Printer and printing system

Abstract

To optimize processing related to printing.SOLUTION: A printer 10 comprises: a support table 13 that supports a medium 5; an ink head 40; and a control device 60. The control device 60 includes a memory 63 that has a print data region 72 with a data capacity S12, a storage 65, a receiving unit 81 that receives print data DT1 obtained by performing RIP-processing on a print image DT2, a data division unit 83 that divides the print data DT1 received by the receiving unit 81 into a plurality of pieces of divided data DT20 so that the data size becomes equal to or less than the data capacity S12, a data storage unit 85 that stores the plurality of pieces of divided data DT20 in the storage 65, a data transfer unit 87 that sequentially transfers the plurality of pieces of divided data DT20 to the print data region 72 in a predetermined execution order, and a print control unit 90 that performs printing on the medium 5 on the basis of the divided data DT20 stored in the print data region 72.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to printers and printing systems. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a printer equipped with a platen on which a medium is supported and an ink head with nozzles formed therein for ejecting ink toward the medium supported by the platen. The ink head is mounted on a carriage. The carriage engages with a guide rail extending in the main scanning direction.

[0003] The printer is configured to eject ink from the ink head while the ink head moves together with the carriage in a main scanning direction, and the printer is also configured to move a medium supported by a platen in a sub-scanning direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2004-196537 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Incidentally, the printer performs printing based on print data obtained by RIP processing of the print image. For example, in the case of a large printer, the print area printed on the medium becomes large, and the larger the print area, the larger the print data volume tends to be. Even when the print data volume becomes large in this way, it is preferable to be able to optimize the printing process.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and its object is to provide a printer and a printing system that are capable of optimizing printing-related processes.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0007] The printer according to the present invention includes a support base for supporting a medium, an ink head for discharging ink toward the medium supported by the support base, and a control device. The control device includes a memory having a print data area with a predetermined data capacity, a storage, a reception unit, a data division unit, a data storage unit, a data movement unit, and a print control unit. The reception unit receives print data obtained by subjecting a print image to RIP processing. The data division unit divides the print data received by the reception unit into a plurality of divided data such that the data size becomes equal to or less than the data capacity. The data storage unit stores the plurality of divided data divided by the data division unit in the storage. The data movement unit sequentially moves the plurality of divided data to the print data area of the memory in a predetermined execution order. The print control unit performs printing on the medium supported by the support base based on the divided data stored in the print data area.

[0008] According to the printer, the print data is divided into a plurality of divided data, and the plurality of divided data are sequentially executed by the print control unit, so that a print image can be printed on the medium. Therefore, since the data size of the divided data executed by the print control unit can be reduced, the processing related to printing can be optimized.

Advantages of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a printer and a printing system capable of optimizing the processing related to printing.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010] [Figure 1] It is a conceptual diagram showing a printing system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] It is a front view showing a printer. [Diagram 3]3 is a cross-sectional view of the printer taken along line III-III in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a bottom view showing a schematic configuration of the bottom surface of the carriage and the ink head. [Diagram 5] 1 is a block diagram of a printing system according to an embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a RIP process. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing print data. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing a memory configuration. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram showing a case where print data is divided into a plurality of divided data. [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the transition of print data. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiment described here is not intended to limit the present invention in particular. Also, the same reference numerals are used for members and parts that perform the same function, and duplicated descriptions are omitted or simplified as appropriate.

[0012] 1 is a conceptual diagram showing a printing system 1 according to this embodiment. In this embodiment, the printing system 1 includes a printer 10 and a terminal 100. In the printing system 1, the terminal 100 is used to give instructions regarding printing to the printer 10. As will be described in detail later, here, the terminal 100 creates print data DT1 (see FIG. 6), and the terminal 100 transmits the print data DT1 to the printer 10. The printer 10 performs printing based on the print data DT1 transmitted from the terminal 100.

[0013] 1, the number of printers 10 and terminals 100 is one each. However, the number of printers 10 and terminals 100 is not particularly limited, and each may be multiple (for example, two or more). Here, the number of printers 10 and the number of terminals 100 are the same, but they may be different. Below, the printers 10 and the terminals 100 will be described in order.

[0014] FIG. 2 is a front view showing the printer 10 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the printer 10 taken along the line III-III in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a bottom view showing a schematic configuration of the bottom of the carriage 17 and the ink head 40 of the printer 10. FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the printing system 1 according to the present embodiment. In the following description of the printer 10, the left, right, top, and bottom refer to the left, right, top, and bottom as seen from a user in front of the printer 10. The side approaching the user from the printer 10 is the front, and the side approaching the printer 10 from the user is the rear. The symbols F, Rr, L, R, U, and D in the drawings respectively indicate the front, rear, left, right, top, and bottom of the printer 10. The symbol Y in the drawings indicates the main scanning direction. In this embodiment, the main scanning direction Y is the left-right direction. The symbol X in the drawings indicates the sub-scanning direction. In this embodiment, the sub-scanning direction X is the front-back direction, and is a direction that intersects (here, perpendicular to) the main scanning direction Y in a plan view. However, these directions are merely defined for the convenience of explanation, and do not limit the installation mode of the printer 10 or the present invention in any way.

