Printing system, printing apparatus, and printing program

Abstract

To provide a printing system, a printing apparatus, and a printing program capable of easily improving print quality of a code image.SOLUTION: The printing system includes a second printing apparatus including a second control device for executing: a process of printing a second code image corresponding to the code image on the medium to be printed by discharging liquid droplets from a second discharge head on the basis of the print data and the first printing condition; a process of causing a second reading device to read the second code image printed on the medium to be printed; a process of acquiring a first reading result by the first reading device in the first printing apparatus; a process of comparing a second reading result by the second reading device with the first reading result; a process of changing the first printing condition to a second printing condition which is a printing condition different from the first printing condition on the basis of a result of the comparison; and a process of reprinting the second code image on the medium to be printed by discharging liquid droplets from a second discharge head on the basis of the print data and the second printing condition after the change.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a printing system, a printing apparatus, and a printing program.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a printing apparatus that prints on a plurality of labels attached to a mount has been known (Patent Document 1). Such a mount is formed in a roll shape, and barcodes or the like may be printed on the labels.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, depending on the scale of the business, various codes such as barcodes may be printed in large quantities using a plurality of printing apparatuses. However, due to differences in printing accuracy among the printing apparatuses, the print quality of the barcodes does not necessarily become the same for each printing apparatus. Therefore, it is necessary to change the setting of the correction value in the printing apparatus so as to obtain the desired print quality. There has been a problem that the load of the above setting change increases as the number of printing apparatuses increases.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a printing system, a printing apparatus, and a printing program that can easily improve the print quality of a code image.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The printing system of the present disclosure includes a first printing apparatus including a first ejection head that ejects droplets onto a printing medium, a first reading device that reads an image, and a first control device, and a second printing apparatus including a second ejection head that ejects droplets onto the printing medium, a second reading device that reads an image, and a second control device. The first control device executes a process of determining first printing conditions for printing a code image on the printing medium based on printing data, a process of ejecting droplets from the first ejection head based on the printing data and the first printing conditions to print a first code image corresponding to the code image on the printing medium, and a process of causing the first reading device to read the first code image printed on the printing medium. The second control device executes a process of ejecting droplets from the second ejection head based on the printing data and the first printing conditions to print a second code image corresponding to the code image on the printing medium, a process of causing the second reading device to read the second code image printed on the printing medium, a process of acquiring a first reading result by the first reading device, a process of comparing a second reading result by the second reading device with the first reading result, a process of changing the first printing conditions to second printing conditions that are printing conditions different from the first printing conditions based on the result of the comparison, and a process of ejecting droplets from the second ejection head based on the printing data and the changed second printing conditions to reprint the second code image on the printing medium.

[0007] According to the present disclosure, a second printing condition obtained by changing a first printing condition based on a result of comparison between a second reading result and a first reading result is used in a second printing apparatus. As a result, based on the first reading result of the first code image printed by the first printing apparatus, a second printing condition to be used in the second printing apparatus can be obtained and printing can be performed. Therefore, the print quality of the second code image printed by the second printing apparatus can be made closer to the print quality of the first code image printed by the first printing apparatus. Further, in order to obtain the second printing condition to be used in the second printing apparatus based on the first reading result of the first code image as described above, it is easier to make the print quality of the second code image in the second printing apparatus closer to the print quality of the first code image in the first printing apparatus than in the case of simply transmitting and using the first printing condition in the first printing apparatus to the second printing apparatus. Furthermore, when the installation environment changes or the types of the printing media used in the respective printing apparatuses are different, the process of adjusting the correction value in the second printing apparatus becomes unnecessary. As described above, without imposing the load of setting change of the correction value, it is possible to improve the print quality of the second code image in the second printing apparatus to be easily matched with the print quality of the first code image in the first printing apparatus.

Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a printing system, a printing apparatus, and a printing program capable of easily improving the print quality of a code image.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, a printing system, a printing device, and a printing program according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. The printing device and the like described below are merely one embodiment of the present disclosure. Therefore, the present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments, and additions, deletions, and changes are possible without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a printing system 100 according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a printing device 1 according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control system of the printing device 1 of FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of a roll paper 37 which is an example of a medium W to be printed. In FIG. 2, directions orthogonal to each other are defined as a first direction Dx, a second direction Dy, and a third direction Dz. In the present embodiment, for example, the first direction Dx is the front-rear direction, the second direction Dy is the left-right direction, and the third direction Dz is the up-down direction. In the following description, Dx will be referred to as the front-rear direction, Dy will be referred to as the left-right direction, and Dz will be referred to as the up-down direction.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, the printing system 100 includes a plurality of printing devices 1 such as an inkjet printer. The printing device 1 prints an image on a printing medium by ejecting liquid droplets (for example, ink droplets of ink). The printing system 100 includes a first printing device 1A and a second printing device 1B as the printing devices 1. The configuration of the first printing device 1A is the same as that of the second printing device 1B. Note that the printing system 100 may include three or more printing devices 1.

[0013] The first printing device 1A and the second printing device 1B are communicably connected by wire or wirelessly. For example, the first printing device 1A and the second printing device 1B are configured to be able to communicate with each other via a communication line CL such as the Internet. Note that the first printing device 1A and the second printing device 1B may be communicably connected to each other by wireless communication conforming to, for example, the Bluetooth (registered trademark) standard. Also, the first printing device 1A and the second printing device 1B may be communicably connected to each other by, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network) or the like. However, the connection method between the first printing device 1A and the second printing device 1B is not limited to the above.

