Printing apparatus, printing program, and printing method

Abstract

To provide a technique capable of shortening a time until a printing position is actually changed after receiving a change instruction of the printing position when an image is printed on a printing medium.SOLUTION: The printing apparatus 100 includes printing units 10A to 10H, data transfer units 20A to 20H, and a control unit 30. Each data transfer unit includes a storage unit that stores image data, and generates print data using the image data stored in the storage unit. Each printing unit prints an image on a print medium based on print data. The control unit 30 instructs each data transfer unit to execute predetermined processing on the image data and transfer the print data to the printing unit. Each data transfer unit performs acquisition processing for acquiring position information indicating a print position of an image on a print medium after performing predetermined processing on image data, and generates print data on the basis of the image data subjected to the predetermined processing and the position information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing device that prints an image on a print medium, a printing program used in the printing device, and a printing method that prints an image on a print medium using the printing device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a printing device is known that prints an image in which a first basic pattern image and a second basic pattern image are arranged side by side in the main scanning direction and the first basic pattern image and the second basic pattern image are respectively arranged in a continuous and repeated manner in the sub-scanning direction (see Patent Document 1). In this printing device, recording data (print data) in which the first basic pattern image and the second basic pattern image are arranged in a continuous and repeated manner is generated and stored in a buffer (storage unit). Then, during printing processing, the recording data stored in the buffer is read as the film (print medium) is transported, and ink is ejected from the recording head onto the film based on the recording data. As a result, an image corresponding to the recording data is printed on the film. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-147320 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the printing device described above, it may be necessary to change the print position of an image on the print medium while printing the image on the print medium. In this case, printing based on the changed print position is not performed until printing of the image based on the print data stored in the memory unit is completed. As a result, the printed matter printed between receiving an instruction to change the print position and actually changing the print position of the image on the print medium is wasted.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a technology that can shorten the time from when an instruction to change the print position is received to when the print position is actually changed while an image is being printed on a print medium. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, a printing device for printing an image on a print medium is provided. The printing device includes a storage unit that stores image data representing the image, a data transfer unit that generates print data using the image data stored in the storage unit, a printing unit that prints the image on the print medium based on the print data, and a control unit that instructs the data transfer unit to perform a predetermined process on the image data and transfer the print data to the printing unit. After performing the predetermined process on the image data, the data transfer unit executes an acquisition process that acquires position information indicating the printing position of the image on the print medium, and a first generation process that generates the print data based on the image data after the predetermined process and the position information. The position information indicates the position on the print medium in the transport direction of the print medium, the position in the width direction of the print medium perpendicular to the transport direction, or both the position in the transport direction and the width direction.

[0007] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing method for printing an image on a print medium using a printing device including a printing unit and a storage unit. The printing method includes storing image data representing the image in the storage unit, performing predetermined processing on the image data stored in the storage unit, acquiring position information indicating a printing position of the image on the print medium after performing the predetermined processing on the image data, generating print data based on the processed image data and the position information, and printing the image on the print medium using the printing unit based on the print data. The position information indicates a position on the print medium in a transport direction of the print medium, a position in a width direction of the print medium perpendicular to the transport direction, or both a position in the transport direction and a position in the width direction.

[0008] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a printing program for use in a printing device that prints an image on a print medium is provided. The printing device includes a storage unit that stores image data representing the image, a data transfer unit that generates print data using the image data stored in the storage unit, a printing unit that prints the image on the print medium based on the print data, and a control unit that instructs the data transfer unit to perform a predetermined process on the image data and transfer the print data to the printing unit. The printing program causes the data transfer unit to perform the predetermined process on the image data stored in the storage unit in response to instructions from the controller, and after performing the predetermined process on the image data, acquire position information indicating the printing position of the image on the print medium, generate the print data based on the image data after the predetermined process and the position information, and transfer the print data to the printing unit. The position information indicates the position on the print medium in the transport direction of the print medium, the position in the width direction of the print medium perpendicular to the transport direction, or both the position in the transport direction and the width direction. The printing program may be provided in a state where it is stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the time from when an instruction to change the print position is received to when the print position is actually changed while an image is being printed on a print medium. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a printing device 100 according to the present invention. [Figure 2] 2 is a schematic plan view of printing units 10A to 10H and a transport device 200. FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of a printing unit 10A. [Figure 4] 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a flow path member 2 and an actuator member 3. FIG. [Figure 5] 10 is a diagram showing the flow of various processes executed by the control unit 30 and the data transfer unit 20A during printing on the print medium M. FIG. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart showing a print position information update process executed by the control unit 30 during printing on the print medium M. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] 1, the printing device 100 includes printing units 10A to 10H, data transfer units 20A to 20H, and a control unit 30.

