Recording system, method and program

Abstract

To provide a recording system for suppressing an occurrence of an underline even if data having a possibility that the underline occurs is included.SOLUTION: A data control part is provided with transmission control means for grouping image data corresponding to a prescribed unit so as to satisfy a condition, and performing transmission control for transmitting the grouped data to a recording control part. The recording control part includes storage means for receiving the grouped data from the data control part to store the grouped data in a buffer area, acquisition means for acquiring the image data from the grouped data stored in the buffer area, and recording control means for performing recording control for performing recording by the recording means on the basis of the image data acquired by the acquisition means.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a recording system that performs recording control, and a method and program for the recording system. [Background technology]

[0002] In a printer that performs continuous printing while transferring image data from an image generating unit via a data communication unit, there is a phenomenon in which the supply of image data during printing cannot keep up with the sheet transport speed (hereinafter referred to as "underrun"), making it impossible to print. The supply of image data during printing cannot keep up with the speed, and the inability to print due to an underrun is called an underrun error. If the printer is a digital printer capable of variable printing, control is performed on a page-by-page basis, so during continuous printing, data transfer for each page and command communication to notify print setting information and instruct print processing is executed. Therefore, even if the data transfer speed per unit size due to the network bandwidth exceeds the printer's printing speed, an underrun may occur due to the addition of command communication time other than image data transfer and software processing time associated with communication.

[0003] It is known that, for underrun errors, the data transfer status and buffer status during printing are monitored, and when an underrun is detected or expected to occur, processing such as temporarily stopping printing is performed. In Patent Document 1, measurement data is sent from the host device to the printer before printing, and the data transfer speed is calculated by measuring the time. Then, when printing, it is described that the occurrence of an underrun error is predicted by calculating the data transfer speed and printing speed information for the print page image data. In Patent Document 1, the occurrence of an underrun is suppressed by using the judgment result and transferring data only for page images that are judged not to cause an underrun error. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2011-189509 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Even if underruns can be prevented, if there are missing image data in the printed output, it may not be recognized as a final product. In such cases, a lot of rework is required, such as correcting the page image data of the job so that it is no longer judged as an underrun and reprinting it. An object of the present invention is to provide a recording system, method and program that suppresses the occurrence of an underrun even when data that may cause an underrun is included. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the recording system of the present invention is a recording system including a data control unit and a recording control unit, wherein the data control unit comprises a transmission control means that groups image data corresponding to a predetermined unit so as to satisfy a condition and performs transmission control to transmit the grouped data to the recording control unit, and the recording control unit comprises a storage means that receives the grouped data from the data control unit and stores it in a buffer area, an acquisition means that acquires the image data from the grouped data stored in the buffer area, and a recording control means that performs recording control to cause a recording means to record based on the image data acquired by the acquisition means. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, even if data that may cause an underrun is included, the occurrence of an underrun can be suppressed. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1]FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the internal configuration of the recording apparatus. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of control hardware of the recording apparatus. [Diagram 3] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a printing sequence between control hardware. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a process flow of a printing sequence. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a printing sequence between control hardware. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a printing sequence between control hardware. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a printing sequence between control hardware. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a printing sequence between control hardware. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining generation of a data linkage group. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining conditions for preventing underrun. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims. Although the embodiments describe a number of features, not all of these features are essential to the invention, and the features may be combined in any manner. Furthermore, in the attached drawings, the same reference numbers are used for the same or similar configurations, and duplicated descriptions are omitted.

[0010] [First embodiment] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the internal configuration of a recording device 1. The top in FIG. 1 is defined as the top, the left-right direction in FIG. 1 as the longitudinal direction, and the direction perpendicular to the recording medium conveying direction, i.e., the direction from the front to the back, as the sheet width direction. The recording device 1 is a high-speed line printer that uses a continuous sheet wound in a roll as a recording medium. Inside the recording device 1, there are provided each unit of an unwinding roll section 2, a first dancer section 3, a first main conveying section 4, a meandering correction section 5, a conveying detection section 6, a recording section 7, a conveying tension detection section 9, a recording image position detection section 10, a scanner section 11, a second main conveying section 12, a second dancer section 13, a winding roll section 14, a maintenance section 15, a drying section 40, and a cooling section 50. The continuous sheet S, which is a recording medium, is conveyed along the sheet conveying path shown by the solid line in the figure, and is processed in each unit.

[0011] The recording device 1 has a first recording process and a second recording process along the sheet transport path (sheet S). In the first recording process, an image fixed on the sheet S is recorded after passing through the first recording section 7a, the first drying section 40a, and the first cooling section 50a. In the second recording process, an image fixed on the sheet S after passing through the first recording section 7b, the first drying section 40b, and the first cooling section 50b is recorded. In this way, the recording device 1 can record images continuously on the sheet S by passing the sheet S through the first recording process and the second recording process. The recording device 1 can also selectively determine the recording process according to the recording conditions. In that case, an image is recorded on the sheet S only through the selected recording process.

[0012] The unwinding roll unit 2 is a unit for holding and supplying a continuous sheet wound in a roll shape. The unwinding roll unit 2 is configured to store an unwinding roll and pull out and supply the sheet S. Note that the number of rolls that can be stored is not limited to one, and the unit may be configured to store two or three or more rolls and selectively pull out and supply the sheet S.

[0013] The first dancer unit 3 is a unit for applying a constant sheet tension between the unwinding roll unit 2 and the first main conveyor unit 4. The first dancer unit 3 applies sheet tension by a tension applying mechanism (not shown).

