Printer, printing control method, and program

Abstract

To suppress an occurrence of under-run by setting printing start timing (standby time) in advance in accordance with a data structure of compressed print data.SOLUTION: A printer 50 comprises a print data reception part 511 for receiving compressed print data, a compressibility acquisition part 512 for acquiring information of compressibility in each data range obtained by arbitrarily dividing the compressed print data, a transfer speed acquisition part 513 for acquiring a data transfer speed between an information processing device (a processor 10) and the printer, a printing speed calculation part 514 for acquiring a printing speed to a medium, a printing timing calculation part 515 for calculating printing start timing at which reception of the compressed print data is in time for printing within the whole data range of the compressed print data on the basis of compressibility in each data range, the data transfer speed and the printing speed, and a printing control part 516 for starting to execute printing to the medium based on the compressed print data according to the calculated printing start timing.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a printer or the like that prevents a so-called underrun, in which printing is interrupted during printing because the transfer of print data to the printer is not in time when a processing device such as a PC (personal computer) transfers print data to the printer.

Background Art

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 describes a technique for calculating and setting a waiting time (standby time) at the start of printing so that data transfer is not too late during printing based on the data size of bitmap data for one page (see paragraph

[0052] ).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, in order to improve the efficiency of data transfer with a processing device such as a PC, print data is often compressed and transferred to the printer as compressed print data. However, the compression rate of compressed print data may vary depending on the data range. In this case, if the standby time is not calculated in consideration of the compression rate of each data range, the transfer of print data will not be in time and printing will be interrupted, that is, a so-called underrun will occur.

[0005] If an underrun occurs, the printer will experience a printing wait time while waiting for the transfer of compressed print data from a processing device such as a PC during printing. As a result, the drying / curing time of the ink varies for each printing location, leading to deterioration of print quality (output image quality). To prevent this deterioration of print quality, a wasteful wait time occurs even though the print data has been compressed, as the printer waits for the difference between the time required to finish sending the print data before compression and the time required for printing.

[0006] In consideration of such events, the inventor has recognized the need to suppress the occurrence of a so-called underrun, where printing is interrupted during printing because the processing device such as a PC fails to transfer the print data to the printer in time, by setting the printing start timing (wait time) in advance (before printing starts) according to the data structure of the compressed print data.

[0007] One object of the present invention is to provide a printer or the like that suppresses the occurrence of an underrun by setting the printing start timing (wait time) in advance according to the data structure of the compressed print data. Other objects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art by referring to the embodiments and best modes exemplified below, as well as the accompanying drawings.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0008] The following exemplifies aspects according to the present invention for easy understanding of the outline of the present invention.

[0009] A printer that decompresses compressed print data generated by an information processing apparatus and transmitted from the information processing apparatus and performs printing on a medium, the printer comprising: a print data receiving unit that receives the compressed print data; a compression rate acquisition unit that acquires information on the compression rate in each data range obtained by arbitrarily dividing the compressed print data; a transfer speed acquisition unit that acquires a data transfer speed between the printer and the information processing apparatus; a print speed calculation unit that calculates a print speed for the medium; a print timing calculation unit that calculates a print start timing at which reception of the compressed print data can keep up with printing in all data ranges of the compressed print data based on the compression rate in each data range, the data transfer speed acquired by the transfer speed acquisition unit, and the print speed calculated by the print speed calculation unit; and a print control unit that starts execution of printing on the medium based on the compressed print data according to the print start timing calculated by the print timing calculation unit.

[0010] In an aspect according to the present invention, the printer receives compressed print data, acquires information on the compression rate in each data range obtained by arbitrarily dividing the compressed print data, the data transfer speed between the printer and the information processing apparatus, and the print speed for the medium, calculates a print start timing at which reception of the compressed print data can keep up with printing in all data ranges of the compressed print data based on the compression rate, the data transfer speed, and the print speed in each acquired data range, and starts execution of printing on the medium based on the compressed print data according to the calculated print start timing. For this reason, even when the compression rate varies depending on the data range, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of so-called underrun, in which the transfer of print data from the information processing apparatus as the transmission source is not in time and the printing is interrupted in the middle. In other words, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of underrun by setting the print start timing (waiting time) before printing according to the compression structure of the compressed print data.

[0011] Those skilled in the art will readily understand that the exemplary aspects according to the present invention can be further modified without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5A

Figure 5B

Figure 5C

Figure 5D

Figure 5E

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] The best mode described below is used for easily understanding the present invention. Therefore, those skilled in the art should note that the present invention is not unduly limited by the embodiments described below.

[0014] (Configuration of Printer 50) Figure 1(A) shows an application example of a printer according to the present invention. As shown in Figure 1(A), the printer 50 is typically an inkjet printer. As an example, an ink-type large printer that can generate the medium 100, such as a large billboard or poster, as a printed matter by applying ink onto the medium 100 is illustrated. Here, the medium 100 may be paper such as plain paper, may be resins such as polyvinyl chloride or polyester, or may be metals such as aluminum materials or iron materials, and can be composed of various materials. The medium 100 is typically a sheet material as shown in the figure, and specifically, it is a roll medium wound around a roll.