[0014] Since the configuration of the first printing device 1A is the same as that of the second printing device 1B as described above, except for some cases worthy of note, these will be described as the printing device 1 below. As shown in FIG. 2, the printing device 1 is, for example, an inkjet printer that prints an image such as a code image on a label paper P. The printing device 1 includes a housing 30. The housing 30 has an upper housing 31 and a lower housing 32. The upper housing 31 and the lower housing 32 are, for example, in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped and can be placed on a desk. Note that the code image will be described later.

[0015] An outlet 33 extending in the left-right direction Dy is provided on the front surface 30F of the housing 30. The outlet 33 communicates the internal space 30A of the housing 30 with the outside. The label paper P on which an image is printed in the internal space 30A of the housing 30 is discharged to the outside of the housing 30 through the outlet 33.

[0016] An operation panel 114 (FIG. 3) is provided on the front surface 30F of the housing 30. The operation panel 114 is located, for example, above the discharge port 33. The user can operate the printing apparatus 1 using the operation panel 114 and input for various settings.

[0017] A sub-frame 22 is provided in front of the internal space 30A of the housing 30. A tank 34 is provided in the space surrounded by the sub-frame 22. The tank 34 is, for example, a rectangular parallelepiped-shaped container that stores ink inside. The tank 34 can supply ink to the discharge head 38 through a tube (not shown). Hereinafter, when it is particularly noteworthy, the discharge head 38 of the first printing apparatus 1A is referred to as a discharge head 38A corresponding to the first discharge head, and the discharge head 38 of the second printing apparatus 1B is referred to as a discharge head 38B corresponding to the second discharge head. In the present embodiment, the tank 34 can be a cartridge type that is detachable from the housing 30. The tank 34 may include, for example, four tanks that store four basic color inks respectively, and one or more tanks that store special color inks. Examples of the basic color inks include cyan ink, yellow ink, magenta ink, and black ink. On the other hand, the special color ink is an ink of a color different from the basic color inks, and examples thereof include red ink, green ink, and blue ink.

[0018] In the internal space 30A of the housing 30, a holder 35, a tensioner 45, a conveyance roller 36, a discharge roller 40, a discharge head 38 of a serial head type, for example, a side guide 50, a suction belt 51, a pressing roller unit 60, a fixing unit 39, a platen 46, a reading sensor 29, a cutter unit 26, and the above-described tank 34 are arranged.

[0019] A partition wall 41 is provided at the rear of the internal space 30A. The partition wall 41 and the lower housing 32 define a roll paper storage space 30C. The roll paper storage space 30C is a space isolated from the discharge head 38 and the like. A roll paper 37 (label paper P), which is an example of the medium W to be printed, is stored in the roll paper storage space 30C.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 4, the roll paper 37 is formed by winding a label paper P having a plurality of labels Pb and a strip-shaped base paper Pa to which the plurality of labels Pb are attached in a roll shape. Each label Pb is attached to the base paper Pa at equal intervals. The surface of the base paper Pa is provided with peelability. Note that the materials of the base paper Pa and the label Pb are not particularly limited.

[0021] A holder 35 extending in the left-right direction Dy is provided in the roll paper storage space 30C. The roll paper 37 can be mounted on the holder 35. The holder 35 supports the roll paper 37 so as to be rotatable about its axis. A pair of side guides 25 spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction Dy are provided on the holder 35. One side guide 25 and the other side guide 25 are configured to be movable in directions approaching and separating from each other in the left-right direction Dy. The user brings the pair of side guides 25 into contact with the left and right ends of the roll paper 37, respectively, according to the width (dimension in the left-right direction Dy) of the roll paper 37 mounted on the holder 35. Thereby, the roll paper 37 is positioned with respect to the holder 35.

[0022] A gap 42 is formed between the partition wall 41 and the rear surface 30R of the housing 30 described above, that is, above the rear end of the roll paper 37. The label paper P constituting the roll paper 37 is pulled upward from the rear end of the roll paper 37 mounted on the holder 35 by the rotation of the conveyance roller 36 and the discharge roller 40, and is guided to the tensioner 45 through the gap 42.

[0023] The tensioner 45 is disposed above the roll paper storage space 30C in the internal space 30A. The tensioner 45 is disposed above the partition wall 41. The tensioner 45 is a roller rotatably supported about an axis parallel to the left-right direction Dy. The tensioner 45 is biased rearward by a biasing member such as a spring. The tensioner 45 contacts the label paper P pulled upward from the roll paper 37 and guides the label paper P to curve forward.

[0024] The conveying roller 36 is disposed in the internal space 30A in front of the tensioner 45. The conveying roller 36 includes a conveying roller 36A and a pinch roller 36B. The conveying roller 36A and the pinch roller 36B are rotatably supported about an axis parallel to the left-right direction Dy. The conveying roller 36A rotates by the driving force transmitted from the conveying motor 131, and conveys the label paper P forward while nipping it between the pinch roller 36B.

[0025] The side guide 50 is disposed in the internal space 30A above the tensioner 45 and behind the conveying roller 36. The side guide 50 is a pair of guides spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction Dy, and positions the label paper P in the left-right direction Dy by abutting against both ends of the label paper P moving forward in the left-right direction Dy respectively. The side guide 50 is movable along the left-right direction Dy by, for example, a rack and pinion mechanism.

[0026] The discharge roller 40 is disposed in the internal space 30A in front of the conveying roller 36. The discharge roller 40 includes a discharge roller 40A and a pinch roller 40B. The discharge roller 40A and the pinch roller 40B are rotatably supported about an axis parallel to the left-right direction Dy. The discharge roller 40A rotates by the driving force transmitted from the conveying motor 132, and conveys the label paper P forward while nipping it between the pinch roller 40B.

