Printing system

Abstract

To perform printing with an appropriate ink amount while considering the long-term deterioration of an ink head.SOLUTION: A printing system includes: a cumulative ink drop number storage unit that stores the cumulative ink drop number of ink drops; consumption amount measurement means that measures an ink consumption amount; ink amount calculation means that calculates an ink amount per one drop; a correction data storage unit that stores correction data; and head operation adjustment means that shares the correction data stored in the correction data storage unit with another printing device, and adjusts the driving voltage of an ink jet head, driving frequency, and the ink drop number per one pixel so as to make the ink consumption amount per one pixel among the multiple printing devices closer to the same amount on the basis of the difference in the ink drop numbers per one pixel and the difference in the ink amounts per one drop among the multiple printing devices.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing system that prints with an appropriate amount of ink, taking into account deterioration of an ink head over time. [Background technology]

[0002] An inkjet printing device performs color printing on transported paper by ejecting a total of four colors of ink - cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K) - from an inkjet head based on image data.

[0003] At this time, in order to make the color of the printed matter uniform, it is important to appropriately control the amount of ink ejected from the inkjet head.

[0004] Patent document 1 proposes a method for obtaining an output (printed matter) in a printing device capable of distributed printing by adjusting the amount of ink so that the color of the printed matter is leveled based on the machine data (ink ejection amount) at the time of shipment. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2012-16833 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In recent years, the use of piezoelectric elements in inkjet heads has been on the rise for reasons such as durability, but these piezoelectric elements can deteriorate with long-term use.

[0007] In particular, when trying to increase the resolution of printed matter, there is a demand for further improvement in nozzle density, but when the area of ​​the piezoelectric element is reduced, the amount of displacement also decreases. To solve this problem and maintain the amount of displacement, the piezoelectric element needs to be made thinner.

[0008] However, simply making the piezoelectric element thin reduces its durability, so durability is often compensated for by stacking thin piezoelectric elements.

[0009] Conventionally, piezoelectric elements have been very durable and the possibility of failure was low, but by stacking piezoelectric elements, in addition to the conventional causes of deterioration and failure, factors such as humidity and dust will increase, and it is expected that the effects of deterioration over time will become greater.

[0010] However, the technology described in Patent Document 1 adjusts the amount of ink based on the machine data (ink ejection amount) at the time of shipment, so it does not take into account the deterioration of the ink head over time, making it difficult to eject the appropriate amount of ink.

[0011] The present invention has been made in consideration of such problems, and aims to provide a printing system that can obtain printed matter of the desired color by printing with an appropriate amount of ink that takes into account the deterioration of the ink head over time. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] In order to achieve the above object, the printing system according to the present invention is characterized by: an accumulated ink droplet number storage unit that stores an accumulated number of ink droplets ejected from the inkjet head during a predetermined period; a consumption measuring means for measuring the amount of ink consumed during the predetermined period; an ink amount calculation means for calculating an ink amount per drop based on the cumulative number of ink droplets stored in the cumulative ink droplet number storage unit and the ink consumption measured by the consumption measurement means; a head operation adjusting means for adjusting a driving voltage, a driving frequency, and the number of ink drops per pixel of the inkjet head; a correction data storage unit that stores correction data including the ink amount per drop calculated by the ink amount calculation means, and a drive voltage and drive frequency of the inkjet head and the number of ink drops per pixel when adjustment is made by the head operation adjustment means, The head movement adjusting means is The correction data stored in the correction data storage unit is shared with other printing devices, and the drive voltage, drive frequency, and number of ink drops per pixel of the inkjet head are adjusted based on the difference in the number of ink drops per pixel and the difference in the amount of ink per drop between the multiple printing devices, so that the amount of ink consumed per pixel between the multiple printing devices is made closer to the same. Effect of the Invention

[0013] According to the features of the printing system of the present invention, it is possible to obtain a printed matter of a desired color by printing with an appropriate amount of ink that takes into account deterioration of the ink head over time. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a printing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2A] 4 is a flowchart showing the process of the printing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2B] 4 is a flowchart showing the process of the printing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2C] 4 is a flowchart showing the process of the printing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2D] 4 is a flowchart showing the process of the printing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The same or equivalent parts and components are designated by the same or equivalent reference numerals throughout the drawings. However, it should be noted that the drawings are schematic and may differ from the actual product. In addition, the drawings may include parts with different dimensional relationships and ratios.

[0016] The embodiments described below are merely examples of devices for embodying the technical idea of ​​the present invention, and the technical idea of ​​the present invention does not limit the arrangement of each component to that described below. Various modifications can be made to the technical idea of ​​the present invention within the scope of the claims.

