JP2005178144A - Printing apparatus, printing control apparatus, printing method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent the outline of an image to be printed from exuding and form the outline of the image smoothly.
A printing unit is provided that prints an image by forming dots on a medium, and the printing unit prints the image in a printing apparatus that can form two or more different sizes of dots as the dots. In some cases, dots to be formed on the outermost outline of the image are replaced with dots of a smaller size, and dots to be formed along the inner side of the outermost outline are replaced with dots of a smaller size.
[Selection] FIG.

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus, a printing control apparatus, a printing method, and a program for printing an image by forming dots on a medium.

  Inkjet printers are known as printing apparatuses that print dots by forming dots on various media such as paper, cloth, and film. This ink jet printer ejects ink of each color such as cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K) toward the medium, and forms dots on the medium by the ejected ink for printing. I do.

  In such a printing apparatus, when ink is applied to the contour portion of the printed image, the ink that has been ejected may protrude from the contour of the image and the contour may be blurred. . This occurred because the ink oozed into the medium when it adhered to the medium, and oozed out of the contour portion of the image. For this reason, particularly when a text image such as a character or symbol is printed, the outline of the character or symbol is not clear, which may cause problems such as difficulty in reading or poor appearance.

Therefore, conventionally, the following methods have been proposed to solve such problems.
(1) The dots adjacent to the inside of the outline of the image to be printed are thinned out (see Patent Documents 1 and 2, etc.).
(2) A dot adjacent to the inside of the outline of an image to be printed is replaced with a smaller dot (see Patent Documents 1 and 2, etc.).
(3) The dots formed on the outline of the image to be printed are thinned out (see Patent Document 2).
(4) Dots formed on the contour of an image to be printed are replaced with dots of a smaller size (see Patent Document 3).
JP 2002-103595 A JP 2002-292848 A JP 2002-2111649 A

  However, these edge processing methods have the following problems. That is, (1) the dots adjacent to the inside of the outline of the image to be printed are thinned out, or (2) the dots adjacent to the inside of the outline of the image to be printed are replaced with smaller dots. In this case, no processing is performed on the dots themselves formed on the image outline, and the dots are formed in a large size as they are, so that bleeding occurs in the image outline and the image outline becomes smooth. In some cases, it could not be formed. Also, (3) The same applies to the case where dots formed on the outline of the image to be printed are thinned out. Although the dots formed on the outline of the image are thinned out, the size remains large. For this reason, there are cases where bleeding occurs in the contour of the image and the contour of the image cannot be formed smoothly.

  On the other hand, (4) when dots formed on the contour of an image to be printed are replaced with dots of a smaller size, bleeding due to dots formed on the contour of the printed image can be prevented. However, in some cases, it is not possible to absorb the bleeding that occurs due to the dots formed adjacent to the inside of the contour. In such a case, the ink oozes out from the contour of the image, resulting in the contour of the image. May not be formed smoothly.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to prevent bleeding from appearing in the contour of an image to be printed and form the contour of the image smoothly.

A main invention for achieving the object includes a printing unit that forms dots on a medium and prints an image, and the printing unit is capable of forming two or more different sizes of dots as the dots. In
When printing the image, replace the dots to be formed on the outermost outline of the image with dots of a smaller size,
The printing apparatus is characterized in that dots to be formed along the inside of the outermost contour are replaced with dots of a smaller size.
Other features of the present invention will become apparent from the description of the present specification and the accompanying drawings.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the bleeding in the outline of the image printed can be prevented and the outline of an image can be formed smoothly.

=== Summary of disclosure ===
At least the following matters will become apparent from the description of the present specification and the accompanying drawings.

In a printing apparatus that includes a printing unit that forms dots on a medium and prints an image, and the printing unit is capable of forming two or more different sizes of dots as the dots.
When printing the image, replace the dots to be formed on the outermost outline of the image with dots of a smaller size,
A printing apparatus, wherein dots to be formed along the inside of the outermost contour are replaced with dots of a smaller size.
In such a printing apparatus, the outline of the image to be printed can be smoothly formed by replacing the dots to be formed in the outermost outline of the image to be printed with dots of a smaller size. . Furthermore, by replacing the dots to be formed along the inside of the outermost outline with dots of a smaller size, it is possible to sufficiently prevent bleeding in the contour of the image. For these reasons, the contour of the image to be printed can be formed sufficiently smoothly.

  In such a printing apparatus, the size of the dots after replacement may be different between the dots to be formed on the outermost outline of the image and the dots to be formed along the inner side of the outermost outline. Thus, if the dot sizes are different, it is possible to further prevent bleeding from appearing in the contour of the image.

  Further, in such a printing apparatus, the dots to be formed in the outermost outline of the image may have a smaller dot size after replacement than the dots to be formed along the innermost side of the outermost outline. . Thus, if the dot size is small, it is possible to further prevent bleeding in the contour of the image.

  Further, in such a printing apparatus, the dot size formed by replacing the dots to be formed on the outermost outline of the image is the smallest of the dot sizes that can be formed by the printing unit. May be. Thus, if it forms in the minimum size, the bleeding in the outline of an image can be prevented further.

  Further, in such a printing apparatus, the dots to be formed along the inside of the region where the dots are formed along the inside of the outermost contour may be replaced with dots of a smaller size. By replacing the dots with smaller size dots in this way, it is possible to further prevent bleeding in the contour of the image.

  In such a printing apparatus, the dots to be formed along the inside of the region where the dots are formed along the inside of the outermost contour may be thinned out along the inside of the region. In this way, the dots formed along the inner side of the region where the smaller-sized dots are formed are thinned out, so that the bleeding in the outline of the image can be further prevented.

Further, in such a printing apparatus, the printing unit is provided in a head that is movable relative to the medium, and performs printing on the medium when the head moves.
Of the dots formed by thinning along the inside of the region, the thinning amount may be different between the dots formed side by side along the moving direction of the head and the other dots.

  In this way, the amount of thinning out can further prevent bleeding in the contour of the image.

  In such a printing apparatus, the image may be a text image. Thus, when a text image is printed, it is possible to suitably prevent bleeding at the contour of the image.

  In such a printing apparatus, the printing unit may print an image by forming dots by ejecting ink toward a medium. In this way, when ink is ejected to form dots, it is possible to suitably prevent bleeding in the contour of the image.

In a printing apparatus that includes a printing unit that forms dots on a medium and prints an image, and the printing unit is capable of forming two or more different sizes of dots as the dots.
When printing the image, replace the dots to be formed on the outermost outline of the image with dots of a smaller size,
The printing apparatus is characterized in that dots to be formed inside the outermost outline are formed by thinning out the dots along the inner side of the outermost outline.
In such a printing apparatus, the outline of the image to be printed can be smoothly formed by replacing the dots to be formed in the outermost outline of the image to be printed with dots of a smaller size. . Furthermore, by extruding dots to be formed along the inside of the outermost outline, it is possible to sufficiently prevent bleeding at the contour of the image. For these reasons, the contour of the image to be printed can be formed sufficiently smoothly.

  In such a printing apparatus, the dot size of the smaller size formed by replacing the dots to be formed on the outermost outline is the smallest of the dot sizes that can be formed by the printing unit. There may be. Thus, if it forms in the minimum size, the bleeding in the outline of an image can be prevented further.

  Further, in such a printing apparatus, the dots to be formed by thinning out along the inner side of the outermost contour may be replaced with dots of a smaller size. By replacing the dots with smaller size dots in this way, it is possible to further prevent bleeding in the contour of the image.

Further, in such a printing apparatus, the printing unit is provided in a head that is movable relative to the medium, and performs printing on the medium when the head moves.
Of the dots formed by thinning along the innermost side of the outermost contour, the thinning amount may differ between the dots formed side by side along the moving direction of the head and the other dots.
In this way, the amount of thinning out can further prevent bleeding in the contour of the image.

  In such a printing apparatus, the image may be a text image. Thus, when a text image is printed, it is possible to suitably prevent bleeding at the contour of the image.

  In such a printing apparatus, the printing unit may print an image by forming dots by ejecting ink toward a medium. In this way, when ink is ejected to form dots, it is possible to suitably prevent bleeding in the contour of the image.

In a printing apparatus that includes a printing unit that forms dots on a medium and prints an image, and the printing unit is capable of forming two or more different sizes of dots as the dots.
When printing the image, replace the dots to be formed on the outermost outline of the image with dots of a smaller size,
Replacing the dots to be formed along the inside of the outermost shell with dots of a smaller size,
The dot to be formed in the outermost outline of the image has a smaller dot size after replacement than the dot to be formed along the inner side of the outermost outline.
The size of the dots formed by replacing the dots to be formed in the outermost outline of the image is the smallest size of the dots that can be formed by the printing unit,
Replacing the dots to be formed along the inside of the area where the dots are formed by being replaced with the smaller size dots, and forming with the smaller size dots,
Forming dots to be formed along the inside of the region where dots are formed along the inside of the outermost outline, and decimating along the inside of the region;
The printing unit is provided in a head movable relative to the medium, and performs printing on the medium when the head moves.
Among the dots formed by thinning out along the inner side of the region, the direction of the dots formed side by side along the moving direction of the head is another side formed along the direction other than the moving direction. The thinning amount is larger than the dots,
The image is a text image;
The printing unit prints an image by forming dots by ejecting ink toward a medium.

In a printing apparatus that includes a printing unit that forms dots on a medium and prints an image, and the printing unit is capable of forming two or more different sizes of dots as the dots.
When printing the image, replace the dots to be formed on the outermost outline of the image with dots of a smaller size,
Forming dots to be formed on the inside of the outermost outline along the inner side of the outermost outline;
The size of the smaller size dot formed by replacing the dots to be formed on the outermost outline is the smallest size of dots that can be formed by the printing unit,
Replacing the dots formed by thinning along the inside of the outermost shell with dots of a smaller size,
The printing unit is provided in a head movable relative to the medium, and performs printing on the medium when the head moves.
Of the dots formed by thinning along the innermost side of the outermost outline, the dots formed side by side along the moving direction of the head are formed side by side along other directions other than the moving direction. The thinning amount is larger than the dots
The image is a text image;
The printing unit prints an image by forming dots by ejecting ink toward a medium.

In a printing control device that includes a printing unit that forms dots on a medium and prints an image, and the printing unit controls a printing device that can form two or more different sizes of dots as the dots.
When printing the image by the printing device, the dots to be formed on the outermost outline of the image are replaced with dots of a smaller size,
A printing control apparatus, wherein dots to be formed along the inside of the outermost outline are replaced with dots of a smaller size.

In a printing control device that includes a printing unit that forms dots on a medium and prints an image, and the printing unit controls a printing device that can form two or more different sizes of dots as the dots.
When printing the image by the printing device, the dots to be formed on the outermost outline of the image are replaced with dots of a smaller size,
The printing control apparatus, wherein dots to be formed inside the outermost outline are formed by thinning out along the inner side of the outermost outline.

In a printing method for printing an image by forming two or more different size dots on a medium,
When printing the image, replace the dots to be formed on the outermost outline of the image with dots of a smaller size,
A printing method characterized in that dots to be formed along the inside of the outermost contour are replaced with dots of a smaller size.

