JP6776843B2 - Image processing method, printing device, program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image processing method, a printing device, and a program.

When converting input data to output data for printing, there is an image processing that limits the amount of color material adhered by multiplying the data by a predetermined ratio.

For example, when RGB data is input, it is determined whether or not it is double-sided printing, CMM processing is performed using a value multiplied by a certain coefficient K for double-sided printing as an input gradation, and input as it is for single-sided printing. After converting to CMYK data by CMM processing and BG / UCR processing by gradation, it is determined whether or not it is double-sided printing, and in the case of double-sided printing, the value multiplied by a certain coefficient S is used as the total amount regulation value for single-sided printing. Sometimes, a method is known in which the total amount regulation value obtained as it is is used to perform the total amount regulation process and then the process proceeds to the next process (Patent Document 1).

JP-A-2007-118238

As disclosed in Patent Document 1, by multiplying the input RGB data or the CMYK data obtained by color-converting the RGB data by a certain coefficient, it is possible to easily limit the amount of color material adhered in double-sided printing. It can be carried out.

However, the input data includes not only RGB data but also data other than RGB data such as CMYK, grayscale, and L * a * B *. Therefore, there is a problem that the amount of the coloring material adhered cannot be suppressed even if the input data other than the RGB data is multiplied by the coefficient applied to the RGB data.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to make it possible to suppress the amount of color material adhered to input data other than RGB data with a simple configuration.

In order to solve the above problems, the image processing method according to claim 1 of the present invention is used.
An image processing method that limits the amount of color material adhered by multiplying by a predetermined ratio when generating output data for printing based on input data.
When the input data is RGB data, a process of multiplying the RGB data by the first ratio is performed.
When the input data is data other than RGB data, a process of multiplying the data other than the RGB data or the converted data obtained by converting the data other than the RGB data by the second ratio is performed.

According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the amount of color material adhered to input data other than RGB data with a simple configuration.

It is a block explanatory drawing which provides the explanation of the whole flow of the process of 1st Embodiment of this invention. Similarly, it is a block explanatory diagram provided for the explanation of the processing for each type of input data. It is explanatory drawing which provides the explanation of the combined use of the total amount regulation processing and the processing which multiplies the ratio. It is explanatory drawing which provides the explanation in the case of preferentially limiting the amount of adhering specific color material in the total amount regulation process. It is a block explanatory diagram provided for the explanation of the processing flow for each type of input data in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which provides the explanation of the total amount regulation value in the same embodiment. It is a block explanatory drawing explaining the flow of processing in 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of an example of the table of the ratio setting condition. It is a plane explanatory view of the mechanism part of an example of the printing apparatus which concerns on this invention. Similarly, it is a side view of the main part. It is a block explanatory drawing of the outline of the control part of this apparatus.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. First, the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is a block explanatory diagram for explaining the overall flow of the image processing method of the same embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a block explanatory diagram for explaining processing for each type of input data.

First, with reference to FIG. 1, the color matching process 102, the total amount regulation process 103, the γ correction process 104, and the halftone process 105, which are the total amount of adhesion amount limiting processes in the present invention, are applied to the input data (input image data). This is performed to generate output data (output image data), and pre-print processing 106 is performed on the output data to print.

The input data 101 includes RGB data, CMYK data, L ^* a ^* b ^* data, gray data, and the like.

In the color matching process (hereinafter, referred to as “CMM process”) 102, the input data 101 is converted into data handled by the printing apparatus. In this conversion process, for example, a three-dimensional to four-dimensional look-up table is used to perform conversion so as to obtain a desired color material (hereinafter, described as “ink”) formulation (adhesion amount and color).

In this case, BG / UCR (black generation / undercolor removal) processing may be used together. The BG / UCR process is a parameter that sets how to allocate gray-related data (elements with R = G = B) to CMYK, BG is a parameter related to the amount of K generated, and UCR is a parameter related to the amount of CMY removed. ..

In some cases, the CMM process 102 is not performed. In addition, the input data may be directly converted into CMYK data by the lookup table, or may be converted into CMYK data via CIELAB or the like.

