Recording device

Abstract

This recording device records an image on label paper in which a plurality of label pieces are provided side by side in a conveyance direction, the recording device comprising: a conveyance unit that conveys the label paper in the conveyance direction; a recording head that is configured to be capable of scanning in a scanning direction intersecting the conveyance direction and records the image on the label paper; an image data generation unit 501 that generates image data 505 to be recorded on the label pieces; a margin data generation unit 503 that generates margin data 509 corresponding to a margin portion between the label pieces adjacent to each other in the conveyance direction; and a head control unit that controls the operation of the recording head on the basis of the image data 505 and the margin data 509.

Description

Recording device

[0001] The present invention relates to a recording device.

[0002] An example of a recording device that records an image on a recording medium by scanning a recording head is an inkjet recording device. In such a recording device, an image is recorded on the recording medium by repeating a recording scan in which the recording head that ejects ink droplets moves in a scanning direction and a conveyance of the recording medium in a direction intersecting the scanning direction.

[0003] Patent document 1 discloses a configuration that, in order to increase the efficiency of the printing operation, includes a detection means for detecting the positions of the leading and trailing ends of a printing medium, and performs printing simultaneously on the trailing end of the printing medium and the leading end of a printing medium that is transported following that printing medium.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-175642

[0005] However, the above-described configuration cannot be applied when it is difficult to detect the leading or trailing edge positions, such as when the recording medium is roll paper formed from a continuous sheet or when the recording medium has an irregular shape.

[0006] In view of the above-mentioned problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a recording apparatus capable of improving the efficiency of the recording operation.

[0007] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the recording device of the present invention is a recording device that records an image on label paper on which a plurality of label pieces are arranged side by side in a conveying direction, and is characterized by comprising: a conveying unit that conveys the label paper in the conveying direction; a recording head that is configured to be scannable in a scanning direction that intersects the conveying direction and records an image on the label paper; an image data generating unit that generates image data to be recorded on the label pieces; a margin data generating unit that generates margin data corresponding to margins between label pieces that are adjacent to each other in the conveying direction; and a head control unit that controls the operation of the recording head based on the image data and the margin data. Furthermore, in order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the recording device of the present invention is a recording device that records an image on label paper on which a plurality of label pieces are arranged in a conveying direction, comprising: a conveying section that conveys the label paper in the conveying direction; a recording head that is configured to be scannable in a scanning direction that intersects the conveying direction and that ejects droplets to record an image on the label paper, the recording head having a plurality of recording elements arranged along the conveying direction; an image data generating section that generates image data to be recorded on the label pieces; a first margin data generating section that generates first margin data corresponding to margins between adjacent label pieces in the conveying direction; a determination means that determines whether a recording element assigned to a line most upstream in the conveying direction of the first margin data is the most upstream recording element in the conveying direction of the plurality of recording elements; and a second margin data generating section that generates second margin data when the determination means determines that the recording element assigned to the line most upstream in the conveying direction of the first margin data is the most upstream recording element in the conveying direction of the plurality of recording elements and the same image data has been generated a predetermined number of times. a head control unit that controls the operation of the recording head based on the image data, the first margin data, and the second margin data.and a determination means for determining whether a recording element assigned to a line most upstream in the conveyance direction of the margin data is the most upstream recording element in the conveyance direction of the plurality of recording elements, wherein the determination means determines whether the recording element assigned to a line most upstream in the conveyance direction of the margin data is the most upstream recording element in the conveyance direction of the plurality of recording elements, and wherein the determination means determines whether the recording element assigned to a line most upstream in the conveyance direction of the margin data is the most upstream recording element in the conveyance direction of the plurality of recording elements, and wherein the determination means reduces the conveyance amount of the label paper for the next recording operation when the determination means determines that the recording element assigned to the line most upstream in the conveyance direction of the margin data is the most upstream recording element in the conveyance direction of the plurality of recording elements, and the same image data has been generated a predetermined number of times.

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a recording apparatus that can improve the efficiency of the recording operation.

[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the schematic configuration of the recording unit of a recording device according to a first embodiment. FIGS. 2A and 2B are explanatory diagrams of a recording head according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the control configuration of a recording device according to the first embodiment. FIGS. 4A to 4D are explanatory diagrams of label paper. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a received data development unit according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a method for acquiring null band information according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a method for generating record data according to the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a memory layout according to the first embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the relationship between the number of passes of the recording head and the recorded material according to the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a memory layout according to the second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the relationship between the number of passes of the recording head and the recorded material according to the second embodiment. FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of a label piece edge detection method according to the fifth embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a null data generation sequence according to the fifth embodiment. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example in which large differences in usage frequency can occur among multiple recording elements. FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of the control configuration of a recording device according to a sixth embodiment. Fig. 16 is a flowchart of a print data generation method according to Example 6. Fig. 17 is an explanatory diagram of a memory arrangement according to Example 6. Fig. 18 is a diagram showing the relationship between a printed matter and the number of passes of a print head according to Example 6.

[0010] The following describes in detail exemplary embodiments of the present invention with reference to the drawings. The dimensions, materials, shapes, and relative positions of the components described in the embodiments may be changed as appropriate depending on the configuration and various conditions of the device to which the invention is applied. In other words, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments.

[0011] In the following description, a recording apparatus using an inkjet recording method will be used as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. In this specification, "recording" (sometimes referred to as "printing" or "printing") refers not only to the formation of meaningful information such as characters and figures, but also to the formation of meaningful or insignificant information. Furthermore, it broadly refers to the formation of images, patterns, etc. on a recording medium, or the processing of a medium, regardless of whether the information is visible to humans. Furthermore, "recording medium" refers not only to paper used in general printing devices, but also to a wide range of materials that can accept ink, such as cloth, plastic film, and leather.

[0012] First Embodiment A recording apparatus 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described below. The recording apparatus 100 is an inkjet recording apparatus that uses an inkjet recording method.

[0013] (Recording Apparatus) First, a description will be given of the general configuration of the recording apparatus 100. FIG.

[0014] The recording device 100 includes an ink cartridge 101 that contains ink, and a recording head 102 that ejects ink supplied from the ink cartridge 101 as ink droplets (liquid droplets) onto a recording medium to record an image. In FIG. 1, the ink cartridge 101 individually stores ink such as black (Bk), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y), and each storage chamber is integrally formed. The recording head 102 is used in the form of a unit having an array of recording elements corresponding to each ink stored in the ink cartridge 101. FIG. 1 also shows how recording paper 108, serving as a recording medium, is transported by a transport unit.

[0015] The recording device 100 further includes a carriage 103 that holds the ink cartridge 101 and the recording head 102, a guide shaft 104 that guides the carriage 103, and an encoder scale 105. The carriage 103 is a holding member to which the ink cartridge 101 and the recording head 102 are detachably attached. The carriage 103 is slidably engaged with the guide shaft 104, thereby being able to move along the guide shaft 104. The recording head 102 is configured to be able to scan integrally with the carriage 103 while held by the carriage 103. The movement direction of the carriage 103, i.e., the scanning direction of the recording head 102, is the X direction in the figure, which intersects with the recording medium transport direction (orthogonal in the first embodiment) and is approximately parallel to the surface of the recording medium being transported.

[0016] The encoder scale 105 is provided on a surface facing the carriage 103, and has slits at intervals of, for example, 150 lpi. When light emitted by an encoder sensor (not shown) is irradiated onto the encoder scale 105, A-phase and B-phase signals based on the transmitted light are output according to the scanning position of the carriage 103. The B-phase signal is 90 degrees behind the A-phase signal.

[0017] The recording device 100 includes a transport roller 106, an auxiliary roller 107, a paper feed roller 109, and a paper feed roller 110 as transport members that make up a transport unit that transports the recording medium. The transport roller 106 rotates in the direction of the arrow in Figure 1 while sandwiching the recording paper 108 together with the auxiliary roller 107, thereby transporting the recording paper 108 in the Y direction in the figure. In the first embodiment, the transport direction (Y direction) of the recording paper 108 is a direction perpendicular to the scanning direction (X direction) of the recording head 102.

