JP2006043944A - Printing apparatus, computer program, printing system, and printing sample printing method - Google Patents

Abstract

A printing apparatus capable of easily setting control parameters according to user preferences is realized.
Based on the same image data, control parameters for controlling a printing unit are made different from each other, and the images to be printed and the images are associated with the images and written by a user. And a control unit capable of printing a print sample.
[Selection] Figure 5

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus, a computer program, a printing system, and a printing sample printing method.

  In recent years, with the spread of digital cameras, captured images have been freely printed at home. When printing an image photographed by a digital camera with a printing device, in order to identify an image to be printed, each index image reduced based on image data that is a candidate for printing is printed on printing paper, An invention for performing printing with reference to the index image has already been proposed (see Patent Document 1).

By the way, when printing an image, even when the image is printed based on predetermined image data, it is not always printed with a desired color tone or image quality due to a difference in control parameters for controlling the printing apparatus. There is. For example, when the printing apparatus is an inkjet printer, intermittent conveyance of printing paper and operation of ejecting ink while moving the print head are alternately performed. If the control parameters such as the amount of conveyance and the timing of ejecting ink are different while the print head is moving, images of different colors may be printed. Therefore, in order to obtain a good image, a predetermined geometric print pattern is printed and control parameters such as the transport amount of the printing paper and the ink ejection timing are set.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-283634 (Abstract)

  However, there are a large number of control parameters for each item to be set, printing a predetermined geometric print pattern for each item, and setting the control parameters for each item is laborious and cumbersome. Consumables such as printing paper and ink are consumed. Further, since the control parameters are set with a predetermined print pattern, even if ideal control parameters can be set for the printing apparatus, the image may be different from the image required by the user. For example, when a user prints a sunset image, the user may be particular about red shades. However, the ideal printing parameters in the printing apparatus are set with control parameters that are adjusted on average for all colors, so there is a problem that images different from the images desired by the user may be printed. It was.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a printing apparatus, a computer program, a printing system, and a printing apparatus that can easily set control parameters according to user preferences. A printing pattern printing method is provided.

  The main invention is: (a) a printing unit for printing an image based on image data; (b) a control parameter for controlling the printing unit based on the same image data; A control unit capable of printing a print sample that includes the image to be printed and an image selection unit that is associated with the image and that can select each image by user writing. , (C).

  Other features of the present invention will be clarified by the description of the present specification and the accompanying drawings.

  At least the following will be made clear by the description of the present specification and the accompanying drawings.

  (A) a printing unit for printing an image based on image data, (b) a control parameter for controlling the printing unit based on the same image data is made different for the printing unit, and A control unit capable of printing a print sample including the image to be printed and an image selection unit associated with the image and capable of selecting each of the images by a user's writing; (c) It is a printing apparatus characterized by having.

  According to such a printing apparatus, the control sample has an image printed with different control parameters and an image selection unit associated with each of the printed images. The user can select an image by writing. For this reason, the user can easily and quickly select one of the images printed with different control parameters by writing in one of the image selection units. In addition, since the images are printed with different control parameters, it is possible to visually check and select the images printed with the respective control parameters. For this reason, it is possible to easily select a control parameter suitable for an image. Here, the control parameter is control information used when the control unit controls the printing unit, such as a paper feed amount correction value, and indicates a parameter whose image quality, hue, and the like change by changing the control parameter. Yes.

In such a printing apparatus, it is preferable that the printing unit is capable of printing different types of images, and the print sample includes the images printed with different control parameters for each type of image. .
According to such a printing apparatus, the print sample has an image printed with different control parameters for each type of image, and an image selection unit associated with each printed image, The user can select an image by writing in a predetermined image selection unit. For this reason, the user can easily and quickly select one of the images printed with different control parameters for each type of image by writing in one of the image selection units. is there.

In such a printing apparatus, an identification unit for identifying the presence or absence of writing to the image selection unit, and an image identified as selected by the presence or absence of writing to the image selection unit are printed by the identification unit It is preferable that the control parameter includes a storage unit that is stored in association with the type of the image.
According to such a printing apparatus, when the identification unit identifies whether or not writing to the image selection unit is performed, the control parameters for printing the selected image are associated with the image type in the storage unit. Since it is stored, a complicated operation for inputting and storing the control parameter desired by the user into the printing apparatus is not required. For this reason, the selected control parameter and the image type can be associated with each other and stored in the storage unit easily and quickly.

In such a printing apparatus, the print sample indicates the type of the image, has type information that can be identified by the identification unit, the type information is identified by the identification unit, and the type of the image is It is desirable to be identified.
According to such a printing apparatus, since the type of image is also identified by the identification unit, it is not necessary to perform a complicated operation for the user to input and store the type of image in the printing apparatus. Therefore, the selected control parameter and the image type can be associated with each other and stored in the storage unit more easily and quickly.

In such a printing apparatus, it is preferable that the image data is set in advance for each type of the image.
According to such a printing apparatus, it is not necessary to select image data for printing an image when printing a print sample, so that it is possible to print immediately without taking time and effort.

In the printing apparatus, the image data may be designated by a user for each type of the image.
According to such a printing apparatus, it is possible to set control parameters for each type of image according to the image that the user originally wants to print, so it is possible to obtain an image printed with a more desirable color tone desired by the user. It is.

  In the printing apparatus, the control unit prints an image based on the reduced image based on the image data of the print candidate and the image data associated with the image and corresponding to the reduced image by user writing. And a second print sample different from the print sample can be printed by the print unit, and the identification unit can have the image designation unit capable of designating the type of the image. By identifying the writing to the image designating unit, the image to be printed is specified, the type of the image is identified, the control parameter corresponding to the identified type is acquired from the storage unit, and the acquired control parameter Preferably, the image is printed on the printing unit based on the image data.

  According to such a printing apparatus, the second print sample includes the reduced image of the print candidate image data and the image designating unit corresponding to each reduced image, and the image designating unit selects the type of image. Since the user can designate the image, the user can designate the image to be printed and also designate the type of the image simply by writing in the image designation unit. Further, when the identification unit identifies the writing of the image designating unit, it is possible to acquire the control parameter stored in the storage unit in association with the type of image. For this reason, the user does not need to set a control parameter for each image to be printed, and it is easy and quick to identify the second print sample that has been subjected to predetermined writing in the image designating unit. It is possible to print an image with a control parameter corresponding to the type.

