Printing apparatus, control method, non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, and computer program product

Abstract

The invention provides a printing apparatus, a control method, a non-transitory computer readable storage medium, and a computer program product. The printing apparatus includes: a moving member configured to individually move a plurality of printheads provided for a type of liquid between a printing position at which liquid is discharged toward a printing medium and a retracted position retracted from the printing medium compared to the printing position; the conveying part is used for conveying the printing medium; and a control means for controlling the moving means such that, among the plurality of printheads, a printhead for discharging a type of liquid to be used for printing is located at the printing position, and a printhead for discharging a type of liquid not to be used for printing is located at the retracted position. The control section controls the moving section to move a print head of a moving object during conveyance of the print medium.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing device, a control method, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium and a computer program product. Background Art

[0002] A printing apparatus that prints an image by discharging ink from a print head is known. In a printing apparatus including a plurality of print heads, there may be a print head that does not need to discharge ink, depending on an image to be printed or a print setting. Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-59559 discloses a technique for moving a color head that does not need to discharge ink to a maintenance position when monochrome printing is selected.

[0003] In the technology of Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-59559, if color printing is selected, the color head is on standby at the printing position. The color head includes a yellow head, a magenta head, and a cyan head. For example, even if it is not necessary to discharge cyan ink, the cyan head is made to standby at the printing position. Therefore, the printing performance of the cyan head may be reduced. Summary of the invention

[0004] The present invention provides a technology for preventing the printing performance of each print head from being degraded.

[0005] According to the present invention, a printing device is provided, comprising: a moving component for individually moving a plurality of print heads set for a type of liquid between a printing position and a retracted position, wherein liquid is discharged to a printing medium at the printing position, and the retracted position is retracted from the printing medium compared to the printing position; a conveying component for conveying the printing medium; and a control component for controlling the moving component so that a print head for discharging a type of liquid to be used for printing among the plurality of print heads is located at the printing position, and a print head for discharging a type of liquid not used for printing is located at the retracted position, wherein the control component controls the moving component to move the print head of the moving object during the conveyance of the printing medium.

[0006] According to the present invention, a control method for a printing device is also provided, the printing device comprising: a moving component for individually moving a plurality of print heads set for a type of liquid between a printing position and a retracted position, wherein liquid is discharged to a printing medium at the printing position, and the retracted position is retracted from the printing medium compared to the printing position; and a conveying component for conveying the printing medium, the control method comprising: controlling the moving component so that a print head among the plurality of print heads for discharging liquid of a type to be used for printing is located at the printing position, and a print head for discharging liquid of a type not used for printing is located at the retracted position, wherein, in the control, the moving component is controlled to move the print head of the moving object during the conveyance of the printing medium.

[0007] According to the present invention, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium is also provided, which stores a program. In order to control a printing device including a moving component for individually moving multiple print heads set for the type of liquid between a printing position and a retracted position and a conveying component for conveying a printing medium, the program is configured to cause a computer to perform the following operations: control the moving component so that a print head among the multiple print heads for discharging a type of liquid to be used for printing is located at the printing position, and a print head for discharging a type of liquid not used for printing is located at the retracted position, wherein, in the control, the moving component is controlled to move the print head of the moving object during the conveyance of the printing medium, and to discharge liquid to the printing medium at the printing position, and the retracted position is retracted from the printing medium compared to the printing position.

[0008] According to the present invention, a computer program product is also provided, which includes a program, and in order to control a printing device including a moving component for individually moving multiple print heads set for the type of liquid between a printing position and a retracted position and a conveying component for conveying a printing medium, the program is configured to cause a computer to perform the following operations: control the moving component so that a print head among the multiple print heads for discharging a type of liquid to be used for printing is located at the printing position, and a print head for discharging a type of liquid not used for printing is located at the retracted position, wherein, in the control, the moving component is controlled to move the print head of the moving object during conveyance of the printing medium, and to discharge liquid to the printing medium at the printing position, and the retracted position is retracted from the printing medium compared to the printing position.

