Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and storage medium

Abstract

To suppress color shift when recording an image on a recording medium by performing drying between application of a first ink and application of a second ink.SOLUTION: A first scaling unit configured to scale a first input image for recording the first ink at a first scaling factor, a second scaling unit configured to scale a second input image for recording the second ink at a second scaling factor different from the first scaling factor, and a third scaling unit configured to scale the first input image at the first scaling factor and the second input image at the second scaling factor; And a recording control unit configured to record an image on the recording medium by controlling a recording unit configured to apply the second ink so as to overlap at least a part of a region to which the first ink has been applied and heat and dry the second ink.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a technique for recording an image on a recording medium. [Background technology]

[0002] There are recording devices that record white and color on recording media. Patent Document 1 describes a method for recording white and color on film, in which color recording is performed by an inkjet printer and white recording is performed by gravure roll coating of white ink, with a recording device that includes a drying process downstream of each. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-005716 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] There are recording devices that use inkjet heads in the recording section, separate the white recording section and the color recording section, and provide a drying section between the white and color recording sections.When there is a drying process between the white ink recording process and the color ink recording process, there have been cases where color misalignment between the white and color inks occurs due to slight expansion or contraction of the recording media.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to suppress color misregistration when an image is recorded on a recording medium by performing drying between the application of the first ink and the application of the second ink. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The image processing device of the present invention is characterized by having a first scaling means for scaling a first input image for recording a first ink by a first magnification, a second scaling means for scaling a second input image for recording a second ink by a second magnification different from the first magnification, and a recording control means for controlling a recording means for applying the first ink to a recording medium and heating and drying the first ink based on the first input image scaled by the first magnification and the second input image scaled by the second magnification, and then applying the second ink over at least a portion of the area where the first ink has been applied and heating and drying the second ink, thereby recording an image on the recording medium. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, drying is carried out between the application of the first ink and the application of the second ink, thereby making it possible to suppress color misregistration when an image is recorded on a recording medium. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration of an image forming system. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a housing of a sheet conveying unit of the recording unit. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a mechanism for raising and lowering a recording head. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of the configuration of an image processing device. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of setting an image magnification. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of an image recording method. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of setting an image magnification. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a process executed by the image processing device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Each embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not necessarily limit the present invention. Furthermore, not all of the combinations of features described in each embodiment are necessarily essential to the solution of the present invention.

[0010] FIG. 1 shows an example of the overall configuration of an image recording system according to this embodiment. The image recording system 1 according to this embodiment includes the following units: an unwinding roll unit 2, a first dancer unit 3, a first main conveyor unit 4, a meandering correction unit 5, a conveyance detection unit 6, a recording unit 7, and a drying / cooling unit 8. The image recording system 1 also includes the following units: a conveyance tension detection unit 9, a recorded image position detection unit 10, a scanner unit 11, a second main conveyor unit 12, a second dancer unit 13, a take-up roll unit 14, and a maintenance unit 15. A continuous sheet S, which is a recording medium, is conveyed along a sheet conveyance path and processed in each unit. The drying / cooling unit 8 includes a drying unit 40 and a cooling unit 50.

[0011] The recording process by the image recording system 1 according to this embodiment includes a first recording process and a second recording process. In the first recording process, an image is recorded that has been fixed on the sheet S after passing through the first recording unit 7a and the first drying and cooling unit 8a. The drying and cooling unit 8a has a first drying unit 40a and a first cooling unit 50a. In this embodiment, the first recording process is a recording process using white ink. The white ink is an example of the first ink. In the second recording process, an image is recorded that has been fixed on the sheet S after passing through the first recording process after passing through the second recording unit 7b and the second drying and cooling unit 8b. The second drying and cooling unit 8b has a second drying unit 40b and a second cooling unit 50b. In this embodiment, the second recording process is a recording process using color inks. The color inks are an example of the second ink.

[0012] In this way, the image recording system 1 is able to record images continuously on the sheet S by passing the sheet S through the first recording process and then the second recording process. The image recording system 1 can also selectively determine the recording process depending on the recording conditions. In this case, the image is recorded on the sheet S using only the selected recording process. For example, in the case of a recording process using only color inks, only the second recording process is operated. Note that the direction of transport of the sheet S from the unwinding roll unit 2 to the winding roll unit 14 is defined as forward transport, and the opposite direction is defined as reverse transport.