[0015] The printer 10 is an inkjet printer, or a so-called inkjet printer. However, the printing method of the printer 10 is not limited to the inkjet method, and may be, for example, a thermal printer or a laser printer. In this embodiment, the printer 10 is a roll-to-roll type printer that moves the medium 5 in the sub-scanning direction X relative to a support table 13 (see FIG. 3) described below. However, the printer 10 may also be, for example, a flatbed type printer that moves the medium 5 together with the support table 13 in the sub-scanning direction X. In this embodiment, the printer 10 is a so-called large printer, and is a printer used for commercial purposes.

[0016] The printer 10 prints on a medium 5 as shown in Fig. 3. The medium 5 is, for example, a roll of recording paper, so-called roll paper. However, the medium 5 is not limited to roll of recording paper. For example, the medium 5 may be paper such as plain paper or inkjet printing paper, or may be a sheet or film made of resin such as polyvinyl chloride or polyester, a plate material, a fabric such as a woven fabric or a nonwoven fabric, or other medium.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 2, the printer 10 includes a printer body 11, a support stand 13, a medium moving mechanism 20, a guide rail 15, a carriage 17, an ink head 40 (see FIG. 4), a head moving mechanism 30, and a control device 60.

[0018] 2, the printer body 11 has a casing that extends in the main scanning direction Y. The printer body 11 is supported by legs 12. The legs 12 are provided on the bottom surface of the printer body 11. The legs 12 extend downward from the bottom surface of the printer body 11.

[0019] 3, the support table 13 supports the medium 5. The upper surface of the support table 13 extends in the main scanning direction Y and the sub-scanning direction X. Here, the medium 5 is placed on the upper surface of the support table 13. Printing on the medium 5 is performed on the support table 13. The support table 13 is a so-called platen.

[0020] The medium moving mechanism 20 is a mechanism that moves the medium 5 in the sub-scanning direction X relative to the ink head 40. Here, the medium moving mechanism 20 is a mechanism that moves the medium 5 supported by the support base 13 in the sub-scanning direction X. The configuration of the medium moving mechanism 20 is not particularly limited.

[0021] In this embodiment, the medium moving mechanism 20 includes a pinch roller 21, a grit roller 22, and a feed motor 23. As shown in FIG. 3, the pinch roller 21 is provided above the support base 13 and below the guide rail 15, and presses down the medium 5 from above. The pinch roller 21 is disposed behind a part of the carriage 17 in a plan view. The grit roller 22 is provided on the support base 13, and is a member having a cylindrical outer periphery. The grit roller 22 is embedded in the support base 13 with its upper portion exposed. The grit roller 22 faces the pinch roller 21.

[0022] In addition, although two pinch rollers 21 are arranged in Fig. 2, in reality, a plurality of (e.g., three or more) pinch rollers 21 are arranged side by side in the main scanning direction Y. Furthermore, although two grit rollers 22 are also arranged in Fig. 2, in reality, a plurality of grit rollers 22 are arranged side by side in the main scanning direction Y so as to be disposed below the pinch rollers 21. The plurality of grit rollers 22 are provided and connected to, for example, a shaft (not shown) extending in the main scanning direction Y. A feed motor 23 is connected to one of the plurality of grit rollers 22, or to the above-mentioned shaft.

[0023] Here, when the feed motor 23 is driven with the medium 5 sandwiched between the pinch roller 21 and the grit roller 22, the grit roller 22 rotates. This causes the medium 5 supported by the support base 13 to move in the sub-scanning direction X.

[0024] 2, the guide rail 15 is disposed above the support base 13. The guide rail 15 is disposed parallel to the upper surface of the support base 13 and extends in the main scanning direction Y. A carriage 17 is engaged with the guide rail 15. The carriage 17 is slidably provided on the guide rail 15 and configured to be movable in the main scanning direction Y.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 3, the ink head 40 ejects ink. The ink head 40 is provided on the carriage 17. The ink head 40 is supported by the carriage 17 so that the bottom surface of the ink head 40 is exposed downward. The number of ink heads 40 is not particularly limited. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the number of ink heads 40 is four. The four ink heads 40 are arranged side by side in the main scanning direction Y. Each ink head 40 has a nozzle surface 45. The nozzle surface 45 constitutes the bottom surface of the ink head 40. Nozzles 46 that eject ink are formed on each nozzle surface 45. A plurality of nozzles 46 are formed side by side in the sub-scanning direction X. Here, a row of a plurality of nozzles 46 arranged in the sub-scanning direction X is referred to as a nozzle row 48. In this embodiment, the number of nozzle rows 48 for one ink head 40 is two. However, the number of nozzle rows 48 for one ink head 40 is not particularly limited, and may be one or may be three or more.

[0026] The ink ejected from the ink head 40 (here, the nozzles 46) is, for example, one of a process color ink and a special color ink. Here, the process color ink includes, for example, cyan ink, magenta ink, yellow ink, and black ink. The special color ink is an ink of a color other than the process color ink. The special color ink includes, for example, white ink, clear ink, gloss ink, primer ink, fluorescent ink, metallic ink, orange ink, red ink, violet ink, blue ink, and green ink. Here, one color of ink is ejected from one nozzle row 48. Note that there is no limitation on the material of the ink, and various materials that have been conventionally used as ink materials for inkjet printers and the like can be used. The ink may be, for example, a solvent-based pigment ink or a water-based pigment ink. Alternatively, the ink may be a water-based dye ink or an ultraviolet-curable ink that is cured by receiving ultraviolet light.

