Printing system, printed object production method, and program
The printing system allows flexible ink combinations by acquiring identifiers and control data, reducing manufacturing costs and ensuring compatible, authorized, and warning-free printing.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2024003837
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-01-15
- Publication Date
- 2025-07-28
AI Technical Summary
Conventional printers are limited to specific ink types, necessitating the manufacturing of different printer models for various ink combinations, which is inefficient and costly.
A printing system that includes a first and second ink receiving part, identifier acquisition units, a control data acquisition unit, and a printing unit, allowing flexible ink combinations by acquiring identifiers and control data from a database to perform printing with various ink sets.
Enables flexible ink combinations, reduces manufacturing costs by using a common printer model, and ensures compatible, authorized, and warning-free printing.
Smart Images

Figure 2025110101000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a printing system, a printed matter production method, and a program.
Background Art
[0002] Conventionally, printers that perform printing with multiple colors of ink are known. Also, when print data for printing in three colors of cyan, magenta, and yellow is output to a printer that performs printing with four colors of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black, printing cannot be performed normally. In response to such a problem, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for converting input print data into data corresponding to the types of ink provided in a printing apparatus.
Prior Art Documents
Patent Documents
[0003]
Patent Document 1
Summary of the Invention
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0004] Conventionally, since the types of ink that can be used in one printing system are fixed, it has been necessary to manufacture a printing system according to the types of ink.
Means for Solving the Problems
[0005] In view of the above problems, the present invention provides a printing system, comprising: a first ink receiving part; a second ink receiving part; a first identifier acquisition part that acquires a first identifier indicating the type of a first ink set in the first ink receiving part; a second identifier acquisition part that acquires a second identifier indicating the type of a second ink set in the second ink receiving part; a control data acquisition part that acquires control data corresponding to a combination of the first identifier and the second identifier from a database; an image data acquisition part that acquires image data; and a printing part that performs printing according to the image data using the first ink and the second ink according to the control data.
[0006] Another aspect of the present invention is a printed matter production method, including: a first identifier acquisition step of acquiring a first identifier indicating the type of a first ink set in a first ink receiving part; a second identifier acquisition step of acquiring a second identifier indicating the type of a second ink set in a second ink receiving part; a control data acquisition step of acquiring control data corresponding to a combination of the first identifier and the second identifier from a database; an image data acquisition step of acquiring image data; and a printing step of producing a printed matter by performing printing according to the image data using the first ink and the second ink according to the control data.
[0007] Another aspect of the present invention is a program for causing a computer to execute: a first identifier acquisition step of acquiring a first identifier indicating the type of a first ink set in a first ink receiving part; a second identifier acquisition step of acquiring a second identifier indicating the type of a second ink set in a second ink receiving part; a control data acquisition step of acquiring control data corresponding to a combination of the first identifier and the second identifier from a database; an image data acquisition step of acquiring image data; and a printing process step of causing a printing part to perform printing according to the image data using the first ink and the second ink according to the control data. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008]
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 4
Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention
[0009] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a printing system 1 according to the present embodiment. The printing system 1 includes an inkjet printer 100, a computer 200, a display 260, a keyboard 270, and a printing server 300. The printer 100 is an example of a printing device.
[0010] The printer 100 is connected to the printing server 300 via a network. Various types of information are stored in the printing server 300.
[0011] The printer 100 is connected to the computer 200 by a USB cable. Note that the printer 100 may be connected to the computer 200 by a communication cable of another standard capable of transmitting and receiving data, or may transmit and receive data to and from the computer 200 by wireless communication such as a wireless LAN. The printer 100 can perform monochrome printing or color printing by ejecting one or more colors of ink onto a printing medium such as paper based on the print data generated in the computer 200.
[0012] A printer driver for controlling the operation of the printer 100 is installed in the computer 200, and print data for causing the printer 100 to print print targets such as characters and images specified by the user is generated.