[0014] The first main conveyor 4 is a unit for feeding the sheet S to each unit provided along the sheet conveying path (sheet S) and for applying sheet tension between the first main conveyor 4 and the second main conveyor 11. The first main conveyor 4 rotates by driving a motor (not shown) and conveys the sheet S under tension.

[0015] The meandering correction unit 5 is a unit for correcting meandering in the sheet width direction when the sheet S is conveyed under tension. The meandering correction unit 5 includes a first meandering correction unit 5a and a second meandering correction unit 5b provided upstream of each recording process in the sheet conveying path. The meandering correction unit 5 includes a meandering correction roller and a meandering detection sensor (not shown) that detects meandering of the sheet S. The meandering correction roller can change the inclination with respect to the sheet S by a motor (not shown), and corrects the meandering of the sheet S based on the measurement result of the meandering detection sensor. The meandering correction function is improved by wrapping the sheet S around the meandering correction roller.

[0016] The transport detection unit 6 is a unit for detecting the transport speed of the sheet S and a mark printed in advance on the sheet S in order to control the image formation timing of the recording unit 7. The transport detection unit 6 includes a first transport detection unit 6a and a second transport detection unit 6b provided upstream of each recording process in the sheet transport path. The first transport detection unit 6a and the second transport detection unit 6b are used to control the image formation timing of the first recording unit 7a and the second recording unit 7b, respectively.

[0017] The recording unit 7 is a sheet processing unit that forms an image by applying a liquid composition (ink) onto the sheet S from above using a recording head 22. The conveying path in the recording unit 7 is formed by guide rollers 23 arranged in an upwardly convex arc shape, and a certain tension is applied to the sheet S to ensure a clearance with the recording head 22. The recording head 22 has a plurality of recording heads arranged along the conveying direction. The first recording unit 7a has a total of two line-type recording heads corresponding to white (W) ink and a reaction liquid. The second recording unit 7b has a total of eight line-type recording heads corresponding to the four colors of black (Bk), yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) as well as the reaction liquid and three special colors. The reaction liquid is a liquid containing a component that increases the viscosity of the ink. Here, the increase in the viscosity of the ink refers to a state in which the coloring material, resin, etc. that constitutes the ink come into contact with the component that increases the viscosity of the ink, causing a chemical reaction or physical adsorption, resulting in an increase in the viscosity of the ink. The increase in the viscosity of the ink is not limited to an increase in the viscosity of the entire ink, but also includes a local increase in viscosity due to partial aggregation of the components that make up the ink, such as coloring materials and resins. The components that increase the viscosity of the ink are not particularly limited, such as metal ions and polymer flocculants, but a substance that causes a change in the pH of the ink and aggregates the coloring materials in the ink can be used, and an organic acid can be used. If a reaction liquid is applied before the ink is applied onto the sheet S, the ink that reaches the sheet S can be fixed immediately. This makes it possible to suppress bleeding, in which adjacent inks mix with each other. The color types and number of colors and the number of recording heads 22 are not limited. The inkjet recording method can be a method using a heating element, a method using a piezoelectric element, a method using an electrostatic element, a method using a Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS) element, or the like. The ink is supplied to the recording head 22 from an ink tank (not shown) through an ink tube.

[0018] The conveying tension detection unit 9 is a unit for detecting tension when conveying the sheet S under tension between the first main conveying unit 4 and the second main conveying unit 12. The recorded image position detection unit 10 is a unit for detecting misalignment of an image formed on the sheet S by the recording unit 7 during printing and correcting the printing. The winding guide roller R1 is a roller that wraps the surface of the sheet S opposite the ink application surface downstream of the second recording unit 7b at a constant winding angle. Two winding guide rollers R1 are arranged between the second recording unit 7b and the second drying unit 40b, and the sheet S is folded back approximately parallel to the top and bottom of the device, and the second drying unit 40b is arranged below the recording unit 7b.

[0019] The drying section 40 (first drying section 40a, second drying section 40b) is a unit that reduces the amount of liquid contained in the liquid composition applied onto the sheet S in the recording section 7, and improves the fixation of the sheet S and the ink. The drying section 40 blows air onto the recorded sheet S to dry the applied ink. The drying section 40 applies air to at least the ink-applied surface side of the sheet S passing through it, and dries the ink-applied surface of the sheet S. Note that the drying method may be a combination of a method of applying air, a method of irradiating the surface of the sheet S with electromagnetic waves (ultraviolet rays, infrared rays, etc.), and a conductive heat transfer method by contact with a heating element.

[0020] The cooling section 50 (first cooling section 50a, second cooling section 50b) cools the sheet S fixed in the drying section 40, solidifies the softened ink, and suppresses the amount of temperature change of the sheet S in downstream processes of the recording apparatus 1. The cooling section 50 cools the ink-applied surface of the sheet S by applying air at a lower temperature than that of the sheet S to at least the ink-applied surface side of the sheet S passing through it. Note that the cooling method is not limited to the method of applying air, and may be a conductive heat transfer method by contact with a heat dissipation member, or a combination of these.