[0013] The unwinding roll unit 2 is a unit for holding and supplying a continuous sheet wound into a roll. The unwinding roll unit 2 is configured to store an unwinding roll and pull out and supply a sheet S. The sheet is an example of a recording medium. The number of rolls that can be stored is not limited to one, and two or three or more rolls may be stored and a sheet S may be selectively pulled out and supplied. The unwinding roll unit 2 is independently controlled to rotate forward and backward by a drive motor (not shown).

[0014] The first dancer section 3 is a unit for applying a constant sheet tension between the unwinding roll section 2 and the first main conveying section 4. The first dancer section 3 is applied with sheet tension by a tension applying section (not shown). The first main conveying section 4 is a unit that feeds the sheet S to each unit provided along the sheet conveying path, and applies sheet tension between the first main conveying section 4 and the second main conveying section 12. The first main conveying section 4 rotates by driving a motor (not shown), and conveys the sheet S under tension.

[0015] The meandering correction unit 5 is a unit for correcting meandering in the sheet width direction when the sheet S is conveyed under tension. In this embodiment, the meandering correction unit 5 has a first meandering correction unit 5a provided upstream of the first recording unit 7a and a second meandering correction unit 5b provided upstream of the second recording unit 7b. The meandering correction unit 5 is configured to include a meandering correction roller and a meandering detection sensor that detects meandering of the sheet S. The meandering correction roller can change its inclination relative to the sheet S using a motor (not shown), and corrects meandering of the sheet S based on measurements by the meandering detection sensor. At this time, the sheet S is wrapped around the meandering correction roller, thereby improving the meandering correction function.

[0016] The transport detection unit 6 is a unit for detecting marks printed in advance on the sheet S in order to control the image formation timing of the recording unit 7. In this embodiment, the transport detection unit 6 has a first transport detection unit 6a provided between the first meandering correction unit 5a and the first recording unit 7a, and a second transport detection unit 6b provided between the second meandering correction unit 5b and the second recording unit 7b. The first transport detection unit 6a and the second transport detection unit 6b are used to control the image formation timing of the first recording unit 7a and the second recording unit 7b, respectively.

[0017] The recording unit 7 is a unit for forming an image on the conveyed sheet S by applying a liquid composition (ink) onto the sheet S from above using a recording head 22. In this embodiment, an image is formed by an inkjet method using the recording head 22 mounted in the recording unit 7. The conveyance path in the recording unit 7 is formed by guide rollers 23 arranged in an arc shape that is convex upward, and a certain tension is applied to the sheet S, thereby ensuring clearance with the recording head 22. In the recording unit 7, multiple recording heads 22 are arranged along the conveyance direction.

[0018] The inkjet method may be a method using a heating element, a method using a piezoelectric element, a method using an electrostatic element, a method using a MEMS element, or the like. Ink is supplied to the recording head 22 from ink tanks (not shown) via ink tubes. In addition to the inkjet method using the recording head 22, other methods for applying ink to the sheet S may also be used. For example, the reaction liquid may be applied using a roller, a die coating device (die coater), a blade coating device (blade coater), or the like.

[0019] In this embodiment, the first recording unit 7a has a total of two line-type recording heads 22 corresponding to W (white) ink and the reaction liquid. The second recording unit 7b has a total of five line-type recording heads 22 corresponding to the reaction liquid in addition to four color inks, namely Bk (black) ink, Y (yellow) ink, M (magenta) ink, and C (cyan) ink. Note that while a total of eight recording heads 22 are shown in the second recording unit 7b in FIG. 1, the number of recording heads 22 can be changed as appropriate depending on the type and number of ink colors, etc.

[0020] The reaction liquid is a liquid containing a component that increases the viscosity of the ink. Here, "increased viscosity" refers to a state in which the coloring materials, resins, and other components of the ink come into contact with the ink-viscosifying component, resulting in a chemical reaction or physical adsorption, resulting in an increase in the ink's viscosity. Ink viscosity increase does not necessarily refer to an increase in the overall viscosity of the ink, but also includes localized increases in viscosity due to partial aggregation of the ink's components, such as coloring materials and resins. The component that increases the ink's viscosity can be metal ions, polymer flocculants, or other substances that cause a change in the ink's pH and aggregate the coloring materials in the ink, or organic acids. Applying a reaction liquid before applying the ink to the sheet S allows the ink to immediately settle upon the sheet S. This prevents adjacent ink dots from mixing with each other after the ink lands, a phenomenon known as bleeding.