In such a printing apparatus, the identification unit is preferably a movable reflective optical sensor having a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit.
According to such a printing apparatus, since the reflection type optical sensor is used as the identification unit, it is possible to realize a function of identifying the image selection unit and the image designation unit with a simple structure. In addition, for example, if the printing apparatus includes a reflective optical sensor for paper detection, it can be easily realized by using the reflective optical sensor, and the cost can be reduced. Is also possible.

In the printing apparatus, the identification unit may be an image scanner capable of reading an image.
According to such a printing apparatus, it is possible to more accurately identify writing in the image selection unit and the image designation unit.

  In the printing apparatus, the control unit prints an image based on the reduced image based on the image data of the print candidate and the image data associated with the reduced image and corresponding to the reduced image by user writing. A third print sample different from the print sample can be printed by the printing unit, and the identification unit can write to the image specifying unit. By identifying, an image to be printed is identified, image data of the identified image is analyzed, an image type is identified, and a control parameter corresponding to the identified image type is acquired from the storage unit. The printing unit may print an image with the acquired control parameter based on the image data of the specified image.

  According to such a printing apparatus, the type of the image to be printed is specified by analyzing the image data, so that it is not necessary to select the type of the image to be printed. For this reason, it is easier to specify an image to be printed and an image type, and it is possible to print an image with control parameters suitable for the image type more easily and quickly. .

  (A) a printing unit for printing different types of images based on the image data; (b) a control parameter for controlling the printing unit based on the same image data in the printing unit; Different from each other, it is possible to print a print sample that includes the image to be printed and an image selection unit that is associated with the image and that allows the user to select the image by writing. A control unit, (c) a movable reflective optical sensor having a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit for identifying the presence or absence of writing to the image selection unit, and (d) the reflective optical sensor. A storage unit in which the control parameter on which the image identified as selected by the presence or absence of writing to the image selection unit is printed is stored in association with the type of the image; and a mark having (e) The printing sample indicates the type of the image and has type information that can be identified by the identification unit. The printing sample is stored in the image data set in advance for each type of image. The control parameters are different from each other, the images are printed respectively, the reflection type optical sensor identifies the type information, specifies the type of the image, the control unit A reduced image based on the print candidate image data, and whether or not to print the image based on the image data corresponding to the reduced image, which is associated with the image and written by the user, and the type of the image A second print sample different from the print sample can be printed by the print unit, and the image can be printed by the identification unit. By identifying the writing to the designated unit, the image to be printed is identified and the type of the image is identified, and the control parameter corresponding to the identified type is acquired from the storage unit, and the acquired control parameter A printing apparatus that causes the printing unit to print an image based on image data.

  According to such a printing apparatus, since all the effects described above are exhibited, the object of the present invention is achieved most effectively.

  In addition, in a printing apparatus having a printing unit for printing an image based on image data, control parameters for controlling the printing unit based on the same image data are made different from each other in the printing unit. A computer program for realizing a function of printing a print sample that includes the image to be printed, and an image selection unit that is associated with the image and that allows the user to select the image by writing. It is feasible.

  (A) a computer main body; (B) a printing apparatus connected to the computer main body and having the following (a) and (b); and (a) printing for printing an image based on image data And (b) the printing unit is made to have different control parameters for controlling the printing unit based on the same image data, and the images to be printed are associated with the images, It is also possible to realize a printing system comprising: (C) a control unit capable of printing a print sample having an image selection unit capable of selecting each of the images by user writing.

  Further, a step of acquiring predetermined image data, and a control parameter for controlling the printing unit based on the acquired predetermined image data are made different from each other, and each of the images to be printed and the corresponding image It is also possible to implement a printing method of a print sample, comprising: an image selection unit that is attached and has an image selection unit that allows each of the images to be selected by user writing.

=== Example of Printing Apparatus ===
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  First, an outline of a printing apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS. In this embodiment, an example of an inkjet printer (hereinafter referred to as a printer) 22 that prints an image by ejecting ink from a plurality of nozzles will be described as a printing apparatus. In the printer 22, the control unit executes a program stored in an internal memory, thereby independently converting image data into printable print data, printing an image, or storing the image data in the memory. Various print samples can be printed using the data.

FIG. 1 is an external view of a printer 22 as a printing apparatus according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 22 has a structure for discharging a medium such as printing paper supplied from a paper supply unit 4 provided on the back side from the front side, and an operation unit 136 is provided on the front side. , And a paper discharge unit 3 are provided. On the back side, an interface connector 56 (FIG. 2) that enables connection with a digital camera or a computer is provided. The operation unit 136 is provided with various operation buttons 136b and a display lamp 136a. . Further, the paper discharge unit 3 is provided with a paper discharge tray 5 that can close the paper discharge port when not in use. The paper feed unit 4 is provided with a paper feed tray 6 that holds cut paper (not shown). Note that the printer 22 may have a paper feed structure that can print not only on a single-sheet-like printing paper such as a cut paper but also on a continuous medium such as a roll paper.

  In addition, a slot 135 having a card insertion slot into which the memory card 48 can be attached and detached and a display unit 138 made up of a small liquid crystal panel are provided at the top of the printer 22. When the memory card 48 is inserted into the slot 135, the position of the memory card 48 is restricted by the inner wall of the slot 135 and connected to the card reader 47 (FIG. 3) provided inside. The display unit 138 can display an image based on designated image data, or can display information prompting the user to perform an operation or information indicating a state by operating the operation unit 136.

  The operation unit 136 includes a display lamp 136a and an operation button 136b. By operating the operation button 136b, for example, the power is turned on or off, the printing paper P is fed or discharged, the printer It is also possible to print an image by 22 alone. The display lamp 136a is a part for notifying the user of the operation state of the printer according to the operation of the operation button 136b by turning on or blinking.

=== Internal structure of the printer ===
FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of the printer 22, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a main part of the printer 22 centering on a control unit 40 of the printer.
As shown in FIG. 2, the printer 22 includes a paper transport unit that transports the print paper P by the paper feed motor 23 and a carriage movement that reciprocates the carriage 31 by the carriage motor 24 in a direction that intersects the paper transport direction. Part. Here, the feeding direction of the printing paper P by the paper transport unit is referred to as a transport direction, and the moving direction of the carriage 31 by the carriage moving unit is referred to as a carriage moving direction.