[0009] Further features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments (with reference to the attached drawings). BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a printing device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0011] Figure 2A and Figure 2B is an illustration of a mobile unit;

[0012] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A block diagram of a control system of the printing device shown;

[0013] Figure 4A and Figure 4B is a flowchart showing an example of processing performed by the control unit;

[0014] Figure 5Ais a diagram showing an example of the result of specifying the type of ink for each page;

[0015] Figure 5B is a diagram showing an example of a printing section of a printing medium;

[0016] Figure 5C is a diagram showing an example of the result of specifying the type of ink for each printing interval;

[0017] Fig. 6A is a diagram showing an example of a mobile plan;

[0018] Figure 6B is a diagram showing an example of movement of a print head;

[0019] Fig. 7A and Figure 7B is a flowchart showing another example of the processing performed by the control unit;

[0020] Fig. 8A and Figure 8B is a flowchart showing still another example of the processing performed by the control unit;

[0021] Fig. 9A is a diagram showing another example of a mobile plan; and

[0022] Fig. 9B ] is a diagram showing an example of movement of a print head and an example of operation. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention. A plurality of features are described in the embodiments, but are not limited to inventions requiring all such features, and a plurality of such features may be appropriately combined. In addition, in the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals are given to the same or similar configurations, and redundant descriptions thereof are omitted.

[0024] <First Embodiment>

[0025] <Printing Device Configuration>

[0026] Figure 1is a schematic diagram of a printing device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The printing device 1 is a device that discharges liquid ink to a printing medium P to print an image. Note that "printing" includes not only forming meaningful information such as characters and graphics, but also forming images, charts, patterns, etc. on a printing medium or processing a printing medium in a broad sense, regardless of whether the formed information is meaningful or meaningless, or whether the formed information is visualized so that humans can visually perceive the information. In addition, although a sheet of paper is assumed as the "printing medium" in this embodiment, cloth, plastic film, etc. may also be used.

[0027] The printing apparatus 1 includes a feeding device 104, an image forming device 100, and an ejecting device 105. In this embodiment, a continuous sheet (rolled sheet) is used as the printing medium P. The printing medium P is sent from the feeding device 104 to the ejecting device 105 via the image forming device 100. Note that the present invention is also applicable to a printing apparatus that prints an image on a cut sheet.

[0028] The feeding device 104 is a device for supplying the print medium P as a roll sheet to the image forming apparatus 100. The feeding device 104 pulls out the print medium P by rotating the roll-shaped print medium P around the rotation shaft 117, and feeds the print medium P to the image forming apparatus 100 at a predetermined speed via a plurality of conveying rollers 104a. The print medium P is sequentially conveyed from the feeding device 104 to the image forming apparatus 100 and the discharge device 105.

[0029] The discharge device 105 is a device for discharging the print medium P as a product having a printed image from the image forming apparatus 100. The discharge device 105 conveys the print medium P conveyed from the image forming apparatus 100 at a predetermined speed via a plurality of conveying rollers 105a. The print medium P as a product is wound into a roll shape by the rotating shaft 118 rotating.

[0030] The image forming apparatus 100 includes an additional printing device 115 and a pre-printing device 116. The conveying device 101 includes a plurality of conveying rollers 101a, and conveys the printing medium P fed from the feeding device 104 at a predetermined speed so that the printing medium P passes through the pre-printing device 116 and the additional printing device 115 in sequence.

[0031] The pre-printing device 116 performs spot color printing as pre-printing. In spot color printing, for example, a base having a predetermined pattern is printed. The additional printing device 115 performs basic color printing as additional printing. In basic color printing, for example, a predetermined pattern is printed. That is, it can be said that the printing device 1 is a digital printing device that performs pre-printing and additional printing.

[0032] The pre-printing device 116 includes a skew correction unit 110, a printing unit PT1, a drying unit 112, and a cooling unit 113, which are arranged in sequence from the upstream side in the conveying direction of the printing medium P. The skew correction unit 110 corrects the skew of the printing medium P. The printing unit PT1 includes a print head 2WP, a print head 2W, and a moving unit 3A. In this embodiment, the print head 2W discharges white ink and the print head 2WP discharges primer ink for fixing. The print head 2WP is located on the upstream side of the conveying direction of the printing medium P relative to the print head 2W. The moving unit 3A is a mechanism for independently moving the print head 2WP and the print head 2W between the printing position and the retracted position. The drying unit 112 heats the printing medium P, thereby promoting the drying of the ink discharged to the printing medium P. The cooling unit 113 cools the printing medium P heated by the drying unit 112.

[0033] The additional printing device 115 includes a printing unit PT2 , a drying unit 106 , a cooling unit 108 , and an inspection unit 107 , which are arranged in this order from the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the printing medium P.