[0013] The display 260 is connected to the computer 200 and displays various information based on the display data sent from a video driver (not shown) of the computer 200. For example, when the user selects a plurality of candidate images by operating the keyboard 270 or the mouse 280 to specify the printing target, the display 260 displays those images. Further, the display 260 may display information such as the printing settings of the printer 100.
[0014] Figure 2 is a configuration diagram of the printer 100. The printer 100 includes a processor 110, a non-volatile memory 120, a display unit 130, an operation unit 140, an interface (I / F) 150, a media conveyance mechanism 160, a carriage motor 170, and a carriage 180. Further, the carriage 180 is provided with a plurality (four in this example) of cartridge holders 181, 182, 183, 184.
[0015] And four ink cartridges 1911, 1912, 1913, 1914 for storing ink are set in each of these four cartridge holders 181, 182, 183, 184. The cartridge holders 181 to 184 are an example of an ink receiving part. These numbers may be one or more.
[0016] These ink cartridges 1911, 1912, 1913, 1914 each have non-volatile ROMs 1921, 1922, 1923, 1924. Here, the ROMs 1921 to 1924 are an example of an external recording medium. Ink identifiers for identifying the types of ink stored in the ink cartridges are stored in the ROMs 1921 to 1924. The printer can communicate with these ROMs to read out ink identifiers, remaining amount information, etc.
[0017] Further, the carriage 180 has a print head 185 provided with ink nozzles for discharging the ink stored in the ink cartridges 1911 to 1914 onto a printing medium such as paper. This print head is an example of a printing mechanism.
[0018] For example, the ink cartridges 1911 to 1914 store cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K) inks respectively. Thereby, the printer 100 can support four colors (CMYK). Note that the printer 100 of this embodiment can perform printing with other combinations of inks. For example, black ink cartridges 1911 to 1914 can be set in all the cartridge holders 181 to 184 to perform single-color printing. Also, the ink cartridges 1911 to 1914 can store three colors of inks, CMK, and perform three-color printing. It is also possible to perform printing with inks such as RGB, white, metallic, and clear. It is also possible to set a cartridge containing four colors of edible inks CMYK and print on an edible sheet. Thus, in the printer 100 according to this embodiment, the types of inks set in the ink cartridges 1911 to 1914 are not fixed, and various inks can be set. Such inks include third-party inks. Thereby, the printer 100 can perform printing in a plurality of different color spaces.
[0019] The I / F can be a connector for wired connection or an antenna for wireless connection. The processor 110 includes a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM, and can execute programs recorded in the ROM and the non-volatile memory 120 to control each part of the printer 100. Note that the processor 110 may be composed of a single chip or a plurality of chips. Also, for example, an ASIC may be adopted instead of the CPU, or a configuration in which the CPU and the ASIC cooperate may be used. Programs, data, etc. that the processor 110 executes are recorded in the non-volatile memory 120.
[0020] Processor 110 reads control data stored in non-volatile memory 120. Then, based on the control data and the image data transmitted from computer 200, scanner, USB memory, etc. via I / F 150, processor 110 controls the operations of media conveyance mechanism 160, carriage motor 170, and print head 185. For the printer 100 to print on the print media, print head 185 reciprocates in the main scanning direction together with carriage 180 by driving carriage motor 170. On the other hand, the print media is conveyed in the sub-scanning direction by media conveyance mechanism 160. Then, one or more types of ink are ejected from the ink nozzles of print head 185 onto the print media, thereby printing the image to be printed. Media conveyance mechanism 160, carriage motor 170, and carriage 180 constitute the printing unit.
[0021] Display unit 130 is provided on the housing of printer 100 and displays various information. Operation unit 140 receives user operations. Operation unit 140 may be provided integrally with display unit 130 as a touch panel.
[0022] As described above, when ink cartridges 1911 to 1914 are set, printer 100 of this embodiment can perform printing according to the types of ink contained in ink cartridges 1911 to 1914. As a functional configuration therefor, processor 110 includes reception unit 111, display processing unit 112, image data acquisition unit 113, identifier acquisition unit 114, control data acquisition unit 115, warning determination unit 116, conformity determination unit 117, authority determination unit 118, and print processing unit.