[0027] The ejection head 38 is disposed in the internal space 30A in front of the conveying roller 36. The ejection head 38 has a plurality of nozzles 38a. The plurality of nozzles 38a eject ink droplets onto the label Pb of the label paper P supported by the suction belt 51 disposed below the ejection head 38 and in front of the conveying roller 36. Thereby, a code image described later is printed on the label Pb.

[0028] The suction belt 51 has an endless belt 54 wound around two pulleys 52 and 53 that are spaced apart from each other in the front-rear direction Dx and rotatable about an axis parallel to the left-right direction Dy. The pulley 52 is rotated by the driving force of a motor (not shown). The rotation of the pulley 52 causes the endless belt 54 to rotate. A plurality of through-holes are formed in the endless belt 54. When the fan 55 provided on the suction belt 51 operates, a negative pressure is generated below the endless belt 54. As a result, the label paper P is adsorbed to the endless belt 54 through the through-holes. In this way, the suction belt 51 conveys the label paper P forward while adsorbing it.

[0029] The pressing roller unit 60 is disposed in the internal space 30A in front of the discharge head 38. The pressing roller unit 60 is supported by the head frame 24 together with the discharge head 38. The pressing roller unit 60 has a pressing roller 61. The head frame 24 is movable along the vertical direction Dz. When the head frame 24 moves in the vertical direction Dz, the discharge head 38 is movable between a predetermined discharge position and a separation position spaced above the suction belt 51 from the discharge position. Accordingly, the pressing roller 61 of the pressing roller unit 60 is movable between a contact position where it contacts the label paper P and a separation position spaced above the label paper P. When the discharge head 38 is positioned at the discharge position, the pressing roller 61 is positioned at the contact position.

[0030] The fixing unit 39 is disposed in the internal space 30A, in front of the ejection head 38 and the pressing roller unit 60 and behind the discharge roller 40. The fixing unit 39 is, for example, an ultraviolet irradiator. A UV lamp 47 is provided inside the fixing unit 39. The fixing unit 39 irradiates the ink on the label Pb of the label paper P with the ultraviolet light generated by the UV lamp 47. The pigment contained in the ink is fixed to the label Pb by the curing of the resin contained in the ink irradiated with the ultraviolet light. Note that the fixing unit 39 is not limited to an ultraviolet irradiator. For example, when the ink contains thermoplastic resin fine particles, the fixing unit 39 may be a heater having an IR lamp as a heat generating member.

[0031] The platen 46 is disposed in the internal space 30A, in front of the ejection head 38 and the adsorption belt 51. The rear part of the platen 46 faces the fixing unit 39. The front part of the platen 46 faces the discharge roller 40A. The platen 46 supports the label paper P conveyed forward by the adsorption belt 51.

[0032] The reading sensor 29 is disposed in the middle of the conveyance route of the label paper P. Hereinafter, when it is particularly noteworthy, the reading sensor 29 of the first printing device 1A is regarded as the reading sensor 29A corresponding to the first reading device, and the reading sensor 29 of the second printing device 1B is regarded as the reading sensor 29B corresponding to the second reading device.

[0033] The reading sensor 29 is disposed in front of the discharge roller 40. The reading sensor 29 is such that the reflected light irradiated from a light source such as an LED and reflected by the label paper P is condensed on a line sensor by a refractive index distribution type lens, and outputs an electric signal according to the intensity of the reflected light received by the line sensor. The reading sensor 29 reads an image such as a code image described later printed on the label Pb of the label paper P.

[0034] The cutter unit 26 is disposed forward of the reading sensor 29. The cutter unit 26 has a cutter carriage 27 and a cutter 28 mounted on the cutter carriage 27. The cutter carriage 27 moves in the left - right direction Dy by a belt drive mechanism (not shown) or the like. Along with the movement of the cutter carriage 27, the cutter 28 also moves in the left - right direction Dy. By the movement of the cutter 28, the portion of the label paper P located between the discharge roller 40 and the discharge port 33 among the labels Pb of the label paper P is cut along the left - right direction Dy. That is, the cutter unit 26 cuts the label paper P pulled out from the roll paper 37.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 3, the discharge heads 38A and 38B have a plurality of drive elements 125. The drive elements 125 are piezoelectric elements, heating elements, electrostatic actuators, etc., and are provided corresponding to the nozzles 38a of the discharge heads 38A and 38B, and apply pressure for discharging ink droplets from the nozzles 38a to the ink.

[0036] In addition to the above - described components, the printing apparatus 1 further includes a control device 150. Hereinafter, when it is particularly noted, the control device 150 of the first printing apparatus 1A is referred to as a control device 150A corresponding to the first control device, and the control device 150 of the second printing apparatus 1B is referred to as a control device 150B corresponding to the second control device.

[0037] The control device 150 includes an interface 151, an arithmetic unit 152 corresponding to a computer, and a storage unit 153. The interface 151 receives various data such as print data from, for example, another printing device, a server device, an imaging device, a reading device that reads a print program stored in a recording medium KB such as a CD-ROM, and an external device 200 including a display and the like. The print data is, for example, raster data indicating a code image to be printed on a label Pb as a medium to be printed W. The print program causes the computers of the first printing device 1A and the second printing device 1B in the printing system 100 to execute each process described below. Note that the print program may be installed in any one of the first printing device 1A and the second printing device 1B by reading the communication network or the recording medium KB by the reading device. In this case, the arithmetic unit 152 of the control device 150 in the installed printing device 1 may control each component of the printing device 1 and send a control command to the arithmetic unit 152 of the control device 150 in another printing device 1. Alternatively, the print program may be installed in both the first printing device 1A and the second printing device 1B. In this case, the arithmetic unit 152 of the control device 150A in the first printing device 1A and the arithmetic unit 152 of the control device 150B in the second printing device 1B cooperate to cause each component of the first printing device 1A and each component of the second printing device 1B to execute a process based on the print program.

