge dot size.

  Specifically, the actual ejection dot size setting unit 61 creates a dot size setting table 67 stored and held in the memory 53 based on the ejection failure dot size, the ejection dot size of each color ink, and the paper type identification information. refer. Each dot size setting table 67 stores and holds the ejection failure dot size, the ejection dot size of each color ink, and the actual ejection dot size of each color ink in association with each paper type of the printing paper 12. Yes.

  FIG. 4 is an example of the dot size setting table 67. In the dot size setting table 67, 1 indicates that the dot size is small, 2 indicates that the dot size is medium, and 3 indicates that the dot size is large. 0 indicates that the dot size is 0, that is, no ink is ejected.

  For example, the paper type is plain paper, the black ink ejection defective dot size from the defective first nozzle 31 (F) in the print data is 2 (medium dot), and the cyan ink ejection from the second nozzle 32 (H). The dot size is 2 (medium dot), the magenta ink ejection dot size from the third nozzle 33 (H) is 1 (small dot), and the magenta ink ejection dot size from the fourth nozzle 34 (H) is 1 (small). Dot). In this case, the actual ejection dot size of the cyan ink from the second nozzle 32 (H) is based on the dot size setting table 67 and the ejection failure dot size 2 (medium dot) and the ejection dot size 2 (medium). It is set to 3 (large dot) larger than (dot). Based on the dot size setting table 67, the ejection dot size of magenta ink from the third nozzle 33 (H) is larger than 2 (medium dot) of the defective ejection dot size and 3 (small dot) of the ejection dot size. Set to (large dot). Based on the dot size setting table 67, the ejection dot size of magenta ink from the fourth nozzle 34 (H) is larger than 2 (medium dot) of defective ejection dot size and 3 (small dot) of ejection dot size. Set to (large dot).

  Further, the paper type is matte paper, the black ink ejection defective dot size from the defective first nozzle 31 (F) in the print data is 3 (large dot), and the cyan ink ejection from the second nozzle 32 (H). Assume that the dot size is 0, the magenta ink ejection dot size from the third nozzle 33 (H) is 0, and the magenta ink ejection dot size from the fourth nozzle 34 (H) is 0. In this case, the actual discharge dot size of cyan ink from the second nozzle 32 (H) is set to 2 (medium dot) larger than 0 of the discharge dot size based on the dot size setting table 67. The ejection dot size of magenta ink from the third nozzle 33 (H) is set to 2 (medium dot) larger than 0 of the ejection dot size based on the dot size setting table 67. Based on the dot size setting table 67, the ejection dot size of magenta ink from the fourth nozzle 34 (H) is 3 (large dot) as the defective ejection dot size and 3 (large dot) as the ejection dot size is 0 or more. Is set.

  The print control unit 62 drives the transport motor 41 to transport the printing paper 12 at a constant speed. The print control unit 62 drives the print head 11 to eject ink from the nozzles 31 to 34 to print on the printing paper 12. The print control unit 62 includes a normal printing unit 71 and a complementary printing unit (complementary printing unit, notification unit) 72. FIG. 5 is a transition diagram of statuses and the like displayed on the touch panel 17 by the print control unit 62 during the operation of the print control unit 62.

  The normal printing unit 71 performs normal printing when the defective first nozzle 31 (F) is not detected (step ST21: No). In normal printing, the normal printing unit 71 discharges ink having a dot size defined by the print data from the nozzles 31 to 34 to form a print image. In this case, the normal printing unit 71 displays a message “printing” on the touch panel 17 during normal printing (step ST22).

  The normal printing unit 71 detects the defective first nozzle 31 (F) (step ST21: Yes), and the setting command receiving unit 57 receives a setting command for performing normal printing (step ST23: No), normal printing is performed. In this case, the normal printing unit 71 displays a message “no-printing nozzle missing complement disabled” on the touch panel 17 during normal printing (step ST24).

  The complementary printing unit 72 has detected the defective first nozzle 31 (F) (step ST21: Yes), and the setting command receiving unit 57 has received a setting command for performing complementary printing (step ST23: Yes), and an error has occurred. If the detection unit 59 has not detected an error (step ST25: No), complementary printing is performed. In other words, the complementary printing unit 72 plans to form the color ink of the actual ejection dot size from each of the second nozzle 32 (H), the third nozzle 33 (H), and the fourth nozzle 34 (H) when printing the print data. Dispense to position. In this case, the complementary printing unit 72 displays a message “Nozzle missing during printing” on the touch panel 17 while the complementary printing is being performed (step ST26). Thereby, the complementary printing part 72 notifies that the complementary printing is performed.