[0023] The functions of the reception unit 111, the display processing unit 112, the image data acquisition unit 113, the identifier acquisition unit 114, the control data acquisition unit 115, the warning determination unit 116, the conformity determination unit 117, the authority determination unit 118, and the printing processing unit are realized by the processor 110 reading out and executing a program stored in the non-volatile memory 120. That is, in the following, the processes described as being executed by the reception unit 111, the display processing unit 112, the image data acquisition unit 113, the identifier acquisition unit 114, the control data acquisition unit 115, the warning determination unit 116, the conformity determination unit 117, the authority determination unit 118, and the printing processing unit are the processes executed by the processor 110.
[0024] The reception unit 111 receives information input in response to a user operation on the operation unit 140. The display processing unit 112 controls the display on the display unit 130. The image data acquisition unit 113 acquires image data from the computer 200 via the I / F 150. The identifier acquisition unit 114 acquires ink identifiers from the ROMs 1921 to 1924 of the ink cartridges 1911 to 1914. The control data acquisition unit 115 acquires printing control data from the printing server 300 or the ROMs 1921 to 1924 and stores it in a storage unit such as the non-volatile memory 120.
[0025] The warning determination unit 116 determines whether the combination of inks (current inks) set in the printer 100 satisfies the warning conditions, and issues a warning to the user if the warning conditions are satisfied. The warning conditions are stored, for example, in the ROM of the cartridge to indicate which identification number of the cartridge will trigger a warning when used simultaneously. The warning conditions are set such that a warning is issued when a combination of inks is set where the printable color gamut is narrower than a preset standard color gamut, and no warning is issued when a combination of inks is set that is the same as or includes the standard color gamut. The standard color gamut is the color gamut printable by a combination of inks preset as the inks to be set in the printer 100. For example, when the color gamut realized by CMYK inks is set as the standard color gamut, if only K ink is set, the color gamut becomes narrower. Therefore, in this case, the warning determination unit 116 determines that the warning conditions are satisfied. Conversely, when the color gamut realized by K ink is set as the standard color gamut, if CMYK inks are set, the color gamut becomes wider than the standard color gamut. Thus, the warning determination unit 116 determines that the warning conditions are not satisfied.
[0026] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a warning screen 400 displayed on the display unit 130 by the display processing unit 112 as a warning to the user when the warning conditions are satisfied. The warning screen 400 displays an image image 410 of an image assumed as the printing result by a plurality of current inks set at the time of processing (current). Also, an OK button 421 and a cancel button 422 are displayed. The user checks the image image 410 and selects the OK button 421 if it does not differ from the finished image expected by the user. In this case, printing is performed with the combination of the current inks. The user selects the cancel button 422 if the image image 410 differs from the finished image. In this case, printing is canceled.
[0027] The compatibility determination unit 117 determines, in the cartridge holders 181 to 184, whether the ink that was set in the past and supplied with ink and the ink that was set thereafter satisfy the compatibility conditions when the ink cartridges 1911 to 1914 are replaced. The compatibility conditions are conditions under which it is determined that the past ink set in the past and the current ink set thereafter are compatible. When the past ink and the current ink can use the same control data as the same color, it is determined that the compatibility conditions are satisfied. On the other hand, when it is necessary to use different control data, it is determined that the compatibility conditions are not satisfied. Or when the past ink and the current ink are of types that cannot be mixed, it is determined that the compatibility conditions are not satisfied. For example, when the past ink is non-edible ink and the current ink is edible ink, it is determined that the compatibility conditions are not satisfied. The compatibility determination unit 117 determines that the compatibility conditions are satisfied when the ink identifier (past identifier) of the past ink and the ink identifier of the current ink match. Also, the compatibility conditions stored in the ROM are read out and it is determined whether the conditions are satisfied. Note that the ink identifier of the past ink is stored in the non-volatile memory 120.
