JP2012206258A - Printer and printing system - Google Patents

Abstract

Specific image data with good reading is printed.
SOLUTION: A transport unit 8 that transports paper P and a plurality of ink jet heads 110 arranged in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the paper P, and ejects ink from the plurality of ink jet heads 110 based on image data. Thus, the printing unit 4 that prints on the paper P, the image reading device 2 that reads the image of the paper P printed by the printing unit 8 based on the image data including the test pattern, and the read image The selection unit 77 that selects any one of the plurality of inkjet heads 110 and the inkjet head 110 selected by the selection unit 77 when the image data includes specific image data indicating an identification code. A control unit 75 that moves the printing position of the specific image data and causes the printing unit 4 to print so that the specific image data is printed. Equipped with a.
[Selection] Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus and a printing system that appropriately print specific image data.

  In general, a barcode which is a kind of specific image data indicating an identification code such as a numerical value or a character by a striped pattern formed by a combination of black and white lines is well known.

  Since the barcode has strictly defined line widths for black and white lines, if the printed barcode has ink bleed or if some of the black lines cannot be printed, If this “break” occurs, information may not be accurately expressed.

  In Patent Document 1, bar width information is set separately for each of a vertical barcode and a horizontal barcode, and when the barcode is printed, it is determined whether the barcode is a vertical barcode or a horizontal barcode. As a result of this determination, there has been proposed a barcode generation apparatus that reads the barcode width information of the barcode in the corresponding direction and draws the barcode image.

  Patent Document 2 proposes an ink jet recording apparatus in which some or all of dots forming the outer periphery of a code image among a plurality of dots constituting the code image are made smaller than dots other than the outer periphery.

JP 2008-210136 A JP 2003-237059 A

  However, in the barcode generation apparatus described in Patent Document 1, the barcode width information of the vertical barcode or the horizontal barcode is read to draw the barcode image, but measures against blurring and tearing are taken. Absent. For this reason, it has been difficult to print a barcode that is excellent in reading when bleeding or tearing occurs.

  In addition, in the inkjet recording apparatus described in Patent Document 2, when a plurality of inkjet heads are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the print medium, barcodes may not be printed appropriately due to individual differences of the inkjet heads. It was.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a printing apparatus and a printing system for printing specific image data with good reading.

  In order to achieve the above object, a first feature of a printing apparatus according to the present invention is a printing apparatus connected to an image reading apparatus that reads an image, and includes a conveyance unit that conveys a printing medium, and conveyance of the printing medium. A printing unit that has a plurality of inkjet heads arranged in a direction orthogonal to the direction and prints on a print medium conveyed by the conveying unit by ejecting ink from the plurality of inkjet heads based on image data Selection means for selecting an optimum inkjet head from the plurality of inkjet heads for printing specific image data indicating an identification code included in the image data, and specific image data indicating an identification code is included in the image data The specific image data is printed by the ink jet head selected by the selecting means. As will be, in that and a control means for printing on the printing portion by moving the print position of the specific image data.

  According to a first aspect of the printing system of the present invention, the printing system includes a conveyance unit that conveys a print medium, and a plurality of inkjet heads arranged in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the print medium. A printing unit that prints on a printing medium conveyed by the conveying unit by discharging ink from a plurality of inkjet heads; an image reading unit that reads an image of the printing medium on which a test pattern is printed by the printing unit; A selection unit that selects any one of the plurality of inkjet heads based on an image read by the image reading unit, and specific image data indicating an identification code is included in the image data The specific image is printed so that the specific image data is printed by the ink jet head selected by the selection unit. Move the print position of over data in that and a control means for printing on the printing unit.

  A second feature of the printing system according to the present invention is a calculation unit that calculates the density, the amount of mist, and the degree of shakiness for each of the plurality of inkjet heads based on the image read by the image reading unit. Further, the selection unit selects an inkjet head in which at least one of the density, the mist amount, and the rattling degree for each of the plurality of inkjet heads calculated by the calculation unit is the most appropriate value. There is to do.