[0017] <Embodiment 1> A printing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a printing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 1, a printing system 100 of this embodiment includes printing devices 3 and 4 and a server 1, which are connected to each other via a network 2.

[0019] Printing device 3 is an inkjet printing device capable of color printing, and is an inkjet printer that performs color printing on transported paper by ejecting a total of four colors of ink, for example, cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K), from an inkjet head based on image data. Printing device 3 and printing device 4 have the same configuration, although they differ in the time of start of use and frequency of use, so printing device 3 will be described as an example.

[0020] The printing device 3 includes a paper feed section 31, a printing section 32, a paper discharge section 33, a control section 34, and a memory 35.

[0021] The paper feed unit 31 feeds the papers placed on the paper feed tray toward the printing unit 32 one by one.

[0022] The printing unit 32 is equipped with inkjet heads for black (K), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y). The inkjet heads have multiple nozzles at the bottom, and print by ejecting ink from the nozzles using the operation of piezoelectric elements onto the paper transported by the paper feed unit 31.

[0023] The paper ejection section 33 ejects the paper printed by the printing section 32 .

[0024] The control unit 34 controls the entire printing device 3, and controls the paper feed unit 31, the printing unit 32, and the paper discharge unit 33. The control unit 34 receives data lists from the server 1 and updates correction data stored in a correction data storage means 352 (described later). The control unit 34 transmits the accumulated number of ink droplets stored in an accumulated ink droplet number storage means 351 of the memory 35 (described later) to the server 1 via the network 2.

[0025] The control unit 34 includes a consumption measuring means 341 .

[0026] The consumption measurement means 341 measures the amount of ink consumed for a predetermined period of time. Specifically, the consumption measurement means 341 may calculate the amount of ink consumed from the remaining amount in an ink tank (not shown) of the printing unit 32, or may calculate the amount of ink consumed from the amount of ink ejected by the printing unit 32. The consumption measurement means 341 then transmits the calculated amount of ink consumed to the server 1 via the network 2.

[0027] The memory 35 includes a cumulative ink droplet number storage unit 351 and a correction data storage unit 352 .

[0028] The cumulative ink droplet count storage unit 351 stores the cumulative number of ink droplets ejected from the inkjet head of the printing unit 32 during a predetermined period.

[0029] The correction data storage means 352 stores the correction data. Here, the correction data is data including the amount of ink per drop, the drive voltage and drive frequency of the inkjet head when adjustment is made by the head operation adjustment means, and the number of ink drops per pixel, as will be described later.

[0030] The server 1 is configured by a computer, and includes a CPU that executes various processes based on programs, a memory, and the like.

[0031] The server 1 includes an ink amount calculation unit 12, a head operation adjustment unit 13, and a memory .

[0032] The ink amount calculation means 12 calculates the amount of ink per drop based on the cumulative number of ink droplets and the amount of ink consumed transmitted from the printing device 3 or 4 via the network 2 .

[0033] The head operation adjustment means 13 shares the correction data stored in the correction data storage means 352 with another printing device (here, printing device 4). Furthermore, based on the difference in the number of ink drops per pixel and the difference in the amount of ink per drop between printing device 3 and printing device 4, the head operation adjustment means 13 adjusts the drive voltage, drive frequency, and number of ink drops per pixel of the printing device that has transmitted the cumulative number of ink drops and the amount of ink consumption, so as to bring the amount of ink consumption per pixel between printing device 3 and printing device 4 closer to the same.

[0034] The memory 14 has a data list storage means 141. The data list storage means 141 stores, for each printing device, the cumulative number of ink droplets, the ink consumption amount, the drive voltage and drive frequency of the inkjet head, and the number of ink drops per pixel as a data list.

[0035] <Printing system operation> 2A to 2D are flowcharts showing the process of the printing system 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Here, the server 1 and the printing device 3 will be described as an example.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 2A, when the power is turned on, the printing device 3 goes into a standby state in step S101.

[0037] In step S103, the control unit 34 determines whether or not to execute color correction processing based on a user operation.

[0038] If it is determined that the color correction process is not to be executed (step S103; NO), in step S105, the control unit 34 ends the correction process and executes a normal printing operation.

[0039] On the other hand, if it is determined that the color correction process is to be executed (step S103; YES), in step S107, the control unit 34 selects an object to which the color is to be matched based on a user operation.

[0040] In step S109, the control unit 34 determines whether or not to compare with past data stored in the server 1, that is, past correction data.