  The complementary printing unit 72 detects the defective first nozzle 31 (F) (step ST21: Yes), and the setting command receiving unit 57 receives a setting command for performing complementary printing (step ST23: No). When the error detection unit 59 detects an error (step ST25: Yes), a message “No nozzle omission cannot be complemented?” Is displayed on the touch panel 17 to continue printing. It waits for an input to select (step ST27).

  Here, if the OK key is pressed, it is assumed that a command to continue printing has been input, and control of the printing process is transferred to the normal printing unit 71. That is, when the OK key is pressed, the normal printing unit 71 performs normal printing. In this case, the normal printing unit 71 displays a message “no-printing nozzle missing complement disabled” on the touch panel 17 during normal printing (step ST24). On the other hand, when the arrow button is pressed, the complementary printing unit 72 displays a message “cannot complete nozzle missing” on the touch panel 17 and waits for an input to instruct to stop printing (step ST28). Here, when the OK key is pressed, printing is stopped.

(Image data printing process)
FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the printing processing operation in the printing system 1. In the example shown in FIG. 6, in the printer 3, a defective nozzle detection operation is performed by the defective nozzle information acquisition unit 55 when the power is turned on (step ST31). Further, the paper information acquisition unit 56 acquires paper type specifying information.

  When the printer 3 receives print data from the computer 2 (step ST32), the image data processing unit 58 converts the image data into RGB multi-value data, ink amount data of each ink C, M, Y, and Bk, and dot ratio data. Conversion is performed in this order (steps ST33 to ST35). Further, the image data processing unit 58 generates print data based on the dot ratio data (step ST36). The print data defines the color and dot size of ink ejected from the nozzles 31 to 34 of the print head 11.

  Here, when the defective nozzle information acquisition unit 55 does not acquire the nozzle information of the defective nozzle, that is, when the defective nozzle is not detected by the defective nozzle detection operation (step ST37: No), the normal printing unit 71 is normal. Printing is performed (step ST38). That is, the normal printing unit 71 drives the transport motor 41 to transport the printing paper 12 at a constant speed. The normal printing unit 71 drives the print head 11 to perform printing by ejecting ink from the nozzles 31 to 34 based on the print data. In this case, the normal printing unit 71 displays a “printing” message on the touch panel 17.

  When the defective nozzle information acquisition unit 55 acquires the nozzle information of the defective nozzle (step ST37: Yes), the print control unit 62 confirms whether or not complementary printing is set (step ST39). That is, it is confirmed whether or not the setting command receiving unit 57 has received a complementary print setting command. If complementary printing is not set in step ST39, that is, if a complementary printing setting command is not received and a normal printing setting command is received (step ST39: No), the normal printing unit 71 performs normal printing. Is performed (step ST38). In this case, the normal printing unit 71 displays a message “no-printing nozzle missing complement disabled” on the touch panel 17.

  If complementary printing is set in step ST39 (step ST39: Yes), the print control unit 62 confirms whether an error is detected by the error detection unit 59 (step ST40).

  If no error is detected in step ST40, the ejection dot size acquisition unit 60 causes the ejection failure dot size of the failure first nozzle 31 (F), the second nozzle 32 (H), and the third nozzle 33 (H). And the discharge dot size of the 4th nozzle 34 (H) is acquired (step ST41). Then, the actual discharge dot size setting unit 61 sets the actual discharge dot sizes of the second nozzle 32 (H), the third nozzle 33 (H), and the fourth nozzle 34 (H) (step ST42).

  When the actual ejection dot size is set, the complementary printing unit 72 performs complementary printing (step ST43). That is, the complementary printing unit 72 drives the transport motor 41 to transport the printing paper 12 at a constant speed. In addition, when the normal printing unit 71 drives the print head 11 to print the print data, the second nozzle 32 (H) and the third nozzle are disposed at the dot formation planned position of the defective first nozzle 31 (F). Printing is performed by ejecting color ink of an actual ejection dot size from the 33 (H) and the fourth nozzle 34 (H). In this case, the complementary printing unit 72 displays a message “Nozzle missing during printing” on the touch panel 17.

  If an error is detected in step ST40, the complementary printing unit 72 displays a message “Cannot complete nozzle missing on the touch panel 17” and selects whether to continue printing. Wait for input to be made (step ST44).

