JP2008176560A - Recording system and recording method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a recording system and a recording method, allowing recording units to sufficiently exhibit their functions by efficiently controlling the plurality of recording units for storing images in cooperation. <P>SOLUTION: The recording system includes an information processing unit 101 for keeping image data, and information processing units 103, 104 respectively connected to recording units 105, 106. Based on an image data received from the information processing unit 101, the information processing unit 103 generates a record data corresponding to the recording unit 105, and transmits the generated record data to the recording unit 105. Based on an image data received from the information processing unit 101, the information processing unit 104 generates a record data corresponding to the recording unit 106, and transmits the generated record data to the recording unit 106. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a recording system and a recording method for recording an image on a single recording medium in cooperation with a plurality of recording apparatuses.

  The present applicant has previously proposed a recording system using a plurality of line printer type recording apparatuses as a recording system for recording an image on a large-sized recording medium in the industrial recording field (Patent Document 1). A plurality of recording devices in this recording system record images in cooperation by independently performing a recording operation based on recording data corresponding to each deployment position.

JP 2005-342960 A

  In the above-described proposed recording system, when a plurality of recording devices are controlled by one personal computer, a great load is applied to the computer. For example, the computer is required to perform recording data creation processing, division processing for dividing the recording data for each recording device, and transfer processing for transferring the divided recording data to a corresponding recording device.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a recording system and a recording method capable of efficiently controlling a plurality of recording apparatuses that record images in cooperation and sufficiently exhibit the functions of these recording apparatuses. .

  The recording system of the present invention stores image data of an image to be recorded on the recording medium in a recording system that records an image on a recording medium in cooperation with a plurality of recording apparatuses that perform recording operations based on the recording data. And a plurality of second information processing devices connected to each of the plurality of recording devices in a one-to-one relationship, and each of the plurality of second information processing devices includes the first information processing device. A receiving unit that receives the image data from an information processing device; a recording data creation unit that creates the recording data corresponding to the recording device connected to the second information processing device based on the image data; A transmission unit configured to transmit the created recording data to the recording apparatus connected to the second information processing apparatus.

  The recording method of the present invention is for storing image data of an image to be recorded on the recording medium in a recording method for recording an image on a recording medium in cooperation with a plurality of recording apparatuses that perform recording operations based on the recording data. First information processing apparatus and a plurality of second information processing apparatuses connected one-to-one to each of the plurality of recording apparatuses, and each of the plurality of second information processing apparatuses uses the first information processing apparatus. Based on the image data received from the information processing apparatus, recording data corresponding to the recording apparatus connected to the second information processing apparatus is created, and the recording apparatus connected to the second information processing apparatus The created recording data is transmitted to the above.

  According to the present invention, by using a first information processing device that stores image data and a plurality of second information processing devices that create recording data corresponding to each of the plurality of recording devices from the image data, Data processing functions can be distributed to these information processing apparatuses. As a result, it is possible to efficiently control a plurality of recording devices that record images in cooperation, and to fully exhibit the functions of these recording devices.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a recording system according to the present invention.

  Reference numeral 101 denotes an information processing apparatus (first information processing apparatus) in the form of a personal computer for storing image data of an image to be recorded. The information processing apparatus 101 is connected to a plurality of information processing apparatuses (second information processing apparatuses) in the form of a personal computer via a communication interface including a network hub 102. In this example, two information processing apparatuses 103 and 104 are connected as the second information processing apparatus. As the communication interface, a network cable, a USB cable, a wireless LAN, or the like can be employed. In this example, a network cable is used.

  The information processing apparatuses 103 and 104 are information processing apparatuses in the form of a personal computer for creating recording data, and transfer the recording data to the ink jet recording apparatuses 105 and 106 via individual communication interfaces. As the communication interface, a network cable, a USB cable, IEEE1284, or the like can be employed. In this example, a USB cable is used. The information processing apparatus 101 executes an application (program) that performs management of recording jobs and the like, and the information processing apparatuses 103 and 104 execute an application (program) that generates recording data and the like under the control of the operating system. . In this example, “Windows (registered trademark)” is used as the operating system.

