Information processing device, control method, and printer driver

Abstract

To set an appropriate conveyance speed in a recording device.SOLUTION: One embodiment of the present invention is an information processing device that transmits print data in which image data is included to a recording device equipped with a line-type recording head. The information processing device comprises: first derivation means for deriving, for each line of the conveyance direction, a total dot number (first dot number) of all dots in the width direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of a recording medium in the recording device on the basis of the image data; first determination means for determining whether there is a line where the first dot number is greater than a first threshold; second derivation means for deriving, for each area of a prescribed size, a total dot number (second dot number) included in the prescribed sized area extending over a plurality of lines in the conveyance direction and divided into plurality in the width direction, on the basis of the image data; and second determination means for determining whether there is an area where the second dot number is greater than a second threshold.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a technique for an inkjet recording device that ejects ink onto a recording medium to record an image. [Background technology]

[0002] Inkjet recording devices (hereinafter referred to as recording devices) having a recording head that ejects ink have been known in the past, and in recent years, there has been a demand for recording devices that can print at high speed while producing stable image quality. There are two recording methods for inkjet recording devices: a serial method in which the recording head moves in the scanning direction while recording, and a line method in which the recording head is fixed while recording. In general, a line type recording head consumes more ink per unit time than a serial type recording head.

[0003] In a recording device, if sufficient ink is not supplied to the nozzles, the nozzles will not be able to eject ink due to the lack of ink supply (the state of the nozzle at this time will be described as a non-ejection state, or simply as non-ejection), resulting in poor printing. Therefore, when printing an image that consumes a lot of ink, that is, an image that ejects a large amount of ink per unit time, it becomes necessary to determine the transport speed of the recording medium in the recording device so that non-ejection due to a lack of ink supply does not occur.

[0004] In a line-type inkjet recording device, when printing an image with high density, i.e., an image with a large amount of ink shot, the faster the conveying speed of the recording medium, the larger the amount of ink shot per unit time, and the larger the amount of ink consumed per unit time. As described above, if the amount of ink shot per unit time exceeds a predetermined amount, the amount of ink supplied to the head is insufficient, causing a non-discharge. Therefore, when printing an image with high density, it is necessary to set the conveying speed of the recording medium to a low speed so that the amount of ink shot per unit time is less than a predetermined amount. On the other hand, when printing an image with low density, i.e., an image with a small amount of ink shot, even if the conveying speed of the recording medium is high, if the amount of ink shot per unit time is less than a predetermined amount, no non-discharge will occur.

[0005] In other words, when printing a high-density image, it is necessary to set the transport speed to a low speed so as not to cause non-discharge, but when printing a low-density image, non-discharge will not occur even if the transport speed is set to a high speed. Also, if the transport speed used when printing a high-density image, i.e., a low speed, is applied when printing a low-density image, the productivity of the recording device will decrease. In order to avoid non-discharge and to avoid unnecessary reduction in the productivity of the recording device, it is necessary to set an appropriate transport speed based on the content of the image.

[0006] As one method for solving this problem, Patent Document 1 discloses a method for calculating the print density (dot density) using image data stored in a print buffer, and determining the transport speed based on the calculated print density. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 11-179893 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] However, when printing an image in which dots are concentrated in a specific area and ink consumption increases instantaneously, if the dot density is calculated as the average value for the entire image, the calculated value will be low, leading to an erroneous determination that high-speed printing is possible, and non-discharges may occur.