In a printing method for printing an image by forming two or more different size dots on a medium,
When printing the image, replace the dots to be formed on the outermost outline of the image with dots of a smaller size,
A printing method comprising: forming dots to be formed inside the outermost outline by thinning out the dots along the inner side of the outermost outline.

A program that is provided in a printing apparatus that includes a printing unit that forms dots on a medium and prints an image, and the printing unit is capable of forming two or more different types of dots as the dots,
Replacing the dots to be formed on the outermost outline of the image with dots of a smaller size when printing the image; and
And a step of replacing the dots to be formed along the inside of the outermost outline with dots of a smaller size.

Comprising a printing unit that forms dots on a medium and prints an image, and the printing unit is a program that is executed in a printing apparatus capable of forming two or more different sizes of dots as the dots,
Replacing the dots to be formed on the outermost outline of the image with dots of a smaller size when printing the image; and
And a step of thinning out dots to be formed inside the outermost outline along the inner side of the outermost outline.

=== Overview of Printing Apparatus ===
As an embodiment of a printing apparatus according to the present invention, an outline of a printing system including a printer main body 1 and a computer apparatus 1100 will be described as an example.

  FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an external configuration of an example of the printing system. The printing system 1000 includes a printer main body 1 and a computer apparatus (corresponding to a printing control apparatus according to the present invention) 1100. The computer device 1100 includes a display device 1200, an input device 1300, and a recording / reproducing device 1400. Here, the printer main body 1 is constituted by an ink jet printer, and performs printing by ejecting ink toward various media such as paper, cloth, and film.

  The computer apparatus 1100 and the printer main body 1 are connected to each other so as to be able to perform data communication by wired or wireless such as a cable. The computer apparatus 1100 generates print data of an image to be printed by the printer main body 1 and outputs the print data to the printer 1. The display device 1200 includes a display 1201 and displays a user interface such as an application program or a printer driver. The input device 1300 includes, for example, a keyboard 1300A and a mouse 1300B, and is used for application program operations, printer driver settings, and the like along a user interface displayed on the display device 1200. The recording / reproducing apparatus 1400 includes, for example, a flexible disk drive apparatus 1400A and a CD-ROM drive apparatus 1400B.

  A printer driver (not shown) is installed in the computer device 1100. This printer driver is a program for realizing a function of displaying a user interface on the display device 1200 and a function of converting image data output from an application program into print data. The printer driver is stored and distributed in various storage media (computer-readable recording media and the like) such as a flexible disk FD and a CD-ROM, or distributed through various communication means such as the Internet.

=== Printer driver ===
<About the printer driver>
FIG. 2 is a schematic explanatory diagram of basic processing performed by the printer driver. The components already described are given the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

  In the computer 1100, computer programs such as a video driver 1102, an application program 1104, and a printer driver 1110 are operating under an operating system installed in the computer. The video driver 1102 has a function of displaying, for example, a user interface on the display device 1200 in accordance with a display command from the application program 1104 or the printer driver 1110. The application program 1104 has a function of performing image editing, for example, and creates data (image data) related to an image. The user can give an instruction to print an image edited by the application program 1104 via the user interface of the application program 1104. Upon receiving a print instruction, the application program 1104 outputs image data to the printer driver 1110.

  The printer driver 1110 receives image data from the application program 1104, converts the image data into print data, and outputs the print data to the printer 1. Here, the print data is data in a format that can be interpreted by the printer 1, and is data having various command data and pixel data. The command data is data for instructing the printer 1 to execute a specific operation. The pixel data is data relating to pixels constituting an image to be printed (printed image). For example, data relating to dots (color and size of dots) formed at positions on the medium S corresponding to a certain pixel. Etc.).

  The printer driver 1110 includes a resolution conversion processing unit 1112, a color conversion processing unit 1114, a halftone processing unit 1116, and a rasterization processing unit 1118 in order to convert image data output from the application program 1104 into print data. I have. Hereinafter, various processes performed by the processing units 1112, 1114, 1116, and 1118 of the printer driver 1110 will be described.

  The resolution conversion processing unit 1112 performs resolution conversion processing for converting image data (text data, image data, etc.) output from the application program 1104 into a resolution for printing on the medium S. In the resolution conversion process, for example, when the resolution when printing an image on paper is specified as 720 × 720 dpi, the image data received from the application program 1104 is converted into image data having a resolution of 720 × 720 dpi. Note that the image data after the resolution conversion process is multi-gradation (for example, 256 gradations) RGB data represented by an RGB color space. Hereinafter, RGB data obtained by performing resolution conversion processing on image data is referred to as RGB image data.

  The color conversion processing unit 1114 performs color conversion processing for converting RGB data into CMYK data represented by a CMYK color space. The CMYK data is data corresponding to the ink color of the printer 1. This color conversion processing is performed by the printer driver 1110 referring to a table (color conversion lookup table LUT) in which the gradation values of RGB image data and the gradation values of CMYK image data are associated with each other. Through this color conversion process, RGB data for each pixel is converted into CMYK data corresponding to the ink color. The data after the color conversion processing is CMYK data with 256 gradations represented by the CMYK color space. Hereinafter, CMYK data obtained by performing color conversion processing on RGB image data is referred to as CMYK image data.

  The halftone processing unit 1116 performs a halftone process for converting high gradation number data into gradation number data that can be formed by the printer 1. The halftone processing is, for example, processing for converting data indicating 256 gradations into 1-bit data indicating 2 gradations or 2-bit data indicating 4 gradations. In this halftone process, pixel data is created using a dither method, γ correction, error diffusion method, or the like so that the printer 1 can form dots in a dispersed manner. When halftone processing is performed, the halftone processing unit 1116 refers to the dither table when performing the dither method, refers to the gamma table when performing γ correction, and is diffused when performing the error diffusion method. Reference is made to an error memory for storing errors. The data subjected to the halftone process has a resolution (for example, 720 × 720 dpi) equivalent to the RGB data described above. The halftoned data is composed of 1-bit or 2-bit data for each pixel, for example. Hereinafter, of the halftone processed data, 1-bit data is referred to as binary data, and 2-bit data is referred to as multi-value data.

  A rasterization processing unit 1118 performs processing for changing matrix image data in the order of data to be transferred to the printer 1. Thus, the rasterized data is output to the printer 1 as pixel data included in the print data.

<About printer driver settings>
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a user interface of the printer driver 1110. The user interface of the printer driver 1110 is displayed on the display device via the video driver 1102. A user can make various settings of the printer driver 1110 using the input device 1300.

  The user can select a print mode from this screen. For example, the user can select the high-speed print mode or the fine print mode as the print mode. Then, the printer driver 1110 converts the image data into print data so as to have a format corresponding to the selected print mode.

  Further, the user can select the printing resolution (dot interval when printing) from this screen. For example, the user can select 720 dpi or 360 dpi as the print resolution from this screen. The printer driver 1110 performs resolution conversion processing according to the selected resolution, and converts the image data into print data.

  Further, the user can select a printing paper (medium) used for printing from this screen. For example, the user can select plain paper or glossy paper as the printing paper. If the paper type (paper type) is different, the ink bleeding and drying methods are also different, so the ink amount suitable for printing also differs. Therefore, the printer driver 1110 converts the image data into print data according to the selected paper type.

  As described above, the printer driver 1110 converts image data into print data in accordance with conditions set via the user interface. The user can make various settings of the printer driver 1110 from this screen, and can also know the remaining amount of ink in the cartridge.

=== Configuration of Printer Main Body 1 ===
FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the overall configuration of the printer main body 1 of the present embodiment. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the internal configuration of the printer main body 1 of the present embodiment. FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the internal configuration of the printer main body 1 of the present embodiment. Hereinafter, a basic configuration of the printer main body 1 of the present embodiment will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the printer main body 1 of the present embodiment includes a transport unit 20, a carriage unit 30, a head unit 40, a sensor 50, and a controller 60. The printer 1 that has received the print data from the computer 1100 as an external device controls each unit (conveyance unit 20, carriage unit 30, head unit 40) by the controller 60. The controller 60 controls each unit based on the print data received from the computer 1100 and forms an image on the medium S. The situation in the printer 1 is monitored by a sensor 50, and the sensor 50 outputs a detection result to the controller 60. The controller 60 that has received the detection result from the sensor 50 controls the units 20, 30, and 40 based on the detection result.

  The transport unit 20 is for feeding a medium (for example, paper) S to a printable position and transporting the medium S by a predetermined transport amount in a predetermined direction (hereinafter referred to as a transport direction) during printing. That is, the transport unit 20 functions as a transport mechanism (transport means) that transports the medium S. As shown in FIG. 6, the transport unit 20 includes a paper feed roller 21, a transport motor 22 (also referred to as a PF motor), a transport roller 23, a platen 24, and a paper discharge roller 25. However, in order for the transport unit 20 to function as a transport mechanism, all of these components are not necessarily required. The paper feed roller 21 is a roller for automatically feeding the medium S inserted into the paper insertion slot into the printer 1. The paper feed roller 21 has a D-shaped cross-sectional shape, and the length of the circumferential portion is set to be longer than the transport distance to the transport roller 23, so the medium S is transported using this circumferential portion. It can be conveyed to the roller 23. The transport motor 22 is a motor for transporting the medium S in the transport direction, and is configured by a DC motor. The transport roller 23 is a roller that transports the medium S fed by the paper feed roller 21 to a printable area, and is driven by the transport motor 22. The platen 24 supports the medium S being printed. The paper discharge roller 25 is a roller for discharging the medium S on which printing has been completed to the outside of the printer 1. The paper discharge roller 25 rotates in synchronization with the transport roller 23.

  The carriage unit 30 is for moving (scanning) the head 41 in a predetermined direction (hereinafter referred to as a scanning direction). As illustrated in FIG. 5, the carriage unit 30 includes a carriage 31 and a carriage motor 32 (also referred to as a CR motor). The carriage 31 can reciprocate in the scanning direction. (Thus, the head moves along the scanning direction.) Further, the carriage 31 detachably holds an ink cartridge 90 that stores ink. The carriage motor 32 is a motor for moving the carriage 31 in the scanning direction, and is constituted by a DC motor.

  The head unit 40 is for ejecting ink onto the medium S. The head unit 40 has a head 41. The head 41 has a plurality of nozzles as the color ink discharge portion of the present invention, and discharges ink intermittently from each nozzle. The head 41 is provided on the carriage 31. Therefore, when the carriage 31 moves in the scanning direction, the head 41 also moves in the scanning direction. Then, dot lines (raster lines) along the scanning direction are formed on the medium S by intermittently ejecting ink while the head 41 is moving in the scanning direction.