[0028] The authority determination unit 118 determines whether the user is a paid member who can use the ink when any one or combination of the inks set in the cartridge holders 181 to 184 is for paid members. That is, the authority determination unit 118 determines whether the user has the authority to use the ink for paid members. Specifically, the information of paid members is managed in the print server 300, and the authority determination unit 118 determines the presence or absence of authority by inquiring the print server 300. The print processing unit 119 controls the printing unit to execute printing.
[0029] The printing server 300 stores the user identification information of paid members with permissions, and the user identification information is appropriately updated according to the acquisition and cancellation of paid membership qualifications. In addition, the printing server 300 also stores the ink identifiers of inks that require permissions. For example, when a paid member uses ink, instead of purchasing the ink, it is assumed that the member pays according to the printing for the printed matter obtained by using the ink obtained for free. Alternatively, in order to print in a color gamut different from the standard color gamut, it is necessary to pay an additional fee to become a paid member.
[0030] The printing server 300 is provided with a database that stores the control data of the printer 100 for each combination of inks. The control data is information used for the control when the printer 100 performs printing. For example, the color conversion data for converting the color space of the image data from the RGB color space to the color space of the color of the ink set in the printer 100 is control data. The waveform data for ejecting the ink set in the printer 100 is also control data. Also, the data (LUT: Look-Up Table) used for data conversion of image data such as color conversion and plate making, and data such as the operation interval of cleaning are also control data. In addition, the UI data displayed on the display unit 130 is also included in the control data. The printing server may have all of these control data, or may have only a part of them, and the printer may use the data that the printer has in advance for the remaining control data. The printing server 300 further stores the member identifiers of paid members who can use paid ink. The printing server 300 is an example of an external server.
[0031] Figure 4 is a flowchart when the printer 100 is powered on or a new ink cartridge is set by the processor 110. In this flowchart, the identifier acquisition unit 114 of the processor 110 first acquires the ink identifiers stored in the ROMs 1921 to 1924 of all the ink cartridges 1911 to 1914 (step S100).
[0032] Next, based on the ink identifiers obtained from ROMs 1921 to 1924, the processor 110 checks whether the ink cartridges 1911 to 1914 set at the processing time (current) are the ink cartridges that have been set in the cartridge holders 181 to 184 for the first time. Note that the ink identifiers of the ink cartridges that have been set in the cartridge holders 181 to 184 in the past are stored in a storage unit such as the non-volatile memory 120, and a judgment is made by referring to this.
[0033] If all are the first-time sets (Y in step S102), the processor 110 advances the process to step S110. If not (N in step S102), the processor 110 advances the process to step S104. In step S104, the processor 110 determines whether the ink cartridges currently set meet the compatibility conditions by comparing the ink identifiers of the currently set ink cartridges with the ink identifiers (past identifiers) of the previously set ink cartridges.
[0034] If the compatibility conditions are met (Y in step S104), the printing processing unit 119 sets to enable printing using the ink of the ink cartridges 1911 to 1914 set at the processing time. (Step S106). Note that although the control data is stored in the non-volatile memory 120, the processor 110 may obtain new control data and use it. Thereby, the printer 100 can use the latest control data. Specifically, the control data acquisition unit 115 acquires the control data corresponding to the combination of the ink identifiers of the currently set ink from the printing server 300 and newly stores this in the non-volatile memory 120.
[0035] As another example, the processor 110 may determine whether to acquire new control data according to an instruction from the user. In this case, when the control data acquisition unit 115 acquires new control data, it stores this in the non-volatile memory 120. However, when it does not acquire new control data, it does not store it in the non-volatile memory 120. In this way, the printer 100 can determine whether to use new control data according to the user's wishes.
[0036] When the compatibility conditions are met, the ink set in the past and the ink currently set are a combination of inks that can be mixed without problems. Therefore, when the compatibility conditions are met in this way, normal printing is executed.