[0009] In view of the above-mentioned problems, an object of the present disclosure is to set an appropriate transport speed based on the contents of an image when printing using an inkjet recording apparatus. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] One embodiment of the present invention is an information processing device that sends print data including image data to a recording device equipped with a line-type recording head, and is characterized in having: a first derivation means that derives a first dot number, which is the total number of all dots in a width direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the recording medium in the recording device, for each line in the transport direction based on the image data; a first judgment means that judges whether there is a line in which the first dot number is greater than a first threshold value; a second derivation means that derives a second dot number, which is the total number of dots contained in an area of ​​a predetermined size that spans multiple lines in the transport direction and is divided into multiple parts in the width direction, for each area of ​​the predetermined size, based on the image data; a second judgment means that judges whether there is an area in which the second dot number is greater than a second threshold value; and a determination means that determines the transport speed of the recording medium in the recording device based on the judgment result of the first judgment means and the judgment result of the second judgment means. Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to the present disclosure, when printing using an inkjet recording apparatus, it is possible to determine a transport speed that achieves both high-speed printing and stable image quality. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a printing system including an inkjet recording apparatus according to a first embodiment; [Diagram 2] Block diagram of an inkjet recording apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 3] Block diagram of an information processing device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 4] Flowchart of printing process according to the first embodiment [Diagram 5] 11 is a flowchart of a conveying speed determination process according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] Diagram showing dot count per line [Figure 7] A diagram showing dot counts for areas of a given size. [Figure 8] Flowchart of printing process according to the second embodiment DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0014] [First embodiment] <General configuration of inkjet recording device> 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of a printing system including an inkjet recording apparatus according to this embodiment. An inkjet recording apparatus 100 (hereinafter referred to as recording apparatus 100) is connected to an information processing apparatus 101. The information processing apparatus 101 outputs print data, information related to a recording medium, and the like as control commands to the recording apparatus 100 via a printer cable 102. Note that a PC, as well as a mobile terminal such as a PDA or a smartphone, can be used as the information processing apparatus 101. Hereinafter, for simplicity, the "information processing apparatus 101" will be abbreviated to "PC 101."

[0015] The recording device 100 is loaded with a recording medium 103 wound in a roll, and the recording medium 103 is cut after an image is recorded on it. In order to transport the recording medium 103, the transport unit 104 is provided with a transport motor 105, a transport belt 106, and a suction fan 107 for adsorbing and transporting the recording medium. The transport belt 106 is stretched between a first guide roller 108A, a second guide roller 108B, a third guide roller 108C, and a driving roller 108D. The suction fan 107 sucks air from a plurality of suction holes formed in the transport belt 106, and can adsorb the recording medium 103 onto the surface of the transport belt 106. The transport motor 105 rotates the driving roller 108D, and the transport belt 106 moves in the direction of the arrow Z together with the adsorbed recording medium 103, and the recording medium 103 can be transported.

[0016] The transport unit 104 has a reference wall (not shown) at the end of the transport belt 106 in the direction of the arrow Z, and transports the recording medium 103 along the reference wall.

[0017] In the recording section, a plurality of recording heads 110 capable of recording an image on a recording medium 103 are detachably mounted facing the conveyor belt. For simplicity, only one recording head 110 is shown in FIG.

[0018] Each of the multiple recording heads 110 is a so-called line-type head in which multiple (5184 in this example) ejection ports are arranged across the entire width of the recording medium 103. In each of the multiple recording heads 110, an electrothermal conversion element (heater) is used as an ejection energy generating element, and ink is bubbled by heat generated by the electrothermal conversion element (heater), and ink is ejected from the nozzle tip using the bubble generation energy. The multiple recording heads 110 are arranged so that their positions in the paper transport direction are different. The number of recording heads can be determined by the user as desired. Hereinafter, the multiple recording heads 110 will be collectively referred to simply as "recording head 110".

[0019] Unlike serial heads, line heads must form images in one pass, and therefore must supply more ink instantaneously than serial heads, which can form images in multiple passes.

[0020] Operations performed by the recording device 100 to recover the ink ejection performance of the recording head 110 include a preliminary ejection operation (hereinafter referred to as preliminary ejection), a suction recovery operation, a wiping operation, etc. In the recording section of this embodiment, a cap unit is disposed to receive ink ejected by preliminary ejection performed prior to a printing operation.

[0021] The recording device 100 is provided with a number of sensors for detecting the recording medium 103 in order to obtain operation timing for the recording medium 103. Specifically, there is a leading edge detection sensor 111 that detects the leading edge of the recording medium 103 in order to obtain recording timing for the recording medium, and a trailing edge detection sensor 112 that detects the trailing edge of the recording medium 103 in order to obtain cutting timing for the recording medium 103. There is also a paper width detection sensor 113 that detects the paper size of the recording medium 103 in order to prevent a mismatch between the size of the recording medium set for the image data to be printed and the size of the recording medium set in the recording device 100.

[0022] The three sensors described above are realized by optical sensors, that is, either or both of a reflective sensor and a transmissive sensor. For example, if the recording medium 103 is a label paper, the leading edge position of the label and the paper size can be detected based on the difference in transmittance between the backing paper and the label attached to the backing paper.

