Information processing device, information processing method, and program

Abstract

To solve the problem in which recording paper or ink may be excessively consumed, depending on the frequency of execution of density characteristic acquisition processing of a recording head for correcting color of a recording image.SOLUTION: There are provided an information processing device, an information processing method, and a program which execute density characteristic acquisition processing at a proper timing.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing device, an information processing method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there are recording devices that record images by applying a recording material as output devices that record images on a recording medium such as recording paper. One of such devices is an inkjet recording device that records images by applying ink from a recording head having a plurality of recording elements.

[0003] In such inkjet recording devices, differences in recording characteristics occur due to manufacturing errors and individual differences in the recording head. Due to these differences in recording characteristics, the user may not be able to obtain the image he or she desires. For example, in the case of a recording head that ejects ink droplets from a nozzle, differences in ejection characteristics between recording heads or nozzles result in density differences in the recorded image. Differences in recording characteristics occur not only due to manufacturing errors, but also due to fluctuations in the recording characteristics of each recording element caused by aging and fluctuations in the viscosity of the ink caused by the usage environment. To address such differences in recording characteristics, a technique is known that adjusts the color tone of an image by performing a correction process.

[0004] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for printing correction image data including sample images of multiple gradations for each ink color, and calculating density correction values ​​for each gradation of each ink color based on the printing results of the sample images. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2004-167947 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] On the other hand, when performing density characteristic acquisition processing for correction, recording paper and ink are required for recording the test pattern. Therefore, depending on the frequency with which the density characteristic acquisition processing for correction is performed, there is a possibility that recording paper and ink will be consumed excessively. In response to such a problem, the present invention aims to provide an information processing device, an information processing method, and a program that determine the execution of the density characteristic acquisition processing at an appropriate timing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention is characterized by comprising a memory means for storing a setting indicating whether or not to execute a characteristic acquisition process for acquiring recording characteristics of a recording means in conjunction with the execution of a paper feed operation in which a recording medium held by a holding member is fed to a predetermined paper feed position, an acquisition means for acquiring paper feed information indicating that the paper feed operation has been executed, and a decision means for deciding to execute the characteristic acquisition process in accordance with the acquisition of the paper feed information when the setting indicates that the characteristic acquisition process is to be executed in conjunction with the execution of the paper feed operation. Effect of the Invention

[0008] The present invention provides an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a program that perform calibration at appropriate timing. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] Block diagram showing the configuration of a recording system [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining the configuration of a recording device and its operation during recording; [Diagram 3] Schematic diagram of a cross section of a recording device [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an ejection port surface on which the ejection ports of a recording head are arranged. [Diagram 5] Configuration diagram showing multi-purpose sensor [Figure 6] Schematic diagram of the control circuit that processes the input and output signals of the multi-purpose sensor [Figure 7] A diagram for explaining the flow of image processing [Figure 8] Flowchart showing concentration characteristic acquisition processing [Figure 9] A diagram showing the automatic execution flow of the concentration characteristic acquisition process [Figure 10] A diagram showing the automatic execution flow of the concentration characteristic acquisition process [Figure 11] Figure showing the message screen displayed on the operation panel DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] (First embodiment) Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0011] 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a recording system according to this embodiment. The host device 100 is an information processing device, such as a personal computer or a digital camera, that is connected to the recording device 200. The host device 100 includes a CPU 10, a memory 11, a storage unit 13, an input unit 12 such as a keyboard or a mouse, and an interface 14 for communication with the recording device 200. The CPU 10 executes various processes according to programs stored in the memory 11. These programs are supplied from an external device, such as a CD-ROM, for storage in the storage unit 13, or are stored in the storage unit 13 in advance.

[0012] The host device 100 is connected to the recording device 200 via an interface 14, and transmits recording data represented by R, G, and B in an image processing step described later to the recording device 200. The recording device 200 executes image processing such as color processing and binarization processing described later, and correction processing of recording characteristics related to this embodiment, based on image processing information such as an image processing table stored in a ROM 20c. The recording device 200 also records an image on a recording medium based on the recording data that has been subjected to image processing.

[0013] The control unit 20 of the recording device 200 includes a CPU 20a such as a microprocessor, a RAM 20b, and a ROM 20c as memories. The RAM 20b is used as a work area for the CPU 20a and temporarily stores various data such as image data received from the host device 100 and generated recording data. The ROM 20c stores various data such as a control program for the CPU 20a and parameters required for recording operations. A program for a density acquisition process to be described later and a program for determining whether or not to execute an automatic density characteristic acquisition process are also stored in the ROM 20c. The RAM 20b stores patch pattern data for recording a patch pattern, and the ROM 20c stores a look-up table (LUT) to be described later with reference to FIG. 7. These data may be stored in either the RAM 20b or the ROM 20c.

[0014] The control unit 20 performs processing for inputting and outputting data and parameters used for recording image data and the like between the host device 100 and the control unit 20, and processing for inputting various information (such as the type of recording medium) from the operation panel 22. The control unit 20 also outputs ON or OFF signals for driving the motors 23 to 26 via the interface 21. Furthermore, the control unit 20 outputs ejection signals and the like to a driver 28, and controls driving for ejecting ink droplets from the recording head 5.

[0015] The control system also has an interface 21, an operation panel 22, a multi-purpose sensor 102, and drivers 27 and 28. The driver 27 drives the motor 23 for driving the carriage, the motor 24 for driving the paper feed rollers, the motor 25 for driving the first conveyor roller pair, and the motor 26 for driving the second conveyor roller pair in accordance with instructions from the CPU 20a. The driver 28 drives the recording head 5, which will be described later.

