JP2024129431A - Data generating device, printer system, computer program, and ink ejection adjustment method - Google Patents

Abstract

To relatively easily find an optimum setting of an amount of ink discharge for an image desired to be printed.SOLUTION: A data generation device 90 generates printing image data P21 corresponding to a combination of levels of discharge parameters SP1 to SP3 having been set by a level setting unit 92. A user selects a test pattern having a desired finish among test patterns 141a to 141i printed with the printing image data P21. The user determines the level of the discharge parameter SP1 to SP7 of the selected test pattern as the optimum setting for printing of the printing image data P21.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

The present invention relates to a data generation device, a printer system, a computer program, and an ink ejection adjustment method.

Inkjet printers are known that print multiple patches on media by changing the ink ejection conditions in order to check the state of the ink printed on the media (such as ink thickness and glossiness). For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an image forming device that prints a grayscale chart by ejecting black ink and clear ink. According to the image forming device of Patent Document 1, multiple patches are formed by changing the amount of black ink and the amount of clear ink ejected per unit area, and a grayscale chart having multiple patches is printed. The user measures the glossiness of each patch in the grayscale chart and selects a patch with the desired glossiness. This determines the amount of black ink and the amount of clear ink that will result in the desired glossiness.

JP 2016-128254 A

In the case of the image forming device described above, the user checks the ink condition using a patch. However, in the image that the user wants to print, multiple colors of ink may overlap, or the shape of the area where the ink is ejected may differ from the shape of the patch. Therefore, even if the image that the user wants to print is printed under the same conditions as when the selected patch was printed, the printout may not have the finish that the user desires. On the other hand, it is possible that the user prints the image that he or she wants to print, and checks the finish using the resulting printout. However, if one tries to check using the printout, it is necessary to repeat printing while changing the ink ejection conditions until the desired finish is obtained. Therefore, media and ink are consumed each time printing is performed.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and its purpose is to provide a data generation device, a printer system, a computer program, and an ink ejection adjustment method that enable a user to relatively easily find the optimal ink ejection settings for the image that he or she wishes to print.

The data generating device according to the present invention is used in an inkjet printer equipped with an ink head that ejects ink onto a medium and a movement mechanism that moves the ink head and the medium relative to one another, and generates print image data for printing on the medium while moving the ink head and the medium relative to one another based on one or more ejection parameters. The data generating device includes an image data acquiring unit that acquires image data representing a desired image to be printed on the medium, a level setting unit that sets multiple levels for each of the ejection parameters, and a print image data generating unit that generates print image data for printing the image data by setting each of the ejection parameters to each of the levels.

According to the data generating device of the present invention, the image data acquisition unit acquires the desired image data. The print image data generation unit generates the print image data from the image data. The print image data generation unit generates the print image data based on multiple levels of each of the ejection parameters set in the level setting unit. By printing on the media using the print image data, the user can easily understand the difference in ink ejection due to the difference in the levels. This makes it relatively easy to find the optimal ejection settings.

The printer system according to the present invention includes the data generating device and the inkjet printer. With this printer system, it is relatively easy to find the optimal settings for ink ejection.

The computer program according to the present invention is configured to cause a computer to operate as the data generating device.

The present invention provides a data generation device, printer system, computer program, and ink ejection adjustment method that enable a user to relatively easily find optimal ink ejection settings for an image that he or she wishes to print.

1 is a conceptual diagram of a printer system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a front view of a printer and a data generating device according to one embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control device of a printer according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a bottom surface of an ink head according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a case where image data is subjected to RIP processing. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a screen of a RIP application. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a screen for setting discharge. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a test pattern according to an embodiment. 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure for printing using actual print image data after printing a test pattern. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a test pattern according to another embodiment.

An inkjet printer (hereinafter referred to as "printer") according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiment described here is, of course, not intended to limit the present invention in any particular way. Also, the same reference numerals are used for components and parts that perform the same function, and duplicate descriptions will be omitted or simplified as appropriate.

Figure 1 is a conceptual diagram of a printer system 1 according to this embodiment. As shown in Figure 1, the printer system 1 includes a printer 10 and a data generating device 90. The printer 10 prints on the media 5 shown in Figure 2 based on print image data P21 generated by the data generating device 90. The media 5 according to this embodiment is not particularly limited as long as it is a printable medium. The media 5 may be recording paper, a resin sheet, a sealing material, etc. The printer 10 according to this embodiment prints on the media 5 while sequentially pulling out the media 5 supplied as a roll.