[0034] The printing unit PT2 includes a print head 2P, a print head 2B, a print head 2Y, a print head 2M, and a print head 2C arranged in sequence from the upstream side in the conveying direction of the printing medium P. In this embodiment, the print head 2P discharges a primer ink for fixing. The print head 2B discharges black ink. The print head 2Y discharges yellow ink. The print head 2M discharges magenta ink. The print head 2C discharges cyan ink. In addition, the printing unit PT2 includes a moving unit 3B. The moving unit 3B is a mechanism for individually moving the print head 2P, the print head 2B, the print head 2Y, the print head 2M, and the print head 2C between the printing position and the retracted position.

[0035] Note that when the print heads 2WP, 2W, 2P, 2B, 2Y, 2M, and 2C are collectively referred to or any print head is indicated, they are sometimes referred to as the print head 2. When the moving units 3A and 3B are collectively referred to or any moving unit is indicated, they are sometimes referred to as the moving unit 3.

[0036] The drying unit 106 heats the print medium P, thereby promoting the drying of the ink discharged to the print medium P. The cooling unit 108 cools the print medium P heated by the drying unit 106. The inspection unit 107 is a device for reading and inspecting an image printed on the print medium P, and includes, for example, a scanner device. Examples of the inspection contents are an inspection of color mismatch of the printed image, an inspection of a discharge failure of the print head 2, and an inspection of the hue of the printed image. These inspections can be performed by printing a test pattern on the print medium P by the print head 2 and reading the test pattern by the inspection unit 107.

[0037] The printing apparatus 1 further includes an operation unit 401 and a control unit 402. The operation unit 401 accepts user instructions. The control unit 402 is an electronic circuit (for example, a personal computer) for controlling the printing apparatus 1.

[0038] <Print Head and Moving Unit>

[0039] The print head 2 and the moving unit 3 will be described. The print head 2 according to this embodiment is a full-line head, and is capable of discharging ink supplied from an ink cartridge (not shown) to the entire area of ​​the print medium P in the width direction. One print head 2 discharges one type of ink. For example, the print head 2B discharges only black ink. The pre-printing device 116 is provided with two print heads, and the additional printing device 115 is provided with five print heads. That is, a total of seven print heads are provided. When printing basic colors, four or more print heads 2 (cyan, magenta, yellow, and black) are sufficient.

[0040] In an apparatus including a plurality of print heads 2, a print head 2 that discharges ink and a print head 2 that does not discharge ink may occur during a printing operation, depending on an image to be printed. Water vapor of ink floats on a print medium P. If water vapor adheres to a print head 2 that does not discharge ink, its printing performance may be degraded. To prevent this, in this embodiment, the print head 2 can be moved between a printing position and a retracted position by a moving unit 3.

[0041] Figure 2A and Figure 2B The configuration of the printing unit PT2 is exemplarily shown. Figure 2A shows the situation where the print head 2 is located at the printing position, and Figure 2B The case where the print head 2 is located at the retracted position is shown. Each print head 2 has a discharge surface 20 on its lower surface. The discharge surface 20 is provided with a plurality of nozzles configured to discharge ink. At the printing position, the discharge surface 20 faces the printing medium P close to the ground. At the retracted position, each print head 2 is retracted from the printing medium P compared to the printing position. More specifically, the print head 2 is separated from the printing medium P, and there is a large gap between the discharge surface 20 and the printing medium P compared to the printing position. The retracted position is a position where vapor floating on the printing medium P is difficult to adhere to the discharge surface 20. Note that in order to suppress drying of the discharge surface 20, the discharge surface 20 may be covered with a cover member at the retracted position.

[0042] The moving unit 3B includes moving mechanisms 30P, 30B, 30Y, 30M, and 30C for the print head 2. The moving mechanism 30P moves the print head 2P. The moving mechanism 30B moves the print head 2B. The moving mechanism 30Y moves the print head 2Y. The moving mechanism 30M moves the print head 2M. The moving mechanism 30C moves the print head 2C. The moving mechanisms 30P, 30B, 30Y, 30M, and 30C each include a driving source 31 such as a motor and an actuating mechanism 32 for moving the print head 2 by the driving force of the driving source 31. The actuating mechanism 32 is, for example, a ball screw mechanism, a belt transmission mechanism, or a connecting rod mechanism. In this embodiment, the actuating mechanism 32 raises / lowers the print head 2 between the printing position on the lower side and the retracted position on the upper side.