  The sensor 50 includes a linear encoder 51 (see FIG. 5), a rotary encoder 52 (see FIG. 6), a paper detection sensor 53 (see FIG. 6), a paper width sensor 54 (see FIG. 6), and the like. The linear encoder 51 is for detecting the position of the carriage 31 in the scanning direction. The rotary encoder 52 is for detecting the rotation amount of the transport roller 23. The paper detection sensor 53 is for detecting the position of the leading edge of the medium S to be printed. The paper detection sensor 53 is provided at a position where the leading edge of the medium S can be detected while the paper supply roller 21 is feeding the medium S toward the transport roller 23. The paper detection sensor 53 is a mechanical sensor that detects the leading edge of the medium S by a mechanical mechanism. More specifically, the paper detection sensor 53 has a lever that can rotate in the paper transport direction, and this lever is disposed so as to protrude into the transport path of the medium S. Therefore, the leading edge of the medium S comes into contact with the lever, and the lever is rotated. Therefore, the paper detection sensor 53 detects the position of the leading edge of the medium S by detecting the movement of the lever. The paper width sensor 54 is attached to the carriage 31. The paper width sensor 54 is an optical sensor, and detects the presence or absence of the medium S by the light receiving unit detecting the reflected light of the light irradiated to the medium S from the light emitting unit. The paper width sensor 54 detects the position of the end of the medium S while moving by the carriage 41 and detects the width of the medium S. The paper width sensor 54 can also detect the leading edge of the medium S depending on the situation. Since the paper width sensor 54 is an optical sensor, the position detection accuracy is higher than that of the paper detection sensor 53.

  The controller 60 is a control unit (control means) for controlling the printer 1. The controller 60 includes an interface unit 61, a CPU 62, a memory 63, and a unit control circuit 64. The interface unit 61 is for transmitting and receiving data between the computer 1100 as an external device and the printer 1. The CPU 62 is an arithmetic processing unit for controlling the entire printer 1. The memory 63 is for securing an area for storing the program of the CPU 62, a work area, and the like, and has storage means such as a RAM and an EEPROM. The CPU 62 controls each unit via the unit control circuit 64 in accordance with a program stored in the memory 63.

=== Head 41 ===
<About the configuration of the head>
FIG. 7 shows the arrangement of nozzles on the lower surface of the head 41. As shown in the drawing, a plurality of color ink nozzle groups 411Y, 411M, 411C, and 411K are provided on the lower surface of the head 41. In this embodiment, the yellow ink nozzle group 411Y, the magenta ink nozzle group 411M, and the cyan ink nozzle for each color ink, that is, yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K), respectively. A group 411C and a black ink nozzle group 411K are provided. Each of the nozzle groups 411Y, 411M, 411C, and 411K includes a plurality of nozzles # 1 to # 180 (180 in this embodiment) that are ejection openings for ejecting ink of each color.

  The plurality of nozzles # 1 to # 180 of each of the nozzle groups 411Y, 411M, 411C, and 411K are aligned at regular intervals (nozzle pitch: k · D) along the transport direction. Here, D is the minimum dot pitch in the carrying direction (that is, the interval at the highest resolution of dots formed on the paper S). K is an integer of 1 or more. For example, when the nozzle pitch is 180 dpi (1/180 inch) and the dot pitch in the transport direction is 720 dpi (1/720), k = 4.

  The nozzles # 1 to # 180 of the nozzle groups 411Y, 411M, 411C, and 411K are assigned lower numbers as the nozzles on the downstream side (# 1 to # 180). That is, the nozzle # 1 is located downstream of the nozzle # 180 in the transport direction. Further, the paper width sensor 54 is located at substantially the same position as the nozzle # 180 on the most upstream side with respect to the position in the paper transport direction. Each of the nozzles # 1 to # 180 is provided with a piezo element (not shown) as a drive element for driving the nozzles # 1 to # 180 to discharge ink.

<About driving the head>
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of the drive circuit of the head unit 40. This drive circuit is provided in the above-described unit control circuit 64, and includes an original drive signal generation unit 64A and a drive signal shaping unit 64B, as shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, such drive circuits for the nozzles # 1 to # 180 are provided for each color ink and clear ink nozzle group, that is, the yellow ink nozzle group 411Y, the magenta ink nozzle group 411M, the cyan ink nozzle group 411C, It is provided for each black ink nozzle group 411K, and the piezo elements are individually driven for each nozzle group 411Y, 411M, 411C, 411K. In the figure, the numbers in parentheses at the end of each signal name indicate the number of the nozzle to which the signal is supplied.

  When a voltage having a predetermined time width is applied between the electrodes provided at both ends of the piezoelectric element, the piezoelectric element expands according to the voltage application time and deforms the side wall of the ink flow path. As a result, the volume of the ink flow path contracts in accordance with the expansion and contraction of the piezo element, and the ink amount corresponding to the contraction is discharged from the nozzles # 1 to # 180 of each color as ink.

The original drive signal generator 64A generates an original signal ODRV that is used in common by the nozzles # 1 to # 180. This original signal ODRV is a signal including a plurality of pulses within the main scanning period for one pixel (within the time during which the carriage 31 crosses the interval of one pixel).
The drive signal shaping unit 64B receives the original signal ODRV from the original signal generation unit 64A and the print signal PRT (i). The drive signal shaping unit 64B shapes the original signal ODRV according to the level of the print signal PRT (i), and outputs it as the drive signal DRV (i) toward the piezoelectric elements of the nozzles # 1 to # 180. The piezoelectric elements of the nozzles # 1 to # 180 are driven based on the drive signal DRV from the drive signal shaping unit 64B.

<About the head drive signal>
FIG. 9 is a timing chart for explaining each signal. In other words, the timing chart of each signal of the original signal ODRV, the print signal PRT (i), and the drive signal DRV (i) is shown in FIG.

  The original signal ODRV is a signal that is commonly supplied from the original signal generator 64A to the nozzles # 1 to # 180. In the present embodiment, the original signal ODRV includes two pulses of a first pulse W1 and a second pulse W2 within a main scanning period for one pixel (within a time during which the carriage crosses the interval of one pixel). The original signal ODRV is output from the original signal generator 64A to the drive signal shaping unit 64B.

  The print signal PRT is a signal corresponding to pixel data assigned to one pixel. That is, the print signal PRT is a signal corresponding to the pixel data included in the print data. In the present embodiment, the print signal PRT (i) is a signal having 2-bit information for one pixel. Note that the drive signal shaping unit 64B shapes the original signal ODRV according to the signal level of the print signal PRT and outputs the drive signal DRV.

  The drive signal DRV is a signal obtained by blocking the original signal ODRV according to the level of the print signal PRT. That is, that is, when the print signal PRT is 1 level, the drive signal shaping unit 64B passes the corresponding pulse of the original signal ODRV as it is to obtain the drive signal DRV. On the other hand, when the print signal PRT is 0 level, the drive signal shaping unit 64B blocks the pulse of the original signal ODRV. The drive signal shaping unit 64B outputs the drive signal DRV to the piezo element provided for each nozzle. The piezo element is driven according to the drive signal DRV.

  When the print signal PRT (i) corresponds to the 2-bit data “01”, only the first pulse W1 is output in the first half of one pixel section. As a result, small ink droplets (hereinafter also referred to as small ink droplets) are ejected from the nozzles, and small dots (small dots) are formed on the paper. When the print signal PRT (i) corresponds to the 2-bit data “10”, only the second pulse W2 is output in the latter half of one pixel section. As a result, medium-sized ink droplets (hereinafter also referred to as medium ink droplets) are ejected from the nozzles, and medium-sized dots (medium dots) are formed on the paper. When the print signal PRT (i) corresponds to the 2-bit data “11”, the first pulse W1 and the second pulse W2 are output in one pixel section. Thereby, a large ink droplet is ejected from the nozzle, and a large dot (large dot) is formed on the paper. When the print signal PRT (i) corresponds to the 2-bit data “00”, neither the first pulse W1 nor the second pulse W2 is output in one pixel section. As a result, no ink droplets of any size are ejected from the nozzles, and no dots are formed on the paper.

  As described above, the drive signal DRV (i) in one pixel section is shaped to have four different waveforms according to four different values of the print signal PRT (i).

=== Print processing ===
<Printer driver processing>
FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the printing method of the present embodiment. Various operations described below are performed by the printer driver 1110.

  First, the printer driver 1110 receives a print command from the application program (S102). This print command is issued when the user commands printing on the application. This print command includes, for example, image data edited on an application.

  Next, the printer driver 1110 converts the image data included in the print command into RGB image data having a resolution of 720 dpi × 720 dpi (S104: resolution conversion process). As will be described later, in this embodiment, the printer performs printing at a resolution of 360 dpi × 720 dpi. In this resolution conversion process, the printer driver 1110 prints the resolution of the image data received from the application program on paper. The image data is converted into RGB image data having a resolution higher than the original resolution.

  Next, the printer driver 1110 converts RGB image data into CMYK image data (S106: color conversion process). In this embodiment, since the RGB image data has a resolution of 720 dpi (horizontal) × 720 dpi (vertical), the CMYK image data after the color conversion processing also has a resolution of 720 dpi (horizontal) × 720 dpi (vertical). Note that the CMYK image data after color conversion processing in this embodiment is CMYK data of 256 gradations.

  Next, the printer driver 1110 converts the CMYK image data of 256 gradations into multi-value data with a resolution of 720 dpi (horizontal) × 720 dpi (vertical) (S108: halftone processing). In the present embodiment, the halftoned data is multi-value data in which 2-bit data is assigned to each pixel. That is, in this multi-value data, multi-value data of “00”, “01”, “10” or “11” is assigned to each pixel, and a dot assigned to a pixel to which “00” is assigned. Are formed, small dots are formed in pixels assigned “01”, medium dots are formed in pixels assigned “10”, and large dots are formed in pixels assigned “11”. It is formed.

  The generated 2-bit data (multi-value data) is then sent to the rasterization processing unit 1118 and rasterized (step S110). The rasterization processing unit 1118 performs processing (rasterization processing) for changing the generated multi-value data in the order of data to be transferred to the printer body 1. Then, the rasterization processing unit 1118 outputs the created print data to the printer 1 (S112).

<Operation of Printer Main Body 1>
The printer main body 1 executes print processing when print data is sent from the computer apparatus 1100. FIG. 11 is a processing flow of the printer main body 1 at this time. Each process described below is executed by the controller 60 controlling each unit in accordance with a program stored in the memory 63. This program has a code for executing each process.

  Print Command Reception (S202): The controller 60 receives a print command from the computer apparatus 1100 via the interface unit 61. This print command is included in the header of print data transmitted from the computer 1100. Then, the controller 60 analyzes the contents of various commands included in the received print data, and performs the following paper feed processing, transport processing, ink ejection processing, and the like using each unit.

  Paper feed process (S204): First, the controller 60 performs a paper feed process. The paper feed process is a process of supplying paper to be printed into the printer 1 and positioning the paper at a print start position (also referred to as a cue position). The controller 60 rotates the paper feed roller 21 and sends the paper to be printed to the transport roller 23. The controller 60 rotates the transport roller 23 to position the paper fed from the paper feed roller 21 at the print start position. When the paper is positioned at the print start position, at least some of the nozzles of the head 41 are opposed to the paper.

  Dot Formation Processing (S206): Next, the controller 60 performs dot formation processing. The dot formation process is a process for forming dots on paper by intermittently ejecting ink from a head that moves in the scanning direction. The controller 60 drives the carriage motor 32 to move the carriage 31 in the scanning direction. Then, the controller 60 ejects ink from the head based on the print data while the carriage 31 is moving. When ink droplets ejected from the head land on the paper, dots are formed on the paper.