  The printer 22 is mounted on a carriage 31 and includes a print head unit 60 including a print head 12 as a printing unit, and a head driving unit that drives the print head unit 60 to control ink ejection and dot formation. The paper feed motor 23, the carriage motor 24, the print head unit 60, and the control unit 40 that controls the exchange of signals with the operation unit 136 are provided.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the carriage 31 has a detachable component black cartridge 71 containing black (K) ink, a cyan cartridge 72 containing cyan (C) ink, and magenta (M). The four ink cartridges 71 to 74 are mounted detachably, including a magenta cartridge 73 containing the ink of yellow and a yellow cartridge 74 containing the yellow (Y) ink.

A print head 12 is provided below the carriage 31. In the print head 12, nozzles for ejecting ink are arranged in a line in the transport direction of the printing paper P, and a nozzle line corresponding to each color ink is formed.
In addition, a piezoelectric element that is one of electrostrictive elements and excellent in responsiveness is arranged for each nozzle in a nozzle row that is provided below the carriage 31 and is associated with each ink. The piezo element is installed at a position in contact with a member that forms an ink passage that guides ink to the nozzle. Piezo elements have a crystal structure that is distorted by the application of voltage, and perform electro-mechanical energy conversion at an extremely high speed.

  In the present embodiment, by applying a voltage having a predetermined time width between the electrodes provided at both ends of the piezo element, the piezo element is extended for the voltage application time, and one side wall of the ink passage is deformed. As a result, the volume of the ink passage contracts according to the expansion of the piezo element, and the ink corresponding to the contraction becomes ink droplets and is ejected at high speed from the tip of the nozzle. The ink droplets soak into the printing paper P conveyed by the paper feed roller 26, thereby forming dots and printing. The size of the ink droplet can be changed by a method of applying a voltage to the piezo element. Thereby, for example, dots of three different sizes, large, medium, and small, can be formed.

  Further, a reflection type optical sensor 39 as an identification unit for detecting printed information described later is provided below the carriage 31 on the downstream side in the transport direction from the print head 12. The reflective optical sensor 39 includes a light emitting unit 39a that projects light onto the printing paper P, and a light receiving unit 39b such as a photodiode that converts the reflected light from the printing paper P into a corresponding image signal. It is constituted by. Using this reflective optical sensor 39, it is also possible to detect the edge of the printing paper, the presence or absence of the printing paper, and determine the type of printing paper. The configuration of the reflective optical sensor 39 will be described later.

  A paper transport unit that transports the printing paper P includes a gear train (not shown) that transmits the rotation of the paper feed motor 23 to a paper feed roller 26 and a paper transport roller (not shown), and a shaft of the paper feed motor 23. And a rotary encoder 16 having a disk-shaped encoder code disk having a plurality of radial slits.

  The carriage moving unit that reciprocates the carriage 31 is an endless drive belt between the carriage motor 24 and a slide shaft 34 that is laid in parallel with the axis of the paper feed roller 26 and slidably holds the carriage 31. A pulley 38 that stretches 36, a linear encoder 17 that is fixed to the carriage 31 and detects the position of the carriage 31, and a linear encoder that is provided in parallel with the sliding shaft 34 and has slits formed at predetermined intervals. The code plate 19 is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 40 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 41, a programmable ROM (P-ROM (Read Only Memory)) 43, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 44, and a character that stores a dot matrix of characters. The arithmetic logic circuit includes a generator (CG (Character Generator)) 45, an EEPROM (Electronically Erasable and Programmable ROM) 46 as a storage unit, and a card reader 47.

The control unit 40 further drives an I / F dedicated circuit 50 that is an interface (I / F (Interface)) with an external motor and the like, and the print head unit 60 connected to the I / F dedicated circuit 50. A head drive circuit 52 that ejects ink, a motor drive circuit 54 that drives the paper feed motor 23 and the carriage motor 24, and a panel control circuit 55 that drives the display unit 138.
The I / F dedicated circuit 50 incorporates a parallel interface circuit, constitutes a printing system in which the computer 110 and the printer 22 are connected via the connector 56, and can receive a print signal supplied from the computer 110. And

A memory card 48, which is a storage medium of the digital camera, is inserted into the card reader 47, and information recorded on the memory card 48 is read and printed. Instead of the card reader 47, the digital camera 111 may be connected to a connector provided on the rear side, and image information may be transmitted / received via the I / F dedicated circuit 50.
The memory card 48 is composed of a semiconductor storage device, is detachably mounted on the digital camera, and is configured to store captured image data.

=== Configuration Example of Reflective Optical Sensor ===
Next, a configuration example of the reflective optical sensor will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of the reflective optical sensor 39.

  The reflective optical sensor 39 is attached to the carriage 31, and includes a light emitting unit 39a configured by, for example, a light emitting diode and a light receiving unit 39b configured by, for example, a phototransistor. Light emitted from the light emitting portion 39a, that is, incident light is reflected by the printing paper P, and the reflected light is received by the light receiving portion 39b and converted into an electrical signal. The magnitude of the electrical signal is measured as the output value of the light receiving sensor corresponding to the intensity of the received reflected light. Accordingly, for example, when the light reflected by the printing paper P is equal to or higher than a predetermined output, the reflective optical sensor 39 outputs “High” level, and when the output is small, the output becomes “Low” level. For this reason, for example, when the light emitted from the light emitting unit 39a is applied to the paper, the light is reflected and the output becomes “High” level. When the light is emitted without the paper, the reflected light is not obtained and the output is “Low”. The presence / absence of the sheet and the leading edge can be detected by reaching the level. In addition, there are some printing parts and writing on the paper, and when light is irradiated to these printing parts and writing, the output becomes low, so it is possible to detect that there are printing parts and writing on the paper. . In the above description, as shown in the figure, the light emitting unit 39a and the light receiving unit 39b are integrally formed as a reflection type optical sensor 39. However, like the light emitting device and the light receiving device. Each may constitute a separate device.