[0043] The moving unit 3B is controlled to position each print head 2 that discharges ink to be used for printing at a printing position and to position each print head 2 that discharges ink not used for printing at a retracted position, thereby performing a printing operation. When vapor is prevented from adhering to the print head 2 that discharges ink not used for printing, a decrease in printing performance can be prevented. Note that although Figure 2A and Figure 2B The printing unit PT2 is exemplarily shown in FIG. 1 , but the print heads 2W and 2WP and the moving unit 3A in the printing unit PT1 also have the same configuration.

[0044] <Control Unit>

[0045] Figure 3 4 is a block diagram of a control system of the printing apparatus 1. The control unit 402 includes a processor represented by a CPU and a storage device. The storage device includes, for example, a plurality of semiconductor memories such as a RAM and a ROM. The processor executes a program deployed in the storage device, thereby controlling the printing apparatus 1. For example, the control unit 402 controls the conveying device 101, the print head 2, the moving unit 3, the inspection unit 107, the operation unit 401, the feeding device 104, and the discharge device 105.

[0046] The communication device 403 is constituted by, for example, a communication control device such as a local area network (LAN) card, etc. The communication device 403 receives a print job from, for example, an external device (eg, a user terminal), and the control unit 402 executes printing of the received print job.

[0047] The storage device 404 is an external storage device of the control unit 402 and is composed of, for example, a nonvolatile semiconductor memory (so-called flash memory) or a hard disk drive (HDD), etc. The storage device 404 can store various programs to be executed by the control unit 402 and various data required to execute the programs.

[0048] The operation unit 401 is, for example, a touch panel, and includes a display device such as a liquid crystal display and an input device for recognizing a touch operation. The display device displays various information on a display screen according to a display control signal transmitted from the control unit 402. The input device accepts various input operations of the user via various operation keys such as buttons displayed on the display device, and transmits the operation signal to the control unit 402. For example, when executing a print job, the user uses the operation unit 401 to set job information.

[0049] <Processing Procedure of Printing Device>

[0050] The process of the processing of the printing apparatus 1 will be described. The printing medium P is sent from the feeding device 104 to the discharging device 105 in advance via the image forming device 100. The user creates pre-print data (base data) of the print job and additional print data on an external device and sets printing conditions, thereby creating a print job. Then, the print job is transmitted to the control unit 402 via the communication network. If the user performs a start operation on the operation unit 401, the printing operation starts. The printing medium P is conveyed at a predetermined speed, and ink is discharged from the print head 2 onto the printing medium P to print an image.

[0051] <Print Head Movement Control>

[0052] The movement control of the print head 2 by the movement unit 3 will be described. In this embodiment, a movement plan of the print head 2 is generated in advance, and after the printing operation starts, the print head 2 as the movement object is moved according to the movement plan.

[0053] Figure 4A 4 is a flowchart showing an example of processing performed by the control unit 402 (particularly, an example of mobile plan generation processing). This processing starts when a print job is received. Here, it is assumed that the print data (image data) as the object of printing in the print job is data in PDF format, but a data format such as TIFF or JPEG may be used.

[0054] In step S1, the received print data of the print job is rasterized. Thus, the print data in PDF format is converted into print data in raster file format. In step S2, the print data in raster file format is image processed, and data for each type of ink is generated page by page.

[0055] Based on the data for each type of ink generated in step S2, the type of ink to be used or not used can be specified. Note that it is sufficient to specify at least one of the ink to be used and the ink not to be used. In step S3, based on the data generated in step S2, the type of ink to be used for printing and the type of ink not to be used for printing are specified for each page.

[0056] Figure 5A An example of a designation result is shown, where ○ indicates ink to be used for printing, and × indicates ink not to be used for printing. For example, for the first page, it is designated to use cyan ink, yellow ink, and black ink but not to use magenta ink and white ink. Furthermore, for the 1000th page, it is designated to use cyan ink and black ink but not to use magenta ink, yellow ink, and white ink. The designation result is stored in the storage device 404.

[0057] Notice, Figure 5A The use or non-use of the primer ink is not shown in FIG. This is because the use or non-use is determined by other types of ink. More specifically, for the primer ink to be discharged from the print head 2P, the primer ink is used when one of the cyan ink, the yellow ink, and the black ink is used, and the primer ink is not used when none of them is used. For the primer ink to be discharged from the print head 2WP, the primer ink is used when the white ink is used, and the primer ink is not used when the white ink is not used.