[0037] On the other hand, when the processor 110 does not meet the compatibility conditions (N in step S104), it notifies the user of an error that the currently set ink cartridge cannot be used (step S108). Specifically, the display processing unit 112 displays an error screen for notifying the error on the display unit 130. When the compatibility conditions are not met, the ink set in the past and the ink currently set are a combination of inks that must not be mixed. Therefore, in this case, the processor 110 notifies the error without supplying the ink or performing printing with the currently set ink cartridge.
[0038] In step S110, the control data acquisition unit 115 of the processor 110 requests the print server 300 for control data corresponding to the combination of ink identifiers currently set. The print server 300 transmits the control data corresponding to the combination of ink identifiers as a response to this request. When the control data acquisition unit 115 receives the control data from the print server 300 and is able to acquire the control data (Y in step S110), it stores the control data in the non-volatile memory 120 and advances the process to step S114. When the control data acquisition unit 115 is unable to acquire the control data (N in step S110), it advances the process to step S112. The case where the control data cannot be acquired means that the print server 300 does not store the control data corresponding to the target combination of inks. For example, when the target combination of inks includes third-party inks, the print server 300 may not store the control data.
[0039] In step S112, the control data acquisition unit 115 of the processor 110 acquires control data from the ROMs 1921 - 1924 of the ink cartridges 1911 - 1914. When the processor 110 is able to acquire the control data (Y in step S112), it stores the control data in the non-volatile memory 120 and advances the process to step S114. When the processor 110 is unable to acquire the control data (N in step S112), it advances the process to step S108. That is, in this case, the processor 110 issues an error notification and ends the process without performing printing. The case where the control data cannot be acquired means that none of the ROMs 1921 - 1924 stores the control data corresponding to the target combination of inks.
[0040] In step S114, the authority determination unit 118 of the processor 110 inquires the printing server 300 to confirm whether authority is required for the currently set ink combination. If the authority determination unit 118 determines that authority is required (Y in step S114), the process proceeds to step S116. If the authority determination unit 118 determines that authority is not required (N in step S114), the process proceeds to step S124.
[0041] In step S116, the authority determination unit 118 confirms whether the user has authority. Specifically, the authority determination unit 118 transmits the user identification information input by the user to the printing server 300. If the user identification information registered as a paid member in the printing server 300 matches the user identification information received from the printer 100, the printing server 300 determines that the user has authority; otherwise, it determines that the user does not have authority. Then, the printing server notifies the printer of the determination result. If the authority determination unit 118 receives a notification that the user has authority (Y in step S116), the process proceeds to step S118. If the authority determination unit 118 receives a notification that the user does not have authority (N in step S116), the process proceeds to step S108. That is, if the user does not have authority, an error notification is issued and the process ends without performing printing.
[0042] In step S118, the warning determination unit 116 determines whether the current ink combination satisfies the warning condition. If the warning determination unit 116 determines that the current ink combination does not satisfy the warning condition (N in step S118), the process proceeds to step S124. If the warning determination unit 116 determines that the current ink combination satisfies the warning condition (Y in step S118), the process proceeds to step S120.
[0043] In step S120, the display processing unit 112 displays the warning screen 400 on the display unit 130. Next, the reception unit 111 receives a continuation instruction or a cancellation instruction. When the OK button 421 is selected on the warning screen 400, the reception unit 111 receives a continuation instruction, and when the cancellation button 422 is selected, the reception unit 111 receives a cancellation instruction. When the processor 110 receives a continuation instruction (continuation instruction in step S122), the process proceeds to step S124. When the processor 110 receives a cancellation instruction (cancellation instruction in step S122), the process proceeds to step S108. That is, in this case, the processor 110 issues an error notification and ends the process without performing printing.