  A third feature of the printing system according to the present invention is that, when the control unit includes specific image data indicating an identification code, the specific image is selected by the inkjet head selected by the selection unit. In order to print the data, the image data is rotated or moved in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the print medium, and the printing unit is caused to print based on the rotated or moved image data.

  According to the first feature of the printing apparatus of the present invention, when the specific image data indicating the identification code is included in the image data, the specific image data is printed by the inkjet head selected by the selection unit. In addition, since the printing position of the specific image data is moved and printed on the printing unit, the specific image data with good reading can be printed.

  According to the first feature of the printing system of the present invention, when the specific image data indicating the identification code is included in the image data, the specific image data is printed by the inkjet head selected by the selection unit. In addition, since the printing position of the specific image data is moved and printed on the printing unit, the specific image data with good reading can be printed.

  According to the second feature of the printing system according to the present invention, the density, the amount of mist, and the degree of backlash for each of the plurality of inkjet heads are calculated based on the image read by the image reading unit, and this calculation is performed. Since at least one of the density, the amount of mist, and the degree of rattling for each of the plurality of inkjet heads is selected, the specific image data is printed out of the plurality of inkjet heads. The optimum ink jet head can be selected.

  According to the third feature of the printing system of the present invention, when the specific image data is included in the image data, the image data is printed so that the specific image data is printed by the ink jet head selected by the selection unit. Is moved in the direction orthogonal to the rotation or the conveyance direction of the print medium, and printing is performed based on the rotated or moved image data, so that the position of the specific image data on the image data is not changed. It is possible to print with an inkjet head that is optimal for printing image data.

It is a top view of the ink jet head unit with which the ink jet printer of the printing system which is one embodiment of the present invention is provided. It is a functional block diagram which shows the functional structure of the inkjet printing apparatus of the printing system which is one Embodiment of this invention. It is the flowchart which showed the process sequence of the head information generation process by the inkjet printing apparatus of the printing system which is one Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a sheet on which a test pattern is printed and discharged by a printing unit of an inkjet printing apparatus of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. (A) is a reference value of the density of the test pattern image stored in the ROM provided in the inkjet printing apparatus of the printing system according to the embodiment of the present invention, and (b) to (d) are one of the present invention. It is the figure which showed an example of the average value of the test pattern image calculated by the calculation part with which the inkjet printing apparatus of the printing system which is embodiment is provided. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a mist amount index calculated by a calculation unit included in the inkjet printing apparatus of the printing system according to the embodiment of the present invention. (A) shows the average value of the density of the test pattern image when the amount of mist is small, and (b) shows the average value of the density of the test pattern image when the amount of mist is large. It is a figure explaining the amount index of rattling calculated by the calculation part with which the ink jet printer of the printing system which is one embodiment of the present invention is provided. (A) is the figure which showed typically the nozzle of the inkjet head with which shakiness provided with the inkjet printing apparatus which is one Embodiment of this invention, (b) was shown to (a), The pixel printed with the ink discharged from the nozzle of the inkjet head with small shakiness is shown, (c) is the ink jet head with large shakiness with which the ink jet printing apparatus which is one Embodiment of this invention is provided. FIG. 6D is a diagram schematically illustrating the nozzles, and FIG. 5D illustrates pixels printed by ink ejected from the nozzles of the inkjet head having large shakiness illustrated in FIG. (A)-(c) is the figure which showed an example of the head information memorize | stored in RAM with which the inkjet printing apparatus of the printing system which is one Embodiment of this invention is provided. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of a printing process performed by the inkjet printing apparatus of the printing system according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is the figure which showed an example of the barcode position display screen displayed on the display / input panel of the operation panel part 6 with which the inkjet printing apparatus of the printing system which is one Embodiment of this invention is provided.