[0058] exist Figure 4A In step S4, a mobile plan is generated based on the specified result in step S3. Figure 5A The information of the designation result in the POSITION_S is used to determine whether each print head 2 should be located at the printing position or the retracted position. On the other hand, it takes time to move the print head 2. The print head 2 can be moved page by page, but this may reduce the efficiency of the printing operation. Therefore, in this embodiment, a plurality of printing intervals arranged in the conveying direction are set on the print medium P, the print head 2 to be located at the printing position is designated for each printing interval, and the movement control of the print head 2 is performed based on the designation result.

[0059] Figure 5B An example of setting a printing interval is shown. The printing interval is set based on a preset unit length. Figure 5B In the example shown, it is assumed that one section has a length of 100 m in the conveying direction of the print medium P, and five sections are set, including a section from 0 to 100 m, a section from 100 to 200 m, a section from 200 to 300 m, a section from 300 to 400 m, and a section from 400 to 420 m. Due to the total number of pages of print data, the last section from 400 to 420 m is a section shorter than 100 m.

[0060] For example, assume that the length of each page of the print data in the conveying direction of the print medium P is 300 mm. The conveying amount of the print medium P is 0.3 m in the first page, 0.6 m in the second page, 0.9 m in the third page, and 1.2 m in the fourth page. Approximately 333 pages of images are printed in a printing interval of 100 m. If the total number of pages of the print data is 1,400, the total conveying distance of the print medium P is 420 m.

[0061] In the process of step S4, first, based on Figure 5A The information shown specifies, for each printing interval, the type of ink to be used for printing and the type of ink not to be used for printing. Figure 5C An example is shown. Figure 5C In the example shown, it is specified that cyan ink, yellow ink, and black ink are used in the printing interval from 0 to 100 m, but magenta ink and white ink are not used. In other words, in the printing interval from 0 to 100 m, there are pages using one of cyan ink, yellow ink, and black ink, but there are no pages using magenta ink and white ink. In addition, it is specified that cyan ink and black ink are used in the printing interval from 100 to 200 m, but magenta ink, yellow ink, and white ink are not used. In other words, in the printing interval from 100 to 200 m, there are pages using one of cyan ink and black ink, but there are no pages using magenta ink, yellow ink, and white ink. The specified result is stored in the storage device 404.

[0062] In the process of step S4, next, based on Figure 5C Generate a mobile plan based on the specified results shown. Fig. 6A An example is shown, and an example of the movement plan of the print heads 2P, 2B, 2Y, 2M, and 2C is shown. Note that the same concept is used to generate the movement plan of the print heads 2W and 2WP.

[0063] The movement plan indicates the timing to move the print head 2 during the conveyance of the print medium P, based on the time from the start of the printing operation. Fig. 6A In the example shown, it is assumed that the conveying speed of the print medium P is 40 mpm (meters / minute). In addition, it is assumed that the moving time of the print head 2 from the printing position to the retracted position and the moving time of the print head 2 from the retracted position to the printing position are each 20 seconds. Fig. 6A In the figure, “cyan head”, “magenta head”, “yellow head”, “black head” and “primer head for fixing” mean the print heads 2C, 2M, 2Y, 2B, 2P, 2W and 2WP, respectively.

[0064] In this embodiment, the print head 2 for discharging the type of ink to be used for printing in a certain printing interval is located at the printing position at the beginning of the printing interval. The print head 2 for discharging the type of ink not used for printing in a certain printing interval is located at the retracted position after the beginning of the printing interval.

[0065] Will be referenced in Figure 5C Simultaneous description Fig. 6A According to the content. Figure 5C In the example shown, the types of ink to be used in the printing interval from 0 to 100 m are cyan, yellow and black. As a result, primer ink is also used. For this purpose, Fig. 6A In the movement plan shown, for the initial position of the print head 2 when printing starts, the print heads 2C, 2Y, 2B and 2P are set to the printing position, and the print head 2M is set to the retracted position. Before printing starts, the print head is moved to the initial position and waits for printing to start.