[0018] Furthermore, paper feed roller 109 and paper feed roller 110 form a pair of paper feed rollers that sandwich and feed recording paper 108. Recording paper 108 is stored in a recording paper tray (not shown) provided in the main body of recording device 100, and recording operations can be performed continuously.

[0019] 2A and 2B are explanatory diagrams of the print head 102 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the print head 102, ink cartridge 101, and carriage 103. FIG. 2B is a diagram showing the print element array 201 of the print head 102. The X direction in the figure is the "main scanning direction," and the Y direction is the "sub-scanning direction." In other words, the "main scanning direction" is parallel to the movement direction (scanning direction) of the print head 102, and the "sub-scanning direction" is parallel to the transport direction of the print medium in the printing unit. The ink ejection direction of the print head 102 is approximately perpendicular to the transport direction and scanning direction in the printing unit.

[0020] The print head 102 performs printing by engaging with a carriage 103. The print head 102 is used in the form of a unit having a print element array corresponding to each ink stored in the ink cartridge 101. The ink cartridge 101 stores ink such as black (Bk), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y) individually, and each ink storage chamber is integrally formed.

[0021] The print head 102 has one print element array 201 (array A). The print element array 201 is configured with a plurality of print elements 202 arranged along the Y direction. The print elements 202 are electrothermal transducers that generate energy to eject ink from the nozzles corresponding to the print elements 202. Here, a configuration using heaters is shown as an example of an inkjet printing method, but the configuration is not limited to this. The print element array 201 provided in the print head 102 is used to print one color component. The print head 102 prints on a print medium by ejecting ink in synchronization with the movement timing while moving in the X direction.

[0022] The overall flow of the printing apparatus 100 will be described using Figure 3. Figure 3 is a diagram showing the control configuration of the printing apparatus 100, and shows the configuration of the ASIC 301, which is an application specific integrated circuit, and the relationship with related units. Note that an actual inkjet printing apparatus uses multiple ICs and has a structure that is too complex to describe in this diagram, but here we will focus on the ICs and internal components of the ICs that are related to this embodiment and explain their internal configuration.

[0023] 3 shows a configuration in which the print head 102, PC 302, ROM 303, RAM 304, motor driver 305, DC motor 306, and encoder 307 are connected to an ASIC 301 for convenience of explaining the data flow. The PC 302 is an external device located outside the printing device 100, and transfers image information to the printing device 100, or more precisely, to a data receiving unit of the ASIC 301. The print head 102 is a print head for creating a print image output, which is the output of the printing device 100. Print image data and drive pulse signals that control the operation of the print head 102 are generated inside the ASIC 301.

[0024] The recording device 100 includes a ROM 303, which is a nonvolatile memory, and a RAM 304, which is a volatile memory. The ROM 303 is a serial ROM (SROM) that includes a program area 309 that stores a control program for controlling the recording device 100, and a data area 310 that stores data as needed. The ROM 303 communicates via a ROM controller 311. The ROM 303 does not necessarily have to be a serial ROM, and may be a nonvolatile memory such as a parallel ROM or an EEPROM, or the program and data may be managed as separate ROMs.

[0025] The following describes the internal configuration of the ASIC 301. The ASIC 301 includes a CPU 308, a ROM controller 311, a receiving I / F 312, a RAM controller 313, a received data developing unit 315, a head driving block 317, a motor control unit 318, a timing signal generating unit 319, and a carrier signal receiving unit 320.

[0026] The CPU 308 controls and manages the overall operation of the ASIC 301. The CPU 308 reads a program from a program area 309 in the ROM 303, and performs drive control of the recording elements 202 and relative transport control between the recording elements 202 and a recording medium in accordance with the control program stored in the program area 309. The CPU 308 can also store necessary data in non-volatile memory by performing a write operation to a data area 310 as needed.

[0027] Next, the random logic portion will be described. The receiving I / F 312 is an interface unit that receives data transferred from the PC 302. The receiving I / F 312 receives signals in accordance with an interface protocol, such as USB or IEEE 1394, and generates data in a format that is easy for the ASIC 301 to handle (usually, data is often formatted in 1-byte units). The data generated by the receiving I / F 312 is then saved in the RAM 304 via the RAM controller 313. Typically, the area in the RAM 304 that stores the data received from the receiving I / F 312 is called a receive buffer.

[0028] The RAM 304 is an SD-RAM that includes a receive buffer 314 and an image buffer (input image buffer) 316. The data stored in the receive buffer 314 is command-analyzed by the CPU 308, and then expanded by color into the image buffer 316 using a received data expansion unit 315. The RAM 304 does not necessarily have to be an SD-RAM, and may be a D-RAM, an S-RAM, or any other memory that falls within the category of RAM definition.

[0029] When a block within the ASIC 301 accesses each piece of data in the RAM 304, communication is performed via a RAM controller 313 unless otherwise specified. Data stored in the image buffer 316 is read by a head drive block 317. The head drive block 317 is a head control unit that controls the operation of the printhead 102. The head drive block 317 performs device control specific to the printhead, such as transferring print data to the printhead 102 and sending drive pulse signals.

[0030] A DC motor 306, which scans the carriage 103 engaged with the print head 102 and transports the print medium, is driven by a motor driver 305. The printing device 100 has two DC motors: a DC motor 306a for driving the print head 102 and a DC motor 306b for transporting the print medium. Control signals for driving these DC motors are transferred as data from a motor control unit 318 inside the ASIC to the motor driver 305.

[0031] When the various motors are driven, the encoders provided for each motor read the encoder scales 105 provided inside the recording device 100. Using the input signal from encoder 307a corresponding to DC motor 306a, a timing signal generation unit 319 generates various recording timings, generating signals at appropriate intervals based on the encoder signals. This supplies timing signals to the head drive block 317 for generating data in real time at appropriate timing. In addition, the recording medium transport is controlled using the input signal from encoder 307b corresponding to DC motor 306b.

[0032] (Label Paper) We will now explain label paper that can be used as a recording medium for the recording device 100. Figures 4A to 4D are explanatory diagrams of label paper 401 that can be used in the recording device 100. Figure 4A is a perspective view of an example of label paper 401. Figures 4B, 4C, and 4D are each diagrams showing an example of label paper 401.

[0033] As shown in Fig. 4A, label paper 401 is a roll-shaped recording medium. Label paper 401 is configured by temporarily attaching multiple label pieces 403 to a label mount 402. On label paper 401, multiple label pieces 403 are arranged at equal intervals along the direction in which label paper 401 is transported.

[0034] Between adjacent label pieces 403 in the transport direction, a margin of margin amount 404 is provided. The margin has perforations 405, and the label paper 401 can be cut along the perforations 405. In the following description of the recording operation, one label piece 403 is treated as one page.

[0035] The recording job data received by the recording device 100 includes image original data as image information to be recorded on the label strip 403. The image original data is data for generating recording data for driving the recording head 102. The recording device 100 can receive one page of image original data as one recording job, or can receive multiple pages of image original data as one recording job. In the first embodiment, the receiving I / F 312 functions as an image original data acquisition unit that acquires image original data from an external device such as the PC 302. Once the recording of the received recording job is complete, the user can use the label paper 401, on which the image has been recorded and output, by cutting it along the perforations 405.

[0036] The recording device 100 may also be configured to include a cutting unit for cutting the label paper 401. With this configuration, after the required number of labels (number of label pieces 403) have been recorded, the label paper 401 can be automatically cut off at predetermined intervals, allowing the user to obtain the desired recording results.

[0037] The label piece 403 does not have to be rectangular as shown in Fig. 4B. For example, the label piece 403 may be round as shown in Fig. 4C, star-shaped as shown in Fig. 4D, or another shape. When such an irregularly shaped label piece 403 is used, the margin amount 404 can be set, for example, to match the leading and trailing ends of the label piece 403 in the conveying direction (the upper and lower ends in Figs. 4C and 4D).

[0038] In the above embodiment, label paper 401 has label piece 403 temporarily attached to label mount 402, and label piece 403 protrudes from label mount 402, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, label paper 401 may be entirely adhesive, with no difference in level between the area where label piece 403 is temporarily attached and the other areas.