Figure 2 is a front view of the printer 10 according to this embodiment. Figure 3 is a block diagram of the printer system 1 according to this embodiment. Figure 4 is a bottom view showing the configuration of the bottom of the ink head 61 of the printer 10. The symbols F, Rr, L, R, U, and D shown in Figures 2 and 4 respectively mean the front, rear, left, right, top, and bottom of the printer 10. The symbol Y in the drawings indicates the scanning direction (main scanning direction). In this embodiment, the scanning direction Y is the left-right direction. The symbol X in the drawings indicates the transport direction (sub-scanning direction). In this embodiment, the transport direction X is the front-back direction, and is a direction that intersects (here, perpendicular to) the scanning direction Y in a plan view. However, these directions are merely defined for the convenience of explanation, and do not limit the installation mode of the printer 10, nor limit the present invention.

The printer 10 includes a platen 11 that supports the media 5, a transport device 30 that transports the media 5, a carriage moving device 40, a carriage 60 that includes an ink head 61 that ejects ink, an ink supply unit 70, a control device 110 (see FIG. 1), and an operation panel 150. The transport device 30 and the carriage moving device 40 form a movement mechanism 20 that moves the media 5 and the ink head 61 relative to one another.

The conveying device 30 is configured to move the media 5 supported by the platen 11 in the conveying direction X. The conveying device 30 includes a grit roller 31, a pinch roller 32, and a feed motor 33. The grit roller 31 is provided on the platen 11. The grit roller 31 rotates when driven by the feed motor 33. The pinch roller 32 is disposed above the grit roller 31. The pinch roller 32 is provided to face the grit roller 31. The pinch roller 32 is configured to be able to swing up and down so that it can approach and move away from the grit roller 31. When the grit roller 31 rotates with the media 5 sandwiched between the pinch roller 32 and the grit roller 31, the media 5 is conveyed in the conveying direction X. The feed motor 33 is electrically connected to the control device 110 and is controlled by the control device 110.

The carriage moving device 40 includes a guide rail 41, a pulley 42, a pulley 43, a belt 44, and a scan motor 45. The guide rail 41 is provided above the platen 11. The guide rail 41 extends in the scanning direction Y. A carriage 60 is slidably engaged with the guide rail 41. The pulley 42 is provided to the left of the left end of the guide rail 41. The pulley 43 is provided to the right of the right end of the guide rail 41. The carriage 60 is provided above the platen 11 so as to face the platen 11. The belt 44 is wound around the pulleys 42 and 43. The scan motor 45 is connected to the right pulley 43. However, the scan motor 45 may be connected to the left pulley 42. When the scan motor 45 is driven and the pulley 43 rotates, the belt 44 runs between the pulleys 42 and 43. The scan motor 45 is electrically connected to and controlled by the control device 110.

The carriage 60 is provided with a plurality of ink heads 61. As shown in FIG. 4, the ink heads 61 are formed in a shape in which the length in the transport direction X is longer than the length in the scanning direction Y. The ink heads 61 are formed in the same shape and the same size. The ink heads 61 are provided with a plurality of nozzles 62 aligned in the transport direction X and a nozzle surface 63 in which a nozzle row 62a is formed. The nozzles 62 of the ink heads 61 eject ink onto the medium 5. In this embodiment, the carriage 60 is provided with five ink heads 61, but the number of ink heads 61 is not limited to five. The ink head 61 is provided with one nozzle row 62a, but may be provided with two or more nozzles. In FIG. 3, the number of nozzles 62 forming the nozzle row 62a is 12, but in reality, a larger number of nozzles 62 (for example, about 200 to 300) are formed.

As shown in FIG. 2, the ink supply unit 70 has an ink tank 71 and an ink supply path 72. Ink contained in each ink tank 71 passes through the ink supply path 72 and is supplied to each ink head 61.

Each ink tank 71 stores, for example, one of process color ink and special color ink (e.g., white ink, clear ink, etc.). However, the color of the ink stored in the ink tank 71 is not particularly limited. The ink may be colorless ink. Furthermore, the material of the ink is also not limited in any way, and various materials that have been used as ink materials for inkjet printers in the past can be used. The ink may be, for example, a solvent-based pigment ink or a water-based pigment ink. Alternatively, the ink may be a water-based dye ink or an ultraviolet-curable pigment ink that is cured by exposure to ultraviolet light. The ink tank 71 may be, for example, an ink cartridge or a pouch-shaped one.