[0027] 2, the head moving mechanism 30 is a mechanism that moves the carriage 17 and the ink head 40 (see FIG. 4) in the main scanning direction Y relative to the medium 5 supported by the support base 13. Here, the head moving mechanism 30 moves the carriage 17 and the ink head 40 in the main scanning direction Y. Note that the configuration of the head moving mechanism 30 is not particularly limited.

[0028] In this embodiment, the head moving mechanism 30 includes left and right pulleys 31a and 31b, a belt 32, and a scan motor 33. The left pulley 31a is provided around the left end of the guide rail 15. The right pulley 31b is provided around the right end of the guide rail 15. The belt 32 is, for example, an endless belt, and is wound around the left and right pulleys 31a and 31b. The carriage 17 is attached and fixed to the belt 32. The scan motor 33 is connected to the right pulley 31b. Here, the right pulley 31b rotates when the scan motor 33 is driven, and the belt 32 runs. As a result, the carriage 17 and the ink head 40 move in the main scanning direction Y along the guide rail 15.

[0029] 2, in this embodiment, an operation panel 50 is provided on the right end of the printer body 11 of the printer 10. The operation panel 50 is provided with a display screen 51 that displays the status of the printer 10, and operation keys 52 that are operated by the user.

[0030] The control device 60 is a device that performs control related to printing, etc. The configuration of the control device 60 is not particularly limited. The control device 60 is, for example, a microcomputer. The hardware configuration of the microcomputer is not particularly limited. The control device 60 includes, for example, an I / F, a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM. The control device 60 is provided inside the printer body 11. However, the control device 60 may be realized by a computer or the like that is installed outside the printer body 11. In this case, the control device 60 is connected to a control board (not shown) of the printer 10 via wire or wirelessly so as to be able to communicate with it.

[0031] 5, in this embodiment, the control device 60 is communicatively connected to the medium moving mechanism 20 (more specifically, the feed motor 23), the head moving mechanism 30 (more specifically, the scan motor 33), the ink head 40, and the operation panel 50. The control device 60 controls the medium moving mechanism 20, the head moving mechanism 30, the ink head 40, and the operation panel 50.

[0032] The printer 10 according to the present embodiment has been described above. Next, the terminal 100 shown in FIG. 1 will be described. The terminal 100 is used by a user. The terminal 100 may be used to instruct the printer 10 to print, or may be used to operate the printer 10. In this embodiment, the terminal 100 is communicably connected to the printer 10 (more specifically, the control device 60 (see FIG. 5)). As shown in FIG. 1, for example, the terminal 100 may be communicably connected to the printer 10 via the Internet 200. The terminal 100 is realized, for example, by a desktop or laptop personal computer used by a user. The terminal 100 may be realized by a dedicated computer or a general-purpose computer. The terminal 100 may also be a portable terminal such as a so-called smart phone or tablet terminal.

[0033] As shown in Fig. 5, the terminal 100 includes a display screen 101, an operation means 102, and a terminal control device 110. For example, information about the printer 10 communicably connected to the terminal 100 is displayed on the display screen 101. The operation means 102 is operated by a user. For example, the user operates the operation means 102 to select information on the display screen 101 or to switch information displayed on the display screen 101. The operation means 102 is realized by, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, or a touch panel.

[0034] The terminal control device 110 is, for example, a microcomputer. The terminal control device 110 includes, for example, an I / F, a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM. The terminal control device 110 is electrically connected to a display screen 101 and an operation means 102. In this embodiment, a dedicated application for operating the printer 10 is installed in the terminal control device 110. The user starts the application via the operation means 102 to display it on the display screen 101. This makes it possible to use the terminal 100 to instruct the printer 10 to perform printing, etc.

[0035] The configuration of the terminal 100 has been described above. FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram for explaining RIP processing. Incidentally, in the printing system 1 according to this embodiment, the printer 10 prints on the medium 5 based on the print data DT1 (see FIG. 6). The print data DT1 is data used when the printer 10 prints on the medium 5. The print data DT1 is data that can be read and analyzed by the printer 10. As shown in FIG. 6, the print data DT1 is raster data or bitmap data obtained by performing RIP (Raster Image Processor) processing on the print image DT2 to be printed on the medium 5. Here, the print image DT2 is created by, for example, a computer on which an image creation application is installed. The print image DT2 is created in, for example, a PDF (Portable Document Format) format. The print image DT2 includes, for example, images such as photographs, as well as figures, symbols, characters, and the like, or combinations thereof.

[0036] FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram showing print data DT1. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the print data DT1 has a plurality of pass data DT11. The print data DT1 is composed of a plurality of pass data DT11. The number of pass data DT11 included in the print data DT1 is not particularly limited, and is appropriately determined according to the size of the print data DT1 (in other words, the print image DT2). Here, the print formed by the ink ejected from the ink head 40 to the medium 5 when the ink head 40 scans once in the main scanning direction Y is called one-pass printing. Here, one scan refers to, for example, from one side (e.g., left) to the other side (e.g., right) in the main scanning direction Y, or from the other side to one side. The one-pass printing is performed multiple times, so that the print image DT2 is printed on the medium 5. Here, the pass data DT11 refers to data used by the printer 10 when one-pass printing is performed. One-pass printing refers to printing performed based on one pass data DT11.

