Production method for image processing system and printing apparatus

Abstract

There is a risk that it will not be easy to adjust the amount of media transported in the printing department. [Solution] The image processing system 100 prints a first pattern P1 onto a medium S using a printing unit 1, performs medium feeding control to move the medium S by a predetermined distance PV, then reads the medium S with the second pattern P2 printed on it using a reading unit 150 to acquire a read image, stores carriage position information LJ at the time of acquiring the read image in a storage unit 63, detects a first position corresponding to the first pattern P1 and a second position corresponding to the second pattern P2 in the read image, and corrects the amount of medium feeding in the medium feeding control based on the difference between the distance AD ​​between the first pattern P1 and the second pattern P2, which is calculated based on carriage position information L1 corresponding to the first position and carriage position information L2 corresponding to the second position, and the predetermined distance PV.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an image processing system and a method for producing a printing apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a method for manufacturing a printing apparatus that conveys a medium in a predetermined direction and forms an image. The method for manufacturing the printing apparatus includes obtaining a correction value for a medium conveyance amount in the printing apparatus by analyzing an image obtained by reading a reference scale set in a reading device and a test sheet on which a pattern is printed by the printing apparatus.

Prior Art Literature

Patent Literature

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of Invention

Problem to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the method for manufacturing a printing apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to set a reference scale in a reading device in order to adjust the conveyance amount of the medium by the printing apparatus. For this reason, there is a possibility that adjustment of the medium conveyance amount in the printing apparatus cannot be easily performed.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0005] The image processing system includes a printing unit that prints on a medium, a reading unit that reads the medium by moving a carriage having a reading sensor, and a control unit, wherein the control unit controls the printing unit to print a first pattern on the medium, performs medium feeding control to move the medium a predetermined distance, prints a second pattern, obtains a read image by reading the printed medium with the reading unit, and stores carriage position information in a storage unit that indicates the position of the carriage when reading is performed at multiple reading positions when obtaining the read image, and the read image The system detects a first position corresponding to the first pattern and a second position corresponding to the second pattern, and based on the carriage position information stored in the storage unit, it acquires carriage position information corresponding to the first position and carriage position information corresponding to the second position. Based on the carriage position information corresponding to the first position and carriage position information corresponding to the second position, it calculates the distance between the first pattern and the second pattern, and corrects the amount of media fed in the media feeding control based on the difference between the distance between the first pattern and the second pattern and the predetermined distance.

[0006] A method for producing a printing apparatus is a method for producing a printing apparatus that prints on a medium, and includes: printing a first pattern on the medium with the printing apparatus, performing medium feeding control to move the medium a predetermined distance, and then printing a second pattern; acquiring a read image by reading the printed medium with a reading unit that reads by moving a carriage having a reading sensor, and storing carriage position information in a storage unit that indicates the position of the carriage when reading is performed at a plurality of reading positions when acquiring the read image; detecting a first position corresponding to the first pattern and a second position corresponding to the second pattern in the read image, and acquiring carriage position information corresponding to the first position and carriage position information corresponding to the second position based on the carriage position information corresponding to the first position and carriage position information corresponding to the second position; calculating the distance between the first pattern and the second pattern based on the carriage position information corresponding to the first position and carriage position information corresponding to the second position; and correcting the amount of medium feeding in the medium feeding control based on the difference between the distance between the first pattern and the second pattern and the predetermined distance. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] A block diagram showing the overall configuration of the image processing system according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] A schematic diagram of the printing section according to this embodiment, viewed from the side. [Figure 3] This diagram shows the head according to this embodiment viewed from below. [Figure 4] A perspective view showing the schematic configuration of the transport unit according to this embodiment. [Figure 5] A schematic diagram of the reading unit according to this embodiment, viewed from the side. [Figure 6] A cross-sectional view showing the S6-S6 section shown in Figure 5. [Figure 7] A flowchart illustrating the process for correcting the media feed amount. [Figure 8]A flowchart showing how to create a correction pattern used to correct the media feed rate. [Figure 9] A flowchart showing the method for calculating the feed adjustment value in correcting the media feed rate. [Figure 10] An explanatory diagram showing how to create a correction pattern used to correct the media feed amount. [Figure 11] An explanatory diagram showing how to create a correction pattern used to correct the media feed amount. [Figure 12] An explanatory diagram showing how to create a correction pattern used to correct the media feed amount. [Figure 13] An explanatory diagram showing how to create a correction pattern used to correct the media feed amount. [Figure 14] An explanatory diagram showing the reading operation of the correction pattern by the reading unit. [Figure 15] An explanatory diagram showing the reading operation of the correction pattern by the reading unit. [Figure 16] An explanatory diagram showing the reading operation of the correction pattern by the reading unit. [Figure 17] An explanatory diagram showing the reading operation of the correction pattern by the reading unit. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] The image processing system 100 according to this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. The image processing system 100 of this embodiment includes a printing unit 1 that prints on a medium S and a reading unit 150 that can read the image printed on the medium S. The medium S on which the image is printed by the printing unit 1 is an example of a document MS.

[0009] The image processing system 100 of this embodiment is a printing device, also known as a multifunction printer, that includes a printing unit 1 and a reading unit 150.

[0010] In each figure, identical components are denoted by the same reference numeral, and redundant explanations may be omitted. In this specification, "same," "identical," and "simultaneous" do not necessarily mean exactly the same.

[0011] For example, in the present specification, when the terms "same", "identical" and "simultaneous" are described, they shall include cases that are the same in consideration of measurement errors. Further, for example, in the present specification, when the terms "same", "identical" and "simultaneous" are described, they shall include cases that are the same in consideration of manufacturing variations of members.