[0015] Note that the printer 50 is not limited to the inkjet printer shown in Figure 1(A), and may be other printers such as an electrophotographic printer or a binder jet printer.

[0016] The printer 50 in Figure 1(A) generally outputs printing ink and typically includes an ink head 58 (broadly, a print head) that can move on a rail (broadly, a guide) in the horizontal direction or the left-right direction. Further, the printer 50 generally further includes an ink cartridge 54 that stores the ink supplied to the ink head 58. Further, the printer 50 can generally further include an operation panel 59 having operation buttons such as a power button and a setting button.

[0017] Figure 1(B) shows a schematic configuration example of the printer 50 in Figure 1(A). As shown in Figure 1(B), the ink cartridge 54 stores color ink so that the medium 100 can form, for example, a color image, and has color ink cartridges 54C, 54M, 54Y, and 54K that store cyan ink, magenta ink, yellow ink, and black ink, respectively.

[0018] Note that the ink cartridge 54 may further include an ink cartridge (not shown) for a specific ink that stores specific inks other than color inks, such as white ink, silver ink (metallic ink), etc.

[0019] Also, the ink cartridges 54C, 54M, 54Y, and 54K for color inks may further include, for example, an ink cartridge for light cyan (not shown), and, for example, an ink cartridge for light magenta (not shown). In other words, the color inks are not limited to the general four colors of cyan ink, magenta ink, yellow ink, and black ink, and may be composed of inks of a number of colors other than four, such as six colors, or seven colors, or three colors, etc.

[0020] In the example of FIG. 1(B), the ink head 58 has ink heads 58C, 58M, 58Y, and 58K corresponding to the ink cartridges 54C, 54M, 54Y, and 54K, respectively. Also, an ink tube 56 is provided between the ink cartridges 54C, 54M, 54Y, and 54K and the ink heads 58C, 58M, 58Y, and 58K, and the ink head 58 can output a desired ink or color.

[0021] In the example of FIG. 1(B), the printer 50 generally further includes a processing unit 51, a storage unit 52, and a communication unit 53 (all of which are shown in FIG. 2(B) described later), and can control the ink heads 58 (ink heads 58C, 58M, 58Y, and 58K) based on print data. The processing unit 51, the storage unit 52, and the communication unit 53 are configured by, for example, a microcomputer or a microcontroller, and can include, for example, a CPU (or MPU or MCU), a ROM, a RAM, an input / output interface, and the like. For example, the ROM stores a program for causing the CPU to execute a predetermined operation, and the RAM can form a work area for the CPU. Note that the processing unit 51, the storage unit 52, and the communication unit 53 may be configured by an ASIC (Application Specific IC), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or the like.

[0022] Since the specific configuration of the printer 50 is well-known, the description thereof is omitted. However, the printer 50 may be configured by, for example, a printer with a cutting head that further includes a cutting head as disclosed in FIGS. 1 to 3 of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-091386.

[0023] (Configuration of the printing system 200) FIG. 2(A) shows a configuration example of a printing system 200 including a typical application example of the printer 50 according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2(A), the processing device 10 (also referred to as an information processing device) is typically a RIP (Raster Image Processor) device and is provided outside the printer 50 according to the present invention. However, the processing device 10 may be provided inside the printer 50. In other words, the processing unit 51, the storage unit 52, and the communication unit 53 (all of which are shown in FIG. 2(B) described later) of the printer 50 may have the functions of the processing device 10.

[0024] In the example of FIG. 2(A), the input unit of the processing device 10 is connected to, for example, two folders 42 and 44 (alternatively, it may be one folder, or three or more folders), while the output unit of the processing device 10 is connected to, for example, a printer 50. The folders 42, 44, the processing device 10, and the printer 50 in FIG. 2(A) are network-connected. However, for example, the processing device 10 and the printer 50 may be connected by, for example, USB (Universal Serial Bus). Also, although not shown, for example, print data (e.g., digital data in EPS format) generated by a PC (Personal Computer) is input to the processing device 10. Typically, the processing device 10 configured by a server (alternatively, it may be a PC) may generate, for example, digital data in EPS format.

[0025] The processing device 10 converts the input digital data in, for example, EPS format into digital data in raster format (raster image or bitmap image). Next, the processing device 10 can convert, for example, the digital data in raster format into digital data in native format (native data) that can be interpreted by the printer 50 and output it. The processing device 10 can handle multiple print data (digital data in EPS format, digital data in raster format, digital data in native format).

[0026] In this specification, the digital data in EPS format can be referred to as initial print data or print data for printing, and the processing device 10 can add printing conditions for the printer 50 to the print data for printing. Print data without added printing conditions can be referred to as a print job in a broad sense, while print data with added printing conditions can be referred to as a print job in a narrow sense. The processing device 10 can perform RIP processing on the print data for printing (print job) with added printing conditions to generate digital data in raster format (intermediate print data), and then generate digital data in native format (final print data).

