JP4655699B2 - Control data set generation apparatus, control data set generation method, and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for generating print control data for controlling an operation in which a printing apparatus prints an image.

  When outputting images taken with a digital camera or the like or various images created with a computer or the like on a print medium, it is common to control the operation of the printing apparatus using a dedicated program called a printer driver. In this printer driver, various printing conditions such as print image quality required for image printing, printing speed, and type of printing medium can be set and registered in advance, and the printer driver considers these printing conditions. By doing so, it is possible to appropriately control the printing apparatus to print an image. For example, if a certain type of medium is selected from print media that are set and registered in advance as printing conditions, various control parameters used in the printer driver are appropriate according to the type of the selected print medium. Set to the correct value. The operation of the printing apparatus is appropriately controlled according to these set values, and as a result, it is possible to appropriately print an image according to the print medium.

  Of course, if you want to print an image with printing conditions that are not registered in advance, such as using a newly released print medium, you cannot set control parameters by simply selecting the printing conditions. If the value of the control parameter is directly set in the printer driver, it is possible to appropriately print an image even under printing conditions that are not registered. However, in order to directly set the values of various control parameters used inside the printer driver, a certain amount of knowledge is required, so it cannot always be set easily. Therefore, various techniques have been proposed in order to easily set an appropriate value for the control parameter according to the printing conditions (for example, Patent Document 1, Patent Document 2, etc.).

JP 2002-304282 A JP 2005-6055 A

  However, since the printer driver often depends on the hardware of the printing apparatus, the appropriate setting value of the control parameter differs depending on the printing apparatus model even under the same printing conditions. For this reason, when various control parameters used in the printer driver are set, there is a problem that a complicated work of first identifying the corresponding printer model is required. In other words, in the various proposed technologies, no consideration is given to these points. In practice, appropriate values are set in the control parameters used in the printer driver according to the printing conditions. Had the problem that it was still difficult.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems of the prior art, and the setting values of the control parameters used in the printer driver can be set to the printing conditions without being conscious of the difference in the model of the printing apparatus. It is an object of the present invention to provide a technique that can be set appropriately and simply according to the situation.

In order to solve at least a part of the problems described above, the printing control data supply apparatus of the present invention employs the following configuration. That is,
A printing control data supply device that supplies printing control data for controlling an operation of printing an image by the printing device to the printing device,
Control data set reading means for reading a control data set set for each model of the printing apparatus, wherein the setting values of various control parameters that define the printing operation;
After selecting the setting value corresponding to the printing apparatus that is going to print the image from the read control data set, and generating the print control data corresponding to the operation defined by the setting value, And a printing control data output means for outputting to the printing apparatus.

Further, the printing control data supply method of the present invention corresponding to the above-described printing control data supply apparatus is as follows.
A printing control data supply method for supplying printing control data for controlling an operation for printing an image by a printing apparatus to the printing apparatus,
A first step of reading a control data set in which setting values of various control parameters defining the printing operation are set for each model of the printing apparatus;
A second step of selecting, from the read control data set, a setting value of the control parameter corresponding to a printing apparatus that is to print the image;
And a third step of generating the print control data corresponding to the operation defined by the set value and outputting the print control data to the printing apparatus.

  In such a print control data supply apparatus and print control data supply method, when supplying print control data to a printing apparatus, first, a control data set is read. Here, in the control data set, setting values of various control parameters that define the printing operation are set for each model of the printing apparatus. Next, the control parameter setting value associated with the printing apparatus to which the print control data is to be supplied is selected from the read control data set. Next, print control data corresponding to the operation defined by the selected setting value is generated and supplied to the printing apparatus.

  In this way, just by reading the control data set, the control parameter setting value associated with the printing device is selected and the printing control data is generated. Printing control data can be supplied.

  In such a print control data supply device, the setting values of various control parameters selected corresponding to the printing device that is to print an image may be stored as a set of setting values.

  This is preferable because when printing an image under the same printing conditions, print control data can be generated and supplied to the printing apparatus without reading the control data set again.

  Also, when reading the control data set, it is assumed that the image printing conditions are specified, and the setting values selected corresponding to the printing conditions are stored in a state that can be searched according to the specified printing conditions. It is good to leave.

  Since the appropriate value of the control parameter often differs depending on the printing condition, an appropriate setting value can be selected by reading the control data set in a state where the printing condition is specified. In addition, if the selected set value is stored in a state where it can be searched according to the printing conditions, it is possible to easily search when printing an image under the same printing conditions.

  When the printing apparatus is an apparatus that prints an image while feeding print paper by a predetermined amount, the control parameter includes at least a setting value related to the paper feed amount, and at least a control parameter related to the paper feed amount. It is also possible to read a control data set including

  The appropriate paper feed amount differs depending on the printing conditions such as the type of printing paper. This is preferable because it can be fed.

  In addition, the printing apparatus prints an image on the front side of the printing paper while supporting the back side of the printing paper with the support member, and adjusts the distance between the image forming unit that forms the image on the front side of the paper and the support member. In the case of a possible printing apparatus, the control parameter may include a set value related to the distance between the image forming unit and the support member. Then, by reading a control data set including at least the control parameter relating to the interval, the control parameter relating to the interval between the image forming unit and the support member may be set.

  As a method for forming an image on the front side of the printing paper, for example, ink droplets are ejected to form ink dots, an ink layer formed on the ink paper is pressed against the printing paper, transferred, or an ink is formed. There are various methods, such as sublimation and transfer to printing paper, but in either method, the interval between the image forming means and the support member is set to an appropriate interval according to printing conditions such as the type of printing paper. It is preferable that it is set. Therefore, if the printing apparatus is provided with a gap adjusting means for adjusting the gap between the image forming means and the support member, at least a control data set including control parameters relating to the gap is read to generate print control data. This is preferable because the interval between the image forming unit and the support member can be appropriately set according to the printing conditions.

  In addition, the printing apparatus prints an image while feeding the printing paper in the longitudinal direction, and when printing of the image is finished, the printing paper is cut in the short direction so that the image on the printing paper is not printed yet. When a function for separating the printed portion of the image from the portion is provided, a setting value related to the cutting operation of the printing paper may be included in the control parameter. Then, by reading a control data set including at least the control parameter related to the cutting operation, the control parameter related to the printing paper cutting operation may be set.

  In a printing apparatus having a function of cutting a printing sheet when printing of an image is completed, various cutting methods are usually used depending on printing conditions such as the type of printing sheet. Therefore, if at least a control data set including a control parameter related to the cutting operation of the printing paper is read to generate printing control data, the printing paper can be cut by an appropriate method according to the printing conditions. preferable.

  In addition, when image data is converted into a data format that can be printed by a printing apparatus by applying predetermined image processing, and the obtained image data is supplied as print control data, at least the image data is included in the control parameters. It is good also as including the setting value regarding these correction values. Then, by reading a control data set including at least the control parameter relating to the correction value, the control parameter relating to the cutting operation of the printing paper may be set.

  Depending on the printing conditions such as the type of printing paper, image processing may be performed after applying correction according to the printing conditions, such as multiplying the image data by a predetermined correction coefficient or offsetting the image data by a predetermined amount. In some cases, a more preferable image can be obtained. Therefore, if print control data is generated by reading at least a control data set that includes control parameters related to correction to be applied to the image data, print control data is generated after appropriately correcting the image data according to the printing conditions. This is preferable because it can be performed.