[0012] Each of the printing units 10A to 10H includes a plurality of heads 1 (see FIG. 2) that eject ink. For example, black, cyan, violet, magenta, orange, and yellow ink are ejected from the printing units 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, 10E, and 10F, respectively. White ink is ejected from the printing units 10G and 10H.

[0013] Each of the data transfer units 20A to 20H is a computer such as a PC. Each of the data transfer units 20A to 20H includes a processor 21A to 21H such as a CPU, a memory 22A to 22H such as a RAM, and a storage unit 23A to 23H such as a hard disk drive. The processors 21A to 21H temporarily read data and programs stored in the storage units 23A to 23H into the memories 22A to 22H, and perform various processes described below in accordance with the read data and programs.

[0014] The control unit 30 is also a computer such as a PC, and includes a processor 31 such as a CPU, a memory 32 such as a RAM, a storage unit 33 such as a hard disk drive, and an input unit 34. The processor 31 temporarily reads data and programs stored in the storage unit 33 into the memory 32, and executes various processes described below in accordance with the read data and programs.

[0015] The printing units 10A-10H and the data transfer units 20A-20H are connected one-to-one. The data transfer units 20A-20H are connected to the control unit 30 via a network. As shown by the dashed lines in FIG. 1, the data transfer units 20A-20H are connected to an image generation server S provided outside the printing device 100. Furthermore, as shown by the dashed line in FIG. 1, the control unit 30 is connected to the transport device 200.

[0016] The image generation server S generates image data for each of the printing units 10A-10H to be printed by the printing units 10A-10H. That is, the image generation server S generates image data for each ink color. The image generation server S then compresses the image data generated for each of the printing units 10A-10H and transmits it to the data transfer units 20A-20H connected to the printing units 10A-10H, respectively. The processors 21A-21H of the data transfer units 20A-20H store the image data transmitted from the image generation server S in the storage units 23A-23H, respectively.

[0017] Then, in response to instructions from the control unit 30, the processors 21A-21H of the data transfer units 20A-20H perform various processes, described below, on the image data stored in the storage units 23A-23H to generate print data, and transfer the generated print data to the printing units 10A-10H. Note that the control unit 30 instructs the data transfer units 20A-20H to generate and transfer the print data based on the transport data for the print medium M acquired from the transport device 200.

[0018] The printing units 10A to 10H print images based on the print data transferred from the data transfer units 20A to 20H onto the print medium M (see FIG. 2) conveyed by the conveying device 200, respectively.

[0019] Next, the printing units 10A to 10H and the transport device 200 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0020] As shown in Figure 2, the printing units 10A to 10H are arranged in this order from the downstream side in the transport direction. The transport direction is the direction in which the print medium M, such as roll paper, is transported by the transport device 200. Each of the printing units 10A to 10H is long in the width direction. The width direction is the direction along the width of the print medium M, and is perpendicular to the vertical direction and the transport direction. Each of the printing units 10A to 10H is a line type that ejects ink onto the print medium M while being fixed in position.

[0021] The printing units 10A to 10F on the downstream side in the transport direction are each supplied with, for example, black, cyan, violet, magenta, orange, and yellow ink. The printing units 10G and 10H on the upstream side in the transport direction are each supplied with, for example, white ink. These inks may be, for example, ultraviolet-curable inks (UV-curable inks) that are cured by exposure to ultraviolet light (UV light).

[0022] As shown in FIG. 2, ten heads 1 are positioned at the vertically lower end of each of the printing units 10A to 10H. The ten heads 1 are arranged in a staggered pattern in the width direction with their lower surfaces on the same plane. As shown in FIG. 3, the lower surface of each head 1 forms a nozzle surface NS in which a plurality of nozzles N are opened. In the nozzle surface NS, the plurality of nozzles N are arranged in a staggered pattern in the width direction, forming two nozzle rows aligned in the transport direction. Each nozzle row extends in the width direction. In this embodiment, each head 1 has two nozzle rows formed therein, but the number of nozzle rows may be one, three, or more.

