Ink jet printing apparatus and drawing data generation apparatus

Abstract

To facilitate drawing setting and inspection setting, stabilize inspection simply, and improve user convenience.SOLUTION: An ink jet printing apparatus 1 comprises: a drawing setting section 40a that sets drawing content to be drawn on an object as a drawing target; a drawing data generation section 40b that generates drawing data corresponding to the drawing content; an image inspection section 3 that determines quality of a drawing state regarding information drawn on the object; a storage section 41 that stores information related to inspection performance of the image inspection section 3; a determination section 40d that determines whether or not inspection by the image inspection section 3 is stabilized on the basis of the information related to the inspection performance of the image inspection section 3 stored in the storage section 41 and the drawing content set by the drawing setting section 40a; and a notification section 42a that notifies a user of a determination result of the determination section 40d.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an inkjet printing apparatus and a drawing data generating apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, a drop-on-demand (DOD) inkjet printing device is known that prints by ejecting ink onto packaging materials such as cardboard (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Also known is a technology that uses a camera to capture an image of a pattern drawn by a DOD inkjet printing device and executes various applications (such as high-precision alignment) using the captured image (see, for example, Patent Document 2). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-144574 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-131141 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, for example, Patent Document 2 does not disclose a specific setting method for linking an inkjet printing device and a camera. Generally, the drawing content setting for the inkjet printing device and the inspection setting for the camera are performed separately. Therefore, when the inspection is unstable, the drawing content setting and the inspection setting must be adjusted separately, forcing the user to perform cumbersome work. Furthermore, there is a risk that various settings will become complicated, such as having to match the drawing content setting and the inspection setting.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of such points, and its purpose is to facilitate the setting of drawing content and inspection settings, thereby enabling simple and stable inspection, and ultimately improving user convenience. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] To achieve the above object, one aspect of the present disclosure can be premised on an inkjet printing device that ejects ink for drawing information on an object and determines whether the drawing state is good or bad by capturing an image. The inkjet printing device includes, for example, an ink storage unit that stores the ink, an ejection unit that ejects ink supplied from the ink storage unit toward an object to be drawn, a drawing setting unit that sets drawing content to be drawn on the object to be drawn, a drawing data generation unit that defines ink ejection by the ejection unit and generates drawing data corresponding to the drawing content set by the drawing setting unit, an image inspection unit that determines whether the drawing state of the information drawn on the object to be drawn based on the drawing data by capturing an image of the object to be drawn, a memory unit that stores information related to the inspection performance of the image inspection unit, a determination unit that determines whether the inspection by the image inspection unit is stable based on the information related to the inspection performance of the image inspection unit stored in the memory and the drawing content set by the drawing setting unit, and a notification unit that notifies a user of the determination result of the determination unit.

[0007] With this configuration, the user can obtain a judgment result as to whether or not the inspection by the image inspection unit will be stable when setting the drawing content, so the user only needs to set the drawing content so that the inspection by the image inspection unit will be stable, eliminating the need to adjust the drawing content settings and the inspection settings separately, and also eliminating the need to ensure consistency between the drawing content settings and the inspection settings.

[0008] Another aspect of the present disclosure may be a drawing data generation device for an inkjet printing device, the drawing data generation device including: a drawing setting unit that sets drawing content, a drawing data generation unit that specifies ink ejection from an ejection unit of the inkjet printing device and generates drawing data corresponding to the drawing content set by the drawing setting unit, a storage unit that stores information related to the inspection performance of an image inspection device that judges whether or not a drawing state related to information drawn on an object to be drawn based on the drawing data is good or bad using an image acquired by capturing an image of the object to be drawn, a determination unit that determines whether or not inspection by the image inspection device is stable based on the information related to the inspection performance of the image inspection device stored in the storage unit and the drawing content set by the drawing setting unit, and a notification unit that notifies a user of the determination result of the determination unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] As described above, the inkjet printing device and drawing data generating device according to the present disclosure make it easy to set the drawing content and the inspection settings, thereby stabilizing image inspection and thereby improving user convenience. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an inkjet printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an inkjet printing device. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing during setting. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a drawing setting screen. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a job list display screen. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a list display screen of drawing elements. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a block addition screen. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a block editing screen. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 shows an example of a window for inputting the character height and character spacing. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen notifying that the examination may be unstable. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a message window that displays the reason for the determination. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a frame line for ensuring a predetermined distance or more between a character string and other drawing elements. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the drawing density editing screen. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a message window displayed before saving. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a system configuration screen. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the following description of the preferred embodiments is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present invention, its applications, or its uses.

[0012] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an inkjet printing apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention during operation, and Fig. 2 is a block diagram of the inkjet printing apparatus 1. The inkjet printing apparatus 1 includes, for example, a drawing machine 2, an inspection machine 3, a controller 4, and an operation terminal 5.

[0013] The drawing machine 2 is a part that executes drawing processing on an object to be drawn, and is configured separately from the controller 4. The inspection machine 3 is a part that judges whether the drawing state executed by the drawing machine 2 on the object to be drawn is good or bad, and is configured separately from the controller 4. Since the inkjet printing apparatus 1 according to this embodiment is equipped with the drawing machine 2 and the inspection machine 3, it is an inkjet printing apparatus that ejects ink to draw information on an object and judges whether the drawing state is good or bad by capturing an image.

[0014] The controller 4 is a part that controls the drawing machine 2 and the inspection machine 3, and can also be called a control device, control unit, etc. The operation terminal 5 is composed of a personal computer or the like, and is a part where the user inputs drawing information, makes various settings, makes selections, checks, etc. The operation terminal 5 includes a terminal-side display unit 5a, which is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display, and a terminal-side operation unit 5b, which is composed of a keyboard, mouse, pointing device, etc.

[0015] The above configuration example is merely an example, and the present invention is not limited to the above configuration example. That is, the controller 4 may be incorporated into the operation terminal 5, or may be incorporated into the drawing device 2. Furthermore, the operation terminal 5 may function as the controller 4. Also, FIGS. 1 and 2 show an external device 6 formed of a programmable logic controller (PLC) or the like, which is communicatively connected to the controller 4. Furthermore, a control signal output from the external device 6 is input to the controller 4. The external device 6 may be a device that constitutes a part of the inkjet printing apparatus 1, or may be a device separate from the inkjet printing apparatus 1.