[0021] 2 is a perspective view showing a sheet conveying unit housing 71 in the recording unit 7. As shown in FIG. 2, the sheet conveying unit housing 71 is provided with a first positioning member 711a, a second positioning member 711b, and a third positioning member 711c for positioning the recording heads 22. For one recording head 22, the first positioning member 711a is provided on the front side (the front side of the device) across the sheet S in the sheet width direction perpendicular to the sheet conveying direction, and the second positioning member 711b and the third positioning member 711c are provided on the rear side (the rear side of the device). The first positioning member 711a, the second positioning member 711b, and the third positioning member 711c come into contact with the first positioning portion 221a, the second positioning portion 221b, and the third positioning portion 221c provided below the recording head 22, thereby positioning the recording head 22.

[0022] 3, the recording head 22 is held by a head holder 26 serving as a support movement unit, and is configured to move up and down as the head holder 26 moves. The recording head 22 is provided with a recording head support shaft 27. The recording head 22 is pivotally supported by the recording head support shaft 27 relative to the head holder 26. The head holder 26 moves up and down along lifting rails 29 provided in a recording head lifting frame 28 by a drive mechanism (not shown) provided inside.

[0023] The conveying tension detection unit 9 is a unit for detecting tension when tension conveyance is performed between the first main conveying unit 4 and the second main conveying unit 12. The recorded image position detection unit 10 is a unit for detecting misalignment of the image formed on the sheet S by the recording unit 7 during printing and correcting the printing.

[0024] The winding guide roller R1 is a roller that wraps the surface of the sheet S downstream of the second recording unit 7b opposite to the ink-applied surface at a constant winding angle. In this embodiment, two winding guide rollers R1 are arranged between the second recording unit 7b and the second drying and cooling unit 8b, and the sheet S is folded back approximately parallel to the top and bottom of the device. The second drying and cooling unit 8b is arranged below the second recording unit 7b.

[0025] The drying section 40 (first drying section 40a, second drying section 40b) following the recording section 7 (first recording section 7a, second recording section 7b) is a unit that reduces the liquid content contained in the liquid composition applied to the sheet S in the recording section 7 and improves the fixation of the ink between the sheet S and the sheet S. The drying section 40 blows hot air onto the recorded sheet S to dry the applied ink. Inside the drying section 40, hot air is applied to the passing sheet S from at least the ink-applied side to dry the ink-applied surface of the sheet S. Note that the drying method may be other methods that can heat the sheet S, such as a method of applying hot air, a method of irradiating the surface of the sheet S with electromagnetic waves (ultraviolet rays, infrared rays, etc.), or a combination of a conductive heat transfer method by contact with a heating element.

[0026] The cooling section 50 (first cooling section 50a, second cooling section 50b) cools the sheet S heated in the drying section 40, solidifying the softened ink and suppressing the amount of temperature change of the sheet S in downstream processes of the recording device. Inside the cooling section 50, air that is cooler than the sheet S is blown onto at least the ink-applied surface side of the sheet S as it passes through, thereby cooling the ink-applied surface of the sheet S. Note that the cooling method may be other methods capable of cooling the sheet S heated in the drying section 40, such as a method of blowing air, a heat conduction method using contact with a heat dissipation member, or a combination of these.

[0027] For energy conservation reasons, it is preferable to operate the drying and cooling units 8 (first drying and cooling unit 8a, second drying and cooling unit 8b) only during printing and not during non-printing. Similarly, in the case of a recording process using only color inks, it is preferable not to operate the first drying and cooling unit 8a. Therefore, in this embodiment, if the printing mode is a mode in which only color inks are applied, the first drying and cooling unit 8a is controlled not to operate. On the other hand, when both white ink and color inks are applied, the sheet S is heated in the first drying and cooling unit 8a before the color inks are applied. Therefore, the heating history of the sheet S at the time the color inks are applied will differ when both white ink and color inks are applied and when only color inks are applied.

[0028] The scanner unit 11 is a unit that reads the test image and maintenance pattern formed on the sheet S by the recording unit 7 before actual printing, detects image misalignment and density, and makes corrections for the actual printing.