[0038] The storage unit 153 stores various data such as, for example, print data, information related to print conditions, and data related to a reading result by the reading sensor 29. The storage unit 153 is a memory accessible from the arithmetic unit 152 and has a RAM and a ROM. The RAM temporarily stores various data such as data received from the external device 200 such as print data and information related to print conditions, and data converted by the arithmetic unit 152. The ROM stores a print program and various data.

[0039] The calculation unit 152 includes at least one circuit such as a processor such as a CPU and an integrated circuit such as an ASIC. The calculation unit 152 controls each unit by executing a print program and executes various operations such as a printing operation.

[0040] The control device 150 is electrically connected to the conveyance motors 131 and 132 via the conveyance drive circuit 133 and controls the drive of the conveyance motors 131 and 132. Thereby, the conveyance of the label paper P by the conveyance roller 36 and the discharge roller 40 is controlled. Further, the control device 150 is electrically connected to the scanning motor 143 via the scanning drive circuit 146 and controls the drive of the scanning motor 143. Thereby, the movement of the discharge head 38 is controlled. Further, the control device 150 is electrically connected to the drive element 125 via the head drive circuit 126. The control device 150 outputs a control signal of the drive element 125 to the head drive circuit 126, and the head drive circuit 126 generates a drive signal based on the control signal and outputs it to the drive element 125. The drive element 125 drives according to the drive signal, and thereby ink droplets are discharged from the nozzle 38a onto the label Pb.

[0041] Further, the control device 150 receives input information from the operation panel 114, executes predetermined processing, and controls the operations of the fixing unit 39 and the cutter unit 26. Further, the control device 150 receives the reading result by the reading sensor 29.

[0042] Next, the processing of the first printing device 1A and the processing of the second printing device 1B in the printing system 100 will be described. FIG. 5A is a diagram showing an example of the first code image CG1 printed by the first printing device 1A, and FIG. 5B is a diagram showing an example of the second code image CG2 printed by the second printing device 1B.

[0043] The control device 150A of the first printing device 1A executes a process of determining a first printing condition for printing the code image CG on the label Pb as the medium to be printed W based on the print data. Here, examples of the first printing condition include, for example, the volume of ink droplets to be ejected, the interval between ink droplets to be ejected, the line width of the code image CG, the inclination of the ejection head 38 with respect to the horizontal plane, and the correction amount of the conveyance roller 36 and the like. The first printing condition may include at least one of the plurality of items exemplified above. However, the first printing condition is not limited to the above, and any condition related to printing may be included in the first printing condition. The first printing condition can be set by the user, for example, using the operation panel 114 or the like. The control device 150A stores the first printing condition input by the user in a storage unit 153 such as a memory as the printing condition when the following first code image CG1 as the code image CG is printed. Thereby, the first printing condition is determined (set) by the control device 150A.

[0044] The control device 150A executes a process of ejecting ink droplets from the ejection head 38A based on the print data and the first printing condition to print the first code image CG1 corresponding to the code image CG on the label Pb. In this case, the control device 150A moves the ejection head 38A in a direction parallel to the left-right direction Dy in the print path and ejects ink droplets from the ejection head 38A onto the label Pb. Then, the control device 150A conveys the label paper P forward in the front-rear direction Dx. In this way, the control device 150A alternately repeats the print path and the conveyance operation. Thereby, the first code image CG1 is printed on the label Pb. Note that the print data may be acquired from the external device 200 as described above, or may be created in the first printing device 1A. The first code image CG1 printed by the ejection head 38A is, for example, a two-dimensional code image as shown in FIG. 5A. However, the first code image CG1 may be any image having information, and may be another code image such as a barcode image, for example.

[0045] The control device 150A executes a process of causing the reading sensor 29A to read the first code image CG1 printed on the label Pb. When the first code image CG1 is read by the reading sensor 29A, a first reading result, which is the reading result of the first code image CG1, is obtained. Then, the control device 150A transmits the print data, information related to the first printing condition, and the first reading result by the reading sensor 29A to the second printing device 1B.

[0046] Subsequently, the control device 150B of the second printing device 1B receives the print data, information related to the first printing condition, and the first reading result transmitted from the control device 150A via the interface 151.

[0047] The control device 150B uses the first printing condition received from the first printing device 1A. In this case, the control device 150B executes a process of causing ink droplets to be ejected from the ejection head 38B based on the print data and the first printing condition, and printing a second code image CG2 corresponding to the code image CG on the label Pb. Note that the printing mode using the ejection head 38B by the control device 150B is the same as the above-described printing mode using the ejection head 38A by the control device 150A.

[0048] The control device 150B executes a process of causing the reading sensor 29B to read the second code image CG2 printed on the label Pb. When the second code image CG2 is read by the reading sensor 29B, a second reading result, which is the reading result of the second code image CG2, is obtained.

[0049] The control device 150B executes a process of comparing the second reading result by the reading sensor 29B with the first reading result by the obtained reading sensor 29A. The control device 150B executes a process of changing the first printing condition to a second printing condition, which is a printing condition different from the first printing condition, based on the result of the comparison. The comparison process will be described in detail.