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

  In one embodiment of the present invention, an inkjet unit including an inkjet unit in which a plurality of inkjet heads are arranged in a direction orthogonal to the paper conveyance direction, and ejecting ink from a nozzle of the inkjet head toward the paper to print an image, characters, or the like. A printing system 1 including a printing device 7 and an image reading device 2 that reads an image will be described as an example.

<Configuration of printing system 1>
FIG. 1 is a plan view of an inkjet head unit provided in an inkjet printing apparatus 7 of a printing system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The inkjet unit 11 includes a plurality of line-type inkjet heads 110 to 116 in which a plurality of nozzles are arranged in the main scanning direction, that is, the direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the paper P.

  Then, printing is performed by ejecting ink from the plurality of inkjet heads 110 to 116 while the sheet P is conveyed in the sub-scanning direction (the conveyance direction of the sheet P) below the inkjet unit 11. Here, A3 size (297 mm × 420 mm) paper P is shown, but if the paper in the main scanning direction is A4 (210 mm × 297 mm), B4 (257 mm × 364 mm) or the like, the length is 297 mm or less. Can be printed. Further, when printing on the paper P having a length in the main scanning direction of 297 mm or less, the printing can be performed by moving the paper P in the sub scanning direction.

  The inkjet unit 11 includes inkjet heads of cyan (C), black (K), magenta (M), and yellow (Y). Specifically, the inkjet unit 11 stores inkjet heads 110a to 110f storing cyan (C) ink, inkjet heads 112a to 112f storing black (K) ink, and magenta (M) ink. Inkjet heads 114a to 114f and inkjet heads 116a to 116f storing yellow (Y) ink are provided.

  The inkjet heads 110a, 110c, and 110e and the inkjet heads 110b, 110d, and 110f are 2 in the main scanning direction so that cyan (C) ink can be ejected without gaps in the main scanning direction of the paper P being conveyed. Arranged in columns.

  Each of the ink jet heads 110a to 110f is provided with an ink reservoir chamber for containing cyan (C) ink, and a piezo element is disposed in the ink reservoir chamber. By applying an ejection voltage to the piezo element, cyan (C) ink is ejected from a nozzle communicating with the ink reservoir.

  Similarly, the inkjet heads of black (K), magenta (M), and yellow (Y) are arranged in two rows in the main scanning direction without any gap in the main scanning direction of the paper P to be conveyed. Thus, black (K), magenta (M), and yellow (Y) inks are ejected, respectively.

  In this way, since the inkjet unit 11 has six inkjet heads arranged in the main scanning direction for each color, even if the inkjet heads are of the same color, the density, mist amount, etc. are slightly different due to individual differences. There may be differences.

  Therefore, the inkjet printing apparatus 7 of the printing system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention performs printing using an inkjet head that is most suitable for printing a barcode that is a kind of specific image data in the inkjet unit 11. .

<Functional configuration of printing system 1>
FIG. 2 is a functional configuration diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the printing system 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the printing system 1 includes an image reading device 2 and an inkjet printing device 7.

  The image reading apparatus 2 is provided on the ink jet printing apparatus 7, photoelectrically reads an image from a document that is a copy by a scanner (not shown), and supplies the image to the ink jet printing apparatus 7.

  The paper feed unit 3 picks up and conveys the paper P stacked and mounted on a paper feed table (not shown) one by one, corrects skew feeding, and supplies the paper P to the conveyance unit 8 at a predetermined timing.

  The ink jet printing apparatus 7 includes a paper feed unit 3, a printing unit 4, a paper discharge unit 5, a transport unit 8, and an operation panel unit 6.

  The printing unit 4 includes the above-described inkjet unit 11, and the inkjet unit 11 ejects ink on the paper P conveyed by the conveyance unit 8 based on the image data supplied from the control unit 75. The image is printed by attaching to P.

  The paper discharge unit 5 stores the paper P on which an image is printed by the inkjet unit 11.