[0066] Next, according to Figure 5C In the example shown, the types of ink to be used in the printing interval from 100 to 200 m are cyan and black. As a result, the primer ink is also used. Comparing the printing interval from 0 to 100 m and the printing interval from 100 to 200 m, only yellow is the type of ink used with or without change, and yellow is changed from "used" to "not used". For this reason, Fig. 6A The movement plan shown is set to move the print head 2Y for discharging yellow ink to the retracted position at the timing of 150 seconds (the timing at which the printing section from 0 to 100 m ends). The positions of the remaining print heads 2 are not changed.

[0067] Figure 6B The initial position and the change in position of the print head 2 after 150 seconds are shown. Only the print head 2Y moves from the printing position to the retracted position.

[0068] Next, according to Figure 5C In the example shown, the types of ink to be used in the printing interval from 200 to 300 m are cyan, yellow ink, and black. As a result, primer ink is also used. Comparing the printing interval from 100 to 200 m with the printing interval from 200 to 300 m, only yellow is the type of ink used with or without change, and yellow is changed from "not used" to "used". For this reason, Fig. 6A The shown movement plan is set to move the print head 2Y for discharging yellow ink to the printing position at the timing of 280 seconds (the timing 20 seconds before the timing of the end of the printing section from 100 to 200 m). The positions of the remaining print heads 2 are not changed.

[0069] In this way, a movement plan is generated. The created movement plan is stored in the storage device 404 .

[0070] Figure 4B An example of processing performed by the control unit 402 (particularly, an example of controlling the mobile unit 3 using the generated movement plan) is shown. Based on the movement plan read out from the storage device 404, the printing operation is repeatedly performed during the printing operation. Figure 4B Processing shown.

[0071] In step S11, it is determined whether the movement timing of any print head 2 has arrived. If there is a print head 2 whose movement timing has arrived, the process proceeds to step S12. If there is no such print head, the process ends. In step S12, the movement process is performed. Here, the movement unit 3 is controlled to move the print head 2 whose movement timing has arrived to the printing position or the retracted position. Thus, the process ends.

[0072] Note that in this embodiment, the movement plan from the first page to the last page is generated once before the printing operation starts. However, the movement plan may be created during the printing operation. For example, a movement plan corresponding to the printing interval from 0 to 200 m may be generated first. The printing operation is started, and before the printing interval from 1 to 100 m ends, a movement plan corresponding to the next printing interval from 200 to 300 m may be generated.

[0073] Furthermore, in this embodiment, after the designated process of step S3 is performed on all pages, the movement plan is created. However, these processes may be performed in parallel. In this case, the designated process of step S3 may not be performed on all pages. For example, if it is defined in the interval from 0 to 10 m that all types of ink are used in the printing interval from 1 to 100 m, the designated process of step S3 may be omitted for the pages corresponding to the remaining interval from 10 to 100 m.

[0074] <Second Embodiment>

[0075] In the first embodiment, the unit length of the printing interval is 100m. The unit length can be changed according to the conveying speed of the print medium P. For example, if the conveying speed is 10mpm, the unit length can be 25m. In addition, the length can be changed according to the printing interval. For example, the first printing interval can be from 0 to 80m, and the next printing interval can be from 80 to 200m.

[0076] The shortest distance of the printing interval may be set in consideration of the moving time of the print head 2. For example, if the time for moving the print head 2 from the printing position to the retracted position is 20 seconds, and the time for moving the print head 2 from the retracted position to the printing position is also 20 seconds, it takes 40 seconds to move from the printing position to the retracted position and return to the printing position again. Therefore, the distance that the print medium P can be conveyed in 40 seconds may be the shortest distance of the printing interval.

[0077] In addition, the printing interval can be set for each type of ink. For example, for cyan ink, the first printing interval can be from 0 to 80m, and for magenta ink, the first printing interval can be from 0 to 120m.

[0078] <Third Embodiment>

[0079] An example of a case where a disposal page is located at a position straddling the printing interval will be described. In the first embodiment, an example is described in which the length of each page in the conveying direction of the print medium P is 300 mm and the unit length of the printing interval is 100 m. In this case, images of about 333 pages are printed in the printing interval of 100 m, and the image of the 334th page is located at a position straddling the printing interval from 0 to 100 m and the printing interval from 100 to 200 m.

[0080] Here, it is assumed that printing the image of page 334 requires yellow ink, and no other image uses yellow ink in the printing interval from 100 to 200 m. In this case, the timing of moving the print head 2Y for discharging yellow ink to the retracted position can be delayed until the timing after printing the image of page 334.