[0023] The transport device 200 includes a feed roller 200A and a collection roller 200B shown in FIG. 2, and multiple transport rollers (not shown). The transport device 200 further includes a transport motor (not shown) connected to the feed roller 200A and the collection roller 200B. The feed roller 200A and the collection roller 200B are aligned in the transport direction, with the feed roller 200A located upstream of the collection roller 200B in the transport direction. The printing units 10A to 10H are located between the feed roller 200A and the collection roller 200B in the transport direction. The multiple transport rollers are located between the feed roller 200A and the collection roller 200B in the transport direction, and are aligned in the transport direction. The multiple transport rollers are located below the printing units 10A to 10H.

[0024] The feed roller 200A, the recovery roller 200B, and the multiple transport rollers all extend in the width direction and rotate around a rotation axis extending in the width direction. The feed roller 200A and the recovery roller 200B are each driven to rotate by a transport motor. A roll of printing medium M, whose length in the transport direction is longer than its length in the width direction, is attached to the feed roller 200A. The printing medium M sent out from the feed roller 200A by the rotation of the feed roller 200A passes between the printing units 10A-10H and the multiple transport rollers, and is taken up by the recovery roller 200B by the rotation of the recovery roller 200B. This transports the printing medium M in the transport direction. The multiple transport rollers rotate as the printing medium M is transported. The transport motor drives the feed roller 200A and the recovery roller 200B to rotate so that the printing medium M is transported while contacting the upper portions of the circumferential surfaces of the multiple transport rollers.

[0025] The period during which the conveying device 200 conveys the printing medium M includes an acceleration period during which the conveying speed of the printing medium M is increased to a target value, a constant speed period during which the conveying speed of the printing medium M is maintained within a predetermined range including the target value, and a deceleration period during which the conveying speed of the printing medium M is reduced from the target value.

[0026] Next, we will explain the configuration of each head 1. As shown in Figure 4, the head 1 includes a flow path member 2 and an actuator member 3.

[0027] The flow path member 2 is formed by a plurality of metal plates and a nozzle plate NP stacked in the vertical direction. Ink flow paths such as individual flow paths 2B including pressure chambers P and supply manifolds 2A are formed in the plurality of metal plates by etching. The nozzle plate NP is formed from a polymer synthetic resin material such as polyimide, and is bonded to the lower surfaces of the stacked metal plates with an adhesive. The lower surface of the nozzle plate NP forms a nozzle surface NS as an ink ejection surface where the nozzles N open. The nozzle plate NP may also be formed from a metal material such as stainless steel.

[0028] Inside the flow path member 2, individual flow paths 2B communicating with each nozzle N and a supply manifold 2A communicating with the individual flow paths 2B are formed. Although not shown, the supply manifold 2A extends in the width direction (the direction perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 4). The supply manifold 2A is connected to a tank (not shown) located outside the head 1 via an ink supply port (not shown) formed in the flow path member 2. Ink coming out of the tank flows into the supply manifold 2A via the ink supply port, and is supplied from the supply manifold 2A to the individual flow paths 2B.

[0029] Although not shown, the flow path member 2 is formed with a plurality of individual flow paths 2B corresponding to the plurality of nozzles N, respectively. As described above, the plurality of nozzles N form two nozzle rows extending in the width direction, and the plurality of individual flow paths 2B form two individual flow path rows extending in the width direction, respectively. The supply manifold 2A is in communication with the plurality of individual flow paths 2B that make up the two individual flow path rows. The number of supply manifolds 2A formed in the flow path member 2 is adjusted according to the number of nozzles N. When a plurality of supply manifolds 2A are formed, the number of individual flow paths 2B communicating with each supply manifold 2A is also adjusted according to the number of nozzles N.

[0030] 4, the actuator member 3 is fixed to the upper surface of the flow path member 2. The actuator member 3 includes a metallic vibration plate 3A, a piezoelectric layer 3B, and a plurality of individual electrodes 3C.