[0012] In the present specification, when the terms "same", "identical" and "simultaneous" are described, they shall include cases that are the same within a range that does not impair functions. Therefore, for example, the expression "the dimensions of the two are the same" means that, in consideration of measurement errors and manufacturing variations of members, the dimensional difference between the two is within ±5 percent, particularly preferably within ±3 percent, of the dimension of one of the two.

[0013] In each drawing, X, Y, and Z represent three mutually orthogonal spatial axes. In the present specification, directions along these axes are defined as the X-axis direction, Y-axis direction, and Z-axis direction. When specifying an orientation, the positive direction is denoted by "+" and the negative direction by "-", positive and negative signs are used in combination with direction notation, the direction pointed to by the arrow in each drawing is described as the + direction, and the direction opposite to the arrow is described as the - direction.

[0014] The Z-axis direction indicates the direction of gravity, the +Z direction indicates vertically upward, and the -Z direction indicates vertically downward. The plane including the X-axis and Y-axis is described as the X-Y plane, the plane including the X-axis and Z-axis as the X-Z plane, and the plane including the Y-axis and Z-axis as the Y-Z plane. The X-Y plane is a horizontal plane. The three spatial axes X, Y, and Z, for which the positive direction and negative direction are not limited, are described as the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis.

[0015] The X-axis direction is a horizontal direction along the installation surface, which is the horizontal surface on which the printing unit 1 or the reading unit 150 is installed. The X-axis direction is the width direction of the printing unit 1, and is the conveyance direction in which the medium S is conveyed on the medium support portion 24 of the printing unit 1. The X-axis direction is the scanning direction in which the carriage 153 of the reading unit 150 moves.

[0016] The Y-axis direction is horizontal, along the installation surface which is the horizontal plane on which the printing unit 1 or reading unit 150 is installed. The Y-axis direction is the depth direction of the printing unit 1 and the width direction of the medium S conveyed in the printing unit 1.

[0017] The Z-axis direction is the normal direction to the installation surface on which the printing unit 1 or reading unit 150 is installed, and is the height direction of the printing unit 1 and reading unit 150. In the following description, the direction in which the medium S moves as it is transported may be referred to as "downstream," and the opposite direction may be referred to as "upstream." For convenience of illustration, the size of each component may differ from the actual size.

[0018] <Embodiment> First, the basic configuration of the printing unit 1 included in the image processing system 100 according to this embodiment will be described. As shown in Figure 1, the printing unit 1 includes an operation unit 11, a transport unit 20, a head moving unit 30, a head unit 40, a detector group 50, and a controller 60.

[0019] The printing unit 1, which receives print data from a computer 110 (an example of an external device), controls its respective components, the transport unit 20, the head moving unit 30, and the head unit 40, via a controller 60. Based on the print data received from the computer 110, the controller 60 controls each component and prints an image onto the medium S.

[0020] The status inside the printing unit 1 is monitored by the detector group 50, which outputs the detection results to the controller 60. The controller 60 controls each unit based on the detection results output from the detector group 50.

[0021] The operation unit 11 has a display unit (not shown) consisting of a touch panel. The operator can input instructions to the printing unit 1 or the reading unit 150 by touching the display unit. The operation unit 11 may also be configured to have operation buttons.

[0022] The conveying unit 20 conveys the medium S in the conveying direction. As shown in Figure 2, the conveying unit 20 has a pick roller 21, a feeding roller 27, a relay roller 28, a conveying roller 23, a medium support unit 24, and a discharge roller 25.

[0023] The pick roller 21 discharges the media S contained in the media tray 2 from the media tray 2 downstream in the transport direction. The pick roller 21 is driven by a pick motor (not shown).

[0024] The feed roller 27 transports the medium S discharged from the medium tray 2 by the pick roller 21 in a direction that is diagonally upward, including the -X and +Z components, downstream in the transport direction. The feed roller 27 is driven by a feed motor (not shown).

[0025] The relay roller 28 transports the medium S conveyed by the feed roller 27 in a downward direction in the transport direction, which includes components in the +X and -Z directions. The relay roller 28 is driven by a relay motor (not shown).

[0026] The conveying roller 23 transports the medium S, which is being transported by the intermediate roller 28, toward the medium support section 24, which is downstream in the transport direction. The conveying roller 23 is driven by the conveying motor 22 (see Figure 4).

[0027] The media support section 24 supports the media S during printing. The support surface of the media support section 24, which is the surface in the +Z direction, faces the lower surface of the head 41, which is the surface in the -Z direction, as described later. When the media S is supported and transported by the media support section 24 during printing, the transport direction of the media S is along the X-axis direction.

[0028] The discharge roller 25 discharges the media S to the outside of the printing unit 1. The discharge roller 25 is located downstream of the media support unit 24 in the transport direction. The discharge roller 25 rotates in sync with the transport roller 23.

[0029] The driven roller 26 rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the drive rollers, which are the feeding roller 27, the intermediate roller 28, the transport roller 23, and the discharge roller 25. When the feeding roller 27, the intermediate roller 28, the transport roller 23, and the discharge roller 25 transport the medium S, the medium S is sandwiched between each drive roller and the driven roller 26.

[0030] The head moving unit 30 moves the head 41 in a direction along the Y-axis. The Y-axis is just one example of a direction of movement. The head moving unit 30 includes a head holding unit 31 and a holding unit motor 32. The head holding unit 31 is reciprocally movable in the Y-axis direction and is driven by the holding unit motor 32.

[0031] The print head unit 40 includes a print head 41 having multiple nozzles N. Ink contained in a liquid cartridge 42 is supplied to the print head 41 via a flexible tube 43. The print head unit 40 is mounted on the print head holder 31 so that ink can be ejected from the nozzles N of the print head 41 (see Figure 3) into the medium S. The ink is an example of a liquid.