[0016] 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining the configuration of the recording device 200 and the operation during recording. The recording device 200 can use a long continuous sheet (sometimes called a web) as a recording medium. The roll paper R is a recording medium P wound into a roll, and the recording device 200 has two roll holding parts (hereinafter also referred to as paper feed ports) for setting the roll paper R at an upper and lower positions. Then, the recording medium P is selectively pulled out from the roll holding parts and fed to a position facing the recording head 5, and an image is recorded by applying ink from the recording head 5 to the recording medium P.

[0017] 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a recording device 200 according to this embodiment. In this specification, the transport direction at a position where the recording head 5 faces the recording medium P is defined as the Y direction, and the direction in which the carriage carrying the recording head 5 scans is defined as the X direction. On the transport path of the recording medium P, the direction from upstream to downstream is referred to as the transport direction.

[0018] For example, when the recording medium P is set on the upper roll paper core 2001 and a paper feed operation is performed, the recording medium P is pulled out from the upper roll paper core 2001, transported along the transport path by the transport roller 2005, and then guided to the paper feed position on the platen 4. The paper feed position is a position located upstream in the transport direction from the recording position facing the recording head 5, and is a position where recording can be started within a predetermined time after receiving an image recording start instruction from the control unit 20. The paper feed of the recording medium P may be performed in a form in which the user instructs the recording device 200 to perform the paper feed operation from the operation panel 22 or the like after setting the roll paper in the roll holding unit. Also, the recording device 200 may guide the leading end of the recording medium P onto the transport path and automatically perform the paper feed operation when the recording device 200 detects that the user has set the roll paper in the roll holding unit. In this embodiment, it is defined that the recording medium P has been fed when the recording medium P is transported to the paper feed position by the paper feed operation. Incidentally, when the leading edge of the recording medium P is conveyed to a recording position facing the recording head 5, it may be determined that the recording medium P has been fed.

[0019] The recording head 5 is mounted on a carriage (not shown). While the carriage scans in the X direction, ink is applied from the recording head 5 to the recording medium P, thereby performing recording scanning of an image.

[0020] The recording device 200 of this embodiment has two roll holding sections, and similarly, when the recording medium P is set on the lower roll paper tube 2002, when the paper feeding operation is performed, the recording medium P is pulled out from the upper roll paper tube 2002, transported along the transport path by the transport roller 2005, and then guided to the paper feeding position on the platen 4.

[0021] Furthermore, it is also possible to switch the recording medium that is set. For example, when a recording medium set in the upper roll holding unit is fed to the feed position and a recording medium feeding operation is executed from the lower roll holding unit, the recording medium in the upper roll holding unit is first wound up and retracted. Then, the recording medium set in the lower roll holding unit is fed to the feed position along the transport path by the transport roller 2005. In this way, the recording medium in the upper roll holding unit and the lower roll holding unit can be switched.

[0022] When the recording medium P set on the upper roll paper core 2001 or the lower roll paper core 2002 is fed, the leading edge of the recording medium is lifted above the platen 4 by the transport roller 2005. At that time, the multipurpose sensor 102 measures the specular reflection light intensity, diffuse reflection light intensity, thickness, and width of the recording medium in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction. The recording medium on which the image has been recorded is cut by the cutter unit 152 to the length desired by the user.

[0023] When feeding the recording medium P, it is possible to set the type or name of the fed recording medium as a "paper name" or "paper type" in the recording device 200 by using an input unit such as various switches provided on the operation panel 22. In the recording device 200 of this embodiment, a plurality of types of recording media registered in advance are displayed on the operation panel 22 to allow the user to select one. The selected type of recording medium is set as the type of recording medium to be fed. The type can be set either before or after the paper feeding operation.

[0024] Furthermore, the recording device 200 of this embodiment can handle not only roll paper but also cut paper. The recording device 200 may be provided with a paper feed tray (not shown) as a holding member for holding cut paper, or may be provided with no paper feed tray and the user inserts cut paper. In a form provided with a paper feed tray, cut paper held in the paper feed tray is fed. In a form not provided with a paper feed tray, cut paper can be inserted by raising a lever (not shown) that releases the nip of the transport roller 2005, and the cut paper is nipped by lowering the lever. In either case, when the user specifies "set" on the operation panel 22 and specifies "paper name" or "paper type", the cut paper is fed to the paper feed position up to the recording area.

[0025] When a cut sheet feeding operation is performed with the recording medium set in the upper roll holding section or the lower roll holding section fed to the paper feed position, the recording medium in the upper roll holding section or the lower roll holding section is first wound up and retracted, and then the set cut sheet is fed to the paper feed position along the transport path.

[0026] The paper name and paper type may be set not only by the user, but also by automatically determining and setting the paper type using a sensor or the like provided in the recording device 200. Alternatively, the recording device 200 may display candidates for paper type on the operation panel 22 based on information read by the sensor or the like, and prompt the user to set the type.

[0027] Generally, the term "feeding" refers to the leading edge of a recording medium set in a holding member being transported to the feeding position, but in the processing of FIG. 8 described later in this specification, the determination that "feeding" is occurring is made when a recording medium has been fed and its type has been set.

[0028] The recording device 200 of this embodiment is also capable of switching the recording media set in the two roll holding units and cut paper regardless of the time of paper feeding. For example, when a recording medium set in the upper roll holding unit is fed to the paper feed position and a recording instruction is issued from the lower roll holding unit, the recording medium in the upper roll holding unit is first wound up and retracted. Then, the transport roller 2005 feeds the recording medium set in the lower roll holding unit along the transport path to the paper feed position. In this way, the recording media in the upper roll holding unit and the lower roll holding unit can be switched.