[0031] The actuator member 3 is formed by sequentially depositing a thin film that will become the piezoelectric layer 3B and a thin film that will become the individual electrodes 3C on the upper surface of the diaphragm 3A.

[0032] The diaphragm 3A is disposed on the upper surface of the flow path member 2 so as to cover all of the pressure chambers P. The diaphragm 3A is a metal plate that is approximately rectangular in plan view. The upper surface of the conductive diaphragm 3A is located below the piezoelectric layer 3B. Therefore, the upper surface of the diaphragm 3A can also serve as a common electrode. The diaphragm 3A as a common electrode is connected to the ground wiring of the driver IC 4 that drives the actuator member 3, and is always maintained at ground potential. Note that the diaphragm 3A does not necessarily have to be a metal plate; for example, it may be formed from the same piezoelectric material as the piezoelectric layer 3B, with a metal film formed on its upper surface as a common electrode.

[0033] The piezoelectric layer 3B is disposed on the upper surface of the diaphragm 3A. The piezoelectric layer 3B is formed of a piezoelectric material whose main component is lead zirconate titanate (PZT), a ferroelectric solid solution of lead titanate and lead zirconate. The piezoelectric layer 3B is polarized vertically at least in the region facing the pressure chamber P (the portion sandwiched between the individual electrode 3C and the diaphragm 3A).

[0034] The individual electrode 3C is disposed on the upper surface of the piezoelectric layer 3B so as to overlap the pressure chamber P in the vertical direction. The vibration plate 3A as a common electrode, the individual electrode 3C, and the portion of the piezoelectric layer 3B sandwiched between the individual electrode 3C and the vibration plate 3A form one actuator 3X.

[0035] When a predetermined drive potential is applied to a certain individual electrode 3C from the driver IC 4, a potential difference is generated between the individual electrode 3C to which this drive potential is applied and the diaphragm 3A, which serves as a common electrode and is held at ground potential. This generates an electric field in the thickness direction of the piezoelectric layer 3B sandwiched between the individual electrode 3C and the diaphragm 3A. The direction of this electric field is parallel to the polarization direction of the piezoelectric layer 3B. As a result, the region of the piezoelectric layer 3B facing the individual electrode 3C (active region) contracts in the plane direction, perpendicular to the thickness direction. Here, the diaphragm 3A below the piezoelectric layer 3B is fixed to the flow path member 2. Therefore, as the piezoelectric layer 3B located on the upper surface of the diaphragm 3A contracts in the plane direction, the portion of the diaphragm 3A covering the pressure chamber P deforms so as to become convex toward the pressure chamber P (unimorph deformation). At this time, the volume of the pressure chamber P decreases, causing the ink pressure in the pressure chamber P to increase, and ink is ejected from the nozzle N connected to the pressure chamber P. In other words, the actuator member 3 is located at a position corresponding to the pressure chamber P, and applies pressure to the ink in the pressure chamber P to eject the ink from the nozzle N.

[0036] Next, the flow of various processes executed by the data transfer units 20A-20H and the control unit 30 when printing an image by ejecting ink from the printing units 10A-10H onto the print medium M transported by the transport device 200 will be described. The various processes executed by the data transfer units 20A-20H are realized by the processors 21A-21H executing programs stored in the memories 23A-23H, respectively. Similarly, the various processes executed by the control unit 30 are realized by the processor 31 executing a program stored in the memory unit 33. Note that the flow of various processes is common to the data transfer units 20A-20H, so the following description will be given taking the data transfer unit 20A as an example with reference to FIG. 5.

[0037] First, the processor 31 of the control unit 30 specifies image data for generating print data to be transferred to the printing unit 10A to the data transfer unit 20A based on the transport data of the print medium M acquired from the transport device 200 (step S1). Specifically, the processor 31 transmits an image data ID for identifying the image data to the data transfer unit 20A. As described above, the image data is generated by the image generation server S and is stored in advance in the storage unit 23A of the transfer unit 20A in association with the image data ID.

[0038] When processor 21A of data transfer unit 20A receives the designation of image data from control unit 30, it executes a load process (step S2) to expand the designated image data from storage unit 23A to memory 22A. Next, processor 21A executes a decompression process (step S3) on the image data that has been subjected to the load process. The load process (step S2) and the decompression process (step S3) are examples of the "predetermined process" of the present invention.