  Each of the recording devices 105 and 106 is a print module as an independent engine, and is an arbitrary one on the conveyance path of the recording medium P so as to face the recording surface of the recording medium P conveyed in the direction of the arrow in FIG. Deployed in position. In the case of this example, the recording apparatuses 105 and 106 are arranged so as to be shifted in the width direction of the recording medium P (left and right direction in FIG. 1). As will be described later, the recording medium P is conveyed in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 1 by a medium conveying device 209 (see FIG. 2).

  The recording apparatuses 105 and 106 of this example are recording apparatuses that include an inkjet recording head that can eject ink from ejection openings. As the recording heads, four recording heads 107 (107Y, 107M, 107C, 107K) for ejecting yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) inks are provided. . A plurality of ejection ports in the recording head 107 are formed so as to be aligned along the width direction of the recording medium P, and thereby, a nozzle row extending along the width direction of the recording medium P is formed. .

  The recording devices 105 and 106 can record full-color images by ejecting ink from the recording head 107 based on the recording data received from the corresponding information processing devices 103 and 104. That is, as will be described later, these recording devices 105 and 106 independently record on the recording medium P based on the recording data corresponding to their deployment positions, thereby recording an image on the recording medium P in cooperation. . The recording head 107 can use an electrothermal converter (heater), a piezo element, or the like as energy generating means for ejecting ink. The recording head 107 of this example is configured to use an electrothermal transducer, and the ink is foamed by the heat generated by the electrothermal transducer, and the ink is ejected from the ejection port by using the foaming energy. be able to.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of the printing system of FIG.

  Each of the information processing apparatuses 101, 103, 104 in the form of a personal computer executes control processing, data processing, and the like including an application (program) described later by the CPUs 101A, 103A, 104A. The ROMs 101B, 103B, and 104B store programs such as those processing procedures, and the RAMs 101C, 103C, and 104C are used as a work area for executing these processes and a data storage area. A storage device such as a hard disk (not shown) is also provided for storing data. As the I / O devices 101D, 103D, and 104D, a display D, a keyboard K, a mouse M, and the like as shown in FIG. 1 are connected.

  As described later, communication between the information processing apparatuses 101 and 103 and between the information processing apparatuses 101 and 104 is performed through the communication interfaces 101E, 103E, and 104E and the network hub 102. Further, as will be described later, communication is performed between the information processing apparatus 103 and the recording apparatus 105 and between the information processing apparatus 104 and the recording apparatus 106 through the communication interfaces 103E and 104E. As will be described later, the recording devices 105 and 106 receive a synchronization signal from the medium transport device 209.

  The recording apparatuses 105 and 106 of this example are configured as independent print modules M as shown in FIG. The print module M includes a print unit Y1 that includes the recording head 107 and an ink supply unit Y2 that includes an ink tank.

  A recording head 107 and a recording head control circuit 210 (see FIG. 4) are incorporated in the print unit Y1. Further, as will be described later, a cap capable of capping the recording head 107, a mechanism for operating the cap, and a control unit for controlling the mechanism may be incorporated in the print unit Y1. On the other hand, an ink supply system is incorporated in the ink supply unit Y2, and the ink supply system stores an ink tank for storing ink to be supplied to each of the four recording heads 107 (107Y, 107M, 107C, 107K). including. These ink tanks may be replenished with ink from an external main ink tank. Further, the ink supply unit Y2 may include a power supply circuit for each print module M. Between the print unit Y1 and the ink supply unit Y2, wiring including a signal line and a power supply line and a pipe that forms an ink flow path are connected.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the control system of the print module M as the recording apparatus 105, and the recording apparatus 106 is similarly configured.

  The CPU 205 constitutes a control unit for controlling the overall operation of the recording apparatus 105. The CPU 205 is connected to the memory controller 202, the interface controller 203, the program ROM 204, the work RAM 206, the EEPROM 207, the recording head control circuit 210, and the I / O port 212 via a bus.

  The memory controller 202 is connected to a VRAM 201 as a memory for storing recording data. Under the control of the CPU 205, the memory controller 202 writes recording data to the VRAM 201 and reads recording data from the VRAM 201 in synchronization with the output signal of the synchronization circuit 208. The synchronization circuit 208 is connected to a transport device 209 for transporting the recording medium P in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 1, and generates a synchronization signal synchronized with the transport operation of the recording medium P by the transport device 209. The synchronization signal is output to the memory controller 202. The transport device 209 can be configured as a single transport device shared by a plurality of recording devices (in this example, two recording devices 105 and 106), or a plurality of transport devices corresponding to individual recording devices. It can also be configured to link the transport device. In short, the transport device 209 only needs to be able to transport the recording medium P on which an image is recorded by the cooperation of a plurality of recording devices.