[0016] The inkjet printing device 1 is a device for drawing various types of information on a workpiece W (an example of an object to be drawn) transported by a transport device 10, and is an in-line device that is incorporated into a manufacturing line (also called a production line). The transport device 10 is, for example, a belt conveyor, a roller conveyor, etc. The production line is made up of the transport devices 10. The production line is installed in various factories, warehouses, etc. The drawing device 2 is fixed so that its relative position with respect to the transport device 10 is in a predetermined positional relationship.

[0017] When the inkjet printing device 1 is in operation, multiple workpieces W are placed on the conveying surface 10a of the conveyor 10 and conveyed in sequence in the direction of arrow A shown in Figure 1. Therefore, the upstream side in the conveying direction is the left side in Figure 1, and the downstream side in the conveying direction is the right side in Figure 1. The multiple workpieces W are placed on the conveying surface 10a with spaces between them in the direction of arrow A, which is the conveying direction. The direction perpendicular to the direction of arrow A and along the conveying surface 10a is defined as the width direction.

[0018] The workpiece W is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, packaging materials used to package various products. A typical example of packaging materials is cardboard. The inkjet printing device 1 draws information such as characters including numbers, symbols, barcodes, two-dimensional codes, images, marks, illustrations, or combinations thereof, on the workpiece W being transported by the transport device 10. When only characters are drawn, the inkjet printing device 1 may also be called a printing device, and the drawing device 2 may also be called a printer. Furthermore, drawing information by the inkjet printing device 1 also includes printing images, etc. In this case, the inkjet printing device 1 may also be called a printing device. In the following description, the term "drawing" will be used to refer to both "printing" and "printing."

[0019] In addition, an encoder 7, a timing sensor 8, and the like for detecting the position of the workpiece W are connected to the controller 4. The controller 4 detects the position of the workpiece W based on signals output from the encoder 7 and the timing sensor 8. The controller 4 controls the drawing machine 2 so that drawing begins when the workpiece W reaches a predetermined position.

[0020] (Configuration of Rendering Machine 2) The drawing device 2 is a DOD (Drop On Demand) drawing device that ejects ink only when required for drawing operations, but it may also be a CIJ (Continuous Ink Jet) drawing device that ejects ink even when no drawing operation is being performed. Below, we will explain the case where a DOD drawing device is used as the drawing device 2 of this embodiment.

[0021] As shown in Fig. 2, the drawing machine 2 includes an ink supply unit 20, a print head drive unit 21, and a DOD print head (hereinafter referred to as a print head) 22. The drawing machine 2 also includes a main housing 25 (shown in Fig. 1) in which the print head 22 is provided. The main housing 25 is fixed to the conveyor 10 or the like.

[0022] The print head 22 is fixed in place inside the main housing 25, and the positional relationship between the main housing 25 and the print head 22 is fixed. The ink supply unit 20 and the print head drive unit 21 are also housed inside the main housing 25.

[0023] The print head 22 of the DOD type drawing machine 2 is a component equivalent to a discharge unit, and discharges ink for drawing information on the workpiece W. There are several types of print head 22 structures, and the print head 22 may be any of the following types: thermal ink jet, valve jet, and piezo. In this embodiment, a piezo type print head is used as the print head 22, which is capable of drawing from low resolution to high resolution, has a wide drawing width, and is highly durable.

[0024] The print head 22 has a plurality of ejection ports (not shown) formed, for example, along the vertical direction. As shown in FIG. 1, an opening 25a that is long in the vertical direction is formed on the surface of the main housing 25 that faces the workpiece W. The surface of the print head 22 on which the ejection ports are formed is positioned so as to face the outside through the opening 25a of the main housing 25. Therefore, ink ejected from the ejection ports of the print head 22 flies from the opening 25a of the main housing 25 to the outside of the main housing 25 and adheres to the workpiece W.

[0025] The ink supply unit 20 is a part that supplies ink to the print head 22, and is provided with an ink cartridge 20a as an ink storage unit that stores ink. Instead of the ink cartridge 20a, an ink reservoir (ink storage unit) that can be refilled with ink may be provided.

[0026] The print head driver 21 is controlled by the control unit 40, which will be described later, when performing a drawing operation. The print head driver 21 generates a driving electric waveform for driving the print head 22 and outputs it to the print head 22. The driving electric waveform is a waveform for individually driving the driving elements (piezoelectric vibrators) provided for each ejection port of the print head 22 at a timing based on a drawing command output from the control unit 40. The print head 22 draws on the workpiece W as the drawing target by ejecting ink supplied from the ink cartridge 20a toward the workpiece W as the drawing target. Note that the ejection timing may be controlled by the print head 22 itself, rather than by the control unit 40.

[0027] (Inspection machine configuration) The inspection machine 3 is a device that judges whether the drawing state of the information drawn on the workpiece W to be drawn based on the drawing data is good or bad by capturing an image of the workpiece W to be drawn, and corresponds to an image inspection unit. The inspection machine 3 can also be called an image inspection device. The inspection machine 3 is installed downstream of the drawing machine 2, and is capable of inspecting the drawing state of the workpiece W drawn by the drawing machine 2.

[0028] The inspection machine 3 includes an illumination unit 30, an imaging unit 31, a control unit 32, and a memory unit 33. The illumination unit 30 is composed of, for example, a light-emitting diode or the like, and is controlled by the control unit 32 to emit light at a predetermined timing to illuminate the drawn portion of the workpiece W. The imaging unit 31 includes an optical system 31a including a lens that receives light emitted from the illumination unit 30 and reflected from the surface of the workpiece W, an image sensor 31b that receives light emitted from the optical system 31a, and an AF motor 31c. The AF motor 31c is a component that automatically focuses on the drawn portion of the workpiece W by driving a focusing lens of the optical system 31a. The autofocus method is not particularly limited, and examples include a contrast method.

[0029] The image sensor 31b is configured with, for example, a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) sensor. The image sensor 31b captures an image of the workpiece W to be imaged and generates a captured image. For example, a light receiving amount signal of a light receiving element of the image sensor 31b is output to an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) (not shown) for processing, and is also output to a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) for processing.