[0039] (Received Data Decompression Unit) An example of the configuration of the received data decompression unit 315 will be described using Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is an explanatory diagram of the received data decompression unit 315. The received data decompression unit 315 is made up of a data decompression unit 501, a memory write unit 502, and a null data generation unit 503. Although not shown in Fig. 5, data in the received data decompression unit 315 and RAM 304 is communicated via a RAM controller 313.

[0040] The data development unit 501 acquires received data 504 from the receive buffer 314 on the RAM 304. The received data 504 includes setting information related to printing, such as paper size, total number of pages, and ID numbers assigned to each page, as well as image source data to be converted into image data for driving the print head 102. The data development unit 501 is an image data generation unit that generates image data from the image source data included in the received data 504. Specifically, the data development unit 501 generates developed data 505 for each ink color as image data from the image source data (image information) included in the received data 504. The data development unit 501 develops the data page by page, even if multiple pages of image source data are included in one printing job.

[0041] The generated decompressed data 505 is written and stored in the image buffer 316 of the RAM 304 by the memory write unit 502. Write data 506 output from the memory write unit 502 is converted into a format conforming to the memory communication protocol and transferred.

[0042] Once one page of decompressed data 505 has been loaded into the image buffer 316, the null data generator 503 obtains null band information 508 from the sheet information area 507 in the ROM 303. The sheet information area 507 is part of the data area 310 in the ROM 303 and stores information related to the recording medium. The null band information 508 contains data on the number of lines between adjacent label pieces 403 in the transport direction, and is original margin data that is converted into margin data for driving the print head 102. The null data generator 503 generates null data 509 as margin data corresponding to the margins of the label paper 401 based on distance information in the transport direction of the margins contained in the null band information 508. Specifically, distance information in the transport direction of the margins includes the number of lines in the null band information 508, which is the original margin data.

[0043] The memory write unit 502 writes and stores null data 509 in the image buffer 316 of the RAM 304, just like the decompressed data 505. At this time, the null data 509 is stored following the end of the data stored in the decompressed data 505. If a new printing job has been received or if there are pages left to be decompressed, the received data decompression unit 315 stores the decompressed data 505 of the subsequent page following the end of the null data 509. By repeating this operation, print data is generated and stored in the image buffer 316 that includes not only the decompressed data 505 (image data) but also null data 509 (margin data) that corresponds to the margins between the label pieces 403.

[0044] In this way, in the first embodiment, the received data decoder 315 alternately writes the decompressed data 505 as image data and the null data 509 as margin data to the image buffer 316. The head drive block 317 then reads the print data made up of the decompressed data 505 and the null data 509, and drives the print head 102 based on the print data.

[0045] (Method of Obtaining Null Band Information) The null band information 508 can be obtained based on margin amount information input from an external device, etc. An example of a method of obtaining null band information will be described with reference to FIG. 6. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a method of obtaining null band information. The margin amount information is information about the margin portion of the margin amount 404 between label pieces 403 adjacent to each other in the conveying direction. The null band information 508 is information such as the number of lines in the margin portion obtained from the margin amount information.

[0046] [S601] First, in step (hereinafter simply referred to as "S") 601, margin amount information about the margin amount 404 is input. The margin amount information can be configured to be set, for example, from received data 504 received from the PC 302, which is an external device. Alternatively, the margin amount information can be configured to be input by the user via a UI display screen, or the user can input the margin amount information directly from the PC 302. Alternatively, for example, an individual identifier can be assigned to the label paper 401, and information about the label paper 401 can be obtained from the identifier of the label paper 401 when the label paper 401 is set in the recording device 100. In such a configuration, the margin amount information can also be obtained when the paper is set.

[0047] [S602] Next, in S602, based on the margin amount information input in S601, null band information 508 corresponding to the margin amount 404 is stored in the sheet information area 507 in the ROM 303. Fig. 6 shows a flow chart and a schematic diagram of how the null band information 508 is stored in the sheet information area 507 in the ROM 303 in S602.

[0048] Through the above procedure, null band information 508 is stored as additional information between pages (between label pieces) in the sheet information area 507 in the ROM 303. In the first embodiment, the null band information 508 is stored in the ROM 303, but this is not a limitation, and the null band information 508 may be stored in the RAM 304 or another memory.

[0049] (Method of Generating Print Data) An example of a method of generating print data for driving the print head 102 will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a flowchart of the method of generating print data. The print data is generated by writing, into memory (image buffer 316), expanded data 505, which is image data to be printed on the label strip 403, and null data 509, which is margin data corresponding to the margins of the label paper 401.

[0050] [S701] Generation of print data starts, for example, when the printing apparatus 100 accepts a print job. When the printing apparatus 100 accepts a print job, first, in S701, the null data generation unit 503 acquires null band information 508 from the sheet information area 507 in the ROM 303.

[0051] [S702] Next, in S702, the data rendering unit 501 generates rendered data 505 for each ink color from the information contained in the received data 504 and writes it to the image buffer 316. As described above, the rendered data 505 is image data for one page (for one label piece 403). In other words, in S702, the image data for printing one page is stored in the image buffer 316.

[0052] [S703] Next, in S703, the null data generation unit 503 generates null data 509 from the null band information 508 acquired in S701 and writes it to the image buffer 316. At this time, the null data 509 is written so that it is adjacent to the upstream side in the conveying direction of the expanded data 505 written immediately before in S702. As described above, the null data 509 is blank data that corresponds to the margin between adjacent label pieces 403 in the conveying direction. Blank data is data that is not printed at all by the recording head 102.

[0053] [S704] Next, in S704, it is determined whether there are any subsequent pages. This determination can be made, for example, by the ASIC 301, which is the control unit. In S704, it is determined whether there are any subsequent pages for the page corresponding to the decompressed data 505 written in S702. In other words, in S704, it is determined whether there is any decompressed data 505 remaining to be written in the accepted print job.

[0054] If there is a subsequent page, i.e., if S704 is YES, the process returns to S702 and the data of the subsequent page is expanded. On the other hand, if there is no subsequent page, i.e., if S704 is NO, the print data generation process (the process of writing the expanded data 505 and null data 509) ends.

[0055] With this configuration, null data 509 is added to the end of the print data, so even when a new print job is received and processed, print data for the following page can be expanded following the end of the null data 509. Therefore, null data 509 equivalent to the margins between label pieces 403 can be added even between data spanning pages of different print jobs.

[0056] (Memory Allocation) An example of memory allocation for storing data constituting print data will be described with reference to Fig. 8. As described above, print data can be composed of expanded data 505 and null data 509. Fig. 8 is an explanatory diagram of memory allocation according to the first embodiment.

[0057] 8 shows an example in which image buffer 316 provided on RAM 304 includes image buffer 316a, image buffer 316b, image buffer 316c, and image buffer 316d. Data corresponding to each ink color is stored in each of image buffers 316a to 316d. Specifically, expanded data 505 for black is stored in image buffer 316a, expanded data 505 for cyan is stored in image buffer 316b, expanded data 505 for magenta is stored in image buffer 316c, and expanded data 505 for yellow is stored in image buffer 316d.

[0058] The data stored in image buffers 316a-316d will be described using image buffer 316a as an example. The contents of the data written to image buffer 316a are shown in the center of Figure 8. Of the decompressed data 505 stored in image buffer 316a, the data corresponding to page 1 (first label piece 403) will be referred to as 505a1. Similarly, the data corresponding to page 2 (second label piece 403) will be referred to as 505a2, and the data corresponding to page n (nth label piece 403) will be referred to as 505an. Note that the contents of each decompressed data 505a1-n may be the same or different from one another.

[0059] The decompressed data 505a1-n decompressed (generated) by the data decompression unit 501 is written to the image buffer 316a by the memory write unit 502 for each page of decompressed data 505. First, the memory write unit 502 writes the decompressed data 505a1 for the first page. Next, the memory write unit 502 starts writing the null data 509 generated by the null data generation unit 503, starting from the address next to the decompressed data 505a1. The null data 509 is data equivalent to the margin amount 404 between the first page (first label piece 403) and the second page (second label piece 403). Once the writing of the null data 509 is complete, the memory write unit 502 writes the decompressed data 505a2 for the second page starting from the address next to the null data 509, and then writes the null data 509 again. By alternately writing the decompressed data 505a and the null data 509 in this manner for n pages, data corresponding to the print job is written to the image buffer 316a, and print data is generated in the image buffer 316a. In other words, the memory is managed so that the decompressed data 505a and the null data 509 are alternately and continuously arranged.