In the total amount regulation process 103, the CMYK data is corrected according to the maximum total amount value of the color material that can be printed by the printing apparatus with respect to the CMYK data. In other words, if an abnormality occurs when the amount of colored material attached becomes too large, it is a process that limits the total amount of colored material that can be attached, and data that exceeds this is converted to gradation that falls within the total amount regulation. To.

The total amount regulation process 103 has, for example, a conversion table relating to each gradation of CMYK and the amount of ink droplets corresponding to the amount of ink adhered, and when the amount of ink adhered at each location of the input image exceeds the total amount regulation, the conversion table is used. By reverse use, the gradation value of each color is lowered so that the amount of ink adhered is within the total amount regulation. As for the method of lowering the gradation value, for example, assuming that the ink adhesion amount is 120% of the total amount regulation, the ink adhesion amount is reduced to about 83% so that the total adhesion amount is within 100%. This converts the gradation value of each color into an approximate gradation that satisfies the conditions by a table (or a calculation formula) that converts the amount of ink adhered to gradation.

However, since this process is limited by converting only the part that exceeds the total amount, the gradation value is lowered to the equivalent of the total amount regulation value only for the solid image with a large amount of ink adhesion, the secondary color, and the tertiary color part. The image looks like it is out of tune.

The γ correction process 104 performs input / output correction that reflects the characteristics of the printing apparatus and the user's preference. For example, the color variation of each printing device is corrected within the target color range.

For example, if cyan (C) becomes a strong and slightly bluish color, the amount of cyan adhesion is suppressed by applying a correction parameter that lays down the input-output and corrects the output to a lower level. Adjust the taste. Further, for example, it is preferable that the output changes linearly with respect to the input, but the γ correction parameter is also used when the linear correlation is broken due to various errors and gradation collapse or skipping occurs. Can be corrected. The parameters can be easily applied by using a table or the like that defines the correlation between the input gradation and the output gradation.

In addition, to correct color changes over time, print an image patch with gradation and capture it with a scanner to acquire gradation characteristics and create a γ correction table that aims at input / output characteristics. In some cases, it may be applied.

In the halftone process 105, the output data is reduced to the number of bits that can be handled by the printing apparatus. For example, the final output of an inkjet printer is generally about whether or not to hit dots (1 bit) or whether to hit large drops / medium drops / small drops / none (2 bits). Image data and CMYK data converted from this are generally 8 bits. Therefore, the CMYK data after γ correction is converted into 1 to 2 bit data by error diffusion processing, dither processing, or the like. By the processing up to this point, it is synonymous with each color material being converted into dot arrangement data.

The pre-printing process (rendering process) 106 is a process of converting the data replaced with the dot data by the halftone process 105 into which nozzle actually ejects the data at which timing. For example, in a serial printer, a scan of a liquid discharge head and a medium transfer are combined, and data is assigned to a scan, a head, and a nozzle that discharge liquid.

Next, a process of multiplying the ratio in order to limit the amount of adhesion in the first embodiment will be described.

First, as shown in FIG. 2A, when the input data 101 is RGB data 101A, a process of multiplying the input RGB data 101A by a first ratio A is performed, and then a color matching process 102 is performed. Move to.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2B, when the input data 101 is data 101B other than RGB data, the CMYK data 102B, which is the converted data obtained by converting the data other than the RGB data into CMYK, is the first. The process of multiplying the ratio B of 2 is performed.

When the data other than the RGB data is CMYK data, the input CMYK data can be used as the CMYK data 102B and multiplied by the second ratio B. In this case, when the input CMYK data is subjected to processing such as color adjustment, the processed data is referred to as CMYK data 102B.

Further, in the total amount regulation process 103, a process of multiplying the CMYK data by a third ratio C is performed.

As described above, when the input data is RGB data, the processing of multiplying the RGB data by the first ratio A is performed before converting to the CMYK data. As a result, it becomes the same as when the input data of a light color is input, and after the CMM processing, the amount of adhesion can be suppressed without performing a special processing for double-sided printing, and the processing can be simplified.