[0023] <Configuration of the control system of the inkjet printing apparatus> 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a control system of the recording device 100 according to this embodiment. The PC 101 transmits print data including image data to be output (printed) using the recording device 100 to the recording device 100. This print data is input from the PC 101 to the recording device 100 via an interface 301, and is processed by a CPU 302 in the recording device 100.

[0024] The CPU 302 is an arithmetic processing unit that controls the entire recording device 100, including reception of print data, recording operations, and cleaning operations. The CPU 302 operates according to a processing program stored in a program ROM 303. The program ROM 303 stores processing programs and tables corresponding to control flows. The work RAM 304 is used as a working memory.

[0025] The print data sent from the PC 101 to the recording device 100 includes a recording medium setting command that notifies the paper size of the recording medium, a format command that specifies the recording area, and a transport speed setting command that specifies the transport speed of the recording medium. The print data also includes image data that represents the image to be printed, and a data command that notifies the ejection pulse data.

[0026] The printing apparatus 100 has an optical sensor 306 and a printhead control circuit 307 that controls the printhead 110. The optical sensor 306 refers to detection sensors such as the leading edge detection sensor 111, the leading edge detection sensor 112, the paper width detection sensor 113, and the like.

[0027] Before a recording operation, the CPU 302 drives the head up / down motor 310 via the output port 308 and the motor drive unit 309 to move the recording head 110 to a recording position. Then, the CPU 302 drives the suction fan motor 313 and the conveyance motor 105 to convey the recording medium 103 to the recording position while adsorbing the recording medium 103 to the conveyance belt 106, and performs recording on the conveyed recording medium 103.

[0028] As another operation, in order to maintain the image quality of the recording medium, a capping motor 311 and a pump motor 312 are driven to perform cleaning operations such as sucking ink from inside the recording head 110 and pre-discharging ink into a cap unit (not shown). The user can also manually execute the above cleaning operations by issuing instructions via the operation panel 305.

[0029] <Configuration of the control system of the information processing device (PC)> FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a control system of the PC 101 according to this embodiment. Application software capable of editing image data is installed in the PC 101. A user uses this application software to create image data to be printed, and the PC 101 transmits print data including the created image data to the external recording device 100. The CPU 201 comprehensively controls the PC 101, and controls processes such as creating and editing image data, for example, by reading a control program stored in the ROM 203 into the RAM 202 and executing it. The CPU 201 also controls the printing data to be transmitted to the recording device 100 via, for example, a communication interface (IF) unit 204. The communication IF unit 204 has a configuration according to the medium of the network. The RAM 202 mainly functions as a work area for the CPU 201. The ROM 203 stores a printer driver, application programs, various software, basic control programs, various data, and the like for implementing the operation of this embodiment. The operation user interface (UI) unit 205 is a device for displaying or inputting various information, and is configured to include, for example, a display unit such as a monitor, a keyboard, a mouse, and the like.

[0030] As described above, the PC 101 may be in a form other than a PC, for example, a mobile terminal such as a smartphone. The PC 101 may have appropriate functional blocks other than the blocks shown in FIG. 3 according to the functions that the PC 101 can realize.

[0031] <Printing process> 4 is a flowchart showing print control performed in the system according to this embodiment, that is, between the PC 101 and the recording device 100. In this embodiment, the processes of steps S401, S402, and S403 are mainly executed by the CPU 201 of the PC 101 using a printer driver for the recording device 100 installed in the PC 101. The process of step S404 is mainly executed by the CPU 302 of the recording device 100. For simplicity, "step S~" will be abbreviated to "S~" hereinafter.

[0032] The print process according to this embodiment is started when an instruction to start printing is given for image data processed by the PC 101, and also includes a process (S401) of binarizing the image data by the printer driver in response to the instruction, as shown in Fig. 4. This will be explained in detail below.

[0033] When printing is started in response to a user instruction, in S401, the CPU 201 of the PC 101 executes binarization of multi-value image data. In this step, the CPU 201 creates image data (binary image data) in which each pixel is expressed in two values ​​based on bitmap format image data (multi-value image data) in which each pixel is expressed in multiple values ​​(e.g., 8 bits). In this embodiment, the binary values ​​are represented as "1" for ejection and "0" for non-ejection.