[0060] Each piece of decompressed data 505 and null data 509 is stored in the image buffer 316 for each line. During printing, one line's worth of data stored in the image buffer 316 is assigned to one printing element 202 of the printhead 102. The maximum number of lines that can be printed simultaneously in one scan is determined by how many printing elements 202 the printing element array 201 is made up of. For example, when a printhead 102 having a printing element array 201 made up of 512 printing elements 202 is used, a maximum of 512 lines can be printed in the same scan.

[0061] The right side of Fig. 8 shows an example of 8-bit line data read by the head drive block 317. The decompressed data 505 is stored in the image buffer 316 in the X direction in Fig. 1 from the LSB (least significant bit) to the MSB (most significant bit). The decompressed data 505 is written sequentially while the address of the RAM 304 is incremented.

[0062] As shown in Figure 8, the distance between the write start addresses for each line is managed by an inter-line offset. By managing the decompressed data 505 line by line using the inter-line offset, once the required data for one line has been acquired, the decompressed data 505 can be read from the start address of the next line. The image buffer 316 also has a ring buffer structure. This makes it easy to control which lines to release when releasing unnecessary print data (decompressed data 505, null data 509), and to manage addresses when reading the decompressed data 505 by specifying the number of lines. However, it is also acceptable for the next line of data to be stored contiguously from the address following the address after one line of data has been stored.

[0063] Since storage in memory (image buffer 316) is managed by memory write unit 502, the decompressed data 505 and null data 509 are stored in memory in the same manner. Therefore, the null data 509 is stored starting from an address obtained by shifting the line offset from the write start address of the decompressed data 505 of the last line. The null data 509 is written in accordance with the number of lines acquired from null band information 508.

[0064] When the received data developing unit 315 starts developing data for the next page, it starts writing the developed data 505 from an address offset between lines from the start address where the last null data 509 to be added was written.

[0065] 9 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between the recorded matter generated by the recording operation and the number of passes of the recording head 102. In this example, as shown in Fig. 9, multiple alphabet Zs (pop characters) and identification information such as a barcode or serial number are recorded on each label piece 403. Also, in Fig. 9, blank areas onto which ink is not ejected are indicated by hatching.

[0066] The head drive block 317 can drive the print head 102 to perform printing across pages by reading the data stored in the image buffer 316. The image buffer 316 stores print data that takes into account the blank spaces between the label pieces 403. This configuration allows printing on the preceding and succeeding label pieces 403 in the same scan.

[0067] As an example, Figure 9 shows a recording operation performed on four label pieces 403. The four label pieces 403 will be referred to as the first label piece (first page), second label piece (second page), third label piece (third page), and fourth label piece (fourth page) in order from downstream to upstream in the feed direction (top to bottom in Figure 9). Decompressed data 505a1 is recorded as the first image data on the first label piece, and decompressed data 505a2 is recorded as the second image data on the second label piece adjacent to the first label piece on the upstream side in the feed direction. Similarly, decompressed data 505a3 is recorded as the third image data on the third label piece, and decompressed data 505a4 is recorded as the fourth image data on the fourth label piece. In this example, the contents of decompressed data 505a1 to 505a4 are identical.

[0068] 9, an image corresponding to the decompressed data 505a1 is recorded on the first label piece by three passes of the print head 102. Then, during the third pass, printing is performed simultaneously on the upstream end of the first label piece in the feed direction and the downstream end of the second label piece in the feed direction. In other words, the third pass of the first label piece is the same as the first pass of the second label piece. Similarly, in this example, the third pass of the second label piece is the same as the first pass of the third label piece, and the fourth pass of the third label piece is the same as the first pass of the fourth label piece.

[0069] In this manner, in this configuration, null data 509 is generated as dummy data for linking the preceding and succeeding recording media and stored in the image buffer 316. This configuration allows printing to be performed on two recording media (e.g., two label pieces 403) lined up in the conveyance direction in the same scan. Therefore, the configuration of the first embodiment improves the efficiency (throughput) of the printing operation compared to a configuration in which the printing operation processing is completed once for each recording medium.

[0070] Furthermore, in a configuration in which the printing operation is completed once for each recording medium, for example, when the print head 102 scans the upstream end of the label piece 403 in the transport direction to perform the printing operation, some of the printing elements 202 corresponding to the margins, etc., are not used. Furthermore, when printing is performed repeatedly on label pieces 403 of the same size, the unused printing elements 202 are always the same. Therefore, repeated printing operations may result in significant differences in the frequency of use among the multiple printing elements 202, which could adversely affect the life of the print head 102. However, with the configuration of the first embodiment, the printing operation is not stopped for each label piece 403, so the relative position of the print head 102 with respect to the label piece 403 in the transport direction is often shifted for each label piece 403. Therefore, significant differences in the frequency of use among the multiple printing elements 202 are suppressed.

[0071] Furthermore, in the configuration of the first embodiment, a means for detecting the position of the recording medium is not essential, so it is possible to use roll sheets, which are made up of a continuous wound sheet and have no steps in the thickness direction of the recording medium, as well as recording media with irregular shapes such as round or star-shaped label pieces. In other words, it is possible to accommodate a wide variety of recording media, thereby improving the efficiency of the recording operation.

[0072] Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the method of managing null data 509. Only the differences between the configuration of the second embodiment and the configuration of the first embodiment will be described below. Elements in the configuration of the second embodiment that are similar to those in the configuration of the first embodiment will be assigned the same reference numerals and will not be described again.

[0073] In the first embodiment, after writing of one page of expanded data 505 to the image buffer 316 is completed, null data 509 generated by the null data generator 503 is written starting from the address next to the expanded data 505. In other words, in the first embodiment, the image buffer 316 is used as a memory for managing the null data 509. However, this configuration is not limited to this, and a different memory may be used to manage the null data 509. Therefore, as a second embodiment, a configuration including a null line buffer 801 as a margin buffer for storing null data 509 (margin data) will be described.

[0074] Fig. 10 is an explanatory diagram of the memory arrangement in the second embodiment. The center of Fig. 10 shows the contents of the data written to the image buffer 316a. The right side of Fig. 10 shows an example of 8-bit line data read by the head drive block 317.

[0075] The recording device 100 according to the second embodiment includes a null line buffer 801 for storing null data 509, in addition to the image buffer 316. The null line buffer 801 may be provided for each ink color, similar to the image buffer 316. Furthermore, if the resolution of each ink color is the same, only one null line buffer 801 may be provided to collectively manage the null data. Furthermore, the null data 509 may be generated by a null data generation unit 503 and written to the null line buffer 801 by a memory write unit 502, or a write unit other than the memory write unit 502 may be provided.

[0076] 6, after the null band information 508 is stored in ROM 303, null data 509 may be written to null line buffer 801 based on the null band information 508. Alternatively, null data 509 may be written to null line buffer 801 when recording device 100 receives a recording job. In other words, if multiple label pieces 403 are arranged at equal intervals in the feed direction and the margin amount 404 is constant, such a configuration eliminates the need to generate null data 509 every time expanded data 505 is generated. This ultimately leads to slimming down the null data 509.

[0077] 11 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between a printed matter generated by a printing operation and the number of passes of the print head 102. Using FIG. 11, the allocation of print data when null data 509 is stored in the null line buffer 801 will be described.

[0078] In the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the head drive block 317 first reads the decompressed data 505 stored in the image buffer 316. Then, when the end of the page data in the image buffer 316 is reached, the head drive block 317 reads the null data 509 from the null line buffer 801. After reading the null data 509 for the margin amount 404 between the label pieces 403 from the null line buffer 801 is complete, the head drive block 317 reads the decompressed data 505 of the subsequent page stored in the image buffer 316.