[0039] When the image data decompression process is completed, processor 21A requests print position information of the image data from control unit 30 (step S4) and acquires the print position information of the image data from control unit 30 (step S5). The print position information indicates the print position of the image on the print medium, specifically, the position in the width direction of the print medium. The print position information is pre-stored in memory unit 33 of control unit 30 in association with the image data ID. In step S4, processor 21A transmits the image data ID to control unit 30. In step S5, control unit 30 reads out the print position information associated with the image data ID from memory unit 33 and transmits it to data transfer unit 20A. The processes of steps S4 and S5 are an example of the "acquisition process" of the present invention.

[0040] Next, processor 21A executes layout processing (S6) for the image data decompressed in step S3 based on the print position information acquired in step S5. In the layout processing, the layout position of the image data in the width direction on the printing medium is determined.

[0041] After performing the layout process, the processor 21A performs a correction process (step S7). Here, information related to the ejection characteristics of each nozzle N of the printing unit 10A is stored in the memory unit 23A of the data transfer unit 20A. In the correction process, corrections are made to the image data that has undergone the layout process based on the information related to the ejection characteristics of the nozzles N stored in the memory unit 23A.

[0042] After the correction process is performed, the processor 21A performs a division process (step S8) to divide the corrected image data for each head 1 included in the printing unit 10A. The series of processes from steps S6 to S8 is an example of the "first generation process" of the present invention.

[0043] Finally, the processor 21A transfers the divided image data to the printing unit 10A as print data (step S9).

[0044] As shown in FIG. 5, buffers BF1 to BF10 are allocated in memory 22A of data transfer unit 20A as areas for storing image data awaiting various processes. Buffers BF2 and BF1 sequentially store image data IDs transmitted from control unit 30 and awaiting transfer to the load process (step S2). Buffers BF7, BF6, BF5, BF4, and BF3 sequentially store image data that have undergone decompression processing (step S3) and awaiting transfer to the layout process (step S6). Buffers BF7 and BF6 sequentially store print position information transmitted from control unit 30 and awaiting transfer to the layout process (step S6). Buffers BF10, BF9, and BF8 sequentially store image data that have undergone division processing (step S8) and awaiting transfer to printing unit 10A (step S9). The image data is then transferred to printing unit 10A in order, starting with the image data stored in buffer BF10. The processor 21A of the data transfer unit 20A requests the control unit 30 for print position information (step S4) and obtains the print position information from the control unit 30 (step S5) at the timing when the image data is stored in the buffer BF5.

[0045] Then, after step S9, the printing unit 10A prints an image on the printing medium M based on the print data transferred from the data transfer unit 20A. Specifically, in each head 1 of the printing unit 20A, the driver IC 4 generates a drive waveform for each actuator 3X based on the print data and applies a drive potential to the individual electrodes 3C that make up each actuator 3X. When each actuator 3X is driven based on the drive waveform, the pressure chamber P corresponding to each actuator 3X deforms, and ink is ejected onto the printing medium M from the nozzle N that communicates with the pressure chamber P.

[0046] Next, a process for changing the print position of an image on the print medium M while the image is being printed on the print medium will be described.

[0047] As described above, the printing device 100 is a digital printing device, and may be used on the same line as an analog printing device. For example, a base image may be printed on the printing medium M by the analog printing device, and then an image may be printed on top of the base image by the printing device 100. In this case, it is necessary to align the printing positions of the base image printed by the analog printing device and the image printed by the printing device 100.

[0048] Generally, analog and digital printing machines are required to perform continuous printing on a print medium M having a length of, for example, about 2 km. For this reason, if a positional deviation from the base image is confirmed during printing by the printing device 100, it is necessary to change the print position and correct the positional deviation while the printing device 100 is printing. Therefore, the control unit 30 of the printing device 100 executes the print position information update process shown in FIG. 6 while printing on the print medium M, that is, during the constant speed period of the transport period by the transport device 200 described above.

[0049] The print position information update process in FIG. 6 is started when the first print job is started, in other words, when the control unit 30 specifies the first image data to the data transfer units 20A to 20H.