[0021] The scanner unit 11 is a unit for reading a test image formed on the sheet S by the recording unit 7 before the actual printing, detecting the misalignment and density of the image, and correcting the actual printing. The second main transport unit 12 is a unit for transporting the sheet S with the first main transport unit 4 while applying tension to the sheet S, and adjusting the tension of the sheet S. The second main transport unit 12 is rotated by being driven by a motor (not shown), and a tension control unit (not shown) controls the speed of the second main transport unit 12 according to the tension value detected by the transport tension detection unit 9. Note that, as an additional configuration for adjusting the tension of the sheet S, a configuration for adjusting the tension of the sheet S by a clutch (not shown) capable of controlling the torque connected to the drive may be added. In this case, there are two tension control methods: a torque control method for controlling the torque value transmitted from the clutch, and a speed control method for controlling the roller speed of the second main transport unit 12. The tension control methods can be switched or both can be used simultaneously according to the purpose.

[0022] The second dancer section 13 is a unit for applying a constant sheet tension between the second main transport section 12 and the winding roll section 14. The second dancer section 13 applies sheet tension by a tension applying mechanism (not shown). The winding roll section 14 is a unit for winding the recorded sheet S onto a core. The number of recoverable rolls is not limited to one, and the winding roll section 14 may have two or three or more cores and may be configured to recover the sheet S by selectively switching between them. Depending on the content of the processing after recording, the continuous sheet may be cut using a cutter and the cut sheet S may be stacked, instead of being wound onto a core.

[0023] The control unit 31 is a unit that controls each part of the entire recording device 1. The control unit 31 has a CPU, a storage device, a controller equipped with various control units, an external interface, and an operation unit 32 where the user performs input and output. The operation of the recording device 1 is controlled based on instructions from a host device 33 such as the controller or a host computer (information processing device) connected to the controller via an external interface. The host device 33 may also be a DFE (Digital Front End) that performs RIP processing and the like outside the recording device 1.

[0024] The maintenance unit 15 is a unit equipped with a mechanism for recovering the ejection performance of the recording head 22. Examples of such mechanisms include a cap mechanism for protecting the ink ejection surface of the recording head 22, a wiper mechanism for wiping the ink ejection surface, and a suction mechanism for negatively sucking the ink in the recording head 22 from the ink ejection surface. The maintenance unit 15 also includes a drive mechanism and rails (not shown) and is capable of reciprocating horizontally along the rails. The maintenance unit 15 moves to a position directly below the recording head 22 when performing maintenance on the recording head 22, and moves to a position retracted from directly below the recording head 22 when not performing maintenance. In this embodiment, a first maintenance unit 15a and a second maintenance unit 15b are provided for the first recording unit 7a and the second recording unit 7b, respectively.

[0025] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the recording system of the recording device 1. The recording device 1 includes a controller 210, a mechatronics control board 220, and a recording head control board 230 as control hardware constituting the recording system. The controller 210 issues instructions to the mechatronics control board 220 and the recording head control board 230 to control the entire recording device 1, and also has a role of print job control and RIP processing of image data. The controller 210 also operates as a data control unit that controls the transmission of image data to the recording head control board 230. The controller 210 includes a CPU 211, a ROM 212, a UI 217, a network IF 214, a RAM 215, and a RIP engine 216, each of which communicates via an internal bus 213. The CPU 211 loads a control program stored in the ROM 212 into the RAM 215, and performs input / output control to the user via the UI 217, RIP processing of image data using the RIP engine 216, and the like. 1. The ROM 212 is used, for example, as a storage location for image data when the image data is spooled. The RAM 215 is used, for example, as a temporary storage location for image data loaded from the ROM 212. The network IF 214 is an IF module that performs LAN communication, and is used for command communication with the mechatronics control board 220 and the printhead control board 230, and for image data transfer processing. The controller 210 corresponds to the control unit 31 in FIG. 1, and the UI 217 corresponds to the operation unit 32.

[0026] The mechatronics control board 220 controls a conveying mechanism 250 that conveys sheets, a fixing mechanism 260 that fixes images after printing, and a recovery mechanism 270 that performs maintenance operations to keep the ink discharge properties of the recording head 280 good. The fixing mechanism 260 corresponds to the drying section 40 and the cooling section 50 in FIG. 1. The recovery mechanism 270 corresponds to the maintenance section 15 in FIG. 1. The recording head 280 corresponds to the recording head 22 in FIG. 1. The mechatronics control board 220 includes a CPU 221, a ROM 222, a network IF 224, a RAM 225, and a mechatronics driver 226, which communicate with each other via an internal bus 223. The CPU 221 loads a control program stored in the ROM 222 into the RAM 225, and controls each mechanism via the mechatronics driver 226. The network IF 224 is an IF module that communicates via a LAN, and communicates with the controller 210 by command. The mechatronics control board 220 may be configured as multiple units depending on the configuration and scale of the mechanisms to be controlled.

[0027] The printhead control board 230 serves as a print control unit that controls the drive of the printhead 280 that ejects ink, and performs data flow control that receives image data from the controller 210 and transfers the data to the printhead 280. The printhead control board 230 includes a CPU 231, a ROM 232, a network IF 234, a RAM 235, and a printhead driver 236, each of which communicates via an internal bus 233. The CPU 231 loads a control program stored in the ROM 232 into the RAM 235, and controls the printhead 280 via the printhead driver 236. The network IF 234 is an IF module that performs LAN communication, and performs command communication with the controller 210 and receives image data from the controller 210. The RAM 235 is used, for example, as a received data buffer area that temporarily stores image data transferred from the controller 210. The printhead control board 230 has a configuration of one unit per printhead 280. That is, when one print head 280 is provided for each color of ink, the print head control boards 230 are provided for each color of ink.

[0028] The print trigger signal line 290 is a signal line that connects the transport mechanism 250 and the print head 280, and serves to transmit an ink ejection timing signal according to the transport speed and a print page start trigger signal as hardware control signals.