  In step ST44, when it is selected to continue printing (step ST42: Yes), the normal printing unit 71 performs normal printing (step ST38). In this case, the normal printing unit 71 displays a message “no-printing nozzle missing complement disabled” on the touch panel 17.

  In step ST44, when it is selected not to continue printing, the complementary printing unit 72 displays a message “No nozzle missing complement” on the touch panel 17, and waits for an input to instruct to stop printing. Thereafter, when an instruction to cancel printing is input to the touch panel 17, the complementary printing unit 72 stops printing (step ST45).

(Print result by complementary printing)
FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 are explanatory diagrams of printing results by complementary printing. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the paper type is plain paper. In step ST <b> 41 in FIG. 6, the black ink ejection defective dot size from the defective first nozzle 31 (F) is 2 (medium dot), and the second nozzle 32. The discharge dot size of cyan ink from (H) is 2 (medium dot), the discharge dot size of magenta ink from the third nozzle 33 (H) is 1 (small dot), and the magenta from the fourth nozzle 34 (H) This is a case where the ink ejection dot size is acquired to be 1 (small dot). In this case, the actual ejection dot size setting unit 61 sets the actual ejection dot size of cyan ink from the second nozzle 32 (H) to 3 (large dot), and magenta from the third nozzle 33 (H). The ink ejection dot size is set to 3 (large dots), and the magenta ink ejection dot size from the fourth nozzle 34 (H) is set to 3 (large dots).

  If black ink having a size of 2 (medium dots) is ejected from the defective first nozzle 31 (F), the print result R is as shown in FIG. On the other hand, the printing result R of the complementary printing is as shown in FIG. In other words, the dot formation planned position D by the defective first nozzle 31 (F) is formed with dots of each color ink having an actual ejection dot size of 3, and the dot formation scheduled position D is filled. Note that the print result R when complementary printing is not performed (when normal printing is performed) is as shown in FIG.

  In the example shown in FIG. 8, the paper type is matte paper. In step ST40, the black ink ejection defective dot size from the defective first nozzle 31 (F) is 3 (large dot), and the second nozzle 32 (H). The discharge dot size of cyan ink from 0, the discharge dot size of magenta ink from the third nozzle 33 (H) is 0, and the discharge dot size of magenta ink from the fourth nozzle 34 (H) is 0. This is the case. In this case, the dot size setting unit sets the actual ejection dot size of cyan ink from the second nozzle 32 (H) to 2 (medium dot), and the actual magenta ink from the third nozzle 33 (H). The ejection dot size is set to 2 (medium dot), and the actual ejection dot size of magenta ink from the fourth nozzle 34 (H) is set to 3 (large dot).

  Here, if black ink having a size of 3 (large dots) is ejected from the defective first nozzle 31 (F), the printing result R is as shown in FIG. On the other hand, the printing result R of the complementary printing is as shown in FIG. That is, the dot formation planned position D by the defective first nozzle 31 (F) is a dot of cyan ink having an actual ejection dot size 2, a magenta ink dot having an actual ejection dot size 2, and a yellow ink having an actual ejection dot size 3. Dots are formed, and the dot formation scheduled position D is filled. Note that the printing result R when complementary printing is not performed (when normal printing is performed) is as shown in FIG.

(Function and effect)
In this example, the actual ejection dot size of the color ink actually ejected from at least one of the second nozzle 32 (H), the third nozzle 33 (H), and the fourth nozzle 34 (H) is set. , The size is set to be larger than the defective ejection dot size. In addition, the actual ejection dot size of the color ink ejected from each of the 2 nozzle, the third nozzle 33 (H), and the fourth nozzle 34 (H) is at least one of which is larger than the ejection failure dot size of the black ink. It is set to large. Accordingly, the dots formed at the dot formation scheduled position D can be enlarged by the mixed color of each ink of cyan, magenta, and yellow. Therefore, even if there is little bleeding of the ink that has landed on the printing paper 12, it is possible to fill a region that is an unprinted portion in normal printing.

  In this example, it is possible to select whether to perform complementary printing or normal printing. Therefore, for example, it is possible to set to perform complementary printing only when image data includes data for printing a two-dimensional code. Further, in this example, while complementary printing is being performed, notification that complementary printing is being performed is notified. Therefore, it is possible to easily grasp whether or not complementary printing is performed.

(Other embodiments)
In the above example, the printer 3 includes the defective nozzle information acquisition unit 55, the paper information acquisition unit 56, the setting command reception unit 57, the image data processing unit 58, the error detection unit 59, the ejection dot size acquisition unit 60, and the actual ejection dot size. Although the setting unit 61 and the print control unit 62 are provided, these may be provided on the computer 2 side.