If attention is paid to the point of generating a control data set in which various control parameters are set, the present invention can also be grasped as an apparatus for generating a control data set or a method for generating a control data set. . That is, the control data set generation device of the present invention is
A control data set generation device that generates a control data set in which various control parameters that define an image printing operation in a printing device are set,
Setting value acquisition means for acquiring setting values of the various control parameters in a state where the model of the printing apparatus is specified;
Model specifying data acquisition means for acquiring model specifying data as data specifying the model of the printing apparatus;
The gist of the present invention is to include a set value output means for outputting the obtained set values of various control parameters together with the model specifying data.

Further, the control data set generation method of the present invention corresponding to the control data set generation apparatus described above,
A control data set generation method for generating a control data set in which various control parameters relating to an operation of printing an image by a printing apparatus are set,
A step (A) of acquiring set values of the various control parameters in a state where the model of the printing apparatus is specified;
A step (B) of acquiring model specifying data which is data specifying the model of the printing apparatus;
And a step (C) of outputting the acquired set values of various control parameters together with the model specifying data.

  In such a control data set generation device and control data set generation method, after a printer device model has been specified, after acquiring setting values of various control parameters, model specification for specifying the printer device model is specified. Along with the data, the obtained set values of various control parameters are output as a control data set.

  If the control data set output in this way is read, it is possible to specify the model of the printing apparatus based on the model specifying data and to obtain the setting values of various control parameters set for the model. As a result, it is possible to obtain appropriate setting values of various control parameters without being conscious of the printer model, which is preferable.

  In addition, the control data set generation device acquires the control parameter setting value and the model specifying data for a plurality of printer models, and prints the acquired control parameter setting value and the model specifying data. It is good also as outputting for every model of an apparatus.

  By reading the control data set output in this way, it is possible to acquire appropriate setting values of various control parameters for many types of printing apparatuses. For this reason, it is possible to set an appropriate value for the control parameter without being aware of the model of the printing apparatus, and it is possible to appropriately print an image.

  As described above, when the control parameter setting value and the model specifying data are acquired for a plurality of models, the control parameter setting value and the model are set in a state where the printing condition is specified as the predetermined printing condition. It is good also as acquiring specific data.

  For example, if a control data set is generated with specified printing conditions, such as when using newly developed printing paper or special printing conditions that are rarely used, images are printed under the specified printing conditions. Even in this case, it is preferable to set an appropriate value for the control parameter and appropriately print an image.

  In addition, when generating the control data set, in addition to the model specifying data and the set value of the control parameter, shared model specifying data for specifying a model that can share the control parameter may be output as follows. . That is, the presence / absence of a model that can share the setting value of the control parameter is detected for the specified model of the printing apparatus. If there is a model that can be shared, the shared model specifying data is acquired as the model specifying data for the model that can be shared, and the shared model specifying data is output together with the setting value of the control parameter and the model specifying data. It is good to do.

  Reading such a control data set is preferable because it is possible to set appropriate values for control parameters not only for models set in model-specific data but also for models set in shared model-specific data. .

  In addition, even when the control parameter setting value is output together with the model specifying data and the common model specifying data, the model specifying data, the common model specifying data, and the control parameter setting value are specified with the printing conditions specified. It is good also as acquiring these and outputting these.

  If the control data set is generated with the printing conditions specified in this way, when printing an image under the specified printing conditions, the control data set is read and an appropriate value is set according to the printing conditions. Thus, it is possible to appropriately print an image.

Furthermore, the present invention can also grasp the setting values of these control parameters as a recording medium recorded together with model specifying data for specifying the model of the printing apparatus. That is, the recording medium of the present invention is
In a recording medium in which setting values of various control parameters that define the operation of printing an image by the printing apparatus are recorded in a computer-readable manner,
A first area in which setting values of the various control parameters are recorded;
And a second area in which model specifying data for specifying a model of the printing apparatus to which the set value can be applied is recorded.

  If data recorded on such a recording medium is read into a computer, it is possible to set an appropriate value for a control parameter for controlling the printing apparatus. Can be printed. Further, if a plurality of model specifying data is recorded in the second area, it is possible to appropriately print an image with a printing apparatus of the plurality of models.

  In such a recording medium, a third area is provided, and in this area, the model specification for the model that can share the setting value of the control parameter is specified for the model of the printing apparatus specified by the model specification data. It is good also as memorizing data.

  This is preferable because an image can be appropriately printed by a printer of a model stored in either the second area or the third area.

Furthermore, the present invention can also be realized using a computer by causing a computer to read a program for realizing the above-described printing control data supply method or data set generation method and execute a predetermined function. It is. Therefore, the present invention includes the following program or a mode as a recording medium on which the program is recorded. That is, the program of the present invention corresponding to the above-described printing control data supply method is
A program for realizing, using a computer, a method of supplying print control data for controlling an operation for printing an image by a printing apparatus to the printing apparatus,
A first function in which setting values of various control parameters defining the printing operation read a control data set set for each model of the printing apparatus;
A second function for selecting a setting value of the control parameter corresponding to a printing apparatus which is to print the image from the read control data set;
The gist of the present invention is to realize a third function of generating the print control data corresponding to the operation defined by the set value and outputting the print control data to the printing apparatus.

The recording medium of the present invention corresponding to the above program is
A recording medium in which a program for supplying printing control data for controlling an operation of printing an image by a printing apparatus to the printing apparatus is recorded in a computer-readable manner,
A first function in which setting values of various control parameters defining the printing operation read a control data set set for each model of the printing apparatus;
A second function for selecting a setting value of the control parameter corresponding to a printing apparatus which is to print the image from the read control data set;
The gist of the invention is that a program for generating the print control data corresponding to the operation defined by the setting value and outputting the print control data to the printing apparatus using a computer is recorded. .

Furthermore, the program of the present invention corresponding to the data set generation method described above is
A program for realizing, using a computer, a method for generating a control data set in which various control parameters related to an operation of printing an image by a printing apparatus are set.
A function (A) for acquiring setting values of the various control parameters in a state where the model of the printing apparatus is specified;
A function (B) for acquiring model specifying data as data for specifying the model of the printing apparatus;
The gist is to realize a function (C) for outputting the obtained set values of various control parameters together with the model specifying data.

The recording medium of the present invention corresponding to the above program is
A recording medium in which a program for generating a control data set in which various control parameters relating to an operation for printing an image by a printing apparatus are set is recorded in a computer-readable manner,
A function (A) for acquiring setting values of the various control parameters in a state where the model of the printing apparatus is specified;
A function (B) for acquiring model specifying data as data for specifying the model of the printing apparatus;
The gist of the invention is that a program for realizing the function (C) for outputting the obtained set values of various control parameters together with the model specifying data is recorded using a computer.

  If these programs are read into a computer and the various functions described above are realized, it is possible to set appropriate values for control parameters according to printing conditions without being aware of the model of the printing apparatus. Thus, it is possible to print an image appropriately.