  Transport Process (S208): Next, the controller 60 performs a transport process. The conveyance process is a process of moving the paper relative to the head along the conveyance direction. The controller 60 drives the carry motor and rotates the carry roller to carry the paper in the carrying direction. By this carrying process, the head 41 can form dots at positions different from the positions of the dots formed by the previous dot formation process.

  Paper discharge determination (S210): Next, the controller 60 determines whether or not to discharge the paper being printed. If there is still data to be printed on the paper being printed, no paper is discharged. Then, the controller 60 alternately repeats the dot formation process and the conveyance process until there is no data to be printed, and gradually prints an image composed of dots on paper. When there is no more data for printing on the paper being printed, the controller 60 discharges the paper. The controller 60 discharges the printed paper to the outside by rotating the paper discharge roller. The determination of whether or not to discharge paper may be based on a paper discharge command included in the print data.

  Print end determination (S212): Next, the controller 60 determines whether or not to continue printing. If printing is to be performed on the next paper, printing is continued and the paper feeding process for the next paper is started. If printing is not performed on the next paper, the printing operation is terminated.

=== Edge Processing of the Present Invention ===
<Outline of edge processing>
In the printing apparatus according to the present embodiment, edge processing can be performed on a contour portion of an image to be printed. This edge process is a process of replacing dots to be formed in the outline portion of the image to be printed with dots of a smaller size, or forming by thinning out dots to be formed in the outline portion.

As conventional edge processing methods, there are the following methods (1) to (4).
(1) The dots adjacent to the inside of the contour of the image to be printed are thinned out.
(2) A dot adjacent to the inside of the contour of an image to be printed is replaced with a smaller dot.
(3) The dots formed on the outline of the image to be printed are thinned out.
(4) Dots formed on the contour of the image to be printed are replaced with dots of a smaller size.

  However, in the edge processing methods (1) to (4), there are cases where it is not possible to sufficiently prevent ink bleeding in the image outline. Further, there are cases where the bleeding of ink from the dots formed inside the contour cannot be sufficiently absorbed by the contour.

Therefore, the present invention proposes the following two edge processing methods, that is, the processing methods of types (A) and (B).
(A) The dots to be formed on the outermost outline of the image to be printed are replaced with dots of a smaller size, and the dots to be formed along the inner side of the outermost outline are replaced with dots of a smaller size.
(B) The dots to be formed on the outermost outline of the image to be printed are replaced with dots of a smaller size, and the dots to be formed on the inner side of the outermost outline are thinned out along the inner side of the outermost outline.

  In the type (A), the outline of the image to be printed can be smoothly formed by replacing the dots to be formed in the outermost outline with dots of a smaller size. Further, by replacing the dots to be formed along the inside of the outermost outline with dots of a smaller size, it is possible to sufficiently absorb ink bleeding from the inside of the outline.

  In type (B), the outline of the image to be printed can be smoothly formed by replacing the dots to be formed in the outermost outline with dots of a smaller size. Further, by forming the dots to be formed inside the outermost outline by thinning out the dots along the inner side of the outermost outline, it is possible to sufficiently absorb the bleeding of the ink from the inside of the outline.

That is, by adopting the edge processing method of these types (A) or (B), the contour of the image to be printed can be formed smoothly, and the ink can be sufficiently exuded from the inside of the contour. Can be absorbed. Thereby, the bleeding of the ink is sufficiently prevented, and the contour of the image to be printed can be smoothly formed.
Specific processing of each of these types (A) and (B) will be described in detail later.

<Target of edge processing>
In this embodiment, only text images are subject to edge processing. That is, when a text image is printed, edge processing is performed on the text image. The text image here includes, for example, an image formed based on text data composed of character codes such as ASCII codes, character codes including characters and symbols, control codes, and the like. . Here, the text data includes document data created by various word processing software such as “Microsoft Word (product name)” and “Ichitaro (product name)” or a text editor. When printing is performed based on such text data, a character code such as a character code included in the text data is imaged as a character, a symbol, or the like with reference to font information provided in advance. . The text image here means an image printed by such processing.

  As the text image of the present embodiment, in addition to such characters and symbols, for example, graphic drawing data created or edited by various CAD application software such as “Vector Works (product name)” or other application software Including graphics such as graphics formed based on In addition, the text image includes graphics and graphs created or edited by various graphic creation functions and graph creation functions such as various word processors and spreadsheet application software.

  In the present embodiment, as an image that is not a target of edge processing, for example, a natural image such as data of a photograph taken by a digital camera or the like, or various images recorded by various still image storage methods such as JEPG or bitmap are used. There is image data.

  In the above-described embodiment, only the text image is the target of the edge processing. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and an image other than the text image may be the target of the edge processing.

  A method for determining whether an image to be printed is a text image will be described in detail later.

  Hereinafter, specific embodiments of edge processing performed in the printing apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described in detail.

=== Example of Edge Processing <First Embodiment: Type (A)> ===
FIG. 12 shows an example of a dot formation state of an image before edge processing. FIG. 13 shows an example of the dot formation state of the image after the edge processing of the first embodiment according to this embodiment is performed. Here, a case where the character “T” is printed will be described as an example.

  Before the edge processing is performed, for example, as shown in FIG. 12, the image of the letter “T” is configured such that only large-sized dots (large dots) are aggregated to form one image. . On the other hand, after the edge processing of the present embodiment is performed, as shown in FIG. 13, the image of the letter “T” is configured such that large-sized dots (large dots) gather to form an image. However, the outline portion of the image is formed by replacing a large size dot (large dot) with a smaller size dot (medium dot and small dot in this case). In the present embodiment, the dots formed in the outermost outline of the image outline are replaced with small-sized dots (small dots), and the dots formed along the inner side of the outermost outline are medium. It is formed by replacing it with a dot of a size (medium dot). The replacement of the large size dot with the smaller size dot is performed over the entire outline of the character image “T”. The small size dot (small dot) is the smallest size dot among the dots that can be formed by the printing apparatus according to the present embodiment, that is, the smallest size dot.

  14A and 14B are enlarged views of the outline of the image before the edge processing shown in FIG. 12 is performed. FIGS. 15A and 15B are enlarged views of the outline of the image after the edge processing shown in FIG. 13 is performed. 14A and 15A show a dot formation state in the contour portion, and FIGS. 14B and 15B show a part of image data corresponding to the contour portion.

  It should be noted that any one of “00”, “01”, “10”, or “11” is assigned to each pixel of the image data shown in FIGS. 14B and 15B. Data (pixel data) corresponding to each pixel is information indicating the color (gradation) of the pixel. In the present embodiment, when the pixel data is “00”, no dot is formed at a position on the medium corresponding to the pixel. When the pixel data is “01”, a small dot is formed at a position on the medium corresponding to the pixel. When the pixel data is “10”, a medium dot is formed at a position on the medium corresponding to the pixel. When the pixel data is “11”, a large dot is formed at a position on the medium corresponding to the pixel. The same applies to other embodiments below.

  Before the edge processing is performed, as shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B, the outline portion of the image is not subjected to any processing and remains a large size dot (large dot “11”). Yes. For this reason, when ink is ejected to the contour portion of the image to form dots, the ink that has been ejected blurs and protrudes from the contour portion of the image, and the contour of the image to be printed may not be smoothly formed.

  On the other hand, when edge processing is performed, as shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B, dots (area ED1 in the drawing) formed in the outermost outline of the image are small-sized dots (small dots; “01”). ), And the dots (in the drawing, the region ED2) formed inside the outermost outline are replaced with medium-sized dots (medium dots; “10”). Note that the dots formed further inside the dots formed by replacement with the medium dots are not subjected to replacement processing, and remain as large size dots (large dots; “11”).

  In this way, the dots formed in the outermost contour of the image are formed as small dots, and the dots formed inside the outermost contour are formed as medium dots, thereby reducing the amount of ink that is driven into the contour portion of the image. can do. Here, when the amount of ink applied is 4.5 [ng] for small dots, 7.5 [ng] for medium dots, and 14.5 [ng] for large dots, The average ink deposition amount per pixel in the outline (area ED1, small dot formation) is 4.5 [ng], and the average ink ejection amount per pixel in the inside (area ED2, medium dot formation) is 7.5 [ng]. ng], which is a significant reduction compared to the average ink deposition amount of 14.5 [ng] in the inner area (large dot formation).

As a result, it is possible to reduce the amount of ink to be ejected at the contour portion of the image and to suppress the bleeding of the ink. Therefore, the ink can be prevented from protruding from the contour of the image, and the contour can be made smooth.
In particular, in the present embodiment, in addition to the dots formed on the outermost outline of the image, the dots formed on the inner side of the outermost outline also correspond to dots having a size smaller than a large dot (“11”), in this case, medium. Since it is formed by replacing with dots (“10”), it is possible to sufficiently absorb the bleeding of the ink that has been driven inside the outermost outline of the image, and sufficiently prevent the ink from protruding from the outline. Can do.

=== Example of Edge Processing <Second Embodiment: Type (A)> ===
FIG. 16 shows an example of the dot formation state of the image when the second embodiment of the edge processing according to the present embodiment is performed. 17A and 17B are enlarged views of the contour portion of the image shown in FIG. FIG. 17A shows the dot formation state of the contour portion, and FIG. 17B shows the state of the image data of the contour portion. Here again, an image of the letter “T” will be described as an example.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 16, the dots formed in the outline portion of the image of the letter “T” are formed by replacing large dots with smaller dots. Here, in the contour portion of the image, the dots formed inside the outermost contour are formed by replacing the medium-sized dots with small-sized dots (small dots; “01”). It should be noted that the dots formed on the outermost contour are formed by being replaced with small-sized dots (small dots) as in the first embodiment. Replacement with smaller size dots is performed over the entire contour of the image.

  Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 17A and 17B, dots formed in the outermost outline of the image (area ED1 in the figure) and dots formed in the outermost outline (area ED2 in the figure) are formed. Both are formed by replacing with small size dots (small dots; “01”). It should be noted that the dots formed on the further inner side are not subjected to replacement processing, and remain as large sized dots (large dots; “11”).

  Thus, both the dots formed in the outermost outline of the image (area ED1 in the figure) and the dots formed in the outermost outline (area ED2 in the figure) are both small-sized dots (small dots). ; “01”), it is possible to reduce the amount of ink driven into the contour portion of the image as compared to the first embodiment. Here, when the ink deposition amount is 4.5 [ng] for small dots, 7.5 [ng] for medium dots, and 14.5 [ng] for large dots, the outermost area (area ED1, small In the dot formation), the average ink placement amount per pixel is 4.5 [ng], and the average ink placement amount per pixel in the inside (region ED2, small dot formation) is 4.5 [ng]. This is significantly less than the average ink deposition amount of 14.5 [ng] in the inner area (large dot formation).