[0044] In step S124, the control data acquisition unit 115 stores the control data corresponding to the combination of the ink identifiers of the current inks in the non-volatile memory 120. Next, in step S106, the printing processing unit 119 sets to enable printing using the inks of the ink cartridges 1911 to 1914 set at the time of processing. Thereby, a printer suitable for the combination of the ink cartridges is produced. After that, when a printing instruction is received from the user, the image data is printed. Specifically, by controlling the medium conveyance mechanism 160, the carriage motor 170, and the carriage 180, printing is performed using the inks of the ink cartridges 1911 to 1914 set in the cartridge holders 181 to 184. Thereby, a printed matter using the set combination of the ink cartridges is produced. In printing, the control data stored in the non-volatile memory 120 is referred to, and the image data acquired by the image data acquisition unit 113 is used.
[0045] As described above, in the printing system 1 of the present embodiment, by acquiring control data according to the combination of the current inks, printing according to the combination of the current inks can be performed. Thereby, instead of manufacturing different printer models for each combination of inks, a common printer model may be manufactured, so that the manufacturing cost can be reduced. Further, when the combination of the current inks satisfies the warning condition, the printing system 1 can give a warning to the user. Therefore, when receiving the warning, the user can check whether there is any problem with printing using the current inks before printing.
[0046] In addition, when ink supply has not been performed in the past, the printing system 1 performs printing, while when ink supply has been performed in the past, printing is restricted according to the inks used in the past. Specifically, when the combination of the past inks and the current inks satisfies the compatibility condition, the printing system 1 performs printing, while when the compatibility condition is not satisfied, ink supply is not performed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent inks that should not be mixed from being mixed. Further, the printing system 1 checks the user authority before printing. Therefore, it is possible to manage so that printing by a user without authority is not performed.
[0047] The above-described embodiment is an example for implementing the present invention, and various other embodiments can be adopted.
[0048] As such a first modification, an ink tank may be set in the printer 100 instead of an ink cartridge. In this case, ink is injected into the ink tank from an ink bottle. And in this case, the printer 100 includes a reading unit (not shown), and the reading unit reads an ink identifier via a barcode or a two-dimensional code printed on the label of the ink bottle or the outer packaging of the packing box. Then, the identifier acquisition unit 114 acquires the ink identifier read by the reading unit. Thus, the mechanism for acquiring the identifier is not limited to the embodiment. Further, the present invention may be applied to a laser printer that performs printing using toner ink.
[0049] As a second modification example, the printing server 300 may store a plurality of control data for the same combination of ink identifiers. Further, in this case, the display processing unit 112 displays the plurality of control data, and when the user selects desired control data, the reception unit 111 receives the designation of the control data selected by the user. Then, the control data acquisition unit 115 acquires the control data selected by the user. Thereby, when a plurality of control data are prepared, the user can perform printing with the desired control data.
[0050] As a third modification example, the authority determination unit 118 may periodically determine whether or not it has authority regardless of the printing timing. Thereby, the processor 110 can accurately determine whether or not a user who has once been determined to have authority but then no longer has authority has authority. Specifically, the processor 110 shall control so as not to perform printing even if a user who has once been determined to have authority loses authority thereafter. Thereby, appropriate printing according to the user authority can be managed.
[0051] As a fourth modification example, the warning determination unit 116 may present a sample of the printing result as a warning to the user. For example, samples related to preset printing settings such as paper selection such as plain paper or photo paper and paper size may be presented. Also, here, the printing settings may be initial settings or favorite settings set by the user.
[0052] As a fifth modification example, the warning condition may be any condition under which a warning is issued when there is a possibility that the printing result intended by the user cannot be obtained, and the content of the condition is not limited to the embodiments. The warning condition may be, for example, in the printer 100, that it is a combination other than the preset ink combination. A combination of inks using different control data may also satisfy the conformity condition. In this case, it is made to proceed from step S104 to step S110. Also, the determination of the conformity condition, the determination of the authority, and the determination of the warning condition may not be performed.
[0053] The above embodiments are examples for implementing the present invention, and various other embodiments can also be adopted. For example, various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention described in the claims, such as applying a modification example of one embodiment to another embodiment.