Hereinafter, in order to clarify the contents of the present invention described above, examples will be described in the following order.
A. Summary of Examples:
B. Device configuration :
C. Print control processing:
D. Remote data generation processing:
E. Graphic data generation processing:

A. Summary of Examples:
Prior to detailed description of the embodiment, an outline of the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a printing system constituted by a computer 10 and a printer 20. The computer 10 generates data (print control data) for controlling various operations performed by the printer 20 along with image printing, supplies the data to the printer 20, and the printer 20 performs various operations according to the print control data. An image is printed.

  The computer 10 is equipped with a dedicated program called a printer driver, and the print control data is generated by the printer driver as follows. First, image data of an image to be printed is supplied to a printer driver. Also, for example, printing conditions such as the type of printing medium and the printing mode are set in advance in the printer driver. In the printer driver, various control parameters for controlling the printing operation of the printer 20 are set to appropriate values according to the printing conditions, and data for setting the operation state of the printer 20 is set based on these setting values. Generated. The image data is subjected to predetermined image processing and converted into a data format that can be printed by the printer 20. Data for setting the operation state of the printer 20 and image data that has been subjected to image processing and converted into a format in which the printer 20 can actually form an image are sent as print control data from the printer driver to the printer 20. To be supplied.

  Here, for printing conditions in which the printer driver cannot set appropriate values for various parameters, it is necessary to directly set appropriate setting values for various parameters in the printer driver. Of course, the setting values of these various parameters largely depend on the printer model, and even if the printing conditions are the same, appropriate setting values differ depending on the printer model in many cases. Therefore, in the printing system illustrated in FIG. 1, in such a case, first, the printer driver reads a data set in which the setting values of various control parameters are set for each model of the printer, and the settings corresponding to the model of the printer 20. Select a value. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 1, three parameters are used as control parameters, and the set values of these three control parameters are stored in the data set for four types of printers A to D. ing. That is, three set values (p1, p2, p3) are stored for model A and model C, and (p1, p4, p5) are stored for model B and model D. In FIG. 1, it is assumed that the printer 20 is a model B printer. Then, the printer driver that has read the data set selects three setting values (p1, p4, p5) stored corresponding to the model B. At the same time, the selected setting value may be written on a recording medium (flexible disk, compact disk, hard disk, etc.) together with the corresponding model.

  Next, based on the setting value thus selected, data for setting the operating state of the printer 20 is generated. Of course, it is also possible to perform image processing in consideration of the selected set value when performing image processing of image data. The data thus generated is supplied to the printer 20 as print control data. In this way, it is possible to set appropriate values for various control parameters in accordance with the printer 20 simply by reading the data set. Therefore, the control parameter setting values can be set appropriately without being conscious of differences in printer models. And it becomes possible to set simply. In addition, if the selected setting value is written to a recording medium together with the corresponding model, the data stored in the recording medium can be read as a data set by another printer driver, and the other printer driver can be read. In addition, the values of various control parameters can be set appropriately and simply. Hereinafter, such an embodiment will be described in detail.

B. Device configuration :
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration of the computer 100 that supplies print control data to the printer or generates a data set. The computer 100 is configured by connecting a ROM 104, a RAM 106, and the like with a bus 116 around a CPU 102. The computer 100 is used to drive a disk controller DDC 109 for reading data from the flexible disk 124, the compact disk 126, and the like, and peripheral device interfaces PIF 108 and CRT 114 used to exchange data with peripheral devices. A video interface VIF 112 and the like are connected. The PIF 108 is connected to a hard disk 118, a printer 200 described later, and the like. Further, if a digital camera 120, a color scanner 122, or the like is connected to the PIF 108, an image captured by the digital camera 120 or the color scanner 122 can be printed. If the network interface card NIC 110 is attached, the computer 100 can be connected to the communication line 300 to acquire data stored in the storage device 310 connected to the communication line.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a printer 200 that prints an image on printing paper. The printer 200 is mounted with ink of four colors, cyan, magenta, yellow, and black, and is an ink jet printer that can form ink dots of four colors by each ink. In the following description, cyan ink, magenta ink, yellow ink, and black ink are abbreviated as C ink, M ink, Y ink, and K ink, respectively, as necessary. In the following description, the print image is described as being printed exclusively using an ink jet printer. Of course, the print image is not limited to the ink jet printer, and a laser printer or ink that prints an image by forming dots using toner of each color. The present invention can be similarly applied to a printer that prints an image by forming dots using different methods, such as sublimating the ink or transferring it by applying heat.

  As shown, the printer 200 drives a print head 241 mounted on the carriage 240 to eject ink and form dots, and the carriage 240 is reciprocated in the axial direction of the platen 236 by the carriage motor 230. It includes a mechanism, a mechanism for transporting the printing paper P by the paper feed motor 235, a control circuit 260 for controlling dot formation, carriage 240 movement, and printing paper transport.

  An ink cartridge 242 that stores K ink and an ink cartridge 243 that stores various inks of C ink, M ink, and Y ink are mounted on the carriage 240. When the ink cartridges 242 and 243 are mounted on the carriage 240, each ink in the cartridge is supplied to ink discharge heads 244 to 247 for each color provided on the lower surface of the print head 241 through an introduction pipe (not shown). The ink ejection heads 244 to 247 for each color form ink dots on the print medium by ejecting ink droplets using the ink thus supplied. In the printer 200 shown in FIG. 3, the C ink, the M ink, and the Y ink have been described as being integrally stored in one ink cartridge 243. However, these inks are individually formed separately. It is also possible to store in an ink cartridge.

  The control circuit 260 is mainly composed of a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a peripheral device interface PIF, etc., and a D / A converter that converts digital data into an analog signal. Of course, the same function may be realized by hardware or firmware without mounting the CPU. The control circuit 260 controls the main scanning operation and the sub scanning operation of the carriage 240 by controlling the operations of the carriage motor 230 and the paper feed motor 235. In addition, ink droplets are ejected by driving the print head 241 at an appropriate timing in accordance with the main scanning and sub-scanning of the carriage 240. Thus, under the control of the control circuit 260, ink droplets of each color are ejected from the ink ejection heads 244 to 247 of each color at an appropriate timing, and as a result, ink dots of each color are formed on the printing paper P with an appropriate distribution. Thus, a color image is printed.

  Various methods can be applied to the method of ejecting ink droplets from the ink ejection heads of the respective colors. That is, a method of ejecting ink using a piezoelectric element, a method of ejecting ink droplets by generating bubbles in the ink passage with a heater arranged in the ink passage, and the like can be used. Also, instead of ejecting ink, use a method that uses ink transfer to form ink dots on printing paper using a phenomenon such as thermal transfer, or a method that uses static electricity to attach toner powder of each color onto the print medium. It is also possible to do.

  The movement of the carriage 240 reciprocating in the axial direction of the platen 236 is guided by a sliding shaft 233 provided above the platen 236. In the printer 200 of this embodiment, the sliding shaft 233 is moved up and down. Thus, the carriage 240 can be moved up and down with respect to the platen 236. That is, the sliding shaft 233 is configured to be movable in the vertical direction, and the sliding shaft 233 is supported by the eccentric cam 238. A motor 237 is connected to the eccentric cam 238. When the motor 237 is rotated forward, the sliding shaft 233 is pushed up by the eccentric cam 238, and as a result, the distance between the platen 236 and the carriage 240 is increased. Conversely, if the motor 237 is rotated in the reverse direction, the distance between the platen 236 and the carriage 240 is reduced. The rotation direction and rotation angle of the motor 237 are controlled by the control circuit 260.