[0050] In the comparison, the control device 150B performs, for example, pattern matching between the first code image CG1 in the first reading result and the second code image CG2 in the second reading result.

[0051] The pattern matching between the first code image CG1 and the second code image CG2 will be described. FIG. 6A is a partially enlarged view of the first code image CG1 in FIG. 5A, and FIG. 6B is a partially enlarged view of the second code image CG2 in FIG. 5B. In the description of FIGS. 6A and 6B, the positions of the respective pixels Px arranged in a grid pattern are specified by rows and columns.

[0052] In FIG. 6A, the pixels Px constituting the first code image CG1 are painted black, and in FIG. 6B, the pixels Px constituting the second code image CG2 are painted black. In the first code image CG1, the pixel Px located at the 6th row and 3rd column constitutes the image. On the other hand, in the second code image CG2, the pixel Px located at the 6th row and 3rd column does not constitute the image. Note that the constitution and non-constitution of the image by all the pixels Px except the pixel Px at the 6th row and 3rd column in the first code image CG1 are the same as the constitution and non-constitution of the image by all the pixels Px except the pixel Px at the 6th row and 3rd column in the second code image CG2.

[0053] Thus, the pixel Px at the 6th row and 3rd column that constitutes the image in the first code image CG1 does not match the pixel Px at the 6th row and 3rd column that does not constitute the image in the second code image CG2. In this case, the control device 150B counts the pixel Px at the 6th row and 3rd column in the first code image CG1 and the pixel Px at the 6th row and 3rd column in the second code image CG2 as non-matching pixels Ph that do not match each other. The counting is performed for each combination of the non-matching pixels Ph in the first code image CG1 and the non-matching pixels Ph in the second code image CG2. In FIGS. 6A and 6B, the count number of the non-matching pixels Ph is 1.

[0054] On the one hand, the control device 150B counts the pixels Px that constitute the image except for the pixel Px at the 6th row and 3rd column in the first code image CG1 (i.e., the black-filled pixel Px) and the pixels Px that constitute the image except for the pixel Px at the 6th row and 3rd column in the second code image CG2 as the matching pixels Pt, respectively. The counting is performed for each combination of the matching pixels Pt in the first code image CG1 and the matching pixels Pt in the second code image CG2. In FIGS. 6A and 6B, the count number of the matching pixels Pt is 27.

[0055] Next, the control device 150B executes a process of determining whether the number of matching pixels (i.e., the count number of the matching pixels Pt), which is the number of pixels Px that constitute the first code image CG1 and the pixels Px that constitute the second code image CG2 and match each other, is less than a threshold value. This threshold value may be settable by the user. When the count number of the matching pixels Pt is less than the threshold value, the control device 150B executes a process of changing the above-described first printing condition to a second printing condition that is a printing condition different from the first printing condition. Note that the case where the count number of the matching pixels Pt is less than the threshold value means that printing is executed on the second printing device 1B based on the same printing condition as the first printing condition used in the first printing device 1A, but there is a certain difference in printing accuracy (print quality) between the first code image CG1 and the second code image CG2. On the other hand, when the count number of the matching pixels Pt is greater than or equal to the threshold value, the control device 150B does not perform a process of changing the first printing condition. Note that the case where the count number of the matching pixels Pt is greater than or equal to the threshold value means that as a result of executing printing on the second printing device 1B based on the same printing condition as the first printing condition used in the first printing device 1A, there is no difference in a certain printing accuracy (print quality) between the first code image CG1 and the second code image CG2.

[0056] As the second printing condition, similar to the first printing condition, for example, the volume of ink droplets to be ejected, the interval between the ink droplets to be ejected, the line width of the code image CG, the inclination of the ejection head 38 with respect to the horizontal plane, and the correction amount of the conveyance roller 36 or the like are exemplified. The second printing condition may include at least one of the plurality of items exemplified above. The second printing condition may be such that the numerical value in at least one of the items is different from that of the first printing condition. When changing the first printing condition to the second printing condition, the control device 150B may use, for example, the resolution of the second printing condition as the unit of change based on the priority order of the second printing condition preset by the user. When the second printing condition with a higher priority preset by the user is, for example, the volume of the ink droplet, the volume may be changed using the resolution of the volume as the unit. Also, there may be a plurality of second printing conditions with higher priority. In this case, each of the plurality of second printing conditions may be changed. The control device 150B stores the second printing condition in a storage unit 153 such as a memory as the printing condition when the second code image CG2 is printed. Thereby, the second printing condition is determined (set) by the control device 150B.

[0057] The control device 150B executes a process of ejecting ink droplets from the ejection head 38B based on the print data and the changed second printing condition to reprint the second code image CG2 on the label Pb. Note that the label Pb on which the second code image CG2 is printed based on the changed second printing condition may be different from the label Pb where the second code image CG2 was printed based on the first printing condition.

[0058] Next, the processes of the first printing device 1A and the second printing device 1B in the printing system 100 will be described using flowcharts. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of the process in the first printing device 1A. Also, FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of the process in the second printing device 1B, and FIG. 9 is a flowchart following the flowchart of FIG. 8.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 7, the control device 150A of the first printing device 1A sets first printing conditions for printing the first code image CG1 on the label Pb based on the print data (step S1). Next, the control device 150A causes the ejection head 38 to print the first code image CG1 on the label Pb based on the print data and the first printing conditions (step S2).

