Recording device and its control method

Abstract

The recording area on the surface of the foamed sheet to which the foam-accelerating liquid is applied is specified by the submitted image. When a recording medium with an uneven surface structure that is uneven in the recording area is wound into a roll, an unevenness occurs in the diameter of the wound recording medium, reducing the winding accuracy of the recording medium. [Solution] The recording device has means for applying a foaming control liquid to form an image, and adjusts the expansion height of the recording medium having an uneven structure by providing a height adjustment region in the recording medium.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a recording apparatus and a recording control method, and more particularly, to a recording apparatus and a recording control method for manufacturing a recording medium having, for example, a stereoscopic image.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in a recording apparatus for forming a stereoscopic image, a method of forming a concavo-convex structure by applying a foaming accelerating liquid to the surface of a foaming sheet and irradiating it with heat, electromagnetic waves, or the like is known.

[0003] For example, in Patent Document 1, a concavo-convex structure is formed by applying a foaming accelerating liquid to the surface of a foaming sheet and irradiating it with electromagnetic waves. At that time, the foaming sheet is placed on a support frame for recording.

[0004] In Patent Document 2, when winding up a recording medium of a continuous sheet having a concavo-convex structure in a roll shape, the winding tension is weakened as the diameter of the wound recording medium increases.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] On the other hand, the recording area where the foaming accelerating liquid is applied to the surface of the foaming sheet is specified by the input image. When winding up a recording medium of a continuous sheet having a concavo-convex structure with a bias in the recording area into a roll shape, there is a problem that the diameter of the wound recording medium is biased and the winding accuracy of the recording medium is deteriorated.

[0007] The object of the present invention is to provide a recording device that can prevent a decrease in the winding accuracy of a recording medium, which occurs when a recording medium with an uneven structure is wound into a roll, due to an imbalance in the diameter of the wound recording medium. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To achieve the above objective, the recording apparatus of the present invention comprises a means for applying a foam control liquid containing a component for controlling the foaming of foam particles to a recording medium having a substrate and a foam layer provided on the substrate that contains foam particles that foam when heated; an expansion means for expanding the recording medium; and a winding means for winding the expanded recording medium into a roll shape. The recordable area of ​​the recording medium includes an output area and a height adjustment area, the height adjustment area is provided around the output area in at least one area, and the foam control liquid is applied to the height adjustment area. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, by applying a foaming control liquid to the height adjustment region and adjusting the expansion height of the recording medium, when winding a recording medium with an uneven structure into a roll, it is possible to prevent a bias in the diameter of the wound recording medium and prevent a decrease in the winding accuracy of the recording medium. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This is a diagram illustrating a recording medium for forming a three-dimensional image according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] This figure shows the cross-sectional configuration of the recording device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a recording head according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] This figure shows an example of a submitted image according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of a system configuration according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6]It is a sequence diagram of a printing service according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] It is a flowchart of the process during image recording according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] It is a diagram for explaining the height adjustment area according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] It is a diagram showing an example recorded on a recording medium according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10] It is a diagram showing an example recorded on a recording medium according to the second embodiment. [Figure 11] It is a diagram for explaining the height adjustment area according to a modification of the first embodiment. [Figure 12] It is a diagram for explaining the problem of winding up the recording medium according to the first embodiment in a roll shape.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0011] This embodiment will be described in detail below.

[0012] <The First Embodiment> [Recording Medium] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an example of a recording medium used in a method for manufacturing a recorded matter having a stereoscopic image according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the recording medium 10 has a base material 11 and a foaming layer 12 provided on the base material 11 and containing foaming particles 13 that foam by heat. Hereinafter, details of the recording medium used in the present embodiment will be described.

[0013] The base material 11 functions as a support for supporting the foaming layer 12 (FIG. 1). The type of the base material is not particularly limited. For example, paper made of ordinary natural pulp; kenaf paper; plastic film sheets such as polypropylene, polyethylene, and polyester; so-called synthetic paper or non-woven fabric obtained by making synthetic fibers, synthetic pulp, or synthetic resin films look like paper; and the like may also be used.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1, the foam layer 12 is a layer containing foam particles 13 and binder resin 14 provided on at least one surface of the base material 11. The foam particles 13 are thermally expandable microcapsules having a capsule-shaped shell layer 15 containing a thermoplastic resin and a volatile material 16 encapsulated within this shell layer 15. When heat is applied to these foam particles 13, the thermoplastic resin constituting the shell layer 15 softens, and at the same time, the volatile material 16 encapsulated within the shell layer 15 vaporizes and expands in volume. For this reason, the foam particles 13 expand like balloons.

