JP2008207486A - Printing apparatus and printing system - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a printing apparatus and a printing system capable of executing calibration at a timing convenient for a user.
When a print request transmitted from a computer is received and it is time to execute color misregistration correction (calibration), the print request is executed by the transmission source computer based on the transmission source information included in the print request. The order is inquired, and then printing and color misregistration correction are executed in the order according to the instruction signal transmitted from the computer 40. Thus, for example, when printing is urgent, printing is performed first. Conversely, when it is desired to ensure print quality, color misregistration correction is performed first, so that color misregistration correction is performed at a timing convenient for the user. Can be executed.
[Selection] Figure 5

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus and a printing system, and more particularly to an apparatus that executes a calibration process to ensure the quality of a printed image.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a printing apparatus such as a printer, a process called calibration has been performed in order to prevent the quality of an image to be printed from being deteriorated due to environmental changes or wear of parts (for example, for example) Patent Document 1). In this calibration, for example, a test pattern of each color is printed on the surface of the paper conveyance belt, and the position and density of the test pattern are measured. Based on the measurement result, color misregistration correction and density of each color are measured. Make adjustments.
JP-A-10-173842

  Such calibration is automatically executed when it is determined that it is time to execute calibration, for example, after a predetermined time has elapsed since the last calibration. However, if it is time to execute calibration when the user issues a printing instruction from the computer to the printing device, even if the printing is highly urgent, printing will continue until the calibration is completed. There was a problem that we had to wait for execution.

  The present invention has been completed based on the above-described circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a printing apparatus and a printing system capable of executing calibration at a timing convenient for a user.

  As means for achieving the above object, a printing apparatus according to the invention of claim 1 includes a printing means for printing an image based on print data transmitted from an information processing apparatus, and correction of printing characteristics in the printing means. A timing determination unit for determining a timing for performing calibration to be performed, and printing of print data corresponding to the print request by the printing unit based on a print request transmitted from the information processing apparatus; Control means for executing calibration when it is determined by the determination means that the calibration execution time is reached, the control means receives a print request from the information processing apparatus, and the calibration determination time is received by the time determination means. Is determined to be the execution time of the sender, the sender information is based on the sender information included in the print request. An inquiry signal is sent to the processing device to inquire about the execution order of whether to execute printing after executing calibration, or to execute calibration after executing printing, and then instruct the execution order from the information processing device. When the instruction signal is received, printing and calibration by the printing unit are executed in the order according to the instruction signal.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the printing apparatus according to the first aspect, the printing unit can perform printing based on color and monochrome print data, and the control unit receives a print request from the information processing apparatus. And when the print data corresponding to the print request is color in a state where the calibration is determined by the time determination means, the inquiry signal is transmitted, and then the instruction signal The printing by the printing means and calibration are executed in the order according to the above.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the printing apparatus according to the second aspect, the control means receives a print request from the information processing apparatus, and is determined by the time determination means as the execution time of the calibration. In this case, if the print data corresponding to the print request is monochrome, calibration is executed after printing by the printing means.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the printing apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, the printing unit performs printing using a plurality of colorants at the time of color printing and the printing unit at the time of monochrome printing. Printing is performed by selectively using one of a plurality of colorants.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the printing apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the control unit is configured to perform printing based on one or a plurality of print requests in accordance with the instruction signal. If another print request is received while calibration is being executed, the sender information processing device will either execute printing after the calibration being executed, or execute the calibration being executed. The second inquiry signal for inquiring the execution order of whether to execute calibration after executing the printing based on the print request is canceled, and then the second instruction signal for instructing the execution order is received from the information processing apparatus. A printing apparatus that executes printing and calibration by the printing means in the order according to the second instruction signal.