[0027] The processing device 10 in Fig. 2(A) functions as a RIP device, typically a RIP server (alternatively, it may be a RIP personal computer). The processing device 10 is further connected to a display unit 20, typically a display, and an operation unit, typically a keyboard 32 and a mouse 34. The user of the processing device 10 inputs a plurality of EPS-formatted digital data into, for example, two folders 42 and 44, sets or adds printing conditions to each of the plurality of EPS-formatted digital data in folder units via the keyboard 32 and the mouse 34, and generates a plurality of EPS-formatted digital data (a plurality of print jobs) with printing conditions added thereto as a print job list.

[0028] Fig. 2(B) is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the control system of a printing system including a printer 50 according to the present invention. In Fig. 2(B), the processing device 10 generally includes a processing unit 11, a storage unit 12, and a communication unit 13. The processing unit 11, the storage unit 12, and the communication unit 13 are configured by, for example, a server. The processing unit 11 corresponds to, for example, a processor (or MPU or MCU) of the server, the storage unit 12 corresponds to, for example, the ROM and RAM of the server, and, for example, an HDD, and the communication unit 13 corresponds to, for example, a network connection module (e.g., a LAN board) of the server. For example, the ROM stores a program (processing program) for causing the CPU to execute a predetermined operation, and the RAM can form a work area for the CPU. The HDD (alternatively, it may be an SSD) forms, for example, two folders 42 and 44 and can store a plurality of print data (EPS-formatted digital data, raster-formatted digital data, native-formatted digital data), a print job list representing the order of a plurality of print jobs, and a reception buffer 120.

[0029] In the printing system 200 including the printer 50 according to the present invention, in order to improve the data transfer efficiency between the processing device 10 and the printer 50, the processing device 10 (processing unit 11) generates compressed print data (compressed file) obtained by compressing the print data, and transmits it to the printer 50 according to the present invention via the communication unit 13 and the network. FIG. 3 shows an example of the data structure of the compressed print data (compressed file).

[0030] In the example of FIG. 3, the compressed print data 300 is composed of a header part 301 and a compressed data main body part 302. In the header part 301, “printing time” which is information on the time required from the start of printing to the end of printing, and for example, “divided data size” in each area (data range) when the compressed data main body part 302 is divided into N (N is an arbitrary integer of 2 or more, and here it is 4), and “compression rate” for each divided data size are set. On the other hand, the compressed data main body part 302 includes compressed data a, b, c, d for each of the N divided areas, and is stored in a reception buffer 120 (see FIG. 2(B)) allocated to a partial area of the storage unit 12.

[0031] (Configuration of the control system of the printer 50) Returning to FIG. 2(B) for the explanation, the configuration of the control system of the printer 50 according to the present invention will be described. The processing unit 51 includes a main processing unit 510, a print data reception unit 511, a compression rate acquisition unit 512, a transfer speed acquisition unit 513, a print speed calculation unit 514, a print timing calculation unit 515, and a print control unit 516. The configuration of the processing unit 51 shown here is a block expansion of the processing executed by the processing unit 51 according to each function executed by each process. Specifically, a processor (or MPU, MCU) corresponding to the processing unit 51 sequentially reads out the program recorded in the ROM and executes it using the RAM as a work area, thereby realizing the functions of each block.

[0032] The print data receiving unit 511 can receive the compressed print data 300 (see FIG. 3), and for example, can store the compressed print data 300 in a printer buffer (not shown) assigned to a predetermined area of the storage unit 52 under the control of the main processing unit 510.

[0033] Also, the compression rate acquisition unit 512 can acquire information on the compression rate (see the header part 301 in FIG. 3) in each data range obtained by arbitrarily dividing the compressed print data 300 transmitted from the processing device 10. The compression rate acquisition unit 512 can be realized, for example, by reading the compression rate information assigned to each of the N divided data ranges of the compressed print data 300 by the processing device 10 via the main processing unit 510. The processing device 10 can easily acquire the compression rate information by adding a header part 301 including the compression rate to the compressed print data 300.

[0034] Also, the transfer speed acquisition unit 513 can acquire the data transfer speed with the processing device 10. The transfer speed calculation unit 513 estimates the data transfer time with the processing device 10 from the data amount of the test data and the time required for receiving the test data, for example, by receiving the test data transmitted from the processing device 10 via the communication unit 53 under the control of the main processing unit 510. Thus, since the actually measured data transfer speed can be acquired, the time (waiting time) for delaying the start of printing can be set accurately.

[0035] Also, the print speed calculation unit 514 can acquire the print speed with respect to the medium 100 (see FIG. 1(A)). The print speed calculation unit 514 estimates the print speed from the print conditions set by the user, such as the type of the medium 100, the print resolution, the moving speed of the ink head 58, the conveyance speed of the medium 100, and the ink drying time, set by the processing device 10, for example.

[0036] Further, the print timing calculation unit 515 can calculate the print start timing (waiting time) at which the reception of the compressed print data can catch up with the printing in all data ranges of the compressed print data based on the compression rate in each data range of the compressed print data 300 set in the header part 301, the data transfer speed acquired by the transfer speed acquisition unit 513, and the print speed calculated by the print speed calculation unit 514. Note that the print timing calculation unit 515 calculates the print start timing before decompressing the compressed print data 300. That is, since the print start timing is calculated before acquiring the compressed data main body part 302 which is the content (inside) of the compressed print data 300, the time required for calculating the print start timing can be shortened.