=== Printing operation ===
Next, the printing operation in the above embodiment will be described.
In the present embodiment, a case will be described in which, for example, a photograph is taken with a digital camera and an image is printed based on image data stored in the memory card 48. In the present embodiment, control parameters are stored in the EEPROM 46 of the printer 22 in association with image types, for example, person images, landscape images, and the like. That is, when the image data to be printed is designated and the type of the image is designated and the printing process is executed, the designated image is designated by the control parameter stored in association with the designated type of image. It is possible to print. Therefore, first, a method for setting control parameters to be stored in correspondence with the type of image will be described.

<Control parameters>
In the present embodiment, the control parameter is a five-step adjustment value of “−2 to +2” as the paper feed amount correction value, and is formed by the position of the dot formed in the forward path and the return path when the carriage 31 is reciprocated. As an adjustment value (hereinafter referred to as a Bi-d adjustment value) with respect to the position of the dot to be described, the five-stage adjustment values “−2 to +2” will be described as an example. For example, adjustment of items that contribute to the position of dots formed by ink ejected from the nozzles, such as tilt correction values in the vertical direction and carriage movement direction of the print head 12 and the carriage movement direction, and correction values for the distance between the platen and the nozzles The value can be a control parameter.

  The adjustment value of the paper feed amount is an adjustment value of the conveyance amount of the printing paper that is intermittently conveyed. That is, after the printing paper is transported, ink is ejected while moving the carriage 31 to form the first dots, and then the printing paper is transported by a predetermined amount, and the carriage 31 is moved while moving the carriage 31. Are ejected to form second dots. At this time, if the relative position between the first dot and the second dot is not as designed, for example, there is a possibility that a good image cannot be obtained. For this reason, the relative position between the first dot and the second dot is adjusted by increasing or decreasing the predetermined transport amount set in advance. For example, as described above, this adjustment value is provided in five stages “−2 to +2”, and the adjustment amount corresponds to the minimum rotation amount that can be detected by the rotary encoder 16 for each step. Is set.

  The Bi-d adjustment value indicates the relative position between the dot formed in the forward path and the dot formed in the backward path at the same target position on the printing paper when printing is performed by reciprocating the carriage 31 and printing. This is an adjustment value for adjusting the discharge timing of a predetermined ink set in advance for adjustment. For example, it is an adjustment value for adjusting the timing at which ink is ejected on the return path with respect to the timing at which ink is ejected on the outbound path. This adjustment value is also provided in, for example, five stages “−2 to +2” as described above, and the adjustment amount is the time required to move the minimum distance detectable by the linear encoder 17 for each stage. Is set. In the print head 12 of this embodiment, since the nozzle rows that eject four colors of ink are arranged in the carriage movement direction, it is desirable to adjust the Bi-d adjustment value for each color, but the control is complicated. In reality, only one Bi-d adjustment value is set. That is, the dot formation positions of all colors are adjusted using one Bi-d adjustment value. For this reason, Bi-d adjustment values appropriate for all colors are not necessarily set. However, by setting the Bi-d adjustment value to five levels of “−2 to +2”, for example, a Bi-d adjustment value suitable for cyan dots, a Bi-d adjustment value suitable for magenta dots, and 2 It is possible to set a Bi-d adjustment value or the like such that dots of colors or more are shifted on average.

<Control parameter setting>
When setting control parameters, first, a parameter setting sample sheet 80 on which a control parameter setting print sample (hereinafter referred to as parameter setting print sample) 81 as a first print sample is printed is printed.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the parameter setting sample sheet 80. The parameter setting print sample 81 of the parameter setting sample sheet 80 shown in FIG. 5 includes a parameter setting print subsample 81a for setting control parameters for printing two types of images, that is, a person image and a landscape image. Printed for each image type.

  Each parameter setting print subsample 81a has different control parameters based on the type information 82 indicating the type of image printed in the parameter setting print subsample 81a and the image data of the sample image designated by the user. Each of the five images 83 and an image selection unit 84 provided corresponding to each image.

  One type information 82 is printed for each parameter setting print subsample 81a. Here, an identification area 82a is provided corresponding to the character indicating the image type and the lower side of the character, and the corresponding identification area 82a is filled according to the image type of the parameter setting print subsample 81a. Printed. In the example of FIG. 5, the upper parameter setting print subsample 81a is filled with the identification area 82a corresponding to the person image, and the lower parameter setting print subsample 81a is filled with the identification area 82a corresponding to the landscape image. It is.

  The five images 83 are printed with different control parameters, and in the case of images in which only the Bi-d adjustment value is changed as the control parameter, they are arranged side by side along the carriage movement direction. Further, when only the paper feed amount adjustment value is set or when a control parameter combining the Bi-d adjustment value and the paper feed amount adjustment value is set, five images are arranged side by side in the transport direction.

  A sample image for printing the image 83 is designated by the user from a group of print candidate images to be printed by the user. For example, an image for which the user wants the best image quality is selected by the user for each type of image from the print candidate image group. Then, when printing the parameter setting print sample, the image data is acquired from the data storage unit in which the selected image data is stored, for example, the memory card 48. Here, the number of images 83 and the number of control parameters are not limited to five. Also, the control parameter items are not limited to these.

  The image selection unit 84 is provided below each image 83 in association with each image 83, and is partitioned for the user or the like to select a desired print image from the five printed images 83. This is a writable blank area 84a.

  In the parameter setting sample sheet 80, one blank area 84a among the five blank areas 84a included in the image selection section 84 of each parameter setting print subsample 81a is filled by user writing, and the sheet feeding section 4 of the printer 22 is filled. Paper is fed from. Then, based on the output of the reflective optical sensor 39 mounted on the carriage 31, the type information 82 and the area in which the image selection unit 84 is written are detected, so that the type of image and the selected image are selected. Are associated with each other. At this time, since the image and the control parameter for printing the image are associated with each other, the image type and the control parameter are associated with each other.