[0030] The control unit 32 has an imaging setting unit 32a. The imaging setting unit 32a is a unit that sets imaging setting parameters and reflects the set imaging setting parameters when capturing an image of the workpiece W. The imaging setting parameters include a plurality of parameters, such as the timing of illumination by the illumination unit 30, brightness (light emission amount), exposure time by the imaging unit 31, and focus (focal position) of the imaging unit 31. Although not shown, the GUI for setting the imaging setting parameters has an area where the illumination brightness, exposure time, focus, etc. can be individually set. When the user inputs each parameter on the GUI, the imaging setting unit 32a accepts the user's setting operation and outputs each parameter to, for example, the storage unit 33 for storage in the storage unit 33. Each parameter can be read from the storage unit 33 as needed.

[0031] When acquiring captured image data of the workpiece W, the imaging setting unit 32a outputs imaging setting parameters to the lighting unit 30 and the imaging unit 31. The lighting unit 30 and the imaging unit 31 operate in accordance with the imaging setting parameters. When the lighting unit 30 receives the imaging setting parameters, it sets the received imaging setting parameters within the imaging unit 31 so that they are reflected when imaging. Furthermore, when the imaging unit 31 receives the imaging setting parameters, it sets the received imaging setting parameters within the imaging unit 31 so that they are reflected when imaging. When the lighting unit 30 and the imaging unit 31 receive an imaging trigger, they illuminate the workpiece W in accordance with the imaging setting parameters and capture an image to acquire captured image data of the workpiece W.

[0032] The control unit 32 may be a part that performs rule-based image inspection as an inspection tool, a part that performs image inspection using a pre-trained model, or a part that performs both rule-based image inspection and image inspection using a pre-trained model. The control unit 32, for example, causes the imaging unit 31 to capture an image of the workpiece W, acquires captured image data of the workpiece W, and performs an inspection based on a preset inspection tool on the acquired captured image of the workpiece W. When performing the inspection, the control unit 32 cuts out the range to be inspected from the captured image. The control unit 32 extracts feature values ​​from the cut-out inspection range and evaluates the extracted feature values ​​using a classifier. If the cut-out inspection range contains characters, the inspection machine 3 uses a dictionary to perform character recognition, enabling character recognition processing (OCR). Furthermore, if a barcode or two-dimensional code is drawn on the workpiece W, the inspection machine 3 can read the barcode or two-dimensional code.

[0033] After the inspection by the inspection machine 3, the control unit 32 creates an inspection result by the inspection tool and compares it with the inspection conditions. The inspection conditions are acquired from the drawing data generation unit 40b of the controller 4. For example, the result of the character recognition process by the control unit 32 is compared with the correct character string acquired from the drawing data generation unit 40b, and if they match, it is judged as good, and if they do not match, it is judged as bad. In the case of a barcode or two-dimensional code, the read result by the control unit 32 is compared with the code information acquired from the drawing data generation unit 40b, and if they match, it is judged as good, and if they do not match, it is judged as bad.

[0034] For example, if there is one configured inspection tool, the inspection results for that configured inspection tool are output as is, but if multiple configured inspection tools are combined, further inspection results are generated and output based on the inspection results of each inspection tool.

[0035] (Controller 4 configuration) As shown in FIG. 2, the controller 4 includes a control unit 40, a storage unit 41, and an operation display unit 42. The control unit 40 is configured by a microcomputer including, for example, a central processing unit, various memories, etc., and is capable of executing pre-stored software. The control unit 40 includes a drawing setting unit 40a, a drawing data generation unit 40b, a determination unit 40d, and a display screen generation unit 40e. The drawing setting unit 40a, the drawing data generation unit 40b, the determination unit 40d, and the display screen generation unit 40e of the control unit 40 are configured by hardware and software, and for convenience, are described separately as the drawing setting unit 40a, the drawing data generation unit 40b, the determination unit 40d, and the display screen generation unit 40e, but they may be integrated in terms of hardware.

[0036] The operation display unit 42 includes a controller-side display unit 42a consisting of, for example, a liquid crystal display or the like, and a controller-side operation unit 42b consisting of operation keys or the like. The controller-side operation unit 42b is a unit that accepts various operations such as drawing content and settings. Various screens generated by the display screen generation unit 40e are displayed on the controller-side display unit 42a, and the user can operate the controller-side operation unit 42b while looking at the controller-side display unit 42a. The operation state of the controller-side operation unit 42b can be acquired by the control unit 40.

[0037] The controller-side operation unit 42b may be a touch panel. A touch panel is a member capable of detecting operations performed by a user's finger. The type of touch panel is not particularly limited, and examples include a capacitance type and an infrared type. Information about the user's operation of the touch panel is transmitted to the control unit 40.

[0038] The drawing setting unit 40a is a unit that sets the drawing content to be drawn on the workpiece W that is the drawing target. The drawing data generation unit 40b is a unit that defines the ink ejection from the print head 22 and generates drawing data corresponding to the drawing content set in the drawing setting unit 40a. The control unit 40 outputs a control signal to the print head drive unit 21 based on the drawing data generated by the drawing data generation unit 40b, and controls the ejection of ink from the ejection openings of the print head 22.

[0039] The memory unit 41 stores information about the inspection performance of the inspection machine 3. Examples of the information about the inspection performance of the inspection machine 3 include font type, character size (also referred to as character height), character spacing, character type, number of characters, drawing density, bar size, cell size, and spacing from other drawing elements. Font type, character size, character spacing, character type, and number of characters are examples of information about inspection performance when the drawing element is a character. Bar size is an example of information about inspection performance when the drawing element is a barcode. Cell size is an example of information about inspection performance when the drawing element is a two-dimensional code. Drawing density and spacing from other drawing elements can be information about inspection performance regardless of whether the drawing element is a character, barcode, or two-dimensional code. The classification of the judgment contents is as follows: font type and character type are "type," character size, character spacing, number of characters, and drawing density are "value," and spacing from other drawing elements is "position." Thus, the information about the inspection performance of the inspection machine 3 includes information classified as "type," "value," and "position." The information about the inspection performance of the inspection machine 3 stored in the storage unit 41 is determined in advance according to the inspection performance of the inspection machine 3.

