Print controller for controlling ink jet printer

Abstract

A print controller is provided for generating dot data, which specifies a dot formation state and which is to be provided to a printing unit. The printing unit is configured to execute, based on the dot data, dot-forming operations to form dots in dot rows extending in a prescribed direction by moving a print head in the prescribed direction while ejecting ink droplets from nozzles in the print head and to print an image by repeatedly executing the dot-forming operation to form a plurality of dot rows juxtaposed in a direction orthogonal to the prescribed direction. The print controller includes: a printing width determining unit; a density data generating unit; and a dot data generating unit. The printing width determining unit determines a printing width value corresponding to a working distance of the print head in the prescribed direction. The density data generating unit generates density data specifying ink densities related to the quantity of ink for each pixel based on image data specifying a gradation value for each pixel and based on the printing width value, the density data generating unit generating the density data so that an upper limit on a tolerable ink density per pixel grows smaller as the working distance of the print head in the prescribed direction corresponding to the printing width value grows shorter. The dot data generating unit generates dot data by executing a halftone process on the density data generated by the density data generating unit.

Description

technical field [0001] The invention relates to a printing controller. Background technique [0002] Ink ejected onto recording paper by an inkjet printer permeates the recording paper and dries over time. However, when printing on recording paper such as ordinary glossy paper and glossy photo paper, ink does not easily penetrate, the ink does not dry easily, often resulting in mixing of different colors due to diffusion. Although this spreading problem can be suppressed simply by reducing the amount of ink ejected, there is a strong desire to use more ink in order to extend the color range. Therefore, in the field of inkjet printers, it is important to adjust the amount of ink to an appropriate amount for the situation. For this reason, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2006-243858 has proposed the idea of ​​using a different color conversion table for each paper size. Contents of the invention [0003] An object of the present invention is to prov...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

However, when printing on recording paper such as ordinary glossy paper and glossy photo paper, the ink does not easily penetrate, and the ink does not dry easily, often resulting in mixing of different colors due to diffusion

While this spreading problem can be suppressed simply by reducing the amount of ink jetted, there is a strong desire to use more ink in order to extend the color range

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