  As described above, in this embodiment, since the dots formed on the outermost outline of the image and the dots formed on the inner side thereof are replaced with small dots (small dots), the amount of ink to be ejected is reduced. As a result, it is possible to suppress the bleeding of the ink and to prevent the ink from protruding from the contour of the image. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the dots formed inside the outermost outline of the image are not medium-sized dots (medium dots; “10”) but small-sized dots (small dots; “01”). By being formed by being replaced, it is possible to sufficiently absorb the bleeding of the ink inside the image, and it is possible to sufficiently prevent the ink from protruding from the outline.

=== Example of Edge Processing <Third Embodiment: Type (A)> ===
FIG. 18 shows an example of a dot formation state of an image when the second embodiment of the edge processing according to this embodiment is performed. 19A and 19B are enlarged views of the contour portion of the image shown in FIG. FIG. 19A shows a dot formation state in the contour portion, and FIG. 19B shows a state of image data in a part of the contour portion. In this case as well, an explanation will be given taking an image of the letter “T” as an example.

  Here, as shown in FIGS. 18 and 19A, as in the second embodiment (see FIG. 16), the dots formed in the outermost outline of the image of the letter “T” (part of the region ED1 in FIG. 19A) ) And dots formed inside the outermost outline (the region ED2 in FIG. 19A) are replaced with large dots and small dots (small dots). The dots formed by replacing the small-sized dots inside the dots, that is, the dots formed along the further inside of the dots formed inside the outermost outline (the portion of the region ED3 in FIG. 19A), It is formed by replacing with dots of smaller size. Here, these dots are formed by being replaced with medium-sized dots (medium dots). Note that the dots formed further inside the dots formed by replacing these small dots or medium dots are not subjected to the replacement process, and remain as large size dots (large dots; “11”).

  Assuming that the average ink placement amount per pixel in the contour portion of the image is 4.5 [ng] for small dots, 7.5 [ng] for medium dots, and 14.5 [ng] for large dots, It is 4.5 [ng] in ED1, 4.5 [ng] in region ED2, and 7.5 [ng] in region ED3.

  As described above, in this embodiment, in addition to the dots formed on the outermost contour of the image and the dots formed on the inner side, the dots formed on the inner side of the dots are replaced with smaller-sized dots. As a result, it is possible to further reduce the amount of ink to be ejected, thereby further suppressing ink bleeding. Further, it is possible to sufficiently prevent ink from bleeding from the inside.

=== Example of Edge Processing <Fourth Embodiment: Type (A)> ===
FIG. 20 shows a dot formation state of an image when the fourth embodiment of the edge processing according to this embodiment is performed. 21A and 21B are enlarged views of the contour portion of the image shown in FIG. FIG. 21A shows a dot formation state in the contour portion, and FIG. 21B shows a state of image data in the contour portion. Here again, an image of the letter “T” will be described as an example.

  Here, as shown in FIGS. 20 and 21A, as in the second embodiment (see FIG. 16), dots formed in the outline portion of the image of the letter “T” (the portion of the region ED1 in FIG. 21A). ) And dots formed on the inner side of the outermost outline (portion ED2 in FIG. 21A) are replaced with dots of small size (small dots) instead of dots of large size. The dots formed inside these dots (the region ED3 in FIG. 21A) are thinned out along the inside. Here, the dots to be formed inside the contour portion are formed by thinning out every other row along the inside. For the thinned out pixels, as shown in FIG. 21B, the data “11” corresponding to the large dot is replaced with data “00” representing the blank. Further, the dots formed on the inner side are not thinned out and remain large dots (large dots; “11”).

  The process of replacing these large size dots (large dots) with small size dots (small dots) and the process of thinning out the dots formed inside the contour along the inside are shown in FIG. As shown, it is performed over the entire outline of the image of the letter “T”.

  Assuming that the average ink placement amount per pixel in the contour portion of the image is 4.5 [ng] for small dots, 7.5 [ng] for medium dots, and 14.5 [ng] for large dots, It is 4.5 [ng] in ED1, 4.5 [ng] in region ED2, and 7.25 [ng] in region ED3.

  As described above, in this embodiment, since the dots formed on the outermost outline of the image and the dots formed on the inner side thereof are replaced with small dots (small dots), the amount of ink to be ejected is reduced. As a result, it is possible to suppress the bleeding of the ink and to prevent the ink from protruding from the contour of the image. Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the dots formed on the inner side of the dots formed on the outermost outline and the dots formed on the inner side are thinned out along the inner side, Ink bleeding in the image can be further absorbed. Thereby, it is possible to sufficiently prevent the ink from protruding from the outline.

=== Example of Edge Processing <Fifth Embodiment: Type (A)> ===
FIG. 22 shows an example of a dot formation state of an image when the fifth embodiment of the edge processing according to the present embodiment is performed. FIG. 23A and FIG. 23B are enlarged views of the contour portion of the image subjected to the edge processing shown in FIG. FIG. 23A shows a dot formation state in the contour portion, and FIG. 23B shows a state of image data in the contour portion. In this case as well, an explanation will be given taking an image of the letter “T” as an example.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 22, as in the second embodiment (see FIG. 16), dots formed in the outermost outline of the image of the letter “T” (part of the region ED1 in FIG. 23A), The dots (in the region ED2 in FIG. 23A) formed inside the outermost contour are formed by replacing the large size dots with the small size dots (small dots). Further, the dots formed inside the dots formed by replacing the small-sized dots, that is, the dots formed inside the outermost outline (the portion of the region ED3 in FIG. 23A) are the fourth. Similar to the embodiment (see FIG. 20), it is formed by being thinned out along the inside thereof. Furthermore, here, among the dots formed by thinning out (dots in the region ED3 in FIG. 23A), the dots to be formed side by side along the moving direction of the carriage 31 (here, the horizontal direction in the figure). I'm going to leave out everything. That is, here, all dots that should be formed side by side along the horizontal line portion at the top of the image of the letter “T” are omitted. The reason for omitting dots in this way will be described in detail below.

<Reason for omitting horizontal dots>
FIG. 24A shows ideal dots, and FIGS. 24B and 24C show dots that are actually formed. As shown in FIG. 24A, the ideally formed dots are preferably dots P0 that are formed in a circular shape close to a perfect circle. In practice, however, as described above with reference to FIG. 9, a large size dot (large dot) is divided into a medium size dot (medium dot) and a small size dot (small dot). It is formed by forming continuously for a very short time. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 24B, the medium-sized dot (medium dot) P1 and the small-sized dot (small dot) P2 are connected along the moving direction of the carriage 31, that is, the horizontal direction here. As a result, dots having different shapes are formed. Further, when the formed small size dot and the medium size dot (medium dot) overlap, the overlapped portion is blurred, so in practice, as shown in FIG. Dots P3 are formed in an elliptical shape.

  FIG. 25A and FIG. 25B show a state where such oval or elliptical dots P3 are arranged in a line to form a line. FIG. 25A shows the state of the dot P3 when the oval or elliptical dots P3 are arranged in a line along the vertical direction to form a vertical line. FIG. 25B shows the state of the dots P3 when the oval or elliptical dots P3 are arranged in a line along the horizontal direction to form a horizontal line.

  When vertical lines are formed, the formed oval or elliptical dots P3 are formed in close contact with each other along the vertical direction, as shown in FIG. 25A, and between adjacent dots P3. In this case, there are portions M1 that overlap each other. In the portion M1 where the dots P3 overlap, the ink oozes out in the direction indicated by the arrow Q1 in the drawing, that is, the moving direction (lateral direction) of the carriage 31. However, since the area of the portion M1 where the dots P3 arranged along the vertical direction overlap is not so large, the amount of bleeding is small.

On the other hand, when the horizontal line is formed, as shown in FIG. 25B, the formed oval or elliptical dots P3 are formed in close contact with each other along the horizontal direction, and the adjacent dots P3 are formed. A portion M2 that overlaps with each other is generated between them. Here, since the area of the overlapping portion M2 of the dots P3 arranged in the horizontal direction is very large, the amount of ink bleeding is also large. For this reason, a larger amount of ink oozes out in the direction indicated by the arrow Q2 in the drawing, that is, in the direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the carriage 31 (conveying direction, vertical direction) as compared with the case of vertical lines. . Therefore, the amount of ink oozing is greater when the dots P3 are formed side by side along the horizontal direction than when the dots P3 are formed side by side along the vertical direction. That is, for the dots P3 formed side by side along the horizontal direction (movement direction of the carriage 31), the dots P3 formed side by side along a direction other than the horizontal direction, for example, the vertical direction (conveyance direction). It is preferable to increase the thinning-out amount.
Therefore, in the present embodiment, all the dots P3 formed side by side along the movement direction of the carriage 31 are omitted in order to suppress the bleeding of the ink by arranging the dots P3 in such a horizontal direction. . That is, in the present embodiment, all dots that should be formed side by side along the inner side of the outermost outline along the horizontal line portion at the top of the image of the letter “T” are excluded from the formation target. ing.

  In the present embodiment, the average ink placement amount per pixel in the contour portion of the image is 4.5 [ng] for small dots, 7.5 [ng] for medium dots, and 14.5 [ng] for large dots. ], The region ED1 is 4.5 [ng], the region ED2 is 4.5 [ng], the horizontal direction of the region ED3 is 0 [ng], and the vertical direction of the region ED2 is 7.25 [ng]. .

=== Example of Edge Processing <Sixth Embodiment: Type (B)> ===
FIG. 26 shows a dot formation state according to the sixth embodiment of the edge processing according to the present embodiment. 27A and 27B are enlarged views of the contour portion of the image shown in FIG. FIG. 27A shows a dot formation state in the contour portion, and FIG. 27B shows a state of image data in the contour portion.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 26 and FIG. 27A, the dot (small dot; “01”) in which the dots (region ED1 in FIG. 27A) formed in the outermost contour of the image “T” are small in size. ), And dots formed inside the outermost outline (the portion of the region ED2 in FIG. 27A) are formed by thinning out along the innermost outline. Here, the dots (parts of the region ED2) formed along the inside of the outermost outline are formed by thinning out every other row along the inner side of the outermost outline. The dots remaining after thinning are formed as large-sized dots (large dots; “11”).

  For the pixels corresponding to the thinned portions, as shown in FIG. 27B, the 2-bit data “11” representing the formation of a large size dot is replaced with the 2-bit data “00” representing the blank. Further, in the present embodiment, the dots formed on the inner side are not thinned out and remain large dots (large dots; “11”).

  As described above, even when dots formed inside the outermost outline are formed by being thinned out along the innermost outline, the amount of ink applied to the contour portion of the image can be reduced, and ink bleeding can be prevented. Can be suppressed. Thereby, the outline of the image to be printed can be formed smoothly.

=== Example of Edge Processing <Seventh Embodiment: Type (B)> ===
FIG. 28 shows a dot formation state according to the seventh embodiment of the edge processing according to the present embodiment. 29A and 29B are enlarged views of the contour portion of the image shown in FIG. FIG. 29A shows a dot formation state in the contour portion, and FIG. 29B shows a state of image data in the contour portion.