  The invention according to claim 6 is a printing system in which a printing apparatus and an information processing apparatus are communicably connected, and the printing apparatus prints an image based on print data transmitted from the information processing apparatus. And a timing determination unit for determining a timing for executing calibration for correcting the printing characteristics in the printing unit, and a printing corresponding to the printing request by the printing unit based on a printing request transmitted from the information processing apparatus. Control means for executing data printing, and executing calibration when the time determination means determines that the calibration execution time is reached, and the control means receives a print request from the information processing apparatus. If it has been received and is determined to be the calibration execution time by the time determination means, it is included in the print request. Based on the transmission source information transmitted to the information processing device of the transmission source, an inquiry signal that inquires the execution order of whether to execute printing after execution of calibration or to execute calibration after execution of printing, When an instruction signal instructing the execution order is received from the information processing apparatus, the printing unit performs printing and calibration in an order according to the instruction signal, and the information processing apparatus performs the print request and the Print request means for outputting print data to the printing apparatus, operation means for performing an input operation, display means, and when the inquiry signal is received from the printing apparatus, causes the display means to select the execution order A selection screen for displaying the instruction signal indicating the execution order based on an input operation from the operation means. And a response control unit that transmits to the printing apparatus.

<Invention of Claims 1 and 6>
When the print request transmitted from the information processing apparatus is received and it is time to execute calibration, the information processing apparatus of the transmission source is inquired about the execution order based on the transmission source information included in the print request, and then the information Printing and calibration are performed in the order according to the instruction signal transmitted from the processing device. As a result, for example, in the case of urgent printing, printing is performed first, and conversely, when it is desired to ensure print quality, calibration is performed at a timing convenient for the user. Can be made.

  In addition, for example, before sending a print request to the printing apparatus in the information processing apparatus, it is always configured to inquire whether calibration is being executed, or when it is determined that the calibration time is in the printing apparatus In the case where all information processing devices connected to the printing device are configured to notify that fact or inquire about the execution order, unnecessary communication increases and a large load is imposed on the communication line. On the other hand, according to this configuration, since the execution order of calibration is inquired to the transmission source based on the transmission source information included in the print request, the load on the communication line can be reduced.

<Invention of Claim 2>
When performing color printing, it is preferable to let the user select the execution order because calibration may affect print quality.

<Invention of Claim 3>
When performing monochrome printing, since the influence on the print quality by calibration is small, it is possible to avoid imposing unnecessary waiting time on the user by executing printing immediately.

<Invention of Claim 4>
If printing is performed using, for example, magenta, yellow, cyan, and black colorants (developer or ink) at the time of color printing, not only the black colorant but also other colorants such as magenta at the time of monochrome printing. Can be selectively used for printing.

<Invention of Claim 5>
When another calibration request is received while performing calibration prior to printing according to the instruction signal transmitted from the information processing device, the execution order is inquired of the information processing device of the transmission source, and then Printing and calibration are executed in the order according to the second instruction signal transmitted from the information processing apparatus. As a result, for example, in the case of urgent printing, it is possible to cancel the ongoing calibration and perform printing first, and wait for the execution of calibration and printing based on another print request to end. You do n’t have to.

  Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

(Entire printer configuration)
FIG. 1 is a side sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a printer as an example of an image forming apparatus of the present invention. In the following description, the right side in FIG.

  The printer 1 includes a main casing 2. A bottom of the main casing 2 is provided with a supply tray 4 on which sheets 3 serving as recording media are stacked. A paper feed roller 5 is provided above the front end of the supply tray 4, and the paper 3 stacked at the top in the paper feed tray 4 is sent to the registration roller 6 as the paper feed roller 5 rotates. The registration roller 6 corrects the skew of the sheet 3 and then conveys the sheet 3 onto the belt unit 11 of the printing unit 10.

  The printing unit 10 (an example of a printing unit) includes a belt unit 11, a scanner unit 17, a process unit 20, a fixing unit 28, and the like.

  The belt unit 11 has a configuration in which a belt 13 made of polycarbonate or the like is stretched between a pair of front and rear support rollers 12. When the belt 13 is driven, the paper 3 on the belt 13 is conveyed backward. Is done. Further, on the inner side of the belt 13, transfer rollers 14 are respectively provided at positions facing each photosensitive drum 26 of the process unit 20 to be described later with the belt 13 interposed therebetween. Further, a sensor 15 for detecting a test pattern formed on the belt 13 is provided facing the surface of the belt 13.