[0015] Examples of the thermoplastic resin contained in the shell layer include, for example, polystyrene, styrene-acrylic ester copolymer, polyamide resin, polyacrylate, polyvinylidene chloride, polyacrylonitrile, polymethyl methacrylate, vinylidene chloride-acrylonitrile, methacrylate-acrylic acid copolymer, vinylidene chloride-acrylic acid copolymer, vinylidene chloride-acrylic ester copolymer, and the like.

[0016] Examples of the volatile material include low molecular weight hydrocarbons such as ethane, ethylene, propane, propene, n-butane, isobutane, n-pentane, isopentane, neopentane, n-hexane, heptane, petroleum ether, etc.; chlorofluorocarbons such as CCl3F, CCl2F2, CClF3, CClF2-CClF2; tetraalkylsilanes such as tetramethylsilane, trimethylethylsilane, trimethylisopropylsilane, trimethyl-n-propylsilane, etc. Among these, the volatile material is preferably a hydrocarbon having a molecular weight of 120 or less. Also, there is no particular limitation on the lower limit of the molecular weight of the volatile material (hydrocarbon), but for example, it is preferably 50 or more. The content of the foam particles in the foam layer is preferably 5% by mass or more and 95% by mass or less based on the total mass of the foam layer.

[0017] The foamed layer 12 contains a binder resin 14 to enhance adhesion to the substrate 11 (Figure 1). The binder resin plays an important role in preventing the foamed layer from peeling off the substrate when the foamed particles in the foamed layer foam due to heat. A water-insoluble resin is used as the binder resin. By including a water-insoluble resin in the binder resin, the binder resin becomes less likely to dissolve even with water in the foaming accelerator, thus suppressing the decrease in adhesion between the foamed layer and the substrate caused by the foaming accelerator. Furthermore, even if an aqueous ink containing water is applied to the recording medium, the decrease in adhesion between the foamed layer and the substrate can be suppressed for the same reason. Here, a water-insoluble resin refers to a resin in which 95% or more by mass remains when the resin is immersed in 80°C hot water for 2 hours. The water-insoluble resin is preferably at least one selected from the group consisting of acrylic resins and urethane resins. It is even more preferable that the water-insoluble resin is at least one selected from the group consisting of acrylic resins without ester groups and urethane resins without ester groups. Furthermore, the water-insoluble resin is preferably a non-water-absorbing resin. The content of the water-insoluble resin in the foam layer is preferably 10% by mass or more and 95% by mass or less, based on the total mass of the foam layer. The foam layer may also contain a water-soluble resin together with the water-insoluble resin, as long as it is within a range that suppresses the peeling of the foam layer from the substrate when the foam particles in the foam layer foam up due to heat. Furthermore, the glass transition temperature of the binder resin is preferably -10°C or more and 30°C or less. By setting the glass transition temperature of the binder resin within the above range, it is possible to suppress the binder resin from hindering the foaming of the foam particles.

[0018] The mass ratio of foamed particles to binder resin is preferably 5:95 to 90:10. By keeping the mass ratio of foamed particles to binder resin within the above range, both the foaming properties of the foamed particles and the binding properties of the binder resin to the substrate can be improved. The foamed layer may also contain components such as pigments, antioxidants, dyes, and surfactants, as long as they do not impair the foaming properties.

[0019] [Foam control liquid] As a method for manufacturing a recording material having a three-dimensional image, there is a foaming accelerator that promotes foaming and a foaming control liquid that controls foaming. In this embodiment, the details of the foaming accelerator used in the method for manufacturing a recording material having a three-dimensional image will be described.

[0020] The foaming accelerator contains foaming-promoting components that lower the foaming initiation temperature of foam particles. When the foaming accelerator containing the foaming-promoting components is applied to the foamed layer of a recording medium by methods such as inkjet ejection or coating, the thermoplastic resin contained in the shell layer of the foam particles can be softened. As a result, it is presumed that the foaming initiation temperature and the maximum foaming temperature of the foam particles can be shifted to the lower temperature side.

[0021] The foam-promoting component can be any compound that is capable of softening the thermoplastic resin contained in the shell layer of the foam particles and does not have a hydroxyl group. It can be appropriately selected and used depending on the type of thermoplastic resin. Examples of foam-promoting components include 2-pyrrolidone, dimethyl sulfoxide, N,N-dimethylformamide, and N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone. The boiling point of the hydroxyl-free compound used as the foam-promoting component is preferably higher than the temperature at which the foam layer is heated. By having a boiling point higher than the temperature at which the foam layer is heated, the compound is less likely to vaporize even when the foam layer is heated, thus contributing to the softening of the thermoplastic resin in the shell layer of the foam particles. The content of the hydroxyl-free compound used as the foam-promoting component is preferably 10% by mass or more and 70% by mass or less, based on the total mass of the foam-promoting liquid.