[0034] In S402, the CPU 201 of the PC 101 executes a conveying speed determination process for determining the conveying speed of the recording medium 103. Details of this step will be described later with reference to FIG.

[0035] In S403, the CPU 201 of the PC 101 transmits print data to the recording apparatus 100. This print data includes a transport speed setting command that specifies the transport speed determined in S402.

[0036] In S404, the CPU 302 of the recording device 100 executes print processing based on the print data transmitted in S403.

[0037] <Transport speed determination process> FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a process in which the PC 101 analyzes image data to be printed by the recording device 100 and determines the conveying speed in the recording device 100 (this process is called a conveying speed determination process).

[0038] In S501, the CPU 201 analyzes the binarized image data of the ink colors and counts (derives) the total number of dots in the nozzle row direction for each line. The number of dots is the number of pixels in the binarized image data that have a pixel value of 1. Figure 6 shows an example of the counting in this step, and in this example, as shown in the figure, the number of dots is counted for each line consisting of 5184 nozzles. The processing in this step is performed for each ink color.

[0039] In S502, the CPU 201 determines, for each ink color, whether there is a line in which the dot count exceeds a predetermined first threshold value (specifically, satisfies formula (1)) based on the dot count acquired in S501. If the determination result in this step is true, the process proceeds to S503. On the other hand, if the determination result in this step is false, the process proceeds to S505.

[0040] Number of dots per line obtained by S501>900 dots ··· Equation (1) Here, the purpose of executing the determination process of S502 will be explained. For any one nozzle, a small total number of dots in the nozzle row direction means that the amount of ink leaving the nozzle is small, and the degree of reduction in flow rate in the ink flow path is small. In other words, since there is also little pressure loss when ink is supplied to the nozzle, the ink supply is sufficient, making high-speed printing possible. Note that pressure loss refers to the amount of energy lost when ink passes through the ink flow path.

[0041] On the other hand, if the total number of dots in the nozzle row direction is large, the amount of ink leaving the nozzles is large, and the pressure loss when supplying ink to the nozzles is also large. Therefore, in order to prevent the ink supply from falling behind, the transport speed must be reduced.

[0042] Therefore, in this embodiment, the judgment process of S502 is provided. As a result, as will be described later, the transport speed is switched based on the number of dots for each line (S505, S506). If the number of dots is evaluated based on the average of the entire image data as in the past, it is not possible to handle cases where the ink supply speed increases instantaneously, and there is a risk of high-speed printing when there is a high risk of non-discharge. However, this embodiment makes it possible to handle such cases.

[0043] In this example, 900 dots is used as the first threshold value used in the determination process of S502, but this embodiment is not limited to this. For example, an appropriate value other than 900 dots may be used depending on at least one of the physical properties of the ink used and the head characteristics. Also, a plurality of first threshold values ​​may be provided, and a conveying speed corresponding to each of the plurality of first threshold values ​​may be provided. Furthermore, the first threshold value may be variable depending on the environmental temperature.

[0044] In S503, the CPU 201 analyzes the binarized image data of the ink colors and counts (derives) the number of dots contained in each area of ​​a predetermined size. Fig. 7 shows an example of the counting in this step, and in this example, as shown, the number of dots is counted for each area of ​​235 lines vertically and 864 nozzles horizontally. Note that the processing in this step is performed for each ink color. Also, in this example, 235 x 864 is used as the predetermined size, but the size is not limited to this and may be changed as appropriate depending on the performance of the recording device 100, etc.

[0045] In S504, the CPU 201 judges for each ink color whether there is an area where the number of dots acquired in S503 exceeds a predetermined second threshold (specifically, satisfies formula (2)). If the judgment result in this step is true, the process proceeds to S505. On the other hand, if the judgment result in this step is false, the process proceeds to S506. In this example, 84,000 dots is adopted as the second threshold, but this embodiment is not limited to this, and any value may be adopted. For example, an appropriate value other than 84,000 dots may be adopted depending on at least one of the physical properties of the ink used and the head characteristics. In addition, a plurality of second thresholds may be provided, and a plurality of conveying speeds corresponding to each of the plurality of second thresholds may be provided. Furthermore, the second threshold may be variable depending on the environmental temperature.