  The transport unit 8 transports the paper P fed from the paper feed unit 3 to the inkjet unit 11 and transports the paper P printed by the printing unit 4 to the paper discharge unit 5.

  The operation panel unit 6 is provided in the upper part of the printing system 1 and is used to input a display / input panel 61, a start key for starting printing, a stop key for stopping printing, and the number of prints. Various operation keys such as a numeric keypad (not shown) are provided, and an operation signal based on a user operation is supplied to the control unit 75.

  The display / input panel 61 of the operation panel unit 6 includes a pressure-sensitive or electrostatic transparent touch panel disposed on the front surface and a liquid crystal display panel (none of which is shown) disposed on the back surface of the touch panel. is doing. The user can perform various setting input operations such as setting the print mode (normal print mode or barcode mode) by directly touching the surface of the touch panel with a finger while looking at the display screen of the liquid crystal display panel. Can do.

  The RAM 71 is composed of a volatile semiconductor or the like, and stores data or the like necessary for the control unit 75 to execute various processes.

  The ROM 72 is composed of a nonvolatile semiconductor or the like and stores various control programs executed by the control unit 75.

  The control unit 75 performs central control of the printing system 1. Moreover, the control part 75 is provided with the calculation part 76, the selection part 77, and the apparatus control part 78 on the function.

  The calculation unit 76 calculates a density index, a mist amount index, and a backlash amount index for each of the plurality of inkjet heads 110 to 116 based on the image read by the image reading device 2.

  The selection unit 77 is an inkjet head in which at least one of the density index, the mist amount index, and the rattling amount index for each of the plurality of inkjet heads 110 to 116 calculated by the calculation unit 76 is the most appropriate value. Select.

  The device control unit 78 moves the barcode printing position so that the barcode is printed by the inkjet head selected by the selection unit 77 when the barcode is included in the image data. To print.

<Operation of the printing system 1>
A printing system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention mainly executes head information generation processing and printing processing. Therefore, each process will be described in detail below.

≪Head information generation process≫
A head information generation process of the printing system 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of head information generation processing by the printing system 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 75 determines whether or not test pattern printing is requested (step S101). Specifically, the control unit 75 determines whether or not an operation signal requesting a test pattern printing process is supplied from the operation panel unit 6 by a user operation.

  If it is determined in step S101 that test pattern printing has been requested, the control unit 75 prints the test pattern (step S103). Specifically, based on an instruction from the control unit 75, the printing unit 4 is fed from the paper feeding unit 3 by ejecting ink to the inkjet head based on the test pattern image data stored in the ROM 72. The test pattern is printed on the printed paper P and discharged to the paper discharge unit 5.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a sheet on which a test pattern is printed and discharged by the printing unit 4 of the printing system 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the test pattern printed on the paper 101 by the printing unit 4 of the printing system 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a solid image 102, a thin line image 103, and a cross image 104. It is.

  The solid image 102 is drawn with a predetermined thickness in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction, and the thin line image 103 has a plurality of thin lines drawn in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction, as shown in the enlarged view.

  The cross image 104 is drawn at the four corners of the paper 101, and it can be recognized how much the test pattern is printed with respect to the paper 101 by the direction of the cross.

  Returning to FIG. 3, when the test pattern is printed, the control unit 75 determines whether or not reading of the test pattern is requested (step S105).

  When it is determined in step S105 that the test pattern reading is requested, the control unit 75 reads the test pattern (step S107). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the image reading apparatus 2 photoelectrically reads the test patterns A1-A2 from the paper P, which is a copy, at a predetermined interval while moving the scanner in the X1 direction. The read test pattern is supplied to the inkjet printing apparatus 7.

  Next, the calculation unit 76 of the control unit 75 calculates the average value of the density for each of the six inkjet heads for the test pattern read at a predetermined interval (step S109). Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the calculation unit 76 calculates the average value of the density of the test pattern image read for each of the head regions 201 to 206 corresponding to the inkjet heads 110 a to 110 f, respectively.