[0050] When the print position information update process is started, the processor 31 of the control unit 30 determines whether new print position information has been input to the input unit 34 by the user of the printing device 100 (step S101).

[0051] When it is determined that new print position information has been input (step S101: Yes), the processor 31 stores the new print position information in the storage unit 33 (step S102).

[0052] After storing the new print position information in the memory unit 33, or if it is determined in step S101 that no new print information has been input (step S101: No), the processor 31 determines whether all print jobs have been completed (step S103).

[0053] If it is determined that all print jobs have not been completed (step S103: No), processor 31 executes the process of step S101 again. On the other hand, if it is determined that all print jobs have been completed (step S103: Yes), processor 31 ends the print position information update process.

[0054] The new print position information stored in the storage unit 33 in step S102 is then acquired by the data transfer units 20A-20H in steps S4 and S5 shown in FIG. 5. The data transfer units 20A-20H execute various processes in steps S6-S8 shown in FIG. 5 based on the new print position information. As a result, the image data with the changed print position is generated as new print data, and the new print data is transferred to the printing units 10A-10H in step S9 shown in FIG. 5. The new print position information is an example of "different print position information" in the present invention. The series of processes in steps S6-S8 executed by the data transfer units 20A-20H based on the new print position information is an example of a "second generation process" in the present invention. The print data generated by the data transfer units 20A-20H executing the series of processes in steps S6-S8 based on the new print position information is an example of "different print data" in the present invention.

[0055] After step S9, the printing units 10A-10H print an image on the printing medium M based on the new print data transferred from the data transfer units 20A-20H. In other words, the printing units 10A-10H change the printing position of the image on the printing medium M during a constant speed period in which the transport device 200 transports the printing medium M. The process in which the printing units 10A-10H change the printing position of the image on the printing medium M based on the new print data is an example of the "change process" of the present invention.

[0056] Changing the printing position of an image on the printing medium M by each of the printing units 10A-10H means changing the partial image printed by each head 1. For example, the image includes a first partial image and a second partial image. Changing the partial image means changing the nozzle N that ejects ink in each head 1 to another nozzle N that is located at a different widthwise position from the nozzle N. In other words, it means inputting the drive waveform that was input to the actuator 3X corresponding to the nozzle N before the change to another actuator 3X corresponding to the other nozzle N. The nozzle N that ejects ink before the change and the other nozzle N after the change may be included in the same head 1, or may be included in two heads 1 adjacent in the widthwise direction. Specifically, in a first head 1 and a second head 1 adjacent in the widthwise direction, the drive waveform that was input to the actuator 3X corresponding to the nozzle N included in the first head 1 may be input to the actuator 3X corresponding to the nozzle N of the second head 1.

[0057] As described above, in the printing device 100 of this embodiment, after receiving the designation of image data from the control unit 30 in step S1, the data transfer unit 20A executes the load process (step S2) and decompression process (step S3) of the designated image data. Then, after the decompression process (step S3) of the designated image data is completed, the data transfer unit 20A acquires the print position information of the image data from the control unit 30 (steps S4 and S5). In other words, after receiving the designation of image data, the data transfer unit 20A acquires the print position information of the image data.

[0058] Here, assume that the data transfer unit 20A acquires print position information along with the image data specification in step S1. In this configuration, if it becomes necessary to change the print position, the data transfer unit 20A acquires new print position information in step S1. Then, the image data based on the new print position information must wait for the image data stored in up to 10 buffers (BF1 to BF10) to be transferred to the printing unit 10A.

[0059] In this regard, in the present embodiment, when it becomes necessary to change the print position, the data transfer unit 20A acquires new print position information in steps S4 and S5. Therefore, image data based on the new print position information can be obtained by waiting for the image data stored in up to five buffers (BF6 to BF10) to be transferred to the printing unit 10A. In other words, the time from receiving an instruction to change the print position to actually changing the print position can be shortened.

[0060] Furthermore, the layout process (step S6), correction process (step S7), and division process (step S8) performed by the data transfer unit 20A described above can only be performed after the print position information has been acquired. The data transfer unit 20A acquires the print position information (steps S4 and S5) immediately before the layout process (step S6). This raises the concern that the generation of print data through the processes of steps S6 to S8 may not be in time for the transfer of the print data to the printing unit 10A (step S9).