[0037] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, one pass data DT11 has a plurality of color data DT12. The pass data DT11 is composed of a plurality of color data DT12. The color data DT12 is data related to the ejection of ink for each color used during one pass printing. The color data DT12 exists for each color of ink ejected from the ink head 40 (in other words, the nozzles 46 constituting the nozzle row 48). The color data DT12 exists for each pass data DT11 and for each color of ink ejected from the ink head 40. For example, when cyan ink, magenta ink, yellow ink, and black ink are ejected from the ink head 40, the color data DT12 for each pass data DT11 includes color data related to cyan ink, color data related to magenta ink, color data related to yellow ink, and color data related to black ink. Moreover, the color data DT12 is continuous data that indicates, for each ink color, the presence or absence of ejection of one dot of ink at a position in the main scanning direction Y of the ink head 40 relative to the medium 5 during one scan of the ink head 40 in the main scanning direction Y (in other words, the presence or absence of ejection of one dot of ink from one nozzle 46). In other words, the color data DT12 is data for one line in the main scanning direction Y for each ink color.

[0038] In this embodiment, the print data DT1 is created by the terminal 100 shown in Fig. 1. The print data DT1 created by the terminal 100 is transmitted to the printer 10. Here, as shown in Fig. 5, the terminal control device 110 of the terminal 100 includes a terminal storage unit 111, a print data creation unit 112, and a terminal transmission unit 114. The terminal storage unit 111, the print data creation unit 112, and the terminal transmission unit 114 may each be realized by one or a plurality of processors, or may be realized by a circuit.

[0039] The terminal storage unit 111 is realized by a non-volatile memory, for example, a storage. A print image DT2 is stored in advance in the terminal storage unit 111. The print data creation unit 112 creates print data DT1. Here, as shown in FIG. 6, the print data creation unit 112 converts the print image DT2 stored in the terminal storage unit 111 into print data DT1 by performing RIP processing on the print image DT2 stored in the terminal storage unit 111. The print data DT1 created by the print data creation unit 112 is saved in, for example, one data file FL1 as shown in FIG. 5, and this data file FL1 is stored in the terminal storage unit 111. In other words, the print data DT1 created by the print data creation unit 112 is stored in the terminal storage unit 111.

[0040] When printing starts, the print data DT1 is transmitted to the printer 10 by the terminal transmission unit 114 in Fig. 5. Here, the terminal transmission unit 114 transmits the print data DT1 to the control device 60 of the printer 10 via the Internet 200 (see Fig. 1). Note that the method by which the terminal transmission unit 114 transmits the print data DT1 is not particularly limited. For example, the terminal transmission unit 114 may transmit one piece of print data DT1 to the printer 10 in a lump.

[0041] Here, the terminal transmitting unit 114 is configured to sequentially transmit the print data DT1 to the control device 60 of the printer 10. The terminal transmitting unit 114 is configured to sequentially transmit the print data DT1 for each piece of path data DT11, and the path data DT11 to the printer 10. In particular, the terminal transmitting unit 114 is configured to sequentially transmit the print data DT1 for each piece of path data DT11 and for each piece of color data DT12 to the printer 10. In other words, the terminal transmitting unit 114 transmits the print data DT1 to the printer 10 while sequentially processing it in units of color data DT12.

[0042] In this embodiment, the printer 10 receives the print data DT1 transmitted from the terminal 100. Then, based on the color data DT12 (see FIG. 7) of the path data DT11 of the print data DT1, the ink head 40 ejects ink to print on the medium 5. For example, if the transmission speed at which the print data DT1 is transmitted from the terminal 100 to the printer 10 (in other words, the transfer speed of the Internet 200) is faster than the processing speed at which the printer 10 processes the print data DT1, a wait may occur in the processing of the print data DT1. Therefore, in order to reduce the occurrence of such waits, it is preferable to increase the processing speed of the print data DT1. Therefore, in this embodiment, the printer 10 divides and stores the print data DT1, and sequentially executes the divided data to increase the processing speed.

[0043] 5, the control device 60 of the printer 10 includes a CPU 61, a memory 63, and a storage 65. The CPU 61 is an abbreviation for Central Processing Unit. The CPU 61 controls printing, i.e., controls printing based on the print data DT1.

[0044] The memory 63 is a place where data is temporarily stored. The memory 63 is volatile, for example, a volatile memory. FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram showing the configuration of the memory 63. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the entire area 70 of the memory 63 is divided into a plurality of working areas. Here, the memory 63 has a control area 71, a print data area 72, a buffer area 73, and a receiving area 74. The entire area 70 of the memory 63 is divided into the control area 71, the print data area 72, the buffer area 73, and the receiving area 74.

[0045] The control area 71 is an area used for control when the printer 10 is running. Basic control by the CPU 61 is performed in the control area 71. The print data area 72 is an area in which a part of the print data DT1 to be executed during printing is stored. The buffer area 73 is an area in which another part of the print data DT1 to be executed next to the part of the print data DT1 stored in the print data area 72 is stored. For example, after the part of the print data DT1 stored in the print data area 72 is executed, the other part of the print data DT1 stored in the buffer area 73 is moved to the print data area 72. The receiving area 74 is an area for temporarily storing data received via the Internet 200 (see FIG. 1) or the like.