[0029] In this embodiment, a configuration will be described in which the controller 210 and the printhead control board 230 communicate within the recording device 1. For example, this is a configuration in which an image data generation module and a printhead control module are arranged on the same electric board and communicate via an internal bus of the board. Alternatively, the controller 210 and the printhead control board 230 may communicate via an inter-device network such as a switching hub 240. For example, this is a configuration in which the controller 210 is provided in the host device 33 and the printhead control board 230 is provided in the recording device 1.

[0030] Next, the overall print sequence in the above-mentioned device configuration and control hardware configuration will be described with reference to FIG. 3. As shown in the figure, the sequence in FIG. 3 is executed between the controller 210, the mechatronics control board 220, and the printhead control board 230. The processing of the controller 210 is executed by the CPU 211. The processing of the mechatronics control board 220 is executed by the CPU 221. The processing of the printhead control board 230 is executed by the CPU 211. The sequence in FIG. 3 is started based on the fact that a print job is input to the controller 210 and a print start instruction is received from a user. At this time, detailed print settings are also determined. The print settings are, for example, settings related to image processing such as information on the ink color to be used and a parameter table used in image processing, and settings related to mechanical operations such as the sheet transport speed and temperature setting of the drying unit. In this embodiment, as an example, it is assumed that a print start instruction is received for variable printing in which an image corresponding to a page (logical page) is printed on a recording medium such as roll paper.

[0031] In S301, the controller 210 transmits a print start instruction to the mechatronics control board 220. At this time, the controller 210 transmits setting information related to the mechanical operation to the mechatronics control board 220. In S306, when the mechatronics control board 220 receives the print start instruction and the setting information related to the mechanical operation transmitted from the controller 210, it performs a print preparation operation (initialization operation) of the mechanism. The print preparation operation by the mechatronics control board 220 includes initialization processing of the transport mechanism 250, temperature control of the fixing mechanism 260, and a cap opening operation of the recording head 280 of the recovery mechanism 270. In S307, when the mechatronics control board 220 completes the initialization operation, it transmits a mechanism preparation completion notification to the controller 210.

[0032] After S301, the controller 210 starts a print sequence in S302. At this point, a print sequence including data flow control, which will be described later, starts. In the data flow control, which will be described later in detail, image data is transferred one after another from the controller 210 to the printhead control board 230.

[0033] When the print sequence starts, the controller 210 transfers image data to the printhead control board 230. In S304, when data is stored in the received data buffer area on the RAM 235 or when reception of the data for the final page is completed, the printhead control board 230 transmits a data preparation completion notification to the controller 210.

[0034] When the controller 210 receives the data preparation completion notification transmitted in S304 and the mechatronics preparation completion notification transmitted in S307, it transmits a print start instruction to the mechatronics control board 220 in S303. When the mechatronics control board 220 receives the print start instruction, it performs a print start operation in S308. The print start operation includes, for example, controlling the conveying mechanism 250 to set the sheet conveying speed to the speed during printing. When the mechatronics control board 220 performs the print start operation, it transmits a print start trigger to the recording head 290. The print start trigger is a signal transmitted via the print trigger signal line 290. The recording head 280 that has received the print start trigger forms an image by discharging ink on the sheet one page at a time. In S305, the recording head control board 230 transmits a print process completion notification to the controller 210 when ink discharge is completed on a page basis.

[0035] 3 is repeated until the final page. When the mechatronics control board 220 detects that the transport mechanism 250 has wound up the final page onto the winding roll unit 14, in S309 the printhead control board 230 sends a mechatronics printing end notification to the controller 210. Thereafter, the controller 210, mechatronics control board 220, and printhead control board 220 execute processes at the end of printing and transition to a standby state. This concludes the overall printing flow.

[0036] Here, an underrun that occurs during printing will be described. When image data is not supplied in time during printing, an underrun is called an underrun, and when printing becomes impossible due to an underrun, an underrun error is called. The recording device 1 forms an image by ejecting ink in the recording unit 7 while conveying a sheet at a constant speed. If the image data of the corresponding page is not prepared in the recording head 280 at the time when the page start position on the sheet reaches the recording unit 7, an underrun occurs and image formation is not performed properly. In this embodiment, before printing starts, in S304, image data for several pages is stored in the received data buffer area of ​​the recording head control board 230. During printing, the image data in the received data buffer area is processed every time image formation is performed, but image data is transferred from the controller 210 in parallel, so that the image data is replenished in the received data buffer area. Due to the presence of the received data buffer area, an underrun does not occur immediately even if the data transfer speed temporarily falls below the print speed during printing. If the data transfer speed continues to fall below the print speed, the amount of image data in the received data buffer area decreases, and an underrun will eventually occur. Hereinafter, image data for each page may be referred to as page image data.

[0037] There are two basic policies for preventing underrun. One is to ensure that the size of the received data buffer area of ​​the printhead control board 230 is sufficiently large, and printing is started after as many page image data as possible are received in S304 of FIG. 3. The other is to make the image data transfer speed exceed the printing speed. The former can prevent underrun by ensuring the size of the received data buffer area for the image data size of all pages of the print job and starting printing after all pages of image data have been transferred in advance. However, there are problems with increased costs and increased physical size due to the increase in the capacity of the RAM 235 of the printhead control board 230. In addition, there is a problem that the maximum number of pages cannot be estimated in a printing device capable of continuous printing by continuously inputting jobs, such as variable printing. On the other hand, the latter is more suitable for the recording device 1 of this embodiment capable of continuous printing, since there is no need to estimate the maximum number of pages.