[0022] The absolute difference (|SP1-SP2|) between the solubility parameter (SP1) of the thermoplastic resin forming the shell layer of the foamed particles (microcapsules) and the solubility parameter (SP2) of the foaming-promoting component is preferably 3.5 or less. Having the absolute difference of the solubility parameters within this range allows for further improvement of the foaming properties in the region of the foamed layer where the foaming-promoting solution containing the foaming-promoting component is applied.

[0023] Furthermore, it is preferable that the absolute value of the difference between the Hansen solubility parameter (HSP1) of the thermoplastic resin forming the shell layer of the foam particles (microcapsules) and the solubility parameter (HSP2) of the foam-promoting component (|HSP1-HSP2|) is 20 or less. By having the absolute value of the difference in Hansen solubility parameters within the above numerical range, the foaming properties of the region in the foamed layer to which the foam-promoting liquid containing the foam-promoting component is applied can be further improved.

[0024] The solubility parameters (SP values) of the thermoplastic resin and foam-promoting component forming the shell layer are both calculated values. Furthermore, the Hansen solubility parameters (HSP values) of the thermoplastic resin and foam-promoting component forming the shell layer are both measured and calculated using dynamic light scattering.

[0025] If the foam-promoting component is a liquid at room temperature (25°C), the foam-promoting component itself may be used as the foam-promoting solution. Furthermore, the foam-promoting solution may contain other components besides the foam-promoting component. For example, it is preferable to include additional liquid components such as solvents to improve the discharge stability of the foam-promoting solution. As solvents, water and various water-soluble organic solvents can be used. Deionized water (ion-exchanged water) is preferred as the water. Examples of water-soluble organic solvents include alcohols, glycols, glycol ethers, and nitrogen-containing compounds.

[0026] Other components besides the liquid component include water-soluble organic compounds that are solid at 25°C, such as urea and its derivatives, trimethylolpropane, and trimethylolethane. Furthermore, various additives such as pH adjusters, defoamers, rust inhibitors, preservatives, fungicides, antioxidants, reduction inhibitors, and chelating agents may be included in the foaming accelerator as needed.

[0027] [Recording device for forming three-dimensional images] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of an inkjet recording device (hereinafter also simply referred to as the recording device) that can be used as this embodiment. The recording device 20 includes the following configuration. The recording device of this embodiment is a so-called roll-to-roll type. The recording medium supply unit 27 has driven rollers and supplies the recording medium 10, which is a continuous sheet wound in a roll shape. The recording medium supply unit 27 holds one recording medium, but it may also be configured to hold multiple recording media and selectively supply them. The recording head 21 is a full-line type recording device and is a recording head with a width equal to the width of the recording medium 10. The recording head 21 includes a recording element row 22 that ejects foaming accelerator liquid, and four rows of recording element rows 23 to 26 that eject black (K), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y) inks, which are colored liquids containing colorants. These recording element rows 22 to 26 are arranged in parallel in the transport direction (Y direction) of the recording medium.

[0028] The recording element array 22 that discharges foam-promoting liquid may be positioned either upstream or downstream of the recording element arrays 23-26 that discharge colored ink in the transport direction Y. By discharging foam-promoting liquid with the recording element array 22, the foam-promoting liquid can be applied to the foam layer of the recording medium 10. Further downstream of the recording element arrays 22-26, a heating device 29 having a width equivalent to the width of the recording medium 10 is provided. The heating device 29 can be any heating device capable of heating the foam particles in the foam layer to a desired temperature. Examples of such heating devices include dryers, ovens, heating heaters, and irons. The recording medium winding unit 28 has drive rollers and rotates with a drive source to transport the recording medium in the Y direction in the figure at a predetermined speed, winding the recording medium 10, which has had ink discharged by the recording head 21 and heated by the heating device 29, into a roll shape. At any point in the recording medium transport path, the direction closer to the recording medium supply unit 27 is called "upstream," and the opposite side is called "downstream." Downstream of the heating device 29, although not shown in the figure, there is a cutter section that has a cutter for cutting the recording medium 10.

[0029] The cutter unit may be either an automatic cutter that cuts automatically, or a manual cutter that cuts manually by an operator. If problems such as jamming of the recording medium, failure of the recording head to eject, or running out of ink occur during recording medium transport, the cutter unit cuts the recording medium, and the recording medium upstream of the cutting position is sent back to the recording medium supply unit 27. The recording medium downstream of the cutting position is wound onto the recording medium winding unit 28.