[0029] The second main conveying unit 12 is a unit that conveys the sheet S with the first main conveying unit 4 while applying tension to the sheet S, and adjusts the tension of the sheet S. The second main conveying unit 12 is driven to rotate by a motor (not shown), and a tension control unit (not shown) controls the speed of the second main conveying unit 12 according to the tension value detected by the conveying tension detection unit 9. Note that, as an additional configuration for adjusting the tension of the sheet S, a configuration may be added in which the tension of the sheet S is adjusted by a clutch (not shown) that can control the torque connected to the drive shaft. In this case, there are two tension control methods: a torque control method that controls the torque value transmitted from the clutch, and a speed control method that controls the roller speed of the second main conveying unit 12. The tension control methods can be switched depending on the purpose, or both can be used simultaneously.

[0030] The second dancer section 13 is a unit for applying a constant sheet tension between the second main conveying section 12 and the winding roll section 14. The second dancer section 13 is applied with sheet tension by a tension applying section (not shown).

[0031] The winding roll unit 14 is a unit for winding the recorded sheet S onto a core. The number of recoverable rolls is not limited to one; two or three or more cores may be provided, and the sheet S may be recovered by selectively switching between them. The winding roll unit 14 is independently controlled to rotate forward and reverse by a drive motor (not shown). The sheet S is conveyed forward or backward by controlling the drive motors (not shown) of the unwinding roll unit 2 and the winding roll unit 14 to rotate forward or backward. In the case of reverse conveyance, the sheet S is conveyed under tension between the first main conveyance unit 4 and the second main conveyance unit 12, as in the case of forward conveyance. Depending on the content of post-recording processing, instead of winding the continuous sheet onto a core, a cutter may be used to cut the continuous sheet, and the cut sheets S may be stacked.

[0032] The maintenance unit 15 is a unit equipped with a mechanism for restoring the ejection performance of the recording head 22. Examples of such mechanisms include a cap mechanism for protecting the ink ejection surface of the recording head 22, a wiper mechanism for wiping the ink ejection surface, and a suction mechanism for negatively pressurizing ink inside the recording head 22 and sucking it from the ink ejection surface. The maintenance unit 15 also includes a drive mechanism and rails (not shown) and is capable of reciprocating horizontally along the rails. The maintenance unit 15 moves to a position directly below the recording head 22 when performing maintenance on the recording head 22, and moves to a position retracted from directly below the recording head 22 when not performing maintenance. In this embodiment, a first maintenance unit 15a and a second maintenance unit 15b are provided for the first recording unit 7a and the second recording unit 7b, respectively.

[0033] The image recording system 1 also includes an image processing device 100. The image processing device 100 controls the recording operation of the recording unit 7. The image processing device 100 is connected to a host device 30 external to the image recording system 1. The host device 30 transmits various commands to the image processing device 100. In this embodiment, the image processing device 100 controls the recording operations of the first recording unit 7a and the second recording unit 7b based on input image data received from the host device 30.

[0034] 4A shows the hardware configuration of the image processing device 100. The image processing device 100 includes a CPU 401, a RAM 402, a ROM 403, an operation unit 404, an external I / F 405, and a recording unit I / F 406.

[0035] The CPU 401 controls the overall operation of the image processing device 100. The CPU 401 reads out various programs stored in the ROM 403, loads them into the RAM 402, and executes various processes in accordance with the loaded programs. The RAM 402 temporarily stores various data and is also used as a destination for loading programs. The ROM 403 stores various data and programs.

[0036] The operation unit 404 is configured, for example, with a liquid crystal panel equipped with a touch panel. Under the control of the CPU 401, the operation unit 404 displays various setting screens that accept input operations from the user. The operation unit 404 also accepts input operations from the user and outputs operation signals to the CPU 401. The operation unit 404 is used, for example, to set job information when executing a print job. Based on input operations from the user, the CPU 401 sets various conditions such as the sheet to be used, print speed, number of prints, number of copies to be printed, print length, print weight, print diameter, and image magnification.

[0037] The external I / F 405 is a communication interface for performing data communication with an external device such as the host device 30. The CPU 401 receives job information for a print job from the host device 30 via the external I / F 405. This job information includes input image data and print data representing color information of the input image data. The recording unit I / F 406 is an interface for inputting and outputting various types of data between the first recording unit 7a and the second recording unit 7b.