[0079] As described above, in the second embodiment, the decompressed data 505, which is the image data to be recorded on the label strip 403, and the null data 509, which is margin data corresponding to the margins of the label paper 401, are stored in different memories (buffers). The head drive block 317, which is the head control unit, generates print data by alternately reading the decompressed data 505 from the image buffer 316 and the null data 509 from the null line buffer 801. The head drive block 317 then controls the operation of the print head 102 based on this print data. With this configuration, the null data 509 is slimmed down, and, as with the configuration of the first embodiment, it is possible to print on two print media (e.g., two label strips 403) lined up in the transport direction in the same scan.

[0080] Since the label paper 401 is transported in the sub-scanning direction at regular intervals, it is possible that the printing operation will start with the leading printing element 202 in the printing element array 201 at a position corresponding to the margin. In this case, data may be allocated to the printing elements 202 from the middle of the null data 509 stored in the null line buffer 801 that was used on the preceding page. Alternatively, the transport distance of the label paper 401 may be increased so that the decompressed data 505 in the image buffer 316 is allocated to the leading printing element 202 in the printing element array 201.

[0081] <Third Embodiment> Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. The third embodiment differs from the first and second embodiments in the method of managing null data 509. Only the differences between the configuration of the third embodiment and the configuration of the first and second embodiments will be described below. Elements in the configuration of the third embodiment that are similar to the configuration of the first embodiment will be assigned the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0082] In the second embodiment, the null line buffer 801 is used to generate the null data 509, but the head drive block 317 may be configured to generate the null data 509. Therefore, as a third embodiment, a configuration in which the head drive block 317 generates the null data 509 will be described.

[0083] In the third embodiment, the head drive block 317, which is a head control unit, includes a null data generation unit (blank data generation unit) that generates null data 509. That is, the head drive block 317 reads the decompressed data 505 from the image buffer 316 and generates the null data 509.

[0084] In the third embodiment, when starting a printing operation, the head driving block 317 reads the null band information 508. The head driving block 317 continues reading the decompressed data 505 stored in the image buffer 316, and when it reaches the end of the page data, it generates the necessary null data 509 based on the null band information 508 that it previously read. Then, once generation of the necessary null data 509 is complete, the head driving block 317 reads the decompressed data 505 for the subsequent page stored in the image buffer 316. Even with this configuration, after slimming down the null data 509, it is possible to print on two printing media (e.g., two label pieces 403) lined up in the transport direction in the same scan, just like the configurations of the first and second embodiments.

[0085] <Fourth embodiment> Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The fourth embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the margin data corresponding to the margin portion is not blank null data but includes identification information. Below, only the differences between the configuration of the fourth embodiment and the configuration of the first embodiment will be described. In the configuration of the fourth embodiment, elements that are similar to those in the configuration of the first embodiment will be assigned the same reference numerals and will not be described again.

[0086] In the first embodiment, blank null data that does not contain any recording information was used as the margin data corresponding to the margin between label pieces 403, but this configuration is not limited to this, and the margin data may contain recording information.

[0087] In the fourth embodiment, specific identification information is included in the margin data read by the head drive block 317. The identification information may include, for example, an identification number, a page number, or the time the print job was received. The head drive block 317 then controls the print head 102 to print the identification information in the margins of the label paper 401. Thus, with the configuration of the fourth embodiment, it is possible to perform printing operations even on the margins of the label paper 401.

[0088] Fifth Embodiment Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The fifth embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the recording device 100 includes a means for correcting the null data 509. Only the differences between the configuration of the fifth embodiment and the configuration of the first embodiment will be described below. Components in the fifth embodiment that are similar to those in the first embodiment will be assigned the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0089] In the first to third embodiments, control is performed to generate print data by adding fixed null data 509 corresponding to the margins between label pieces 403. On the other hand, in the fifth embodiment, the printing device 100 is provided with a paper detection sensor 901, and the null data 509 is generated based on the detection results of this sensor.

[0090] 12 is an explanatory diagram of a method for detecting the edge of a label piece 403 using a paper detection sensor 901 according to the fifth embodiment. The paper detection sensor 901 is a reflective sensor equipped with a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element. The paper detection sensor 901 can detect unevenness in the label paper 401 by detecting light emitted by the light-emitting element with the light-receiving element. In other words, by continuously monitoring changes in the paper detection sensor 901, the edge of the label piece 403 can be detected from the label paper 401. In other words, the paper detection sensor 901 is an edge detection unit that detects the edge of the label piece 403 on the label paper 401 in the transport direction.

[0091] The paper detection sensor 901 is provided upstream of the print head 102 in the transport direction, and is positioned opposite the recording surface of the label paper 401, i.e., the label piece 403. The paper detection sensor 901 is configured to be able to irradiate light toward the label paper 401, and detects the light reflected from the label paper 401 to detect the edge of the label piece 403.

[0092] By detecting the edges of the label piece 403 and being able to detect the positions of the leading and trailing ends of the label piece 403, it is possible to obtain the position of the label piece 403 during transport. If there is a deviation between the recording position managed for control purposes and the actual position of the label piece 403, null data 509 can be generated to correct the amount of null data 509 that is added as a transport error to account for the deviation.

[0093] In this way, by detecting the conveying direction position of the label piece 403 and generating null data 509 (margin data) based on the detection results, it is possible to suppress deviations in the image recording position caused by conveying variations, etc., and thereby suppress deterioration in image quality.

[0094] An example of a method for generating null data 509 that takes into account the correction amount will be described with reference to Fig. 13. Fig. 13 is a diagram showing a generation sequence for null data 509 according to the fifth embodiment. In the fifth embodiment, the recording apparatus 100 is provided with a transport correction area 902, which is a memory area for storing data in the ROM 303.

[0095] [S1001] First, in S1001, the CPU 308 acquires detection data on the conveyance path from the paper detection sensor 901.

[0096] [S1002] Next, based on the change in the detection data acquired in S1001, the CPU 308 determines the leading and trailing end positions of the label piece 403. If there is a deviation between the recording position managed for control purposes and the actual position of the label piece 403, the amount of deviation is the amount of correction that must be made.

[0097] [S1003] If the calculation result in S1002 shows that the correction amount is not 0, correction is necessary, and so in S1003 the CPU 308 writes the correction data in the conveyance correction area 902. The correction amount is managed using a positive or negative sign. If recording starts earlier than the actual label piece 403, that is, if the actual label piece 403 is located upstream in the conveyance direction from the ideal position managed for control purposes, the correction value will be a positive number. On the other hand, if recording starts from a position behind the actual label piece 403, that is, if the actual label piece 403 is located downstream in the conveyance direction from the ideal position managed for control purposes, the correction value will be a negative number. The initial value of the conveyance correction area 902 is 0, and no correction is performed in the initial state.

[0098] In this example, the correction value is written to the conveyance correction area 902 only when the correction amount is not 0, but it may be written at all times even if the correction amount is 0. In this example, correction is required when the correction amount is not 0, but if it is determined that the deviation is tolerable, for example, if the correction amount is below a predetermined threshold, it may be configured not to write the correction value even if the correction amount is other than 0.

[0099] The above steps S1001 to S1003 are the sequence for calculating the correction value for correcting the null data 509. In the fifth embodiment, the sensor is constantly reading the label paper 401 while it is being transported to detect the state of the label paper.

[0100] Next, a sequence for expanding the data stored in the receive buffer 314 and writing it to the RAM 304 will be described.

[0101] [S1004] When the printing operation is started, the received data development unit 315 acquires the null band information 508 from the sheet information area 507 of the ROM 303 in S1004.

[0102] [S1005] Next, in S1005, the received data developing unit 315 reads out the correction value from the transport correction area 902 in the ROM 303.

[0103] [S1006] Next, in S1006, the received data decompression unit 315 decompresses the data stored in the receive buffer 314 and writes the decompressed data 505 to the RAM 304.

[0104] [S1007] Next, in S1007, the received data development unit 315 generates null data 509 based on the margin amount information (null band information 508) and the correction data for the correction value read out in S1005. For example, when the label piece 403 and the margin amount 404 of the label piece 403 in the null band information 508 are 100, if the correction value is +2, null data 509 for 102 lines is generated.