[0041] If it is determined to compare with past data stored in the server 1 (step S109; YES), the control unit 34 requests the server 1 to send a data list, and in step S111, the server 1 transmits the data list stored in the data list storage means 141 of the memory 14 to the printing device 3. This data list includes past correction data of the printing device 3 and correction data of other printing devices (here, the printing device 4).

[0042] In step S113, the control unit 34 of the printing device 3 selects correction data from the received data list based on a user operation.

[0043] In step S115, the control unit 34 of the printing device 3 determines whether the selected correction data is already held. Specifically, the control unit 34 determines whether the selected correction data is stored in the correction data storage unit 352.

[0044] If it is determined that the data is already held (step S115; YES), the printing device 3 transmits the accumulated number of ink drops, the ink consumption amount, and the correction data to the server 1, and in step S117, the server 1 compares the drop numbers between the printing devices performing color matching. Specifically, the ink amount calculation means 12 of the server 1 calculates the ink amount per drop based on the accumulated number of ink drops and the ink consumption amount transmitted from the printing device 3 via the network 2. Then, the head operation adjustment means 13 calculates the difference in the number of ink drops per pixel and the difference in the ink amount per drop between the printing device 3 and the printing device 4.

[0045] In step S119, the server 1 determines whether or not the printing apparatuses performing color matching include any machine (printing apparatus) that has already performed correction.

[0046] If it is determined that there is no machine (printing device) performing correction (step S119; NO), in step S125, the server 1 calculates a correction value. Specifically, the head operation adjustment means 13 of the server 1 calculates correction data for adjusting the drive voltage, drive frequency, and number of ink drops per pixel of the inkjet head of the printing device that transmitted the cumulative number of ink drops and the ink consumption amount, based on the difference in the number of ink drops per pixel and the difference in the ink amount per drop between the printing device 3 and the printing device 4, so that the ink consumption amount per pixel between the printing device 3 and the printing device 4 approaches the same amount.

[0047] On the other hand, if it is determined that there is a machine (printing device) that has already performed correction (step S119; YES), in step S121, correction data similar to that in step S125 is calculated, and then a correction value is calculated that prioritizes the direction in which the correction is smaller.

[0048] In step S123, the server 1 transmits the calculated correction value to the printing device 3 via the network 2.

[0049] In step S127, the control unit 34 of the printing device 3 determines whether or not the received correction data can be modified.

[0050] If the received correction data cannot be modified (step S127; NO), in step S129, the control unit 34 does not update the correction data for the machine (printing device 3), and notifies a preset printing device manufacturer, maintenance company, etc. (not shown) that the update is not possible via the network 2. In this way, since the printing device manufacturer, maintenance company, etc. are notified, it is possible to encourage the implementation of inspection and maintenance before the printing device 3 becomes unusable, thereby preventing sudden breakdowns and narrowing down the areas requiring inspection and maintenance, thereby reducing dead time and improving usability.

[0051] On the other hand, if the received correction data can be modified (step S127; YES), the control unit 34 updates the correction data stored in the correction data storage means 352 in step S131.

[0052] In step S133, it is determined whether or not the absolute value of the correction data stored in the correction data storage means 352 is smaller than the inspection and maintenance guideline.

[0053] If the absolute value of the correction data stored in the correction data storage means 352 is smaller than the inspection and maintenance guideline (step S133; YES), in step S137, this correction data is applied to the machine (printing device 3).

[0054] On the other hand, if the absolute value of the correction data stored in the correction data storage means 352 is equal to or greater than the inspection and maintenance guideline (step S133; NO), in step S135, this correction data is applied to the machine (printing device 3), and then a notification of the application is sent via network 2 to a previously set manufacturer or maintenance company of the printing device (not shown).

[0055] In step S139, the control unit 34 of the printer 3 resets the drop number counter.

[0056] In step S141, the control unit 34 of the printing device 3 determines whether the printing operation has ended or whether the correction process before the printing operation has ended.

[0057] When it is determined that the printing operation has ended or the correction process before the printing operation has ended (step S141; YES), the control unit 34 of the printing device 3 shifts the process to step S101.

[0058] On the other hand, if it is determined that the printing operation has not ended and the correction process before the printing operation has not ended (step S141; NO), the control unit 34 of the printing device 3 shifts the process to step S157.

[0059] Also, in step S109, if it is determined not to compare with the past data stored in the server 1 (step S109; NO), in step S151, the control unit 34 of the printing device 3 selects correction data based on user operation.

[0060] In step S153, the control unit 34 of the printing device 3 determines whether the selected correction data is already held. Specifically, the control unit 34 determines whether the selected correction data is stored in the correction data storage unit 352.