[0038] 4(b) shows the functional configuration of the image processing device 100. The image processing device 100 functions as an image generation unit 411 and a recording control unit 412 when the CPU 401 reads out various programs stored in the ROM 403, expands them in the RAM 402, and executes them. Note that some or all of the functions may be realized by hardware such as an ASIC or electronic circuit.

[0039] The image generation unit 411 generates image data by performing image processing such as gamma correction, color processing, and binarization on input image data (multi-value image data) received from the host device 30. Next, the image generation unit 411 generates image data for each color (C, M, Y, K, W) based on the print data received from the host device 30. The image generation unit 411 then performs scaling processing based on the image magnification set for the W (white) image and the C, M, Y, K (color) images other than white. Next, the image generation unit 411 performs necessary image processing such as halftone processing to generate image data of ink ejection levels that represent the ejection amount for each ink color.

[0040] The recording control unit 412 controls the recording operation of the recording unit 7 by controlling each unit such as the recording unit 7, motors, sensors, etc. via the recording unit I / F 406 in accordance with the image data generated by the image generation unit 411 and various parameters stored in the ROM 403.

[0041] <Image magnification> Next, the image magnification will be described in detail. In this embodiment, the image generation unit 411 enlarges / reduces the image data of the ink applied by the first recording unit 7a and the image data of the ink applied by the second recording unit 7b at a set image magnification. In this embodiment, an image magnification is set for each of the white ink image (white image) and the other color ink images (color images). FIG. 5 shows an example of image magnification settings. Here, an example of setting a color ink image magnification 502 and a white ink image magnification 503 when the print mode 501 is a mode in which both white ink and color ink are applied is shown. In the example of FIG. 5, the white ink image magnification 503 is set to 100.1% of the input image data, and the color ink image magnification 502 is set to 99.95% of the input image data. The white image is an example of a first input image. The color image is an example of a second input image. The white ink image magnification 503 is an example of a first magnification. The color ink image magnification 502 is an example of a second magnification.

[0042] When an image is recorded on a sheet through a first recording process and a second recording process, the size of the image after the first recording process may differ from the size of the image after the second recording process depending on the type of sheet. The inventors of the present application speculate that this is due to the difference in the expansion and contraction characteristics of the sheet when heated in the first recording process and when heated in the second recording process. Therefore, the image processing device 100 sets different image magnifications for use in the first recording process and the second recording process. This allows the size of the image recorded on the sheet through each recording process to be finished to the target size.

[0043] FIG. 6 shows a schematic representation of the change in size of an image on a sheet when the image is recorded on the sheet at the image magnification shown in FIG. 5. The area enclosed by the solid-line rectangle in the figure represents the size of the white image on the sheet. The hatched area in the figure represents the size of the color image on the sheet. Furthermore, the dotted-line rectangle area 600 in the figure represents the size of the input image data, i.e., the size of the print result desired by the user. Note that in this explanation, the size of the input image data for the white image and the color image is assumed to be the same.

[0044] 6(a) shows the state immediately after the first recording unit 7a forms a white image 611 on the sheet. In FIG. 6(a), the white image 611 is enlarged to 100.1% by the first magnification process and formed on the sheet. Fig. 6(b) shows the state immediately after the first drying and fixing process by the first drying section 40a and the first cooling section 50a. As shown in Fig. 6(b), the sheet has shrunk, and the size of the white image 612 on the sheet has decreased compared to the size immediately after the image formation (Fig. 6(a)). 6(c) shows the state immediately after the second recording unit 7b forms a color image 621 on the sheet, superimposed on the white image 612. In FIG. 6(c), the color image 621, which has been reduced to 99.5% by the second magnification process, is formed on the sheet, superimposed on the white image 612. 6(d) shows the state after the second drying and fixing process is performed by the second drying section 40b and the second cooling section 50b. As shown in FIG. 6(d), the sheet expands, and the white image 613 and color image 622 on the sheet reach the size of the area 600. This shows that the final print result is the size of the input image data, i.e., the size desired by the user.

[0045] Suppose the image magnification setting is the same for both the white image and the color image, for example, 100.1% (enlargement magnification) for both the white image and the color image. In this case, the color image will be too large compared to the white image, resulting in a deviation from the desired size. Also, suppose the setting is 99.95% (reduction magnification) for both the white image and the color image. In this case, the white image will be too small compared to the color image, resulting in a deviation from the desired size.