  The interface controller 203 performs data communication with the information processing apparatus 103 via a communication interface (in this example, a USB cable) under the control of the CPU 205. The program ROM 204 is a non-volatile memory that stores a computer program for realizing the operation of the recording apparatus 105. The work RAM 206 is a readable / writable memory that provides a work area used by the CPU 205 and a temporary data storage area. The EEPROM 207 is a rewritable nonvolatile memory, and is used, for example, to record user setting data in a nonvolatile manner.

  The recording head control circuit 210 receives the recording data from the memory controller 202 under the control of the CPU 205 and transfers the corresponding recording data to each of the four recording heads 107 (107Y, 107M, 107C, 107K). . The I / O port 212 outputs a control signal to the motor drive unit 213 under the control of the CPU 205, and the motor drive unit 213 controls the capping motor 214 and the pump motor 215 based on the control signal. The capping motor 214 is a power source for performing a recovery operation or the like of the recording head. During the recovery operation, the capping motor 214 applies pressure to the ink supply path of the recording head 107 so that ink is ejected from the ejection port of the recording head 107. It is forcibly discharged. The capping motor 214 is a power source for operating a cap capable of capping the ejection port formation surface of the recording head 107.

  FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a screen 301 displayed on the display D (see FIG. 1) when an application (program) for displaying a recording start request and an error status for each recording apparatus is operated on the information processing apparatus 101. It is explanatory drawing of. FIGS. 6A and 6B are flowcharts for explaining the processing procedure of the application.

  An area 302 in FIG. 5 displays a job name related to image data output from the information processing apparatus 101. An area 303 displays the error status of the recording apparatus acquired from the information processing apparatuses 103 and 104. In area 304, a recording start button for starting the recording operation of the recording apparatus is displayed.

  The application running on the information processing apparatus 101 executes the recording start restriction process in FIG. 6A and the recording start process in FIG.

  6A is executed at regular intervals by interrupt processing (step S401), and the processing of steps S403 and S404 is repeated for the number of recording apparatuses (in this example, two). . In step S403, the status information of the recording apparatus is acquired and displayed in area 303. The status information includes information regarding the error status of the recording apparatus. When there is a recording device in which an error has occurred, an image cannot be recorded by the cooperation of a plurality of recording devices. For this reason, if there is a recording device in which an error has occurred, the function of the recording start button displayed in the area 304 is limited so that a recording operation start request cannot be made in step S404.

  The recording start process in FIG. 6B is executed when the recording start button displayed in the area 304 is effectively operated in step S405, and the processes in steps S407 and S408 are performed for the number of recording apparatuses (this example). In the case of 2), repeat. In step S407, image data is transmitted from the information processing apparatus 101 to each of the information processing apparatuses 103 and 104. In step S408, the start of the recording operation is notified to the application (program) on the information processing apparatuses 103 and 104.

  The job name displayed in the area 302 in FIG. 4 can be added to the list by, for example, specifying image data and a job name from another screen (not shown) and performing registration processing. In the registration process, a job and an image are created by creating a file in the storage device of the information processing apparatus 101 and writing a job name, an image data name, and other information related to the job on the file. Associate with data. Thus, when the recording start button displayed in the area 304 is operated, the image data corresponding to the designated job can be searched and the image data can be transmitted to the information processing apparatuses 103 and 104.

  FIGS. 7A and 7B are flowcharts for explaining processing of an application (program) that runs on each of the information processing apparatuses 103 and 104. FIG. 7A illustrates status information processing, and FIG. 7B illustrates recording data creation and transfer processing. In the following, processing of an application that operates on the information processing apparatus 103 will be described as a representative.

  The status information processing of FIG. 7A is executed by receiving a request for acquiring status information from an application on the information processing apparatus 101 in step S501. That is, the information processing apparatus 103 acquires the status information of the recording apparatus 105 from the recording apparatus 105 connected thereto and returns it to the information processing apparatus 101 (step S502).