  As described above, since the ink discharge heads 244 to 247 for the respective colors are provided on the bottom surface of the carriage 240, the platen 236 and the ink discharge heads for the respective colors can be changed by changing the distance between the platen 236 and the carriage 240. The distance (platen gap) from 244 to 247 can be changed. Therefore, if an appropriate platen gap value is set in advance for the control circuit 260, the platen gap of the printer 200 can be appropriately set by rotating the motor 237 by an appropriate angle. Yes.

  Further, the carriage 240 of the printer 200 of this embodiment is provided with a cutter 239 for cutting printing paper. In the normal state, the cutter 239 is retracted into the case, but can be protruded under the control of the control circuit 260, and the 240 is reciprocated along the sliding shaft 233 in the protruding state. Thus, it is possible to cut the printing paper.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a plurality of nozzles Nz for ejecting ink droplets are formed on the bottom surface of the ink ejection heads 244 to 247 for each color. As shown in the figure, on the bottom surface of each color ink ejection head, four sets of nozzle rows for ejecting ink droplets of each color are formed, and 48 nozzles Nz are nozzles in one set of nozzle rows. They are arranged in a zigzag pattern at intervals of the pitch p. These nozzles are driven under the control of the control circuit 260, and form ink dots on the printing paper by ejecting ink droplets.

  The printer 200 having the hardware configuration described above drives the carriage motor 230 to move the ink ejection heads 244 to 249 of the respective colors in the main scanning direction with respect to the printing paper P, and the paper feed motor 235. Is driven to move the printing paper P in the sub-scanning direction. The control circuit 260 ejects ink droplets by driving the nozzles at an appropriate timing while repeating main scanning and sub-scanning of the carriage 240. By doing so, ink dots are formed at appropriate positions on the printing paper P, and as a result, an image is printed. All of these operations are executed under the control of the control circuit 260 based on the print control data supplied from the computer 100. Therefore, hereinafter, a process (print control process) for controlling a series of print operations in the printer 200 by generating print control data in the computer 100 and supplying the print control data to the printer 200 will be described.

C. Print control processing:
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of print control processing performed in the computer 100. This process is a process that is executed on the printer driver when a print command is output from various application programs that run on the computer 100. Hereinafter, it demonstrates according to a flowchart.

  When the print control process is started, first, the printer driver determines whether or not the image printing conditions may be read (step S100). The image printing conditions can be set using a dedicated screen displayed on the monitor of the computer 100. When setting of the printing conditions is completed, an instruction to that effect is given from the screen to the printer driver. I will do it. Then, the printer driver starts reading the printing conditions set on the screen. In the following, a method for setting printing conditions from a dedicated screen and a method for instructing the printer driver to complete the setting will be described.

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a screen for setting print conditions in the printer driver. In the illustrated example, the printer model is displayed at the top of the screen, and a setting field for setting various printing conditions such as printing paper, paper size, and printing mode is provided below the printer model. Among these, the printer model is automatically displayed by the printer driver and cannot be changed, but the contents displayed in the setting column can be changed from the screen. That is, when an arrow provided in each setting column is clicked, pre-registered printing conditions are displayed, and it is possible to select a corresponding printing condition from them. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 6, “A type” is set in the print paper setting field, but when the arrow on the right side is clicked, a small dialog box expands over the setting field and the dialog box is displayed. In the box, various types of printing paper (for example, “A type”, “B type”, “C type”) registered in advance in the printer driver are displayed. By selecting an arbitrary sheet from these displays, it is possible to change the setting contents of the print sheet.

  In the paper size setting field, it is possible to select any one of “postcard” size to “A3” size and “A3 / roll paper” size. Here, the roll paper is a printing paper corresponding to so-called long printing. For example, “A4 / roll paper” represents a printing paper in which a long paper having the same width as that of the A4 paper (width in the short direction) is wound in a roll shape. In the print mode setting field, it is possible to set a print condition of “image quality priority”, “speed priority”, or “standard”.

  When the setting of these printing conditions is completed, the button indicating “OK” is clicked to instruct the printer driver that the setting is completed. When it is detected that the “OK” button has been clicked, the printer driver determines that the printing conditions may be read (step S100: yes), and starts reading various set printing conditions (step S102). ). Next, remote data corresponding to the read printing condition is acquired (step S104). Here, the remote data is data supplied to the printer 200 for printing an image under set printing conditions, and describes setting values for various control parameters. The control parameters will be described in detail later. Since the remote data is data determined according to the printing conditions, the corresponding remote data is also stored in advance for the printing conditions registered in advance in the printer driver. Therefore, in step S104, remote data corresponding to the read printing condition is acquired.

  However, desired printing conditions are not always registered in advance in the printer driver. In such a case, on the print condition setting screen shown in FIG. 6, a button labeled “detailed settings” is clicked. When detecting that the “detailed setting” button has been clicked, the printer driver determines that the set printing conditions should not be read (step S100: no), and displays a screen for setting detailed printing conditions. Then, the remote data generation process is started (step S106). Although detailed contents will be described later, in the remote data generation process, appropriate values are set for various control parameters that define the operation of the printer 200 in accordance with unregistered printing conditions, and remote control is performed based on the set values. Process to generate data.

  As described above, when the desired printing conditions are registered in the printer driver in advance, when the printing conditions are selected on the dedicated screen shown in FIG. 6 and the “OK” button is clicked (step S100: yes), The set printing conditions are read (step S102), and the corresponding remote data is acquired (step S104). On the other hand, if the desired printing conditions are not registered, clicking the “detailed setting” button on the screen of FIG. 6 (step S100: no) executes a remote data generation process (step S106) to be described later. Remote data corresponding to the printing conditions to be generated is generated.

  Thus, when remote data is obtained by any method, the printer driver reads the image data of the image to be printed (step S108), and then starts the graphic data generation process (step S110). The detailed contents of the graphic data generation processing will be described later. In this processing, predetermined image processing is performed on the read image data, thereby converting the data into data in a data format that can be printed by the printer 200. . That is, as described above, the printer 200 according to the present exemplary embodiment prints an image by forming dots on a print medium, and thus converts image data into a data format that represents an image depending on whether dots are formed or not. I do.

  When the remote data and the graphic data are generated as described above, the printing of the image is started by outputting them as data for controlling the printing operation of the printer 200 (print control data). That is, first, a command for initializing the printer is output (step S112), remote data is output (step S114), and then graphic data is output (step S116). The contents of the remote data will be described later. For example, detailed operation states of the printer 200 are described to be set prior to actual image printing, such as setting of the platen gap and correction value of the paper feed amount. . The graphic data describes data indicating whether or not to form dots for each pixel, and the printer 200 prints an image by ejecting ink droplets according to this data.

  When all the graphic data is output, it is determined whether or not the printing paper is roll paper (step S118). As described above with reference to FIG. 6, whether or not the printing paper is roll paper is set in advance, so that the printer driver can easily determine. If the roll paper is determined (step S118: yes), a command to cut the print paper is output to the printer 200 (step S120), and the print control process is terminated. On the other hand, if it is determined that the printing paper is not roll paper (step S118: no), the printing control process is immediately terminated without outputting the paper cutting command.