  The scanner unit 17 irradiates the surface of the corresponding photosensitive drum 26 with a laser beam L emitted from a laser emitting unit (not shown) for each color.

  The process unit 20 includes a frame 21 and four developing cartridges 22 (22Y, 22M, 22C, and 22K, respectively) corresponding to, for example, four colors (yellow, magenta, cyan, and black) that can be attached to and detached from the frame 21. I have. Each developing cartridge 22 includes a toner storage chamber 23 that stores toner of each color (an example of a colorant) that is a developer, a supply roller 24, a developing roller 25, and the like. The frame 21 is provided with a photoconductive drum 26 and a scorotron charger 27 corresponding to each developing cartridge 22.

  The toner discharged from the toner storage chamber 23 is supplied to the developing roller 25 by the rotation of the supply roller 24, and at this time, the toner is positively frictionally charged between the supply roller 24 and the developing roller 25. As the surface of the photosensitive drum 26 rotates, the surface of the photosensitive drum 26 is first uniformly charged positively by the charger 27 and then exposed by the laser light L from the scanner unit 17 to correspond to the image to be formed on the paper 3. An electrostatic latent image is formed. Next, by the rotation of the developing roller 25, the toner on the developing roller 25 is supplied to the surface of the photosensitive drum 26, and the electrostatic latent image is visualized. Thereafter, the toner image carried on the surface of the photosensitive drum 26 is transferred to the sheet by the transfer bias voltage applied to the transfer roller 14 while the sheet 3 passes between the photosensitive drum 26 and the transfer roller 14. 3 is transferred.

  The transferred paper 3 is conveyed to the fixing device 28 by the belt unit 11 where the toner image transferred onto the paper 3 is thermally fixed. Then, the heat-fixed paper 3 is discharged onto a discharge tray 29 provided on the upper surface of the main casing 2.

(Electrical configuration of printing system)
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a printing system including the printer 1 described above and one or a plurality of computers 40 (an example of an information processing apparatus) connected to the printer 1 via a communication line 37. FIG.

  The printer 1 includes a CPU 30 (an example of a timing determination unit and a control unit), a ROM 31, a RAM 32, an NVRAM (nonvolatile memory) 33, an operation unit 34, a display unit 35, the printing unit 10 described above, a network interface 36, and the like. Yes.

  The ROM 31 stores various programs for controlling the operation of the printer 1 such as print processing described later. The CPU 30 stores the processing results in the RAM 32 and the NVRAM 33 according to the program read from the ROM 31, and 1 operation is controlled.

  The operation unit 34 includes a plurality of buttons, and various input operations such as an instruction to start printing can be performed by the user. The display unit 35 includes a liquid crystal display and a lamp, and can display various setting screens and operation states. The network interface 36 is connected to an external computer 40 or the like via a communication line 37, and mutual data communication is possible.

  The computer 40 includes a CPU 41 (an example of a print request unit and a response control unit), a ROM 42, a RAM 43, a hard disk 44, an operation unit 45 (an example of an operation unit) including a keyboard and a pointing device, and a display unit 46 (a display unit) including a liquid crystal display. An example of a means), and a network interface 47 connected to the communication line 37 and the like. The hard disk 44 stores various programs such as application software and a printer driver for creating printing data.

(Print data transmission process)
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the flow of print data transmission processing executed under the control of the CPU 41 in the computer 40, and FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the contents of the print data.

  When the user inputs a print command via the operation unit 45 on the computer 40, the CPU 41 creates print data using application software and starts print data transmission processing using the printer driver. As shown in FIG. 3, when the printer driver receives a print command (S101), the printer driver converts the data created by the application software into PDL (page description language) to create print data (S102).

  As shown in FIG. 4, the print data includes a header portion and a print data body (image data). The header portion includes a print request (command), and the print request includes the IP address of the computer 40 that is the transmission source, the IP address of the printer 1 that is the transmission destination, and the like. Further, the header portion includes various types of information such as print request date / time, user information, document name, application name, data type, number of colors of print data (color or monochrome information). When creating the print data, the CPU 41 transmits the print data to the printer 1 via the network interface 47 (S103).