[0040] The information on the inspection performance of the inspection device 3 will be explained in more detail. When the drawing element is a character, depending on the type of font, the character may be easy or difficult for the inspection device 3 to read. For this reason, the type of font that provides high inspection performance (easy to read) by the inspection device 3 is stored as information on the inspection performance of the inspection device 3. Also, the type of font that provides low inspection performance (difficult to read) by the inspection device 3 may be stored as information on the inspection performance of the inspection device 3. In other words, the type of font stored in the memory unit 41 (information on the inspection performance of the inspection device 3) depends on the inspection performance of the inspection device 3. As described above, the inspection device 3 uses a dictionary for character recognition. Narrowing the dictionary target reduces misreading by the inspection device 3. Furthermore, fonts with high inspection performance may be limited to monospaced fonts, which stabilizes character extraction and dictionary performance.

[0041] When the drawing element is a character, depending on the character size, the character may be easy or difficult for the inspection machine 3 to read. This is because the inspection machine 3 performs image inspection and has a limited image resolution. Therefore, the lower limit of the character size at which the inspection machine 3 has high inspection performance (easy to read) is stored as information about the inspection performance of the inspection machine 3. Also, the character size at which the inspection machine 3 has low inspection performance (difficult to read) may be stored as information about the inspection performance of the inspection machine 3. In other words, the character size (information about the inspection performance of the inspection machine 3) stored in the memory unit 41 depends on the inspection performance of the inspection machine 3. The unit of the character size is not particularly limited, but examples include mm, inches, etc.

[0042] When the drawing elements are characters, the inspection machine 3 may find it easy or difficult to read the characters depending on the character spacing. Wide character spacing allows for stable extraction of characters from the captured image, but narrow character spacing makes extraction of characters from the captured image unstable. For this reason, the lower limit of character spacing at which the inspection machine 3 has high inspection performance (easy to read) is stored as information related to the inspection performance of the inspection machine 3. Character spacing at which the inspection machine 3 has low inspection performance (difficult to read) may also be stored as information related to the inspection performance of the inspection machine 3. In other words, the character spacing (information related to the inspection performance of the inspection machine 3) stored in the memory unit 41 depends on the inspection performance of the inspection machine 3. The unit of character spacing is not particularly limited, but examples include mm, inches, etc.

[0043] When the drawing elements are characters, depending on the character type, the character may be easy or difficult for the inspection machine 3 to read. For this reason, character types for which the inspection machine 3 has high inspection performance (easy to read) are stored as information about the inspection performance of the inspection machine 3. Also, character types for which the inspection machine 3 has low inspection performance (difficult to read) may be stored as information about the inspection performance of the inspection machine 3. In other words, the character types (information about the inspection performance of the inspection machine 3) stored in the storage unit 41 depend on the inspection performance of the inspection machine 3. Specifically, uppercase and lowercase letters of the alphabet are character types, and lowercase letters that are difficult to distinguish from uppercase letters can be character types with low inspection performance.

[0044] When the drawing elements are characters, the characters may be easy or difficult for the inspection machine 3 to read depending on the number of characters. For example, by limiting the number of characters that can be inspected based on the angle of view of the imaging unit 31, it is possible to prevent a decrease in inspection performance. An upper limit on the number of characters for which the inspection machine 3 has high inspection performance (easy to read) is stored as information about the inspection performance of the inspection machine 3. In addition, the number of characters for which the inspection machine 3 has low inspection performance (difficult to read) may be stored as information about the inspection performance of the inspection machine 3. In other words, the number of characters stored in the memory unit 41 (information about the inspection performance of the inspection machine 3) depends on the inspection performance of the inspection machine 3.

[0045] Depending on the darkness of the drawing, it may be easy or difficult for the inspection machine 3 to determine the drawing state. This is because higher contrast results in more stable determination results. The darkness of the drawing that provides high inspection performance (easy to read) by the inspection machine 3 is stored as information about the inspection performance of the inspection machine 3. Also, the darkness of the drawing that provides low inspection performance (difficult to read) by the inspection machine 3 may be stored as information about the inspection performance of the inspection machine 3. In other words, the darkness of the drawing (information about the inspection performance of the inspection machine 3) stored in the memory unit 41 depends on the inspection performance of the inspection machine 3.

[0046] When the drawing element is a character, the inspection device 3 may find it easy or difficult to read the character depending on the spacing between the character and other drawing elements. For example, if the spacing between the character and other drawing elements is narrow, extraction of the character becomes unstable, but if the spacing is wide, extraction of the character becomes stable. As the spacing between the character and other drawing elements, a spacing that provides high inspection performance (easy to read) by the inspection device 3 is stored as information related to the inspection performance of the inspection device 3. Alternatively, a spacing that provides low inspection performance (difficult to read) by the inspection device 3 may be stored as information related to the inspection performance of the inspection device 3. In other words, the spacing between the character and other drawing elements (information related to the inspection performance of the inspection device 3) that is stored in the memory unit 41 depends on the inspection performance of the inspection device 3.

[0047] When the drawing element is a barcode or two-dimensional code, the bar size and cell size are stored as information relating to the inspection performance of the inspection machine 3. This is because the inspection machine 3 performs image inspection and therefore has a limit to the image resolution. The lower limit of the bar size and the lower limit of the cell size for which the inspection machine 3 has high inspection performance (easy to read) are stored as information relating to the inspection performance of the inspection machine 3. Furthermore, the bar size and cell size for which the inspection machine 3 has low inspection performance (difficult to read) may also be stored as information relating to the inspection performance of the inspection machine 3. In other words, the bar size and cell size (information relating to the inspection performance of the inspection machine 3) stored in memory unit 41 depend on the inspection performance of the inspection machine 3.

[0048] Even when the drawing element is a barcode or two-dimensional code, the inspection device 3 may find it easy or difficult to read the barcode or two-dimensional code depending on the spacing between it and other drawing elements. For example, if the spacing between the barcode or two-dimensional code and other drawing elements is narrow, extraction of the code area becomes unstable, but if the spacing is wide, extraction of the code area becomes stable. As the spacing between the barcode or two-dimensional code and other drawing elements, a spacing that provides high inspection performance (easy to read) by the inspection device 3 is stored as information related to the inspection performance of the inspection device 3. Alternatively, a spacing that provides low inspection performance (difficult to read) by the inspection device 3 may be stored as information related to the inspection performance of the inspection device 3. In other words, the spacing between the barcode or two-dimensional code and other drawing elements (information related to the inspection performance of the inspection device 3) stored in the memory unit 41 depends on the inspection performance of the inspection device 3.