[0038] A configuration for making the image data transfer speed exceed the print speed will be described. It is assumed that the recording device 1 in this embodiment is a digital printing device capable of variable printing. In variable printing, the image size and print settings are usually determined on a page-by-page basis. In addition, printing cancellation and print result management are all performed on a predetermined page-by-page basis. Therefore, the print process is basically controlled on a page-by-page basis. Image data for one page is transferred from the controller 210 to the print head control board 230, and the print process is then executed on the print head 280. For this purpose, in addition to the network transfer of the image data itself, network communication of multiple commands such as notification of setting information regarding the data transfer of the page, notification of free space availability in the received data buffer area, and notification of data transfer completion, and software processing associated with them are required. That is, in order to prevent underrun, it is necessary to make the total time of the network transfer time of the image data, the other command communication time, and the software processing time associated with them equal to or less than the time based on the print speed. As a result, in order to prevent underrun, it is necessary to satisfy the condition of the relational expression expressed by the following equation (1).

[0039] (1 / N)×D+S ≦ (1 / V)×X ···(1) N: Network transfer speed ([bytes / sec]) D: Image data size ([bytes]) S: Command communication and software processing time excluding data transfer time ([seconds]) V: Sheet transport speed ([pixels / sec]) X: The length of the image (in pixels) (1 / V) x X is the time it takes to transport the sheet, and (1 / N) x D + S is the time it takes to complete the data transfer. Also, the image data size D is expressed as D = d x X, where d is the data size per unit size in the longitudinal direction (transport direction). D corresponds to the number of image lines.

[0040] The data size d per unit size in the longitudinal direction is a value determined by the width size of the image and the data size per pixel. In this embodiment, when determining the conditions, the width size is set to a fixed value of the maximum size that the recording device 1 can handle, and the data size per pixel is also set to a fixed value of the maximum size that the recording device 1 can handle. If the left and right sides of formula (1) are plotted under such a premise, the result is as shown in FIG. 10. As shown in FIG. 10, the sheet conveying time and the data transfer completion time increase or decrease depending on the X value of the image data, but the command communication and software processing time S other than the data transfer time are constant regardless of the data size. It can be seen that the condition of formula (1) is satisfied when the X value is larger than the X value (=L) at which the two plots intersect. In other words, when the X value of the image data of the page is L or more, underrun is avoided, and when it is less than L, there is a possibility that underrun may occur.

[0041] The image data combining and transferring process executed in the print sequence of S302 will be described below. As described above, as shown in FIG. 10, a page with an X value less than L corresponds to a condition in which the image data transfer speed is lower than the print speed, that is, there is a possibility of causing an underrun. Therefore, in this embodiment, for a page with an X value less than L, the X value of the next page is added. If the X value after the addition is less than L, the X value of the next page is further added, and a page group in which the X value after the addition is equal to or greater than L is determined. When transferring image data from the controller 210 to the printhead control board 230, the page image data included in the page group is combined in a continuous memory space on the RAM 215 in the order of pages to be printed, and transferred as one combined data. In addition, the setting information notification command for data transfer is provided with information on the page group to be combined. Then, the printhead control board 230 divides the received page data into individual page image data, and controls the printing process to the printhead 280 on a page-by-page basis.

[0042] In this embodiment, by performing the above-described data combination transfer process, it is possible to perform data transfer that satisfies the underrun avoidance conditions and perform print control on a page-by-page basis, even for print jobs that include image data with small X values. The above page groups are hereinafter referred to as data combination groups.

[0043] An example of generating a data-linked group in which image data are linked together will be described with reference to FIG. 9. A page image 901 is a schematic diagram of image data in units of pages, with the horizontal direction representing the length in the longitudinal direction (=X). The numbers written inside each page image 901 represent page numbers. Note that the page numbers here represent the printing order on a sheet, and do not represent page numbers within a print job. In other words, if a job is to be printed continuously on a sheet, it is processed as continuous pages. For example, all of pages 1 to 11 in FIG. 9 may be one job, or pages 1 to 2, pages 3 to 6, and pages 7 to 11 may be different jobs, or all pages may be different jobs. A page with an X value of L or more becomes one data-linked group by itself. In FIG. 9, pages 1, 2, and 10 are included. For a page with an X value less than L, it is linked with the next page to form a data-linked group so that the total X value is L or more. In FIG. 9, pages 3, 4, and 5 form one data-linked group, and pages 6, 7, 8, and 9 form one data-linked group. Also, although the X value of the 11th page is less than L, since there is no subsequent page, it is not possible to form a data combination group in which the sum of the X values ​​is L or more. In such a case, even if the sum of the X values ​​is less than L, it is treated as one data combination group and data transfer is performed. The last data combination group does not satisfy the underrun avoidance condition. However, since the data transfer up to the immediately preceding data transfer satisfies the underrun avoidance condition, image data is buffered in the reception data buffer area of ​​the printhead control board 230, and if data transfer can be performed before the buffer in the reception data buffer area becomes zero, underrun is avoided. Therefore, even if the last data combination group is a group in which the sum of the X values ​​does not satisfy L or more, it is highly likely that image data with an X value of L or more remains in the reception data buffer area of ​​the printhead control board 230, so that underrun during printing can be prevented. Thus, in this embodiment, before printing begins, image data is grouped so that the X value is L or more.