[0037] Also, the print control unit 516 can start printing on the medium 100 (see FIG. 1(A)) based on the compressed print data according to the print start timing (waiting time) calculated by the print timing calculation unit 515.

[0038] Note that the main processing unit 510 serves as the overall control center of the printer 50 according to the present invention when decompressing the compressed print data 300 which is the print data generated by the processing device 10 and transmitted from the processing device 10 and performing printing on the medium 100. For example, in addition to functioning as an interface for storage control of the storage unit 52 and communication control of the communication unit 53, it also controls the processing sequences of the print data reception unit 511, the compression rate acquisition unit 512, the transfer speed acquisition unit 513, the print speed calculation unit 514, the print timing calculation unit 515, and the print control unit 516.

[0039] (Operation of the control system of the printer 50) Hereinafter, with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 4, the operation of the control system of the printer 50 shown in FIG. 2(B) will be described in detail.

[0040] In the example of FIG. 4, the main processing unit 510 of the printer 50 first determines whether the compressed print data 300 (see FIG. 3) generated by the processing device 10 and transferred via the communication unit 53 is received (step ST11). Here, if it is determined that the data has been received (step ST11 “YES”), the print data receiving unit 511 receives the transferred compressed print data 300 and stores it in a printer buffer (not shown) assigned to a predetermined area of the storage unit 52 via the main processing unit 510 (step ST12).

[0041] Next, the main processing unit 510 waits for a print instruction from the processing device 10 (step ST13). Here, if there is a print instruction from the processing device 10 (step ST13 “YES”), the main processing unit 510 reads the content of the header portion 301 of the compressed print data 300 (step ST14) and passes the information related to “print time”, “divided data size”, and “compression ratio” to the compression ratio acquisition unit 512.

[0042] Here, the compression ratio acquisition unit 512 acquires information on the compression ratio in each data range obtained by dividing the compressed print data 300 from the header portion 301 into N (N is an arbitrary integer of 2 or more) (see the header portion 301 of FIG. 3) and outputs it to the print timing calculation unit 515 (step ST15).

[0043] Also, the transfer speed acquisition unit 513 acquires the data transfer speed between the processing device 10 by, for example, receiving test data from the processing device 10 via the communication unit 53 and estimating the transfer speed from the time required for receiving the test data and the data amount of the test data, and outputs it to the print timing calculation unit 515 (step ST16). Further, the print speed calculation unit 514 acquires the print speed for the medium 100 by estimating (calculating) the print speed from print conditions such as the type of the medium 100 (see FIG. 1(A)), print resolution, moving speed of the ink head 58, conveyance speed of the medium 100, or drying time of the ink, which are input by the user and set by the processing device 10, and outputs it to the print timing calculation unit 515 (step ST17).

[0044] In this specification, the compression ratio, transfer speed, and printing speed are acquired in this order and output to the printing timing calculation unit 515 respectively. However, the order of acquisition of the compression ratio, transfer speed, and printing speed is arbitrary.

[0045] Subsequently, the printing timing calculation unit 515 calculates the printing start timing (waiting time) at which the reception of the compressed print data 300 can keep up with printing in all data ranges of the compressed print data 300 based on the "compression ratio" in each data range set in the header section 301 of the compressed print data 300, the "data transfer speed" acquired by the transfer speed acquisition unit 513, and the printing speed calculated by the printing speed calculation unit 514.

[0046] Specifically, the printing timing calculation unit 515 compares the supply data amount of the compressed print data 300 from the processing device 10 at the start of printing (the amount stored in the printer buffer) with the data consumption amount by the printing process (the amount read from the printer buffer) (step ST18). Then, so that the consumed data amount does not exceed the supply data amount from the start to the end of printing, in other words, when there is a timing at which the consumed data amount exceeds the supply data amount (step ST18 "YES"), it estimates how much the printing start timing should be delayed with respect to the data supply start timing from the processing device 10 so that there is no timing at which the supply data amount from the processing device 10 is exceeded (step ST19), and waits as the waiting time before printing for the calculated time (step ST20).

[0047] For example, when the print data before compression is 1000 MB and the overall compression ratio is 70%, the compressed print data 300 becomes 700 MB. Here, for the sake of simplifying the explanation, the data transfer speed from the processing device 10 is 75 MB / min, the data amount consumed by printing is 100 MB / min, the compressed print data 300 is divided into four areas based on the data size of the print data before compression, and the printing start timing (waiting time) is estimated when the compression ratio is 70% for the first area, 90% for the second area, 50% for the third area, and 70% for the last fourth area.

[0048] In this example, in the first area, the data amount (supply data amount) of the compressed print data 300 transferred per unit time is 75 / 0.7 = 107 MB / min (> 100 MB / min), and the consumed data amount consumed by printing does not exceed the supply data amount received from the processing device 10. However, in the second area, the data amount of the compressed print data transferred per unit time is 75 / 0.9 = 83 MB / min (< 100 MB / min), and the data consumption speed of printing becomes higher than the supply speed of the compressed print data received from the processing device 10. As a result, during the printing of the compressed print data in the second area, the data amount consumed by printing may exceed the data amount received from the processing device 10. When printing this compressed print data 300, in order to ensure that the data amount consumed by printing does not exceed the data amount received from the processing device 10, the printer 50 calculates and pre-sets the time (waiting time) required to receive the compressed print data 300 before executing the printing, so that thereafter, the data amount consumed by printing will not exceed the data amount received from the processing device 10.