[0029] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the ejection port surface of the print head 5 of this embodiment, on which ejection ports (hereinafter also referred to as nozzles) for ejecting ink are arranged. In the figure, the X direction is the scanning direction in which the print head 5 scans, and the Y direction is the Y direction in which the print medium is transported. The print head 5 is provided with nozzle rows 5a to 5d along the X direction in the figure. A plurality of nozzles are arranged in each nozzle row, and different types of ink are supplied to each row. Ink droplets are ejected from each nozzle by driving a printing element such as a heating element provided in each nozzle. In this embodiment, cyan (C) ink is supplied to the nozzle row 5a, magenta (M) ink to the nozzle row 5b, yellow (Y) ink to the nozzle row 5c, and black (K) ink to the nozzle row 5d. Note that the number of ink colors and the number of nozzle rows are not limited to these numbers.

[0030] Fig. 5 is a configuration diagram showing the multipurpose sensor 102. Fig. 5(a) shows a plan view of the multipurpose sensor 102, and Fig. 5(b) shows a cross-sectional view. The multipurpose sensor 102 of this embodiment performs measurement by scanning in the X direction, similar to the recording head 5. The measurement area of ​​the multipurpose sensor is located downstream in the transport direction with respect to the recording surface of the scanning area scanned by the recording head 5. The bottom surface of the multi-purpose sensor 102 is disposed so as to be at the same level as the bottom surface of the recording head 5 or higher.

[0031] The multi-purpose sensor 102 includes two phototransistors 203 and 204 as optical elements, three LEDs 205, 206, and 207, and one infrared LED 201, and each element is driven by an external circuit (not shown). All of these elements are bullet-shaped elements with a maximum diameter of about 4 mm (a mass-produced type with a typical diameter of 3.0 to 3.1 mm). In this embodiment, the straight line connecting the center point of the irradiation range of the light irradiated from the light emitting element to the measurement surface and the center of the light emitting element is called the optical axis of the light emitting element or the irradiation axis. This irradiation axis is also the center of the luminous flux of the irradiation light.

[0032] The infrared LED 201 has an irradiation angle of 45 degrees with respect to the surface (measurement surface) of the recording medium parallel to the XY plane. The irradiation axis, which is the center of the irradiation light, is disposed so as to intersect at a predetermined position with the sensor central axis 202, which is parallel to the normal line (Z axis) of the measurement surface. The position on the Z axis of this intersection (intersection) is set as the reference position, and the distance from the sensor to the reference position is set as the reference distance. The width of the irradiation light from the infrared LED 201 is adjusted by an aperture, and is optimized to form an irradiation surface (irradiation area) with a diameter of about 4 to 5 mm on the measurement surface at the reference position.

[0033] The two phototransistors 203 and 204 are sensitive to light with wavelengths ranging from visible light to infrared light. When the measurement surface is at the reference position, the phototransistors 203 and 204 are installed so that their light receiving axes are parallel to the reflection axis of the infrared LED 201. That is, the light receiving axis of the phototransistor 203 is arranged to be at a position shifted +2 mm in the X direction and +2 mm in the Z direction with respect to the reflection axis. The light receiving axis of the phototransistor 204 is arranged to be at a position shifted -2 ​​mm in the X direction and -2 mm in the Z direction. When the measurement surface is at the reference position, the intersection of the measurement surface and the irradiation axes of the infrared LED 201 and the visible LED 205 coincides, and the light receiving areas of the two phototransistors 203 and 204 at this position are formed to sandwich this intersection. A spacer with a thickness of about 1 mm is sandwiched between the two elements, so that the received light does not go around each other. An opening is also provided on the phototransistor side to limit the light-entering range, and its size is optimized so that only reflected light within a diameter range of 3 to 4 mm on the measurement surface at the reference position can be received. In this embodiment, the line connecting the center point of the area (range) in which the light-receiving element can receive light on the measurement surface (surface to be measured) and the center of the light-receiving element is called the optical axis of the light-receiving element, or the light-receiving axis. This light-receiving axis is also the center of the light flux of the reflected light reflected by the measurement surface and received by the light-receiving element.

[0034] 5(a) and (b), LED 205 is a monochromatic visible LED having a green emission wavelength (approximately 510 to 530 nm) and is installed so as to coincide with sensor central axis 202. LED 206 is a monochromatic visible LED having a blue emission wavelength (approximately 460 to 480 nm) and is arranged at a position shifted +2 mm in the X direction and −2 mm in the Y direction from visible LED 205. When the measurement surface is at the reference position, LED 206 is arranged so as to intersect with the light receiving axis of phototransistor 203 at the intersection position between the irradiation axis of visible LED 206 and the measurement surface. Furthermore, LED 207 is a monochromatic visible LED having a red emission wavelength (approximately 620 to 640 nm) and is disposed at a position −2 mm away from LED 205 in the X direction and +2 mm away from LED 205 in the Y direction. When the measurement surface is in the reference position, LED 207 is disposed so as to intersect with the light receiving axis of phototransistor 204 at the intersection position between the irradiation axis of LED 207 and the measurement surface.