  The creation and transfer processing of the recording data in FIG. 7B is executed by receiving a recording start request from the application on the information processing apparatus 101 in step S503. That is, first, information (position information) related to the deployment position of the recording apparatus 105 connected to the information processing apparatus 103 is acquired (step S504). After acquiring the position information of the recording apparatus 105, it is determined whether or not the image data received from the information processing apparatus 101 is page description data (step S505). The image data received from the information processing apparatus 101 includes bitmap format data (bitmap data) and page description data (for example, PostScript data). If the image data received from the information processing apparatus 101 is page description data, rasterization processing is performed to convert it into bitmap format data (step S506). Based on the bitmap format data, recording data corresponding to the deployment position of the recording apparatus 105 is created (step S507), as will be described later. Then, on the condition that the generation of the recording data is successful, the generated recording data is transferred to the recording device 105 (steps S508 and S509).

  As a method for acquiring the position information of the recording apparatus 105, for example, when the recording apparatus 105 recognizes its own deployment position, it can be acquired from the recording apparatus 105 when the status information is acquired (step S502). It is. If the recording apparatus 105 does not recognize its own deployment position, an application definition file is created in the information processing apparatus 103, and the deployment position of the recording apparatus 105 is fixedly set on the file. Is possible.

  In the rasterization process (step S506), the coordinates of the points, the parameters of the line and surface equations connecting them, and the vector format data which is the drawing information such as the fill are converted into raster data which is a set of colored points. Convert to Recording data is created from the data after the rasterization processing as will be described later. If the image data received from the information processing apparatus 101 is not page description language data but bitmap data, the rasterization process is not performed and recording data is created from the data as it is.

  In this manner, the information processing apparatuses 103 and 104 create recording data corresponding to the deployment positions of the recording apparatuses 105 and 106 connected to them. In the following, the recording data creation process of the recording apparatus 105 by the information processing apparatus 103 will be described as a representative.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the recording data creation processing in step S507 in FIG.

  First, the size of the recorded image is checked based on the maximum width of the recordable image (step S601). The maximum width of the recordable image is (recording width of the recording device) × (number of deployed recording devices) when a plurality of recording devices are arranged in the width direction of the recording medium as in this example. Become. If the size of the recorded image exceeds the maximum recordable image width, a size error occurs. In the case of a size error, it is determined whether or not to perform image scaling processing (step S606). When the recorded image scaling process is performed (step S607), the recorded image is reduced so that the width of the recorded image falls within the maximum recordable image width. This scaling process is not essential, and the process may be terminated as a size error.

  If the size of the recorded image does not exceed the maximum recordable image width, bunting processing is performed (step S602). This banting process is a process for dividing the image data into image areas (bands) for a predetermined number of rasters in order to reduce the load of the following loop process. However, this banding process is not essential, and the image data may be processed as data for one page.

  After the banding process, the processes in steps S604 and S605 are repeated for each divided band. In step S604, the RGB values of each pixel in the band are converted into CMYK values for the printing apparatus, that is, values corresponding to cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K) inks ( Color matching process). In the next step S605, the converted data is divided according to the arrangement positions of a plurality of recording apparatuses, and the position information of the recording apparatus 105 acquired in step S504 in FIG. Data to be retrieved. Then, a recording command is added to the extracted data, and the recording data of the recording device 105 is completed.

  In the case of this example, since a plurality of recording devices are arranged so as to be arranged in the width direction of the recording medium, the converted data in step S604 is divided in the width direction of the recording medium by the number of arranged recording devices (vertical). Split). More specifically, the information processing apparatus 103 divides the data converted in step S604 into two vertically so as to correspond to the deployment positions of the recording apparatuses 105 and 106, and among these data, Data corresponding to the recording device 105 is extracted. Then, by adding a recording command to the extracted data, the recording data of the recording device 105 is completed.

  When the banding process of step S602 is performed as in this example, the information processing apparatus 103 creates the recording data of the recording apparatus 105 by repeating the processes of steps S603 and S604 for the number of bands. . Similarly, the information processing apparatus 104 creates recording data for the recording apparatus 106.

(Other embodiments)
The number of recording apparatuses to be deployed, the deployment position, the number of recording heads used in one recording apparatus, and the like are arbitrary, and are not specified only in the above-described embodiments. In short, a first information processing device for storing image data and a plurality of second information processing devices for creating recording data connected to each of the plurality of recording devices in a one-to-one manner, It is only necessary that an image can be recorded on a recording medium by the cooperation of the recording apparatus. Each of the plurality of second information processing devices includes a receiving unit that receives image data from the first information processing device, a recording data creation unit that creates recording data based on the image data, and records the created recording data And a transmission unit that transmits to the apparatus. The recording data creation unit creates recording data corresponding to the recording device connected to the second information processing device, and the transmission unit records the created recording data to the recording device connected to the second information processing device, that is, What is necessary is just to be able to transmit to the recording apparatus corresponding to the recording data.