[0105] [S1008] Next, in S1008, the received data development unit 315 clears the value of the conveyance correction area 902. If there is any deviation in the conveyance position of the label paper 401 after that, the correction value is calculated again using the same procedure, and null data 509 is generated.

[0106] As described above, with the configuration of the fifth embodiment, even if a conveyance deviation occurs, it is possible to correct the deviation by increasing or decreasing the number of lines of the null data 509 to be added. In this way, by configuring the system to generate the null data 509 based on the detection results of the paper detection sensor 901, even if the position of the print medium in the conveyance direction is unintentionally shifted, the print position is adjusted to match the actual position of the print medium. This in turn makes it possible to prevent a decrease in print quality.

[0107] Sixth Embodiment Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The sixth embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the control method used when the upstream end of the recording element array 201 in the transport direction (Y direction) and the upstream end (trailing end) in the transport direction of the margin portion adjacent to the label piece 403 are positioned to coincide. Only the differences between the configuration of the sixth embodiment and the configuration of the first embodiment will be described below. Components in the sixth embodiment that are similar to those in the first embodiment will be assigned the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0108] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example in which a large difference in usage frequency can occur among multiple recording elements 202. FIG. 14 shows a state in which a recording operation is performed on two label pieces 403. A margin 406 is provided between the two label pieces 403. In the example shown in FIG. 14, two passes of the recording head 102 correspond to the length of the label piece 403 and the margin 406 in the conveying direction. That is, in this example, during the even-numbered pass recording operation, the position of the upstream end P1 (trailing end) in the conveying direction of the recording element array 201 coincides with the position of the upstream end P2 (trailing end) in the conveying direction of the margin 406 adjacent to the label piece 403.

[0109] In this embodiment, the upstream end P1 of the recording element array 201 in the conveying direction can be rephrased as the downstream end of the recording element array 201 in the conveying direction in the next pass. Also, the upstream end P2 of the margin 406 in the conveying direction can be rephrased as the leading edge (downstream end in the conveying direction) of the label piece 403 that is adjacent to the upstream side of the margin 406 in the conveying direction. That is, in this example, in the printing operation of the odd-numbered pass, the downstream end (leading edge) of the recording element array 201 in the conveying direction and the downstream end (leading edge) of the label piece 403 in the conveying direction are aligned.

[0110] Furthermore, the alignment of the position of the upstream end P1 of the printing element array 201 with the position of the upstream end P2 of the margin portion 406 is synonymous with the alignment of the position of the most upstream line of the applied null data in the transport direction with the position of the most upstream printing element 202 in the transport direction of the printing element array 201. The alignment of the position of the upstream end P1 of the printing element array 201 with the position of the upstream end P2 of the margin portion 406 is synonymous with the alignment of the printing element 202 assigned to the most upstream line of the null data in the transport direction with the most upstream printing element 202 in the transport direction of the printing element array 201. In the following description, the most upstream line of the null data in the transport direction will be referred to as the last line, and the most upstream printing element 202 in the transport direction of the printing element array 201 will be referred to as the trailing-end nozzle. In other words, when the position of the upstream end P1 of the printing element array 201 coincides with the position of the upstream end P2 of the margin portion, this can be rephrased as the position of the last line coincides with the position of the trailing nozzle, and the trailing nozzle is assigned to the last line of the null data during printing operation.

[0111] During the printing operation of consecutive labels, if the position of the upstream end P1 of the printing element array 201 coincides with the position of the upstream end P2 of the margin portion 406, the used area of ​​the printing element array 201 does not change, and each printing element 202 of the printing element array 201 repeatedly performs the same printing operation. This can result in large differences in the usage frequency among the multiple printing elements 202, depending on the printing content (the illustrated content of the label). Such a bias in the usage frequency of the printing elements 202 can occur when the number of lines in one page of printing data (expanded data 505 + null data 509) is an integer multiple of the number of printing elements 202 in the printing element array 201, as in the example shown in Figure 14.

[0112] A label including characters and a frame 403a surrounding the characters is printed on the label piece 403 shown in FIG. 14 . In FIG. 14 , the region corresponding to the long portion of the frame 403a in the scanning direction (X direction) of the print head 102 is indicated as A, and the region other than region A is indicated as B. When performing a printing operation to fill in the frame 403a, the printing elements 202 corresponding to region A will eject more ink than the printing elements 202 corresponding to region B, resulting in a higher usage frequency. If the position of the upstream end P1 of the printing element array 201 coincides with the position of the upstream end P2 of the margin, the more repeated printing operations are performed on the label piece 403 shown in FIG. 14 , the greater the difference in the number of ejections between the printing elements 202 corresponding to region A and the printing elements 202 corresponding to region B. Therefore, a sixth embodiment will be described as an example in which bias in the usage frequency of the printing elements 202 can be suppressed even in such a case.

[0113] In the sixth embodiment, when the position of the upstream end P1 of the printing element array 201 and the position of the upstream end P2 of the margin portion 406 coincide, that is, when the trailing edge nozzles are assigned to the last line, the transport amount of the label paper 401 is changed when the number of printed sheets reaches a predetermined number. This is because by changing the transport amount of the label paper 401, it is possible to intentionally shift the usage area of ​​the printing element array 201. The configuration and control method of the sixth embodiment will be described in detail below.

[0114] (Control Configuration) Figure 15 is an explanatory diagram of the control configuration according to the sixth embodiment, showing an example of the configuration of the received data development unit 315 in the sixth embodiment. In the sixth embodiment, in addition to the sheet information area 507, a shift information area 1501 is provided in the ROM 303. The shift information area 1501 is part of the data area 310, and is a storage area that stores information about the amount of reduction in the feed amount of the label paper 401. When reducing the feed amount of the label paper 401, the null data generation unit 503 generates null data 510 as margin data equivalent to the reduced feed amount, based on the feed amount reduction information (shift amount information) stored in the shift information area 1501.

[0115] When the conveyance amount of the label paper 401 is reduced, the memory write unit 502 writes and stores null data 510 corresponding to the reduced conveyance amount in the image buffer 316. The memory write unit 502 also writes and stores null data 509 corresponding to the margin between the decompressed data 505 and the label in the image buffer 316.

[0116] (Print Data Generation Method in Sixth Embodiment) An example of a method for generating print data for driving the print head 102 will be described with reference to Fig. 16. Fig. 16 is a flowchart of the print data generation method according to the sixth embodiment.

[0117] [S701-S704] In this flowchart, steps S701 to S704 are similar to those of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 7 , and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted. In S701, the null data generation unit 503 acquires null band information 508. In S702, the data development unit 501 generates developed data 505 and writes it to the image buffer 316. In S703, the null data generation unit 503 generates null data 509 and writes it to the image buffer 316. In S704, it is determined whether or not there is a subsequent page. If there is no subsequent page, i.e., if the answer is NO in S704, the print data generation process (the process of writing the developed data 505 and null data 509) ends. On the other hand, if there is a subsequent page, i.e., if the answer is YES in S704, the process proceeds to S1605. For each determination process described below, for example, the ASIC 301, which is the control unit, can be used as the determination means.

[0118] [S1605] In S1605, it is determined whether the flag is 1. The flag is used to control subsequent processing. The initial value of the flag is 0. If the flag is not 1, that is, if NO in S1605, proceed to S1606. If the flag is 1, that is, if YES in S1605, proceed to S1608. The value of the flag can be stored in a storage unit such as the RAM 304, for example.

[0119] [S1606] In S1606, it is determined whether the trailing-end nozzle is assigned to the last line of the null data 509 added in S703. In other words, in S1606, it is determined whether the position of the trailing-end nozzle matches the position of the last line of the null data. In yet other words, in S1606, it is determined whether the position of the upstream end P1 of the printing element array 201 matches the position of the upstream end P2 of the margin portion 406.