[0046] In this embodiment, the capacities (in other words, sizes) of the control area 71, print data area 72, buffer area 73, and receiving area 74 are not particularly limited. Here, as shown in Fig. 8, the capacity of the control area 71, the capacity of the print data area 72, the capacity of the buffer area 73, and the capacity of the receiving area 74 are referred to as control capacity S11, data capacity S12, buffer capacity S13, and receiving capacity S14, respectively. The capacity of the entire area 70 of the memory 63 is referred to as entire capacity S1.

[0047] For example, the control capacity S11 of the control area 71 is uniquely determined depending on the type of the printer 10. Therefore, for example, when the remaining size (here, S1-S11) obtained by dividing the total capacity S1 of the total area 70 of the memory 63 by the control capacity S11 of the control area 71 is divided into three, one capacity may be the data capacity S12 of the print data area 72, the buffer capacity S13 of the buffer area 73, and the reception capacity S14 of the reception area 74. That is, the data capacity S12, the buffer capacity S13, and the reception capacity S14 may each be the same capacity. However, the data capacity S12, the buffer capacity S13, and the reception capacity S14 may be different in capacity. For example, the buffer capacity S13 may be larger or smaller than the data capacity S12. The reception capacity S14 may be larger or smaller than the data capacity S12.

[0048] Unlike the memory 63, the storage 65 in FIG. 5 is a place where data is permanently stored. The storage 65 is realized by a non-volatile material, for example, a non-volatile memory. In this embodiment, the print data DT1 (see FIG. 6) is stored in the storage 65. In this embodiment, the storage 65 has a larger capacity than the memory 63. Here, the capacity of the storage 65 is larger than the overall capacity S1 of the entire area 70 of the memory 63. For example, the capacity of the storage 65 may be 5 times or more, preferably 10 times or more, particularly preferably 20 times or more, and further preferably 30 times or more, and is, for example, about 32 times, of the overall capacity S1 of the memory 63.

[0049] FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram showing a case where the print data DT1 is divided into a plurality of divided data DT20. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the print data DT1 transmitted from the terminal 100 is stored in the storage 65 in a state in which the print data DT1 is divided into a plurality of divided data DT20. As shown in FIG. 5, the control device 60 of the printer 10 includes a receiving unit 81, a data dividing unit 83, a data storage unit 85, a data moving unit 87, and a print control unit 90. Here, the receiving unit 81, the data dividing unit 83, the data storage unit 85, the data moving unit 87, and the print control unit 90 are provided in the CPU 61 and are functions of the CPU 61. The receiving unit 81, the data dividing unit 83, the data storage unit 85, the data moving unit 87, and the print control unit 90 may be realized by one or more processors, or may be realized by circuits.

[0050] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the transition of the print data DT1. The receiving unit 81 in FIG. 5 receives the print data DT1 transmitted from the terminal 100, as indicated by an arrow A1 in FIG. 10. Here, the receiving unit 81 receives the print data DT1 transmitted from the terminal transmitting unit 114 of the terminal 100 via the Internet 200. As described above, the terminal transmitting unit 114 of the terminal 100 in FIG. 5 transmits the print data DT1 to the printer 10 sequentially for each path data DT11 and for each color data DT12. Therefore, the receiving unit 81 receives the print data DT1 sequentially for each path data DT11 and for each color data DT12. In this embodiment, the print data DT1 received by the receiving unit 81 is temporarily stored in the receiving area 74 of the memory 63, as indicated by an arrow A2 in FIG. 10. Here, the color data DT12 obtained by dividing the print data DT1 is sequentially stored in the receiving area 74.

[0051] The data division unit 83 in FIG. 5 divides the print data DT1. Here, the data division unit 83 divides the print data DT1 into a plurality of divided data DT20 as shown in FIG. 9. One divided data DT20 has a data size that can be stored in the print data area 72 of the memory 63. Here, the data size of one divided data DT20 is called a division size S20. The division size S20 is equal to or smaller than the data capacity S12 (see FIG. 8) of the print data area 72 of the memory 63. It is preferable that the division size S20 is equal to or smaller than the data capacity S12, but close to the data capacity S12. For example, it is preferable that the division size S20 is the same size as the data capacity S12. The data division unit 83 divides the print data DT1 into the divided data DT20 so that the division size S20 is equal to or smaller than the data capacity S12.

[0052] In this embodiment, the data division unit 83 divides the print data DT1 into a plurality of divided data DT20 without dividing the path data DT11. Here, one path data DT11 is not divided so as to span a plurality of divided data DT20. The divided data DT20 is configured to include a plurality of path data DT11 so as to be a unit of the path data DT11. The divided data DT20 has a so-called fixed length. In this embodiment, the division sizes S20 of the plurality of divided data DT20 are the same, but the division sizes S20 of some of the divided data DT20 may be different from the division sizes S20 of the other divided data DT20.

[0053] In this embodiment, as indicated by an arrow A2 in Fig. 10, the print data DT1 transmitted from the terminal 100 is sequentially stored in the receiving area 74 of the memory 63. When the size of the print data DT1 stored in the receiving area 74 reaches the division size S20, the data division unit 83 divides a part of the print data DT1 stored in the receiving area 74 into divided data DT20, as indicated by an arrow A3 in Fig. 10.