  FIG. 5A is a reference value of the density of the test pattern image stored in the ROM 72 provided in the printing system 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 5B to 5D are diagrams of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of an average value of test pattern images calculated by a calculation unit 76 included in the printing system 1 according to an embodiment.

  The density of the inkjet heads 110a to 110f is set to be a reference value for the density of the test pattern image shown in FIG. 5A, but some density variation occurs due to individual differences of the inkjet heads.

  For example, the average value of the density of the test pattern image shown in FIG. 5B is generally higher than the reference value of the density of the test pattern image shown in FIG. The average value of the density of the test pattern image shown is generally lower than the reference value of the density of the test pattern image shown in FIG. 5A, and the density of the test pattern image shown in FIG. The average value is equivalent to the reference value of the density of the test pattern image shown in FIG.

  Therefore, the calculation unit 76 of the control unit 75 calculates a density index indicating how close the calculated average value of the test pattern image density is to the reference value of the test pattern image density shown in FIG. (Step S111). For example, the calculation unit 76 sets the density index when the density is close to the reference value of the test pattern image to “0”, and sets the density index when the density is lower than the reference value of the test pattern image by a predetermined density to “1”. The density index when the density is higher than the reference value of the test pattern image by a predetermined density is “2”.

  Next, the calculation unit 76 of the control unit 75 calculates a mist amount index indicating how much the calculated average value of the test pattern image density is smaller than the reference value of the test pattern image density. Calculate (step S113).

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the mist amount index calculated by the calculation unit 76 included in the printing system 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6A shows the average value of the density of the test pattern image when the mist amount is small, and FIG. 6B shows the average value of the density of the test pattern image when the mist amount is large. Yes.

  Compared to the average density 301 corresponding to the thin line portion of the test pattern shown in FIG. 6A, the average density 302 corresponding to the thin line portion of the test pattern shown in FIG. The peak corresponding to the thin line is gentle.

  This is because the mist amount of the mist 402 in the thin line portion of the test pattern shown in FIG. 6B is larger than the mist 401 in the thin line portion of the test pattern shown in FIG. 6A. .

  Therefore, the calculation unit 76 of the control unit 75 sets the mist amount index to “0” when there is no mist like the reference value of the density of the test pattern image, for example, as shown in FIG. When there is a relatively small amount of mist, the mist amount index is set to “1”. As shown in FIG. 6B, when there is a mist of a predetermined amount or more, the mist amount index is set to “2”. To do.

  Next, the calculation unit 76 of the control unit 75 calculates a rattling amount index indicating how much the ink jet head is shaky based on the calculated average value of the density of the test pattern image (step) S115).

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the rattling amount index calculated by the calculation unit 76 provided in the printing system 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7A is a diagram schematically showing nozzles of an inkjet head with small shakiness provided in the printing system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 7C shows the pixels printed by the ink ejected from the nozzles of the inkjet head with small shakiness, and FIG. 7C shows the printing system 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7D is a diagram schematically illustrating the nozzles of the inkjet head having a large rattling, and FIG. 7D is printed by the ink ejected from the nozzles of the inkjet head having a large rattling illustrated in FIG. A pixel is shown.

  As shown in FIG. 7A, when the nozzles are regularly arranged so that the nozzle intervals 501a to 501h and 501j to 501k of the inkjet head are constant, that is, when the backlash is small, FIG. As shown, the pixels are printed regularly.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7B, the nozzle intervals 502a and 502b in the conveyance direction of the inkjet head are not constant, or the lengths of the nozzle intervals 502k and 502k in the direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction are large. If they are different, the nozzles are not regularly arranged, that is, the backlash is large, so that the pixels are irregularly printed as shown in FIG.