[0049] Return to FIG. 4. After the waiting time calculated and set in advance by the printing timing calculation unit 515 has elapsed (step ST20 “YES”), the print control unit 516 executes a print start process (step ST21). The print control unit 516 can start printing on the medium 100 (see FIG. 1(A)) based on the compressed print data 300 according to the print start timing (waiting time) calculated by the print timing calculation unit 515. In executing the printing, the print control unit 516, for example, counts the number N of the divided data ranges, sets an initial value (for example, “1”) in the variable i, reads the compressed data main body part 302 of the compressed print data 300 for each data range (area), performs an expansion process (decompression), converts it into digital data in a native format (native data) that can be interpreted by the printer 50, and supplies it to the ink head 58 (see FIG. 1(A)). Subsequently, the variable i is incremented by “1” and the process is repeatedly executed until the variable i reaches the number N of the divided data ranges, thereby completing the printing process of the compressed print data for all areas. Note that the expansion process of the compressed print data 300 may be executed in a unit different from the divided data range.

[0050] In this way, the printing timing calculation unit 515 estimates (simulates) the data supply from the processing device 10 at the start of printing and the data consumption by printing from the compression ratio, data transfer speed, and printing time, calculates the waiting time so that the amount of consumed data does not exceed the amount of supplied data from the start to the end of printing before starting printing, and executes the print start process after waiting for the waiting time after the start of data supply from the processing device 10, thereby suppressing the occurrence of underrun. Also, it is possible to prevent the deterioration of the output image quality due to the change in the drying / curing time of the ink for each printing location, which occurs when the operation of the printer 50 temporarily stops during printing. Further, it is possible to perform printing so that no unnecessary printing waiting time occurs while preventing image quality deterioration.

[0051] Further, the compression rate acquisition unit 512 reads the compression rate information given to the compressed print data 300 by the processing device 10. In other words, the information processing device (processing device 10) can easily acquire the compression rate information by adding a header section 301 including the compression rate to the compressed print data 300. Also, the transfer speed acquisition unit 513 receives the test data transmitted from the processing device 10, and estimates the data transfer time between the processing device 10 from the amount of the test data and the time required for receiving the test data. Therefore, since the data transfer speed can be measured actually, the time (waiting time) for delaying the start of printing can be set accurately.

[0052] Also, the print timing calculation unit 515 calculates the print start timing before decompressing the compressed print data 300. Therefore, since the print timing calculation unit 515 calculates the print start timing before acquiring the compressed data main body section 302 which is the content (the inside) of the compressed print data 300, shortening of the time required for calculating the print start timing can be achieved.

[0053] (Supplementary explanation: Setting of the print start timing) Here, in order to deepen the understanding of the operation of the printing system 200 including the printer 50 according to the present invention, the method for calculating the print start timing (waiting time) will be described with reference to FIGS. 5A to 5E.

[0054] In FIGS. 5A to 5E, the ▽ mark indicates the area pointer P at the position corresponding to the area (area divided for each data range) at the time of supplying the compressed print data from the processing device 10 to the printer 50. A The △ mark indicates the area pointer P at the position corresponding to the area at the time of consuming the compressed print data by the printer 50 which has received the supply from the processing device 10. B That's it.

[0055] First, as a comparative example, with reference to FIGS. 5A and 5B, the flow of the operation at the start of printing of the printing system 200 when the waiting time is not set in advance will be described. FIG. 5A shows an example of the structure of the compressed data, and FIG. 5B shows the movement of the area pointers P A , P B (comparative example).

[0056] Here, for example, if the capacity of the print data before compression is 1000 MB and the overall compression rate is 70%, the capacity of the compressed print data will be 700 MB. In the example shown in FIG. 5A, for the sake of simplicity, the data transfer rate of the compressed print data supplied from the processing device 10 is assumed to be 75 MB / min, and the amount of data consumed for printing is 100 MB / min. At this time, the compressed print data is divided into four areas based on the data size of the print data before compression. For example, when the compression rates are 70% for the first area (area 1), 90% for the subsequent second area (area 2), 50% for the further subsequent third area (area 3), and 70% for the last fourth area (area 4), the printing start timing (waiting time) is estimated.

[0057] In the comparative example of FIG. 5B, in (a), the positions indicating the areas of the area pointers P A and P B on the area (P A , P B both indicate the start position of the first area 1 (the area with a compression rate of 70%)). In (b), the positions of the area pointers P A and P B on the area when the data supply reaches area 2 (the second area with a compression rate of 90%), about 2.3 minutes after the start of printing, are shown. In (c), the positions indicating the areas of the area pointers P A and P B on the area when the data consumption reaches area 2, about 2.5 minutes after the start of printing, are shown. In (d), the positions indicating the areas of the area pointers P A and P B on the area when the data consumption catches up with the data supply, about 4 minutes after the start of printing, are shown respectively.