[0046] In particular, the inventors of the present application speculate that when a resin stretched film is used as the sheet, residual stress remains from the stretching process during film production, and that this stress is released during the first heating process, causing the sheet to shrink. Therefore, the sheet may shrink during the first heating process and expand during the second heating process. To accommodate this shrinking and expanding behavior, when a resin film is used as the sheet, the image processing device 100 sets the image magnification of the white image, which is the printed image in the first recording unit 7a, to an enlargement magnification, and sets the image magnification of the color image, which is the printed image in the second recording unit 7b, to a reduction magnification.

[0047] Note that the expansion or contraction behavior of a sheet when heated differs depending on the type of sheet. Therefore, as long as the image magnification of the white image and the image magnification of the color image are different, the configuration is not limited to the expansion magnification of the white image and the contraction magnification of the color image. For example, when a paper sheet is used, the sheet is likely to shrink more the less moisture it retains, so it is assumed that the sheet will shrink more each time it is heated. To accommodate this contraction behavior, when a paper sheet is used, the image processing device 100 may set the image magnification of the white image to a first expansion magnification and the image magnification of the color image to a second expansion magnification different from the first expansion magnification.

[0048] The sheet may have a single layer structure or a laminated structure. When a resin is used as part of the laminated structure, the image processing device 100 may set the image magnification to correspond to the shrinkage and expansion behavior of the resin. When a paper is used as part of the laminated structure, the image processing device 100 may set the image magnification to correspond to the shrinkage and expansion behavior of the paper.

[0049] Furthermore, the image processing device 100 sets different image magnifications depending on the print mode. Fig. 7 shows example settings of image magnifications for each print mode. The setting information 702 in Fig. 7 is the same as Fig. 5, and shows an example setting of image magnifications when the print mode 501 is a mode in which both white ink and color ink are applied.

[0050] The setting information 703 in FIG. 7 shows an example of the setting of the image magnification when the print mode 501 is a mode in which only color ink is applied. In this embodiment, the first drying and cooling unit 8a is not operated in the case of a recording process in which only color ink is used. Therefore, the heating history of the sheet at the time when the color ink is applied is different from that in the case in which both white ink and color ink are applied. Therefore, in this embodiment, the color ink image magnification 502 is set differently for the mode in which both white ink and color ink are applied and the mode in which only color ink is applied.

[0051] 7, the color ink image magnification 502 is set to 99.95% of the input image data in the mode in which both white ink and color ink are applied, and is set to 100.08% of the input image data in the mode in which only color ink is applied. In this embodiment, the image processing device 100 sets the image magnification of the color image to a reduction magnification in the mode in which both white ink and color ink are applied, and sets the image magnification of the color image to an enlargement magnification in the mode in which only color ink is applied. By setting in this manner, the image magnification is optimized for differences in the heating history of the sheet, and the target image size can be achieved.

[0052] 7 shows an example of the image magnification setting when the print mode 501 is a mode in which both white ink and color ink are applied, and the maximum white ink application amount is increased. In this embodiment, as the maximum ink application amount increases, the sheet conveyance speed is reduced and the heat drying time is increased. Therefore, in the maximum white ink application amount increased mode, the heating history of the sheet at the time of application of color ink differs from that in the mode in which the white ink application amount is normal. Therefore, in this embodiment, the color ink image magnification 502 and the white ink image magnification 503 are made different between the mode in which the white ink application amount is normal and the mode in which the maximum white ink application amount is increased.

[0053] In the example of FIG. 7, when the maximum white ink application amount is increased, the white ink image magnification 503 is set to 100.2% of the input image data, and the color ink image magnification 502 is set to 99.9% of the input image data. The image processing device 100 sets the white image enlargement magnification and color image reduction magnification in the maximum white ink application amount increased mode to be larger than the white image enlargement magnification and color image reduction magnification in the normal white ink application amount mode. This optimizes the image magnification for differences in the maximum white ink application amount, allowing the image to be finished to the target size. Note that the image magnification of the white image and the image magnification of the color image may be appropriately changed and set in accordance with not only the maximum white ink application amount but also various heating and drying conditions such as the conveying speed and heating temperature.