  The printer driver performs the print control process described above, and supplies remote data and graphic data to the printer 200 as print control data. As a result, the operation of the printer 200 is appropriately controlled and an image is appropriately printed. For printing conditions that are not registered in advance in the printer driver, it is possible to easily generate appropriate remote data by performing remote data generation processing described below.

D. Remote data generation processing:
As described above, when the desired print condition is not registered in the printer driver, the desired print condition cannot be selected from the print condition setting screen. Therefore, in this case, a “detailed setting” button provided on the screen illustrated in FIG. 6 is clicked. Then, the printer driver displays a dedicated screen for setting detailed printing conditions and starts a remote data generation process (step S106 in FIG. 5). For convenience of explanation, first, the contents of detailed printing conditions set on the dedicated screen will be described first, and the contents of the remote data generation processing will be explained in response to this.

  FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a screen for setting detailed print conditions. On the screen illustrated in the figure, five items such as “color density correction”, “paper feed correction”, “paper thickness”, “platen gap”, and “paper cutting method” can be set as detailed printing conditions. It has become. Here, the “color density correction” is a correction value that adjusts the quality of color development when ink is applied to printing paper. In other words, the same print image quality can be applied to any type of printing paper by applying a large amount of ink to printing paper with poor color development and conversely using a small amount of ink for printing paper with poor color development. Is a correction value for adjustment so that is obtained. In the dedicated screen illustrated in FIG. 7, an arbitrary value can be set by moving the cursor to a setting field corresponding to color density correction and writing a numerical value.

  The “paper feed correction” is a correction value for adjusting the paper feed amount of the printing paper performed for the sub-scanning. In other words, some printing papers are slippery and have a small paper feed amount, and it is necessary to feed a large amount of such papers. Therefore, by adjusting the paper feed amount using the set value of “paper feed correction”, it is possible to appropriately feed any print paper. The paper feed correction setting value can also be set by moving the cursor to the corresponding setting field and writing a numerical value.

  “Paper thickness” represents the thickness of the printing paper. As described above, the printing paper is placed on the platen 236, and ink dots are formed on the printing paper by ejecting ink droplets while the ink ejection head reciprocates on the printing paper. For this reason, when the paper thickness of the printing paper changes, the flying distance of the ink droplets changes, so that the dot formation position slightly shifts. Therefore, the thickness of the printing paper is set in advance in order to absorb such influence at the ink droplet ejection timing or to adjust the platen gap (distance between the platen and the ink ejection head). The paper thickness of the printing paper can also be set by moving the cursor to the corresponding setting field and writing a numerical value.

  Also, when printing on very thick printing paper or printing on the label surface of a compact disc, the ink ejection head may rub the printing surface with the normal platen gap setting. Therefore, in such a case, it is necessary to widen the platen gap by pushing up the sliding shaft 233 that guides the carriage 240. Such a platen gap state is set in the “platen gap”. The platen gap is set by clicking an arrow in the setting column to expand a dialog box and selecting either “standard” or “wide”.

  In the “paper cutting method”, a method of cutting paper after printing is completed when roll paper is loaded is set. As described above with reference to FIG. 3, the cutter 240 is mounted on the carriage 240, and the printing paper can be cut by projecting the cutter 239 and reciprocating the carriage 240. However, if the printing paper is simply cut from one end to the other, the cut portion of the paper hangs down under its own weight and pulls the uncut portion, so that the blade of the cutter 239 contacts the printing paper. The angle may change, making it difficult for the blade to bite into the paper and cutting it successfully. Therefore, in such a case, in the first cutting operation, some parts are left unintentionally cut, and in the subsequent cutting operation, the remaining parts are cut and finally printed. A method of cutting paper is employed. Actually, where and how long to leave the parts that are left uncut by the first cutting operation, and when cutting those parts, from what point and in what order Whether it is good or not depends on the type of printing paper. Various setting methods are prepared as the paper cutting method. The paper cutting method is also set by clicking an arrow in the setting column to expand a dialog box and selecting one of “Standard”, “Pattern 1”, and “Pattern 2”.

  If the five items “Color Density Correction”, “Paper Feed Correction”, “Paper Thickness”, “Platen Gap”, and “Paper Cutting Method” described above are set appropriately, the desired print conditions can be determined by the printer driver. Even if it is not registered, it is possible to print an image appropriately. That is, in the print control process shown in FIG. 5, the various control parameters set in the remote data supplied to the printer 200 specifically refer to these five items.

  As described above, for the printing conditions registered in advance in the printer driver, appropriate setting values for these various control parameters are stored. However, in the printer driver of this embodiment, printing that is not registered is stored. Regarding the conditions, it is possible to appropriately print an image by setting appropriate values for these control parameters on the dedicated screen shown in FIG. This is the reason why the screen for setting detailed print conditions as shown in FIG. 7 is displayed when the desired print conditions cannot be selected from the print condition setting screen shown in FIG. Is due to.

  When the desired print conditions are not registered in the printer driver, and the “detail setting” button is clicked on the print condition setting screen shown in FIG. 6, the printer driver performs the detailed printing shown in FIG. A screen for setting conditions is displayed, and the following remote data generation processing is started.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of remote data generation processing. When the remote data generation process is started, first, it is determined whether or not various control parameters have been set (step S200). As described above, the control parameters of “color density correction”, “paper feed correction”, and “paper thickness” are directly written in the setting fields, and “platen gap” and “paper cutting method” After selecting an appropriate value for each control parameter by selecting from the dialog box, click the “OK” button provided on the screen (see FIG. 7). Then, the printer driver determines that the setting of various control parameters has been completed (step S200: yes), and starts generating corresponding remote data based on these setting values (step S210). The contents of the remote data and the method for generating the remote data based on each control parameter will be described later. If an appropriate value is set for the control parameter in this way, printing that is not registered in the printer driver will be performed. Even under the conditions, an image can be printed appropriately.

  However, in order to set these various control parameters to appropriate values according to the printing conditions, sufficient knowledge is required, and it is not always easy to set them. Therefore, in addition to the method for directly setting the control parameters from the dedicated screen shown in FIG. 7, a method for reading and setting a data set (also referred to as an import file) described later is also prepared. Correspondingly, if the “OK” button is not clicked (step S200: no), it is determined whether or not to read the data set (step S202). As shown in FIG. 7, the screen for setting various control parameters is provided with a button “Read Data Set”. If this button is clicked, it is determined that the data set is read. To do. On the other hand, when the “data set read” button is not clicked, it is determined that the data set is not read (step S202: no), and the process returns to S200 again to determine whether the setting of various control parameters is completed. Judgment is made.

  As described above, in the remote data generation process, such an operation is repeated until either the “OK” button or the “read data set” button is clicked. If the “OK” button is clicked, remote data is immediately generated based on the set value of the control parameter (step S210). On the other hand, if the “read data set” button is clicked, After reading the control parameter setting values from the data set as described below, remote data is generated based on the read setting values (step S210).

  When the “read data set” button is clicked on the control parameter setting screen shown in FIG. 7, the printer driver determines that the data set is read (step S202: yes), and reads the data set. Processing is started (step S204). In the process of reading the data set, first, a screen for designating the data set to be read is displayed.

  FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a screen for designating a data set to be read. When the location of the data set is designated on the screen shown in the figure, the stored data set name is displayed. Therefore, if the file name is designated from the displayed files, the data set can be read.

  FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the data structure of the read data set. As shown in the figure, the data set is composed of a plurality of records, the file name is stored in the first record R1, the printing condition is in the second record R2, and the printer is in the third record R3. In the fourth record R4, five numerical values corresponding to the five control parameters described above with reference to FIG. 7 are set. The first numerical value set in the record R4 represents the color density correction value, the second numerical value is the paper feed correction value, the third correction value is the paper thickness, and the fourth numerical value is the platen gap. In the setting, the fifth numerical value represents the paper cutting method. The color density correction value, paper feed correction value, and paper thickness represent the set values of the respective control parameters. Further, the numerical values set for the platen gap and the paper cutting method represent the setting contents of the respective control parameters. That is, the value “1” set for the platen gap is set to “narrow”, the value “2” is set to “standard”, and the value “3” is set to “wide”. It represents each of them. The value “1” set for the paper cutting method is set to the “standard” cutting method, and the setting value “2” is set to the “A type” cutting method. The value “3” indicates that the “B type” cutting method is set.

  By reading such a data set, it is possible to know what values should be set for the control parameters set in the printer driver in order to print an image under a certain printing condition with a certain type of printer. . That is, in order to print an image with the printing conditions of record R2 using the printer model set in record R3, the values of the control parameters set in record R4 may be set in the printer driver.

  Also, the numeric string set in the record R4 is the main part of the remote data output to the printer 200. Furthermore, it is possible to set a plurality of printer models in the record R3. When a plurality of models are set, the record R3 is divided into a plurality of areas according to the set number. Printers are set for each model. After all, the data set illustrated in FIG. 10 is a file representing the following. That is, when an image is printed using a printer with the model name PX-1110, PX-1120, or PM-T10 using a printing sheet of “Ultra A type”, the color density correction value is set. This indicates that it is only necessary to set 19% increase, paper feed correction value to 10% increase, paper thickness to 0.3 mm, and platen gap and paper cutting method as standard.

  Further, although only one set of control parameters (19, 10, 3, 2, 1) is set in the data set illustrated in FIG. 10, the set values of a plurality of sets of control parameters are stored. Is also possible.

  FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which a plurality of sets of control parameters are stored in the data set. The data set illustrated in FIG. 11 is also composed of a plurality of records, and the first record R1 to the fourth record R4 have the same data structure as the data set shown in FIG. That is, a file name is set in the first record R1, a printing condition is set in the second record R2, a printer model is set in the third record R3, and a set of control parameters is set in the fourth record R4. Has been. When printing an image using the printer of the model set in the record R3 under the printing conditions set in the record R2, the control parameter value set in the record R4 is sent to the printer driver. It means that it should be set.

  Furthermore, in the data set illustrated in FIG. 11, the printer model is set in the fifth record R5, and one set of control parameters is set in the sixth record R6. The value set in the record R6 is the control parameter to be set in the printer driver when printing an image using the printer of the model set in the record R5 under the printing conditions set in the record R2. Represents a value. Similarly, for the seventh record R7 and the eighth record R8, the printer model is set in the record R7, and a set of control parameters is set in the record R8. The value set in the record R8 is a control parameter to be set in the printer driver when an image is printed using the printer of the model set in the record R7 under the printing conditions set in the record R2. Represents the value of. As described above, in the data set shown in FIG. 11, a record in which the printer model is set and a record in which the control parameter is set are added to the print conditions set in the record R2 one by one. Therefore, it is possible to set control parameters for many models.

  In step S204 of the remote data generation process shown in FIG. 8, a process of reading a data set having a data structure as shown in FIG. 10 or 11 is performed. Next, the printer driver determines whether a model that matches its printer model is set in the data set in the read data set (step S206). Here, the own printer model means the model of the printer 200 connected to the computer 100 and controlled by the printer driver. As described with reference to FIG. 10 or FIG. 11, the printer model is set in the predetermined record of the data set, so that the printer driver refers to this record, and matches the printer model of the printer driver. It is possible to easily determine whether or not is set.

  If the matching data set is not included in the read data set (step S206: no), a message to that effect is displayed, and the process returns to step S204 again to store the data set shown in FIG. Displays a screen for reading. On the other hand, if a model that matches the printer driver is included in the read data set (step S206: yes), processing for selecting various control parameters for the matching model is performed (step S208). Specifically, since the printer model record and the control parameter record are set as one set in the data set (see FIG. 10 or FIG. 11), the printer driver records its own model. Is detected, and the content of the record stored subsequent to that record is acquired.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the printer driver recognizes its printer model as “PX-1110”. Further, if the read data set is the data set shown in FIG. 10, “PX-1110” is set in the record R3 of this data set. Therefore, the printer driver acquires the control parameter set in the following record R4.

  As described above, when the setting values of various control parameters are acquired, generation of remote data is started based on the acquired setting values (step S210). The remote data according to the present embodiment is data in which setting values of various control parameters are incorporated into the command code and necessary information such as a header is added. For this reason, if the setting value of the control parameter is acquired in step S208 described above, it is possible to easily generate remote data. Also, when various control parameter values are directly input from the screen for setting detailed print conditions described above with reference to FIG. 7 (step S200: yes), by acquiring the set values from the screen, Remote data can be easily generated.

  When the remote data corresponding to the printing conditions is generated in this way, the printer driver finally performs a process of saving the setting values of each control parameter (that is, the main part of the remote data) (step S212). In the process of saving the setting value, first, the printer driver displays a screen for saving the setting.

  FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a screen for storing setting values of various control parameters used for generating remote data. As shown in the figure, after specifying the location to save the setting value, specifying the fill name, and clicking the button that displays `` Save '', the setting value of various control parameters will be moved to the specified location. The file is saved with the specified file name.

  FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a data structure in which setting values of various control parameters used for generating remote data are stored. As shown in the figure, the set values are stored in a data structure substantially similar to the data set described above. That is, the first record R1 stores the file name specified when saving, and the second record R2 stores the printing condition assumed when generating the remote data. The third record R3 stores the printer model, and the fourth record R4 stores the control parameter setting values (remote data main body) used to generate the remote data. In addition to the printer driver's own model, the printer model stored in the record R3 also stores the model of the printer that can share the generated remote data. As the printer models that can be shared, the printer model stored in the same record as the model that matches the printer driver in the read data set is read and used. Alternatively, remote data can be shared by storing models that can share remote data as files in the printer driver and referring to such files (sharable model files) when saving various control parameters. It is also possible to set an appropriate printer model.

  FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing a state in which the printer driver stores the control parameter setting values. The data set in this way has the same data structure as the data set described above, as shown in FIG. For this reason, it is also possible to read the set data as a data set and generate remote data. Further, if the data is stored in a recording medium such as a flexible disk or a compact disk, remote data can be generated by reading the data set with another printer driver. In FIG. 14, a sharable model file is stored in the printer driver, and the state of referring to the file is also conceptually shown.

  Furthermore, the data set may be stored in a dedicated file that can be directly accessed from the printer driver, and can be easily read from the printer driver. FIG. 15 is an explanatory view exemplifying a screen for causing the printer driver to read the data set stored in the dedicated file as described above. In the illustrated example, the names of already stored data sets and the printing conditions assumed for each data set are displayed, and an appropriate data set can be easily selected and read by the printer driver. it can. If the data set is stored in a dedicated file that can be directly accessed by the printer driver, it can be stored in a form that is easier to use.