The ink supply path 72 is a flow path that connects the ink tank 71 and the ink head 61. One end of the ink supply path 72 is connected to the ink tank 71, and the other end of the ink supply path 72 is connected to the ink head 61. The configuration of the ink supply path 72 is not particularly limited, but the ink supply path 72 is, for example, configured by a flexible tube. The ink in the ink tank 71 flows through the ink supply path 72 and is supplied to the ink head 61.

The control device 110 shown in FIG. 1 is a device that controls printing on the media 5 (see FIG. 2). There are no particular limitations on the configuration of the control device 110. The control device 110 is, for example, a microcomputer. The hardware configuration of the microcomputer is not particularly limited, but for example, it includes an interface (I/F) that receives print data and the like from an external device such as a host computer, a central processing unit (CPU) that executes instructions of a control program, a ROM (read only memory) that stores the program executed by the CPU, a RAM (random access memory) used as a working area for expanding the program, and a storage device such as a memory that stores the above program and various data.

As shown in FIG. 3, the control device 110 is connected to the feed motor 33, the scan motor 45, the ink head 61, and the operation panel 150, and controls their operation. The detailed configuration of the control device 110 will be described later.

As shown in FIG. 2, an operation panel 150 having buttons and a display is disposed on the front of the right side cover 13R of the printer 10. The operation panel 150 is connected to the control device 110.

The configuration of the printer 10 according to this embodiment has been described above. Next, the image data P20 and the print image data P21 shown in FIG. 5 will be described. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of when the print image data P21 is generated using the image data P20. The image data P20 is data representing an image that the user desires to print. The image data P20 is, for example, data in a PDF (Portable Document Format) format. The image data P20 includes, in addition to photographs, figures, symbols, characters, and the like, or a combination of images, figures, symbols, and characters. The data generating device 90 generates the print image data P21 from the image data P20 as shown in FIG. 5. In this embodiment, the print image data P21 is raster data or bitmap data obtained by RIP (Raster Image Processor) processing of the image data P20. Here, the RIP processing includes the general processing of converting the image data P20 into data that can be output by the printer 10. For example, the process includes a resolution conversion process that converts the resolution of the image data P20 to the print resolution, a color conversion process that converts color data so that the colors expressed by the image data P20 can be expressed by the colors of the inks used in the printer 10, an ink amount adjustment process that adjusts the amount of ink ejected during printing, and a halftone process that binarizes the image data P20. A dedicated RIP application for RIP processing is installed in the data generating device 90 shown in FIG. 3. The print image data P21 is generated by the user operating the RIP application. The print image data P21 includes information about the ejection parameters SP1 to SP3 (see FIG. 7) described later. The print image data P21 is data when the image data P20 is printed with the ejection parameters SP1 to SP3 set to the respective levels. In the following description, the configuration of the data generating device 90 is all that the RIP application has, and the operation of the data generating device 90 is all that the RIP application performs. Note that the data generating device 90 may have functions other than the RIP application.

Next, the data generating device 90 will be described. The data generating device 90 shown in FIG. 1 is a device that instructs printing on the medium 5. The configuration of the data generating device 90 is not particularly limited. The data generating device 90 is, for example, a microcomputer. The hardware configuration of the microcomputer is not particularly limited, but includes, for example, an interface (I/F) that receives image data, shape data, etc. from an external device such as a host computer, a central processing unit (CPU) that executes instructions of a control program, a read only memory (ROM) that stores the program executed by the CPU, a random access memory (RAM) used as a working area for expanding the program, and a storage device such as a memory that stores the above program and various data. The data generating device 90 is connected to the control device 110 by wire or wirelessly so as to be able to communicate with it. The data generating device 90 is connected to a display screen 90a and an operation mechanism 90b. The display screen 90a displays an operation screen of the RIP application. The operation mechanism 90b is a mechanism for operating the RIP application, such as a mouse or a keyboard. In this embodiment, the data generating device 90, the display screen 90a, and the operation mechanism 90b are configured as a notebook computer. However, the form of the data generating device 90, the display screen 90a, and the operation mechanism 90b is not limited in any way.