[0120] If the trailing-end nozzle is not assigned to the last line of the null data 509, i.e., if NO in S1606, the process returns to S702, and data development for the subsequent page is executed. This is because if a printing element 202 other than the trailing-end nozzle is assigned to the last line of the null data 509, the used area of ​​the printing element array 201 will change between the printing operations of the current page and the subsequent page, and there is little risk of a large imbalance in the frequency of use of the printing element 202. On the other hand, if the trailing-end nozzle corresponds to the last line of the null data, i.e., if YES in S1606, the process proceeds to S1607.

[0121] [S1607] In S1607, the value of the flag is set to 1. There are no particular limitations on the means for changing the value of the flag, and for example, the ASIC 301, which is the control unit, may change the value of the flag. After the flag is set to 1, the process proceeds to S1608.

[0122] [S1608] In S1608, it is determined whether the same decompressed data 505 (image data) has been generated a predetermined number of times. Here, the predetermined number is a predetermined threshold value. In this embodiment, generating the same decompressed data 505 (image data) a predetermined number of times is synonymous with writing the decompressed data 505 in S702 a predetermined number of times. If the same decompressed data 505 has been generated a predetermined number of times, the trailing edge nozzles will correspond to the last line of the null data a predetermined number of times in succession. When the number of lines in one page of print data (decompressed data 505 + null data 509) is an integer multiple of the number of printing elements 202 in the printing element array 201, the trailing edge nozzles will correspond to the last line of the null data 509 in succession.

[0123] If the same decompressed data 505a (image data) has not been generated the predetermined number of times, i.e., if NO in S1608, the process returns to S702, and data decompression of the subsequent page is executed. If the same decompressed data 505 has not been generated the predetermined number of times, this is because it is believed that there is no significant imbalance in the frequency of use of the recording elements 202 at that time. On the other hand, if the same decompressed data 505 has been generated the predetermined number of times, i.e., if YES in S1608, the process proceeds to S1609.

[0124] The determination in S1608 may be based on the number of times the same decompressed data 505 has been generated, or a value equivalent thereto. For example, it is preferable that the recording device 100 is provided with a counting unit that counts the number of times the same decompressed data 505 has been generated, and that the count value is incremented by 1 each time the decompressed data 505 is written in S702. Furthermore, since the processing in S1609, which will be described later, is performed for each predetermined number of prints, it is preferable that the count value be reset to 0 after the determination in S1608 is YES and null data 510, which will be described later, is written. Alternatively, the count value may not be reset, and multiple predetermined numbers serving as thresholds may be set.

[0125] [S1609] When the same decompressed data 505a has been generated a predetermined number of times, the feed amount of the label paper 401 is reduced by a predetermined amount based on the reduction amount information (shift amount information) stored in the shift information area 1501. The reduction in the feed amount may be performed by the ASIC 301, or other feed amount reduction means may be provided. Then, in S1609, the null data generation unit 503 generates null data 510 as blank data corresponding to the reduced feed amount of the label paper 401 based on the reduction amount information, and writes this to the image buffer 316. At this time, the null data 510 is written adjacent to the null data 509 written immediately before in S703 on the upstream side in the feed direction.

[0126] In this manner, in this embodiment, null data 509 is generated as first margin data corresponding to the margin portion 406, and null data 510 is generated as second margin data corresponding to the amount of reduction in the conveyance amount. These margin data are generated by the null data generation unit 503. In other words, the null data generation unit 503 may be configured to include a first margin data generation unit that generates the null data 509 (first margin data) and a second margin data generation unit that generates the null data 510 (second margin data). The second margin data generation unit generates null data 510 as second margin data when it is determined in S1606 that the printing element 202 assigned to the last line of the null data 509 is a trailing-end nozzle and the same expanded data 505 has been generated a predetermined number of times in S1608.

[0127] After the null data 510, which is the second margin data, is written in S1609, the process returns to S702, and data development for the subsequent page is performed. Then, the steps of S703 and S704 are performed sequentially. If the answer is YES in S704, a determination is made again in S1605 as to whether the flag is 1. After the flag is set to 1 in S1607, the determination result in S1605 becomes YES, and the process proceeds to S1608 without the determination in S1606. Then, each time the same decompressed data 505a is generated a predetermined number of times, null data 510 is generated in S1609. In other words, if the same decompressed data 505a has been generated a predetermined number of times after the null data 510 has been generated, null data 510 is generated again, and the conveyance distance of the label paper 401 is reduced. When there are no more subsequent pages, i.e., when the answer is NO in S704, the print data generation process ends.

[0128] With this configuration, when the position of the upstream end P1 of the recording element array 201 coincides with the position of the upstream end P2 of the margin 406, null data 510 is generated each time the same page is printed a predetermined number of times, reducing the transport distance of the label paper 401. In other words, each time the same page is printed a predetermined number of times, the area of ​​the recording element array 201 corresponding to the label piece 403 can be shifted, thereby preventing uneven usage of the recording elements 202.

[0129] (Memory Allocation) An example of a memory allocation for storing data for constituting the recording data according to the sixth embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 17. As described above, the recording data can be composed of the expanded data 505 and null data 509 shown in Fig. 8 for the first embodiment, and null data 510 for a shift amount. Fig. 17 is an explanatory diagram of the memory allocation according to the sixth embodiment.

[0130] 16, in the sixth embodiment, the operation when the position of the upstream end P1 of the printing element array 201 and the position of the upstream end P2 of the margin portion 406 do not match is the same as in the first embodiment. Therefore, below, as an operation unique to the sixth embodiment, an example of memory allocation when the position of the upstream end P1 of the printing element array 201 and the position of the upstream end P2 of the margin portion 406 match will be described.

[0131] FIG. 17 shows an example in which image buffer 316 provided on RAM 304 includes image buffers 316a, 316b, 316c, and 316d. The data stored in image buffers 316a-316d will be described below using image buffer 316a as an example. The center of FIG. 17 shows the contents of the data written to image buffer 316a. Hereinafter, of the expanded data 505 stored in image buffer 316a, data corresponding to page 1 (first label piece 403) will be referred to as 505a1. Similarly, data corresponding to page m (mth label piece 403) will be referred to as 505am, data corresponding to page m+1 (m+1th label piece 403) will be referred to as 505am1, and data corresponding to page n (nth label piece 403) will be referred to as 505an. n is an integer greater than m. The contents of each of the decompressed data 505a1 to 505an may be the same as or different from one another.

[0132] Here, an example will be described in which the predetermined number of times used as the threshold in S1608 of FIG. 16 is m, and the number of lines of print data for one page (decompressed data 505 + null data 509) is an integer multiple of the number of printing elements 202 in the printing element array 201. In this example, after writing the decompressed data 505am (image data) for the mth page and the null data 509 (first margin data) following the decompressed data 505am, null data 510 (second margin data) is written from the address next to the null data 509. FIG. 17 shows an example in which the decompressed data 505am, null data 509, and null data 510 are written to the image buffer 316a in this order. The data writing operation is executed by the memory write unit 502.

[0133] After writing the null data 510, the memory write unit 502 starts writing the expanded data 505am1 for the (m+1)th page. In other words, in this example, the null data 510 corresponding to the shift (decrease) in the conveyance amount of the label paper 401 is inserted between the null data 509 for the mth page and the expanded data 505am1 for the (m+1)th page.

[0134] After that, every time m pages of expanded data 505a and null data 509 are written, null data 510 is written. In other words, after the null data 509 is written for the 2mth, 3mth, 4mth, and so on pages, null data 510 is written. The head drive block 317 then controls the operation of the print head 102 based on the print data including the expanded data 505a, null data 509, and null data 510.

[0135] 18 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between the recorded matter produced by the recording operation of the sixth embodiment and the number of passes of the recording head 102. In this example, similar to FIG. 9 of the first embodiment, multiple alphabet Zs (pop characters) and identification information such as a barcode or serial number are recorded on each label piece 403. In addition, in FIG. 18, the margins between label pieces are indicated by hatching.