[0032] As a result, when the head holder 31 moves in the Y-axis direction, the head 41 also moves in the Y-axis direction. For example, when the head 41 moves in the Y-axis direction, ink is ejected from the nozzle N, forming a straight line along the Y-axis direction on the medium S.

[0033] The detector group 50 includes a linear encoder 51, a rotary encoder 52 (see Figure 4), a medium detection sensor 53, and an optical sensor 54, etc. The linear encoder 51 detects the position of the head holding unit 31 in the Y-axis direction. The rotary encoder 52 detects the amount of rotation of the transport roller 23.

[0034] The medium detection sensor 53 detects the position of the leading edge of the medium S being transported. The optical sensor 54 detects the presence or absence of the medium S using a light-emitting unit and a light-receiving unit attached to the head holding unit 31.

[0035] The optical sensor 54 is provided on the head holding unit 31. The optical sensor 54 can detect the positions of both ends of the medium S in the Y-axis direction while the head holding unit 31 is moving in the Y-axis direction. This makes it possible to detect the width dimension of the medium S in the Y-axis direction. The optical sensor 54 can also detect the front end, which is the downstream end in the transport direction of the medium S, and the rear end, which is the upstream end in the transport direction of the medium S.

[0036] The controller 60 is an example of a control unit that controls the printing unit 1. In this embodiment, the controller 60 also controls the reading unit 150. As shown in Figure 1, the controller 60 has an interface unit 61, a CPU 62, a storage unit 63, and a control circuit 64. The interface unit 61 transmits and receives data between the computer 110, which is an external device, and the printing unit 1.

[0037] The CPU 62 is an arithmetic processing unit for controlling the entire printing unit 1 and reading unit 150. The storage unit 63 is for reserving areas for storing acquired data and logs, for storing the CPU 62's program, and for work areas, and has memory elements such as RAM and EEPROM. The CPU 62 controls each unit via the control circuit 64 according to the program stored in the storage unit 63.

[0038] As shown in Figure 3, multiple nozzles N are provided on the lower surface of the head 41, which is the -Z direction surface. The nozzles N include multiple nozzles N1 to N360. The nozzles N are ejection ports for ejecting ink. A black ink nozzle group K, a cyan ink nozzle group C, a magenta ink nozzle group M, and a yellow ink nozzle group Y are formed on the lower surface of the head 41.

[0039] Each nozzle group K, C, M, and Y is equipped with 360 nozzles N, which are ejection ports for dispensing ink of each color. The multiple nozzles N1 to N360 of each nozzle group K, C, M, and Y are arranged at regular intervals in the X-axis direction, which is the transport direction of the media S supported by the media support section 24.

[0040] In this embodiment, the spacing in the X-axis direction between consecutive nozzles N1 to N360 that constitute each nozzle group K, C, M, and Y is 1 / 360 inch, or 25.4 / 360 mm. In the following description, this spacing in the X-axis direction between consecutive nozzles N may be referred to as the nozzle pitch.

[0041] In each nozzle group K, C, M, and Y, nozzles N1 to N360 are numbered with smaller nozzle numbers for nozzles further downstream. In other words, nozzle N1 is located downstream of nozzle N360 in the transport direction. The aforementioned optical sensor 54 is located at approximately the same position as the upstream nozzle N360 in the transport direction.

[0042] Each nozzle N1 to N360 is equipped with an ink chamber (not shown) and a piezoelectric element (not shown). The ink chamber expands and contracts when the piezoelectric element is driven, and ink droplets are ejected from nozzle N.

[0043] The transport unit 20 drives the transport motor 22 with a predetermined drive amount based on a transport command from the controller 60. The transport motor 22 generates a rotational drive force according to the commanded drive amount. The transport motor 22 uses this drive force to rotate the transport roller 23.

[0044] When the transport motor 22 generates a predetermined driving force, the transport roller 23 rotates by a predetermined amount. When the transport roller 23 rotates by a predetermined amount, the medium S is transported by a predetermined amount.

[0045] The amount of media S transported is determined by the amount of rotation of the transport roller 23. For example, suppose the circumference of the transport roller 23 is 25.4 mm. In this case, when the transport roller 23 rotates once, the media S is transported by 25.4 mm. Therefore, for example, when the transport roller 23 rotates 1 / 360 of a turn, the media S is transported by 25.4 / 360 mm.

[0046] In this case, if the amount of rotation of the transport roller 23 can be detected, the amount of transported medium S can also be detected. Therefore, the transport unit 20 is provided with a rotary encoder 52 for detecting the amount of rotation of the transport roller 23.

[0047] As shown in Figure 4, the rotary encoder 52 has a scale 521 and a detection unit 522. The scale 521 has a large number of slits, 360 in this embodiment, provided at predetermined intervals. This scale 521 is mounted on the transport roller 23. In other words, when the transport roller 23 rotates, the scale 521 rotates together with the transport roller 23.

[0048] As the transport roller 23 rotates, each slit of the rotating scale 521 sequentially passes through the detection unit 522. The detection unit 522 is located opposite the scale 521 and is fixed to the main body side of the printing unit 1. The rotary encoder 52 outputs a pulse signal each time a slit in the scale 521 passes through the detection unit 522.

[0049] As the amount of rotation of the transport roller 23 changes, the slits provided in the scale 521 sequentially pass through the detection unit 522, and the amount of rotation of the transport roller 23 is detected based on the output of the rotary encoder 52. In this embodiment, for example, a pulse signal is output from the rotary encoder 52 every time the transport roller 23 rotates 1 / 360 of a revolution.

[0050] For example, when transporting a medium S by a distance of 25.4 mm, the controller 60 drives the transport motor 22 until the transport roller 23 completes one rotation, based on the pulse signal output from the rotary encoder 52. In this embodiment, once the transport roller 23 completes one rotation, the rotary encoder 52 outputs a pulse signal 360 times.