The data generating device 90 may be configured by a computer CPU executing a computer program. The operation of the data generating device 90 may be written in such a computer program. The computer program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. Examples of the recording medium include semiconductor recording media (e.g., ROM, non-volatile memory cards), optical recording media (e.g., DVDs, MOs, MDs, CDs, BDs), and magnetic recording media (e.g., magnetic tapes, flexible disks). The computer program can be transmitted to a server computer via the recording media or a network such as the Internet. In this case, the server computer is also one aspect of the invention disclosed herein.

Next, the operation screen of the RIP application will be described. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the display screen 90a of the data generating device 90 when the RIP application is running. The data generating device 90 is programmed to display the RIP screen DP1 shown in FIG. 6. The RIP screen DP1 is a screen for the user to instruct the generation of print image data P21. Although not shown, the display screen 90a of the data generating device 90 displays, for example, a RIP startup icon. When the user selects the RIP startup icon, the data generating device 90 displays the RIP screen DP1 on the display screen 90a.

In the following description, "selecting" something displayed on the display screen 90a means, for example, clicking on the thing by operating the operation mechanism 90b of the data generating device 90.

In this embodiment, the RIP screen DP1 has a selection area AR1. In the selection area AR1, a plurality of job JBs are arranged in a list. Here, a job refers to image data P20 to be printed by the printer 10. A list of jobs to be executed in sequence by the printer 10 is called a job list. Information on ejection parameters, which are parameters for printing, is linked and stored in the job JB. The RIP screen DP2 displays the image data P20 included in the selected job JB. That is, the image data P20 of the job JB to be edited is displayed. In this embodiment, a print image IG in which the image data P20 is visualized and displayed is displayed. Each job JB has an input box IB. The input box IB is used to input one of the numbers indicated by the serial numbers SN1 to SN9 (see FIG. 8) of the test patterns 141a to 141i (see FIG. 8) described later.

Figure 7 is a diagram showing a job editing screen JP, which is a screen for editing the settings of a job JB. Although not shown, for example, the job editing screen JP is displayed on the display screen 90a by selecting an item for starting the job editing screen JP from a menu that is opened by right-clicking the job JB shown in Figure 6. As shown in Figure 7, the job editing screen JP displays the discharge parameters SP1 to SP3, a color selection box CC, and a decision button BT21. The job editing screen JP in this embodiment is used for setting when performing test printing. Here, "test printing" refers to printing that is performed to find optimal settings when printing an image that the user wants to print, that is, in this embodiment, image data P20. In order to find optimal settings, multiple levels are set for each of the multiple discharge parameters SP1 to SP3. In test printing, printing is performed at once for the number of combinations of one or more selected discharge parameters and the levels set for the one or more selected discharge parameters. However, test printing may be performed for only some of the above combinations.

The ejection parameters SP1 to SP3 are settings when the printer 10 controls the ink head 61, the transport device 30, and the carriage moving device 40 (see FIG. 2). The ejection parameters SP1 to SP3 are configured so that multiple levels can be set for each. In this embodiment, the ejection parameters SP1 to SP3 are configured so that up to three levels can be set for each. However, the number of levels is not limited to three. The number of levels may also be different for each ejection parameter. The levels of the ejection parameters SP1 to SP3 are input by selecting the pull-down box PB. However, the pull-down box PB is an example of a method for inputting the levels. For example, the levels of the ejection parameters SP1 to SP3 may be directly input using a text box. Each of the ejection parameters SP1 to SP3 is provided with a check box CB. The check box CB determines whether or not to print at multiple levels in the test print. If the check box CB is not checked, the pull-down box PB cannot be selected. If there is no check mark in the check box CB for the ejection parameters SP1 to SP3, the test print is configured to be performed with the initial settings, for example. Each of the ejection parameters SP1 to SP3 will be explained below.

The ejection parameter SP1 is the amount of ink per unit area of the test pattern. The amount of ink per unit area of the test pattern refers to the amount of ink ejected per unit area of the test patterns 141a to 141i when printing the test patterns 141a to 141i (see FIG. ⁸ ). In this embodiment, a numerical value of the resolution, which is the number of dots per inch, is used. However, the ejection parameter SP1 may, for example, indicate the amount of ink ejected per cm2, or may specify the size of the ink ejected to each pixel. The higher the resolution, the clearer the image quality of the printed matter, but the greater the amount of ink consumed. On the other hand, if the resolution is low, the image quality of the printed matter becomes rough, but the amount of ink consumed is relatively small.