[0044] Moreover, the condition L for forming the data combination group may be set to a larger value (Lm) by adding a margin value. However, if the data size of the data combination group exceeds the size of the reception data buffer area of ​​the printhead control board 230, data transfer cannot be performed, so the value is set within that constraint.

[0045] The maximum X value of one page in the recording device 1 is Xmax [pixels], and the size of the received data buffer area of ​​the recording head control board 230 is B [bytes]. The upper limit of Lm is Lm that satisfies d*(Lm+Xmax)=B. This formula assumes a case in which a page with an X value less than Lm is combined with an image with an X value of Xmax and the image width direction is maximum when forming a data combination group, and is a condition under which the combined data size is B or less even in that case. Here, Xmax may be determined based on the size of the ROM 212 and RAM 215 of the controller 210 and the structural constraints of the recording head 280. In FIG. 10, the upper limit of Lm is shown as Lmax. The value that can be set as Lm is between L and Lmax on the X axis of the graph. The value of the condition L may be a fixed value calculated based on a theoretical value and incorporated into the program in the controller 210 or the recording head control board 230, or may be dynamically calculated on the program at the start of printing based on the setting value information of the sheet conveying speed V at the start of printing. Alternatively, the network communication speed may be measured during the manufacturing process of the recording device 1 or during the installation process of the recording device 1, and the network transfer speed N may be determined based on the measurement results, and then L may be calculated and stored in the ROM 212 of the controller 210 or the ROM 232 of the printhead control board 230, and referenced from the program. Alternatively, a combination or selectable configuration of these may be used.

[0046] The print sequence in the data flow control of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 4. FIG. 4 shows the print sequence in the data flow control that is started in S301 in FIG. 3. The sequence in FIG. 4 is executed by the controller 210. In FIG. 4, four processes are executed. That is, a page print information notification process in S401, a page data merging process in S402, a data transfer process in S403, and a print instruction process in S404 are executed. The controller 210 executes the processes of S401, S402, and S404 the number of times corresponding to the number of pages, and executes the processes of S403 the number of times corresponding to the number of data merging groups. In addition, each process is executed in order for each page, but each process may be executed in parallel in a different thread. For example, while the page data merging process in S402 is executed for the 10th page, the page print information notification process in S401 may be executed for the 100th page in parallel at the same time. The processes of S401 to S404 will be described in detail below.

[0047] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing details of the process of S401. As shown in FIG. 5, the page printing information notification process of S401 is a process coordinated between the controller 210 and the printhead control board 230. In S501, the controller 210 transmits a page printing information notification to the printhead control board 230. Here, the information transmitted as the print information notification is print setting information in units of pages, such as image size and resolution, color information, and whether correction processing is required. In S502, the printhead control board 230 that has received the print information notification registers and holds the page printing information. The page printing information is the print setting information in units of pages. In S503, when the registration of the page printing information is completed, the printhead control board 230 transmits a registration completion notification to the controller 210.

[0048] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing details of the process of S402. The process of FIG. 6 is executed by the controller 210, and is the process of forming the data link group described above. Also, n in the diagram is the page number when starting to execute this sequence. In S601, the controller 210 initializes processing variables and a variable that stores the sum of X values. In S602, the controller 210 adds page [n+i] to the data link group. For example, when S602 is executed for the first time, the first page is added to the data link group.

[0049] In S603, the controller 210 adds the X value of page [n+i] to the sum of the X values. As described above, the X value is the length of the page image data in the longitudinal direction. In S604, the controller 210 judges whether the sum of the X values ​​is less than a threshold value. Here, the threshold value is the L value of the underrun avoidance condition described above, or a value Lm obtained by adding a margin to the L value. If it is judged in S604 that the sum is less than the threshold value, the process proceeds to S605, and if it is judged that the sum is not less than the threshold value, i.e., that the sum is equal to or greater than the threshold value, the process proceeds to S607.

[0050] In S605, the controller 210 increments the variable i, and proceeds to S606. In S606, the controller 210 determines whether or not a page [n+i] after the increment of the variable i exists. That is, if the page currently being processed is not the last page, it is determined that a page [n+i] after the increment of the variable i exists, and the process from S602 is repeated. On the other hand, if the page currently being processed is the last page, it is determined that a page [n+i] after the increment of the variable i does not exist, and proceeds to S607.

[0051] In S607, the controller 210 loads the page image data included in the data link group, and combines and arranges them in the order of print pages in a continuous memory space of the RAM 215. Then, the process of Fig. 6 ends. By the above process, a data link group that satisfies the underrun avoidance condition or includes the final page is formed, and the combined page image data included in the data link group is prepared in the RAM 215.

[0052] Fig. 7 is a diagram showing details of the process of S403. As shown in Fig. 7, S403 is a process coordinated between the controller 210 and the printhead control board 230. In S701, the controller 210 transmits a data transfer information notification to the printhead control board 230. Here, the data transfer information notification includes information (data transfer information) of pages included in the data combination group to be subjected to subsequent data transfer.

[0053] In S703, the printhead control board 230 registers and holds data transfer information, and secures an area in the received data buffer based on the data transfer information. Here, the data size for securing the area is determined by, for example, calculating the total size of the data merge group based on the information on the image data size for each page received in the sequence of FIG. 5. Note that the amount of usage of the received data buffer area may reach full size during printing. In that case, the process waits in S703 until the printing progresses and the data is processed to secure the area. When the area is secured, the process proceeds to S705, where the printhead control board 230 transmits a data transfer request notification to the controller 210.