[0030] [Recording head] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of an inkjet recording head 21 usable in this embodiment. In the recording head 21, each of the recording element rows 22 to 26 corresponding to each ink color consists of multiple recording element substrates 32, each having multiple recording elements 31 arranged at a constant pitch, which are alternately arranged in the Y direction so as to be continuous in the X direction with overlap regions D. Each recording element 31 ejects ink at a constant frequency according to the recording data onto the recording medium, which is transported in the Y direction at a constant speed, thereby recording an image on the recording medium with a resolution corresponding to the arrangement pitch of the recording elements 31.

[0031] [Submitted image] Figure 4 shows an example of an image that can be submitted in this embodiment. The submitted image consists of a color plate and a foaming ink plate. The dotted lines in the figure represent one pixel. Figure 4(a) is an example of a foaming ink plate, which is an image that shows the part that foams and expands on the recording medium 10 and the degree of expansion using shades of gray. The foaming ink plate is gray data, and each color has 8 bits of information, with a value range of 0 to 255, but it may be composed of different numbers of bits, such as 16 bits. In the foaming ink plate, the darker the color, the part that expands on the recording medium 10. The darker the color (higher density and lower brightness), the greater the degree of expansion, and the lighter the color (lower density and higher brightness), the smaller the degree of expansion. In Figure 4(a), region 41 is density M, and region 42 is density N, and since M > N, region 41 has a higher density, so the degree of expansion is greater. Thus, in the foamed ink plate, a pattern of varying shades is drawn with higher density on the larger expanding portion of the recording medium 10 so that the three-dimensional shape of the uneven structure to be formed can be created on the recording medium 10. Figure 4(b) is an example of a colored plate and is an image showing the colors to be colored on the recording medium 10. The colored plate is RGB data, and examples of RGB data types include standard color information such as sRGB and Adobe® RGB. In this embodiment, the image data has 8 bits of information for each color, with a value range of 0 to 255, but it may be composed of different numbers of bits, such as 16 bits. When creating the image for submission as a PDF, Figures 4(a) and 4(b) are created as separate layers in the PDF.

[0032] [Recording media winding section] Figure 12 shows an example of recording the submitted data shown in Figure 4. Figure 12(a) is a plan view of the continuous sheet recording medium, and Figure 12(b) is a cross-sectional view of the roll-shaped recording medium wound onto the recording medium winding unit 28. 1201 is the region where only the colored plate is recorded. 1202 is the region of density M of the foamed ink plate, and 1203 is the region of density N of the foamed ink plate. Since M > N, the degree of expansion is greater in 1202 than in 1203. When such a three-dimensional shape with uneven surfaces is formed on the recording medium 10, the diameter of the wound roll-shaped recording medium differs between the left and right ends of the recording medium. As the winding circumference increases from the first to the second and third turns, the difference in diameter between the left and right ends of the wound roll-shaped recording medium increases. As a result, the tension used to transport the recording medium also differs between the left and right ends, causing jams to occur in the recording medium during transport.

[0033] [System Configuration] Figure 5 shows an example of the overall configuration of the system according to this embodiment. As shown in Figure 5, the system according to this embodiment is composed of the recording device 20 shown in Figure 2 and a personal computer (PC) 50 as its host device.

[0034] The PC50 includes the following components: a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 501, RAM (Read Only Memory) 502, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 503, a communication interface 504, an input device interface 505, and a display device interface. Furthermore, each component is connected to the others via an internal bus for communication. The CPU 501 executes processing according to the programs and various data held in the HDD 503 and RAM 502. The RAM 502 is volatile storage that temporarily holds programs and data. The HDD 503 is non-volatile storage that holds programs and data.

[0035] Communication I / F504 is an interface that manages communication with external devices, and here it controls the transmission and reception of data between the recording device 20 and the external device. For data transmission and reception, wired connections such as USB, IEEE1394, and LAN (Local Area Network) can be used, as well as wireless connections such as Bluetooth® and WiFi®. Input device I / F505 is an interface that controls HID (Human Interface Device) such as a keyboard or mouse, and accepts input from user input devices. Display device I / F506 controls the display on display devices such as a display (not shown).

[0036] The recording device 20 comprises a CPU 201, RAM 202, ROM 203, communication I / F 204, head controller 205, and image processing accelerator 206. Furthermore, each component is connected to the others via an internal bus for communication. The CPU 201 executes the processing of each embodiment described later, according to the programs and various data held in the ROM 203 and RAM 202. The RAM 202 is volatile storage that temporarily holds programs and data. The ROM 203 is non-volatile storage that holds table data and programs used in the processing described later.