[0060] The control device 150A causes the reading sensor 29A to read the first code image CG1 printed on the label Pb (step S3). Then, the control device 150A determines whether the first printing device 1A is connected to the second printing device 1B by wire or wirelessly (step S4).

[0061] When the first printing device 1A is connected to the second printing device 1B by wire or wirelessly (Yes in step S4), the control device 150A transmits the print data, the information related to the first printing conditions, and the first reading result by the reading sensor 29A (hereinafter abbreviated as the information related to the first printing conditions, etc.) to the second printing device 1B (step S5), and ends the process. Note that the second printing device 1B may acquire the print data from the first printing device 1A as described above, or may acquire it from another external device 200. On the other hand, when the first printing device 1A is not connected to the second printing device 1B by wire or wirelessly (No in step S4), the control device 150A determines whether the information related to the first printing conditions, etc. is stored in the recording medium KB via a reading device as the external device 200 (step S6). In this case, since the first printing device 1A is not connected to the second printing device 1B, the user performs an operation of storing the information related to the first printing conditions, etc. in the recording medium KB so that the information related to the first printing conditions, etc. can be read by the second printing device 1B.

[0062] When the process of storing information related to the first printing condition in the recording medium KB is executed (Yes in step S6), the control device 150A ends the process. In this case, the control device 150A ends the process by having executed the process of storing the information related to the first printing condition in the recording medium KB via a reading device as the external device 200. On the other hand, when the information related to the first printing condition is not stored in the recording medium KB (No in step S6), the control device 150A waits until the information related to the first printing condition is stored in the recording medium KB.

[0063] Next, as shown in FIG. 8, the control device 150B of the second printing device 1B determines whether or not the second printing condition has been set (step S11). In this case, the control device 150B determines whether or not the information related to the second printing condition is stored in the storage unit 153. When the second printing condition has been set, that is, when the second printing condition has been set in the past (Yes in step S11), the control device 150B proceeds to the process of step S22 shown in FIG. 9. The processes after step S22 will be described later.

[0064] On the other hand, when the second printing condition has not been set (No in step S11), the control device 150B determines whether or not the information related to the first printing condition has been received (step S12). When the information related to the first printing condition has not been received (No in step S12), the control device 150B determines whether or not the information related to the first printing condition can be read from the storage unit 153 (step S14). In this case, the user stores in advance the information related to the first printing condition stored in a recording medium KB such as a USB flash memory in the storage unit 153 of the second printing device 1B via the reading device of the second printing device 1B. When the information related to the first printing condition cannot be read from the storage unit 153 (No in step S14), the control device 150B returns to the process of step S12 and repeats the subsequent processes.

[0065] When information related to the first printing condition has been received (Yes in step S12), and when the information related to the first printing condition can be read from the storage unit 153 (Yes in step S14), next, the control device 150B sets the acquired first printing condition as the printing condition in the second printing device 1B (step S13).

[0066] Next, the control device 150B causes the ejection head 38B to print a second code image CG2 corresponding to the code image CG on the label Pb based on the print data and the first printing condition (step S15). Then, the control device 150B causes the reading sensor 29B to read the second code image CG2 printed on the label Pb (step S16).

[0067] Subsequently, the control device 150B performs pattern matching between the first code image CG1 in the first reading result and the second code image CG2 in the second reading result (step S17). Then, the control device 150B determines whether the count of the matching pixels Pt is less than the threshold value (step S18).

[0068] When the count of the matching pixels Pt is not less than the threshold value (No in step S18), the control device 150B deletes the first code image CG1 in the first reading result and the second code image CG2 in the second reading result (step S21), and ends the process.

[0069] On the other hand, when the count of the matching pixels Pt is less than the threshold value (Yes in step S18), the control device 150B changes the first printing condition to the second printing condition (step S19), and then causes the ejection head 38B to reprint the second code image CG2 on the label Pb based on the print data and the changed second printing condition (step S20). Note that after executing the process of step S20, the control device 150B returns to the process of step S16 described above and repeats the subsequent processes.

[0070] The following describes the processes after step S22. The processes after step S22 are executed, for example, when the second printing conditions are periodically updated (once a month, etc.) in the second printing apparatus 1B.

[0071] First, the control device 150B determines whether information related to the first printing conditions has been received (step S22). If the information related to the first printing conditions has not been received (No in step S22), the control device 150B determines whether the information related to the first printing conditions can be read from the storage unit 153 (step S24). If the information related to the first printing conditions cannot be read from the storage unit 153 (No in step S24), the control device 150B returns to the process of step S22 and repeats the subsequent processes.

[0072] When the information related to the first printing conditions has been received (Yes in step S22), and when the information related to the first printing conditions can be read from the storage unit 153 (Yes in step S24), next, the control device 150B acquires the first printing conditions and reads out from the storage unit 153 the past second printing conditions as the second printing conditions acquired before the first printing conditions (step S23).

[0073] The control device 150B executes a process of calculating the difference between the first printing conditions and the past second printing conditions (step S25). For example, when the first printing conditions and the second printing conditions are the line widths of the code image CG, and the line width in the first printing conditions is 3 mm and the line width in the second printing conditions is 2.5 mm, the difference is 0.5 mm. Then, the control device 150B multiplies the difference by a weight (step S26). In this case, the control device 150B can use the eigenvalue in the second printing apparatus 1B as the weight. The eigenvalue of the second printing apparatus 1B may be, for example, an adjustment value with respect to the first printing apparatus 1A, or a numerical value taking into account the deterioration of components (such as the ejection head 38B and the conveyance roller 36, etc.) due to the passage of time.