[0035] 6 is a schematic diagram of a control circuit that processes input and output signals of the multi-purpose sensor 102. The CPU 301 performs operations such as outputting control signals for turning on or off the infrared LED 201 and the visible LEDs 205 to 207, and calculating output signals obtained according to the amount of light received by the phototransistors 203 and 204. The drive circuit 302 receives an ON signal sent from the CPU 301, supplies a constant current to each light-emitting element to cause it to emit light, and adjusts the amount of light emitted by each light-emitting element so that the amount of light received by the light-receiving element becomes a predetermined amount. The I / V conversion circuit 303 converts the output signals sent as current values ​​from the phototransistors 203 and 204 into voltage values. The amplifier circuit 304 amplifies the output signals converted into voltage values, which are minute signals, to an optimal level for A / D conversion. The A / D conversion circuit 305 converts the output signals amplified by the amplifier circuit 304 into 10-bit digital values ​​and inputs them to the CPU 301. The memory 306 is a non-volatile memory, and is used for recording a reference table for deriving a desired measurement value from the calculation result of the CPU 301 and for temporarily storing output values. Note that the CPU 301 and the memory 306 may be the CPU 20a and the RAM 20b of the recording device.

[0036] Fig. 7 is a diagram for explaining the flow of image processing in this embodiment, Fig. 7(a) is a block diagram showing the image processing configuration in the recording device 200, and Fig. 7(b) is a flowchart showing the flow of image processing.

[0037] Image data (brightness data) of 8 bits and 256 gradations for each of the colors red (R), green (G), and blue (B) is input from the host device 100 and image processing is performed. Then, finally, the data is output as 1-bit image data (print data) corresponding to the ejection or non-ejection of ink from each of the C, M, Y, and K nozzles of the print head 5. Note that the types of colors and the number of gradations in the image data are not limited to these.

[0038] First, image data represented by R, G, B multi-value luminance signals is input from the host device 100. In step S401, the input image data represented by R, G, B multi-value luminance signals is converted into R, G, B multi-value data using a multidimensional LUT 401. This color space conversion pre-processing (hereinafter also referred to as pre-stage color processing) is performed to correct the difference between the color space of the input image represented by the R, G, and B image data of the object to be recorded and the color space reproducible by the recording device 200.

[0039] Next, in step S402, the R, G, and B color data that has been subjected to pre-stage color processing is converted into multi-value data of the ink colors C, M, Y, and K using a multidimensional LUT 402. This color conversion processing (hereinafter also referred to as post-stage processing) is a process for converting input RGB system image data expressed by luminance signals into CMYK system image data corresponding to an output device and for expression by density signals.

[0040] Next, in step S403, output gamma correction processing is performed on the multi-value data of C, M, Y, and K that has been subjected to post-stage color processing, using the one-dimensional LUT 403 corresponding to each color. Normally, the number of dots printed per unit area of ​​a print medium and the print characteristics such as reflection density obtained by measuring the printed image do not have a linear relationship. Therefore, output gamma correction processing is performed to correct the multi-value input gradation levels of C, M, Y, and K so that the 10-bit input gradation levels of C, M, Y, and K each have a linear relationship with the density level of the image printed with them.

[0041] Next, in step S404, a color shift correction process is performed. Here, the reason for performing the color shift correction process will be described. The one-dimensional LUT 403 used in the output gamma correction process in step S403 described above is created for a printhead that exhibits standard print characteristics. However, as described above, there are individual differences in the print characteristics of the printhead 5 and variations in the amount of ejection from each nozzle, so that the output gamma correction table that corrects the printhead that exhibits standard print characteristics alone cannot perform appropriate density correction for all printheads. For this reason, in step S404, a color shift correction process is performed on the multi-value data of C, M, Y, and K that has been subjected to the output gamma correction process in step S403. In this embodiment, a one-dimensional LUT for color shift correction (also referred to as a color shift correction table) is set based on density characteristic information acquired by a density characteristic acquisition process in FIG. 8 described later.

[0042] Thereafter, in step S405, quantization processing is performed, whereby print data indicating whether or not to eject ink droplets from the print head 5 is output by halftone using error diffusion, a dither pattern, or the like, or index expansion.

[0043] Next, the density characteristic acquisition process, which is a characteristic feature of this embodiment, will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0044] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the density characteristic acquisition process that is automatically executed in this embodiment. First, in step S801, when an execution command for the density characteristic acquisition process is input, in step S802, the CPU 20a of the recording device 200 drives the paper feed motor 24 to start supplying the recording medium from the roll paper holding unit, the paper feed position, etc. When the recording medium P is transported to the recording area and it is determined that an image can be recorded, in step S803, a patch pattern for acquiring the recording characteristics for each nozzle is recorded on the recording medium. The patch pattern is recorded by alternately performing the transport operation of the recording medium P in the Y direction and the recording scan in the X direction of the carriage driven by the carriage motor 23. The patch pattern includes patches of multiple gradations for each ink color. The recording head 5 of this embodiment has one nozzle row for each of the ink colors C, M, Y, and K, so that patches of multiple gradations are included for each of the four ink colors. In addition, a recording head having multiple nozzle rows for one color may record a gradation patch for each nozzle row, or may record a gradation patch for each ink color. Also, one patch may be recorded for each of the four ink colors, or one patch for each of the four ink colors.

[0045] Next, in step S804, a drying timer is started to wait a predetermined time to dry the recorded patch pattern. In step S805, the green LED 205, blue LED 206, and red LED 207 of the multipurpose sensor 102 are used to measure the reflection intensity (hereinafter referred to as the white level) of the blank area of ​​the recording medium where no patch pattern is recorded. The measurement result of the white level is used as a reference value when calculating the density value of the patch pattern to be recorded later. The white level value is stored for each LED. Note that the density of the blank area of ​​the recording medium is the background color of white if the recording medium is a white recording medium. In this embodiment, an example in which a recording medium with a white background color is used will be described.