On the other hand, when the input data is data other than RGB data, even if the first ratio A for RGB data is multiplied, the target adhesion amount cannot be suppressed, and the print quality is deteriorated.

Therefore, when the input data is data other than RGB data, by multiplying the CMYK data (conversion data) by the second ratio B, it is possible to suppress the desired adhesion amount with a simple configuration. Print quality can be ensured.

As a result, print quality can be ensured even when not only RGB data but also CMYK data other than RGB data, L ^* a ^* b ^* data, gray data, and the like are input. That is, not only RGB data but also CMYK data other than RGB data, L ^* a ^* b ^* data, gray data, and other data can be input, and print output can be performed with the required print quality.

Here, the process of multiplying the RGB data by the first ratio A, the process of multiplying the CMYK data by the second ratio B, and the process of multiplying the total amount regulation process by the third ratio C are performed as follows. For the reason.

That is, as shown in FIG. 3A, when the RGB data is multiplied by the first ratio A or the CMYK data is multiplied by the second ratio B, the input gradation-output layer of the broken line is performed. In the tonal characteristics, the characteristic of the broken line becomes the characteristic of the solid line, and the gradation change of the output with respect to the input is suppressed. Therefore, although the entire image becomes lighter, gradation collapse and gradation reversal do not occur.

On the other hand, in the total amount regulation process, the maximum value of the adhered amount is lowered by multiplying by the third ratio C. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3 (b), in the region shown by the broken line, the output is limited as shown by the solid line, and gradation collapse occurs in which the output gradation does not change for an input of a certain gradation or more. become. “Before ratio” and “after ratio” in FIG. 3 mean “before multiplying by ratio” and “after multiplying by ratio”.

Therefore, by using the process of multiplying the RGB data by the first ratio A or the process of multiplying the CMYK data by the second ratio B and the process of multiplying the CMYK data by the third ratio C in the total amount regulation process, FIG. As shown in c), while narrowing the region where the output gradation is crushed, the output in the low gradation portion is maintained higher than in the case where the total amount regulation processing is not used in combination.

Further, when the processing of multiplying the RGB data by the first ratio A or the processing of multiplying the CMYK data by the second ratio B and the processing of multiplying the CMYK data by the third ratio C in the total amount regulation processing are used together, the image object Depending on the type, the first ratio A or the second ratio B and the third ratio C can be set.

That is, there are various image objects such as characters and photographs in the image, and the visibility of the characters is relatively important and the gradation of the photograph is relatively important. Some applications can distinguish between characters and photographs, and it is also possible to distinguish between characters and lines and painted images such as photographs by a technique called image area separation.

Therefore, for characters and lines that are required to ensure visibility with an emphasis on maintaining density, the RGB ratio (first ratio A) is set high and the total amount regulation ratio (third ratio C) is set low. For objects that emphasize tonality, such as painting and painting, set the RGB ratio low and the total amount regulation ratio high.

As a result, since the ratio is simply multiplied by the input data or the like, the data capacity of the parameter is hardly increased, and the load required for data processing and the man-hours for designing the parameter are not required.

Further, as in the present embodiment, the variation in image quality can be reduced by performing the process of multiplying the RGB data by the ratio instead of performing the process of multiplying the RGB data by the ratio after converting it into CMYK data. Good image quality can be ensured.

That is, in general, a driver of a printing device is provided with a plurality of formats of a printing user interface (UI), and is based on RGB input except for PostScript (PS) support. Therefore, when the input data is RGB data, the image quality can be maintained better by matching with the processing of other drivers, and there is no variation (difference) in image quality from other print UIs based on RGB processing. ..

Further, the image quality can be ensured by processing the RGB data at the ratio for RGB. This is because the change in the amount of ink adhered and the change in the actual color on the paper surface are not always constant.