When the type information 82 and the area where the image selection unit 84 is written are detected based on the output of the reflective optical sensor 39 mounted on the carriage 31 as described above, the reflective optical sensor 39 is mounted. The position of the carriage 31 can be detected by the linear encoder 17 and the rotary encoder 16, but the relative position between the reflective optical sensor 39 and the type information 82 or the like must be clarified. Don't be. For this reason, when printing the parameter setting sample sheet 80, the leading edge of the fed printing paper P is detected based on the output of the reflective optical sensor 39, and the rotary encoder 16 uses the detected position as a reference. The printing paper P is conveyed based on the output, and the parameter setting print subsample 81a is printed at an appropriate position. When reading the information on the parameter setting sample sheet 80, the leading end of the fed parameter setting sample sheet 80 is detected based on the output of the reflective optical sensor 39, and the carriage 31 is moved with reference to the detected position. When moved, the reflection-type optical sensor 39 conveys the parameter setting sample sheet 80 based on the output of the rotary encoder 16 to a position facing the type information 82 and the image selection unit 84. Thereafter, the carriage 31 is moved, and the type information 82 and the written area are detected based on the output of the linear encoder 17 when detected based on the output of the reflective optical sensor 39. For this reason, the identification area 82a of the type information 82 and the blank area 84a of the image selection unit 84 have sizes that can be detected based on the output of the reflective optical sensor 39 in consideration of the detection error of the encoder. It is necessary to have.
As a result of detection based on the output of the reflective optical sensor 39, the associated image type and control parameters are stored in the EEPROM 46 as print information when the image is printed.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a method for setting control parameters.
First, the user inputs a setting start command for setting control parameters from the operation unit 136 (S101). When the control unit 40 detects the setting start command, the control unit 40 displays a screen for allowing the user to select a sample image on the display unit 138 (S102). Based on the screen of the display unit 138, the user selects a sample image for each image type from among the print candidate images stored in the memory card 48 (S103). When the sample image is selected by the user, the control unit 40 prints the parameter setting sample sheet 80 using the image data of the sample image stored in the memory card 48 (S104). The user performs predetermined writing on the image selection unit 84 of the printed parameter setting sample sheet 80 to select a desired control parameter for each type of image, and sets the control parameter in the paper feeding unit 4 of the printer 22. When the user performs an operation of reading the written parameter setting sample sheet 80, the control unit 40 feeds the parameter setting sample sheet 80 (S105), and the type information 82 is based on the output of the reflective optical sensor 39. And the area in which the image selection unit 84 is written is detected (S106). Based on the detected type information 82 and the area in which the image selection unit 84 is written, the control unit 40 stores the type of image and the control parameter for printing the image in association with each other in the EEPROM 46 ( S107). In the present embodiment, the example in which the type information 82 is expressed by painting the identification area 82a has been described. However, a barcode or the like indicating the type of image may be printed. In the present embodiment, an example in which the tip of the parameter setting sample sheet 80 is detected by the reflection type optical sensor 39 in order to recognize the relative position between the reflection type optical sensor 39 and the parameter setting print sample 81. Although shown, it is not limited to this. For example, a line along the carriage movement direction is printed on the margin portion of the parameter setting sample sheet 80, and this line is detected by the reflection type optical sensor 39, whereby the reflection type optical sensor 39, the parameter setting print sample 81, The relative position may be recognized.

<Print image>
Next, a method for printing an image stored in the memory card 48 will be described.
The memory card 48 stores a plurality of image data as print candidates, and selects and prints an image to be printed from the stored plurality of image data. In the state of the image data stored in the memory card 48, since it is difficult to view and select a large number of images as images to be printed at a time, first, the reduced images are arranged and printed based on all the image data. The index sheet 85 on which the index image as the second print sample is printed is generated.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of the index sheet 85 according to the present embodiment. The index sheet 85 shown in FIG. 7 has an index having a reduced image 86 corresponding to print candidate image data, and an image designation unit 87 for designating an image or the like desired to be printed corresponding to each reduced image 86. An image is printed.

  One reduced image 86 is formed for each print candidate image data and arranged side by side. The reduced image 86 in this case may be printed in a simple print mode such as low-resolution high-speed printing in order to shorten the printing time and reduce the consumption of consumables.

  The image designating unit 87 selects an image desired to be printed, for example, by a user or the like using a writing tool or the like, and selects a control parameter stored in advance, that is, a control parameter corresponding to a person image. And a blank area 87a for selecting one of the control parameters corresponding to the landscape image. In the example of FIG. 7, one blank area 87 a is provided for each control parameter corresponding to a person image and each control parameter corresponding to a landscape image corresponding to each reduced image 86. Information that the user performs predetermined writing on one of the two blank areas 87a to print a corresponding image and print with any control parameter corresponding to a person image or a landscape image. Indicated. At this time, no data is written in any blank area 87a in the image designating unit 87 corresponding to an image that is not desired to be printed.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a method of printing an image.
First, the user designates an image data group of print candidate images and inputs a print command for printing the index sheet 85 from the operation unit 136 (S201). At this time, the user designates a predetermined folder or the like in which the image data group of the memory card 48 is stored. When detecting the print command signal of the index sheet 85, the control unit 40 acquires the image data in the designated folder and generates reduced image data for printing the reduced image 86 based on each image data. (S202). Then, print data for the index sheet for printing the index sheet 85 in which each reduced image data generated and the image designating unit 87 associated with each reduced image data is laid out is generated, and the index sheet 85 is printed. (S203).

  The user performs predetermined writing on the image designating portion 87 of the printed index sheet 85 and sets the written index sheet 85 in the paper feeding portion 4 of the printer 22. At this time, any blank area 87a of the image designation unit 87 associated with the reduced image desired to be printed is filled in by the user's writing.

  The index sheet 85 written in the image designating unit 87 is fed from the sheet feeding unit 4 of the printer 22 as with the parameter setting sample sheet 80 (S204). Then, based on the output of the reflective optical sensor 39 mounted on the carriage 31, the area in which the image designating portion 87 corresponding to the image to be printed is detected is detected, and the image to be printed is selected. The controlled parameters are associated with each other (S205). The image data to be printed and the control parameters are stored in the EEPROM 46 (S206).

  When the reading process of the index sheet 85 is completed, the control unit 40 prints an image to be printed based on the information stored in the EEPROM 46 (S207). At this time, the control unit 40 performs image processing based on the control parameters associated with the image data to generate print data, and the print head unit 60, paper feed based on the generated print data and control parameters. The motor 23, carriage motor 24, etc. are controlled to print an image.