[0046] In step S806, it is determined whether the counter of the drying timer has elapsed a predetermined time. If it is determined that the predetermined time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S807, where the reflection intensity of the patch pattern is measured. Among the LEDs 205 to 207 mounted on the multipurpose sensor 102, an LED suitable for the ink color whose density is to be measured is turned on, and the reflected light is read by the phototransistors 203 and 204, thereby measuring the reflection intensity. The green LED 205 is turned on when measuring a patch pattern and a blank area recorded with, for example, magenta ink. Similarly, the blue LED 206 is turned on when measuring a patch pattern and a blank area recorded with, for example, yellow ink and black ink. The red LED 207 is turned on when measuring a patch pattern and a blank area recorded with, for example, cyan ink.

[0047] When the measurement of the reflection intensity of the patch pattern is completed, in step S808, a density value of the patch pattern is calculated for each corresponding nozzle based on each patch pattern and the output value of the white level. The calculated density value is stored in the memory 306 or the RAM 20b in the recording device 200 as density characteristic information for setting a one-dimensional LUT for color shift correction in the above-mentioned step S404. For the ink color using the green LED 205 when reading the patch pattern, the output value of the white level read by the green LED 205 is used. Similarly, for the ink color using the blue LED 206, the output value of the white level read by the blue LED 206 is used, and for the ink color using the red LED 207, the output value of the white level read by the red LED 207 is used.

[0048] Here, the density value is calculated by multiplying the reflection intensity of the patch by a logarithm when the reflection intensity of the margin area is set to 100%. For example, the density value ODm of a patch pattern printed in magenta ink is calculated by the following formula, where Gw is the white level read by the green LED 205 and Gm is the patch reading value.

[0049] ODm = -log(Gm / Gw) (Equation 1) When the recording medium P is discharged in step S809, it is determined in step S810 whether the density characteristic acquisition process has been completed normally. If it is determined that the process has not been completed normally, the process ends. If it is determined that the process has been completed normally, the process proceeds to step S811.

[0050] In step S811, the recording medium of the current paper feed port is checked. The current paper feed port is information indicating the paper feed port of the recording medium fed onto the platen. When the recording medium is fed, which paper feed port of the upper roll holding unit or the lower roll holding unit the recording medium is fed from is stored in memory as the current paper feed port. This current paper feed port is rewritten when the recording medium is replaced, and also when the recording medium is replaced, information specifying the paper feed port is included in the received recording job. In this embodiment, it is stored in RAM 20b. If the current paper feed port corresponds to the upper roll holding unit, the process proceeds to step S812, where the "paper feed execution flag (upper stage)" of the recording medium is set to "completed". On the other hand, if the current paper feed port corresponds to the lower roll holding unit, the process proceeds to step S813, where the "paper feed execution flag (lower stage)" of the recording medium is set to "completed". Then, in step S814, the execution pending flag for the process of obtaining density characteristics of the recording medium is set to "OFF", and the execution process ends.

[0051] Here, the execution pending flag for the concentration characteristics acquisition process is set to "ON" when it is determined that the concentration characteristics acquisition process should be executed, such as when the concentration characteristics acquisition process has not been executed, when the previous execution of the concentration characteristics acquisition process has failed, etc. Also, as "other conditions" of the automatic execution conditions for the concentration characteristics acquisition process described below, the flag is set to "ON" when a predetermined time has passed since the previous execution of the concentration characteristics acquisition process.

[0052] The color misregistration correction table may be generated during the density characteristic acquisition process.

[0053] Here, the density characteristic acquisition process and the types of recording media will be described. Among the multiple types of recording media, for example, there are types in which the measurement results vary greatly for each recording and measurement of a patch pattern for acquiring density characteristics. In addition, when measuring a patch pattern by a method of detecting the amount of reflected light, there are types of recording media such as colored recording media and transparent media in which the measurement results are low in accuracy. Therefore, appropriate measurement results cannot necessarily be obtained by the density characteristic acquisition process for all types of recording media. Hereinafter, a recording medium that can obtain appropriate results is referred to as a recording medium suitable for the density characteristic acquisition process.

[0054] Here, the recording device 200 of this embodiment is capable of executing two types of density characteristic acquisition processes: a "common density characteristic acquisition process" and an "individual density characteristic acquisition process". Recording media capable of correction processes can be classified into three types: "compatible with common density characteristic acquisition process", "compatible with individual density characteristic acquisition process", and "not compatible with density characteristic acquisition process". A table showing classifications of the correspondence relationship between the type information of these recording media and whether or not the density characteristic acquisition process can be executed is stored in RAM 20b.

[0055] First, a recording medium that is "compatible with common density characteristic acquisition processing" is a type of recording medium for which the common density characteristic acquisition processing can be executed. When the common density characteristic acquisition processing is executable, the density characteristics obtained by executing the density characteristic acquisition processing using a certain recording medium can be used not only for the color shift correction processing for that type of recording medium, but also for the color shift correction processing for other types of recording media. For this type of recording medium, it is set as "compatible with common density characteristic acquisition processing."

[0056] Next, a recording medium that is "compatible with individual density characteristic acquisition processing" is a type of recording medium for which the individual density characteristic acquisition processing can be executed. When the individual density characteristic acquisition processing is executable, it indicates that the density characteristics obtained by executing the density characteristic acquisition processing using a certain recording medium can be used only for the color shift correction processing for that type of recording medium. This applies to types of recording media that are not suitable for the common density characteristic acquisition processing, custom paper, etc., and for these types of recording media, "compatible with individual density characteristic acquisition processing" is set.