The ejection parameter SP2 is the number of ink layers. The number of ink layers indicates the number of layers of ink formed by ejection from the ink head 61 (see Figure 2). For example, in the case of overprinting, where ink is printed in layers, if the number of ink layers is too small, the color of the ink in the lower layer or the color of the media 5 may show through. On the other hand, if the number of ink layers is too large, the printed matter will be too thick and ink will be wasted.

The ejection parameter SP3 is the head speed. The head speed is the relative speed of the ink head 61 to the media 5 (see FIG. 2) when ejecting ink. In other words, it is the speed of the carriage 60 when moving the carriage 60 relative to the media 5. The ink head 61 moves at the same speed as the carriage 60. The head speed is adjusted by changing the rotation speed of the scan motor 45 when printing. The faster the rotation speed of the scan motor 45 is, the faster the head speed becomes, and the slower the rotation speed of the scan motor 45 is, the slower the head speed becomes. If the head speed is too fast, there is a possibility that the ink will not land at the desired position on the media 5. On the other hand, if the head speed is too slow, the time required for printing will be longer, leading to reduced work efficiency.

The color selection box CC shown in FIG. 7 is a box for selecting a color of the image data P20 to be test printed by applying the values of the discharge parameters SP1 to SP3 set on the job editing screen JP. When the color selection box CC is selected, a color palette CP consisting of multiple colors is displayed. The user selects a color from the color palette CP for which test printing is to be performed by applying the values of the discharge parameters SP1 to SP3 set on the job editing screen JP. Test printing is performed by applying the values of the discharge parameters SP1 to SP3 set only to the same color of the image data P20 as the color selected from the color palette CP. At this time, colors of the image data P20 that were not selected on the color palette CP are test printed with the values of the discharge parameters SP1 to SP3 set to the initial settings, for example. If the color selection box CC is not selected, test printing is performed by applying the values of the discharge parameters SP1 to SP3 set on the job editing screen JP to all colors of the image data P20.

The Confirm button BT21 is used to confirm each setting displayed on the job editing screen JP. When the Confirm button BT21 is selected, the information of the job JB being edited is updated and saved.

The printer 10 performs test printing based on the above-mentioned ejection parameters SP1 to SP3 and their levels. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, check marks are selected in the check boxes CB for the ejection parameter SP1 and the ejection parameter SP2. Three levels are set for each of the ejection parameter SP1 and the ejection parameter SP2. Therefore, there are a total of nine combinations. Therefore, in this embodiment, test printing is performed using nine combinations for the print image data P21 (see FIG. 5).

The operation screen of the RIP application has been described above. Next, the configuration of the data generating device 90 will be described. The computer that realizes the data generating device 90 may be a computer dedicated to the printer 10, or may be a general-purpose computer.

The data generating device 90 includes an image data acquiring unit 91, a level setting unit 92, a print image data generating unit 93, an identification information generating unit 94, a parameter input unit 95, and a transmitting unit 96.

The image data acquisition unit 91 acquires and stores image data P20 imported into the data generating device 90. The image data P20 is imported into the data generating device 90 by, for example, a storage medium such as a USB memory or another computer (not shown). Alternatively, the image data P20 may be generated by the data generating device 90.

The level setting unit 92 sets the levels of the ejection parameters SP1 to SP3 on the job editing screen JP shown in Figure 7. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 7, three levels are set for each of the ejection parameters SP1 and SP2.

The print image data generating unit 93 generates multiple print image data P21 based on the number of levels of the ejection parameters SP1 to SP3 set in the level setting unit 92. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, three levels are set for each of the ejection parameters SP1 and SP2. Therefore, 3 x 3 = 9 types of level combinations are generated. The print image data generating unit 93 generates nine print image data P21 by linking each of the nine types of level combinations to the print image data P21. The nine print image data P21 are data that form the test patterns 141a to 141i shown in FIG. 8. Note that the nine print image data P21 may be generated as a single data. In this embodiment, after the test printing, the print image data generating unit 93 generates the production print image data P22 based on the levels of the ejection parameters SP1 to SP3 input by the parameter input unit 95 described later. Here, the production print image data P22 is print image data in which the user has determined a single level for the ejection parameters SP1 to SP3 based on the results of the test print.