[0046] Number of dots per area obtained by S503 > 84000 dots ··· Equation (2) In S505, the CPU 201 determines the first speed (specifically, 330 mm / s) as the conveying speed of the recording medium in the recording apparatus 100. Note that, in this example, the first speed is set to 330 mm / s, but is not limited to this.

[0047] In S506, the CPU 201 determines the conveying speed of the recording medium in the recording device 100 to be the second speed (specifically, 240 mm / s). In this example, the second speed is set to 240 mm / s, but is not limited to this. However, it is necessary to at least satisfy the following: second conveying speed<first conveying speed.

[0048] The above is the content of the transport speed determination process according to this embodiment. If the transport speed is determined based only on the number of dots in the nozzle row direction (i.e., S503 and S504 are not provided), there is a risk that images that have only thin horizontal lines with no subsequent recording dots, and that have little effect on ink supply on average, will be printed at a low speed. Therefore, in this embodiment, an appropriate transport speed is determined by taking into account the number of dots in each area of ​​a predetermined size in addition to the number of dots in the nozzle row direction.

[0049] [Second embodiment] The second embodiment will be described below, with the same contents as those of the first embodiment being omitted.

[0050] <Printing process> FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing print control according to this embodiment. This embodiment assumes a case where multiple pages are printed in one print job. When the print control described in the first embodiment (see FIG. 5) is applied to printing multiple pages, it is conceivable that the conveying speed will be changed frequently. When the recording medium 103 is roll paper, many recording devices are unable to seamlessly change the conveying speed during a printing operation, and in order to change the conveying speed and print, it is necessary to backfeed the recording medium.

[0051] Since the time required to backfeed the recording medium is equivalent to the time required to complete the printing operation for a certain number of sheets, when printing multiple pages in one print job, there are cases where the final printing time can be shortened by keeping the conveying speed constant, even if it is slow. Figure 8 shows print control that is implemented in consideration of such cases, and is print control that suppresses speed changes between pages as much as possible from the start to the end of printing one job that prints multiple pages.

[0052] S801 is the same process as S401 in the first embodiment.

[0053] In S802, the CPU 201 of the PC 101 determines whether the transport speed of the recording medium 103 currently set in the recording device 100 is equal to or lower than the second speed. If the determination result in this step is true, the process proceeds to S806. On the other hand, if the determination result in this step is false, the process proceeds to S803. In this example, the transport speed of the recording medium 103 is either the first speed (330 mm / s) or the second speed (240 mm / s). If the current transport speed is 240 mm / s at the time of determination in this step, the transport speed of the recording medium is set to 240 mm / s (YES in S802 -> S806).

[0054] In S803, the CPU 201 of the PC 101 executes a conveying speed determination process for determining the conveying speed for the page to be printed in the recording apparatus 100. S803 is the same process as S402 in the first embodiment (see FIGS. 4 and 5).

[0055] In S804, the CPU 201 of the PC 101 determines whether the transport speed corresponding to the page to be printed determined in S803 is less than the current transport speed (330 mm / s) of the recording device 100. If the determination result in this step is true (i.e., the transport speed corresponding to the page to be printed is 240 mm / s), the process proceeds to S805. On the other hand, if the determination result in this step is false (i.e., the transport speed corresponding to the page to be printed is 330 mm / s), the process proceeds to S806.

[0056] In S805, the CPU 201 of the PC 101 specifies the second speed (240 mm / s) as the transport speed for the page to be printed, and generates a transport speed setting command that specifies the second speed (240 mm / s) as the transport speed in the recording device 100. The transport speed setting command generated in this step will be included in the print data transmitted in the subsequent S806.

[0057] In S806, the CPU 201 of the PC 101 transmits print data to the recording device 100. Note that if the process of S805 is executed immediately before this step (S805→S806), the print data transmitted in this step includes the conveying speed setting command generated in S805.

[0058] S807 is the same process as S404 in the first embodiment.

[0059] In S808, the CPU 201 of the PC 101 determines whether there is print data for the next page. If the determination result in this step is true, the process returns to S801. On the other hand, if the determination result in this step is false, the series of printing processes ends.

[0060] The above is the content of the printing process according to this embodiment.

[0061] In both the first and second embodiments, the transport speed determination process is performed by the PC 101, but the recording apparatus 100 may perform all or part of the same process.