[0049] If it is assumed that the drawing machine 2 will draw under the above constraints, the inspection machine 3 can be designed with the assumption that the drawing machine 2 will draw under the above constraints, thereby stabilizing the inspection performance.

[0050] The determination unit 40d reads information about the inspection performance of the inspection machine 3 stored in the memory unit 41, and also reads the drawing content set in the drawing setting unit 40a. The determination unit 40d is a part that determines whether or not inspection by the inspection machine 3 will be stable, based on the information about the inspection performance of the inspection machine 3 stored in the memory unit 41 and the drawing content set in the drawing setting unit 40a. If the above-mentioned limit is not exceeded, the determination unit 40d determines that inspection by the inspection machine 3 will be stable, and on the other hand, if the above-mentioned limit is exceeded, the determination unit 40d determines that there is a possibility that inspection by the inspection machine 3 will become unstable. If it determines that there is a possibility that inspection by the inspection machine 3 will become unstable, it is possible to select either to completely disable the setting as an error, or to allow such setting while issuing a warning that there is a possibility that inspection will become unstable.

[0051] The determination unit 40d acquires the distance (working distance) between the imaging unit 31 and the workpiece W to be imaged. The distance between the imaging unit 31 and the workpiece W to be imaged may be measured and input by the user, may be set in advance, or may be estimated from the amount of lens drive by the AF motor 31c. The determination unit 40d can also determine whether or not inspection by the inspection machine 3 is stable based on information related to the inspection performance of the inspection machine 3 and the distance between the imaging unit 31 and the workpiece W to be imaged.

[0052] The determination result of the determination unit 40d is notified to the user. Examples of the form of notification to the user include displaying the determination result of the determination unit 40d on the controller display unit 42a, or displaying the determination result of the determination unit 40d on the terminal display unit 5a, but any form is acceptable. The controller display unit 42a and the terminal display unit 5a are components that can serve as the notification unit of the present invention.

[0053] This embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the flowchart shown in Fig. 3. This flowchart starts when the user starts creating drawing settings. At the start, the display screen generation unit 40e generates screen data for displaying a setting screen 100 as shown in Fig. 4 and outputs it to the controller 4, which then displays the setting screen 100 on the controller-side display unit 42a.

[0054] A status display area 101 that displays the status of the inkjet printing apparatus 1 is provided at the top of the setting screen 100. A screen switching area 102 is provided on the left side of the setting screen 100. The screen switching area 102 is provided with a home button 102a for displaying a home screen, a job button 102b for displaying a job editing screen, a settings button 102c for displaying a settings screen for performing various settings, and a logout button 102d for ending drawing settings. The buttons 102a to 102d can be operated by the controller-side operation unit 42b. All operations on the screen below can be operated by the controller-side operation unit 42b.

[0055] FIG. 4 shows a state in which the home button 102a is pressed, and therefore the home screen 110 is displayed in the area 103 on the right side of the screen switching area 102 on the setting screen 100.

[0056] When the user operates the controller-side operation unit 42b to press the job button 102b on the setting screen 100, the process proceeds to step SA1 in the flowchart shown in Fig. 3. When proceeding to step SA1, the display screen generation unit 40e generates screen data for displaying a job editing screen 120 in area 103 of the setting screen 100, as shown in Fig. 5, and causes the controller-side display unit 42a to display the screen data.

[0057] In step SA1, the drawing setting unit 40a accepts the selection of a job to be edited from the user. That is, a job display area 121 in which a list of jobs is displayed is provided in the lower part of the job editing screen 120. In the state shown in FIG. 5, the top job in the job display area 121, "000 SAMPLE 0," is selected. A drawing content display area 122 is provided in the upper part of the job editing screen 120. The drawing content display area 122 displays the drawing content of the job selected in the job display area 121. An edit button 122a is provided in the drawing content display area 122.

[0058] When the display screen generating unit 40e detects that the edit button 122a has been operated by the user, a drawing element display area 123 is displayed in the lower part of the drawing content display area 122, as shown in Fig. 6. A list of drawing elements is displayed in the drawing element display area 123. In the example shown in Fig. 6, the drawing elements include the date "00", a barcode "01", a two-dimensional code "02", the character string "best before date" "03", and the character string "XYZ Company" "04", so five drawing elements are displayed in the drawing element display area 123.

[0059] If the drawing element is a character string, typical inspection contents in an inspection by the inspection device 3 include character recognition, the number of characters (number of blocks), and whether or not a drawing is made (area), so these inspection contents (OCR) are displayed as candidates in the drawing element display area 123. If the drawing element is a barcode, typical inspection contents in an inspection by the inspection device 3 include barcode decoding (reading inspection), barcode grade, and whether or not a drawing is made (area), so these inspection contents are displayed as candidates in the drawing element display area 123. If the drawing element is a two-dimensional code, typical inspection contents in an inspection by the inspection device 3 include two-dimensional code decoding (reading inspection), two-dimensional code grade, and whether or not a drawing is made (area), so these inspection contents are displayed as candidates in the drawing element display area 123. If the drawing element is an image such as a logo, typical inspection contents in an inspection by the inspection device 3 include the number of edges of the image and whether or not a drawing is made (area), so these inspection contents are displayed as candidates in the drawing element display area 123. In this way, the inkjet printing device 1 integrates the drawing device 2 and the inspection device 3, and can display candidates for inspection content suitable for a drawing element based on the type of drawing element, allowing the user to easily and reliably select appropriate inspection settings.

[0060] As shown in Fig. 6, a drawing setting button 123a and an inspection setting button 123b are provided on the left side of the drawing content display area 122. When the drawing setting button 123a is operated, an addition screen 124 is displayed as shown in Fig. 7, which allows the addition of a block (also called a drawing block). A block indicates an area for arranging drawing elements, and can be added to any position within the addition screen 124. This step is the drawing block addition step of step SA2.

[0061] Drawing elements are displayed within the blocks. A drawing element display area 123 is provided below the addition screen 124, and an edit button 124a, a copy button 124b, a paste button 124c, and a delete button 124d for the added block are provided below the drawing element display area 123. The added block is shown surrounded by a frame 125 (see FIG. 7). The frame 125 will be described later. The added block can also be copied using the copy button 124b and pasted using the paste button 124c. The added block can also be deleted using the delete button 124d.