[0054] The data storage unit 85 stores the divided data DT20 after being divided by the data division unit 83 in the storage 65. Here, the data storage unit 85 receives the divided data DT20 divided by the data division unit 83 as indicated by an arrow A4 in FIG. 10, and stores the divided data DT20 in the storage 65 as indicated by an arrow A5 in FIG. 10. The data storage unit 85 stores the divided data DT20 in the storage 65 on a file-by-file basis as indicated by an arrow A5 in FIG. 9. For example, the data storage unit 85 saves the divided data DT20 in a split file FL20. The data storage unit 85 saves the split file FL20 in which the divided data DT20 is saved in the storage 65. In this embodiment, the same number of split files FL20 as the number of split data DT20 divided by the data division unit 83 are created and stored in the storage 65.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 10, the data moving unit 87 sequentially moves the divided data DT20 stored in the storage 65 to the print data area 72 of the memory 63 during printing. In this embodiment, an execution order is set in advance for the multiple divided data DT20 stored in the storage 65. The data moving unit 87 sequentially moves the divided data DT20 to the print data area 72 according to the execution order. Here, the data moving unit 87 moves the divided data DT20 to be executed next to the divided data DT20 stored in the print data area 72 to the buffer area 73 of the memory 63. For example, the data moving unit 87 receives the divided data DT20 to be executed next to the divided data DT20 stored in the print data area 72 from the storage 65 as indicated by an arrow A6 in FIG. 10, and stores the received divided data DT20 in the buffer area 73 as indicated by an arrow A7 in FIG. 10. In addition, when the divided data DT20 is not stored in the print data area 72, such as at the start of printing, the data movement unit 87 may store the divided data DT20 received from the storage 65 in the print data area 72 without storing it in the buffer area 73, as shown by arrow A8 in Figure 10.

[0056] In this embodiment, the print control unit 90 performs printing on the medium 5 supported by the support stand 13 based on the print data DT1 transmitted from the terminal 100. Here, the print control unit 90 prints a print image DT2 (see FIG. 6) on the medium 5 based on the print data DT1. Here, during printing, the divided data DT20 is stored in the print data area 72 of the memory 63. The print control unit 90 acquires the divided data DT20 stored in the print data area 72 as indicated by an arrow A9 in FIG. 10, and performs one-pass printing on the medium 5 supported by the support stand 13 based on the divided data DT20 stored in the print data area 72. Here, as shown in FIG. 9, if the divided data DT20 includes multiple pass data DT11, the print control unit 90 performs one-pass printing for the number of pass data DT11.

[0057] 2, the print control unit 90 performs one-pass printing by ejecting ink from the ink head 40 based on color data DT12 included in pass data DT11 in divided data DT20 while controlling the head movement mechanism 30 to move the ink head 40 in the main scanning direction Y. After one-pass printing, the print control unit 90 controls the medium movement mechanism 20 to move the medium 5 supported by the support base 13 a predetermined distance in the sub-scanning direction X. After moving the medium 5 in this way in the sub-scanning direction X, the next one-pass printing is performed based on the next pass data DT11.

[0058] In this embodiment, after printing based on the divided data DT20 stored in the print data area 72 is completed, the data moving unit 87 in FIG. 5 replaces the divided data DT20 stored in the print data area 72 with the divided data DT20 stored in the buffer area 73. For example, the data moving unit 87 acquires the divided data DT20 stored in the buffer area 73 as indicated by an arrow A10 in FIG. 10, and stores the acquired divided data DT20 in the print data area 72 as indicated by an arrow A11 in FIG. 10. At this time, the divided data DT20 already stored in the print data area 72 may be deleted. The data moving unit 87 acquires the divided data DT20 to be executed next to the divided data DT20 newly stored in the print data area 72 from the storage 65 as indicated by an arrow A6 in FIG. 10, and moves it to the buffer area 73 as indicated by an arrow A7 in FIG. The print control unit 90 performs printing on the medium 5 based on the divided data DT20 newly stored in the print data area 72.

[0059] The print control unit 90 may start printing before all color data DT12 included in one piece of print data DT1 is received by the receiving unit 81. In this embodiment, even if the receiving unit 81 is in the middle of receiving the print data DT1, the data division unit 83 sequentially creates divided data DT20, and the data storage unit 85 stores the divided data DT20 in the storage 65. Therefore, even if the receiving unit 81 is in the middle of receiving the print data DT1, the data transfer unit 87 stores the divided data DT20 in the print data area 72, so that the print control unit 90 can start printing the print image DT2 on the medium 5 based on the divided data DT20.

[0060] As described above, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the printing system 1 includes the printer 10 and the terminal 100 that is communicably connected to the printer 10 and transmits print data DT1 to the printer 10. As shown in FIG. 2, the printer 10 includes the support base 13 that supports the medium 5, the ink head 40 (see FIG. 4) that ejects ink toward the medium 5 supported by the support base 13, and the control device 60. As shown in FIG. 5, the control device 60 includes the memory 63, the storage 65, the receiving unit 81, the data dividing unit 83, the data storage unit 85, the data moving unit 87, and the print control unit 90. As shown in FIG. 8, the memory 63 has a print data area 72 with a predetermined data capacity S12. The receiving unit 81 receives the print data DT1 obtained by RIP processing the print image DT2. As shown in FIG. 9, the data division unit 83 divides the print data DT1 received by the receiving unit 81 into a plurality of divided data DT20 such that the data size (here, division size S20) is equal to or smaller than the data capacity S12 (see FIG. 8). The data storage unit 85 stores the plurality of divided data DT20 divided by the data division unit 83 in the storage 65. The data transfer unit 87 sequentially transfers the plurality of divided data DT20 to the print data area 72 of the memory 63 according to a predetermined execution order. The print control unit 90 performs printing on the medium 5 supported by the support base 13 based on the divided data DT20 stored in the print data area 72. In this way, as shown in FIG. 9, the print data DT1 is divided into a plurality of divided data DT20, and the plurality of divided data DT20 are sequentially executed by the print control unit 90, so that the print image DT2 can be printed on the medium 5. Therefore, the data size (here, division size S20) of the divided data DT20 executed by the print control unit 90 can be made smaller than the data size of the print data DT1, so that the processing related to printing can be optimized. In this embodiment, the print data DT1 is divided into multiple divided data DT20, and the data size of each divided data DT20 is as large as possible (i.e., the division size S20 is as close as possible to the data capacity S12 of the print data area 72) and the number of divided data DT20 is as small as possible, the more the above-mentioned effects can be achieved.