For example, suppose that 100% R (red) and 50% R have the same color in the data. In the case of CMYK 4-color printing equipment, R is mainly expressed by a mixture of M (magenta) and Y (yellow), but the ratio of M and Y when reproducing 100% R and 50% R are expressed. The ratio of M and Y at the time of reproduction is not always constant, and the total amount of ink is not always in a 2: 1 relationship.

That is, the color in inkjet printing is determined as a result of the texture of the medium, the state of penetration of the ink into the medium, and the color mixing of the inks. In addition, even with one color of ink, the hue is not constant with respect to the increase in the amount of adhesion, and when the ink is adhered to some extent, the hue is bent or the density is increased, but the saturation is saturated. On the contrary, it decreases.

In addition, since the ink has a dot gain due to bleeding, the amount of adhesion and the color depth have a linear relationship to some extent when there is little adhesion, but when the medium surface is filled, the dots overlap with each other. .. At this time, since the magnitude of the color change is naturally larger when the ink is applied to the part which has not been applied with the ink than the part where the ink has already been applied, the amount of ink adhered when the medium surface is filled. On the other hand, the concentration becomes difficult to increase.

Therefore, when processing 100% R data by multiplying it by a ratio to obtain 50% R data, it is the same as creating a thin R on the input data side, so 100% R and 50 in the color design. If the color is designed so that there is continuity with the same hue with R of%, there is no sense of discomfort in the hue, but R composed of 100% M and 100% Y and the CMYK ratio to this R, which is composed of 50% M and 50% Y, generally does not change in the same way.

Therefore, from the viewpoint of image quality, it is possible to reduce the difference in image quality between single-sided printing and double-sided printing by processing RGB data at the ratio for RGB (first ratio).

Further, as in the present embodiment, the process of multiplying the CMYK data by the second ratio is performed before the total amount regulation process (adhesion total amount limit process), so that the ink adhesion amount of a specific color (specific color material adhesion) is performed. Image quality can be ensured even when the amount) is prioritized and limited.

That is, as the total amount regulation process, there is a case where a process of preferentially limiting the adhesion of a specific color is performed. For example, when the total amount is regulated, the amount of K ink adhered may be maintained and the CMY ink may be preferentially restricted. This is because if the total amount of adhesion is the same, it is easier to maintain the gray balance by using K ink because the density can be increased.

However, if such total amount regulation is applied first, significant image deterioration may occur. For example, as shown in FIG. 4A, it is assumed that the amount of KCMY adhered is larger in high gradation than in low gradation. In the case of a color containing K and a condition where the total amount regulation is low (in the case of high gradation), as shown in FIG. 4B, K is preserved by the total amount regulation, so that CMY ink is used. You can hardly put it in. When the amount of adhesion is the same, the four colors are better filled with dots than the K1 color, but when this is almost only K, the filling of the medium surface may appear to be extremely poor.

In particular, when printing the gradation data before and after the total amount regulation, the data with the higher input gradation should be darker and better filled, but the data with the higher gradation is subject to the total amount regulation and the lower one. If the data in the above is not subject to the total amount regulation, the data that you want to appear darker with higher gradation may be poorly filled (although the total amount of adhesion itself is large), and the gradation may appear reversed (bad filling). It may actually be reversed as a color.)

Therefore, it is better to multiply the CMYK data by the second ratio B before the total amount regulation process, reduce the gradation of K, and then perform the total amount regulation to suppress the occurrence of the above-mentioned problems. Can be done.

Next, the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a block explanatory diagram provided for explaining the processing flow for each type of input data in the same embodiment.

In the present embodiment, when the input data is RGB data, the same processing as in the first embodiment is performed, whereas when the input data is data other than RGB data, the CMYK data is performed after the total amount regulation processing 103. Is multiplied by the second ratio B.

As the total amount regulation process 103, when the process of preferentially limiting the amount of the specific color material adhered is not performed as described above, for example, when the process of prioritizing the retention of K in the total amount regulation is not performed, the total amount regulation process Even if the CMYK data is multiplied by the second ratio B after 103, the gradation is not reversed and the image quality is not deteriorated.