[0062] When the edit button 124a is operated while an added block exists, the process proceeds to step SA3 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 3. When proceeding to step SA3, the display screen generation unit 40e generates screen data for displaying a block edit screen 126 in the area 103 of the setting screen 100, as shown in FIG. 8, and causes the controller-side display unit 42a to display the screen data. For example, if the block is a calendar, the block edit screen 126 includes a format setting area 126a, a specified date setting area 126b, a character height (character size) setting area 126c, and a character spacing setting area 126d. For example, in the character height setting area 126c, the height of the characters within the frame 125 can be set in "mm" or "inches." This allows the drawing setting unit 40a to accept the user's character size setting. Furthermore, in the character spacing setting area 126d, the character spacing can be set in "%." Thus, the drawing content set by the drawing setting unit 40a includes the character spacing. Furthermore, the drawing content set by the drawing setting unit 40a also includes the font. The drawing content set in the drawing setting section 40a also includes the character type, the number of characters, and the drawing density.

[0063] For example, when the user clicks on the character height setting area 126c or the character spacing setting area 126d, the display screen generation unit 40e displays a character height or character spacing input window 130 on the controller-side display unit 42a, as shown in FIG. 9. The input window 130 is provided with a numeric keypad 131. When the user operates the numeric keypad 131, the input value is displayed in a numeric display unit 132. If the user is satisfied with the value displayed in the numeric display unit 132, the OK button 133 is operated. This causes the input value to be reflected in the character height setting area 126c or the character spacing setting area 126d. To cancel the input of the value, the user simply operates the cancel button 134. It is also possible to input values ​​by operating a keyboard or the like without displaying the numeric keypad 131.

[0064] In this way, editing of the block, i.e., setting of the drawing content, is possible. Then, the process proceeds to step SA4 in the flowchart of Fig. 3. In step SA4, the determination unit 40d checks whether the inspection by the inspection machine 3 is within a stable range based on the drawing content set in step SA3 and information related to the inspection performance of the inspection machine 3. In step SA5, the determination unit 40d checks whether the inspection is within a stable inspection range based on the check result of step SA4. If it is determined that the inspection is within the stable inspection range, the process proceeds to step SA6, where the user continues editing the block.

[0065] On the other hand, if it is determined in step SA5 that the inspection by the inspection machine 3 is unstable, the process proceeds to step SA7, where the user is notified that the inspection may be unstable. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 10 , when the character height set in the character height setting area 126c is compared with the character height stored as information related to the inspection performance of the inspection machine 3, if the character height set in the character height setting area 126c is lower and the inspection machine 3 has difficulty reading the characters, the inspection by the inspection machine 3 will be unstable. Therefore, the user is notified by displaying a warning mark 126e in the character height setting area 126c. The form of notification to the user is not limited to the display of the warning mark 126e. For example, the character height setting area 126c may be displayed in a color different from the color used when the character height was set, or a warning message may be displayed. If a character height that will cause the inspection to be unstable is input, a prohibition process that prevents the input character height from being reflected in the setting area 126c or a correction process that automatically corrects the character height to the limit at which the inspection will be stable may be performed before or after the notification.

[0066] Furthermore, when proceeding to step SA7, a warning mark 127 may be displayed at the bottom of the block editing screen 126. The warning marks 125e and 127 are a type of icon for indicating that the test is unstable as a result of the judgment by the judgment unit 40d. The illustrated warning marks 125e and 127 are merely examples, and any form may be used as long as the user can recognize that a warning is being issued. The area in which the warning marks 125e and 127 are displayed is a display area for the judgment result. That is, the display screen generation unit 40e generates screen data in which a display area for the judgment result is incorporated into the setting screen 100 for setting the drawing content, and outputs the screen data to the controller-side display unit 42a. The controller-side display unit 42a displays the setting screen 100 in which the display area for the judgment result is incorporated, thereby presenting the judgment result to the user.

[0067] When the user presses the warning mark 127, the display screen generation unit 40e generates a message window 135 for displaying the judgment reason shown in FIG. 11 and displays it on the controller-side display unit 42a. The message window 135 describes the judgment reason related to the character size as the reason why the inspection by the inspection device 3 is unstable. That is, when the judgment unit 40d judges that the inspection by the inspection device 3 is unstable, the display screen generation unit 40e displays the warning mark 127 indicating that the inspection is unstable in the judgment result display area, and does not display the message window 135 until the user presses the warning mark 127. Therefore, the message window 135 does not get in the way during setup. On the other hand, if the user wants to know the reason why the inspection is unstable, the display screen generation unit 40e detects the operation and generates the message window 135 as a reason display screen that displays the reason for the judgment made by the judgment unit 40d, outputs the message window 135 to the controller-side display unit 42a, and causes it to be displayed on the controller-side display unit 42a. In short, the display screen generating unit 40e displays the message window 135 only when the user needs it. The display screen generating unit 40e may automatically display the message window 135 on the controller-side display unit 42a at a stage when the warning mark 127 is not operated. The contents of the message window 135 need only explain the reason why the test is unstable, and are not limited to the contents shown in the figure.

[0068] In step SA8, it is determined whether the user accepts that the inspection is unstable. This determination can be made based on an input by the user. For example, if the OK button 135a in the message window 135 is operated, it means that the user accepts that the inspection is unstable, and in this case, the process proceeds to step SA6 and editing continues. On the other hand, if the Cancel button 135b in the message window 135 is operated, it means that the user does not accept that the inspection is unstable, and the process proceeds to step SA3 where the user resets the character height. Based on the reset character height, a determination is made again in step SA5.

[0069] The drawing setting unit 40a can also restrict the settable range of drawing content based on the judgment result of the judgment unit 40d. For example, when setting a character height in the character height setting area 126c, the judgment unit 40d judges whether the set character height will result in stable inspection, and restricts the setting of character heights that will not result in stable inspection. This allows only character heights that will result in stable inspection to be set.

[0070] Since the drawing content includes fonts, the drawing setting unit 40a can also limit the settable fonts as part of the settable range of the drawing content. That is, the drawing setting unit 40a limits the settable fonts to one pre-set font based on the determination result of the determination unit 40d. This allows the drawing setting unit 40a to prohibit the selection of a specific font from among multiple fonts. For example, the drawing setting unit 40a prohibits the selection of fonts other than monospaced fonts.