[0054] When the controller 210 receives the data transfer request notification, in S702 it transfers data to the printhead control board 230. In this data transfer, the combined data of the data combination group prepared for transfer in the process of Fig. 6 is transferred. In S706, the printhead control board 230 that has received the data stores the received data in a received data buffer area, and in S707 transmits a data transfer completion notification to the controller 210.

[0055] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing details of the process of S404. As shown in FIG. 8, S404 is a process that is coordinated between the controller 210 and the printhead control board 230. In S801, the controller 210 transmits a print instruction notice to the printhead control board 230. The print instruction notice is transmitted in units of pages, and includes information on the corresponding page. In S802, the printhead control board 230 that has received the print instruction notice divides and acquires the page image data of the corresponding page from the received data buffer area using information on the image data size of one page of the corresponding page that was registered in S502. Then, in S803, the printhead control board 230 transfers data to the printhead 280. In S804, the printhead control board 230 performs a process of releasing the received data buffer area after the data transfer. In this embodiment, after the data is transferred to the printhead 280, a print start trigger signal is delivered from the transport mechanism 250 in accordance with the timing of sheet transport. The printhead 280 that has received the print start trigger signal forms an image by ejecting ink. When ink ejection for one page is completed, in S805, the printhead 280 transmits an interrupt notification to the printhead control board 230. In S806, the printhead control board 230, which has received the interrupt notification, transmits a print processing completion notification to the controller 210. The print processing completion notification corresponds to the processing of S305 in FIG.

[0056] By performing the above process for each page, it is possible to avoid underrun and print all pages. Also, the sequence of sending the print instruction notice and printing process shown in Fig. 8 is performed on a page-by-page basis. Therefore, even if page image data is combined, it is possible to perform control and management for, for example, interrupting printing and resuming printing thereafter, as well as for billing, on a page-by-page basis.

[0057] In this embodiment, the recording device 1 has a line-type recording head 280, but is not limited to this, and may be a recording device having a so-called serial-type recording head that can move back and forth in a direction perpendicular to the sheet transport direction. Also, in this embodiment, it has been described that each process of the print sequence is mainly executed by a software program, but is not limited to this, and may be realized by hardware such as an ASIC or FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) that has the same function.

[0058] The present invention can also be realized by a process in which a program for implementing one or more of the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in a computer of the system or device read and execute the program. The present invention can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that implements one or more of the functions.

[0059] The disclosure of this embodiment includes the following recording system, method, and program. (Item 1) A recording system including a data control unit and a recording control unit, The data control unit a transmission control means for performing a transmission control for grouping image data corresponding to a predetermined unit so as to satisfy a condition and transmitting the grouped data to the recording control unit; Equipped with The recording control unit a storage means for receiving the grouped data from the data control unit and storing the grouped data in a buffer area; an acquisition means for acquiring the image data from the grouped data stored in the buffer area; a recording control means for controlling recording by a recording means based on the image data acquired by the acquisition means; A recording system comprising: (Item 2) 2. The recording system according to item 1, wherein the condition is that the size of the image in the transport direction is equal to or larger than a threshold value. (Item 3) 3. The recording system according to item 2, wherein the transmission control means groups the image data by repeating combining the image data corresponding to the predetermined unit until the condition is satisfied. (Item 4) The recording system described in item 3, characterized in that if the transmission control means cannot combine image data corresponding to the specified unit, the transmission control means transmits the image data to the recording control unit even if the condition is not satisfied. (Item 5) 5. The recording system according to item 4, wherein the image data corresponding to the predetermined unit cannot be combined when the image data corresponds to the last page. (Item 6) The recording system according to any one of items 2 to 5, characterized in that the threshold value is a value determined based on the processing time associated with the transmission control of the image data and the processing time associated with the recording control of the image data. (Item 7) The recording system according to item 6, wherein the threshold value is a value based on the processing time associated with the transmission control of the image data being no longer than the processing time associated with the recording control of the image data. (Item 8) The recording system according to item 6 or 7, characterized in that the threshold value is a value derived from a relational expression between a processing time associated with the transmission control of the image data and a processing time associated with the recording control of the image data. (Item 9) The recording system described in item 6 or 7, characterized in that the threshold value is a value derived from a relational expression between the processing time associated with the transmission control of the image data and the processing time associated with the recording control of the image data, with a margin included. (Item 10) The recording system according to any one of items 6 to 9, characterized in that the processing time associated with the transmission control includes the communication time between the data control unit and the recording control unit and the processing time for transmitting the image data. (Item 11) 11. The recording system according to item 10, wherein the communication time is measured when the transmission control is performed by the transmission control means. (Item 12) 12. The recording system according to any one of items 6 to 11, wherein the processing time associated with the recording control includes a transport time of a sheet on which the image data is recorded. (Item 13) 13. The recording system according to any one of items 1 to 12, wherein the condition is a condition for preventing an underrun from occurring. (Item 14) 14. The recording system according to any one of items 1 to 13, wherein the transmission control means transmits information about the image data included in the grouped data to the recording control unit. (Item 15) 15. The recording system according to item 14, wherein the image data information includes a size of the image in the transport direction. (Item 16) 16. The recording system according to item 14 or 15, wherein the information on the image data included in the grouped data is transmitted before the grouped data is transmitted. (Item 17) The recording system according to any one of items 14 to 16, characterized in that the acquisition means acquires the image data from the grouped data stored in the buffer area based on information of the image data transmitted from the data control unit. (Item 18) 18. The recording system according to any one of items 14 to 17, wherein the recording performed by the recording means is variable printing. (Item 19) 20. The recording system according to item 18, wherein the recording performed by the recording means is performed on roll paper. (Item 20) 20. The recording system according to any one of items 1 to 19, wherein the predetermined unit is a page. (Item 21) 21. The recording system according to any one of items 1 to 20, wherein the data control unit and the recording control unit are included in a recording device. (Item 22) 22. The recording system according to item 21, wherein the transmission control means transmits the grouped data via an internal bus of the recording device. (Item 23) 21. The recording system according to any one of items 1 to 20, wherein the data control unit is included in an information processing device, and the recording control unit is included in a recording device. (Item 24) 24. The recording system according to item 23, wherein the transmission control means transmits the grouped data via a network. (Item 25) A method carried out in a recording system including a data control unit and a recording control unit, comprising: The data control unit: a transmission control step of grouping image data corresponding to a predetermined unit so as to satisfy a condition, and performing transmission control to transmit the grouped data to the recording control unit; The recording control unit a storing step of receiving the grouped data from the data control unit and storing the grouped data in a buffer area; an acquisition step of acquiring the image data from the grouped data stored in the buffer area; a recording control step of controlling recording by a recording means based on the image data acquired in the acquisition step; The method according to claim 1, further comprising: (Item 26) 26. A program for causing a computer to execute each step of the method according to item 25.