[0051] In this manner, the controller 60 drives the transport motor 22 until a predetermined number of pulse signals corresponding to the target transport amount are output from the rotary encoder 52. As a result, the controller 60 transports the medium S by the target transport amount.

[0052] Incidentally, the rotary encoder 52 directly detects the amount of rotation of the transport roller 23, and strictly speaking, does not detect the amount of transported medium S. Therefore, if the amount of rotation of the transport roller 23 and the amount of transported medium S do not match, the rotary encoder 52 cannot accurately detect the amount of transported medium S, resulting in a transport error.

[0053] Therefore, in this embodiment, a correction process for the amount of media feed is performed during the production process of the printing unit 1 when the media S is transported in the printing unit 1. The correction process for the amount of media feed will be described later.

[0054] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the reading unit 150 comprises a top cover 151, a document tray 152 on which the original document MS is placed on its upper surface 152a, and a carriage 153 that moves in the scanning direction while facing the original document MS through the transparent document tray 152.

[0055] Furthermore, the reading unit 150 includes a guide member 154 that guides the carriage 153 in the scanning direction, and a moving mechanism 155 for moving the carriage 153 in the scanning direction.

[0056] The image processing system 100 of this embodiment includes a printing device, so-called a multifunction printer, which comprises a printing unit 1 and a reading unit 150. The reading unit 150 of this embodiment is positioned in the +Z direction above the printing unit 1. The reading unit 150 is positioned such that the upper surface 152a of the document tray 152 is the plane in the +Z direction.

[0057] In this embodiment, the reading unit 150 is installed in a position where the scanning direction of the carriage 153 is aligned with the X-axis direction, and the direction perpendicular to the scanning direction is aligned with the Y-axis direction. The X-axis direction is just one example of a scanning direction.

[0058] The carriage 153 is equipped with an exposure lamp 157 that illuminates the original document MS with light, and a reading sensor 158 that detects an image of a line along the Y-axis. Furthermore, the carriage 153 is equipped with optical equipment 159, such as a rod lens, to guide the reflected light from the original document MS to the reading sensor 158. The dashed line inside the carriage 153 in Figure 5 shows the trajectory of light.

[0059] As shown in Figure 6, the guide member 154 is a pair of rails that support the carriage 153 at both ends in the Y-axis direction. The carriage 153 moves in the X-axis direction by being driven by a driving force applied from the moving mechanism 155 along the X-axis direction.

[0060] The moving mechanism 155 includes a carriage motor 155d, a pair of pulleys 155a and 155b, and a timing belt 155c wrapped around the pair of pulleys 155a and 155b. The carriage motor 155d is composed of a DC motor or the like and functions as a drive source for moving the carriage 153 relative to the X-axis.

[0061] The pulley 155a is attached to the rotating shaft of the carriage motor 155d. The timing belt 155c is connected to the carriage motor 155d via the pulley 155a, and a portion of it is connected to the carriage 153 by a connecting member 156. With this configuration, the moving mechanism 155 moves the carriage 153 along the X-axis relative to the original document MS by the rotational drive of the carriage motor 155d.

[0062] When the scanning unit 150 reads an image from a document MS, the operator first opens the top cover 151 and places the document MS on the upper surface 152a of the document glass 152, then closes the top cover 151. At this time, the document MS is placed on the upper surface 152a of the document glass 152 with the printed surface on which the image is formed facing the -Z direction.

[0063] Then, the controller 60 moves the carriage 153 along the X-axis while the exposure lamp 157 is illuminated, and the reading sensor 158 reads the image on the surface of the original document MS. This acquires the data of the scanned image of the original document MS. The controller 60 stores the scanned image data of the original document MS in the storage unit 63.

[0064] The reading unit 150 of this embodiment reads the image of the original MS at a resolution of 600 dpi in the X-axis direction. The reading unit 150 of this embodiment reads the image of the original MS at a resolution of 600 dpi in the Y-axis direction.

[0065] The moving mechanism 155 drives the carriage motor 155d by a predetermined amount of drive based on a movement command from the controller 60. The carriage motor 155d generates a rotational driving force according to the commanded amount of drive. The carriage motor 155d uses this driving force to rotate the pulley 155a.

[0066] When the carriage motor 155d generates a predetermined driving force, the pulley 155a rotates by a predetermined amount of rotation. When the pulley 155a rotates by a predetermined amount of rotation, the carriage 153 connected to the timing belt 155c is transported by a predetermined amount of movement.

[0067] The amount of movement of the carriage 153 is determined according to the amount of rotation of the pulley 155a. Therefore, if the amount of rotation of the pulley 155a can be detected, the amount of movement of the carriage 153 can also be detected. The reading unit 150 of this embodiment is provided with a rotary encoder 171 for detecting the amount of rotation of the pulley 155a.

[0068] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the rotary encoder 171, like the rotary encoder 52 of the printing unit 1, has a scale 172 and a detection unit 173. The scale 172 has a number of slits provided at predetermined intervals. This scale 172 is mounted on the rotation axis of the carriage motor 155d. In other words, when the pulley 155a rotates, the scale 172 rotates together with the pulley 155a.

[0069] As the pulley 155a rotates, each slit in the scale 172 passes through the detection unit 173 in sequence. The detection unit 173 is located opposite the scale 172 and is fixed to the main body side of the reading unit 150. The rotary encoder 171 outputs a pulse signal each time a slit in the scale 172 passes through the detection unit 173.

[0070] As the rotation amount of the pulley 155a changes, the slits provided in the scale 172 sequentially pass through the detection unit 173, and the rotation amount of the pulley 155a is detected based on the pulse signal output from the rotary encoder 171.