However, except when processing RGB data or when greatly reducing the amount of ink adhered by double-sided printing, etc., the process of preserving K can increase the K density and is effective in suppressing ink consumption. It is a process.

Therefore, it is preferable to change the processing content of the total amount regulation processing between the processing of RGB data and the processing of data other than RGB data, or to change the processing content of the total amount regulation processing between single-sided printing and double-sided printing. That is, whether or not to preferentially limit the amount of the specific color material adhered depends on whether or not it is single-sided printing or double-sided printing, whether it is black data, or whether the input image data is RGB data. It is preferable to switch with at least one of.

Further, when the CMYK data is multiplied by the second ratio B after the total amount regulation process 103, the final regulation amount (target total amount of colored material adhered, which is referred to as "target total amount of adhesion") is used. However, it is preferable to set the total amount regulated by the total amount regulation higher.

This is because if the total amount regulation process and the total amount regulation ratio are set so that the target total amount of adhesion is obtained from the beginning by multiplying the total amount regulation process 103 by the second ratio B, the adhesion amount becomes too low or the gradation is crushed. This is because the number of colors produced increases. Therefore, it is preferable to set the total amount regulation value and the total amount regulation ratio so that the target total amount of adhesion is obtained when the second ratio B to be multiplied by the CMYK data is combined.

This point will be described with reference to FIG. Here, the target total amount of adhesion when performing double-sided printing will be described.

As shown in FIG. 6A, when the input exceeds a predetermined value due to the total amount regulation, the target total amount of adhesion during double-sided printing is limited as shown by the solid line. Therefore, if the CMYK data is multiplied by the second ratio B after the total amount regulation process 103, the amount of adhesion is further reduced from the target total amount of adhesion during double-sided printing, as shown by the solid line in FIG. 6B. become.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6C, even if the amount of adhesion limited by the total amount regulation process 103 is set to the amount of adhesion in which the target total amount of adhesion has a margin α and is reduced by the margin α in the second ratio B. Set the value to the target total amount of adhesion.

As a result, as shown in FIG. 6D, even if the CMYK data is multiplied by the second ratio B after the total amount regulation process 103, the target total amount of adhesion during double-sided printing can be limited.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a block explanatory diagram illustrating a processing flow in the same embodiment.

In the present embodiment, the γ correction process 104 has a low adhesion amount mode in which the adhesion amount reduction process is performed to reduce the adhesion amount of the coloring material as compared with the case where the input image is reproduced as it is by multiplying it by a predetermined coefficient K. There is.

In this adhesion amount reduction process, it is preferable to multiply the CMYK data after the total amount regulation process 103 by the coefficient D.

That is, before the total amount regulation process 103, the BG / UCR process and the K storage process in the total amount regulation process 103 are performed, so that the data is CMYK data, but it is not the same as the ink color of the printing device. Absent. When the adhesion amount reduction process is performed, it is performed in order to suppress the user and ink consumption. Therefore, the ink consumption amount can be intuitively calculated by multiplying the CMYK data after the total amount regulation process 103 by the coefficient D (ratio). Can be conscious.

The adhesion amount reduction process in the low adhesion amount mode can be different depending on whether the input data is RGB data or data other than RGB data.

For example, when the input data is RGB data, it is performed as part of the CMM process 102, and when the input data is other than RGB data such as CMYK data, the γ correction process 104 after the total amount regulation process 103 is performed as described above. It can be done by multiplying by the coefficient D.

Further, at least of the first ratio A, the second ratio B and the third ratio C, depending on whether or not the low adhesion amount mode is implemented or the adhesion amount reduction value when the low adhesion amount mode is implemented. Either can be changed. As a result, it is possible to prevent the amount of adhesion from being reduced too much.

The above-mentioned first ratio, second ratio, third ratio, etc. are at least one of the medium type, printing mode, usage environment, object type, inversion waiting time when performing double-sided printing, and ejection interval. , And can be set according to the user's settings related to these.