(Print processing)
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of print processing executed in the printer 1 under the control of the CPU 30.

  When the power is turned on and printing is possible, the CPU 30 of the printer 1 starts the printing process shown in FIG. 5 and periodically monitors the reception of print data (print request) (S201). When print data is received (S201: Yes), it is determined whether or not a flag indicating that it is time to execute color misregistration correction (an example of calibration), which will be described later, is on (S202).

  Here, the NVRAM 33 stores a flag indicating that it is time to execute color misregistration correction. This flag is normally off, but for example, when a certain period has elapsed since the previous color misregistration correction. When a predetermined condition is satisfied, such as when a predetermined number of pages have been printed since the previous color misregistration correction, when the environment such as the temperature has changed, or when the remaining amount of toner has changed, the CPU 30 beforehand The flag is turned on. It should be noted that whether or not it is time to perform color misregistration correction may be determined each time depending on the state of the apparatus when print data is received.

  If it is not time to execute color misregistration correction, that is, if the flag is off (S202: No), the received print data is subjected to image processing such as rasterization processing to bitmap data, The data is sent to the printing unit 10 to execute printing (S203).

  If it is time to execute color misregistration correction (S202: Yes), it is checked whether the print data (main body) is color data based on information included in the header portion of the print data (S204). . If the print data is monochrome data instead of color (S204: No), the print unit 10 subsequently prints the print data (S205). Here, the monochrome data refers to data that is printed using any one of the four colors of toner when, for example, the toner has four colors. Then, after printing is completed, the CPU 30 performs color misregistration correction (S206).

  In this color misregistration correction, for example, a test pattern for each color is printed on the belt 13, the position of the test pattern is measured by the sensor 15, and the amount of misregistration of the transfer position for each color is obtained. The exposure timing (i.e., the exposure position with respect to the photosensitive drum 26) according to 17 is adjusted.

  In S204, if the print data is color (S204: Yes), first, the IP address of the print data transmission source is acquired from the header portion (print request) of the print data. The IP address is used to notify the transmission source computer 40 that it is time to execute color misregistration correction, and an inquiry signal is sent to select and instruct the execution order of color misregistration correction and printing (S207). ).

  Here, response processing executed by the control of the CPU 41 in order to respond to the inquiry signal from the printer 1 in the computer 40 will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of the response processing, and FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an execution order selection screen.

  When the CPU 41 receives the inquiry signal from the printer 1 (S301: Yes), the CPU 41 displays a selection screen for allowing the user to select the execution order on the display unit 46 (S302). Here, as shown in FIG. 7, notification that it is time to execute color misregistration correction in the printer 1, whether to perform color misregistration correction before printing, or to perform color misregistration correction after printing, These two options are displayed. When the user selects one of the two options using the operation unit 45 and performs a transmission operation (S303: Yes), the CPU 41 instructs the printer 1 to indicate the selected execution order. A signal is transmitted (S304).

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5, the CPU 30 of the printer 1 transmits an inquiry signal to the computer 40 (S207), and then waits for an instruction signal from the computer 40 (S208). When the instruction signal is received (S208: Yes), if it is not the content for instructing to perform color misregistration correction before printing (S209: No), the process proceeds to S205, and print data is printed. Later, color misregistration correction is executed (S206). If the instruction signal is a content for instructing execution of color misregistration correction before printing (S209: Yes), the following color misregistration correction preceding process is executed (S210), and then the print data Is executed (S211).

(Color misregistration advance processing)
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of color misregistration correction preceding processing executed by the control of the CPU 30 in the printer 1, and FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an execution order selection screen displayed on the display unit 46 of the computer 40. It is.

  When starting the color misregistration correction preceding process, the CPU 30 first starts executing the color misregistration correction (S401), and subsequently determines whether or not the execution of the color misregistration correction is completed (S402), and executes the color misregistration correction. Is not completed (S402: No), it is checked whether or not new print data (print request) has been received (S403). When new print data is received (S403: Yes), the computer 40 that is the transmission source of the print data is notified that the color misregistration correction is being performed, and the color misregistration correction and printing are performed. A second inquiry signal for selecting and instructing the execution order is transmitted.