[0071] Therefore, in the reading unit 150 of this embodiment, the amount of movement of the carriage 153 in the X-axis direction can be detected by counting the pulse signals output from the rotary encoder 171.

[0072] In this embodiment, for example, when the pulley 155a rotates and the pulse signal output from the rotary encoder 171 is counted once, the amount of movement of the carriage 153 in the X-axis direction is 25.4 / 1200 mm.

[0073] For example, when the rotation of the pulley 155a causes the pulse signal output from the rotary encoder 171 to be counted 1200 times, the amount of movement of the carriage 153 in the X-axis direction is 25.4 mm.

[0074] Next, the media feed amount correction process will be explained with reference to the flowcharts shown in Figures 7 to 9. The media feed amount correction process is performed in the production process of the printing unit 1. The flow of the media feed amount correction process performed in the production process of the printing unit 1, which constitutes the image processing system 100, corresponds to the production method of the printing device.

[0075] First, in step S100, a correction pattern is printed. Specifically, the processes from step S110 to step S150 shown in Figure 8 are performed. The operator operates the computer 110, and the controller 60 sends the correction pattern print data to the printing unit 1, which then starts printing the correction pattern by the printing unit 1.

[0076] First, in step S110, the medium S is fed. Specifically, the controller 60 controls the transport unit 20 to feed the medium S onto the medium support unit 24, as shown in Figure 10. Once the processing in step S110 is complete, the controller 60 moves the process to step S120.

[0077] In step S120, the first pattern P1 is printed. Specifically, the controller 60 controls the head movement unit 30 and the head unit 40 so that, as shown in Figure 11, the first movement of the head 41 in the Y-axis direction prints a linear first pattern P1 along the Y-axis direction onto the medium S.

[0078] Printing of the first pattern P1 is performed, for example, by the head 41 moving in the -Y direction indicated by the black arrow in Figure 10, while ejecting ink from nozzle N1 of the black ink nozzle group K. When the processing of step S120 is completed, the controller 60 moves the process to step S130.

[0079] In step S130, the feeding control of the medium S over a predetermined distance PV is performed. Specifically, the controller 60 controls the transport motor 22 to perform feeding control to transport the medium S over a predetermined distance PV in the X-axis direction, as indicated by the white arrow in Figure 11.

[0080] As a result, the transport roller 23 moves the medium S from the position shown in Figure 11 (the position indicated by the dashed line in Figure 12) in the direction of the actual transport distance AV + X, as shown in Figure 12. Note that, if there is no transport error during the transport of the medium S by the transport roller 23, the predetermined distance PV and the actual transport distance AV will be the same.

[0081] Normally, printing an image onto a medium S is performed by alternately repeating the ejection of ink from a head 41 moving in the Y-axis direction onto the medium S, and the feeding of the medium S in the X-axis direction by a distance corresponding to the size of the head 41.

[0082] The distance corresponding to the size of the head 41, as referred to here, is the dimension obtained by multiplying the nozzle pitch of the multiple nozzles N that make up each nozzle group K, M, C, Y of the head 41 by the total number of nozzles N that make up each nozzle group K, M, C, Y.

[0083] In this embodiment, the distance corresponding to the size of the head 41 is 25.4 mm, which is obtained by multiplying the nozzle pitch of 25.4 / 360 mm by the total number of nozzles N constituting each nozzle group K, M, C, and Y, which is 360.

[0084] Therefore, the predetermined distance PV in the feed control of the medium S performed in step S130 is set to a distance of 25.4 mm, which corresponds to the size of the head 41. When the processing in step S130 is completed, the controller 60 moves the processing to step S140.

[0085] In step S140, the second pattern P2 is printed. Specifically, the controller 60 controls the head movement unit 30 and the head unit 40 so that, as shown in Figure 13, the head 41 makes a second movement in the Y-axis direction to print a linear second pattern P2 along the Y-axis direction onto the medium S.

[0086] Printing of the second pattern P2 is performed, for example, by the head 41 moving in the +Y direction indicated by the black arrow in Figure 12, while ejecting ink from nozzle N1 of the black ink nozzle group K.

[0087] For printing the second pattern P2, nozzle N, specifically nozzle N1 of the black ink nozzle group K, which was used for printing the first pattern P1, is used. As a result, the distance AD ​​in the X-axis direction between the first pattern P1 and the second pattern P2 printed on the medium S becomes the same as the actual transport distance AV.

[0088] Therefore, by determining the distance AD ​​in the X-axis direction between the first pattern P1 and the second pattern P2 printed on the medium S, it becomes possible to determine the actual transport distance AV. When the processing in step S140 is completed, the controller 60 moves the processing to step S150.

[0089] In step S150, the medium S is discharged. Specifically, the controller 60 controls the transport motor 22, causing the transport roller 23 and discharge roller 25 to transport the medium S in the +X direction, which is downstream of the transport direction. As a result, the medium S is discharged from the printing unit 1.

[0090] The ejected medium S is placed as the original document MS on the upper surface 152a of the document tray 152 of the reading unit 150, with the printed side showing the first pattern P1 and the second pattern P2 facing the -Z direction (see Figure 14). When the processing of step S150 is completed, the controller 60 proceeds to step S200 shown in Figure 7.

[0091] Furthermore, if, in addition to the media feed amount correction process, other control-related correction processes are performed in the printing unit 1, a correction pattern for the other control-related correction process may be printed onto the media S in step S100.

[0092] In step S200, the correction pattern is read and the carriage position information LJ is saved. Specifically, the controller 60 controls the movement mechanism 155 and the reading sensor 158 to read the medium S on which the first pattern P1 and the second pattern P2, which are the original MS, are printed.