For example, if the medium used is changed from thin paper to thick paper or a paper type that has been subjected to ink receiving treatment, ink strike-through and paper waviness are reduced, so that a large amount of ink can be adhered. Further, even with the same type of medium, if a mode for printing at a low speed and a waiting time for drying can be secured, the allowable amount of ink adhered is increased.

Further, even in double-sided printing, when the adhesion amount reduction process is performed, it is not necessary to reduce the ink adhesion amount more than necessary in double-sided printing. Therefore, it is preferable to set the conditions related to the double-sided processing according to various conditions.

The conditions include print mode (including conditions such as paper type and resolution, number of scans and passes), temperature and humidity environment during printing, double-sided drying waiting time setting, paper ejection interval setting (distance or time), and ink save setting. There are conditions (ON / OFF, reduction ratio, etc.), objects in the image (characters, lines, figures, photographs, etc.). It is preferable to switch (change) the ratio according to at least one or more of these conditions.

These table the condition settings and the combination of conditions such as the RGB ratio (first ratio), CMYK ratio (second ratio), and total amount regulation ratio (third ratio) at that time as shown in FIG. 8, for example. Hold it, select it, and apply it.

A program for causing a computer to perform each process (excluding printing process) in each of the above embodiments can be installed and executed on the computer. In this case, high-speed processing can be performed.

Further, the printing apparatus may be provided with a program for performing some or all of the processing and execute the program. This makes it possible to handle cases such as when you want to print directly from a memory card, when you want to print from a smartphone or tablet, or when you want to print without installing a driver UI or a difference in OS.

As described above, even when data other than RGB data is input, deterioration of print quality such as transfer and rubbing can be suppressed with a simple configuration.

Next, an example of the printing apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. FIG. 9 is a plan explanatory view of the mechanical portion of the device, and FIG. 2 is a side explanatory view of the main part.

This device is a serial type device. A guide member such as a guide member 1 straddling the left and right side plates 10A and 10B holds the carriage 3 so as to be reciprocally movable in the main scanning direction. Then, the carriage 3 is reciprocated in the main scanning direction by the main scanning motor 5 via the timing belt 8 bridged between the drive pulley 6 and the driven pulley 7.

The carriage 3 is equipped with four liquid discharge units 4. The liquid discharge unit 4 is configured by integrating the liquid discharge head 34 and the head tank 35 which is a sub tank. Each liquid discharge head 34 is assigned to discharge, for example, black (K), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y) liquids.

Each of the head tanks 35 includes a tank portion for accommodating liquids of each color to be supplied to each liquid discharge head 34.

A cartridge holder 51 in which the main tank 50 (50y, 50m, 50c, 50k) containing the liquids of each color is replaceably mounted is arranged on the device main body side. The cartridge holder 51 is provided with a liquid feed pump section 52, and liquids of each color are supplied from the main tank 50 to each head tank 35 via a supply tube (also referred to as a liquid supply path) 56 of each color by the liquid feed pump section 52. Will be supplied.

On the other hand, in order to convey the medium P which is a sheet material, a transport belt 12 which is a transport means for sucking the medium P and transporting it at a position facing the liquid discharge head 34 is provided. The transport belt 12 is an endless belt and is hung between the transport roller 13 and the tension roller 14. The transport belt 12 attracts the medium P by electrostatic suction or air suction.

Then, the transport belt 12 orbits in the sub-scanning direction by rotationally driving the transport roller 13 via the timing belt 17 and the timing pulley 18 by the sub-scanning motor 16.

Further, on one side of the carriage 3 in the main scanning direction, a maintenance / recovery mechanism 20 for maintaining / recovering the liquid discharge head 34 is arranged on the side of the transport belt 12. On the other side, an empty discharge receiver 28 for receiving the liquid discharged by empty discharge from the liquid discharge head 34 is arranged on the side of the transport belt 12.

The empty discharge is to discharge a liquid for maintaining or recovering the state of the head. For example, when the purpose of the device is to form (print) an image, a purpose other than printing (this is called non-purpose discharge). It is one of the discharges performed in.).