[0057] Finally, a recording medium that is "incompatible with density characteristic acquisition processing" is a type of recording medium on which neither the common density characteristic acquisition processing nor the individual density characteristic acquisition processing can be performed. Since neither the common density characteristic acquisition processing nor the individual density characteristic acquisition processing can be performed on this type of recording medium, it is set as "incompatible with density characteristic acquisition processing." When correcting color shifts on this type of recording medium that is incompatible with density characteristic acquisition processing, density characteristics acquired using a type of recording medium that is compatible with the common density characteristic acquisition processing are used.

[0058] Next, a process for determining whether or not the density characteristics acquisition process needs to be automatically executed in the recording device 200 will be described.

[0059] [Table 1]

[0060] By using various switches or the like provided on the host device 100 or the operation panel 22, it is possible to set whether or not the density characteristics acquisition process is automatically executed in the recording device 200 as an "automatic execution setting of density characteristics acquisition process".

[0061] In addition, the conditions (automatic execution conditions) for automatically executing the density characteristics acquisition process can be specified as "automatic execution conditions for density characteristics acquisition process." As the automatic execution conditions, "when paper is fed" and "other conditions" can be set as shown in Table 1.

[0062] As described above, the "paper feed time" of the automatic execution conditions in this process refers not only to a state in which a recording medium is set in the recording device and a paper feed operation is performed to transport the leading edge of the recording medium to the paper feed position, i.e., so-called "paper feeding," but also to a state in which the type of the recording medium is set in the recording device 200. In other words, the "paper feed time" of the automatic execution conditions is a state in which a recording medium of a specified type is transported to the paper feed position and becomes recordable. Since the density characteristic acquisition process of this embodiment is performed for each type of recording medium, if the type of recording medium is not set, it is not determined to be "paper feed time" of the automatic execution conditions.

[0063] "Other conditions" are when a predetermined number of days (a days: a is a natural number) has passed since the previous density characteristic acquisition process was performed, or when the number of ink droplets ejected from the print head exceeds a predetermined number (b ejection numbers: b is a natural number) after the previous density characteristic acquisition process was performed. Furthermore, the user may specify when parameters related to the print medium are updated. Examples of when parameters related to the print medium are updated include when the print mode including the number of scans of the print head when printing an image on the print medium is changed, when the distance between the print head and the print medium is changed, when the print conditions related to color such as image processing parameters are updated, and so on.

[0064] These automatic execution conditions may be specified for each type of recording medium, or the same conditions may be specified regardless of the type of recording medium. Also, the recording medium for which the density characteristic acquisition process is automatically executed may be limited to roll paper. This is because it is assumed that the user will feed cut paper for the purpose of image recording, not for the purpose of color shift correction. In addition, the conditions for automatically executing the density characteristic acquisition process may be set to be the timing when the recording head is replaced, or when the color shift correction process is reset and the recording device is returned to its factory settings, when the automatic execution conditions are not specified.

[0065] In addition, if "when feeding" is specified as an automatic execution condition and the recording medium is frequently replaced, the density characteristics acquisition process is executed every time the recording medium is fed. However, in this case, the time required to acquire the density characteristics and the cost of recording media and ink may be excessive.

[0066] In contrast, in the recording device 200 of this embodiment, a grace period for automatic execution is set. For example, if the grace period is set to one day, i.e., 24 hours, it is determined whether 24 hours have passed since the previous execution of the density characteristic acquisition process. If 24 hours have not passed, it is determined that the automatic execution of the density characteristic acquisition process will not be performed. This makes it possible to prevent the density characteristic acquisition process from being executed too frequently. The threshold for granting automatic execution is not limited to 24 hours. The threshold may also be defined by the number of ink droplets ejected (ejection count), etc. When automatically executing the density characteristic acquisition process, a grace period may be set before starting to print the patch pattern, during which the automatic execution can be stopped.

[0067] Furthermore, the density characteristic acquisition process is not limited to a method of measuring a recorded patch pattern, and may be acquired by other methods. For example, it may be a method of measuring the ejection speed when ink is ejected from the recording head. Since there is a correlation between the ejection speed and the density of a recorded image, it is possible to calculate the density characteristic from the ejection speed. It may also be a method of acquiring the cumulative number of ejections from the recording head. Since there is a correlation between the ejection amount fluctuation due to wear of the recording head and the density of a recorded image depending on the ejection number, it is possible to calculate the density characteristic from the cumulative number of ejections. It may also be a method of acquiring the time since the recording head is filled with ink. Since there is a correlation between the density of a recorded image and the change in ejection amount caused by the ejection orifice swelling depending on the time the ink is in contact with the ejection orifice of the print head, the density characteristics can be calculated from the time from ink filling. Alternatively, a method of measuring the amount of energy required for ejection from the print head may be used. A method called Pth control is known as a method of measuring the amount of energy required for ejection. Since there is a correlation between the ink ejection amount calculated from the amount of energy required for ejection and the density of a recorded image, the density characteristics can be calculated from the amount of energy required for ejection.

[0068] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a process for determining whether or not the density characteristic acquisition process is to be automatically executed in the recording device 200. In the flowchart shown in FIG.

[0069] Here, an example is shown in which the density characteristics acquisition process is not automatically executed for cut paper.