[0071] Since the drawing content includes the character type, the drawing setting unit 40a can also limit the character types that can be set as the settable range of the drawing content. For example, it is possible to make lowercase letters that are difficult to distinguish from uppercase letters unsettable, and to make lowercase letters that are easy to distinguish from uppercase letters the settable character types.

[0072] Since the drawing content includes character spacing, the drawing setting unit 40a can also limit the lower limit of the character spacing that can be set as part of the settable range of the drawing content. For example, when setting character spacing in the character spacing setting area 126d, the determination unit 40d determines whether the set character spacing will result in a stable test, and restricts the setting of character spacing that will result in an unstable test. This allows only character spacing that will result in a stable test to be set.

[0073] As shown in an enlarged view of the block editing screen 126 in FIG. 12, the drawing setting unit 40a can add multiple drawing elements (blocks) such as character strings, barcodes, and two-dimensional codes, and can also change the spacing between the added multiple drawing elements. To change the spacing between the drawing elements, a user selects one drawing element and then moves it, moving it away from or closer to other drawing elements. The move operation can be any operation, such as dragging or operating a move button.

[0074] The determination unit 40d acquires information regarding the spacing between multiple drawing elements. For example, the spacing between multiple drawing elements can be estimated by acquiring the sizes and position coordinates of the multiple drawing elements. The determination unit 40d determines whether inspection by the inspection device 3 will be stable based on information regarding the inspection performance of the inspection device 3 and the spacing between the multiple drawing elements. For example, if the drawing elements are too close to each other, making extraction of one drawing element unstable and resulting in a decrease in the inspection performance of the inspection device 3, the determination unit 40d determines that the inspection will be unstable. On the other hand, if the drawing elements are sufficiently far apart and extraction of one drawing element can be performed stably, the determination unit 40d determines that the inspection will be stable.

[0075] Since it is difficult for a user to know whether the spacing between multiple drawing elements is appropriate, the display screen generation unit 40e generates screen data as shown in Fig. 12, outputs it to the controller-side display unit 42a, and displays it on the controller-side display unit 42a. The screen data shown in Fig. 12 indicates the spacing between drawing elements necessary to stabilize the examination.

[0076] Specifically, frame line 125 in Figure 12 indicates the spacing between drawing elements required for stable testing. Frame line 125 is larger than outer boundary line 125A, which indicates the outermost boundary of the date character string. Frame line 125 is made larger than outer boundary line 125A because, when a user selects and moves a block, if the spacing between other drawing elements (other character strings, barcodes, two-dimensional codes, etc.) is set based on the outermost boundary of the character string, the testing may become unstable. This applies not only to spacing between character strings, but also to spacing between character strings and codes, and spacing between codes.

[0077] That is, if the spacing between the date character string and other drawing elements is set based on the outline 125A of the date character string shown in FIG. 12 , the spacing between the date character string and other drawing elements will be narrow, which may result in unstable extraction of characters from the captured image and a decrease in the inspection performance of the inspection device 3. To address this issue, the size of the frame 125 is set so that the spacing between the character string to be moved and other drawing elements is sufficient to ensure high inspection performance by the inspection device 3. Therefore, when the user performs setting operations, the user can avoid a decrease in the inspection performance of the inspection device 3 by arranging each drawing element so that the frame 125 does not overlap with other drawing elements. Furthermore, because a predetermined spacing or more is ensured between the drawing elements during setting by the user, pre-processing for inspection by the inspection device 3 can be omitted, simplifying the process.

[0078] 13 shows a drawing density editing screen 140. The drawing density editing screen 140 has a density setting area 141 for setting the drawing density. The density setting area 141 allows the drawing density to be set in multiple stages. The drawing setting unit 40a limits the lower limit of the drawing density that can be set as the settable range of the drawing content. The lower limit of the density is set so that the inspection machine 3 can easily determine the drawing state.

[0079] The drawing density editing screen 140 also has an area 142 for setting the minimum and maximum number of characters that can be set. If the number of characters can be set, the drawing setting unit 40a can limit the upper limit of the number of characters that can be set as a settable range of the drawing content. The upper limit of the number of characters is set so that the inspection machine 3 can easily determine the drawing state.

[0080] When the drawing settings are completed, the settings are saved, for example, in the storage unit 41. When the user performs an operation to save the settings, there may be remaining settings that will cause the inspection by the inspection machine 3 to become unstable. In this case, the display screen generation unit 40e generates a message window 150 for saving confirmation, as shown in FIG. 14, outputs it to the controller-side display unit 42a, and displays it on the controller-side display unit 42a. The message window 150 for saving confirmation displays a message that there are remaining settings that will cause the inspection by the inspection machine 3 to become unstable. If the user operates an OK button 151 provided in the message window 150, the settings are saved as is. On the other hand, if the user operates a back button 152 provided in the message window 150, the display screen generation unit 40e generates, for example, a block editing screen 126 as shown in FIG. 8 and displays it on the controller-side display unit 42a. If the user operates a cancel button 153 provided in the message window 150, the saving operation is canceled. By displaying the message window 150 for confirmation before saving, it is possible to prevent the user from unknowingly terminating the settings that will make the examination unstable.

[0081] The system configuration screen 200 shown in FIG. 15 is generated by, for example, the display screen generator 40e and displayed on the controller-side display unit 42a or the like. On this system configuration screen 200, the user can select the type of inspection machine 3 connected to the controller 4. The storage unit 41 stores information about predetermined inspection performance associated with the type of inspection machine 3, and the determination result of the determination unit 40d as to whether the inspection is within the stable range can be varied depending on the type of inspection machine 3 selected. This configuration allows the user to easily configure drawing settings appropriate for each inspection machine 3, even when using different inspection machines 3 for different purposes. Specifically, the system configuration screen 200 has an option display area 201 that displays options for information about inspection performance and accepts user selection. The display names of the options in this option display area 201 may be the model name of the inspection machine 3 or names indicating the inspection performance of the inspection machine 3. In addition to the type of inspection machine 3, the inspection mode of the inspection machine 3 may also be associated with and stored in association with the information about inspection performance.