  When the control parameter setting values used for generating the remote data are stored in this way (step S210), the remote data generating process shown in FIG. 8 is terminated. In step S106 of the print control process shown in FIG. 5, as described above, the control acquired using the setting values of the control parameters set from the screen for setting the detailed print conditions or by reading the data set. Processing for generating remote data corresponding to the printing conditions is performed using the set value of the parameter.

  Note that the data structure of the data set to be read for generating the remote data is not limited to the structure shown in FIG. 10 or FIG. 11, and the printer model may be associated with the set values of various control parameters. Any data structure can be used.

  FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing a data structure in which common control parameters and individual control parameters are stored separately for a plurality of printer models. The data structure shown in FIG. 16 is also composed of a plurality of records, in which a file name is set in the first record R1 and a printing condition is set in the second record R2. Subsequently, the third record R3 to the tenth record R10 are portions describing the correspondence between the printer model and the set value of the control parameter. The set values of the control parameters are described in a state where they are separated into a common part for each model and a separate part for each model. Hereinafter, this will be specifically described with reference to FIG.

  In the example shown in FIG. 16, a plurality of printer models are set in the record R3, and control parameter values are set in the following record R4. Here, as described above, the printer driver uses five control parameters, whereas only four values are set in the record R4. This means that only the first four parameters have a common control parameter value for each model set in the record R3, and the fifth parameter is different for each printer model. .

  Looking at the subsequent records, the printer model is set in the record R5, and the value of the fifth control parameter is set in the record R6. The models set in the record R5 are some models among the models set in the record R3. Therefore, if these are combined, the control parameters of the printer model set in the record R5 will eventually be combined with the four common control parameters set in the record R4 and the fifth control parameter set in the record R6. It will be.

  Similarly, the printer model set in the record 7 is a combination of the four common control parameters set in the record R4 and the fifth control parameter set in the record R8. Further, for the printer model set in the record 9, the fourth common control parameter set in the record R4 is combined with the fifth control parameter set in the record R10.

  FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a state in which the control parameters for each printer model are reconstructed by reading the data set stored separately for the control parameters common to the printer models and the individual control parameters as described above. FIG. In this way, even if the control parameters are stored separately in a common part regardless of the model and an individual part for each model, the control parameters for each model can be easily reconfigured. Remote data can be easily generated.

E. Graphic data generation processing:
The remote data generation process (step S106 in FIG. 5) performed in the print control process has been described in detail above. Next, a graphic data generation process performed during the print control process will be described.

  FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the flow of the graphic data generation process. This process is a process that is started when the image data of the image to be printed is read after the printer driver prepares the remote data during the print control process shown in FIG. Hereinafter, it demonstrates according to a flowchart.

  When starting the graphic data generation process, the printer driver first performs a process of converting the resolution of the read image data into a resolution (print resolution) for printing by the printer 200 (step S300). When the resolution of the read image data is lower than the print resolution, the image data is converted to a higher resolution by performing interpolation calculation between adjacent pixels and setting new image data. Conversely, if the resolution of the image data is higher than the print resolution, the image data is converted to a lower resolution by thinning out the image data at a certain rate from between adjacent pixels. In the resolution conversion process, the process of converting the resolution of the read image data into the print resolution is performed.

  When the printer driver converts the resolution of the image data to the printing resolution, the printer driver starts a process called color conversion (step S302). Color conversion processing converts RGB image data expressed by a combination of R, G, and B gradation values into image data expressed by a combination of gradation values of each color used for printing. It is processing. As described above, the printer 200 prints an image using four color inks of C, M, Y, and K. Therefore, in the color conversion process, print image data expressed by RGB colors is converted to data expressed by gradation values of C, M, Y, and K colors.

  The color conversion process can be performed quickly by referring to a three-dimensional numerical table called a color conversion table (LUT). FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing a color conversion table (LUT) referred to for color conversion processing. As shown in the figure, when the color space is considered by taking the R axis, the G axis, and the B axis as three orthogonal axes, all RGB image data is always displayed in association with coordinate points in the color space. be able to. From this, if each of the R-axis, G-axis, and B-axis is subdivided and a large number of grid points are set in the color space, each grid point can be considered to represent RGB image data. The gradation values of the C, M, Y, and K colors corresponding to the RGB image data can be associated with each grid point. The LUT is a three-dimensional number table in which gradation values of each color of C, M, Y, and K are stored in association with the grid points thus provided in the color space. By referring to the LUT, if color conversion processing is performed based on the correspondence between the RGB color image data and the gradation data of each color of C, M, Y, and K, the RGB color image data is converted into each color of ink. Can be quickly converted into gradation data.

  When the printer driver finishes the color conversion process in this way, it performs color density correction on the image data after color conversion (step S304). In other words, as described above, there are papers with good ink color development and papers that are not very good in the print paper, and when printing using a print paper with good color development, the amount of ink is slightly reduced, Conversely, when printing on printing paper with poor color development, it is possible to obtain a more preferable image by slightly increasing the amount of ink. The image data after color conversion is data for each color of C, M, Y, and K, and the gradation value of these data is data that substantially corresponds to the ink amount. Therefore, the printer driver performs a process of correcting the difference in color development of the ink by multiplying the image data after color conversion by an appropriate coefficient. The setting value of the control parameter described above as “color density correction” represents a coefficient to be multiplied by the image data after color conversion in the color density correction process.

  After completing the color density correction in this manner, the printer driver starts halftone processing for the image data after the color correction (step S306). Halftone processing is the following processing. Image data that has been converted into data for each color of ink by color conversion processing and subjected to color density correction can take values from gradation value 0 to gradation value 255 for each pixel. On the other hand, since the printer displays an image by forming dots, it can only take the state of whether or not to form dots for each pixel. Therefore, it is necessary to convert image data having 256 gradations into data (dot data) expressed by the presence or absence of dot formation for each pixel. Halftone processing is processing for converting image data into dot data in this way.

  As a method for performing the halftone process, various methods such as an error diffusion method and a dither method can be applied. The error diffusion method is to determine whether or not dots are formed for a certain pixel so as to diffuse an error in gradation expression generated in that pixel to surrounding pixels and to eliminate the error diffused from the surroundings. This is a method of determining the presence or absence of dot formation for each pixel. Further, the dither method compares the threshold value randomly set in the dither matrix and the gradation value of the print image data for each pixel, and determines that dots are formed in pixels where the print image data is larger, Conversely, it is a method of obtaining dot data for each pixel by determining that no dot is formed for a pixel having a larger threshold value. Any halftone method can be applied, but in the graphic data generation processing of the present embodiment, the halftone processing is performed using the dither method.

  FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an enlarged part of a dither matrix referred to in halftone processing by the dither method. In the illustrated matrix, threshold values that are uniformly selected from the range of gradation values 0 to 255 are randomly stored in a total of 4096 pixels, 64 pixels in the vertical and horizontal directions. Here, the threshold gradation value is selected from the range of 0 to 255. In this embodiment, the image data is 1-byte data, and the gradation value assigned to the pixel takes a value of 0 to 255. It corresponds to getting. Note that the size of the dither matrix is not limited to 64 pixels in the vertical and horizontal directions as illustrated in FIG. 20, and can be set to various sizes including those having different numbers of vertical and horizontal pixels. It is.

  FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing a state in which the presence / absence of dot formation is determined for each pixel with reference to the dither matrix. When determining the presence or absence of dot formation, first, the gradation value of the pixel of interest (the pixel of interest) as the object of determination is compared with the threshold value stored at the corresponding position in the dither matrix. The thin broken arrow shown in the figure schematically represents that the gradation value of the pixel of interest is compared with the threshold value stored at the corresponding position in the dither matrix. When the gradation value of the pixel of interest is larger than the threshold value of the dither matrix, it is determined that a dot is formed on that pixel. On the other hand, when the threshold value of the dither matrix is larger, it is determined that no dot is formed in the pixel. In the example shown in FIG. 21, the image data of the pixel at the upper left corner of the image to be printed has a gradation value of 97, and the threshold value stored at the position corresponding to this pixel on the dither matrix is 1. . Therefore, for the pixel in the upper left corner, the gradation value 97 of the image data is larger than the threshold value 1 of the dither matrix, and therefore it is determined that a dot is formed on this pixel. An arrow indicated by a solid line in FIG. 21 schematically represents a state in which it is determined that a dot is to be formed in this pixel and the determination result is written in the memory. On the other hand, for the pixel on the right side of this pixel, the gradation value of the image data is 97, and the threshold value of the dither matrix is 177. Since the threshold value is larger, it is determined that no dot is formed for this pixel. In this way, by comparing the gradation value of the image data with the threshold value set in the dither matrix, it is possible to determine whether or not dots are formed for each pixel.

  When the printer driver converts the image data into dot data as described above, this time, the interlace process is started (step S308). In the interlacing process, the dot data arranged in the pixel order is rearranged in the order in which the dots are formed in consideration of the order in which the printer 200 actually forms the dots while reciprocating the ink ejection head 244. It is processing. If the interlace processing is performed in this manner and then supplied to the printer, the printer can print an image simply by forming dots according to the supplied data.

  When the interlace processing is finished, the printer driver finishes the graphic data generation processing shown in FIG. 18 and returns to the print control processing of FIG. As described above, in the print control process, already acquired remote data and generated graphic data are supplied to the printer 200 as print control data. According to the print control data supplied in this way, the operation of the printer 200 is appropriately controlled, and as a result, an image is appropriately printed.

  As described in detail above, in this embodiment, a plurality of printing conditions are registered in advance in the printer driver, and it is possible to print an image appropriately simply by selecting a desired printing condition from among them. is there. If the desired printing conditions are not registered, an image can be printed appropriately by opening a dedicated setting screen and setting appropriate values for various control parameters. However, it is not always easy to set an appropriate value for the control parameter according to the printing conditions.

  In view of these points, in the present embodiment, it is possible to set appropriate values by reading a data set in which various control parameter setting values are stored. In addition, in the data set read in this embodiment, various control parameter setting values are set in association with the printer model. The printer driver selects a control parameter value set in association with its model and uses it for controlling the printer. For this reason, it is possible to set appropriate values according to printing conditions for various control parameters without being conscious of the printer model.

  Although various embodiments have been described above, the present invention is not limited to all the embodiments described above, and can be implemented in various modes without departing from the scope of the invention.

It is explanatory drawing which showed the outline | summary of the present Example using the printing system comprised by the computer and the printer. And FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration of a computer that supplies print control data to a printer or generates a data set. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a printer that prints an image on printing paper. It is explanatory drawing which showed a mode that the several nozzle which discharges an ink drop was formed in the bottom face of the ink discharge head. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of print control processing performed in a computer. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a screen for setting print conditions in a printer driver. It is explanatory drawing which illustrated the screen for setting detailed printing conditions. It is the flowchart which showed the flow of the remote data generation process. It is explanatory drawing which illustrated the screen which designates the data set to read. It is explanatory drawing which showed the data structure of the read data set. It is explanatory drawing which illustrated a mode that multiple sets of control parameters were memorize | stored in the data set. It is explanatory drawing which illustrated the screen for preserve | saving the setting value of various control parameters used for the production | generation of remote data. It is explanatory drawing which showed the data structure where the setting value of various control parameters used for the production | generation of remote data is preserve | saved. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram conceptually illustrating a state in which a printer driver stores control parameter setting values. It is explanatory drawing which illustrated the screen for making a printer driver read the existing data set. It is explanatory drawing which shows the data structure in which the common control parameter and the individual control parameter were separately memorize | stored about several printer models. It is explanatory drawing which showed a mode that the control parameter for every printer model was reconfigure | reconstructed from the data set memorize | stored separately in the control parameter common between printer models, and an individual control parameter. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a graphic data generation process. It is explanatory drawing which showed notionally the color conversion table (LUT) referred for a color conversion process. It is explanatory drawing which expanded and illustrated a part of dither matrix referred by the halftone process by a dither method. It is explanatory drawing which showed notionally the mode that the presence or absence of dot formation was judged for every pixel, referring a dither matrix.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Computer, 20 ... Printer, 100 ... Computer 200 ... Printer, 230 ... Carriage motor, 240 ... Carriage,
241 ... Print head, 242 ... Ink cartridge 243 ... Ink cartridge, 244 ... Ink ejection head, 260 ... Control circuit

Claims (5)

A set value obtaining means for obtaining a set value of the control parameter and the model of the printing apparatus and setting values of various control parameters of the printing device defines a printing operation of the image in the printing apparatus from the data set associated ,
Model specifying data acquisition means for acquiring model specifying data for specifying the model of the printing apparatus from the data set ;
A set value of the control parameter, and the model identification data, and set value output means for said a different model specifying data from said model specific data that is determined to be shared at the model-specific data, together outputs,
A control data set generation apparatus comprising: The control data set generation device according to claim 1,
The presence or absence of a model that can share the set value of the control parameter is detected with respect to the model of the specified printing apparatus, and if there is a model that can be shared, the model for the model that can be shared It has a shared model specific data acquisition means for acquiring shared model specific data that is specific data,
The set value output means when said shared model specifying data is acquired, characterized in that the set value of the control parameter, a means for outputting with the model specifying data and co for model specific data Control data set generator. The control data set generation device according to claim 2,
The setting value acquisition unit and the shared model specifying data acquisition means, the control data set generating device, characterized in that the setting value and the shared model specifying data of the control parameter in a predetermined printing condition, a means for respectively obtaining . A step (A) of obtaining a setting value of a control parameter relating to an operation in which the printing apparatus prints an image from a data set in which a model of the printing apparatus is associated with setting values of various control parameters of the printing apparatus;
A step (B) of acquiring model specifying data as data specifying the model of the printing apparatus from the data set ;
A set value of the control parameter, and the model-specific data, a different model specifying data from said model specific data that is determined to be shared by the model-specific data, and step (C) for both outputs,
A control data set generation method comprising: Function (A) for acquiring, in a computer, control parameter setting values relating to an operation in which the printing apparatus prints an image from a data set in which the model of the printing apparatus is associated with various control parameter setting values of the printing apparatus. ,
A function (B) for acquiring model specifying data as data specifying the model of the printing apparatus from the data set ;
Wherein the set value of the control parameter, and the model-specific data, functions and different model specifying data, together outputs from said model specific data that is determined to be shared by the model-specific data (C),
A program to realize

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