  According to the printer 22 of this embodiment, the parameter setting print sample 81 includes an image 83 printed with different control parameters for each image type, and an image selection unit associated with each printed image 83. 84. Then, the user can select a preferred image 83 as the type of image corresponding to the type of image by writing in one blank area 84a of the image selection unit 84 corresponding to the image 83 being printed. It is. Further, since the image 83 is printed with different control parameters, it is visually confirmed what the image printed with each control parameter is, and any blank area of the image selection unit 84 is checked. By writing in 84a, it is possible to select an image that is considered preferable, that is, a control parameter, in association with the type of image. For this reason, it is possible to easily select a control parameter suitable for the type of image.

  In addition, by setting several control parameters for each type of image, which are obtained by extracting desired parameters from many parameters that can be control parameters, an image can be printed with several control parameters according to the type of image. Is possible. Then, the user selects one of the images 83 printed with several control parameters according to the type of image, and stores the control parameters of the selected image 83 in correspondence with the type of image. It is possible to print a good image with a more appropriate control parameter for each type of image. In addition, since printing is not performed with unnecessary control parameters, useless images are not printed, and waste of consumables such as paper and ink can be suppressed.

  When the presence / absence of writing to the image selection unit 84 is identified based on the output of the reflective optical sensor 39, the control parameter for printing the selected image is associated with the image type in the EEPROM 46. Since it is stored, it is not necessary to perform complicated operations such as inputting the control parameters desired by the user into the printer 22 and storing them. Therefore, the selected control parameter and the image type can be stored in the EEPROM 46 easily and quickly in association with each other.

  Furthermore, since the type of image is also identified by the reflective optical sensor 39, the user does not need to perform complicated operations such as inputting the image type into the printer 22 and storing it. Therefore, the selected control parameter and the image type can be associated with each other and stored in the EEPROM 46 more easily and quickly.

  Further, the index image has a reduced image 86 of the image data of the print candidate and an image designation unit 87 corresponding to each of the reduced images 86, and the image designation unit 87 can designate the type of image. The user can specify the image to be printed and also specify the type of the image simply by writing in any of the blank areas 87a of the image specifying unit 87. Further, the control parameter stored in the EEPROM 46 in association with the type of the image can be acquired by identifying the writing of the image designating unit 87 by the reflective optical sensor 39. For this reason, the user does not need to set a control parameter for each image to be printed, and can easily and quickly identify an index image written in any blank area 87a of the image designating unit 87. It is possible to print an image with a control parameter corresponding to the type of image.

  In the present embodiment, an example in which a user selects a sample image from image data of print candidates has been described. However, a sample image may be set for each image type and stored in the EEPROM 46 or the like in advance. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a parameter setting sample sheet 75 printed using image data stored in advance, and FIG. 10 illustrates a method for setting control parameters using image data stored in advance. FIG.

  The parameter setting print sample 76 as the third print sample of the parameter setting sample sheet 75 shown in FIG. 9 is also a parameter for setting control parameters when printing two types of images, that is, a person image and a landscape image. A setting print subsample 76a is printed for each type of image.

  Each parameter setting print subsample 76a prints the type information 77 indicating the type of image printed by the parameter setting print subsample 76a and the preset sample image respectively printed with different control parameters. There are two images 78 and an image selector 79 provided corresponding to each image.

  When setting a control parameter using image data stored in advance, first, the user inputs a setting start command for setting a control parameter from the operation unit 136 (S301). When detecting the setting start command, the control unit 40 prints the parameter setting sample sheet 75 using the image data of the sample image stored in the EEPROM 46 (S302). The user performs predetermined writing on the image selection unit 79 of the printed parameter setting sample sheet 75 to select a desired control parameter for each type of image, and sets it in the paper feeding unit 4 of the printer 22.

  When the user performs an operation of reading the written parameter setting sample sheet 75, the control unit 40 feeds the parameter setting sample sheet 75 (S303), and the type information 77 is based on the output of the reflective optical sensor 39. And the area in which the image selection unit 79 is written is detected (S304). Based on the detected type information 82 and the area in which the image selection unit 84 is written, the control unit 40 stores the type of image and the control parameter for printing the image in association with each other in the EEPROM 46 ( S305). In this case, it is not necessary to select a sample image, and it is possible to set control parameters more easily. However, in the above-described embodiment, the image to be printed can be printed with a preferred image quality. Is better.

  In the above embodiment, since the reflective optical sensor 39 is used as an identification unit, it is possible to realize a function of identifying the image selection unit 84 and the image designation unit 87 with a simple structure. Further, for example, if the printer 22 includes a reflective optical sensor 39 for paper detection or the like, it can be easily realized by using the reflective optical sensor 39, and the cost can be reduced. It can also be suppressed.

  In the present embodiment, the index image image designation unit 87 designates the type of the corresponding reduced image. However, if the image designation unit 87 can identify the image to be printed, It is not restricted to this structure. For example, an image designating sheet as a third printing pattern different from the index sheet is printed. The image designation sheet is associated with the reduced image 86 based on the image data of the print candidate and whether or not the image is printed based on the image data corresponding to the reduced image 86 by writing by the user. Is provided. Hereinafter, a method for printing an image using an image designating sheet will be described, but the same components as those in the above embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image designation sheet, and FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining a method of printing using the image designation sheet.

  First, the user designates an image data group of print candidate images from the operation unit 136 and inputs a print command for printing the image designation sheet 88 (S401). At this time, the user designates a predetermined folder or the like in which the image data group of the memory card 48 is stored. When the control unit 40 detects the print command signal of the image designation sheet 88, the control unit 40 acquires image data in the designated folder and, based on each image data, obtains reduced image data for printing the reduced image 86. Generate (S402). Then, print data for an image designation sheet for printing the image designation sheet 88 in which the generated reduced image data and the image specifying unit 89 associated with each reduced image data are laid out is generated, and the image designation sheet is generated. 88 is printed on the printing unit (S403).

  The user performs predetermined writing on the image specifying portion 89 of the printed image specifying sheet 88 and sets the image specifying sheet 88 after writing to the paper feeding portion 4 of the printer 22. At this time, the image specifying unit 89 associated with the reduced image desired to be printed is filled in by the user's writing.