[0037] The communication interface 204 is an interface that manages communication with external devices, and here it controls the transmission and reception of data with the PC 50. The head controller 205 controls the heating operation of the recording head 21 shown in Figure 2 based on the recorded data. Specifically, the head controller 205 can be configured to read control parameters and head recording data from a predetermined address in the RAM 202. When the CPU 201 writes the control parameters and recording data to the predetermined address in the RAM 202, the head controller 205 starts processing, and the recording head 21 performs the ink ejection operation. The image processing accelerator 206 is configured by hardware and performs image processing at a higher speed than the CPU 201. Specifically, the image processing accelerator 206 can be configured to read the parameters and data necessary for image processing from a predetermined address in the RAM 202. When the CPU 201 writes the above parameters and data to the predetermined address in the RAM 202, the image processing accelerator 206 is started, and the predetermined image processing is performed. Note that the image processing accelerator 206 is not necessarily required, and depending on the printer specifications, the creation of the table parameters and image processing may be performed solely by the CPU 201.

[0038] In this embodiment, the recording device 20 and the PC 50 were described as separate devices, but they may be integrated into a single system, for example. Also, while a PC was given as an example of a host device, it is not limited to this, and other portable devices such as smartphones, tablet terminals, or imaging devices may be used.

[0039] [Printing Service] Figure 6 shows the sequence of operations when a print service is performed in the system according to this embodiment. In Figure 6, S601 to S605 show the processing in PC 50, and S611 to S616 show the processing in recording device 20. Also in Figure 6, dashed arrows indicate data transmission and reception. Each step is realized by the CPU of each device reading and executing a program or the like stored in the memory unit. This sequence starts when the user attempts to record to the recording medium.

[0040] In S611, after power-on, the recording device 20 confirms that it is capable of recording and enters a standby state, ready to provide recording services.

[0041] Meanwhile, S601 and PC50 perform the Recording Service Discovery. This Recording Service Discovery may involve searching for peripheral devices in accordance with user operations, or it may be configured to periodically search for recording devices that are ready to provide the Recording Service. Alternatively, PC50 may be configured to make an inquiry when it connects to the recording device 20.

[0042] In S612, when the recording device 20 receives a recording service Discovery from the PC 50, it responds by notifying that it is a device capable of providing the recording service.

[0043] In S602, if PC50 receives notification from recording device 20 that it can provide recording services, it requests recordable information from the recording device.

[0044] In S613, the recording device 20 notifies the PC 50 of information about the recording services it can provide in response to a request for recordable information from the PC 50.

[0045] Upon receiving recordable information from the recording device 20, the PC 50, in S603, constructs a user interface for creating recording jobs based on this information. Specifically, based on the recordable information from the recording device 20, it provides the user with appropriate display and options for specifying the recording image, recording size, and recordable paper size via a display (not shown). It then accepts settings from the user via an input device such as a keyboard (not shown).

[0046] In S604, PC50 issues a recording job based on the settings received from the user and sends it to recording device 20.

[0047] In S614, the recording device 20 receives a recording job from the PC 50.

[0048] In S615, the recording device 20 analyzes and executes the received recording job. Details of the recording device for recording jobs according to this embodiment will be described later.

[0049] Once recording is complete, at S616, the recording device 20 notifies the PC 50 that recording is complete. Then, the recording device 20 completes its processing and enters a standby state.

[0050] At S605, PC50 receives a recording completion notification and informs the user of this. Then, PC50 completes its processing.

[0051] In the above explanation, various types of information transmission were described as communication examples in which the PC 50 makes a request to the recording device 20, and the recording device 20 responds to that request. However, the communication is not limited to the so-called pull-type examples described above; it may also be a so-called push-type communication where the recording device 20 proactively sends a message to one or more PCs 50 on the network.

[0052] [Processing flow] Figure 7 is an image processing flowchart for adjusting the density of areas to which the foaming accelerator (H) and black (K), cyan (c), magenta (M), and yellow (Y) inks are applied according to this embodiment. The flow shown in Figure 7 is executed in step S615 of Figure 6. This flow is realized, for example, by the CPU 201 of the recording device 20 reading and executing a program or data contained in the ROM 203 or the like. Note that this process may also be partially executed by the image processing accelerator 206.

[0053] In S701, CPU201 acquires the submitted image shown in Figure 4 from the recording job received in S614 in Figure 6. Here, we will explain assuming that the submitted image is acquired page by page.

[0054] In S702, CPU201 performs rendering processing on the foamed ink plate and the colored plate of the submitted image, respectively. The rendering resolution is set to a resolution corresponding to the array pitch of the recording element 31 shown in Figure 3.