  In addition, a recording area for a recording medium can be allocated to a plurality of recording apparatuses according to their deployment positions. In this case, the recording data creation unit in the second information processing apparatus can create the recording data corresponding to the recording apparatus based on the information regarding the deployment position of the recording apparatus connected to the second information processing apparatus.

It is a schematic block diagram of the recording system in this invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic block configuration diagram of the recording system in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a perspective view for explaining a configuration example of a recording apparatus in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a block configuration diagram of a control system of the recording apparatus in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a display screen of an application that operates on the image data storage information processing apparatus of FIG. 1. (A) And (b) is a flowchart for demonstrating the recording start restriction | limiting process and recording start process by the information processing apparatus for image data storage of FIG. (A) And (b) is a flowchart for demonstrating the status information processing by the information processing apparatus for recording data creation of FIG. 1, and creation of a recording data, and a transfer process. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the recording data creation process of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

101 Information processing apparatus for storing image data (first information processing apparatus)
103, 104 Information processing apparatus for creating recording data (second information processing apparatus)
105, 106 Recording device 107 Recording head 209 Medium transport device 210 Recording head control circuit P Recording medium

Claims (10)

In a recording system for recording an image on a recording medium by cooperation of a plurality of recording devices that perform recording operations based on recording data,
A first information processing apparatus for storing image data of an image to be recorded on the recording medium;
A plurality of second information processing devices connected one-to-one to each of the plurality of recording devices;
With
Each of the plurality of second information processing devices
A receiving unit for receiving the image data from the first information processing apparatus;
A recording data creation unit that creates the recording data corresponding to the recording device connected to the second information processing device based on the image data;
A transmission unit that transmits the created recording data to the recording apparatus connected to the second information processing apparatus;
A recording system comprising: Each of the plurality of recording devices is assigned a recording area for the recording medium according to the deployment position of the recording device,
The recording data creation unit in each of the plurality of second information processing devices is connected to the second information processing device based on information regarding a deployment position of the recording device connected to the second information processing device. The recording system according to claim 1, wherein the recording data corresponding to the recording device is created. The first information processing apparatus
A storage unit for storing at least one of bitmap data or page description data as the image data;
A transmission unit that transmits the image data to each of the plurality of second information processing devices;
The recording system according to claim 1, further comprising: Each of the plurality of second information processing devices includes a transmission unit that transmits status information of the recording device connected to the second information processing device to the first information processing device,
The first information processing apparatus
A receiving unit for receiving status information of the plurality of recording devices through the plurality of second information processing devices;
A display unit for displaying the received status information;
The recording system according to claim 1, comprising:   5. The recording system according to claim 4, wherein the first information processing apparatus includes a control unit that restricts recording operations of the plurality of recording apparatuses in accordance with the received status information. Each of the plurality of recording devices is assigned a recording area for the recording medium according to the deployment position of the recording device,
The recording system according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the status information includes information related to a deployment position of the recording medium.   Each of the plurality of second information processing apparatuses includes a data processing unit for rasterizing page description data as the image data received from the first information processing apparatus into bitmap data. The recording system according to any one of 3 to 6.   Each of the plurality of second information processing devices includes a scaling processing unit capable of scaling the image data received from the first information processing device according to the size of the recording area of the recording medium. The recording system according to any one of claims 1 to 7.   9. The recording system according to claim 1, wherein each of the first information processing apparatus and the plurality of second information processing apparatuses is an information processing apparatus in a personal computer form. In a recording method for recording an image on a recording medium by cooperation of a plurality of recording devices that perform recording operations based on recording data,
Using a first information processing device for storing image data of an image to be recorded on the recording medium, and a plurality of second information processing devices connected to each of the plurality of recording devices in a one-to-one relationship,
Each of the plurality of second information processing devices creates recording data corresponding to the recording device connected to the second information processing device based on the image data received from the first information processing device, And the created recording data is transmitted to the recording apparatus connected to the second information processing apparatus.

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