The identification information generation unit 94 generates identification information IF for identifying each of the test patterns 141a to 141i formed on the medium 5 by test printing. The identification information IF has information on each of the ejection parameters SP1 to SP3 and their levels when forming the test patterns 141a to 141i. The identification information IF may be generated so as to be included in the print image data P21.

The parameter input unit 95 inputs the ejection parameters SP1 to SP3 and their levels for one selected print image data P21 from the print image data P21 generated by the print image data generation unit 93. The parameter input unit 95 may be input by operating, for example, an RIP application or the operation panel 150.

The transmission unit 96 transmits the print image data P21 generated by the print image data generation unit 93 and the identification information IF generated by the identification information generation unit 94 to the control device 110.

The data generating device 90 has been described above. Next, the configuration of the control device 110 will be described. The control device 110 includes a print image data acquisition unit 111, a test pattern printing unit 112, and an image printing unit 113.

The print image data acquisition unit 111 acquires the print image data P21 sent by the transmission unit 96 of the data generating device 90.

The test pattern printing unit 112 performs printing based on the multiple print image data P21 generated by the print image data generation unit 93. The test pattern printing unit 112 controls the transport device 30, the carriage movement device 40, and the ink head 61 so that the ejection parameters SP1 to SP3 become the multiple levels set by the level setting unit 92. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a test pattern. As shown in FIG. 8, nine test patterns 141a to 141i are printed on the media 5. The nine test patterns 141a to 141i are each produced by performing test printing based on the nine print image data generated by the print image data generation unit 93.

The test pattern printing unit 112 prints the identification information on each of the test patterns 141a to 141i based on the identification information IF. By printing the identification information IF, the parameter information SPS1 to SPS9 shown in FIG. 8 is printed on the medium 5. The parameter information SPS1 to SPS9 indicates the ejection parameters SP1 to SP3 and their levels when each of the test patterns 141a to 141i is test printed. In this embodiment, multiple levels are set for the resolution and the number of ink layers, so the parameter information SPS1 to SPS9 is printed with the characters "resolution" and "number of ink layers" and the numerical value of each level. In this embodiment, in addition to the parameter information SPS1 to SPS9, the serial numbers SN1 to SN9 are also printed on the medium 5. The serial numbers SN1 to SN9 are convenient numbers for identifying the test patterns 141a to 141i, and in this embodiment, the numbers "1" to "9" are printed. The identification information generation unit 94 of the data generation device 90 stores the ejection parameters SP1 to SP3 and their levels, linked to each of the serial numbers SN1 to SN9.

After the test print, the image printing unit 113 performs printing based on the production print image data P22 generated by the print image data generation unit 93.

The configuration of the control device 110 has been described above. Next, the procedure for the printer 10 to perform test printing will be described. Figure 9 is a flowchart showing the procedure for performing test printing and determining the levels of the ejection parameters SP1 to SP3, and then printing using the production print image data P22.

In step S101, the image data acquisition unit 91 of the data generating device 90 acquires image data P20. At this time, as shown in FIG. 6, the print image IG is displayed on the RIP screen DP2 displayed on the display screen 90a.

In step S102, as shown in FIG. 7, the discharge parameters SP1 to SP3 and their levels for the test print are set. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the check boxes CB for the discharge parameters SP1 and SP2 are selected, and three levels are set for each of the discharge parameters SP1 and SP2. In this embodiment, since the color selection box CC is not selected, the levels of the discharge parameters SP1 and SP2 are applied to all colors of the image data P20. Step S102 is executed by the level setting unit 92. In step S103, the print image data generation unit 93 links the discharge parameters SP1 to SP3 and their levels set in step S102 with the image data P20 stored in the image data acquisition unit 91 to generate print image data P21 for multiple test prints. Furthermore, in step S103, the print image data generation unit 93 may generate identification information IF for each print image data P21 based on the discharge parameters SP1 to SP3 and their levels set by the level setting unit 92. The transmission unit 96 transmits the generated print image data P21 to the print image data acquisition unit 111. If the identification information IF has been generated, the transmission unit 96 transmits the identification information IF together with the print image data P21.

In step S104, the print image data acquisition unit 111 acquires the print image data P21. If the identification information IF has been generated, the print image data acquisition unit 111 acquires the identification information IF. The test pattern printing unit 112 performs test printing based on the multiple print image data P21 generated by the print image data generation unit 93. If the identification information IF has been generated, the test pattern printing unit 112 may print the identification information IF.