[0054] Furthermore, the present invention is also applicable as a program or method executed by a computer. Also, in some cases, it may be realized as a single device as described above, and in other cases, it may be realized by using components provided in a plurality of devices, and it includes various aspects. Also, it can be appropriately changed, such as part being software and part being hardware. Furthermore, the invention is also established as a recording medium for a program that controls the system. Of course, the recording medium for the program may be a magnetic recording medium, a semiconductor memory, or any recording medium developed in the future, and the same can be considered in all cases. It is also conceivable to apply the present invention as a printer driver or an application that executes part or all of the above flowchart.
Explanation of Reference Numerals
[0055] 1…Printing system, 100…Printer, 110…Processor, 111…Reception unit, 112…Display processing unit, 113…Image data acquisition unit, 114…Identifier acquisition unit, 115…Control data acquisition unit, 116…Warning determination unit, 117…Conformity determination unit, 118…Authority determination unit, 119…Printing processing unit, 120…Non-volatile memory, 130…Display unit, 140…Operation unit, 180…Carriage, 181~184…Cartridge holder, 185…Print head, 300…Print server, 1911~1914…Ink cartridge, 1921~1924…ROM
Claims
1. A first ink receiving part, A second ink receiving part, A first identifier acquisition part that acquires a first identifier indicating the type of the first ink set in the first ink receiving part, A second identifier acquisition part that acquires a second identifier indicating the type of the second ink set in the second ink receiving part, A control data acquisition part that requests control data corresponding to the combination of the first identifier and the second identifier from a database, A storage part that stores the control data acquired from the database in response to the request, An image data acquisition part that acquires image data, A printing part that performs printing according to the image data using the first ink and the second ink according to the control data, A printing system comprising the above components.
2. The first ink receiving part fixes a first ink cartridge that houses the first ink, The second ink receiving part fixes a second ink cartridge that houses the second ink, The first identifier acquisition part acquires the first identifier from the first ink cartridge, The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the second identifier acquisition part acquires the second identifier from the second ink cartridge.
3. The first ink receiving part is a first ink tank into which the first ink is injected from a first ink bottle, The second ink receiving part is a second ink tank into which the second ink is injected from a second ink bottle, The first identifier acquisition part acquires the first identifier read from the exterior of the first ink bottle by a first reading part, The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the second identifier acquisition part acquires the second identifier read from the exterior of the second ink bottle by a second reading part.
4. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the control data includes color conversion data for converting the color space of the image data into a color space including the color of the first ink and the color of the second ink from an RGB color space.
5. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the control data includes waveform data for discharging the first ink and the second ink.
6. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the control data acquisition part acquires one piece of the control data from a plurality of the control data corresponding to the combination of the first identifier and the second identifier.
7. The printing system according to claim 6, wherein the control data acquisition unit acquires one of the plurality of control data according to a user's selection.
8. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the control data acquisition unit acquires the control data from an external recording medium.
9. The printing system according to claim 8, wherein the control data acquisition unit acquires the control data from the external recording medium when the control data cannot be acquired from the database.
10. A first identifier acquisition step of acquiring a first identifier indicating the type of the first ink set in the first ink receiving unit; A second identifier acquisition step of acquiring a second identifier indicating the type of the second ink set in the second ink receiving unit; A control data acquisition step of acquiring control data corresponding to the combination of the first identifier and the second identifier from a database; A printing step of producing a printed matter by causing a printing mechanism to perform printing according to the image data using the first ink and the second ink according to the control data; A printed matter production method including the above steps.
11. A program for causing a computer to execute a first identifier acquisition step of acquiring a first identifier indicating the type of the first ink set in the first ink receiving unit; execute a second identifier acquisition step of acquiring a second identifier indicating the type of the second ink set in the second ink receiving unit; execute a control data acquisition step of acquiring control data corresponding to the combination of the first identifier and the second identifier from a database; execute a printing process step of causing a printing mechanism to execute printing according to the image data using the first ink and the second ink according to the control data.
Citation Information
Patent Citations
Printer and program
JP2010241066A