  When the user performs an operation of reading the written image designation sheet 88, the control unit 40 feeds the image designation sheet 88 (S404) and designates printing based on the output of the reflective optical sensor 39. The detected image is detected (S405). The control unit 40 acquires the designated image data, analyzes the acquired image data, and determines the type of the image data (S406). For example, the ratio of the R (red) component, G (green) component, and B (blue) component of the image data is analyzed. If the area occupied by the skin color pixels is large, it is determined as a person image, and the other colors are selected. If the area occupied by the prime is large, it is determined as a landscape image. The control unit 40 associates the information indicating the designated image with the determined image type and stores them in the EEPROM 46 (S407).

  Then, based on the information stored in the EEPROM 46, the control unit 40 generates print data based on the image data of the designated image and the control parameter corresponding to the discriminated image type. The printing unit is controlled based on the above to print an image (S408).

  According to such a printer 22, the type of image to be printed is specified by analyzing the image data, so that it is not necessary to select the type of image to be printed. For this reason, it is easier to specify an image to be printed and an image type, and it is possible to print an image with control parameters suitable for the image type more easily and quickly. .

  In the above embodiment, the example using the reflective optical sensor 39 as an identification unit for detecting printed information has been described. However, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) element or a CCD element is used as the identification unit. A conventional camera or the like may be used.

  Also, it has a scanner unit that reads an image from a document and generates image data, and a printer unit that prints on a print medium based on print data sent from a computer, and prints the image read from the document on the print medium. In the case of a scanner / printer / copy composite apparatus 22a (hereinafter referred to as an SPC composite apparatus) having a local copy function for copying, the scanner section can also be used as an identification section. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of the SPC multifunction apparatus.

  The SPC multifunction apparatus 22a is provided with a scanner unit 95 for reading a document at the upper part and a printing unit 96 at the lower part. An operation panel 97 is provided on the front surface.

  That is, when setting the control parameter, the condition setting print sample is formed by the printing unit 96, the formed condition setting print sample is read by the upper scanner unit 95, and the control parameter is set based on the read information. Set for each image type. Further, when printing an image, an index sheet is printed by the printing unit 96, the index sheet on which predetermined writing is performed is read by the upper scanner unit 95, and images are sequentially printed based on the read information. .

=== Configuration of Printing System ===
In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the printer 22 alone prints the condition setting print sheet, the index sheet, and the image. However, in the case of a printing system connected to a computer, a printer driver installed in the computer, etc. Thus, the print data for printing the condition setting print sheet, the index sheet, and the image may be generated and printed by the printer 22 to which the print data is sent.

  The configuration of the printing system (computer system) will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the description of the following embodiments includes embodiments relating to a computer program and a recording medium on which the computer program is recorded.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining an example of the printing system. The printing system 100 includes a printer 22, a computer 110, a display device 120, an input device 130, a recording / reproducing device 140, and an image scanner 150 for reading an image. The printer 22 is a printing device that prints an image on a medium such as paper, cloth, or film. The computer 110 is communicably connected to the printer 22 and outputs print data corresponding to the image to be printed to the printer 22 in order to cause the printer 22 to print an image. The display device 120 has a display and displays a user interface such as an application program or a printer driver. The input device 130 is, for example, a keyboard 130A or a mouse 130B, and is used for operating an application program, setting a printer driver, or the like along a user interface displayed on the display device 120. As the recording / reproducing device 140, for example, a flexible disk drive device 140A or a CD-ROM drive device 140B is used.

  A printer driver is installed in the computer 110. The printer driver realizes a function of displaying a user interface on the display device 120, a function of converting image data output from the application program into print data, a condition setting print sheet, and an image stored in a predetermined folder. This is a program for realizing a function of printing an index sheet or an image using data. This printer driver is recorded on a recording medium (computer-readable recording medium) such as a flexible disk FD or a CD-ROM. Alternatively, the printer driver can be downloaded to the computer 110 via the Internet. In addition, this program is comprised from the code | cord | chord for implement | achieving various functions.

  When setting the control parameter for each image type in the printing system 100 of the present embodiment, the user displays the print candidate image stored in the memory card 48 on the display device 120 and the input device 130. It is possible to select a sample image by operating the keyboard 130A, the mouse 130B, or the like. In this case, more images can be displayed at a time than the display unit 138 of the printer 22, and input can be performed with a high-function input device than the operation unit 136 of the printer 22, so that a sample image can be easily selected. is there.

  Further, since the printing system 100 of the present embodiment includes the image scanner 150 as an external peripheral device, the image scanner 150 can also be used as an identification unit. In this case, it is possible to read more accurately and to improve the workability than the detection by the reflection type optical sensor 39 mounted on the printer.

  The printing system 100 realized in this way is a system superior to the conventional system as a whole system.

  In the present embodiment, the example in which the printing system 100 includes the printer 22, the computer 110, the display device, the input device, the drive device, and the like has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the printing system may be configured by the computer 110 and the printer 22, and the printing system may not include any of the display device, the input device, and the drive device.

=== Other Embodiments ===
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be implemented in various modes without departing from the gist thereof. For example, the following modifications are possible.
(1) In the above embodiment, a part of the configuration realized by hardware may be replaced by software, and conversely, a part of the configuration realized by software may be replaced by hardware. Also good.
(2) The present invention is generally applicable to a printing apparatus that prints an image based on image data, and can be applied to various printing apparatuses other than a color inkjet printer. For example, the present invention can also be applied to an inkjet facsimile machine, a copying machine, a monochrome laser printer, a color laser printer, and the like.