[0054] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the processing executed by the image processing device 100 according to this embodiment. The processing of the flowchart shown in FIG. 8 may be shared and executed by the image processing device 100 and the host device 30. Hereinafter, each step (process) is denoted by an S before its reference numeral. The processing of this flowchart is realized by the CPU 401 reading out various programs stored in the ROM 403, loading them into the RAM 402, and executing them. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the image magnification for each print mode shown in FIG. 7 is stored in the ROM 403. The flowchart shown in FIG. 8 is started when job information for a print job and an instruction to execute the job are received from the host device 30 via the external I / F 405. The job information includes input image data and print data representing color information of the input image data. Here, a case where a sheet used as a recording medium is a resin film will be described.

[0055] In S800, the image generation unit 411 determines whether or not white data is included based on the print data. If it is determined that white data is included, the process proceeds to S802, and if it is determined that white data is not included, the process proceeds to S801. In S801, the image generating unit 411 enlarges a color image generated based on input image data using the image magnification in the case of the color ink application mode.

[0056] In S802, the image generation unit 411 determines whether the amount of applied white ink is a normal amount or an amount that is greater than the normal amount. If it is determined that the amount is a normal amount, the process proceeds to S804, and if it is determined that the amount is greater than the normal amount, the process proceeds to S803.

[0057] In S803, the image generation unit 411 enlarges the white image generated based on the input image data and reduces the color image generated based on the input image data using the image magnification when the maximum amount of white ink is in the increased mode. In S804, the image generation unit 411 enlarges the white image generated based on the input image data and reduces the color image generated based on the input image data using the image magnification when the white ink application amount is in the normal mode.

[0058] In S805, in the case of a mode in which white ink is applied, the recording control unit 412 uses a magnified white image to record and fix it in the first recording unit 7a and the first drying and cooling unit 8a, and then uses a magnified color image to record and fix it in the second recording unit 7b and the second drying and cooling unit 8b.In the case of a mode in which only color ink is applied, the recording control unit 412 uses a magnified color image to record and fix it in the second recording unit 7b and the second drying and cooling unit 8b.In this way, the recording control unit 412 records images continuously along the sheet conveyance direction.After that, the processing of this flowchart ends upon completion of the print job.

[0059] Furthermore, since the expansion / contraction characteristics when heated may differ depending on the type of sheet used as the recording medium, the image processing device 100 may register a different image magnification for each sheet and set a different image magnification depending on the sheet to be used. Specifically, before executing the flowchart of Fig. 8, the image processing device 100 displays a sheet selection screen on the operation unit 404 and sets the sheet to be used for printing based on the user's selection. The image processing device 100 may then set a different image magnification depending on whether the selected sheet is paper or resin, or whether the selected sheet is paper A, paper B, or paper C among paper, or resin C or resin D among resin.

[0060] Furthermore, depending on the type of sheet used as the recording medium, the expansion and contraction characteristics when heated may differ between the longitudinal and width directions of the sheet. Therefore, the image processing device 100 may register different image magnifications for each direction and set different image magnifications for the longitudinal and width directions of the recording medium by reflecting the image magnifications.

[0061] According to the present embodiment described above, in a recording device in which the white recording section and the color recording section are separated and a drying section is provided between the white recording section and the color recording section, color misalignment between white and color is suppressed, making it possible to record high-quality images.

[0062] The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and having one or more processors in the computer of the system or device read and execute the program. It can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