[0061] Therefore, the data transfer unit 20A of this embodiment executes the decompression process (step S3), which is not affected by the print position and requires a relatively long processing time, before acquiring the print position information. This reduces the processing time from acquiring the print position information to transferring the print data to the printing unit 10A. As a result, the number of buffers storing print data waiting to be transferred to the printing unit 10A can be reduced.

[0062] (Variation) The above-described embodiment is illustrative in all respects and is not restrictive. Not all of the components shown in the above-described embodiment are essential, and the components can be changed or omitted as necessary.

[0063] In the above embodiment, the printing position information indicates the position in the width direction on the printing medium, but this is not limited to this. For example, the printing position information may indicate the position in the transport direction on the printing medium. Alternatively, the printing position information may indicate both the position in the transport direction and the position in the width direction on the printing medium. Note that, to change the printing position in the transport direction, the drive timing of each actuator 3X in each of the printing units 10A to 10H may be changed to change the timing at which ink is ejected from each nozzle N.

[0064] In the above embodiment, the user inputs new print position information to the input unit 34 of the control unit 30, but this is not limiting. For example, the image generation server S may have an input unit and a storage unit, and the user may input new print position information to the input unit of the image generation server S, and the new print position information may be stored in the storage unit of the image generation server S. In this case, the data transfer units 20A to 20H may acquire the new print position information from the storage unit of the image generation server S.

[0065] In the above embodiment, the printing device 100 includes printing units 10A-10H, but the number and arrangement of the printing units can be changed as appropriate. Also, in the above embodiment, data transfer units 20A-20H are connected one-to-one to the printing units 10A-10H, but the number and arrangement of the data transfer units can also be changed as appropriate. For example, one data transfer unit can be connected to all of the printing units, or multiple data transfer units can be provided, with each data transfer unit connected to one or more printing units.

[0066] Furthermore, the number and arrangement of the heads 1 included in each printing unit may be changed as appropriate. Furthermore, the number and arrangement of the nozzles N included in each head 1 may be changed as appropriate.

[0067] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, black, cyan, violet, magenta, orange, yellow, and white inks are ejected from the printing units 10A to 10H, but this is not limitative and inks of any appropriate color may be ejected.

[0068] In the above embodiment, the transport device 200 is provided separately from the printing device 100 and is not subject to control by the control unit 30, but this is not limiting. The printing device 100 may be provided with the transport device 200, and the control unit 30 may control the transport of the printing medium M by the transport device 200.

[0069] In the above embodiment, roll paper was used as the printing medium M, but media of an appropriate material can be used as needed. For example, the printing medium M may be a resin film or cloth wound into a roll. [Explanation of symbols]

[0070] 1 head 2 Flow path components 3 Actuator member 4 Driver IC 10A~10H Printing section 20A~20H Data transfer section 30 Control Section 100 Printing device 200 Conveyor S Image generation server

Claims

1. A printing device that prints an image on a print medium, comprising: a data transfer unit that has a storage unit that stores image data representing the image, and generates print data using the image data stored in the storage unit; a printing unit that prints the image on the printing medium based on the print data; a control unit that instructs the data transfer unit to execute a predetermined process on the image data and to transfer the print data to the printing unit; The data transfer unit an acquisition process for acquiring position information indicating a printing position of the image on the printing medium after the predetermined process is performed on the image data; a first generation process for generating the print data based on the image data that has been subjected to the predetermined process and the position information; A printing device in which the position information indicates a position on the printing medium in a transport direction of the printing medium, a position in a width direction of the printing medium perpendicular to the transport direction, or both a position in the transport direction and a position in the width direction.

2. further comprising an input unit, When the printing unit is printing the image on the printing medium multiple times in succession, if position information different from the position information is input to the input unit, the data transfer unit executes a second generation process to generate print data different from the print data based on the image data that has been subjected to the predetermined process and the different position information; The printing device according to claim 1 , wherein the printing unit executes a change process for changing the print position of the image on the print medium based on the different print data.

3. The printing device according to claim 2 , wherein the control unit comprises the input unit.

4. In the acquisition process, the data transfer unit After executing the predetermined process, the position information is requested from the control unit; The printing device according to claim 1 , wherein the position information is obtained from the control unit.