  Therefore, the calculation unit 76 of the control unit 75 calculates a backlash amount index according to the degree of pixel alignment. For example, as shown in FIG. 7B, the calculation unit 76 sets the rattling amount index to “0” when the intervals of the pixels are all within a predetermined interval, as shown in FIG. In addition, when the intervals between the pixels all exceed a predetermined interval, the backlash amount index is set to “1”.

  Returning to FIG. 3, the control unit 75 determines the concentration index calculated in step S111, the mist amount index calculated in step S113, the rattling amount index calculated in step S115, and the concentration index and mist amount. An index sum that is the sum of the index and the rattling amount index is stored in the RAM 71 as head information (step S117).

  FIGS. 8A to 8C are diagrams illustrating an example of head information stored in the RAM 71 provided in the printing system 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIGS. 8A to 8C, the density index, the mist amount index, the rattling amount index, and the index sum are stored for each of the inkjet heads 110a to 110f.

  Next, the control unit 75 displays the head information stored in the RAM 71 on the display / input panel 61 of the operation panel unit 6 (step S119).

≪Print processing≫
Next, the printing process of the printing system 1 which is one embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the printing process by the printing system 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the control unit 75 determines whether printing is requested (step S201). Specifically, the control unit 75 determines whether or not an operation signal requesting print processing is supplied from the operation panel unit 6 by a user operation.

  If it is determined in step S201 that printing has been requested (YES), the control unit 75 determines whether the barcode mode is set (step S203). Specifically, the control unit 75 determines whether or not an operation signal for setting the barcode mode is supplied from the display / input panel 61 of the operation panel unit 6 by a user operation. Here, the bar code mode refers to a print mode for accurately printing a bar code. The barcode mode is set from a setting screen displayed when the printer driver is executed by the display / input panel 61 or a computer connected to the printing system 1.

  If it is determined in step S203 that the barcode mode is not set (NO), the controller 75 determines whether or not there is a barcode in the image data to be printed (step S205). ).

  If it is determined in step S205 that there is no barcode in the image data (NO), the control unit 75 performs normal printing (step S207). Specifically, based on an instruction from the control unit 75, the printing unit 4 prints an image on the paper P by ejecting ink to the inkjet head based on the image data.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S203 that the barcode mode is set (in the case of YES), or if it is determined in step S205 that there is a barcode in the image data (in the case of YES), the control unit 75 reads out the head information stored in the RAM 71 (step S209).

  Next, the selection unit 77 of the control unit 75 determines whether or not there is one inkjet head having the lowest index sum based on the read head information (step S211).

  For example, when the head information shown in FIG. 8A is stored in the RAM 71, among the inkjet heads 110a to 110f, only the index sum of the inkjet head 110a is “0”, which is the lowest point. The selection unit 77 determines that there is one inkjet head having the lowest index sum.

  If it is determined in step S211 that there is one inkjet head with the lowest index total (in the case of YES), the selection unit 77 selects the inkjet head with the lowest index total (step S213). In the example illustrated in FIG. 8A, the selection unit 77 selects the inkjet head 110a.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S211 that there is not one inkjet head having the lowest index total (in the case of NO), the selection unit 77 selects the inkjet having the lowest density index based on the read head information. It is determined whether or not there is one head (step S221).

  For example, when the head information shown in FIG. 8B is stored in the RAM 71, the inkjet head 110a and the inkjet head 110d have the same index sum among the inkjet heads 110a to 110f. Among these, since only the density index of the inkjet head 110d is “0”, which is the lowest point, the selection unit 77 determines that there is one inkjet head having the lowest density index.

  If it is determined in step S215 that there is one inkjet head having the lowest density index (YES), the selection unit 77 selects the inkjet head having the lowest index total (step S217). In the example illustrated in FIG. 8B, the selection unit 77 selects the inkjet head 110d.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S215 that there is not one inkjet head having the lowest density index (in the case of NO), the selection unit 77 has the lowest mist quantity index based on the read head information. It is determined whether or not there is one ink jet head (step S219).