[0055] S703 is a process performed on the foaming ink plate. In S703, CPU201 performs foaming control fluid recording signal value conversion processing on the foaming ink plate. The amount of foaming control fluid to be applied to the pixels is determined by the foaming control fluid recording signal value (H), which has 8 bits of information and a value range of 0 to 255, where 0 is the smallest amount of foaming control fluid applied and 255 is the largest amount applied. The foaming control fluid recording signal value conversion processing converts to a foaming control fluid recording signal value (H) consisting of one element using known methods such as matrix arithmetic processing or one-dimensional lookup table processing. Note that the conversion can be performed by any method, but here we will explain an example using a one-dimensional lookup table, which is more preferable. The foaming control fluid recording signal value conversion processing is performed using a one-dimensional lookup table as follows. In the function 1D_LUT[Gray] of the one-dimensional lookup table used below, the variable Gray is input to the pixel value of the foaming ink plate. H=1D_LUT[Gray]

[0056] The above 1D_LUT consists of 256 data tables. To reduce the amount of data in the lookup tables, for example, the number of grids may be reduced from 256 to 64, and the result may be calculated by interpolation using 64 data tables. Naturally, in addition to 64 grids, a suitable number of grids such as 32 grids or 16 grids may be set as appropriate. Any known interpolation method, such as one-dimensional linear interpolation, may be used. In this embodiment, the one-dimensional lookup tables are assumed to be predetermined and stored in the ROM 203 of the recording device 20.

[0057] In S704, CPU201 generates the height adjustment area. Figure 8 shows the output area and the height adjustment area, where 801 is the output area and 802 is the height adjustment area. The recordable area is the area consisting of the output area and the height adjustment area. The input image shown in Figure 4(a) is placed in the output area 801, and the height adjustment area 802 is filled with the foam control liquid recording signal value (H) for height adjustment. The signal value to be filled is the signal value where the foam control liquid recording signal value (H) is maximum, resulting in the greatest degree of expansion. Figure 8(a) shows a diagram with one height adjustment area around the output area, Figure 8(b) shows a diagram with two height adjustment areas around the left and right sides of the output area, and Figure 8(c) shows a diagram with two height adjustment areas around the top and bottom sides of the output area. Since registration marks and other markings for post-processing such as cutting are recorded around the area adjacent to the output generation area, it is preferable that the distance d between the output generation area and the height adjustment area be 3 mm or more.

[0058] Steps S705-S706 are processes performed on the colored version.

[0059] In S705, CPU201 performs color correction processing on the colored plate. The image data after color correction processing is RGB data, but at this point it is assumed to be in a format specific to the recording device 20, so-called device RGB. The color correction processing converts the image data into device color data, which is a color signal composed of three elements, using known methods such as matrix calculation processing or 3D lookup table processing. Although any method may be used for the conversion, here we will describe an example using a more preferred method, a 3D lookup table.

[0060] Color correction is performed using a 3D lookup table as follows. In the function 3D_LUT[R][G][B][N] of the 3D lookup table used below, the variables R, G, and B are input values ​​of RGB data, respectively, and the variable N specifies one of the R', G', or B' values ​​to be output. Here, we assume that R', G', and B' are set to 0, 1, and 2, respectively. R'=3D_LUT[R][G][B][0] G'=3D_LUT[R][G][B][1] B'=3D_LUT[R][G][B][2]

[0061] The above 3D_LUT consists of 50,331,648 data tables arranged in a 256×256×256×3 grid. To reduce the amount of data in the lookup table, for example, the number of grids may be reduced from 256 to 17, and the result may be calculated by interpolation using 14,739 data tables arranged in a 17×17×17×3 grid. Naturally, in addition to 17 grids, other suitable grid numbers such as 16 grids, 9 grids, and 8 grids may be set as appropriate. Any interpolation method may be used, such as known tetrahedron interpolation. In this embodiment, the 3D lookup table is assumed to be predetermined and stored in the ROM 203 of the recording device 20.

[0062] In S706, CPU201 performs colored liquid recording signal value conversion using a 3D lookup table for the color-corrected R', G', and B'. The amount of cyan (C) ink to be applied to each pixel is defined by the colored liquid recording signal value (C). Similarly, the amount of magenta (M) ink is defined by the colored liquid recording signal value (M), the amount of yellow (Y) ink by the colored liquid recording signal value (Y), and the amount of black (K) ink by the colored liquid recording signal value (K). The colored liquid recording signal value has 8 bits of information and its range is 0 to 255, where 0 represents the smallest amount of colored liquid applied and 255 represents the largest amount of colored liquid applied. In this embodiment, colored liquid recording signal value conversion is performed using a 3D lookup table as follows. In the 3D lookup table function 3D_LUT[R'][G'][B'][N] used below, the variables R', G', and B' are input values ​​for the R'G'B' data, respectively, and the variable N specifies one of the output C, M, Y, or K values. Here, we assume that 0, 1, 2, and 3 are specified for C, M, Y, and K, respectively. C=3D_LUT[R][G][B][0] M=3D_LUT[R][G][B][1] Y=3D_LUT[R][G][B][2] K=3D_LUT[R][G][B][3]

[0063] In this embodiment, the three-dimensional lookup table is predetermined and stored in the ROM 203 of the recording device 20.