Here, as shown in FIG. 28 and FIG. 29A, the dot (small dot; “01”) in which the dots (region ED1 in FIG. 29A) formed in the outermost outline of the image of the character “T” are small in size. ) And dots formed along the inside of the outermost outline (the portion of the region ED2 in FIG. 29A) are formed by thinning out along the inner side of the outermost outline. The dots (region ED2) formed in this way are replaced with medium-sized dots (medium dots). The dots formed by thinning out are formed every other dot.
For the pixels corresponding to the thinned-out portion, as shown in FIG. 29B, the 2-bit data “11” representing the formation of a large-sized dot is replaced with the 2-bit data “00” representing the blank. Further, in the present embodiment, the dots formed further inside are not thinned out and remain large dots (large dots; “11”).

  As described above, in this embodiment, in addition to the dots formed along the inside of the outermost outline, the dots formed inside the dots are further thinned out along the inside, thereby forming the maximum. It is possible to further absorb the ink that has been struck inside the outer shell, and to suppress the bleeding of the ink.

=== Example of Edge Processing <Eighth Embodiment: Type (B)> ===
FIG. 30 shows a dot formation state according to the eighth embodiment of the edge processing according to the present embodiment. 31A and 31B are enlarged views of the contour portion of the image shown in FIG. FIG. 31A shows a dot formation state in the contour portion, and FIG. 31B shows a state of image data in the contour portion.

Here, as shown in FIGS. 30 and 31A, a dot (small dot; “01”) in which the dots (the portion of the region ED1 in FIG. 31A) formed in the outermost outline of the character image “T” are small. ), And dots formed inside the outermost contour (in the region ED2 in FIG. 31A) are formed by thinning out along the innermost contour, and further inside the outermost contour. The dots formed along the inner side of the dots formed by thinning out (the region ED3 in FIG. 31A) are also formed by thinning out. In other words, in this embodiment, the dots formed along the innermost side of the outermost outline are formed by thinning out two rows (the areas ED2 and ED3) along the innermost side of the outermost outline.
For the pixel corresponding to the thinned portion, as shown in FIG. 31B, the 2-bit data “11” representing the formation of a large-sized dot is replaced with the 2-bit data “00” representing the blank.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the dots formed on the inner side of the outermost outline are replaced with the medium dots, so that the ink oozing from the inner side of the image can be further absorbed, and the ink The effect of preventing bleeding increases.

=== Example of Edge Processing <Ninth Embodiment: Type (B)> ===
FIG. 32 shows a dot formation state according to the ninth embodiment of the edge processing according to the present embodiment. 33A and 33B are enlarged views of the contour portion of the image shown in FIG. FIG. 33A shows a dot formation state in the contour portion, and FIG. 33B shows a state of image data in the contour portion.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 32 and FIG. 33A, the dot (small dot; “01”) in which the dot (the portion of the region ED1 in FIG. 33A) formed in the outermost outline of the image of the letter “T” is small. ). Further, the dots formed along the innermost side of the outermost outline (the portion of the region ED2 in FIG. 33A) should be formed side by side along the moving direction of the carriage 31 (here, the horizontal direction in the figure). While all the dots are omitted, other dots formed side by side along the direction other than the moving direction of the carriage 31 are formed by thinning out along the inside of the outermost contour. The reason why dots to be formed side by side along the moving direction of the carriage are omitted is as described in the fifth embodiment. That is, for the dots to be formed side by side along the movement direction of the carriage 31, the area of the overlapping portion along the movement direction becomes very large, so that the amount of ink bleeding generated there increases. Therefore, by omitting all the dots formed side by side along the moving direction of the carriage 31, it is possible to greatly suppress the bleeding of the ink and prevent the bleeding from the outline of the image to be printed. The contour of the image can be formed smoothly.

  The dots that are thinned out and left inside the outermost outline are formed as large-sized dots (large dots; “11”). For the pixels corresponding to the thinned portions, as shown in FIG. 33B, the 2-bit data “11” representing the formation of a large-sized dot is replaced with the 2-bit data “00” representing the blank.

=== Correspondence Relationship between Each Embodiment and Claims ===
The correspondence between the claims and each embodiment is as follows.
(1) Claim 1 ⇒ First to fifth embodiments (2) Claims 2, 3 ⇒ First embodiment (3) Claim 4 ⇒ First to fifth embodiments (4) Claim 5 ⇒ Third Embodiment (5) Claim 6 ⇒ Fourth and fifth embodiments (6) Claims 7 and 8 ⇒ Fifth embodiment (7) Claims 11 and 12 ⇒ Sixth to ninth embodiments (8) Claims 13⇒7th Embodiment (9) Claims 14 and 15⇒9th Embodiment

=== Processing Procedure of Edge Processing ===
Next, a specific processing procedure for edge processing will be described. Here, the edge processing in the above-described third embodiment (see FIGS. 18, 19A, and 19B) will be described as an example.
The edge processing is performed by the printer driver 1110 installed in the computer of the printing apparatus according to the present embodiment. The printer driver 1110 converts the image data received from the application program into RGB image data having a resolution of 720 dpi (horizontal) × 720 dpi (vertical), converts the obtained RGB image data into CMYK image data, and further converts the image data into CMYK image data. A CMYK image is converted from 256-gradation data to binary data, and the binary data is converted into low-resolution multi-value data, and then edge processing is performed on the multi-value data obtained by the conversion. .

  FIG. 34 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure of edge processing executed by the printer driver 1110. When the printer driver 1110 acquires multi-value data of 360 dpi (horizontal) × 720 dpi (vertical) by conversion, the printer driver 1110 acquires pixel data of interest from the acquired multi-value data (S302). Then, the printer driver 1110 checks whether or not the acquired data of the pixel of interest is “11”, that is, data corresponding to a large size dot (large dot). Here, when the data of the pixel of interest is “11”, the process proceeds to the next step S304. On the other hand, if the data of the pixel of interest is not “11”, the process proceeds to step S322.

In step S304, data is acquired from the multi-value data for the pixels around the target pixel in addition to the target pixel. FIG. 35 illustrates the pixels around the target pixel acquired from the multi-value data. If the multi-value data is dot-matrix data as shown in the figure, and the coordinates of the pixel of interest are (i, j), the pixels around the pixel of interest (i, j) from which data is acquired are The next 16 pixels.
That is, (i-3, j), (i-2, j), (i-1,1), (i-1, j-1), (i-1, j + 1), (i, j-3) ), (I, j-2), (i, j-1), (i, j + 1), (i, j + 2), (i, j + 3), (i + 1, j), (i + 1, j-1), (I + 1, j + 1), (i + 2, j) and (i + 3, j).

Next, the printer driver 1110 sets the data of the pixel of interest acquired from the multi-value data and the data acquired from pixels around the pixel of interest as data of Pix_Array [0] to [16].
FIG. 36A and FIG. 36B are diagrams for explaining the correspondence between the pixel of interest in which data is set and its surrounding pixels and Pix_Array [0] to [16] in which the data is set. In the figure, Pix_Array [0] to [16] are indicated by numbers from “0” to “16”. Here, the data of the pixel of interest is set in Pix_Array [8]. In this way, the data of the pixel of interest and the data of the pixels around the pixel of interest are set in Pix_Array [0] to [16], respectively.

  Next, the printer driver 1110 performs a calculation using a Laplacian filter based on the data set in Pix_Array [0] to [16] (S308). Here, the calculation is performed using three types of filters: “7 × 7 filter”, “5 × 5 filter”, and “3 × 3 filter”.

  FIG. 37A and FIG. 37B explain the “7 × 7 filter” used in this embodiment. FIG. 38A and FIG. 38B are for explaining the “7 × 7 filter” used in the present embodiment. FIG. 39A and FIG. 39B explain the “7 × 7 filter” used in this embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 37A, “7 × 7 filter” is data configured in a matrix of horizontal 7 squares × vertical 7 squares. Data “−16” is included in the squares at positions corresponding to the target pixel. Is set, and data “1” is set in the cells at positions corresponding to the respective pixels around the target pixel. FIG. 37B shows data of “7 × 7 filter”, that is, data set in Lap_Filter1 [0] to [16].

  Further, as shown in FIG. 38A, “5 × 5 filter” is data configured in a matrix of 5 vertical cells × 5 vertical cells, and data “−” 12 "is set, and data" 1 "is set in each cell at a position corresponding to each pixel around the pixel of interest. FIG. 38B shows data of “5 × 5 filter”, that is, data set in Lap_Filter 2 [1] to [4], [6] to [10], and [12] to [15].

  Further, as shown in FIG. 39A, “3 × 3 filter” is data configured in a matrix of 3 horizontal pixels × 3 vertical cells, and the data “−” 8 ”is set, and data“ 1 ”is set in the squares at positions corresponding to the respective pixels around the target pixel. FIG. 39B shows data of “3 × 3 filter”, that is, data set in Lap_Filter3 [2] to [4], [7] to [9], and [12] to [14].

  Calculations are performed using these three types of filters. Here, three values are obtained as operation values from these three types of filters. The calculated values obtained here are assumed to be “Value1”, “Value2”, and “Value3”.

  40 to 42 show calculation formulas of calculations performed using these three types of filters. As shown in FIG. 40, the calculation performed using the “7 × 7 filter” corresponds to the data of Filter1 [0] to [16] and the data of Pix_Array [0] to [16], respectively. The multiplication process is performed, and the values obtained by the multiplication process are sequentially added. As a result, the calculated value “Value1” is obtained.

  Similarly, in the calculation performed using the “5 × 5 filter”, as shown in FIG. 41, Filters 2 [1] to [4], [6] to [10], [12] to [15 ] And Pix_Array [1] to [4], [6] to [10], and [12] to [15] are respectively associated with each other and multiplied, and the obtained multiplication values are sequentially added. The calculated value “Value2” is obtained.

  Similarly, in the calculation performed using the “3 × 3 filter”, as shown in FIG. 42, Filters 3 [2] to [4], [7] to [9], [12] to [14] ] And Pix_Array [2] to [4], [7] to [9], and [12] to [14] are respectively associated and multiplied, and the obtained multiplication values are sequentially added. The calculated value “Value3” is obtained.

  Here, for example, when calculation is performed using a “7 × 7 filter”, any one of the data set in Pix_Array [0] to [16] is (0, 0) data. That is, if there is data representing a blank that does not form a dot, the value “Value1” obtained by the calculation is a negative value. That is, if any one of the pixels around the target pixel is blank (no dot is formed), the calculated value “Value1” is a negative value. Similarly, when a calculation is performed using a “5 × 5 filter” or a “3 × 3 filter”, any pixel that is blank (does not form a dot) is present in the vicinity of the pixel of interest. For example, the calculated value “Value2” or “Value3” is a negative value.

  For these reasons, when the target pixel is located in the outermost contour of the image to be printed, the calculated value “Value3” becomes a negative value due to the “3 × 3 filter”. When the pixel of interest is located immediately inside the outermost contour of the image to be printed, the calculated value “Value2” becomes a negative value due to the “5 × 5 filter”. When the target pixel is located further inside, the calculated value “Value1” becomes a negative value due to the “7 × 7 filter”.