[0136] As an example, Figure 18 shows a recording operation performed on four label pieces 403. The four label pieces 403 will be described as the first label piece (page m-1), the second label piece (page m), the third label piece (page m+1), and the fourth label piece (page m+2) in order from downstream to upstream in the feed direction (top to bottom in Figure 18). Decompressed data 505am01 is recorded as the first image data on the first label piece, and decompressed data 505am is recorded as the second image data on the second label piece adjacent to the first label piece on the upstream side in the feed direction. Similarly, decompressed data 505am1 is recorded as the third image data on the third label piece, and decompressed data 505am2 is recorded as the fourth image data on the fourth label piece. In this example, the contents of decompressed data 505am01 to 505am2 are identical.

[0137] 18 , one page including the label piece 403 and margin 406 is printed in exactly two scans (two passes) of the print head 102. In other words, the two passes of the print head 102 correspond to the length of the label piece 403 and margin 406 in the conveyance direction. When one pass of the print head 102 is completed, the label paper 401 is conveyed the length of the print element array 201 of the print head 102, and then the next pass of printing is performed. In this example, the predetermined number of times used as the threshold in S1608 of FIG. 16 is m, and the position of the upstream edge P1 of the print element array 201 and the position of the upstream edge P2 of the margin 406 coincide for m consecutive pages.

[0138] In this example, it is assumed that the position of the upstream edge P1 of the printing element array 201 and the position of the upstream edge P2 of the margin 406 coincide in the printing operation for the first page, and a YES determination is made in S1606. Therefore, when the processing of S702 is repeated m times and the same decompressed data 505 is generated m times, a YES determination is made in S1608, and null data 510 is written in S1609. As described above, the null data 510 corresponds to the amount obtained by subtracting the transport amount of the label paper 401.

[0139] In conjunction with writing the null data 510, the transport distance of the label paper 401 for printing the (m+1)th page is reduced, and the reduced transport distance of the label paper 401 is shorter than the length of the printing element array 201. That is, as shown in FIG. 18 , the position of the printing element array 201 for the second pass of page m and the position of the printing element array 201 for the first pass of page m+1 partially overlap in the transport direction. Therefore, during the first pass printing operation for page m+1, the printing elements 202 at the downstream end of the printing element array 201 in the transport direction are in a position corresponding to page m, and do not perform a printing operation. The third pass of page m+1 and the first pass of page m+2 are printed using the same scan.

[0140] Thus, in the sixth embodiment, when the position of the upstream end P1 of the printing element array 201 coincides with the position of the upstream end P2 of the margin, null data 510 (second margin data) is generated and the conveyance amount of the label paper 401 for the next printing operation is reduced. In other words, the relative position of the printing element array 201 with respect to the label piece 403 can be intentionally shifted, and the corresponding area of ​​the printing element array 201 with respect to the label piece 403 can be intentionally shifted. This configuration prevents specific printing elements 202 from being used repeatedly, and distributes the load on the printing elements 202. Furthermore, because the conveyance amount is reduced only once every m pages, a reduction in the efficiency (throughput) of the printing operation is suppressed.

[0141] In applying the present invention, the processes described in the above embodiments as being performed by one device may be shared and executed by multiple devices, and conversely, the processes described as being performed by multiple devices may be executed by a single device.

[0142] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and variations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the following claims are appended to clarify the scope of the present disclosure. This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-116865 filed on July 22, 2024, and Japanese Patent Application No. 2025-91816 filed on June 2, 2025, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0143] 100... Recording device, 102... Recording head, 315... Head driving block (head control unit), 401... Label paper, 403... Label piece, 501... Data development unit (image data generation unit), 503... Null data generation unit (margin data generation unit), 505... Decompressed data (image data), 509... Null data (margin data)

Claims

1. A recording device that records an image on label paper on which multiple label pieces are arranged in a transport direction, comprising: a transport unit that transports the label paper in the transport direction; a recording head that is configured to be scannable in a scanning direction that intersects the transport direction and that ejects droplets to record an image on the label paper; an image data generation unit that generates image data to be recorded on the label pieces; a margin data generation unit that generates margin data corresponding to margins between label pieces that are adjacent to each other in the transport direction; and a head control unit that controls the operation of the recording head based on the image data and the margin data.

2. The recording device described in claim 1, characterized in that the image data generation unit generates first image data to be recorded on a first label piece among the multiple label pieces and second image data to be recorded on a second label piece adjacent to the first label piece on the upstream side of the transport direction, and the head control unit controls the operation of the recording head based on recording data consisting of the first image data, the margin data, and the second image data arranged in that order from downstream to upstream in the transport direction.

3. The recording device according to claim 1, wherein the head control unit controls the operation of the recording head based on recording data configured so that the image data and the margin data are alternately arranged in the transport direction.

4. A recording device according to claim 1, further comprising an image source data acquisition unit that acquires image source data from an external device, wherein the image data generation unit generates the image data based on the image source data.

5. The recording apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the image data generating section generates the image data for each ink color based on the original image data.

6. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the margin data generating section generates the margin data based on distance information of the margin in the transport direction.

7. The recording device according to claim 1, further comprising an image buffer into which the image data and the margin data are written so as to be alternately arranged in the transport direction, and wherein the head control unit reads the image data and the margin data from the image buffer.

8. The recording device according to claim 1, further comprising an image buffer for storing the image data and a margin buffer for storing the margin data, wherein the head control unit alternately reads the image data from the image buffer and the image data from the margin buffer.

9. The recording device according to claim 1, further comprising an image buffer for storing the image data, wherein the head control unit includes the margin data generation unit, reads the image data from the image buffer, and generates the margin data.

10. The recording device according to claim 1, wherein the margin data is blank data that is not printed by the recording head.

11. The recording device according to claim 1, wherein the margin data includes identification information, and the head control unit controls the recording head so as to print the identification information in the margin.

12. A recording device according to claim 1, further comprising an edge detection unit that detects the edges of the label piece in the transport direction, and wherein the margin data generation unit generates the margin data based on the detection results of the edge detection unit.

13. A recording device for recording an image on label paper having a plurality of label pieces lined up in a conveying direction, comprising: a conveying section for conveying the label paper in the conveying direction; a recording head configured to be scannable in a scanning direction intersecting the conveying direction and for ejecting droplets to record an image on the label paper, the recording head having a plurality of recording elements lined up along the conveying direction; an image data generating section for generating image data to be recorded on the label pieces; a first margin data generating section for generating first margin data corresponding to margins between adjacent label pieces in the conveying direction; a determination means for determining whether a recording element assigned to a line most upstream in the conveying direction of the first margin data is the most upstream recording element of the plurality of recording elements in the conveying direction; and a second margin data generating section for generating second margin data when the determination means determines that the recording element assigned to a line most upstream in the conveying direction of the first margin data is the most upstream recording element of the plurality of recording elements in the conveying direction and the same image data has been generated a predetermined number of times. a head control unit that controls an operation of the print head based on the image data, the first margin data, and the second margin data.

14. A recording device according to claim 13, further comprising a storage unit in which the reduction amount of the label paper transport amount is stored, and the second margin data is blank data corresponding to the reduction amount and is blank data that is not printed by the recording head.

15. A recording device according to claim 13, characterized in that the head control unit controls the operation of the recording head based on recording data consisting of the image data, the first margin data, and the second margin data arranged in this order.

16. A recording device as described in claim 13, characterized in that the second margin data generation unit generates the second margin data again if the image data generation unit generates the same image data the predetermined number of times after the second margin data is generated.

17. A recording device for recording an image on label paper having a plurality of label pieces lined up in a transport direction, comprising: a transport unit for transporting the label paper in the transport direction; a recording head configured to be scannable in a scanning direction intersecting the transport direction and for ejecting droplets to record an image on the label paper, the recording head having a plurality of recording elements lined up along the transport direction; an image data generation unit for generating image data to be recorded on the label pieces; a margin data generation unit for generating margin data corresponding to margins between adjacent label pieces in the transport direction; and determination means for determining whether the recording element assigned to the most upstream line of the margin data in the transport direction is the most upstream recording element of the plurality of recording elements in the transport direction, wherein the determination means determines that the recording element assigned to the most upstream line of the margin data in the transport direction is the most upstream recording element of the plurality of recording elements in the transport direction, and when the same image data has been generated a predetermined number of times, the recording device reduces the transport amount of the label paper for the next recording operation.

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