[0064] In S707, CPU201 performs quantization on the foam control fluid recording signal value (H) and the colored fluid recording signal values ​​(black (K), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y)). Various quantization levels exist, including binarization, ternaryization, and hexa-level quantization. Generally, during binarization, the colored fluid recording signal values ​​(black (K), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y)) are converted into data indicating the presence or absence of 1-bit ink dots for each color. As for quantization methods, known pseudo-intertone processing methods such as the dither matrix method and error diffusion method are used. The quantized data is stored in RAM202.

[0065] At S708, CPU201 determines whether image processing for the current page is complete. If it is complete (YES at S708), this processing flow ends and the process proceeds to the next page. If it is not complete (NO at S708), the process proceeds to S701 and image processing for the current page continues. Once image processing is complete for all pages, recording to the recording medium 10 begins.

[0066] In S709, the quantized data stored in RAM202 for all pages is transferred to the head controller205, and colored liquids of each color are ejected from the recording element31 and recorded on the recording medium10. Figure 9 shows an example in which the submitted image shown in Figure 4 and the height adjustment area shown in Figure 8 are recorded multiple times on the recording medium10. Figure 9(a) is an example of recording with the height adjustment area shown in Figure 8(a), where the height adjustment area is provided around the output generation area in the parallel and perpendicular directions with respect to the transport direction (Y direction). Similarly, Figure 9(b) is an example of recording with the height adjustment area shown in Figure 8(b), where the height adjustment area is provided around the output generation area in the perpendicular direction with respect to the transport direction (Y direction). Figure 9(c) is an example of recording with the height adjustment area shown in Figure 8(c), where the height adjustment area is provided around the output generation area in the parallel direction with respect to the transport direction (Y direction). 901 is an area where only colored plates are recorded. 902 is the region of density M of the foamed ink plate, 903 is the region of density N of the foamed ink plate, and 904 is the height adjustment region. Figure 9(b) shows an example in which no height adjustment region is provided in the margin between submitted images. This is because when splicing the recording medium 10, it is easier to cut if the splice region does not have an uneven structure. After recording to the recording medium 10, the quantized data is stored in the RAM 202 for a certain period of time. Once recording is complete, the process proceeds to S616 in Figure 6.

[0067] As explained above, using Figures 7, 8, and 9 as examples, by providing a height adjustment area around the output generation area, the unevenness in height within the paper is reduced. As a result, when winding the expanded recording medium into a roll, the roll diameters at three points—approximately the left end, approximately the right end, and approximately the center—become approximately uniform, preventing a decrease in transport accuracy due to uneven roll diameters.

[0068] (Modified version of the first embodiment) In the first embodiment described above, an example was given in which there is one output area in the X direction perpendicular to the transport direction (Y direction). When recording multiple input images, the amount of recording medium used can be reduced by recording multiple input images in the X direction by imposition processing. Imposition processing is performed in S603. In this embodiment, an example is given in which height adjustment areas are provided between output areas when there are multiple output areas in the X direction as shown in Figure 11. 1101 is an output generation area and 1102 is a height adjustment area. Figure 11(a) is a diagram in which height adjustment areas are provided around each output generation area, and Figure 11(b) is a diagram in which height adjustment areas are provided to the left and right of each output generation area. Similar to the first embodiment, it is preferable that the distance d between the output generation area and the height adjustment area is 3 mm or more.

[0069] <Second Embodiment> In the first embodiment described above, an example was shown in which the submitted image was not analyzed, a height adjustment area was provided around the output generation area, and the maximum value of the foam control liquid recording signal value (H) was set. In this embodiment, an example is described in which the foam ink plate of the submitted image is analyzed, and the position of the height adjustment area and the foam control liquid recording signal value (H) are controlled according to the area for recording the foam control liquid and the foam control liquid recording signal value (H).