[0093] This allows for the acquisition of scanned images of the medium S on which the first pattern P1 and the second pattern P2 are printed. The acquisition of scanned images is performed, for example, by moving the carriage 153 in the +X direction, as indicated by the white arrow in Figure 14, while reading the original document MS with the reading sensor 158. The acquired scanned image data of the original document MS is stored in the storage unit 63.

[0094] In step S200, the scanned image of the original document MS is acquired, and carriage position information LJ is acquired and stored in the storage unit 63. The carriage position information LJ is information indicating the position of the carriage 153 when the scanned image is acquired by the reading sensor 158 while the carriage 153 is moved in the X-axis direction. The carriage position information LJ is acquired at multiple reading positions, for example, at the position of each pixel during reading.

[0095] In this embodiment, the carriage position information LJ is the cumulative count of pulse signals output from the rotary encoder 171 while the carriage 153 moves from its reference position to each reading position. In step S200, the controller 60 counts the cumulative count of pulse signals from the output of the rotary encoder 171 and stores the cumulative count of pulse signals as carriage position information LJ in the storage unit 63.

[0096] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 14 to 17, the carriage 153 is moved in the X-axis direction while the reading sensor 158 reads the image of the original document MS. At this time, the carriage position information LJ at the time each imaging pixel of the reading sensor 158 reads the image of the original document MS is stored as a log in the storage unit 63.

[0097] The acquisition of carriage position information LJ is synchronized with the timing of image acquisition. As a result, when reading an image from a document MS, the carriage position information LJ at the time each pixel was read is saved as a log in the storage unit 63 for each pixel that makes up the acquired image of the document MS. Therefore, the carriage position information LJ at the time each pixel was read can be obtained from the storage unit 63 for each pixel that makes up the acquired image of the document MS.

[0098] For example, the carriage position information LJ includes carriage position information Lr when the imaging pixels of the reading sensor 158 read the -X edge of the document glass 152, as shown in Figure 14. For example, the carriage position information LJ includes carriage position information L1 when the imaging pixels of the reading sensor 158 read the first pattern P1 of the document MS, as shown in Figure 15.

[0099] For example, the carriage position information LJ includes carriage position information L2 when the imaging pixels of the reading sensor 158 read the second pattern P2 of the original document MS, as shown in Figure 16. For example, the carriage position information LJ may also include carriage position information Le, etc., when the imaging pixels of the reading sensor 158 read the document at a position in the +X direction from the +X edge of the document glass 152, as shown in Figure 17.

[0100] The reference position (not shown) of the carriage 153 is, for example, the starting position of the carriage 153's movement, and is set to a position in the -X direction from the position of the carriage 153 shown by the dashed line in Figure 14. When the processing of step S200 of the reading unit 150 is completed, the controller 60 moves the processing to step S400.

[0101] In step S400, the media feed amount is corrected. Specifically, the processes from step S410 to step S450 shown in Figure 9 are performed. First, in step S410, the first position corresponding to the first pattern P1 is detected, and the second position corresponding to the second pattern P2 is detected.

[0102] Specifically, the controller 60 detects one of the pixels that constitute the first pattern P1 in the read image, and sets the position of this pixel as the first position. Then, the controller 60 detects one of the pixels that constitute the second pattern P2 in the read image, and sets the position of this pixel as the second position. In this case, the position of the first position in the Y-axis direction and the position of the second position in the Y-axis direction are the same. When the processing of step S410 is completed, the controller 60 proceeds to step S420.

[0103] In step S420, carriage position information L1 corresponding to the first position and carriage position information L2 corresponding to the second position are acquired. Specifically, the controller 60 acquires carriage position information L1 corresponding to the first position by reading the carriage position information L1 from the storage unit 63 when a pixel located at the first position in the scanned image of the original document MS is read.

[0104] The controller 60 then reads the carriage position information L2 from the storage unit 63 when a pixel located at the second position in the scanned image of the original document MS is read, thereby obtaining the carriage position information L2 corresponding to the second position. When the processing in step S420 is completed, the controller 60 moves the processing to step S430.

[0105] In step S430, the distance AD ​​in the X-axis direction between the first pattern P1 and the second pattern P2 is calculated. The distance AD ​​is calculated based on the carriage position information L1 corresponding to the first position and the carriage position information L2 corresponding to the second position.

[0106] As described above, the carriage position information LJ is the cumulative count of the pulse signal output from the rotary encoder 171.

[0107] Therefore, the distance AD ​​is obtained by subtracting the carriage position information L1 corresponding to the first position from the carriage position information L2 corresponding to the second position, and multiplying this by the amount of movement of the carriage 153 in the X-axis direction per count of the pulse signal.

[0108] For example, if the carriage position information L1 corresponding to the first position is 7500 counts, the carriage position information L2 corresponding to the second position is 8750 counts, and the amount of carriage 153 moved per pulse signal count is 25.4 / 1200 mm, then the distance AD ​​can be calculated using the following equation (1). AD=(8750-7500)*25.4 / 1200 ···(1) According to equation (1), the distance AD ​​is 26.5 mm. When the processing in step S430 is completed, the controller 60 moves the processing to step S440.

[0109] In step S440, the feed adjustment value FAV is calculated. The feed adjustment value FAV is obtained by subtracting the distance AD ​​from a predetermined distance PV and dividing the result by the amount of medium S transported per count of the pulse signal output from the rotary encoder 52. For example, if the amount of medium S transported is 25.4 / 360 mm, the feed adjustment value FAV is calculated using the following formula (2). FAV=(PV-AD) / (25.4 / 360) ···(2)

[0110] For example, if the carriage position information L1 corresponding to the first position is 7500 counts and the carriage position information L2 corresponding to the second position is 8750 counts, then according to equation (2), the feed adjustment value FAV will be -16.