In step S105, the ejection parameters SP1 to SP3 and their levels in the test pattern that the user judges to be printed as desired are input to the parameter input unit 95. In this embodiment, the user inputs the numbers indicated by the serial numbers SN1 to SN9 of the test patterns 141a to 141i shown in FIG. 8 that are in the desired state into the input box IB of the RIP screen DP1 shown in FIG. 6. When any one of the serial numbers SN1 to SN9 is input, the ejection parameters SP1 to SP3 and their levels that are linked to and saved with the serial numbers SN1 to SN9 are automatically input to the parameter input unit 95. Note that the levels input to the parameter input unit 95 may be values different from the levels set in step S102 that are directly input.

In step S106, the print image data generation unit 93 generates the production print image data P22 based on the ejection parameters SP1 to SP3 and their levels input in step S105. Note that if the ejection parameters SP1 to SP3 and their levels input in step S105 are the same as the levels set in step S102, the print image data P21 generated in step S102 and the production print image data P22 will have the same content, so any one of the print image data P21 generated in step S102 may be used as the production print image data P22.

In step S107, the image printing unit 113 performs printing based on the production print image data P22 generated in step S106.

As described above, according to the data generating device 90 of this embodiment, the image data acquisition unit 91 acquires the image data P20. The print image data generation unit 93 generates the print image data P21 from the image data P20. The print image data generation unit 93 generates the print image data P21 based on the multiple levels of the ejection parameters SP1 to SP3 set in the level setting unit 92. When the printer 10 prints using the print image data P21, the test patterns 141a to 141i are formed. The multiple print image data P21 have different settings for the levels of the ejection parameters SP1 to SP3. This makes it easier for the user to understand the difference in the print finish due to the difference in the levels of the ejection parameters SP1 to SP3. Therefore, the user can relatively easily find the optimal setting for ink ejection. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 8, since multiple test patterns 141a to 141i are printed at once, the user does not need to perform multiple printings until he or she finds the optimal setting for ink ejection. This makes it relatively short to find the optimal setting for ink ejection.

According to the data generating device 90 of this embodiment, multiple levels are set for the ejection parameters SP1 to SP3. The ejection parameters SP1 to SP3 are parameters related to print quality, and it is possible to set the optimal combination and level of these parameters.

According to the data generating device 90 of this embodiment, the identification information generating unit 94 generates identification information IF for identifying each of the test patterns 141a to 141i. By printing the identification information IF, the codes SPS1 to SPS9 and the serial numbers SN1 to SN9 are printed on the medium 5 together with the test patterns 141a to 141i, as shown in FIG. 8. This makes it easier for the user to understand how the levels of the ejection parameters SP1 to SP3 were set for each of the test patterns 141a to 141i when they were printed.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above. However, the above embodiment is merely an example, and the present invention can be embodied in various other forms.

In the embodiment described above, the print image data generation unit 93 generates the print image data P21 using the entire range of images contained in the image data P20, but this is not limited to the above. The print image data generation unit 93 may generate the print image data P21 using only a portion of the image data P20. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing test patterns 142a-142i printed based on a portion of the image data P20. If the range of the image data P20 for which the user wishes to check the optimal printing settings is a portion of the image data P20, the user can test print only a portion of the image data P20, as in the test patterns 142a-142i shown in FIG. 10.

In the above-described embodiment, test printing was performed for all colors in the image data P20, but this is not limited to the above. The level setting unit 92 may change the levels of the ejection parameters SP1 to SP3 for only some of the colors in the print image data P21 and print them. For example, there may be cases where it is not necessary to check the changes due to the levels of the ejection parameters SP1 to SP3 by test printing for only one color of the print image data P21, and check the changes due to the levels of the ejection parameters SP1 to SP3 for the other colors. For example, by performing test printing for only one color selected in the color selection box CC shown in FIG. 7, it is possible to find the optimal settings for one color.