The maintenance / recovery mechanism 20 is composed of, for example, a suction cap 21 and three moisturizing caps 22 that also serve as one moisturizing cap that caps the nozzle surface of the liquid discharge head 34, and a wiper 23 that wipes the nozzle surface. The suction cap 21 is provided with an absorber 25.

Further, an encoder scale 123 forming a predetermined pattern is stretched between both side plates along the main scanning direction of the carriage 3, and an encoder sensor 124 composed of a transmissive photo sensor that reads the pattern of the encoder scale 123 is attached to the carriage 3. It is provided. These encoder scales 123 and encoder sensors 124 constitute a linear encoder (main scanning encoder) 122 that detects the movement of the carriage 3.

A cord wheel 125 is attached to the shaft of the transfer roller 13, and an encoder sensor 126 composed of a transmissive photo sensor that detects a pattern formed on the cord wheel 125 is provided. These cord wheels 125 and an encoder sensor 126 constitute a rotary encoder (secondary scanning encoder) that detects the movement amount and movement position of the transfer belt 12.

In the device configured in this way, the medium P is fed onto the transport belt 12 and sucked, and is transported in the sub-scanning direction by the orbital movement of the transport belt 12.

Therefore, by driving the liquid discharge head 34 in response to the image signal while moving the carriage 3 in the main scanning direction, the liquid is discharged to the stopped medium P and one line is recorded. Then, after the medium P is conveyed in a predetermined amount, the next line is recorded.

When the recording end signal or the signal that the rear end of the medium P reaches the recording area is received, the recording operation is ended and the medium P is discharged to a paper output tray (not shown).

Next, an outline of the control unit of this device will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a block explanatory view of the control unit.

The control unit 500 controls the entire device, and includes a main control unit including a CPU 501, a ROM 502 that stores a program executed by the CPU 501, and other fixed data, and a RAM 503 that temporarily stores image data and the like.

The control unit 500 controls a rewritable non-volatile memory 504 for holding data even while the power of the device is cut off, image processing for performing various signal processing and sorting of image data, and other devices as a whole. It is provided with an ASIC 505 that processes input / output signals for processing.

The control unit 500 includes a data transfer means for driving and controlling the liquid discharge head 34, a print control unit 508 including a drive signal generating means, and a head driver (driver) for driving the liquid discharge head 34 provided on the carriage 3 side. It is equipped with IC) 509.

The control unit 500 includes a main scanning motor 5 that moves and scans the carriage 3, a sub-scanning motor 16 that orbits the transport belt 12, and a motor drive unit 510 for driving the maintenance and recovery motor 556 of the maintenance and recovery mechanism 20. .. By driving the maintenance / recovery motor 556, the suction pump 220 can be driven and the caps 21, 22 and the wiper 23 can be moved up and down as described above.

An operation panel 514 for inputting and displaying information necessary for this device is connected to the control unit 500.

The control unit 500 has an I / F 506 for sending and receiving data and signals to and from the host side, and receives the data and signals from the host 600 side such as an information processing device by the I / F 506 via a cable or a network.

Then, the CPU 501 of the control unit 500 reads out the print data in the reception buffer included in the I / F 506, analyzes the print data, performs necessary image processing, data rearrangement processing, and the like on the ASIC 505, and print-controls this image data. Transfer from unit 508 to head driver 509.

The print control unit 508 transfers the above-mentioned image data as serial data, and outputs a transfer clock, a latch signal, a control signal, and the like necessary for transferring the image data and confirming the transfer to the head driver 509. Further, the print control unit 508 includes a drive signal generation unit including a D / A converter that D / A-converts the pattern data of the drive pulse stored in the ROM, a voltage amplifier, a current amplifier, and the like. Then, the drive signal generation unit outputs a drive signal composed of one drive pulse or a plurality of drive pulses to the head driver 509.

The head driver 509 selectively sets the drive pulse constituting the drive signal given from the print control unit 508 based on the image data corresponding to one line of the liquid discharge head 34 input serially to the liquid of the liquid discharge head 34. The liquid discharge head 34 is driven by applying the energy for discharging the liquid to a drive element (for example, a piezoelectric element) that generates the liquid. At this time, by selecting the drive pulse constituting the drive signal, dots having different sizes such as large droplets, medium droplets, and small droplets can be separated.