  As shown in FIG. 34, the printer driver 1110 obtains the values “Value1,” “Value2,” and “Value3” by using three filters in step S308. Next, “Value3” is a negative value ( Here, it is checked whether or not it is in the range of “−1” to “−8” (S310). Here, if “Value3” is a negative value, it is determined that the target pixel is a pixel located at the outermost contour of the image to be printed, and a process of replacing the pixel with a small size dot (small dot) is performed. Do. Specifically, the data of the pixel of interest is rewritten from “11” to “01” (S320). Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S322.

  On the other hand, if “Value3” is not a negative value, the process proceeds to step S312 to check whether “Value2” is a negative value (here, “−1” to “−4”). . Here, if “Value2” is a negative value, it is determined that the target pixel is a pixel located inside the outermost contour of the image to be printed, and is replaced with a small-sized dot (small dot). Process. Specifically, the data of the pixel of interest is rewritten from “11” to “01” (S320). Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S322.

On the other hand, if “Value2” is not a negative value, the process advances to step S314 to check whether “Value1” is a negative value (here, “−1” to “−4”). . Here, if “Value1” is a negative value, it is determined that the pixel of interest is a pixel located further inside the outermost contour of the image to be printed, and a medium-sized dot ( Replace with middle dot). Specifically, the data of the pixel of interest is rewritten from “11” to “10” (S320). Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S322.
If “Value1” is not a negative value, it is determined that the pixel of interest is not a pixel close to the contour of the image to be printed, and the edge processing is not performed on the pixel of interest, and the process proceeds to step S322. Proceed with
In step S322, it is checked whether there is a target pixel to be processed next. If there is a target pixel to be processed next, the process returns to step S302 to acquire data of the target pixel (S302). On the other hand, if there is no target pixel to be processed next, the edge processing is terminated.

As described above, the data of all the pixels included in the multi-value data is sequentially processed as the target pixel. By performing processing by such a method, edge processing can be easily performed.
In addition to the third embodiment, the edge processing procedure is applied to other embodiments, that is, the first to second embodiments and the fourth to ninth embodiments. Is possible.
The edge processing procedure according to the present invention is not limited to such a procedure.

=== Determining whether or not a text image ===
The printer driver 1110 determines whether the image to be printed is a text image. The printer driver 1110 converts the image data received from the application program into RGB image data having a resolution of 720 dpi × 720 dpi (see S104 in FIG. 10), and after converting the RGB data into 256-tone CMYK image data ( Based on the generated CMYK image data, it is determined whether or not the image to be printed is a text image.

  Specifically, the printer driver 1110 refers to data of each color of cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K) from the generated CMYK image data, and other than black (K). It is checked whether the data of each color of cyan, that is, cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y) are all composed of data having no color, that is, “white” gradation. When data of colors other than black (K), that is, data of each color of cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y) are all composed of data indicating a gradation of “white”. Next, it is checked whether all the data indicating the color state in the black (K) data is data indicating a predetermined gradation. The data indicating the predetermined gradation here is data indicating the darkest color among the 256 gradation colors represented by black (K). For example, data such as “0” and “255”. This is because in the present embodiment, only the darkest color of black (K) is used for printing text images in order to clearly print characters, symbols, and the like. Since only the dark color is used for printing the text image, it is possible to check whether the data indicating the state of the color included in the black (K) data is all data indicating a predetermined gradation. It is possible to easily determine whether the image to be printed is a text image.

  FIG. 43 shows an example of a determination process performed by the printer driver 1110. First, the printer driver 1110, based on CMYK image data generated by converting RGB image data, each color included in the CMYK image data, that is, cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), black ( From the data of each color of K), the colors other than black (K), that is, the data of each color of cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y) are all in the absence of color, that is, “white” gradation It is checked whether it is composed of data indicating.

  In this embodiment, first, CMYK image data is acquired (S402), and cyan (C) is checked (S404). Here, when the data of cyan (C) includes data other than the color state, that is, data indicating “white”, it is determined that the image to be printed is an image other than the text image. The process is terminated (S416). On the other hand, if the cyan (C) data is all in a state having no color, that is, data indicating “white”, the process proceeds to the next step S406.

  In step S406, the magenta (M) data is checked. Here, when the data of magenta (M) includes data other than data indicating “white”, it is determined that the image to be printed is an image other than the text image, and the processing is terminated ( S416). On the other hand, if the magenta (M) data is all in a state of no color, that is, data indicating “white”, the process proceeds to the next step S408, and the yellow (Y) data is examined. Here, when the data of yellow (Y) includes data other than the data indicating “white”, it is determined that the image to be printed is an image other than the text image, and the processing ends ( S416). On the other hand, if the yellow (Y) data are all in a state having no color, that is, data indicating “white”, the process proceeds to the next step S410, and the black (K) data is examined.

  Here, if all of the black (K) data indicate “white”, it is determined that an error has occurred, and the process returns to step S402 to repeat the process from the beginning. On the other hand, if the black (K) data includes data other than the data indicating “white”, the process proceeds to step S412 and the black (K) data indicates data indicating a predetermined gradation. It is checked whether it is constituted only by. That is, it is checked whether or not the black (K) data is composed of only the data having the darkest color among the 256 gradations. If the black (K) data is composed only of data indicating a predetermined gradation, it is determined that the image to be printed is a text image (S414). On the other hand, if the black (K) data includes data indicating gradations other than the predetermined gradation (excluding data indicating “white” gradation), the image to be printed is text. It is determined that the image is not an image (S416), and the process ends.

  Note that colors other than black (K), that is, here cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y) have been examined in the above-described order. You can check in a different order.

  In addition, when there are a plurality of types of black (K), it is determined whether or not black (K) used for printing a text image among the plurality of types of black (K) is configured by only predetermined data. Good. When ink of a color other than black (K) is used for printing a text image, it is preferable to determine whether or not the color is constituted only by predetermined data.

  In this embodiment, it is determined whether or not the text image is based on 256-level CMYK image data obtained by converting RGB image data. However, the CMYK image data has a number of levels that the printer can form. After converting to data, for example, binary data having a resolution of 720 dpi × 720 dpi, it may be determined whether the image is a text image based on the data obtained by the conversion.

In this embodiment, the printer driver 1110 checks whether there is data to be printed in data of a color other than black (K) based on the CMYK image data, and should print only on the black (K) data. When there is data, it is determined that the image to be printed is a text image. However, in the present invention, it is not always necessary to adopt such a method, and an image to be printed by another method. It may be determined whether or not is a text image. === Other Embodiments ===
As described above, the printing apparatus such as a printer according to the present invention has been described based on one embodiment. However, the above-described embodiment is for facilitating the understanding of the present invention, and the present invention is limited and interpreted. Not meant to be The present invention can be changed or improved without departing from the gist thereof, and needless to say, the present invention includes equivalents thereof. In particular, even the embodiments described below are included in the printing apparatus according to the present invention.
In the present embodiment, part or all of the configuration realized by hardware may be replaced by software, and conversely, part of the configuration realized by software may be replaced by hardware.
In addition, a part of processing performed on the printing apparatus side may be performed on the host side, and a dedicated processing apparatus is provided between the printing apparatus and the host, and a part of processing is performed on this processing apparatus. May be performed.

<About the printing device (printing section)>
The printing apparatus of the present invention is not limited to the above-described ink jet printer, and may be a printing apparatus that performs printing by other ink ejection formats such as a bubble jet printer.
In addition, the printing apparatus of the present invention may be a printer that does not eject ink, specifically, an apparatus that prints an image by forming dots on a medium, such as a dot impact printer or a laser printer. Any type of printing apparatus may be used.

<About dots>
In the printing apparatus described above, the dots are formed by the ink ejected toward the medium. However, the present invention is not limited to such a case. It may be a dot formed by adhering to a toner, or a dot formed by fixing toner represented by a radar beam printer or the like to a medium.

<About dot size types>
In the printing apparatus described above, there are three types of dot sizes to be formed: small dots, medium dots, and large dots. However, the present invention is not limited to such cases, and the types of sizes are not limited. There may be four or more types, or two types.

<About edge processing>
The edge processing method according to the present invention is not limited to the methods of the first to ninth embodiments described above.
In addition, the edge processing methods of the first to ninth embodiments described above may all be implemented with one printing apparatus. Further, even if one or more edge processing methods selected from the edge processing methods of the first to ninth embodiments can be implemented by one printing apparatus, the description has been given in the first to ninth embodiments. An edge processing method other than the edge processing method may be implemented by the printing apparatus.
Further, different edge processing may be employed for each type of ink, that is, for each characteristic or property (such as bleeding).

<Dots formed on the outermost outline>
In the above-described embodiment, the dots formed in the outermost outline of the image to be printed are formed by replacing the dots with the smallest size among the dots that can be formed by the printing apparatus, that is, the small dots. In this case, it is not necessary that the dot has the smallest size. If the dot has a smaller size, the dot may be replaced with another size.

<About thinning process>
In the embodiment described above, every other dot is thinned out. However, the present invention is not limited to such a case, and every other dot is formed, or between three or more dots. Alternatively, dots may be formed.

<About thinning amount>
In the above-described embodiments (fifth and ninth embodiments), all the dots that should be formed side by side along the moving direction of the head (carriage 31) are omitted. However, the amount of thinning is different between dots that should be formed along the moving direction of the head (carriage) and dots that should be formed along other directions other than the moving direction. For example, it does not matter how the dots are omitted.

<Images subject to edge processing>
In the above-described embodiment, only the text image is the target of the edge processing. However, in the present invention, not only such an image but also an image other than the text image may be the target of the edge processing. Specifically, for example, an image including a character image, for example, an image including a natural image such as a photograph in which a text image such as a character is incorporated may be the target of the replacement process. In this case, it is preferable to perform the replacement process only for the text image portion included in the natural image.
Further, in the above-described embodiment, images including natural images such as photographs recorded in JPEG or bitmap format are excluded from the target of replacement processing. However, in the present invention, these images are not necessarily replaced. There is no need to exclude them from these objects, and these images may be replaced.

<About the printer driver>
According to the above-described embodiment, the printer driver 1110 on the computer apparatus side performs the replacement process. However, the replacement process is not limited to the printer driver 1110. If a program for realizing a function necessary for performing the replacement process is stored in various storage units such as a memory of the printer, the printer can perform the replacement process.

<About media>
As for the media, the above-mentioned paper includes plain paper, matte paper, cut paper, glossy paper, roll paper, paper, photographic paper, roll type photographic paper, etc. In addition to these, films such as OHP film and glossy film It may be a material, a cloth material, a metal plate material, or the like. That is, any medium can be used as long as it can be an ink ejection target.