  When the CPU 41 of the computer 40 receives the second inquiry signal by the response process shown in FIG. 6 (S301), the selection screen as shown in FIG. 9 is displayed on the display unit 46 (S302). In this selection screen, notification that the printer 1 is executing the color misregistration correction and printing is executed after the completion of the color misregistration correction, or the execution of the color misregistration correction is stopped and the printing is executed first. Or two options are displayed. When the user selects one of the two options using the operation unit 45 and performs a transmission operation (S303: Yes), the CPU 41 instructs the printer 1 on the selected execution order. The second instruction signal to be transmitted is transmitted (S304).

  As shown in FIG. 8, after transmitting the second inquiry signal to the computer 40 (S404), the CPU 30 of the printer 1 returns to S401 to proceed with the color misregistration correction, and then performs the color misregistration correction. If the process does not end (S402: No) and no new print data is received (S403: No), it is checked whether a second instruction signal is received from the computer 40 (S405). When the second instruction signal is not received (S405: No), the process returns to S401 and the same process is repeated.

  If the second instruction signal is received (S405: Yes), if it is a content for instructing to execute printing after completion of the color misregistration correction (S406: No), Returning to S401, the color misregistration correction is continued. If the second instruction signal is a content for instructing to cancel the correction and execute the printing first (S406: Yes), the color misregistration correction being executed is stopped (S407). The print data corresponding to the 2 instruction signal is printed (S408). After the printing is completed, the process returns to S401 to restart the color misregistration correction. When the color misregistration correction is completed (S402: Yes), the color misregistration correction preceding process is terminated, and as described above, in S211 of FIG. 5, other print data, that is, an instruction signal or a second instruction signal. Printing of print data instructed to be printed after color misregistration is executed.

(Effect of this embodiment)
As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the print request transmitted from the computer 40 is received and it is time to execute color misregistration correction (calibration), it is based on the transmission source information included in the print request. The transmission source computer 40 is inquired about the execution order, and then printing and color misregistration correction are executed in the order according to the instruction signal transmitted from the computer 40. Thus, for example, when printing is urgent, printing is performed first. Conversely, when it is desired to ensure print quality, color misregistration correction is performed first, so that color misregistration correction is performed at a timing convenient for the user. Can be executed.

  Further, for example, before sending a print request to the printer 1 in the computer 40, it is configured to make an inquiry as to whether calibration is being executed, or when it is determined that the calibration time is in the printer 1 If the configuration is such that all computers 40 connected to the printer 1 are notified to that effect and the execution order is inquired, unnecessary communication increases and a heavy load is imposed on the communication line. On the other hand, according to this configuration, since the execution order of calibration is inquired to the transmission source based on the transmission source information included in the print request, the load on the communication line can be reduced.

  In addition, when performing color printing, it is preferable that the user select the execution order because color misregistration correction may affect print quality.

  In addition, when performing monochrome printing, since the influence on the print quality due to the color misregistration correction is small, it is possible to avoid imposing unnecessary waiting time on the user by executing printing immediately.

  In addition, if printing is performed using, for example, magenta, yellow, cyan, and black colorants (developer or ink) at the time of color printing, not only the black colorant but also other colors such as magenta at the time of monochrome printing. Printing can be performed by selectively using any one of the colorants.

  Further, when color misregistration correction is executed prior to printing in accordance with the instruction signal transmitted from the computer 40, when another print request is received, the transmission order computer 40 is inquired about the execution order, and thereafter Then, printing and color misregistration correction are executed in the order according to the second instruction signal transmitted from the computer 40. As a result, for example, in the case of urgent printing, the current color misregistration correction can be stopped and printing can be performed first, and the execution of the color misregistration correction and printing based on another print request is completed. No need to wait.

<Other embodiments>
The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described with reference to the above description and drawings. For example, the following embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.
(1) In the above-described embodiment, the correction of color misregistration is shown as calibration. However, the present invention can also be applied to a correction of density. The density correction can be performed based on, for example, a test pattern (density patch) printed on the belt, the density measured by a sensor, and the measurement result.