In the above-described embodiment, the levels of the ejection parameters SP1 to SP3 are set in only one pattern, but this is not limited to this. For example, the image data P20 may have data for two or more different colors, and the levels of the ejection parameters SP1 to SP3 may be set differently for each color. For example, when overprinting red ink and white ink with different settings, multiple job JBs shown in FIG. 6 may be set. Assume that the job JB for "Sample 1" is a job for red ink, and the job JB for "Sample 2" is a job for white ink. At this time, for the job JB for "Sample 1", red is selected in the color selection box CC on the job editing screen JP shown in FIG. 7. For the job JB for "Sample 2", white is selected in the color selection box CC on the job editing screen JP shown in FIG. 7. Assume that the "Sample 1" job JB and the "Sample 2" job JB are set to different levels for the ejection parameters SP1 to SP3. By setting them in this way, it is possible to perform test printing using different print settings for different colors of ink.

The technology disclosed herein can be applied to various types of printers. In addition to the roll-to-roll type printer described in the above embodiment, the technology can also be applied to so-called flatbed type printers in which a recording medium is fixed on a table and the table is transported in a transport direction X to perform printing. The technology can also be applied to so-called gantry type printers in which a recording medium is placed on a table and a carriage is moved in a scanning direction Y (main scanning direction) and a transport direction X (sub-scanning direction) relative to the table to perform printing.

In the above-described embodiment, the data generating device 90 and the control device 110 are separate entities. However, each part of the data generating device 90 may be provided in the control device 110.

5 Media 10 Printer 20 Moving mechanism 61 Ink head 90 Data generator 91 Image data acquisition unit 92 Level setting unit 93 Print image data generation unit 141a to 141i Test patterns SP1 to SP3 Ejection parameters P10 Image data P21 Print image data

Claims (14)

A data generating device is used in an inkjet printer including an ink head that ejects ink onto a medium and a movement mechanism that moves the ink head and the medium relatively, the data generating device generating print image data to be printed on the medium while moving the ink head and the medium relatively based on one or a plurality of ejection parameters,
an image data acquisition unit that acquires image data representing a desired image to be printed on the medium;
a level setting unit that sets a plurality of levels for each of the ejection parameters;
a print image data generating section that generates print image data when the image data is printed by setting each of the ejection parameters to each of the levels. The data generating device according to claim 1, wherein the ejection parameters include at least one of the following: the amount of ink ejected per unit area, the number of ink layers, and the relative speed between the media and the ink head. The data generating device according to claim 1, wherein the print image data generating unit generates the print image data using a portion of the image data acquired by the image data acquiring unit. The data generating device according to claim 1, further comprising an identification information generating unit that generates identification information for identifying a plurality of test patterns that are formed by printing on the medium based on the print image data and that each correspond to a combination of the ejection parameters and the levels. The data generating device according to claim 1, wherein the level setting unit sets each of the ejection parameters at a plurality of levels for some colors in the image data. The image data has data of at least two or more colors,
The data generating device according to claim 1 , wherein the level setting section sets different levels of the ejection parameters for each of a plurality of colors included in the image data. A printer system comprising the data generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 and the inkjet printer. A computer program configured to cause a computer to operate as a data generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 6. An ink ejection adjustment method for use in an inkjet printer including an ink head that ejects ink onto a medium and a movement mechanism that moves the ink head and the medium relatively, the method ejecting ink while moving the ink head and the medium relatively based on one or a plurality of ejection parameters, thereby printing a test pattern on the medium, the method comprising:
acquiring image data representative of a desired image to be printed on the media;
a level setting step of setting a plurality of levels for each of the ejection parameters;
a print image data generating step of generating print image data for printing the desired image by setting each of the ejection parameters to each of the levels;
and a test pattern printing process for printing a plurality of test patterns each corresponding to a combination of the ejection parameters and the levels by ejecting ink from the ink head based on the print image data generated by the print image data generating process. The ink ejection adjustment method according to claim 9, wherein the ejection parameters include at least one of the ink ejection amount per unit area of the test pattern, the number of ink layers, and the relative speed between the media and the ink head. The ink ejection adjustment method according to claim 9, wherein the print image data generation process generates the print image data using a portion of the image data acquired in the image data acquisition process. The ink ejection adjustment method according to claim 9, wherein the test pattern printing step prints identification information for identifying each of the plurality of test patterns. The ink ejection adjustment method according to claim 9, wherein the level setting step sets each of the ejection parameters to a plurality of levels for some of the colors included in the image data. The ink ejection adjustment method according to claim 9, wherein the level setting step sets different levels of the ejection parameters for each of a plurality of colors included in the image data.

Images