The I / O unit 513 acquires information from the environment sensor 516 that detects the environmental conditions mounted on the device and other various sensor groups 515, extracts the information necessary for controlling the device, and print control unit 508. And for controlling the motor drive unit 510.

In this case, as described above, each process (excluding the print process) in each embodiment can be performed on the host 600 side, or the printing device side is provided with a program for performing a part or all of the processes. You can also.

3 Carriage 4 Liquid discharge unit 101 Input data 102 CMM processing 103 Total amount regulation processing 104 γ correction processing 105 Halftone processing 500 Control unit

Claims (10)

An image processing method that limits the amount of color material adhered by multiplying by a predetermined ratio when generating output data for printing based on input data.
When the input data is RGB data, a process of multiplying the RGB data by the first ratio is performed.
When the input data is data other than RGB data, it is characterized in that a process of multiplying the data other than the RGB data or the converted data obtained by converting the data other than the RGB data by a second ratio is performed. Image processing method. The total amount of adhesion amount limiting treatment for limiting the total amount of the colored material adhered is performed.
The image processing method according to claim 1, wherein the process of multiplying the converted data by the second ratio is performed before the process of limiting the total amount of adhesion. The total amount of adhesion amount limiting treatment for limiting the total amount of the colored material adhered is performed.
The image processing method according to claim 1, wherein the total amount of adhering amount limiting processing preferentially limits a predetermined specific amount of adhering color material. Wherein whether to limit preferentially specific adherence of coloring material amount, or a double-sided printing or a single-sided printing, whether the entering Chikarade chromatography data is RGB data, switches at least either of The image processing method according to claim 3, wherein the image processing method is characterized by the above. The total amount of the colored material adhered is multiplied by the third ratio to perform the total amount of adhering amount limiting treatment.
The process of multiplying the converted data by the second ratio is performed after the process of limiting the total amount of adhesion.
The image processing method according to claim 1, wherein the third ratio is a value at which the result of multiplication is a value such that the amount of color material adhered is larger than the target total amount of color material adhered. The claim is characterized in that the ratio is set corresponding to at least one of a medium type, a printing mode, a usage environment, an object type, an inversion waiting time when performing double-sided printing, and an ejection interval. The image processing method according to any one of 1 to 5. The total amount of the colored material adhered is multiplied by the third ratio to perform the total amount of adhering amount limiting treatment.
It has a low adhesion amount mode that reduces the amount of color material adhered by multiplying it by a predetermined coefficient compared to when the input image is reproduced as it is.
At least one of the first ratio or the second ratio and the third ratio, depending on whether or not the low adhesion amount mode is implemented or the adhesion amount reduction value when the low adhesion amount mode is implemented. The image processing method according to claim 1, wherein the image processing method is changed. It has a low adhesion amount mode that reduces the amount of color material adhered by multiplying it by a predetermined coefficient compared to when the input image is reproduced as it is.
When the input data is data other than RGB data, an image processing method comprising after the deposition amount total amount limit processing for limiting the total amount of the coloring material adhesion amount, to perform the process of multiplying the predetermined coefficient .. A printing device that performs processing to limit the amount of color material adhered by multiplying by a predetermined ratio when generating output data for printing based on input data.
When the input data is RGB data, a process of multiplying the RGB data by the first ratio is performed.
When the input data is data other than RGB data, it is characterized in that a process of multiplying the data other than the RGB data or the converted data obtained by converting the data other than the RGB data by a second ratio is performed. Printing device. A program for causing a computer to perform image processing including a process of limiting the amount of color material adhered by multiplying a predetermined ratio when generating output data for printing based on input data.
When the input data is RGB data, a process of multiplying the RGB data by the first ratio is performed.
When the input data is data other than RGB data, the computer is made to perform a process of multiplying the data other than the RGB data or the converted data obtained by converting the data other than the RGB data by a second ratio. program.

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