  In this case, by operating the printer driver 9 on the computer 2, the computer 2 causes the defective nozzle information acquisition unit 55, the paper information acquisition unit 56, the setting command reception unit 57, the image data processing unit 58, and the ejection dot size acquisition unit. 60, an error detection unit 59, an actual ejection dot size setting unit 61, and a print control unit 62 are configured. Further, the color processing lookup table 65, the SML table 66 and the dot size setting table 67 are stored in the memory of the computer 2. Further, in this case, the defective nozzle information acquisition unit 55 acquires the nozzle information of the defective nozzle acquired by the control unit 51 based on the signal from the current sensor 45 on the computer 2 side. The print control unit 62 drives and controls the printer 3 to cause the printer 3 to perform normal printing or complementary printing. The setting command reception unit 57 and the print control unit 62 display a message on the display 4.

  Further, for example, a paper information acquisition unit 56, a setting command reception unit 57, and an image data processing unit 58 are configured on the computer 2 side, and the defective nozzle information acquisition unit 55, the ejection dot size acquisition unit 60, and error detection are included in the printer 3. A unit 59, an actual ejection dot size setting unit 61, a print control unit 62, a color processing lookup table 65, an SML table 66, and a dot size setting table 67 can also be provided. In this case, the printer 3 receives print data from the computer 2. Further, the printer 3 that has received the supply of print data acquires the defective ejection dot size and the ejection dot size based on the nozzle information of the defective nozzle, and obtains the second nozzle 32 (H), the third nozzle 33 (H), and the first nozzle. Supplementary printing is performed by setting the actual ejection dot size of the four nozzles 34 (H).

1 ... Print system 2 ... Computer 3 ... Printer 4 ... Display 5 ... Input device 6 ... Operation processing unit 8 ... Application program 9 ... Printer driver 11 ... Print Head 12... Printing paper (recording medium) 13.. Paper transport mechanism 14.. Head movement mechanism 15 Maintenance mechanism 16 Defect nozzle detection mechanism (detection unit) 17 Touch panel 21 24..Line type inkjet head, 26.about.29..head unit, 31..first nozzle, 32..second nozzle, 33..third nozzle, 34..fourth nozzle, 36..first Nozzle row, 37 .. Second nozzle row, 38 .. Third nozzle row, 39 .. Fourth nozzle row, 41 .. Transport motor, 42 .. Motor for moving head, 43. Cap, 44 ... Lifting motor, 45 ... Current sensor, 51 ... Control part, 52 ... Communication part, 53 ... Memory, 55 ... Defect nozzle information acquisition part (detection part), 56 ... Paper information acquisition , 57... Setting command reception unit, 58... Image data processing unit, 58 a .. Rendering unit, 58 b .. Color conversion unit, 58 c .. Halftone processing unit, 58 d .. Print data generation unit, 58. Information acquisition unit 59 .. Error detection unit 60... Ejection dot size acquisition unit 61... Actual ejection dot size setting unit 62... Print control unit 65 .. color processing lookup table 66. Table, 67 ··· Dot size setting table, 71 · · Normal printing portion, 72 · · Complementary printing portion (complementary printing portion, notification portion), A · · Print position, B · · Transport direction, C · · orthogonal direction, D ... Capital formation scheduled position, R ·· printing result

Claims (12)