1 is an external view of a printer 22 as a printing apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a printer 22. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a main part of the printer 22 centering on a control unit 40 included in the printer. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of a reflective optical sensor 39. FIG. The figure which shows an example of the parameter setting sample sheet. The figure which shows the method of setting a control parameter. The figure which shows an example of the index sheet | seat 85 of this Embodiment. The figure for demonstrating the method of printing an image using the set control parameter. The figure which shows an example of the parameter setting sample sheet 75 printed using the image data memorize | stored beforehand. The figure which shows the method of setting a control parameter using the image data memorize | stored beforehand. The figure which shows an example of an image designation | designated sheet. The figure for demonstrating the method to print using an image designation | designated sheet. The figure which shows an example of a SPC compound apparatus. The figure for demonstrating an example of a printing system.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 3 Paper discharge part, 4 Paper feed part, 5 Paper discharge tray, 6 Paper feed tray, 12 Print head, 16 Rotary encoder, 17 Linear encoder, 19 Code board for linear encoder, 22 Printer, 22a SPC compound apparatus, 23 Paper feed motor, 24 Carriage motor, 26 Paper feed roller, 31 Carriage, 34 Slide shaft, 36 Drive belt, 38 Pulley, 39 Reflective optical sensor, 39a Light emitting part, 39b Light receiving part, 40 Control part, 41 CPU 43 Programmable ROM, 44 RAM, 45 Character generator, 46 EEPROM, 47 Card reader, 48 Memory card, 50 I / F dedicated circuit, 52 Head drive circuit, 54 Motor drive circuit, 55 Panel control circuit, 56 Connector, 60 Printing Head unit, 71 Black Cartridge, 72 cyan cartridge, 73 magenta cartridge, 74 yellow cartridge, 75 parameter setting sample sheet, 76 parameter setting print sample, 76a parameter setting print subsample, 77 type information, 78 images, 79 image selection section, 80 parameter setting sample Sheet, 81 Parameter setting print sample, 81a Parameter setting print subsample, 82 type information, 82a identification area, 83 images, 84 image selection section, 84a blank area, 85 index sheet, 86 reduced image, 87 image designation section, 87a blank Area, 88 image designation sheet, 89 image specifying section, 95 scanner unit, 96 printing unit, 97 operation panel section, 100 printing system, 110 computer, 111 display Tall camera, 120 display device, 130 input device, 130A keyboard, 130B mouse, 135 slot, 136 operation unit, 136a display lamp, 136b operation button, 138 display unit, 140 recording / reproducing device, 140A flexible disk drive device, 140B CD-ROM Drive device, 150 image scanner, P printing paper, FD flexible disk

Claims (14)

(A) a printing unit for printing an image based on the image data;
(B) Based on the same image data, the printing unit is controlled to control parameters for controlling the printing unit different from each other, and the image to be printed and the image are associated with each other, and the user's A control unit capable of printing a print sample having an image selection unit capable of selecting each of the images by writing;
A printing apparatus comprising (c). The printing apparatus according to claim 1,
The printing unit is capable of printing different types of images,
The printing apparatus, wherein the print sample includes the image to be printed with the control parameter being different from each other for each type of image. The printing apparatus according to claim 2,
An identification unit for identifying the presence or absence of writing to the image selection unit;
A storage unit that stores the control parameter on which the image identified as selected by the presence or absence of writing to the image selection unit is printed in association with the type of the image;
A printing apparatus comprising: The printing apparatus according to claim 2,
The print sample indicates the type of the image, and has type information that can be identified by the identification unit.
The printing apparatus is characterized in that the type information is identified and the type of the image is specified by the identification unit. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 4,
The printing apparatus, wherein the image data is preset for each type of the image. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 4,
The printing apparatus, wherein the image data is designated by a user for each type of the image. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 6,
The control unit includes a reduced image based on image data of a print candidate,
An image designation unit associated with the image and indicating whether or not to print the image based on the image data corresponding to the reduced image by writing by the user, and capable of designating the type of the image;
A second print sample different from the print sample can be printed by the printing unit,
Identifying the image to be printed by identifying the writing to the image designating unit in the identifying unit and identifying the type of the image,
A printing apparatus that acquires a control parameter corresponding to an identified type from the storage unit, and causes the printing unit to print an image based on the image data with the acquired control parameter. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 7,
The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the identification unit includes a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit and is a movable reflective optical sensor. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 7,
The printing apparatus, wherein the identification unit is an image scanner capable of reading an image. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 9,
The control unit includes a reduced image based on image data of a print candidate,
An image specifying unit associated with the reduced image and indicating whether or not to print an image based on image data corresponding to the reduced image by writing by the user;
A third print sample different from the print sample can be printed by the printing unit,
Identifying the image to be printed by identifying writing to the image identifying unit in the identifying unit,
Analyze the image data of the identified image, identify the type of image,
A control parameter corresponding to the specified type of image is acquired from the storage unit, and based on the image data of the specified image, the printing unit is caused to print an image with the acquired control parameter. Printing device. (A) a printing unit for printing different types of images based on the image data;
(B) Based on the same image data, the printing unit is controlled to control parameters for controlling the printing unit different from each other, and the image to be printed and the image are associated with each other, and the user's A control unit capable of printing a print sample having an image selection unit capable of selecting each of the images by writing;
(C) a movable reflective optical sensor having a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit, for identifying whether or not writing to the image selection unit is performed;
(D) In the reflective optical sensor, the control parameter on which an image identified as selected by the presence or absence of writing to the image selection unit is printed is stored in association with the type of the image. A storage unit;
(E) a printing device comprising:
The print sample indicates the type of the image, and has type information that can be identified by the identification unit.
The print sample includes the images that are respectively printed with different control parameters based on the image data set in advance for each type of image,
In the reflective optical sensor, the type information is identified, the type of the image is specified,
The control unit includes a reduced image based on image data of a print candidate,
An image designation unit associated with the image and indicating whether or not to print the image based on the image data corresponding to the reduced image by writing by the user, and capable of designating the type of the image;
A second print sample different from the print sample can be printed by the printing unit,
Identifying the image to be printed by identifying the writing to the image designating unit in the identifying unit and identifying the type of the image,
A printing apparatus that acquires a control parameter corresponding to an identified type from the storage unit, and causes the printing unit to print an image based on the image data with the acquired control parameter. In a printing apparatus having a printing unit for printing an image based on image data,
Based on the same image data, the printing unit has different control parameters for controlling the printing unit, and the image to be printed and the image are associated with each other and written by the user. And a computer program for realizing a function of printing a print sample. (A) a computer body;
(B) a printing apparatus connected to the computer body and having the following (a) and (b):
(A) a printing unit for printing an image based on the image data;
(B) Based on the same image data, the printing unit is controlled to control parameters for controlling the printing unit different from each other, and the image to be printed and the image are associated with each other, and the user's A control unit capable of printing a print sample having an image selection unit capable of selecting each of the images by writing;
A printing system comprising (C). Obtaining predetermined image data;
Based on the acquired predetermined image data, control parameters for controlling the printing unit are made different from each other, and each image to be printed is associated with the image, and each image is written by the user. An image selection unit that enables selection; and a step of printing a print sample.
A method for printing a print sample, comprising:

Images