[0058] In the comparative example shown in FIG. 5B, in area 1 (the first area), the amount of compressed print data that can be transmitted per unit time (1 minute) is 75 / compression rate 0.7 = 107 MB, and since the amount of data consumed by printing does not exceed the amount of data received from the processing device 10, no waiting time occurs (see (a) to (c) in FIG. 5B). In contrast, in area 2 (the second area), the amount of compressed print data transmitted per unit time is 75 / compression rate 0.9 = 83 MB, and the data consumption rate of printing becomes higher than the supply rate of the compressed print data received from the processing device 10. As a result, during the printing of the compressed print data in area 2 (the second area), the amount of data consumed by printing exceeds the amount of data received from the processing device 10. For this reason, data consumption catches up with data supply and printing pauses due to data waiting. In the comparative example shown in FIG. 5B, printing pauses after about 4 minutes from the start of printing (see (d) in FIG. 5B).

[0059] FIGS. 5C to 5E show the movement of area pointers P A , P B from the start to the completion of printing in the printing system 200 including the printer 50 according to the present invention when a waiting time is set in advance (part 1) to (part 3).

[0060] Also in the examples of FIGS. 5C to 5E, similar to the above-described comparative example (FIG. 5B), when the print data before compression is 1000 MB and the overall compression rate is 70%, the compressed print data 300 becomes 700 MB. Here, for the sake of simplifying the explanation, when the data transfer rate from the processing device 10 is 75 MB / min and the amount of data consumed by printing is 100 MB / min, the compressed print data is divided into four areas based on the data size of the print data before compression. For example, when the compression rates are 70% for the first area, 90% for the second area, 50% for the third area, and 70% for the last fourth area, the printing start timing (waiting time) is calculated.

[0061] In FIG. 5C, in (a), the area pointers P A and PB The positions indicating on the area of (P A , P B both indicate the starting positions of the area where the first compression rate is 70%). In (b), the area pointers P A and P B indicate the positions on the area at the start of printing about 0.4 minutes after the start of data supply. In (c), the area pointers P A and P B indicate the positions on the area at about 2.3 minutes after the start of data supply when the data supply reaches area 2. In (d), the area pointers P A and P B indicate the positions on the area at about 2.5 minutes after the start of printing (= about 2.9 minutes after the start of data supply) when the data consumption reaches area 2 (the area where the second compression rate is 90%).

[0062] In the following Figure 5D, in (e), the area pointers P A and P B indicate the positions on the area at about 5.35 minutes after the start of data supply when the data supply reaches area 3 (the third area). In (f), the area pointers P A and P B indicate the positions on the area at about 5 minutes after the start of printing (= about 5.4 minutes after the start of data supply) when the data consumption reaches area 3 (the area where the third compression rate is 50%). In (g), the area pointers P A and P B indicate the positions on the area at about 7.0 minutes after the start of data supply when the data supply reaches area 4 (the last area where the fourth compression rate is 70%). In (h), the area pointers P A and P B indicate the positions on the area at about 7.5 minutes after the start of printing (= about 7.9 minutes after the start of data supply) when the data consumption reaches area 4.

[0063] In the following Figure 5E, in (i), the area pointers P A and P BThe position indicating the area of (j) is the area pointer P at about 10 minutes after the start of printing (= about 10.4 minutes after the start of data supply) when printing is completed. A and P B The position indicating the area of (P A , P B Both indicate the final position of the last area 4) are respectively shown.

[0064] In FIGS. 5C to 5E, when printing the compressed print data 300, the printer 50 calculates and pre-sets the time (waiting time) required to receive the compressed print data 300 before executing the printing so that the amount of data consumed by the printing does not exceed the amount of data received from the processing device 10. In the example of FIGS. 5C to 5E, in area 2 where the data supply speed is faster than the data consumption speed of printing, as long as the amount of data consumed by the printing does not exceed the amount of data received from the processing device 10, the amount of data consumed by the printing throughout the entire printing (areas 1 to 4) does not exceed the amount of data received from the processing device 10. Therefore, if the difference between the time it takes for the data supply to reach area 3 and the time it takes for the data consumption to reach area 3, which is 5.35 minutes - 5.00 minutes = 0.35 minutes or more (refer to the start of printing shown in (b) of FIG. 5C (about 0.4 minutes after the start of printing)) is pre-set as the waiting time for the start of data supply from the processing device 10, the amount of data consumed by the printing will not exceed the amount of data received by the processing device 10, and as a result, the occurrence of underrun can be suppressed.

[0065] (Supplementary Note) As described above, the printer according to the present invention is, for example, as shown in Fig. 2(A), a printer 50 that expands compressed print data (see 300 in Fig. 3), which is print data generated by an information processing apparatus (processing apparatus 10) and transmitted from the information processing apparatus, and performs printing on a medium 100 (see Fig. 1(A)). Then, as shown in Fig. 2(B) for example, the printer 50 includes a print data receiving unit 511 that receives the compressed print data 300, a compression rate acquisition unit 512 that acquires information on the compression rate in each data range obtained by arbitrarily dividing the compressed print data 300, a transfer speed acquisition unit 513 that acquires the data transfer speed between the information processing apparatus and itself, a print speed calculation unit 514 that calculates the print speed for the medium 100, and a print timing calculation unit 515 that calculates the print start timing at which the reception of the compressed print data 300 can keep up with printing in all data ranges of the compressed print data 300 based on the compression rate in each data range, the data transfer speed acquired by the transfer speed acquisition unit 513, and the print speed calculated by the print speed calculation unit 514. The printer 50 also includes a print control unit 516 that starts execution of printing on the medium 100 based on the compressed print data 300 according to the print start timing calculated by the print timing calculation unit 515.