1 is an explanatory diagram of an overall configuration of an embodiment of a printing apparatus. Explanatory drawing of the process which a printer driver performs. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a user interface of a printer driver. 1 is a block diagram of the overall configuration of a printer main body. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating an internal configuration of a printer main body. FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an internal configuration of a printer main body. Explanatory drawing which shows the arrangement | sequence of the nozzle of a head. Explanatory drawing of the drive circuit of a head unit. The timing chart for description of each signal. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of a printer driver. The flowchart of the process at the time of printing. Explanatory drawing of the formation state of the dot at the time of not implementing edge processing. Explanatory drawing of the formation state of a dot when the edge process which concerns on 1st Embodiment is performed. 14A is an enlarged view of the contour portion of the image of FIG. 12, and FIG. 14B is an explanatory diagram of the image data. 15A is an enlarged view of the contour portion of the image of FIG. 13, and FIG. 15B is an explanatory diagram of the image data. Explanatory drawing of the formation state of a dot when performing the edge process which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. 17A is an enlarged view of the contour portion of the image of FIG. 16, and FIG. 17B is an explanatory diagram of the image data. Explanatory drawing of the formation state of a dot when performing the edge process which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. 19A is an enlarged view of the contour portion of the image of FIG. 18, and FIG. 19B is an explanatory diagram of the image data. Explanatory drawing of the formation state of a dot when performing the edge process which concerns on 4th Embodiment. 21A is an enlarged view of a contour portion of the image of FIG. 20, and FIG. 21B is an explanatory diagram of the image data. Explanatory drawing of the formation state of a dot when performing the edge process which concerns on 5th Embodiment. 23A is an enlarged view of the contour portion of the image of FIG. 22, and FIG. 23B is an explanatory diagram of the image data. FIG. 24A shows ideal dots, and FIGS. 24B and 24C show dots that are actually formed. FIG. 25A shows a state when dots are arranged in a line in the vertical direction to form vertical lines, and FIG. 25B shows a state when dots are arranged in a line in the horizontal direction to form horizontal lines. Explanatory drawing of the formation state of a dot when performing the edge process which concerns on 6th Embodiment. 27A is an enlarged view of the contour portion of the image of FIG. 26, and FIG. 27B is an explanatory diagram of the image data. Explanatory drawing of the formation state of a dot when performing the edge process which concerns on 7th Embodiment. 29A is an enlarged view of the contour portion of the image of FIG. 28, and FIG. 29B is an explanatory diagram of the image data. Explanatory drawing of the formation state of a dot when performing the edge process which concerns on 8th Embodiment. 31A is an enlarged view of the contour portion of the image of FIG. 30, and FIG. 31B is an explanatory diagram of the image data. Explanatory drawing of the formation state of a dot when performing the edge process which concerns on 9th Embodiment. 33A is an enlarged view of a contour portion of the image of FIG. 32, and FIG. 33B is an explanatory diagram of the image data. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure of edge processing according to the present embodiment. Explanatory drawing of the positional relationship of the pixel of interest which acquires data, and its surrounding pixels. FIG. 36A shows the positions of the pixel of interest in which the data is set and the surrounding pixels, and FIG. 36B is an explanatory diagram of the correspondence relationship with the pixel data Pix_Array [0] to [16]. FIG. 37A shows a “7 × 7 filter”, and FIG. 37B shows setting data of the filter. FIG. 38A shows “5 × 5 filter”, and FIG. 38B shows the setting data of the filter. FIG. 39A shows “5 × 5 filter”, and FIG. 39B shows the setting data of the filter. Explanatory drawing of the calculation method by "7x7 filter." Explanatory drawing of the calculation method by a "5x5 filter". Explanatory drawing of the calculation method by a "3x3 filter". The flowchart which shows an example of the process sequence of judgment whether it is a text image.

Explanation of symbols

1 Printer body
20 transport unit, 21 paper feed roller, 22 transport motor (PF motor),
23 transport roller, 24 platen, 25 discharge roller,
30 carriage unit, 31 carriage,
32 Carriage motor (CR motor),
40 head units, 41 heads,
411Y yellow ink nozzle group, 411M magenta ink nozzle group,
411C cyan ink nozzle group, 411K black ink nozzle group,
50 sensors, 51 linear encoders, 52 rotary encoders,
53 Paper detection sensor, 54 Paper width sensor,
60 controller, 61 interface unit, 62 CPU,
63 memory, 64 unit control circuit,
64A original drive signal generation unit, 64B drive signal shaping unit,
1100 computer, 1102 video driver,
1104 Application program, 1110 Printer driver,
1112 resolution conversion processing unit, 1114 color conversion processing unit,
1116 halftone processing unit, 1118 rasterization processing unit,
1200 display device, 1201 display,
1300 input device, 1300A keyboard, 1300B mouse,
1400 recording / reproducing apparatus, 1400A flexible disk drive apparatus,
1400B CD-ROM drive device,
1000 printing system

Claims (25)

In a printing apparatus that includes a printing unit that forms dots on a medium and prints an image, and the printing unit is capable of forming two or more different sizes of dots as the dots.
When printing the image, replace the dots to be formed on the outermost outline of the image with dots of a smaller size,
A printing apparatus, wherein dots to be formed along the inside of the outermost contour are replaced with dots of a smaller size.   2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a dot size after replacement is different between a dot to be formed on the outermost outline of the image and a dot to be formed along an inner side of the outermost outline.   The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a dot to be formed in the outermost outline of the image has a smaller dot size after replacement than a dot to be formed along an inner side of the outermost outline. .   The size of a dot formed by replacing a dot to be formed in the outermost outline of the image is the smallest size of dots that can be formed by the printing unit. The printing apparatus according to any one of the above.   The dot which should be formed along the inner side of the area | region in which a dot is formed along the inner side of the outermost outline is replaced with a dot of a smaller size, and formed in any one of Claims 1-4 characterized by the above-mentioned. The printing apparatus as described.   The dot to be formed along the inner side of the region where the dot is formed along the inner side of the outermost contour is formed by thinning out the dot along the inner side of the region. The printing apparatus as described in. The printing unit is provided in a head movable relative to the medium, and performs printing on the medium when the head moves.
Among the dots formed by thinning out along the inside of the region, the dots formed side by side along the moving direction of the head and the other formed side by side along other directions other than the moving direction The printing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the thinning amount is different for each dot.   8. The dot thinning amount is larger for dots formed side by side along the moving direction of the head than for dots formed side by side along a direction other than the moving direction. The printing apparatus as described in.   The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image is a text image.   The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing unit prints an image by forming dots by ejecting ink toward a medium. In a printing apparatus that includes a printing unit that forms dots on a medium and prints an image, and the printing unit is capable of forming two or more different sizes of dots as the dots.
When printing the image, replace the dots to be formed on the outermost outline of the image with dots of a smaller size,
The printing apparatus is characterized in that dots to be formed inside the outermost outline are formed by thinning out the dots along the inner side of the outermost outline.   The size of the smaller size dot formed by replacing the dots to be formed on the outermost outline is the smallest size of dots that can be formed by the printing unit. The printing apparatus according to 11.   13. The printing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein dots formed by thinning out along the inner side of the outermost contour are replaced with dots having a smaller size. The printing unit is provided in a head movable relative to the medium, and performs printing on the medium when the head moves.
Of the dots formed by thinning out along the inside of the outermost contour, the dots formed side by side along the moving direction of the head and the dots formed side by side along other directions other than the moving direction The printing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the thinning amount is different.   15. The thinning amount is larger for dots formed side by side along the moving direction of the head than for dots formed side by side along a direction other than the moving direction. The printing apparatus as described in.   The printing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the image is a text image.   The printing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the printing unit prints an image by forming dots by ejecting ink toward a medium. In a printing apparatus that includes a printing unit that forms dots on a medium and prints an image, and the printing unit is capable of forming two or more different sizes of dots as the dots.
When printing the image, replace the dots to be formed on the outermost outline of the image with dots of a smaller size,
Replacing the dots to be formed along the inside of the outermost shell with dots of a smaller size,
The dot to be formed in the outermost outline of the image has a smaller dot size after replacement than the dot to be formed along the inner side of the outermost outline.
The size of the dots formed by replacing the dots to be formed in the outermost outline of the image is the smallest size of the dots that can be formed by the printing unit,
Replacing the dots to be formed along the inside of the area where the dots are formed by being replaced with the smaller size dots, and forming with the smaller size dots,
Forming dots to be formed along the inside of the region where dots are formed along the inside of the outermost outline, and decimating along the inside of the region;
The printing unit is provided in a head movable relative to the medium, and performs printing on the medium when the head moves.
Among the dots formed by thinning out along the inner side of the region, the direction of the dots formed side by side along the moving direction of the head is another side formed along the direction other than the moving direction. The thinning amount is larger than the dots,
The image is a text image;
The printing unit prints an image by forming dots by ejecting ink toward a medium. In a printing apparatus that includes a printing unit that forms dots on a medium and prints an image, and the printing unit is capable of forming two or more different sizes of dots as the dots.
When printing the image, replace the dots to be formed on the outermost outline of the image with dots of a smaller size,
Forming dots to be formed on the inside of the outermost outline along the inner side of the outermost outline;
The size of the smaller size dot formed by replacing the dots to be formed on the outermost outline is the smallest size of dots that can be formed by the printing unit,
Replacing the dots formed by thinning along the inside of the outermost shell with dots of a smaller size,
The printing unit is provided in a head movable relative to the medium, and performs printing on the medium when the head moves.
Of the dots formed by thinning along the innermost side of the outermost outline, the dots formed side by side along the moving direction of the head are formed side by side along other directions other than the moving direction. The thinning amount is larger than the dots
The image is a text image;
The printing unit prints an image by forming dots by ejecting ink toward a medium. In a printing control device that includes a printing unit that forms dots on a medium and prints an image, and the printing unit controls a printing device that can form two or more different sizes of dots as the dots.
When printing the image by the printing device, the dots to be formed on the outermost outline of the image are replaced with dots of a smaller size,
A printing control apparatus, wherein dots to be formed along the inside of the outermost outline are replaced with dots of a smaller size. In a printing control device that includes a printing unit that forms dots on a medium and prints an image, and the printing unit controls a printing device that can form two or more different sizes of dots as the dots.
When printing the image by the printing device, the dots to be formed on the outermost outline of the image are replaced with dots of a smaller size,
The printing control apparatus, wherein dots to be formed inside the outermost outline are formed by thinning out along the inner side of the outermost outline. In a printing method for printing an image by forming two or more different size dots on a medium,
When printing the image, replace the dots to be formed on the outermost outline of the image with dots of a smaller size,
A printing method characterized in that dots to be formed along the inside of the outermost contour are replaced with dots of a smaller size. In a printing method for printing an image by forming two or more different size dots on a medium,
When printing the image, replace the dots to be formed on the outermost outline of the image with dots of a smaller size,
A printing method comprising: forming dots to be formed inside the outermost outline by thinning out the dots along the inner side of the outermost outline. A program that is provided in a printing apparatus that includes a printing unit that forms dots on a medium and prints an image, and the printing unit is capable of forming two or more different types of dots as the dots,
Replacing the dots to be formed on the outermost outline of the image with dots of a smaller size when printing the image; and
And a step of replacing the dots to be formed along the inside of the outermost outline with dots of a smaller size. A program that is provided in a printing apparatus that includes a printing unit that forms dots on a medium and prints an image, and the printing unit is capable of forming two or more different types of dots as the dots,
Replacing the dots to be formed on the outermost outline of the image with dots of a smaller size when printing the image; and
And a step of thinning out dots to be formed inside the outermost outline along the inner side of the outermost outline.