[0062] [Other embodiments] The present disclosure can also be realized by a process in which a program for implementing one or more 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. It can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that implements one or more functions.

[0063] [Technical Features of the Disclosure] The present disclosure includes the following configurations.

[0064] (Configuration 1) An information processing device that transmits print data including image data to a recording device equipped with a line-type recording head, the information processing device comprising: a first derivation means that derives a first dot number, which is the total number of all dots in a width direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the recording medium in the recording device, for each line in the transport direction based on the image data; a first judgment means that judges whether there is a line in which the first dot number is greater than a first threshold value; a second derivation means that derives a second dot number, which is the total number of dots contained in an area of ​​a predetermined size that spans multiple lines in the transport direction and is divided into multiple parts in the width direction, for each area of ​​the predetermined size, based on the image data; a second judgment means that judges whether there is an area in which the second dot number is greater than a second threshold value; and a determination means that determines a transport speed of the recording medium in the recording device based on the judgment result of the first judgment means and the judgment result of the second judgment means. (Configuration 2) The information processing device according to configuration 1, further comprising a creating means for creating binary image data in which each pixel is expressed by two values ​​based on multi-value image data in which each pixel is expressed by multiple values, wherein the image data is binary image data in which each pixel is expressed by two values. (Configuration 3) An information processing device according to configuration 1 or 2, characterized in that the first derivation means derives the first number of dots based on the binary image data, and the second derivation means derives the second number of dots based on the binary image data. (Configuration 4) The information processing apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 3, wherein the determining means determines the conveying speed to be a first speed or a second speed slower than the first speed. (Configuration 5) The information processing device of any one of configurations 1 to 4, characterized in that when a first judgment means judges that there is no line in which the first dot number is greater than a first threshold, the decision means decides the conveying speed to be the first speed; when the first judgment means judges that there is a line in which the first dot number is greater than the first threshold and the second judgment means judges that there is no area in which the second dot number is greater than the second threshold, the decision means decides the conveying speed to be the first speed; when the first judgment means judges that there is a line in which the first dot number is greater than the first threshold and the second judgment means judges that there is an area in which the second dot number is greater than the second threshold, the decision means decides the conveying speed to be the second speed. (Configuration 6) The information processing apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 5, wherein when printing a plurality of pages in one print job, the determination means determines the transport speed for the pages to be printed. (Configuration 7) An information processing device described in any one of configurations 1 to 6, further comprising a third judgment means for judging whether a current conveying speed in the recording device is equal to or less than the second speed, and a fourth judgment means for judging whether the conveying speed for the page to be printed is slower than the current conveying speed when the third judgment means judges that the current conveying speed is not equal to or less than the second speed. (Configuration 8) An information processing device described in any one of configurations 1 to 7, further comprising a setting means for setting the transport speed for the page to be printed and the transport speed in the recording device to the second speed when a fourth determination means determines that the transport speed for the page to be printed is slower than the current transport speed. (Configuration 9) An information processing device described in any one of configurations 1 to 8, characterized in that the first threshold value and the second threshold value are each determined based on at least one of the physical properties of the ink used in the recording device and the characteristics of the recording head. (Configuration 10) The information processing device according to any one of configurations 1 to 9, wherein the first threshold value and the second threshold value are each variable depending on an environmental temperature. (Method 1) A control method of an information processing device that sends print data including image data to a recording device equipped with a line-type recording head, the control method comprising: a first derivation step of deriving a first dot number, which is the total number of all dots in a width direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the recording medium in the recording device, for each line in the transport direction based on the image data; a first judgment step of determining whether there is a line in which the first dot number is greater than a first threshold value; a second derivation step of deriving a second dot number, which is the total number of dots included in an area of ​​a predetermined size that spans multiple lines in the transport direction and is divided into multiple parts in the width direction, for each area of ​​the predetermined size, based on the image data; a second judgment step of determining whether there is an area in which the second dot number is greater than a second threshold value; and a determination step of determining a transport speed of the recording medium in the recording device based on the judgment result of the first judgment step and the judgment result of the second judgment step. (Program 1) A printer driver for causing a computer to execute a control method for an information processing device that sends print data including image data to a recording device equipped with a line-type recording head, the control method comprising: a first derivation step of deriving a first dot number, which is the total number of all dots in a width direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the recording medium in the recording device, for each line in the transport direction based on the image data; a first judgment step of determining whether there is a line in which the first dot number is greater than a first threshold value; a second derivation step of deriving a second dot number, which is the total number of dots contained in an area of ​​a predetermined size that spans multiple lines in the transport direction and is divided into multiple parts in the width direction, for each area of ​​a predetermined size, based on the image data; a second judgment step of determining whether there is an area in which the second dot number is greater than a second threshold value; and a determination step of determining a transport speed of the recording medium in the recording device based on the judgment result of the first judgment step and the judgment result of the second judgment step. [Explanation of symbols]