[0061] In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 8, the memory 63 has a buffer area 73. The data moving unit 87 moves the divided data DT20 to be executed next to the divided data DT20 stored in the print data area 72 to the buffer area 73, as indicated by arrow A7 in Fig. 10. In this way, the existence of the buffer area 73 in the memory 63 makes it possible to store the divided data DT20 to be executed next to the divided data DT20 stored in the print data area 72 in the buffer area 73. Therefore, the print control unit 90 can execute the divided data DT20 efficiently.

[0062] In this embodiment, the data moving unit 87 replaces the divided data DT20 stored in the buffer area 73 with the divided data DT20 stored in the print data area 72 as shown by the arrow A9 in FIG. 10 by the print control unit 90, as shown by the arrows A10 and A11 in FIG. 10, and moves the divided data DT20 to be executed next to the divided data DT20 replaced in the print data area 72 to the buffer area 73 as shown by the arrow A7 in FIG. 10. As a result, after printing is performed based on the divided data DT20 stored in the print data area 72, the divided data DT20 stored in the print data area 72 is replaced with the divided data DT20 stored in the buffer area 73. Therefore, the print control unit 90 may execute the divided data DT20 stored in the print data area 72 in sequence. Therefore, the print data DT1 can be executed efficiently.

[0063] In this embodiment, after printing based on the divided data DT20 stored in the print data area 72, the divided data DT20 stored in the buffer area 73 is moved to the print data area 72. However, printing based on the divided data DT20 to be printed may be performed alternately between the print data area 72 and the buffer area 73. That is, the positions of the print data area 72 and the buffer area 73 in the memory 63 may be switched every time one-pass printing is performed. For example, after printing based on the divided data DT20 in the print data area 72, printing based on the divided data DT20 in the buffer area 73 may be performed. In this case, when printing based on the divided data DT20 in the buffer area 73, the divided data DT20 to be executed next to the divided data DT20 in the buffer area 73 may be stored in the print data area 72. Also, when printing based on the divided data DT20 in the print data area 72, the divided data DT20 to be executed next to the divided data DT20 in the print data area 72 may be stored in the buffer area 73.

[0064] 8, the capacity of the buffer area 73 is a buffer capacity S13. The buffer capacity S13 and the data capacity S12 are the same. This allows the divided data DT20 to be appropriately stored in both the print data area 72 and the buffer area 73.

[0065] In this embodiment, the printer 10 includes a head moving mechanism 30 (see FIG. 2) that moves the ink head 40 in the main scanning direction Y relative to the medium 5 supported by the support base 13. Printing performed when the ink head 40 moves back and forth once in the main scanning direction Y is considered to be one pass printing. As shown in FIG. 7, the print data DT1 includes a plurality of pass data DT11 used in one pass printing. As shown in FIG. 9, the data division unit 83 in FIG. 5 divides the print data DT1 into a plurality of divided data DT20 so that the pass data DT11 is not divided. This makes it possible to prevent the divided pass data DT11 from being included in the divided data DT20. This makes it possible to make it difficult for printing to be interrupted in the middle of one pass printing.

[0066] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the path data DT11 includes color data DT12 related to the color of ink discharged from the ink head 40. The receiving unit 81 in FIG. 5 sequentially receives the print data DT1 for each path data DT11 and for each color data DT12. Here, the data dividing unit 83 in FIG. 5 creates the divided data DT20 before the receiving unit 81 receives all the color data DT12 included in the print data DT1. The data moving unit 87 sequentially moves the divided data DT20 stored in the storage 65 to the print data area 72 before the receiving unit 81 receives all the color data DT12 included in the print data DT1. The print control unit 90 performs printing based on the divided data DT20 stored in the print data area 72 before the receiving unit 81 receives all the color data DT12 included in the print data DT1. This allows the divided data DT20 to be created and stored in the print data area 72 before all the color data DT12 included in the print data DT1 is received. Therefore, printing of the print image DT2 can be started before all of the color data DT12 included in the print data DT1 is received, so that the processing time related to printing can be shortened.

[0067] In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 8, the memory 63 has a receiving area 74 in which print data DT1 received by the receiving unit 81 is stored. The receiving unit 81 stores the received print data DT1 in the receiving area 74, as shown by arrow A2 in Fig. 10. The data dividing unit 83 divides the print data DT1 stored in the receiving area 74 into divided data DT20, as shown by arrow A3 in Fig. 10. This makes it possible to sequentially create divided data DT20 from parts of the print data DT1 temporarily stored in the receiving area 74. Therefore, the divided data DT20 can be created efficiently.