[0066] In the printer 50 according to the present invention, the print timing calculation unit 515 estimates (simulates) the data supply from the information processing apparatus (processing apparatus 10) at the start of printing and the data consumption by printing from the compression rate, the data transfer speed, and the print time. Before printing starts, it calculates the standby time so that the amount of consumed data does not exceed the amount of supplied data from the start to the end of printing, and after the start of data supply from the information processing apparatus, it waits for that standby time and then executes the print start process, thereby suppressing the occurrence of underrun. Also, it can prevent deterioration of the output image quality caused by changes in the drying / curing time of the ink for each printing location, which occurs when the operation of the printer temporarily stops during printing. Moreover, it can perform printing so that no unnecessary print waiting time occurs while preventing image quality deterioration.

[0067] Also, in the printer 50 according to the present invention, the compression rate acquisition unit 512 reads the information on the compression rate given to the compressed print data 300 by the information processing apparatus (processing apparatus 10). In other words, the information processing apparatus (processing apparatus 10) can easily acquire the information on the compression rate by adding a header portion 301 including the compression rate to the compressed print data 300.

[0068] Also, in the printer 50 according to the present invention, the transfer speed acquisition unit 513 receives test data transmitted from the information processing apparatus (processing apparatus 10), and estimates the data transfer time between the information processing apparatus and the printer from the data amount of the test data and the time required for receiving the test data. Therefore, since the data transfer speed can be measured, the time (waiting time) for delaying the start of printing with respect to the start of data supply from the information processing apparatus can be set accurately.

[0069] Also, in the printer according to the present invention, the print speed calculation unit 514 estimates from the print conditions set by the information processing apparatus (processing apparatus 10). Therefore, the print start timing calculation unit 515 can calculate the print start timing in accordance with the setting of the print conditions by using the print speed calculated by the print speed calculation unit 514.

[0070] Also, in the printer 50 according to the present invention, the print timing calculation unit 515 calculates the print start timing before decompressing the compressed print data 300. Therefore, since the print timing calculation unit 515 calculates the print start timing before acquiring the compressed data main body portion 302 which is the content (the data inside) of the compressed print data 300, the time required for calculating the print start timing can be shortened.

[0071] Also, as shown in FIG. 2(A) for example, the printing process method according to the present invention is a printing control method for a printer 50 that decompresses compressed print data 300 (see FIG. 3), which is print data generated by an information processing apparatus (processing apparatus 10) and transmitted from the information processing apparatus, and performs printing on a medium 100 (see FIG. 1(A)). And the method includes, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, a step of receiving compressed print data 300 (ST11, ST12), a step of obtaining information on the compression rate in each data range obtained by arbitrarily dividing the compressed print data 300 (ST13 to ST15), a step of obtaining the data transfer speed between the information processing apparatus and itself (ST16), a step of calculating the printing speed for the medium 100 (ST17), a step of calculating the printing start timing at which reception of the compressed print data can keep up with printing in all data ranges of the compressed print data based on the compression rate, data transfer speed, and printing speed in each data range (ST18, ST19), and a step of starting execution of printing on the medium 100 based on the compressed print data 300 according to the calculated printing start timing (ST20, ST21).

[0072] In the printing process method according to the present invention, the printer 50 receives the compressed print data 300 from the information processing apparatus (processing apparatus 10), obtains information on the compression rate in each data range obtained by arbitrarily dividing the compressed print data 300, the data transfer speed between the information processing apparatus and itself, and the printing speed for the medium respectively, calculates the printing start timing at which reception of the compressed print data 300 can keep up with printing in all data ranges of the compressed print data 300 based on the obtained compression rate, data transfer speed, and printing speed in each data range, and starts execution of printing on the medium 100 based on the compressed print data 300 according to the calculated printing start timing. For this reason, even when the compression rate varies depending on the data range of the compressed print data 300, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of so-called underrun where the transfer of the compressed print data 300 from the information processing apparatus as the transmission source fails to keep up and the printing is interrupted midway. In other words, by setting the printing start timing (waiting time) before printing according to the compression structure of the compressed print data 300, the occurrence of underrun can be suppressed. In addition, it is also possible to prevent deterioration of the output image quality caused by changes in the drying / curing time of the ink for each printing location, which occurs due to a temporary stop in the operation of the printer during printing.