[0082] (Drawing data generation device) The inkjet printing device 1 of the above embodiment includes the drawing device 2, the inspection device 3, and the controller 4, but the drawing device 2 may be an inkjet printing device. In this case, the controller 4 serves as a drawing data generating device that generates drawing data for the inkjet printing device (drawing device 2). The determination result of the determination unit 40d of the controller 4 can be displayed on the controller display unit 42a, the terminal display unit 5a, or the like, and presented to the user. Therefore, the controller display unit 42a and the terminal display unit 5a can serve as a notification unit that notifies the user of the determination result of the determination unit 40d.

[0083] The above-described embodiments are merely examples in all respects and should not be construed as limiting. Furthermore, all modifications and variations within the scope of the claims are within the scope of the present invention. [Industrial Applicability]

[0084] As described above, the present disclosure can be used when drawing various types of information on packaging materials such as cardboard. [Explanation of symbols]

[0085] 1. Inkjet printing device 2 drawing machine 3 Inspection machine (image inspection section) 20a Ink cartridge (ink storage section) 24 Print head (ejection part) 31 Imaging unit 40a Drawing settings section 40b Drawing data generation unit 40d Judgment part 40e Display screen generator 41 Storage section 42a Controller side display

Claims

1. An inkjet printing device that ejects ink to draw information on an object and determines whether the drawing state is good or bad by capturing an image, an ink storage section that stores the ink; a discharge unit that discharges the ink supplied from the ink storage unit toward an object to be drawn; a drawing setting unit that sets drawing content to be drawn on the object to be drawn; a drawing data generation unit that defines ink ejection by the ejection unit and generates drawing data corresponding to the drawing content set by the drawing setting unit; an image inspection unit that determines whether a drawing state of information drawn on the object to be drawn based on the drawing data is good or bad using a captured image obtained by capturing an image of the object to be drawn; a storage unit that stores information about the inspection performance of the image inspection unit; a determination unit that determines whether or not the inspection by the image inspection unit is stable based on information about the inspection performance of the image inspection unit stored in the storage unit and the drawing content set by the drawing setting unit; an informing unit that notifies a user of the determination result of the determining unit.

2. 2. The inkjet printing apparatus according to claim 1, The drawing setting unit restricts a settable range of the drawing content based on the determination result of the determination unit.

3. 3. The inkjet printing apparatus according to claim 2, The drawing content set by the drawing setting unit includes a font, The drawing setting unit limits settable fonts as a settable range of the drawing content.

4. 4. The inkjet printing apparatus according to claim 3, The inkjet printing device, wherein the drawing setting unit limits the font to one preset font.

5. 4. The inkjet printing apparatus according to claim 3, The inkjet printing device, wherein the drawing setting unit does not allow selection of a specific font from among a plurality of fonts.

6. 2. The inkjet printing apparatus according to claim 1, the image inspection unit has an imaging unit that images the object to be drawn, An inkjet printing apparatus, wherein the determination unit determines whether the inspection by the image inspection unit is stable based on information regarding the inspection performance of the image inspection unit and the distance between the imaging unit and the object to be drawn.

7. 2. The inkjet printing apparatus according to claim 1, the notification unit is configured by a display unit, a display screen generating unit that generates screen data incorporating a display area for the determination result into a drawing setting screen for setting drawing contents and outputs the screen data to the display unit; The display unit displays the drawing setting screen in which a display area for the determination result is incorporated.

8. 8. The inkjet printing apparatus according to claim 7, The display screen generation unit generates a reason display screen that displays the reason for the judgment made by the judgment unit and outputs it to the display unit when the judgment unit judges that the inspection by the image inspection unit is unstable.

9. 9. The inkjet printing apparatus according to claim 8, When the judgment unit judges that the inspection by the image inspection unit is unstable, the display screen generation unit displays an icon indicating that the inspection is unstable in the display area of ​​the judgment result, and when the icon is selected, generates the reason display screen and outputs it to the display unit.

10. 9. The inkjet printing apparatus according to claim 8, The drawing content set by the drawing setting unit includes a character size, the drawing setting unit accepts a character size setting by a user; the determination unit determines whether or not the inspection by the image inspection unit is stable based on information about the inspection performance of the image inspection unit and the character size accepted by the drawing setting unit; The display screen generation unit generates a display screen that displays the reason for the judgment regarding the character size and outputs it to the display unit when the judgment unit judges that the inspection by the image inspection unit is unstable due to the character size.

11. 9. The inkjet printing apparatus according to claim 8, the drawing setting unit is configured to be able to add a plurality of drawing elements and change the spacing between the added plurality of drawing elements; the determination unit determines whether or not inspection by the image inspection unit is stable based on information on the inspection performance of the image inspection unit and an interval between a plurality of drawing elements; The display screen generation unit generates screen data indicating spacing between drawing elements required for stable inspection and outputs the data to the display unit.

12. 3. The inkjet printing apparatus according to claim 2, The drawing content set by the drawing setting unit includes a character type, The drawing setting unit limits the settable character types as the settable range of the drawing content.

13. 3. The inkjet printing apparatus according to claim 2, The drawing content set by the drawing setting unit includes character spacing, The drawing setting unit limits a lower limit of a character spacing that can be set as a settable range of the drawing content.

14. 3. The inkjet printing apparatus according to claim 2, The drawing content set by the drawing setting unit includes the number of characters, The drawing setting unit limits an upper limit of the number of characters that can be set as a settable range of the drawing content.

15. 3. The inkjet printing apparatus according to claim 2, The drawing content set by the drawing setting unit includes the darkness of the drawing, The inkjet printing apparatus, wherein the drawing setting unit limits a lower limit of a settable drawing density as a settable range of the drawing content.

16. A drawing data generating device for an inkjet printing device, comprising: a drawing setting unit for setting drawing contents; a drawing data generating unit that defines ink ejection in an ejection unit of the inkjet printing device and generates drawing data corresponding to the drawing content set by the drawing setting unit; a storage unit that stores information about the inspection performance of an image inspection device that determines whether or not a drawing state regarding information drawn on an object to be drawn based on the drawing data is good or bad using an image acquired by imaging the object to be drawn; and a determination unit that determines whether or not the inspection by the image inspection device is stable based on information about the inspection performance of the image inspection device stored in the storage unit and the drawing content set by the drawing setting unit; and a notification unit that notifies a user of the determination result of the determination unit.

Images