A line-type print head comprising in parallel a first nozzle row in which a plurality of first nozzles for discharging the first color ink is arranged; and a nozzle row in which a plurality of nozzles for discharging other color inks are arranged;
A transport mechanism for transporting the recording medium in a transport direction intersecting with each nozzle row via a printing position by the print head;
A detection unit for detecting defective nozzles of defective discharge in the first nozzle row;
Based on the print data, the ink amount of the first color ink scheduled to be ejected to the dot formation scheduled position of the recording medium by the defective nozzle and the nozzle for ejecting the other color ink are ejected to the dot formation planned position. An ejection ink amount acquisition unit for acquiring ink amounts of other color inks scheduled;
The actual ink discharge amount of the color ink that is actually discharged from the nozzle that discharges the other color ink is determined based on the obtained ink amount of the first color ink scheduled to be discharged at the dot formation planned position and the other color ink. An actual ejection ink amount setting unit to be set based on the ink amount;
When the actual ink amount is set, complementary printing is performed to perform complementary printing in which color ink of the actual ink amount is ejected from the nozzle that ejects the other color ink to the dot formation scheduled position when printing the print data. And
Equipped with a,
The line-type print head includes a first nozzle row in which a plurality of first nozzles that eject black ink are arranged, a second nozzle row in which a plurality of second nozzles that eject cyan ink are arranged, and magenta ink. A third nozzle row in which a plurality of third nozzles for discharging the ink is arranged, and a fourth nozzle row in which a plurality of fourth nozzles for discharging the yellow ink are arranged in parallel,
The detection unit for detecting a defective first nozzle of ejection failure in the first nozzle row;
When the defective first nozzle is detected, an ejection failure dot that is the ink amount of the black ink scheduled to be ejected to the dot formation scheduled position of the recording medium by the defective first nozzle based on the print data The ink amount of each color ink that is to be ejected from the second nozzle, the third nozzle, and the fourth nozzle to the dot formation planned position in the overlapping position when viewed from the transport direction while obtaining the size An ejection dot size acquisition unit for acquiring the ejection dot size,
When printing the print data, the actual ejection dot size of the color ink that is actually ejected from at least one of the second nozzle, the third nozzle, and the fourth nozzle is greater than or equal to the ejection failure dot size. An actual ejection dot size setting section to set the size,
When the actual ejection dot size is set, the color ink having the actual ejection dot size is ejected from the second nozzle, the third nozzle, and the fourth nozzle to the dot formation scheduled position when the print data is printed. A complementary printing section for performing complementary printing,
A printer comprising: In claim 1 ,
The actual ejection dot size setting unit sets the actual ejection dot size of each color ink actually ejected from each of the second nozzle, the third nozzle, and the fourth nozzle to be larger than the ejection dot size of each color ink. A printer characterized by setting to. In claim 1 or 2 ,
A reception unit that receives a setting command for setting that the complementary printing is not performed;
When the setting command is received, the color ink of the discharge dot size is normally discharged from the second nozzle, the third nozzle, and the fourth nozzle to the dot formation scheduled position when the print data is printed. A normal printing section for performing printing,
The printer according to claim 1, wherein the complementary printing unit performs the complementary printing when the setting command is not received. In any one of claims 1 to 3 ,
A printer comprising: a notification unit that notifies that the complementary printing is being performed while the complementary printing is being performed. A first nozzle row in which a plurality of first nozzles that eject first color ink are arranged; and a line-type print head that includes a nozzle row in which a plurality of nozzles that eject other color inks are arranged in parallel. In a print control method of a printer that drives and prints print data on a recording medium that is transported in a transport direction that intersects each nozzle row,
Detecting defective nozzles of defective ejection in the first nozzle row;
Based on the print data, the ink amount of the first color ink scheduled to be ejected to the dot formation scheduled position of the recording medium by the defective nozzle and the nozzle for ejecting the other color ink are ejected to the dot formation planned position. Get the ink amount of other color inks scheduled,
The actual ink discharge amount of the color ink that is actually discharged from the nozzle that discharges the other color ink is determined based on the obtained ink amount of the first color ink scheduled to be discharged at the dot formation planned position and the other color ink. Set based on the amount of ink
Wherein when the actual amount of ink discharged is set, have rows complementary printing for ejecting the color ink of the actual amount of ink discharged from the nozzles for discharging the other color inks when printing of the print data to the dot formation scheduled position,
The line-type print head includes a first nozzle row in which a plurality of first nozzles that eject black ink are arranged, a second nozzle row in which a plurality of second nozzles that eject cyan ink are arranged, and magenta ink. A third nozzle row in which a plurality of third nozzles for discharging the ink is arranged, and a fourth nozzle row in which a plurality of fourth nozzles for discharging the yellow ink are arranged in parallel,
Detecting a defective first nozzle of ejection failure in the first nozzle row;