[0081] Furthermore, assuming that yellow ink is required for printing the image of page 334, yellow ink is also required in the printing section from 100 to 200 m, and no other image using yellow ink exists in the printing section from 0 to 100 m. In this case, the timing of moving the print head 2Y for discharging yellow ink to the printing position can be advanced to the timing before printing the image of page 334.

[0082] Furthermore, if there is a page located at a position straddling the printing interval, the movement of the print head 2 can be uniformly delayed or advanced by an amount corresponding to the page without confirming the ink used in the page.

[0083] <Fourth Embodiment>

[0084] When the same print data is repeatedly printed, a movement plan can be generated using information created at the time of the first printing of the print data. This can shorten processing time and reduce operational load.

[0085] Fig. 7AAn example of the processing performed by the control unit 402 (particularly storage Figure 4A An example of the result of the specified processing of step S3 in FIG. Fig. 7A The example shown is performed, for example, after execution of a print job is completed.

[0086] In step S21, the user is asked whether the data is stored. For example, a display is made on the operation unit 401 to inquire whether the data is stored. If the user selects to store, the process proceeds to step S22. In step S22, Figure 4A The result of the designated processing of step S3 in ( Figure 5A The information shown in FIG. 1 is stored in association with the print data in the storage device 404. For example, the designation result is stored as the designation information in association with the file name assigned in the print job. Thus, the processing ends.

[0087] Figure 7B Shows a replacement Figure 4A The following will describe an example of the processing according to the embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4A Different processing. After the processing of step S2, in step S31, the print content in the storage device 404 is referenced, and it is determined whether the designated information is stored for the print data of the current print job. If the designated information is stored, the designated information is read out in step S32, and the processing of step S4 is performed. The designated information created in the past can be used. If the designated information is not stored, the processing of step S4 is performed after the designated processing of step S3.

[0088] It is also possible to use mobile plans generated in the past. Fig. 8A An example of the processing performed by the control unit 402 (particularly stored in Figure 4A (processing of the mobile plan generated in step S4). Fig. 8A The example shown is performed, for example, after execution of a print job is completed.

[0089] In step S41, the user is asked whether the data is stored. For example, a display is made on the operation unit 401 to inquire whether the data is stored. If the user selects to store, the process proceeds to step S42. In step S42, Figure 4A The movement plan generated in step S4 is stored in the storage device 404 in association with the print data. For example, the movement plan is stored in association with the file name assigned in the print job. Thus, the process ends.

[0090] Figure 8B Shows a replacement Figure 4A The following will describe an example of the processing according to the embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4ADifferent processing. After the processing of step S2, in step S51, the print content in the storage device 404 is referenced, and it is determined whether a movement plan is stored for the print data of the current print job. If a movement plan is stored, the movement plan is read out in step S52, and the processing ends. A movement plan created in the past can be used. If no movement plan is stored, the processing of step S4 is performed after the specified processing of step S3.

[0091] Note that Fig. 7A and Fig. 8A In the example shown, the user is asked whether or not the information is stored. However, the information may be stored without asking the user.

[0092] <Fifth Embodiment>

[0093] If the print head 2 remains at the retracted position for a long time, the nozzles may dry and the ink discharge performance may be low. To prevent this, a preliminary discharge of the print head 2 may be performed when the print head 2 is moved from the retracted position to the printing position.

[0094] Fig. 9A Shown based on Figure 5C The information shown is an example of a mobile plan generated in this embodiment. Fig. 9A In the example shown, it is assumed that the conveying speed of the print medium P is 40 mpm (meters per minute). In addition, it is assumed that the moving time of the print head 2 from the printing position to the retracted position and the moving time of the print head 2 from the retracted position to the printing position are each 20 seconds. It is assumed that the time for the print head 2 to perform preliminary discharge at the printing position is 30 seconds.

[0095] Will Fig. 9A The example shown is similar to Fig. 6A When the print head 2 moves from the retracted position to the printing position, the timing of starting the movement is advanced by 30 seconds, which is the time for preliminary discharge. For example, before the printing interval from 100 to 200 m, the timing of moving the print head 2Y for discharging yellow ink from the retracted position to the printing position is advanced by 30 seconds. Fig. 6A The example shown is a 280 second timing, but in Fig. 9A The example shown is a 250 second timing. The time for the initial discharge is ensured by starting the movement 30 seconds earlier.