[0063] The disclosure of each of the above-described embodiments includes the following configurations, methods, and programs. (Configuration 1) a first magnification change means for changing the magnification of a first input image for recording a first ink by a first magnification; a second magnification change unit that changes the magnification of a second input image for recording a second ink by a second magnification different from the first magnification; a recording control means for controlling a recording means that applies the first ink to a recording medium and heat-dries the first ink, and then applies the second ink so as to overlap at least a portion of the area where the first ink has been applied and heat-dries the second ink, based on the first input image scaled at the first magnification and the second input image scaled at the second magnification, thereby recording an image on the recording medium; 1. An image processing device comprising: (Configuration 2) the first magnification change means enlarges the first input image by the first magnification; 2. The image processing device according to configuration 1, wherein the second magnification change means reduces the second input image at the second magnification. (Configuration 3) 3. The image processing device according to configuration 1 or 2, wherein the second magnification change means enlarges the second input image by the second magnification when an image is recorded by applying the second ink without applying the first ink, and reduces the second input image by the second magnification when an image is recorded by applying the first ink and the second ink. (Configuration 4) 4. The image processing device according to any one of configurations 1 to 3, wherein the recording medium contains a resin at least in part. (Configuration 5) 5. The image processing device according to any one of configurations 1 to 4, wherein the first magnification change means changes the first magnification in accordance with the heating and drying conditions of the recording means. (Configuration 6) 6. The image processing device according to any one of configurations 1 to 5, wherein the second magnification change means changes the second magnification in accordance with the heating and drying conditions of the recording means. (Configuration 7) The image processing device described in any one of configurations 1 to 6, characterized in that the first magnification and the second magnification are changed depending on at least one of the print mode, the maximum amount of ink applied, and the transport speed of the recording medium. (Configuration 8) 8. The image processing device according to any one of configurations 1 to 7, wherein the first magnification and the second magnification are changed according to the type of the recording medium. (Configuration 9) 9. The image processing device according to any one of configurations 1 to 8, wherein the first magnification and the second magnification are different in the longitudinal direction and the width direction of the recording medium. (Configuration 10) 10. The image processing device according to any one of configurations 1 to 9, wherein the first ink is a white ink, and the second ink is a color ink other than white. (Configuration 11) 11. The image processing apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 10, wherein the recording means forms an image by an inkjet method. (method) a first magnification change step of changing the magnification of a first input image for recording a first ink by a first magnification; a second magnification change step of magnifying a second input image for recording a second ink by a second magnification different from the first magnification; a recording control step of controlling a recording means to apply the first ink to a recording medium and heat-dry the first ink, and then apply the second ink so as to overlap at least a part of the area where the first ink has been applied, and heat-dry the second ink, based on the first input image scaled at the first magnification and the second input image scaled at the second magnification, thereby recording an image on the recording medium; An image processing method comprising: (program) A program for causing a computer to function as each means of the image processing device according to any one of configurations 1 to 11. [Explanation of symbols]

[0064] 100: image processing device, 7a: first recording unit, 7b: second recording unit, 8a: first drying and cooling unit, 8b: second drying and cooling unit

Claims

1. a first magnification change means for changing the magnification of a first input image for recording a first ink by a first magnification; a second magnification change unit that changes the magnification of a second input image for recording a second ink by a second magnification different from the first magnification; a recording control means for controlling a recording means that applies the first ink to a recording medium and heat-dries the first ink, and then applies the second ink so as to overlap at least a portion of the area where the first ink has been applied and heat-dries the second ink, based on the first input image scaled at the first magnification and the second input image scaled at the second magnification, thereby recording an image on the recording medium; 1. An image processing device comprising:

2. the first magnification change means enlarges the first input image by the first magnification; 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second magnification change means reduces the second input image by the second magnification.

3. 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the recording medium at least partially contains a resin.

4. 2. The image processing device according to claim 1, wherein the second magnification change means enlarges the second input image by the second magnification when an image is recorded by applying the second ink without applying the first ink, and reduces the second input image by the second magnification when an image is recorded by applying the first ink and the second ink.

5. 5. The image processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the recording medium at least partially contains a resin.

6. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first magnification varying means varies the first magnification in accordance with a heating and drying condition of the recording means.

7. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second magnification changing means changes the second magnification in accordance with a heating and drying condition of the recording means.

8. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first magnification and the second magnification are changed in accordance with at least one of a print mode, a maximum amount of ink to be applied, and a transport speed of the recording medium.

9. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first magnification and the second magnification are changed depending on the type of the recording medium.

10. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first magnification and the second magnification are different in the longitudinal direction and the width direction of the recording medium.

11. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first ink is a white ink, and the second ink is a color ink other than white.

12. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording means forms an image by an ink jet method.

13. a first magnification change step of changing the magnification of a first input image for recording a first ink by a first magnification; a second magnification change step of magnifying a second input image for recording a second ink by a second magnification different from the first magnification; a recording control step of controlling a recording means to apply the first ink to a recording medium and heat-dry the first ink, and then apply the second ink so as to overlap at least a part of the area where the first ink has been applied, and heat-dry the second ink, based on the first input image scaled at the first magnification and the second input image scaled at the second magnification, thereby recording an image on the recording medium; An image processing method comprising:

14. A program for causing a computer to function as each means of the image processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

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