[0070] In S704 of Figure 7, the foaming ink plate of the submitted image shown in Figure 4(a) is analyzed. The analysis involves analyzing the density value and the area to be expanded to calculate the position of the height adjustment area and the foaming control liquid recording signal value (H) to be set. Figure 10 shows an example in which the submitted image and height adjustment area shown in Figure 4 are recorded multiple times on the roll-shaped recording medium 10 based on the results of the analysis of the foaming ink plate. In Figure 10(a), 1001 is the height adjustment area, which is set on the left and right of the output generation area with respect to the transport direction (Y direction). The foaming control liquid recording signal value (H) to be set is the same as the larger of the foaming control liquid recording signal values ​​(H) in 902 and 903 where the foaming ink liquid is recorded. Since the foaming control liquid recording signal value (H) is larger in 903 than in 902, the same foaming control liquid recording signal value (H) as in 903 is set in the height adjustment area 1001. In Figure 10(b), 1002 is a height adjustment area, located on the left and right sides of the output generation area with respect to the transport direction (Y direction). The positions are located on the left and right sides that encompass 902 and 903, which record the foaming ink liquid. Since the foaming control liquid recording signal value (H) is larger for 903 than for 902, the same foaming control liquid recording signal value (H) as for 903 is set in the height adjustment area 1001.

[0071] In Figure 10(c), 1003 is a height adjustment region, which is provided on either the left or right side of the output generation region with respect to the transport direction (Y direction). The location is provided on either the left or right side that encompasses 902 and 903, which record the foaming ink liquid. The foaming control liquid recording signal value (H) is greater for 903 than for 902, and 903 is located on the left side of the output generation region. Therefore, in order to make the recording medium height approximately uniform, the location is provided on the right side, opposite 903. Since the foaming control liquid recording signal value (H) is greater for 903 than for 902, the same foaming control liquid recording signal value (H) as for 903 is provided for the height adjustment region 1001. As explained above, using Figure 10 as an example, by calculating the location of the height expansion region and the foaming control liquid recording signal value (H) to be recorded, it is possible to prevent a decrease in transport accuracy due to uneven roll diameter and to suppress the amount of foaming ink liquid used.

[0072] (Other embodiments) In the embodiments described above, the means for applying the foam control liquid was explained using an inkjet recording head, but it is not limited to an inkjet recording head and may be other recording methods such as electrophotography.

[0073] Furthermore, although the example described involved winding the recording medium into a roll after recording, this method may also be applied to control the thickness of the stacked recording media when stacking sheet-fed recording media after recording. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0074] 10 Recording media 11 Base material 12 Foam layer 13 Foaming particles 14 Binder resin 15 Shell Layers 16. Volatile materials 20 Storage device 201 CPU 203 ROM

Claims

1. For a recording medium having a foamed layer containing foamed particles that foam upon heat, A means for applying a foam control liquid containing a component that controls the foaming of the foam particles, An expansion means for expanding the recording medium, The system includes a winding means for winding the expanded recording medium into a roll shape, The recording device is characterized in that the recordable area of ​​the recording medium includes an output area and a height adjustment area, the height adjustment area is provided in at least one area around the output area, and a foaming control liquid is applied to the height adjustment area.

2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the foaming control liquid is a foaming accelerator and contains a component that causes the foaming particles contained in the recording medium to foam, thereby lowering the foaming start temperature.

3. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the height adjustment region is provided in at least one direction perpendicular to or parallel to the first direction, with the direction in which the roll-shaped recording medium is transported being the first direction.

4. The recording device according to claim 1, characterized in that the output area and the height adjustment area are separated by at least 3 mm.

5. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it generates a foam control liquid recording signal value from an input image consisting of a foam ink plate that shows the part to be expanded and the degree of expansion.

6. The recording device according to claim 1, characterized in that the maximum value of the foam control liquid recording signal value is provided in the height adjustment region.

7. The recording device according to claim 1, characterized in that the degree of expansion M of the output region and the degree of expansion L of the height adjustment region are such that L ≥ M.

8. The recording device according to claim 5, characterized in that it calculates a foam control liquid recording signal value to be applied to the height adjustment region from an input image consisting of a foam-promoting plate.

9. The recording device according to claim 5, characterized in that it calculates a height adjustment region for applying foam-promoting liquid from an input image consisting of a foam-promoting plate.

10. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it operates at least one of a recording medium having a foamed layer and a recording head having a recording element that ejects a foaming control liquid and a colored liquid containing a colorant.

11. A recording device characterized by having a recording area of ​​the recording medium that includes an output area and a height adjustment area, recording a recording job consisting of multiple submitted images, and when winding the expanded recording medium into a roll, controlling the foam control liquid recording signal value applied to the height adjustment area so that the roll diameters at three locations, approximately the left end, approximately the right end, and approximately the center, are approximately uniform.

12. A single-wafer recording medium having a foamed layer containing foamed particles that foam upon heat, A means for applying a foam control liquid containing a component that controls the foaming of the foam particles, An expansion means for expanding the aforementioned single-sheet recording medium, The system comprises a stacking means for stacking the expanded, single-sheet recording media, The recording device is characterized in that the recordable area of ​​the single-wafer recording medium includes an output area and a height adjustment area, the height adjustment area is provided around the output area in at least one area, and a foaming control liquid is applied to the height adjustment area.

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