[0068] In this embodiment, the memory 63 is volatile. The storage 65 is nonvolatile. This prevents the divided data DT20 stored in the storage 65 from being deleted even when the startup of the printer 10 is stopped. Furthermore, the print data area 72 of the memory 63 is an area where the divided data DT20 is temporarily stored for printing. Therefore, the divided data DT20 stored in the print data area 72 is deleted at the timing when the startup of the printer 10 is stopped, so that the divided data DT20 stored in the print data area 72 can be efficiently deleted.

[0069] In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 5, the terminal 100 includes a print data creation unit 112 and a terminal transmission unit 114. As shown in Fig. 6, the print data creation unit 112 performs RIP processing on the print image DT2 to create print data DT1. The terminal transmission unit 114 transmits the print data DT1 created by the print data creation unit 112 to the printer 10. This makes it possible to transmit the print data DT1 created by the terminal 100 to the printer 10. Therefore, since the print data DT1 is not created on the printer 10 side, the load on the printer 10 can be reduced.

[0070] In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 1, the terminal 100 is communicably connected to the printer 10 via the Internet 200. Since the print data DT1 is transmitted to the printer 10 via the Internet 200, the transfer speed may be slow depending on the environment of the Internet 200, and it may take time to transmit the print data DT1. However, in this embodiment, the print data DT1 is divided into a plurality of divided data DT20, and the plurality of divided data DT20 are sequentially executed to print the print image DT2 on the medium 5. Therefore, printing can be performed efficiently without being affected by the transfer speed of the Internet 200.

[0071] In this embodiment, the receiving unit 81 of the printer 10 receives the print data DT1 created and transmitted by the terminal 100. However, the print data DT1 is not limited to data created by the terminal 100. The print data DT1 may be created by a terminal other than the terminal 100 that is communicatively connected to the printer 10. The receiving unit 81 may receive the print data DT1, for example, from a server. [Explanation of symbols]

[0072] 1 Printing System 5 Medium 10 Printers 13 Support stand 30 Head movement mechanism 40 Ink Head 60 Control device 63 Memory 65 Storage 72 Print data area 73 Buffer Area 74 Receiving Area 81 Receiving section 83 Data division section 85 Data Storage Department 87 Data Transfer Section 90 Printing control unit 100 devices 112 Printing data creation unit 114 Terminal transmitter 200 Internet DT1 print data DT11 Path Data DT12 color data DT2 Print image DT20 split data S12 Data Capacity S13 Buffer Capacity

Claims

1. A support base for supporting the medium; an ink head that ejects ink toward a medium supported by the support base; A control device; Equipped with The control device includes: a memory having a print data area with a predetermined data capacity; Storage and a receiving unit for receiving print data obtained by RIP processing of a print image; a data division unit that divides the print data received by the receiving unit into a plurality of divided data such that the data size is equal to or smaller than the data capacity; a data storage unit that stores the plurality of divided data items divided by the data division unit in the storage; a data transfer unit that sequentially transfers the plurality of divided data to the print data area of ​​the memory in a predetermined execution order; a print control unit that performs printing on the medium supported by the support table based on the divided data stored in the print data area; A printer equipped with

2. The memory has a buffer area, The printer according to claim 1 , wherein the data moving unit moves the divided data to be executed next to the divided data stored in the print data area to the buffer area.

3. 3. The printer of claim 2, wherein the data moving unit replaces the split data stored in the buffer area with the split data stored in the print data area after the print control unit has printed based on the split data stored in the print data area, and moves the split data to be executed next to the split data replaced in the print data area to the buffer area.

4. The capacity of the buffer area is a buffer capacity, 3. The printer according to claim 2, wherein said buffer capacity and said data capacity are the same.

5. a head moving mechanism that moves the ink head in a main scanning direction relative to the medium supported by the support table; The printing performed when the ink head moves back and forth once in the main scanning direction is defined as one pass printing, the print data includes a plurality of pass data used in the one-pass printing, The printer according to claim 1 , wherein the data dividing section divides the print data into a plurality of the divided data so that the path data is not divided.

6. the path data includes color data relating to the color of ink ejected from the ink head; 6. The printer according to claim 5, wherein the receiving section sequentially receives the print data for each of the path data and for each of the color data.

7. the data division unit creates the divided data before the receiving unit receives all of the color data included in the print data; the data moving unit sequentially moves the divided data stored in the storage to the print data area before the receiving unit receives all of the color data included in the print data; The printer according to claim 6 , wherein the print control unit performs printing based on the divided data stored in the print data area before all of the color data included in the print data is received by the receiving unit.

8. the memory has a receiving area in which the print data received by the receiving unit is stored; The receiving unit stores the received print data in the receiving area, The printer according to claim 1 , wherein the data division unit divides the print data stored in the receiving area into the divided data.

9. the memory is volatile; The printer of claim 1 , wherein the storage is non-volatile.

10. A printer according to any one of claims 1 to 9; a terminal communicably connected to the printer and configured to transmit the print data to the printer; A printing system comprising:

11. The terminal includes: a print data creation unit that creates the print data by RIP-processing the print image; a terminal transmission unit that transmits the print data created by the print data creation unit to the printer; The printing system of claim 10 , comprising:

12. The printing system according to claim 10 , wherein the terminal is communicably connected to the printer via the Internet.

Images