(2) In the above embodiment, the direct transfer type color laser printer is shown as the printing apparatus. However, the present invention can also be applied to, for example, an intermediate transfer type laser printer, and further, an ink jet type printer. It can also be applied to.

1 is a side sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. Block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the printing system The flowchart which shows the flow of the print data transmission process performed in a computer Diagram explaining the contents of print data Flowchart showing the flow of print processing executed in the printer The flowchart which shows the flow of the response process performed in a computer The figure which shows the selection screen of the execution order displayed on the display part of a computer Flowchart showing the flow of color misregistration correction preceding processing executed in the printer The figure which shows the selection screen of the execution order displayed on the display part of a computer

Explanation of symbols

1 ... Printer (printing device)
10: Printing section (printing means)
30 ... CPU (time determination means, control means)
40. Computer (information processing device)
41 ... CPU (print request means, response control means)
45 ... operation part (operation means)
46. Display section (display means)

Claims (6)

Printing means for printing an image based on print data transmitted from the information processing apparatus;
Timing determination means for determining a timing for executing calibration for correcting printing characteristics in the printing means;
Based on the print request transmitted from the information processing apparatus, the printing unit prints the print data corresponding to the print request, and the calibration is performed when the time determination unit determines that the calibration is performed. Control means for executing
With
The control unit receives a print request from the information processing apparatus, and when the time determination unit determines that the calibration is performed, the control unit is based on transmission source information included in the print request. An inquiry signal for inquiring the execution order of whether to execute printing after executing calibration or to execute calibration after executing printing is transmitted to the information processing apparatus of the transmission source, and then the execution is performed from the information processing apparatus. A printing apparatus that executes printing and calibration by the printing unit in the order according to the instruction signal when the instruction signal indicating the order is received. The printing apparatus according to claim 1,
The printing means is capable of printing based on color and monochrome print data,
The control unit receives a print request from the information processing apparatus, and when the print data corresponding to the print request is color in a state where the time determination unit determines that the calibration is performed. Transmits the inquiry signal, and then executes printing and calibration by the printing means in the order according to the instruction signal. The printing apparatus according to claim 2,
The control unit receives a print request from the information processing apparatus, and print data corresponding to the print request is monochrome when the timing determination unit determines that the calibration is performed In this case, calibration is executed after printing by the printing unit. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The printing means performs printing using a plurality of colorants during color printing, and selectively uses one of the plurality of colorants during monochrome printing. In the printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
If the control means receives another print request while performing calibration prior to printing based on one or a plurality of print requests according to the instruction signal, the control means A second inquiry for inquiring the execution order of whether to execute printing after completion of the calibration in progress, or to cancel calibration under execution and execute calibration after execution of printing based on the print request. Printing that transmits a signal and then executes printing and calibration by the printing means in the order according to the second instruction signal when the second instruction signal that instructs the execution order is received from the information processing apparatus apparatus. A printing system in which a printing apparatus and an information processing apparatus are connected to be able to communicate with each other,
The printing apparatus includes:
Printing means for printing an image based on print data transmitted from the information processing apparatus;
Timing determination means for determining a timing for executing calibration for correcting printing characteristics in the printing means;
Based on the print request transmitted from the information processing apparatus, the printing unit prints the print data corresponding to the print request, and the calibration is performed when the time determination unit determines that the calibration is performed. Control means for executing
With
The control unit receives a print request from the information processing apparatus, and when the time determination unit determines that the calibration is performed, the control unit is based on transmission source information included in the print request. An inquiry signal for inquiring the execution order of whether to execute printing after executing calibration or to execute calibration after executing printing is transmitted to the information processing apparatus of the transmission source, and then the execution is performed from the information processing apparatus. When the instruction signal indicating the order is received, the printing unit performs printing and calibration in the order according to the instruction signal;
The information processing apparatus includes:
Print request means for outputting the print request and the print data to the printing apparatus;
Operation means for performing input operation;
Display means;
When the inquiry signal is received from the printing apparatus, the display means displays a selection screen for selecting the execution order, and the instruction signal for instructing the execution order based on an input operation from the operation means Response control means for transmitting to the printing apparatus.

Images