  For example, when the head information shown in FIG. 8C is stored in the RAM 71, the inkjet heads 110b, 110c, 110e, and 110f have the same index sum among the inkjet heads 110a to 110f. Among them, the inkjet heads 110c and 110f have the same density index. Among these, since the mist amount index of the inkjet head 110c is “1”, which is the lowest point, the selection unit 77 determines that there is one inkjet head having the lowest mist amount index.

  When it is determined in step S219 that there is one inkjet head having the lowest mist amount index (in the case of YES), the selection unit 77 selects the inkjet head having the lowest mist amount index (step S221). . In the example illustrated in FIG. 8C, the selection unit 77 selects the inkjet head 110c.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S221 that there is not one inkjet head having the lowest mist amount index (in the case of NO), the selection unit 77 selects the inkjet head having the lowest backlash amount index. (Step S223).

  As described above, the selection unit 77 calculates the density index, the mist amount index, and the rattling index for each of the plurality of inkjet heads based on the image read by the two image reading units, and the calculated plurality of Since at least one of the density index, the mist amount index, and the rattling index for each inkjet head is selected as the most appropriate value, the barcode is printed out of the plurality of inkjet heads. The optimum inkjet head can be selected.

  Next, the control unit 75 displays the barcode position display screen on the display / input panel 61 of the operation panel unit 6 for the selected inkjet head (step S225).

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a barcode position display screen displayed on the display / input panel 61 of the operation panel unit 6 included in the printing system 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 10, a sheet 601 is displayed on the barcode position display screen, and a barcode 602 and an area 603 are displayed on the sheet 601.

  The barcode 602 can be moved to any location on the paper 601 by a touch operation of the display / input panel 61 by the user.

  The area 603 is displayed as an area printed by an ink jet head that is optimal for printing the barcode selected by the selection unit 77.

  In addition, a position change button 604 for determining a position change and a cancel button 605 for canceling the position change are displayed on the barcode position display screen.

  The control unit 75 determines whether or not the barcode position change is selected (step S227). Specifically, when the user performs a touch operation on the display / input panel 61, and the position change 604 is pressed down after the barcode 602 is moved to the position of the region 603, It is determined that the barcode position change has been selected.

  If it is determined in step S227 that the barcode position change has been selected (YES), the control unit 75 generates image data so that the barcode 602 is in the changed position (step S229).

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S227 that the barcode position change is not selected, that is, when the cancel button 605 is pressed (in the case of NO), the control unit 75 can rotate or move the image data to be printed. Whether or not (step S231). Specifically, the control unit 75 converts the image data to 180 so that the barcode 602 is printed in the area 603 based on the size of the image data, the position of the barcode 602, and the print size of the paper P. Determine whether it is possible to move in a direction that is rotated or perpendicular to the transport direction.

  If it is determined in step S231 that the image data to be printed can be rotated or moved (in the case of YES), the control unit 75 changes the image data to 180 ° so that the barcode 602 is printed in the area 603. The image data is rotated or moved in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the image data (step S233).

  Then, the device control unit 78 of the control unit 75 executes a printing process (step S239). For example, when the image data is generated by changing the position of the barcode 602 in step S229, the printing unit 4 ejects ink onto the ink jet head based on the changed image data, thereby generating an image on the paper P. To print. When the image data is rotated by 180 ° in step S233, the printing unit 4 prints an image on the paper P by ejecting ink onto the inkjet head based on the image data rotated by 180 °. Further, when the image data is set to move in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction in step S233, the paper feed unit 3 passes the paper P so that the paper P is transported to the moved position, and the printing unit 4 However, an image is printed on the paper P by ejecting ink onto the ink jet head based on the moved image data.

  In this way, the position of the barcode 602 in the image data is moved so that the barcode 602 enters the area 603, or the image data is rotated or moved in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the paper P. Of the plurality of ink jet heads, the ink can be appropriately printed by ejecting ink with an ink jet head optimal for printing a barcode.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S231 that the image data to be printed cannot be rotated and moved (in the case of NO), the control unit 75 cannot rotate / move the display / input panel 61 of the operation panel unit 6. Is displayed (step S235).