[0073] In addition, the program according to the present invention is, for example, as shown in FIG. 2(A), decompressing the compressed print data 300 (see FIG. 3), which is print data generated by the information processing apparatus (processing apparatus 10) and transmitted from the information processing apparatus, and printing it on the medium 100. Then, the program causes a processor (MPU, MCU) included in the printer 50 to perform, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, a process of receiving the compressed print data 300 (ST11, ST12), a process of acquiring information on the compression ratio in each data range obtained by arbitrarily dividing the compressed print data 300 (ST13 to ST15), a process of acquiring the data transfer speed between the information processing apparatus and the printer (ST16), a process of calculating the printing speed for the medium 100 (ST17), a process of calculating the printing start timing at which reception of the compressed print data can keep up with printing in all data ranges of the compressed print data 300 based on the compression ratio, data transfer speed, and printing speed in each data range (ST18, ST19), and a process of starting execution of printing on the medium 100 based on the compressed print data 300 according to the calculated printing start timing (ST20, ST21).

[0074] In the program according to the present invention, for example, a processor (MPU, MCU) included in the printer 50 sequentially reads and executes the program recorded in the ROM, for example, to receive the compressed print data 300 from the information processing device (processing device 10), and obtains information on the compression ratio in each data range obtained by arbitrarily dividing the compressed print data 300, the data transfer speed between the information processing device, and the printing speed with respect to the medium. Based on the compression ratio, data transfer speed, and printing speed in each obtained data range, the printing start timing at which the reception of the compressed print data 300 can be printed in time in all data ranges of the compressed print data 300 is calculated, and based on the calculated printing start timing, the execution of printing on the medium 100 based on the compressed print data 300 is started. For this reason, even when the compression ratio varies depending on the data range of the compressed print data 300, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of so-called underrun, in which the transfer of the compressed print data 300 from the information processing device as the transmission source is not in time and the printing is interrupted in the middle. In other words, the occurrence of underrun can be suppressed by setting the printing start timing (waiting time) before printing according to the compression structure of the compressed print data 300. Further, it is also possible to prevent deterioration of the output image quality due to a change in the drying / curing time of the ink for each printing location, which occurs when the operation of the printer temporarily stops during printing.

[0075] The present invention is not limited to the above-described exemplary embodiments, and those skilled in the art will be able to easily modify the above-described exemplary embodiments to the extent included in the scope of the claims.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0076] 10... Processing device (information processing device), 20... Display unit, 42, 44... Folders, 50... Printer, 51... Processing unit, 52... Storage unit, 53... Communication unit, 54... Ink cartridge, 58... Ink head, 59... Operation panel, 100... Medium, 300... Compressed print data, 301... Header section, 302... Compressed data main body section, 510... Main processing unit, 511... Print data reception unit, 512... Compression rate acquisition unit, 513... Transfer speed acquisition unit, 514... Print speed calculation unit, 515... Print timing calculation unit, 516... Print control unit.

Claims

1. A printer that decompresses compressed print data, which is print data generated by an information processing device and transmitted from the information processing device, and prints on a medium, comprising: a print data receiving unit for receiving the compressed print data; a compression ratio acquisition unit that acquires information on a compression ratio for each data range obtained by arbitrarily dividing the compressed print data; a transfer rate acquisition unit for acquiring a data transfer rate between the information processing device and the transfer rate acquisition unit; a printing speed calculation unit that calculates a printing speed for the medium; a print timing calculation unit that calculates print start timing for receiving the compressed print data in time for printing for all data ranges of the compressed print data based on the compression rate for each data range, the data transfer rate acquired by the transfer rate acquisition unit, and the print speed calculated by the print speed calculation unit; a print control unit that starts printing on the medium based on the compressed print data in accordance with the print start timing calculated by the print timing calculation unit; A printer equipped with

2. The compression ratio acquisition unit 2. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the information on the compression ratio added to the compressed print data by the information processing device is read.

3. The transfer rate acquisition unit 2. The printer according to claim 1, further comprising: a data transfer unit that receives test data transmitted from the information processing device; and estimates a data transfer time between the printer and the information processing device based on an amount of the test data and a time required to receive the test data.

4. The printing speed calculation unit 2. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the estimation is made from printing conditions set by the information processing device.

5. The print timing calculation unit 2. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the print start timing is calculated before the compressed print data is decompressed.

6. A printing control method for a printer that decompresses compressed print data, which is print data generated by an information processing device and transmitted from the information processing device, and prints the compressed print data on a medium, comprising: receiving the compressed print data; obtaining information on a compression ratio for each data range obtained by arbitrarily dividing the compressed print data; acquiring a data transfer rate between the information processing device; calculating a printing speed for the medium; calculating a print start timing for receiving the compressed print data in time for printing for all data ranges of the compressed print data based on the compression rate for each data range, the data transfer speed, and the print speed; and starting printing onto the medium based on the compressed print data in accordance with the calculated print start timing.

7. A printer program for decompressing compressed print data, which is print data generated by an information processing device and transmitted from the information processing device, and printing the compressed print data on a medium, comprising: A processor of the printer includes: receiving the compressed print data; A process of acquiring information on a compression ratio for each data range obtained by arbitrarily dividing the compressed print data; A process of acquiring a data transfer rate between the information processing device and the information processing device; A process of calculating a printing speed for the medium; a process of calculating a print start timing for receiving the compressed print data in time for printing for all data ranges of the compressed print data based on the compression rate for each data range, the data transfer speed, and the print speed; a program that executes a process of starting printing onto the medium based on the compressed print data in accordance with the calculated print start timing;

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