5. 2. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined process is a decompression process for the image data.

6. The length of the print medium in the transport direction is longer than the length in the width direction, a feeding roller to which the rolled printing medium is attached, and a recovery roller to which the printing medium fed from the feeding roller is wound up, and a transport device that transports the printing medium by feeding the printing medium from the feeding roller and winding the printing medium around the recovery roller; a period during which the transport device transports the print medium includes an acceleration period during which the transport speed of the print medium is increased to a target value, a constant speed period during which the transport speed is maintained within a predetermined range including the target value, and a deceleration period during which the transport speed is reduced from the target value; the other position information is input to the input unit during the constant velocity period, The printing device according to claim 2 , wherein the printing unit executes the change process during the constant speed period.

7. the printing unit includes an inkjet head, The inkjet head comprises: A first nozzle; a first pressure chamber communicating with the first nozzle; a first actuator corresponding to the first pressure chamber and applying pressure to ink in the first pressure chamber; a second nozzle that is positioned differently from the first nozzle in the width direction; a second pressure chamber communicating with the second nozzle; a second actuator corresponding to the second pressure chamber and applying pressure to ink in the second pressure chamber; The printing device according to claim 6 , wherein the printing unit inputs, in the change process, the drive waveform that was input to the first actuator before the change process to the second actuator.

8. the printing unit includes a first inkjet head and a second inkjet head aligned in the width direction, The first inkjet head includes: A first nozzle; a first pressure chamber communicating with the first nozzle; a first actuator corresponding to the first pressure chamber and applying pressure to ink in the first pressure chamber; a second nozzle that is positioned differently from the first nozzle in the width direction; a second pressure chamber communicating with the second nozzle; a second actuator corresponding to the second pressure chamber and applying pressure to ink in the second pressure chamber; a third nozzle that is positioned differently in the width direction from the first nozzle and the second nozzle; a third pressure chamber communicating with the third nozzle; a third actuator corresponding to the third pressure chamber and applying pressure to ink in the third pressure chamber; The second inkjet head is A fourth nozzle; a fourth pressure chamber communicating with the fourth nozzle; a fourth actuator corresponding to the fourth pressure chamber and applying pressure to ink in the fourth pressure chamber; the image includes a first partial image printed using the first inkjet head and a second partial image printed using the second inkjet head; the change process includes a first partial image change process for changing the first partial image and a second partial image change process for changing the second partial image, the printing unit inputs, in the first partial image changing process, the drive waveform that was input to the first actuator before the first partial image changing process, to the second actuator; The printing device according to claim 6 , wherein the printing unit inputs, in the second partial image changing process, the drive waveform that was input to the third actuator before the first partial image changing process to the fourth actuator.

9. a base image is printed on the print medium; The printing device according to claim 6 , wherein the printing unit further prints the image on the base image.

10. A printing method for printing an image on a print medium using a printing device including a printing unit and a storage unit, storing image data representing the image in the storage unit; performing a predetermined process on the image data stored in the storage unit; After performing the predetermined processing on the image data, acquiring position information indicating a printing position of the image on the printing medium; generating print data based on the image data that has been subjected to the predetermined processing and the position information; printing the image on the print medium based on the print data by the printing unit; A printing method in which the position information indicates a position on the printing medium in a transport direction of the printing medium, a position in a width direction of the printing medium perpendicular to the transport direction, or both a position in the transport direction and a position in the width direction.

11. A printing program used in a printing device that prints an image on a printing medium, The printing device a data transfer unit that has a storage unit that stores image data representing the image, and generates print data using the image data stored in the storage unit; a printing unit that prints the image on the printing medium based on the print data; a control unit that instructs the data transfer unit to execute a predetermined process on the image data and to transfer the print data to the printing unit; The printing program is In response to an instruction from the controller, the predetermined processing is executed on the image data stored in the storage unit; After the predetermined processing is performed on the image data, position information indicating a printing position of the image on the printing medium is acquired; generating the print data based on the image data that has been subjected to the predetermined processing and the position information; Transferring the print data to the printing unit; A printing program in which the position information indicates a position on the printing medium in the transport direction of the printing medium, a position in the width direction of the printing medium perpendicular to the transport direction, or both a position in the transport direction and a position in the width direction.

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