[0061] If it is determined that the correction data is already possessed (step S153; YES), the printing device 3 proceeds to step S117; if it is determined that the correction data is not possessed (step S153; NO), in step S155, the printing device 3 starts printing.

[0062] In step S157, the control unit 34 adds the number of ink droplets used in printing to an internal counter to calculate the cumulative number of ink droplets.

[0063] In step S159, the control unit 34 calculates the remaining amount of ink in the machine (printing device) from the ink consumption measured by the consumption measuring means 341, and if the calculated remaining amount of ink has reached a predetermined specified amount (YES), the control unit 34 adds the number of ink droplets used in printing to an internal counter, stores it as the accumulated number of ink droplets in the accumulated ink droplet number storage means 351, and transmits it to the server 1 via the network 2. Note that the specified amount is a predetermined threshold value of the remaining amount of ink held in the machine (printing device) in order to determine the timing of data acquisition during printing.

[0064] Note that, although printing device 3 and printing device 4 are similar here, either one may be used as the reference printing device. For example, when printing device 3 is used as the reference printing device, printing device 4 adjusts the drive voltage, drive frequency, and number of ink drops per pixel of the inkjet head of printing device 4 based on the difference in the number of ink drops per pixel and the difference in the amount of ink per drop between printing device 3 and printing device 4, so that the ink consumption per pixel in printing device 4 approaches the ink consumption per pixel in printing device 3, which is the reference printing device, to be the same. (Additional Note) This application discloses the following inventions. (Appendix 1) an accumulated ink droplet number storage unit that stores an accumulated number of ink droplets ejected from the inkjet head during a predetermined period; a consumption measuring means for measuring the amount of ink consumed during the predetermined period; an ink amount calculation means for calculating an ink amount per drop based on the cumulative number of ink droplets stored in the cumulative ink droplet number storage unit and the ink consumption measured by the consumption measurement means; a head operation adjusting means for adjusting a driving voltage, a driving frequency, and the number of ink drops per pixel of the inkjet head; a correction data storage unit that stores correction data including the ink amount per drop calculated by the ink amount calculation means, and a drive voltage and drive frequency of the inkjet head and the number of ink drops per pixel when adjustment is made by the head operation adjustment means, The head movement adjusting means is The correction data stored in the correction data storage unit is shared with other printing devices, and based on the difference in the number of ink drops per pixel and the difference in the amount of ink per drop between the plurality of printing devices, the drive voltage, drive frequency, and number of ink drops per pixel are adjusted so that the ink consumption per pixel between the plurality of printing devices approaches the same amount. A printing system comprising:

[0065] This allows the inkjet head drive voltage, drive frequency, and number of ink drops per pixel to be adjusted based on the correction data when the printing device is in use, rather than on the device data (ink discharge amount) at the time of shipment, making it possible to print with an appropriate amount of ink that takes into account the aging of the ink head, and to obtain printed matter with the desired color. Furthermore, since the correction data is shared between multiple printing devices, the individual differences in the printing devices are absorbed, and the ink consumption is made closer to the same, which ultimately reduces color deviations. [Explanation of symbols]

[0066] 1 Server 2 Network 3,4 Printing device 12 Ink amount calculation means 13 Head movement adjustment means 14. Memory 31 Paper feed section 32 Printing Department 33 Paper output section 34 Control section 35 Memory 100 Printing System 141 Data list storage means 341 Consumption measurement means 351 Accumulative ink drop count storage means 352 Correction data storage means

Claims

[Claim 1] an accumulated ink droplet number storage unit that stores an accumulated number of ink droplets ejected from the inkjet head during a predetermined period; a consumption measuring means for measuring the amount of ink consumed during the predetermined period; an ink amount calculation unit that calculates an ink amount per drop based on the cumulative number of ink droplets stored in the cumulative ink droplet number storage unit and the ink consumption measured by the consumption measurement unit; a head operation adjusting means for adjusting a driving voltage, a driving frequency, and the number of ink drops per pixel of the inkjet head; a correction data storage unit that stores correction data including the ink amount per drop calculated by the ink amount calculation means, and a drive voltage and drive frequency of the inkjet head and the number of ink drops per pixel when adjustment is made by the head operation adjustment means, The head movement adjusting means is The correction data stored in the correction data storage unit is shared with other printing devices, and based on the difference in the number of ink drops per pixel and the difference in the amount of ink per drop between the plurality of printing devices, the drive voltage, drive frequency, and number of ink drops per pixel are adjusted so that the ink consumption per pixel between the plurality of printing devices approaches the same amount. A printing system comprising:

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