When the defective first nozzle is detected, the black ink ejection defective dot, which is the amount of the ink scheduled to be ejected to the dot formation planned position of the recording medium by the defective first nozzle, based on the print data. The ink amount of each color ink that is to be ejected from the second nozzle, the third nozzle, and the fourth nozzle to the dot formation planned position in the overlapping position when viewed from the transport direction while obtaining the size Get the ejection dot size that is
When printing the print data, the actual ejection dot size of the color ink that is actually ejected from at least one of the second nozzle, the third nozzle, and the fourth nozzle is greater than or equal to the ejection failure dot size. Set to size,
A printer that performs complementary printing in which color ink of the actual ejection dot size is ejected from each of the second nozzle, the third nozzle, and the fourth nozzle to the dot formation scheduled position when printing the print data Print control method. In claim 5 ,
An actual ejection dot size of each color ink that is actually ejected from each of the second nozzle, the third nozzle, and the fourth nozzle is set to be larger than the ejection dot size of each color ink. Print control method. In claim 5 or 6 ,
Before performing the complementary printing, accept setting of whether to perform the complementary printing,
If it is selected to perform the complementary printing, the complementary printing is performed,
When it is selected not to perform the complementary printing, the color ink of the discharge dot size is scheduled to be formed from each of the second nozzle, the third nozzle, and the fourth nozzle when the print data is printed. A printing control method for a printer, characterized by performing normal printing for discharging to a position. In any one of claims 5 to 7 ,
A printing control method for a printer, characterized in that a notification that the complementary printing is being performed is performed while the complementary printing is being performed. A line-type print head comprising in parallel a first nozzle row in which a plurality of first nozzles for discharging the first color ink is arranged; and a nozzle row in which a plurality of nozzles for discharging other color inks are arranged; Drive control of a printer having a transport mechanism that transports a recording medium in a transport direction intersecting each nozzle row via a print position by the print head, and print data is transferred to the recording medium transported from the print position. A printing control device for executing printing based on
A detection unit for detecting defective nozzles of defective discharge in the first nozzle row;
Based on the print data, the ink amount of the first color ink scheduled to be ejected to the dot formation scheduled position of the recording medium by the defective nozzle and the nozzle for ejecting the other color ink are ejected to the dot formation planned position. An ejection ink amount acquisition unit for acquiring ink amounts of other color inks scheduled;
The actual ink discharge amount of the color ink that is actually discharged from the nozzle that discharges the other color ink is determined based on the obtained ink amount of the first color ink scheduled to be discharged at the dot formation planned position and the other color ink. An actual ejection ink amount setting unit to be set based on the ink amount;
When the actual ink amount is set, complementary printing is performed to perform complementary printing in which color ink of the actual ink amount is ejected from the nozzle that ejects the other color ink to the dot formation scheduled position when printing the print data. And
Equipped with a,
The line-type print head includes a first nozzle row in which a plurality of first nozzles that eject black ink are arranged, a second nozzle row in which a plurality of second nozzles that eject cyan ink are arranged, and magenta ink. A third nozzle row in which a plurality of third nozzles for discharging the ink is arranged, and a fourth nozzle row in which a plurality of fourth nozzles for discharging the yellow ink are arranged in parallel,
A defective nozzle information acquisition unit that acquires, from the printer, nozzle information of defective first nozzles that are defective in ejection present in the first nozzle row;
When the nozzle information is acquired, an ejection failure dot size which is the ink amount of the black ink scheduled to be ejected to the dot formation scheduled position of the recording medium by the failure first nozzle based on the print data. This is the ink amount of each color ink that is obtained and is to be ejected from the second nozzle, the third nozzle, and the fourth nozzle to the dot formation planned position in an overlapping position when viewed from the transport direction. An ejection dot size acquisition unit for acquiring the ejection dot size;
When printing the print data, the actual ejection dot size of the color ink that is actually ejected from at least one of the second nozzle, the third nozzle, and the fourth nozzle is greater than or equal to the ejection failure dot size. An actual ejection dot size setting section to set the size,
When the actual ejection dot size is set, the color ink having the actual ejection dot size is ejected from the second nozzle, the third nozzle, and the fourth nozzle to the dot formation scheduled position when the print data is printed. A complementary printing section for causing the printer to perform complementary printing;
A printing control apparatus comprising: In claim 9 ,
The actual ejection dot size setting unit sets the actual ejection dot size of each color ink actually ejected from each of the second nozzle, the third nozzle, and the fourth nozzle to be larger than the ejection dot size of each color ink. A printing control apparatus characterized by being set to In claim 9 or 10 ,
A reception unit that receives a setting command for setting that the complementary printing is not performed;
When the setting command is received, the color ink of the discharge dot size is normally discharged from the second nozzle, the third nozzle, and the fourth nozzle to the dot formation scheduled position when the print data is printed. A normal printing section for causing the printer to perform printing,
The supplementary printing unit causes the printer to perform the complementary printing when the setting command is not received. In any one of claims 9 to 11 ,
A printing control apparatus comprising: a notification unit that notifies that the complementary printing is being performed while the complementary printing is being performed.