[0060] The invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and variations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the following claims are appended to apprise the public of the scope of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0061] 1 Recording device: 210 Controller: 220 Mechatronics control board: 230 Recording head control board

Claims

1. A recording system including a data control unit and a recording control unit, The data control unit a transmission control means for performing a transmission control for grouping image data corresponding to a predetermined unit so as to satisfy a condition and transmitting the grouped data to the recording control unit; Equipped with The recording control unit a storage means for receiving the grouped data from the data control unit and storing the grouped data in a buffer area; an acquisition means for acquiring the image data from the grouped data stored in the buffer area; a recording control means for controlling recording by a recording means based on the image data acquired by the acquisition means; A recording system comprising:

2. 2. The recording system according to claim 1, wherein the condition is that the size of the image in the transport direction is equal to or larger than a threshold value.

3. 3. The recording system according to claim 2, wherein said transmission control means groups the image data by repeating combining the image data corresponding to the predetermined unit until the condition is satisfied.

4. The recording system according to claim 3, characterized in that, when it is not possible to combine image data corresponding to the specified unit, the transmission control means transmits the image data to the recording control unit even if the condition is not satisfied.

5. 5. The recording system according to claim 4, wherein the image data corresponding to the predetermined unit cannot be combined when the image data corresponds to a final page.

6. 3. The recording system according to claim 2, wherein the threshold value is a value determined based on a processing time associated with the transmission control of the image data and a processing time associated with the recording control of the image data.

7. 7. The recording system according to claim 6, wherein the threshold value is a value based on which a processing time involved in the transmission control of the image data is not longer than a processing time involved in the recording control of the image data.

8. 7. The recording system according to claim 6, wherein the threshold value is a value derived from a relational expression between a processing time involved in the transmission control of the image data and a processing time involved in the recording control of the image data.

9. The recording system according to claim 6, characterized in that the threshold value is a value derived from a relational expression between the processing time associated with the transmission control of the image data and the processing time associated with the recording control of the image data, with a margin included.

10. 7. The recording system according to claim 6, wherein the processing time associated with the transmission control includes a communication time between the data control unit and the recording control unit and a processing time for transmitting the image data.

11. 11. The recording system according to claim 10, wherein the communication time is measured when the transmission control is performed by the transmission control means.

12. 7. The recording system according to claim 6, wherein the processing time associated with the recording control includes a transport time of a sheet on which the image data is recorded.

13. 2. The recording system according to claim 1, wherein the condition is a condition for preventing an underrun from occurring.

14. 2. The recording system according to claim 1, wherein the transmission control means transmits information about the image data included in the grouped data to the recording control section.

15. 15. The recording system according to claim 14, wherein the information on the image data includes a size of the image in a transport direction.

16. 15. The recording system according to claim 14, wherein the information on the image data included in the grouped data is transmitted before the grouped data is transmitted.

17. The recording system according to claim 14 , wherein the acquiring means acquires the image data from the grouped data stored in the buffer area based on information about the image data transmitted from the data control unit.

18. 15. The recording system according to claim 14, wherein the recording performed by said recording means is variable printing.

19. 20. The recording system according to claim 18, wherein the recording performed by said recording means is performed on roll paper.

20. 2. The recording system according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined unit is a page.

21. 2. The recording system according to claim 1, wherein the data control unit and the recording control unit are included in a recording device.

22. 22. The recording system according to claim 21, wherein said transmission control means transmits said grouped data via an internal bus of said recording device.

23. 2. The recording system according to claim 1, wherein the data control unit is included in an information processing device, and the recording control unit is included in a recording device.

24. 24. The recording system according to claim 23, wherein said transmission control means transmits the grouped data via a network.

25. A method carried out in a recording system including a data control unit and a recording control unit, comprising: The data control unit: a transmission control step of grouping image data corresponding to a predetermined unit so as to satisfy a condition, and performing transmission control to transmit the grouped data to the recording control unit; The recording control unit a storing step of receiving the grouped data from the data control unit and storing the grouped data in a buffer area; an acquisition step of acquiring the image data from the grouped data stored in the buffer area; a recording control step of controlling recording by a recording means based on the image data acquired in the acquisition step; The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

26. A program for causing a computer to execute each step of the method according to claim 25.

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