[0065] 100: Recording device 101: PC 110: Recording head 302:CPU

Claims

1. An information processing apparatus that transmits print data including image data to a recording device equipped with a line-type recording head, a first derivation means for deriving a first dot number, which is a total dot number of all dots in a width direction perpendicular to a conveyance direction of a recording medium in the recording device, for each line in the conveyance direction based on the image data; a first determination means for determining whether or not there is a line in which the first dot number is greater than a first threshold value; a second derivation means for deriving, for each area of ​​a predetermined size, a second dot number that is a total number of dots included in an area of ​​a predetermined size that spans a plurality of lines in the transport direction and is divided into a plurality of areas in the width direction, based on the image data; a second determination means for determining whether or not there is an area in which the second dot number is greater than a second threshold value; a determination means for determining a transport speed of the recording medium in the recording device based on a determination result of the first determination means and a determination result of the second determination means; having 23. An information processing apparatus comprising:

2. The method further includes a generating means for generating binary image data in which each pixel is expressed by a binary value based on multi-value image data in which each pixel is expressed by a multi-value, the image data being binary image data in which each pixel is expressed by a binary value.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,

3. The first derivation means derives the first dot number based on the binary image data, The second derivation means derives the second dot number based on the binary image data.

3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2.

4. The determining unit determines the conveying speed to be a first speed or a second speed slower than the first speed.

4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus further comprises:

5. When the first determination means determines that there is no line in which the first dot number is greater than the first threshold value, the determination means determines the conveying speed to be the first speed; when the first determination means determines that there is a line in which the first dot number is greater than a first threshold value and the second determination means determines that there is no area in which the second dot number is greater than a second threshold value, the determination means determines the conveying speed to be the first speed; when the first determination means determines that there is a line in which the first dot number is greater than a first threshold value, and the second determination means determines that there is an area in which the second dot number is greater than a second threshold value, the determination means determines the conveying speed to be the second speed.

5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4.

6. When printing a plurality of pages in one print job, the determination unit determines the transport speed for the pages to be printed.

6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5,

7. a third determination means for determining whether or not a current transport speed in the recording device is equal to or lower than the second speed; a fourth determination means for determining whether or not the transport speed for the page to be printed is slower than the current transport speed when the third determination means determines that the current transport speed is not equal to or lower than the second speed; Further comprising 7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 6,

8. a setting unit that sets the transport speed for the page to be printed and the transport speed in the recording device to the second speed when the fourth determination unit determines that the transport speed for the page to be printed is slower than the current transport speed.

8. The information processing apparatus according to claim 7,

9. the first threshold value and the second threshold value are each determined based on at least one of a physical property of the ink used in the recording device and a characteristic of the recording head; 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,

10. The first threshold value and the second threshold value are each variable depending on an environmental temperature.

10. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus is a computer.

11. 1. A method for controlling an information processing device that transmits print data including image data to a recording device equipped with a line-type recording head, comprising: a first derivation step of deriving, for each line in the conveyance direction, a first dot number that is a total dot number of all dots in a width direction perpendicular to a conveyance direction of a recording medium in the recording device based on the image data; a first determination step of determining whether or not there is a line in which the first dot number is greater than a first threshold value; a second derivation step of deriving, for each area of ​​a predetermined size, a second dot number that is a total number of dots included in an area of ​​a predetermined size that spans a plurality of lines in the transport direction and is divided into a plurality of areas in the width direction, based on the image data; a second determination step of determining whether or not there is an area in which the second dot number is greater than a second threshold value; a determination step of determining a conveying speed of the recording medium in the recording device based on a determination result of the first determination step and a determination result of the second determination step; having A control method comprising:

12. A printer driver for causing a computer to carry out the method of claim 11.

Images