[0111] The calculated feed adjustment value FAV is stored in the storage unit 63. When the processing in step S440 is completed, the controller 60 moves the processing to step S450.

[0112] In step S450, the media feed amount is corrected based on the feed adjustment value FAV. In other words, the media feed amount is corrected based on the difference between the distance AD ​​between the first pattern P1 and the second pattern P2 and a predetermined distance PV.

[0113] Specifically, based on the feed adjustment value FAV, the amount of drive of the transport motor 22 when the transport roller 23 of the printing unit 1 transports the medium S a predetermined distance PV is corrected. In this embodiment, as described above, the predetermined distance PV is 25.4 mm.

[0114] Before correction of the media feed amount, the transport motor 22 is driven until a predetermined number of pulse signals are output from the rotary encoder 52 360 times, when the transport roller 23 transports the media S by 25.4 mm.

[0115] For example, let's assume the feed adjustment value FAV is -16. In this case, after correcting the media feed amount, the transport motor 22 is driven until a predetermined number of pulse signals are output from the rotary encoder 52 344 times, when the transport roller 23 transports the media S by 25.4 mm.

[0116] When the processing in step S450 is completed, the controller 60 terminates the media feed amount correction process. Prior to the media feed amount correction process in step S400, it may be checked whether the tilt of the original document MS placed on the document table 152 relative to the document table 152 is below a threshold.

[0117] For example, suppose that the tilt of the document MS placed on the document glass 152 relative to the document glass 152 is below a threshold value, based on the scanned image of the document MS acquired in step S200. In this case, the controller 60 performs the media feed amount correction process in step S400.

[0118] If the controller 60 determines from the scanned image of the original document MS acquired in step S200 that the tilt of the original document MS relative to the document glass 152 is greater than a threshold, the controller 60 performs error processing.

[0119] In error handling, for example, the controller 60 controls the operation unit 11 to display a message on the display unit 11 prompting correction of the orientation of the original MS on the document glass 152. Once it is confirmed that the tilt of the original MS relative to the document glass 152 is below a threshold, the controller 60 executes the media feed amount correction process in step S400.

[0120] As described above, the following effects can be obtained by the image processing system 100 and the production method of the printing apparatus according to this embodiment.

[0121] The image processing system 100 includes a printing unit 1 that prints on a medium S, and a reading unit 150 that reads the medium S by moving a carriage 153 having a reading sensor 158. The image processing system 100 prints a first pattern P1 on the medium S using the printing unit 1, performs medium feeding control to move the medium S a predetermined distance PV, and then prints a second pattern P2. The image processing system 100 acquires a read image by reading the printed medium S with the reading unit 150. Along with acquiring the read image, the image processing system 100 stores carriage position information LJ in a storage unit 63, which indicates the position of the carriage 153 when reading at multiple reading positions when acquiring the read image. The image processing system 100 detects a first position corresponding to the first pattern P1 and a second position corresponding to the second pattern P2 in the read image. The image processing system 100 acquires carriage position information L1 corresponding to the first position and carriage position information L2 corresponding to the second position based on the carriage position information LJ stored in the storage unit 63. Based on the carriage position information L1 corresponding to the first position and carriage position information L2 corresponding to the second position, the image processing system 100 calculates the distance AD ​​between the first pattern P1 and the second pattern P2. Based on the difference between the distance AD ​​between the first pattern P1 and the second pattern P2 and a predetermined distance PV, the image processing system 100 corrects the media feed amount in media feed control.

[0122] According to this, the amount of media feed when printing on media S can be easily and accurately corrected.

[0123] When the image processing system 100 reads the medium S, it stores carriage position information LJ for each pixel of the read image in the storage unit 63. The image processing system 100 reads the carriage position information LJ stored in the storage unit 63 to obtain carriage position information L1 corresponding to the first position and carriage position information L2 corresponding to the second position.

[0124] According to this, carriage position information L1 corresponding to the first position and carriage position information L2 corresponding to the second position can be easily obtained. Therefore, correction of the media feed amount when printing on the medium S can be made easier.

[0125] The printing unit 1 prints on the medium S by moving the head 41 in the Y-axis direction. The printing unit 1 prints the first pattern P1 on the medium S by the first movement of the head 41 in the Y-axis direction. The printing unit 1 then moves the medium S on which the first pattern P1 has been printed in the X-axis direction, which intersects with the Y-axis direction, by a predetermined distance PV corresponding to the size of the head 41. The printing unit 1 then prints the second pattern P2 on the medium S that has been moved by the predetermined distance PV in the X-axis direction by the second movement of the head 41 in the Y-axis direction.

[0126] According to this, after printing the first pattern P1, the media S printed with the second pattern P2 is fed by the amount used for normal printing, and this media S is used to correct the media feed amount in media feed control. This makes it possible to correct the media feed amount when printing on media S more accurately.

[0127] The image processing system 100 corrects the media feed amount in media feed control when the tilt of the acquired read image is below a threshold, and performs error processing when the tilt is greater than the threshold. This makes it possible to suppress a decrease in the accuracy of the correction of the media feed amount in media feed control.