[0070] First, in step S901, it is checked whether the automatic execution condition judgment trigger of the density characteristic acquisition process is met. The automatic execution judgment trigger refers to the timing at which it is judged whether or not to automatically execute the density characteristic acquisition process. For example, there are times when paper feed information indicating that the recording medium has been fed is acquired, when the recording device is turned on, when the recording device returns from a sleep state, after the head is replaced, after the color shift correction process is reset, after parameters related to the recording medium are updated, after an image is recorded, etc. If the above triggers are not met, this process ends. If they are met, the process proceeds to step S902.

[0071] In step S902, it is determined whether the recording device is in an idle online state (a state in which processing is possible). If it is determined that the recording device is not in a state in which processing is possible, this process ends. If it is in a state in which processing is possible, the process proceeds to step S903, where it is determined whether the recording device has received a recording job from the host device 100 or the like. If it is determined that a recording job has been received, this process ends.

[0072] If it is determined in step S903 that a recording job has not been received, the process proceeds to step S904, where it is checked whether the "automatic execution setting for density characteristic acquisition process" is set to ON. If the "automatic execution setting for density characteristic acquisition process" is set to OFF, this process ends. If the "automatic execution setting for density characteristic acquisition process" is set to ON, the process proceeds to step S905. In step S905, the recording medium in the current paper feed inlet, i.e., the recording medium fed on the platen, is checked. If the recording medium in the current paper feed inlet is cut paper, this process ends. If the recording medium in the current paper feed inlet has not been fed, the process proceeds to step S907. If the recording medium in the current paper feed inlet is roll paper, the current paper feed inlet is stored in RAM 20b as a check target array, which will be described later, from S1001 onwards.

[0073] Next, in step S907, a check is made to see if there are any recording media being retracted to the upper roll. If there are no retracted recording media to the upper roll, the process proceeds to step S909. If there are retracted recording media to the upper roll, the process proceeds to step S908, and the upper roll is stored in the check target array described later from S1001 onwards.

[0074] Similarly, in step S909, a check is made to see if there are any recording media being retracted to the lower roll. If there are no retracted recording media on the lower roll, the process proceeds to step S1001. If there are retracted recording media on the lower roll, the process proceeds to step S910, and the lower roll is stored in the check target array described below after S1001.

[0075] Next, the automatic execution process S1000 of the density characteristic acquisition process is looped as many times as the number of paper feed ports stored in the check target array in steps S905 to S910.

[0076] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the automatic execution process of the concentration characteristic acquisition process in step S1000.

[0077] When the loop process is started in step S1001, information on the recording medium in the paper feed slot is acquired in step S1002. The information on the recording medium includes whether or not the type of recording medium is a recording medium capable of executing the density characteristic acquisition process, the automatic execution setting of the density characteristic acquisition process, the execution conditions of the individual density characteristic acquisition process, etc.

[0078] In step S1003, it is determined whether the recording medium of the type in question is a recording medium capable of executing the density characteristic acquisition process. Here, if the fed recording medium is a type suitable for executing the common density characteristic acquisition process or a type suitable for executing the individual density characteristic acquisition process, it is determined that the recording medium is capable of executing the density characteristic acquisition process. If the fed recording medium is a type that cannot execute the density characteristic acquisition process, the process proceeds to the next array loop process. If the type is suitable for executing the density characteristic acquisition process, the process proceeds to step S1004, where it is confirmed whether the setting for automatic execution of the density characteristic acquisition process is ON for the recording medium of the type in question. If automatic execution of the density characteristic acquisition process is OFF, the process proceeds to the next array loop process. If automatic execution of the density characteristic acquisition process is ON, the process proceeds to step S1005.

[0079] In step S1005, it is checked whether the setting for "when feeding" as the automatic execution condition for the density characteristics acquisition process for the recording medium of the type in question is "execute" or "not execute." If the setting for "when feeding" as the automatic execution condition for the density characteristics acquisition process is "not execute," the process proceeds to step S1009; if the setting is "execute," the process proceeds to step S1006.

[0080] In step S1006, the "feed execution flag" for that type of recording medium is checked, and if it is "executed", the process proceeds to step S1009, and if it is "not yet", the process proceeds to step S1007.

[0081] In step S1007, the current time and the time when the density characteristic acquisition process was last executed for that type of recording medium are acquired. Then, the time that has elapsed since the last execution time is calculated, and it is determined whether the calculated elapsed time is within a predetermined time. In this embodiment, it is determined whether it is within 24 hours. If it is determined that the time is longer than the predetermined time, the process proceeds to step S1012. If it is determined that the time is within the predetermined time, the process proceeds to step S1008, where the "paper feed execution flag" for that type of recording medium is set to "completed."

[0082] Next, in step S1009, it is checked whether an execution condition is set in "Other" of the automatic execution conditions of the density characteristic acquisition process for the recording medium of the type. If an execution condition is not set in "Other", the process proceeds to the next array loop process. If an execution condition is set in "Other", the process proceeds to step S1010.

[0083] In step S1010, the execution conditions set in "Other" of the automatic execution conditions of the density characteristic acquisition process for the recording medium of the type are checked. If the set conditions are not met, the process proceeds to the next array loop process. If the set conditions are met, the process proceeds to step S1011.

[0084] In step S1011, the execution pending flag for the density characteristic acquisition process for the recording medium of the type is checked. If it is set to "not pending", the process proceeds to the next array loop process, and if it is set to "pending", the process proceeds to step S1012.