[0096] Fig. 9BThe operation of performing preliminary discharge after moving the print head 2Y for discharging yellow ink from the retracted position to the printing position is schematically shown. In the preliminary discharge, for example, ink is discharged between pages on the print medium P. In the case of ink of an inconspicuous color such as yellow ink, preliminary discharge may be performed on an image on the print medium P. Note that in this embodiment, preliminary discharge is described as an example, but other maintenance such as color gamut adjustment during printing may be performed. When performing a plurality of maintenance operations, the movement plan of the print head 2 is set in consideration of the time until all operations are completed.

[0097] Other embodiments

[0098] The embodiments of the present invention may also be implemented by providing software (program) for performing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or various storage media, and a computer or a central processing unit (CPU) or a microprocessing unit (MPU) of the system or device reads and executes the program.

[0099] While the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.

Claims

1. A printing device, comprising: a moving member for individually moving a plurality of print heads provided for the type of liquid between a printing position at which the liquid is discharged toward a print medium and a retracted position retracted from the print medium compared to the printing position; A conveying component, used for conveying the printing medium; as well as a control member for controlling the moving member so that a print head for discharging a type of liquid to be used for printing among the plurality of print heads is located at the printing position, and a print head for discharging a type of liquid not used for printing is located at the retracted position, The control component controls the moving component to move the print head of the moving object during the conveyance of the printing medium.

2. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein: The control section specifies at least one of a type of liquid to be used for printing and a type of liquid not to be used for printing according to print data as a printing object, and controls the moving section based on a result of the specification.

3. The printing device according to claim 2, wherein: The control section specifies at least one of a type of liquid to be used for printing and a type of liquid not to be used for printing on a page-by-page basis according to the print data.

4. The printing device according to claim 2, wherein: The control components: storing the designation result in association with the print data, and When printing the same print data as the print data printed in the past, the stored designation result is used.

5. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein: The control section generates a movement plan of the plurality of print heads and controls the movement section according to the movement plan.

6. The printing device according to claim 5, wherein: The control components: storing the movement plan in association with the print data, and When printing the same print data as the print data printed in the past, the stored movement plan is used.

7. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein: The control section specifies at least one of a type of liquid to be used for printing and a type of liquid not to be used for printing for each of a plurality of printing intervals arranged in a conveying direction of the print medium, and sets a print head to be moved and a movement timing based on the specification result.

8. The printing device according to claim 7, wherein: Each printing section has a length for printing a plurality of pages.

9. The printing device according to claim 7, wherein: Each printing section is a section set based on a predetermined unit length.

10. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein The printing medium is a roll sheet.

11. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein: Each print head is a full line head, and One type of liquid is assigned to one print head.

12. A method for controlling a printing device, the printing device comprising: a moving member for individually moving a plurality of print heads provided for the type of liquid between a printing position at which the liquid is discharged toward a print medium and a retracted position retracted from the print medium compared to the printing position; and a conveying component for conveying the printing medium, the control method comprising: controlling the moving member so that a print head for discharging a type of liquid to be used for printing among the plurality of print heads is located at the printing position, and a print head for discharging a type of liquid not used for printing is located at the retracted position, Here, in the control, the moving component is controlled to move the print head of the moving object during the conveyance of the printing medium.

13. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a program configured to cause a computer to perform the following operations in order to control a printing device including a moving part for individually moving a plurality of print heads provided for the type of liquid between a printing position and a retracted position and a conveying part for conveying a printing medium: controlling the moving member so that a print head for discharging a type of liquid to be used for printing among the plurality of print heads is located at the printing position, and a print head for discharging a type of liquid not used for printing is located at the retracted position, in, In the control, the moving member is controlled to move the print head of the moving object during the conveyance of the print medium, and Liquid is discharged toward the print medium at the printing position, and the retracted position is retracted from the print medium compared to the printing position.

14. A computer program product, comprising a program, wherein in order to control a printing device including a moving part for individually moving a plurality of print heads provided for the type of liquid between a printing position and a retracted position and a conveying part for conveying a printing medium, the program is configured to cause a computer to perform the following operations: controlling the moving member so that a print head for discharging a type of liquid to be used for printing among the plurality of print heads is located at the printing position, and a print head for discharging a type of liquid not used for printing is located at the retracted position, in, In the control, the moving member is controlled to move the print head of the moving object during the conveyance of the print medium, and Liquid is discharged toward the print medium at the printing position, and the retracted position is retracted from the print medium compared to the printing position.

Images