[0074] The control device 150B executes a process of changing the first printing condition based on the difference multiplied by the weight (step S27). Next, the control device 150B causes the ejection head 38B to print the second code image CG2 on the label Pb based on the print data and the changed first printing condition (step S28). Then, the control device 150B causes the reading sensor 29B to read the second code image CG2 printed on the label Pb (step S29).

[0075] Subsequently, the control device 150B performs pattern matching between the first code image CG1 in the first reading result acquired above and the second code image CG2 in the second reading result (step S30). Then, the control device 150B determines whether or not the count of the matching pixels Pt is less than the threshold value (step S31).

[0076] When the count of the matching pixels Pt is not less than the threshold value (No in step S31), the control device 150B proceeds to the process of step S21 described above. On the other hand, when the count of the matching pixels Pt is less than the threshold value (Yes in step S31), the control device 150B changes the first printing condition after the change to the second printing condition (step S32), and then causes the ejection head 38B to reprint the second code image CG2 on the label Pb based on the print data and the changed second printing condition (step S33). Note that after executing the process of step S33, the control device 150B returns to the process of step S29 described above and repeats the subsequent processes.

[0077] As described above, according to the printing system 100, the second printing condition obtained by changing the first printing condition based on the result of comparison between the second reading result and the first reading result is used in the second printing apparatus 1B. Thereby, based on the first reading result of the first code image CG1 printed by the first printing apparatus 1A, the second printing condition to be used in the second printing apparatus 1B can be obtained and printing can be performed. Therefore, the print quality of the second code image CG2 printed by the second printing apparatus 1B can be made closer to the print quality of the first code image CG1 printed by the first printing apparatus 1A. Further, in order to obtain the second printing condition to be used in the second printing apparatus 1B based on the first reading result of the first code image CG1 as described above, compared with the case where the first printing condition in the first printing apparatus 1A is simply transmitted to and used in the second printing apparatus 1B, it becomes easier to make the print quality of the second code image CG2 in the second printing apparatus 1B closer to the print quality of the first code image CG1 in the first printing apparatus 1A. Furthermore, when the installation environment changes and the types of labels Pb as the printing medium W used in each printing apparatus are different, etc., the process of adjusting the correction value in the second printing apparatus 1B becomes unnecessary. As a result, without causing the load of setting change of the correction value, the print quality of the second code image CG2 in the second printing apparatus 1B can be easily improved to match the print quality of the first code image CG1 in the first printing apparatus 1A.

[0078] Also, in the present embodiment, when it is determined whether or not the number of matching pixels (that is, the count of matching pixels Pt) between the pixels Px constituting the first code image CG1 and the pixels Px constituting the second code image CG2 is less than a threshold value, pattern matching between the first code image CG1 and the second code image CG2 is executed. Thereby, the number of matching pixels can be obtained easily and with high precision. Therefore, it can be clearly determined whether or not it is necessary to change the first printing condition to the second printing condition.

[0079] Also, in the present embodiment, the print data, the information related to the first printing conditions, and the first reading result are simultaneously transmitted to the second printing apparatus 1B. As a result, the process of transmitting the print data, the information related to the first printing conditions, and the first reading result separately multiple times becomes unnecessary, and the process in the first printing apparatus 1A is simplified.

[0080] Also, in the present embodiment, the difference between the first printing conditions and the past second printing conditions is calculated, and the first printing conditions are changed based on the difference. As a result, the first printing conditions can be appropriately changed based on the magnitude of the difference.

[0081] Also, in the present embodiment, the above difference is multiplied by a weight. As a result, for example, a difference taking into account the adjustment value for the first printing apparatus 1A or the deterioration of components (such as the ejection head 38B and the conveyance roller 36, etc.) due to aging can be obtained. Therefore, the first printing conditions can be changed more appropriately.

[0082] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the print data, the information related to the first printing conditions, and the first reading result transmitted by the control apparatus 150A are simultaneously received by the control apparatus 150B via the interface 151. As a result, the process of receiving the print data, the information related to the first printing conditions, and the first reading result separately multiple times becomes unnecessary, and the process in the second printing apparatus 1B is simplified.

[0083] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be modified without departing from the gist of the present disclosure. For example, as follows.

[0084] In the above embodiment, as an example of the print medium W, the roll paper 37 in which the label paper P is wound in a roll shape is used, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. As a modified example of the print medium W, a roll paper such as a receipt (that is, a roll paper not divided into a mount and a label) in which a label is not attached to the mount can be mentioned. Alternatively, instead of roll paper, printing paper may be used as the print medium W.

[0085] In the above-described embodiment, pattern matching was exemplified as the process of comparing the second reading result by the reading sensor 29B with the first reading result by the reading sensor 29A. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the comparison process may be executed by an artificial intelligence using deep learning with a neural network as a learning method.

[0086] Also, in the above-described embodiment, the control device 150B of the second printing device 1B acquires the first reading result from the first printing device 1A by a wired or wireless communication method, or reads the first reading result recorded on the recording medium KB via a reading device as the external device 200. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The user may manually carry the label Pb on which the first code image CG1 is printed to the second printing device 1B and cause the reading sensor 29 of the second printing device 1B to read the first code image CG1 on the label Pb. Even in such a method, the first reading result can be obtained in the second printing device 1B.

[0087] Also, in the above-described embodiment, the printing device 1 is of a serial head type. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a line head type may also be used.