[0085] In step S1012, a message screen indicating that the density characteristics acquisition process will be automatically executed is displayed via the operation panel 22 of the recording device, etc. Fig. 11 shows the message screen displayed on the operation panel 22, which includes a message indicating that the density characteristics acquisition process will be executed, the name of the recording medium, information about the paper feed port, an "OK" button, a "Cancel" button, etc.

[0086] In step S1013, it is determined whether the "Cancel" button has been pressed by the user. If it has been pressed, the process proceeds to the next array loop process, and if it has not been pressed, the process proceeds to step S1014. In step S1014, it is determined whether the "OK" button has been pressed by the user. If it has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S1016, and if it has not been pressed, the process proceeds to step S1015. In step S1015, it is determined whether five seconds have elapsed. The loop of steps S1013 to S1015 is repeated until five seconds have elapsed, and after it is determined that five seconds have elapsed, the process proceeds to step S1016. In step S1016, the density characteristic acquisition process of FIG. 8 is executed using the recording medium of that type.

[0087] As described above, according to the present embodiment, by determining the execution of the density characteristic acquisition process at an appropriate timing, it is possible to appropriately set the execution frequency of the density characteristic acquisition process while ensuring color stability of the recording medium. This contributes to reducing costs related to the density characteristic acquisition process and reducing the time during which user images cannot be recorded. In addition, by appropriately performing the density characteristic acquisition process on recording media that are suitable for execution of the common density characteristic acquisition process, it is possible to ensure color stability for recording media that are not suitable for execution of the density characteristic acquisition process. In particular, in a form in which multiple types of recording media are frequently replaced and used, it is possible to appropriately control the automatic execution frequency of the density characteristic acquisition process.

[0088] In this embodiment, the flowcharts of FIGS. 9 and 10 are executed in the recording device 200, but a part or the whole of the flowcharts may be executed in an information processing device such as the host device 100.

[0089] In addition, an inkjet recording device that ejects ink droplets has been described as an example of the recording device 200 of this embodiment, but the present invention is not limited to this. In a recording device that records an image by applying a recording material to a recording medium, the recording device is not limited to an inkjet recording device as long as the recording material is in a form in which differences in recording characteristics can occur. The recording material may be toner or the like other than ink. Therefore, the form in which the recording material is applied is not limited to a recording head. [Explanation of symbols]

[0090] 5. Recording head 20 Control section 100 Host device 200 Recording device P Recording medium

Claims

1. a storage unit that stores a setting indicating whether or not to execute a characteristic acquisition process for acquiring recording characteristics of a recording unit when a paper feed operation is executed in which a recording medium held by a holding member is fed to a predetermined paper feed position; an acquisition means for acquiring paper feed information indicating that the paper feed operation has been performed; a determination unit that determines execution of the characteristic acquisition process in response to acquisition of the paper feed information when the setting indicates that the characteristic acquisition process is to be executed in conjunction with the execution of the paper feed operation; An information processing device comprising:

2. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the setting is stored in the storage means at the timing when the paper feed operation is performed.

3. An information processing device as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that when the paper feeding information acquired by the acquisition means relates to a first recording medium, the decision means decides to execute the characteristic acquisition process if the elapsed time since the previous execution of the characteristic acquisition process for the first recording medium is greater than or equal to a predetermined time, and decides not to execute the characteristic acquisition process if the elapsed time is less than the predetermined time.

4. 4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the determining unit determines not to execute the characteristic acquisition process when the paper feed information indicates a second recording medium of a different type from the first recording medium.

5. 5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein in the characteristic acquisition process, a patch pattern is recorded on a fed recording medium using the recording means, and the recording characteristics are acquired based on a measurement result of the patch pattern.

6. 6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a generating unit that generates a color shift correction table based on the recording characteristics acquired by the characteristic acquisition process.

7. 7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising a correction unit that corrects image data using the color shift correction table generated by the generation unit.

8. 8. The information processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the correction means corrects the image data using a color shift correction table generated based on the recording characteristics acquired by the characteristic acquisition process using the first recording medium when recording an image on a second recording medium.

9. 9. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the determination means determines whether or not to execute the characteristic acquisition process based on classification information indicating a correspondence between a type of recording medium and whether or not the characteristic acquisition process can be executed.

10. The classification is a type of recording medium that can correct the color of an image using the recording characteristics acquired by the characteristic acquisition process for a recording medium other than the type used in the characteristic acquisition process. The information processing apparatus according to claim 9 , further comprising: a recording medium of a type in which the characteristic acquisition process cannot be executed.

11. 11. The information processing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the classification further includes types of recording media for which the color of an image can be corrected using the recording characteristics acquired by the characteristic acquisition process for only the type of recording media used in the characteristic acquisition process.

12. 12. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the type of the recording medium to be fed is stored as type information in the storage means at the timing when the paper feed operation is performed.

13. the recording means is capable of applying a plurality of types of recording material; 13. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determining unit acquires recording characteristics for each of a plurality of types of recording materials in the characteristic acquisition process.

14. 14. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording means is a recording head having a plurality of recording elements for applying a recording material.

15. 15. An information processing apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the recording material is ink.

16. acquiring a setting indicating whether or not to execute a characteristic acquisition process for acquiring recording characteristics of a recording means, in association with execution of a paper feed operation in which the recording medium held by the holding member is fed to a predetermined paper feed position; obtaining paper feed information indicating that the paper feed operation has been performed; determining whether to execute the characteristic acquisition process in response to acquisition of the paper feed information when the setting indicates that the characteristic acquisition process is to be executed in conjunction with the execution of the paper feed operation; An information processing method comprising:

17. A program for causing a computer to execute each step of the information processing method according to claim 16.

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