  If the user presses the cancel button 605 from the display / input panel 61 (step S237: YES), the process ends.

  As described above, according to the printing system 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the density index, the mist amount index, and the shakiness for each of the plurality of inkjet heads are based on the image read by the two image reading units. An index is calculated, an inkjet head having at least one of the calculated density index, mist amount index, and rattling index for each of the plurality of inkjet heads is selected, and a barcode 602 is selected. The position of the barcode 602 in the image data is moved so as to enter the region 603 corresponding to the selected inkjet, or the image data is rotated or moved in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the paper P. So, among the multiple inkjet heads, ink is ejected by the optimal inkjet head for printing barcodes. Rukoto can. Thereby, the printing system 1 can print appropriately.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, a barcode has been described as an example of the specific image.

  In one embodiment of the present invention, among the inkjet heads 110a to 110f storing cyan (C) ink based on the image data read by the image reading device 2, it is optimal for printing a barcode. The inkjet head is selected, but not limited to this, the inkjet heads 112a to 112f storing black (K) ink, the inkjet heads 114a to 114f storing magenta (M) ink, and the yellow (Y) ink are stored. In any of the inkjet heads 116a to 116f, an optimal inkjet head can be selected for printing a barcode.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the printing system 1 including the inkjet printing apparatus 7 and the image reading apparatus 2 has been described as an example. However, the present invention is an inkjet printing apparatus including an image reading unit that reads an image. It is also applicable to.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Printing system 2 ... Image reading apparatus (image reading part)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 3 ... Paper feed part 4 ... Printing part 5 ... Paper discharge part 6 ... Operation panel part 7 ... Inkjet printer 11 ... Inkjet unit 61 ... Display / input panel 71 ... RAM
72 ... ROM
75 ... Control unit 76 ... Calculation unit 77 ... Selection unit 78 ... Device control unit 110-116 ... Inkjet head

Claims (4)

A printing device connected to an image reading device for reading an image,
Conveying means for conveying the print medium;
A plurality of inkjet heads arranged in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the print medium, and by ejecting ink from the plurality of inkjet heads based on image data, the print medium conveyed by the conveyance unit Printing section to print,
A selection means for selecting an optimum inkjet head from the plurality of inkjet heads in order to print specific image data indicating an identification code included in the image data;
When the specific image data indicating an identification code is included in the image data, the print position of the specific image data is moved so that the specific image data is printed by the inkjet head selected by the selection unit. Control means for causing the printing unit to print,
A printing apparatus comprising: Conveying means for conveying the print medium;
A plurality of inkjet heads arranged in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the print medium, and by ejecting ink from the plurality of inkjet heads based on image data, the print medium conveyed by the conveyance unit Printing section to print,
An image reading unit that reads an image of a print medium on which a test pattern is printed by the printing unit;
Selection means for selecting any one of the plurality of inkjet heads based on an image read by the image reading unit;
When the specific image data indicating an identification code is included in the image data, the print position of the specific image data is moved so that the specific image data is printed by the inkjet head selected by the selection unit. Control means for causing the printing unit to print,
A printing system comprising: A calculation means for calculating density, mist amount, and backlash degree for each of the plurality of inkjet heads based on an image read by the image reading unit;
The selection means includes
The inkjet head in which at least one of the density, the mist amount, and the rattling degree for each of the plurality of inkjet heads calculated by the calculation unit is selected is the most appropriate value. 2. The printing system according to 2. The control means includes
When the specific image data indicating an identification code is included in the image data, the image data is rotated or the print medium is printed so that the specific image data is printed by the inkjet head selected by the selection unit. 4. The printing system according to claim 2, wherein the printing system moves in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction and causes the printing unit to print based on the rotated or moved image data.