[0088] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, an inkjet printer is taken as an example of the printing apparatus 1. However, the printing apparatus 1 is not limited thereto, and may be other printers such as a laser printer or a thermal printer. A laser printer includes a printing unit. The printing unit of a laser printer includes an image carrier such as a photosensitive drum or a photoreceptor belt, a charging unit that charges the image carrier in contact or non-contact, an exposure unit that forms an electrostatic latent image on the charged image carrier using a laser semiconductor or the like (so-called exposure), a toner cartridge or a developing cartridge that supplies toner to the image carrier on which the electrostatic latent image is formed, a transfer unit such as a transfer roller or a transfer belt that directly transfers the toner image developed on the image carrier to the printing medium, and a fixing unit such as a fixing roller or a fixing belt that thermally fixes the toner transferred to the printing medium. Also, for example, not limited to a direct tandem type laser printer, an intermediate transfer type laser printer may be used. After transferring the toner image developed on the image carrier to an intermediate transfer belt, it is transferred from the intermediate transfer belt to the printing medium using the transfer unit. Also, a thermal printer includes a printing unit. The printing unit of a thermal printer includes a thermal head and an ink ribbon. The thermal head is in contact with the ink ribbon, and when transferring the ink of the ink ribbon to the printing medium, it causes the corresponding heating element to generate heat to transfer the ink of the ink ribbon to the printing medium.

Explanation of Signs

[0089] 1 Printing apparatus 1A First printing apparatus 1B Second printing apparatus 29, 29A, 29B Reading sensor 38, 38A, 38B Discharge head 100 Printing system 150, 150A, 150B Control device CG Code image CG1 First code image CG2 Second code image KB Recording medium Pb Label Ph Non-conforming pixel Pt Conforming pixel Px Pixel W by printed media

Claims

1. A first printing apparatus including a first ejection head that ejects droplets onto a printing medium, a first reading device that reads an image, and a first control device, and a second printing apparatus including a second ejection head that ejects droplets onto the printing medium, a second reading device that reads an image, and a second control device, the printing system comprising: The first control device: A process of determining a first printing condition for printing a code image on the printing medium based on print data; A process of ejecting droplets from the first ejection head based on the print data and the first printing condition to print a first code image corresponding to the code image on the printing medium; A process of causing the first reading device to read the first code image printed on the printing medium; The second control device: A process of ejecting droplets from the second ejection head based on the print data and the first printing condition to print a second code image corresponding to the code image on the printing medium; A process of causing the second reading device to read the second code image printed on the printing medium; A process of acquiring a first reading result by the first reading device; A process of comparing the second reading result by the second reading device with the first reading result; A process of changing the first printing condition to a second printing condition that is a printing condition different from the first printing condition based on the result of the comparison; A process of ejecting droplets from the second ejection head based on the print data and the changed second printing condition to reprint the second code image on the printing medium. A printing system that executes this.

2. The second control device: A process of performing pattern matching between the first code image in the first reading result and the second code image in the second reading result in the comparison, and determining whether the number of matching pixels, which is the number of pixels in the first code image that match the pixels in the second code image, is less than a threshold value; The printing system according to claim 1, which executes a process of changing the first printing condition to the second printing condition when the number of matching pixels is less than the threshold value.

3. The first printing apparatus and the second printing apparatus are communicably connected by wire or wirelessly, The first control device transmits the first printing condition and the first reading result to the second printing apparatus, The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the second control device uses the first printing conditions received from the first printing device.

4. The second control device performs a process of calculating a difference between the first printing conditions and past second printing conditions as the second printing conditions acquired prior to the first printing conditions, and a process of changing the first printing conditions based on the difference, the printing system according to claim 1.

5. The printing system according to claim 4, wherein the second control device multiplies the difference by a weight.

6. The first printing device and the second printing device are communicably connected by wire or wirelessly, and the second control device receives the first printing conditions and the first reading result from the first printing device, the printing system according to claim 1.

7. A printing device including a discharge head that discharges droplets onto a printing medium, a reading device that reads an image, and a control device, wherein the control device performs a process of acquiring printing data, first printing conditions for printing a code image on the printing medium based on the printing data, and a first reading result of a first code image corresponding to the code image from another printing device, a process of discharging droplets from the discharge head based on the printing data and the first printing conditions to print a second code image corresponding to the code image on the printing medium, a process of causing the reading device to read the second code image printed on the printing medium, a process of comparing a second reading result by the reading device with the first reading result, a process of changing the first printing conditions to second printing conditions that are different from the first printing conditions based on the result of the comparison, and a process of discharging droplets from the discharge head based on the printing data and the changed second printing conditions to reprint the second code image on the printing medium.

8. A printing program for causing a computer to execute in a first printing device including a first discharge head that discharges droplets onto a printing medium and a first reading device that reads an image, and a second printing device including a second discharge head that discharges droplets onto a printing medium and a second reading device that reads an image, wherein the computer determines first printing conditions for printing a code image on the printing medium based on printing data, A step of discharging droplets from the first ejection head based on the printing data and the first printing condition to print a first code image corresponding to the code image on the print medium; A step of causing the first reading device to read the first code image printed on the print medium; and further, A step of discharging droplets from the second ejection head based on the printing data and the first printing condition to print a second code image corresponding to the code image on the print medium; A step of causing the second reading device to read the second code image printed on the print medium; A step of comparing the second reading result by the second reading device with the first reading result by the first reading device; A step of changing the first printing condition to a second printing condition which is a printing condition different from the first printing condition based on the result of the comparison; A printing program for executing a step of discharging droplets from the second ejection head based on the printing data and the changed second printing condition to reprint the second code image on the print medium.

Images