[0128] The production method for the printing apparatus is a production method for an image processing system 100, which includes a printing unit 1 that prints on a medium S, and a reading unit 150 that reads the medium S by moving a carriage 153 having a reading sensor 158. The production method for the image processing system 100 includes printing a first pattern P1 on the medium S by the printing unit 1, performing medium feeding control to move the medium S a predetermined distance PV, and then printing a second pattern P2. The production method for the image processing system 100 includes acquiring a read image by reading the printed medium S with the reading unit 150. In addition to acquiring the read image, the production method for the image processing system 100 includes storing carriage position information LJ, which indicates the position of the carriage 153 when reading at multiple reading positions when acquiring the read image, in a storage unit 63. The production method for the image processing system 100 includes detecting a first position corresponding to the first pattern P1 and a second position corresponding to the second pattern P2 in the read image. The production method of the image processing system 100 includes acquiring carriage position information L1 corresponding to a first position and carriage position information L2 corresponding to a second position based on carriage position information LJ stored in the storage unit 63. The production method of the image processing system 100 includes calculating the distance AD ​​between a first pattern P1 and a second pattern P2 based on carriage position information L1 corresponding to a first position and carriage position information L2 corresponding to a second position. The production method of the image processing system 100 includes correcting the media feed amount in media feed control based on the difference between the distance AD ​​between the first pattern P1 and the second pattern P2 and a predetermined distance PV.

[0129] According to this, the amount of media feed when printing on media S can be easily and accurately corrected.

[0130] The production method of the printing apparatus further includes storing carriage position information LJ for each pixel of the read image in the storage unit 63 when reading the medium S. The production method of the image processing system 100 further includes obtaining carriage position information L1 corresponding to a first position and carriage position information L2 corresponding to a second position by reading the carriage position information LJ stored in the storage unit 63.

[0131] According to this, carriage position information L1 corresponding to the first position and carriage position information L2 corresponding to the second position can be easily obtained. Therefore, correction of the media feed amount when printing on the medium S can be made easier.

[0132] The production method for the printing apparatus further includes correcting the media feed amount in the media feed control when the tilt of the acquired read image is below a threshold, and performing error processing when the tilt is greater than the threshold. This makes it possible to suppress a decrease in the accuracy of the correction of the media feed amount in the media feed control.

[0133] The image processing system 100 according to the above embodiment of this disclosure is based on having the configuration described above, but it is of course possible to make partial changes or omissions to the configuration without departing from the gist of this disclosure.

[0134] The production method of the printing apparatus according to the above embodiment is based on having the configuration described above, but it is of course possible to make partial changes or omissions to the configuration without departing from the gist of this disclosure. The above embodiment and the other embodiments described below can be combined and implemented to the extent that they do not contradict the technical context. Other embodiments are described below.

[0135] In the above embodiment, the operator does not need to operate the computer 110 to issue operation instructions for the printing unit 1 or transmit print data. For example, the operator may operate the operation unit 11 of the printing unit 1 to issue operation instructions for the printing unit 1 and the reading unit 150 or transmit print data. In this case, the printing unit 1 and the reading unit 150 do not need to be connected to the computer 110. In this case, the image processing system 100 does not need to include the computer 110.

[0136] In the above embodiment, the image processing system 100 was described as a multifunction device in which the printing unit 1 and the reading unit 150 are integrated. However, the configuration of the image processing system 100 is not limited to this. For example, the image processing system 100 may include the printing unit 1 as a printer and the reading unit 150 as a separate scanner. In this case, the reading unit 150 may be equipped with a reading unit controller (not shown) similar to the controller 60. In this case, the reading unit 150 may send and receive data with the computer 110 via the interface unit of the reading unit controller. The reading unit controller may control each part of the reading unit 150. In this case, the controller 60 of the printing unit 1 may cooperate with the reading unit controller to control each part of the reading unit 150. The image processing system 100 may also include a computer 110. In this case, the computer 110 causes the printing unit 1, which acts as a printer, to print a correction pattern. The computer 110 obtains the reading results of the correction pattern and carriage position information from the reading unit 150, which acts as a scanner, and calculates a correction value. The computer 110 sends the calculated correction value to the printer and applies it, thereby producing a printer with adjusted media feed amount.

[0137] In the above embodiment, the storage location for acquired data such as the scanned image of the original document MS and carriage position information LJ does not have to be the storage unit 63. For example, the storage location for acquired data may be an external terminal storage unit (not shown) provided by the computer 110 that constitutes the image processing system 100. Alternatively, the storage location for acquired data may be a reader unit storage unit (not shown) provided by the reader unit 150.

[0138] In the above embodiment, when reading an image of the original document MS, the carriage position information LJ at the time each pixel constituting the acquired scanned image of the original document MS is read does not necessarily have to be stored in the storage unit 63. For example, when reading an image of the original document MS, the carriage position information LJ at the time each of multiple pixels constituting the acquired scanned image of the original document MS is read, for example every four pixels, may be stored as a log in the storage unit 63. In this case, the carriage position information LJ corresponding to any position in the scanned image of the original document MS may be calculated by interpolation using the logs stored in the storage unit 63.

[0139] In the above embodiment, the carriage position information LJ does not have to be the cumulative count of pulse signals output from the rotary encoder 171 while the carriage 153 moves from the reference position to each reading position. For example, the carriage position information LJ may be the distance from the reference position of the carriage 153 to each reading position, calculated from the cumulative count of pulse signals output from the rotary encoder 171.

[0140] In the above embodiment, the head 41 does not have to be a so-called serial head that prints on the medium S by ejecting ink from nozzles N while moving in the Y-axis direction. For example, the head 41 may be a so-called line head in which a plurality of nozzles N are arranged in the Y-axis direction to cover the entire area in the Y-axis direction, which is the width direction of the medium S. In this case as well, the first pattern P1 and the second pattern P2 are printed using one nozzle N provided on the head 41. Alternatively, the first pattern P1 and the second pattern P2 may be printed using a plurality of nozzles N. The first pattern P1 and the second pattern P2 do not have to be straight lines along the Y-axis direction, as long as the distance AD ​​can be measured. For example, the first pattern P1 and the second pattern P2 may be dots in the shape of points printed using one nozzle N provided on the head 41. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0141] 1…Printing unit, 2…Media tray, 11…Operation unit, 20…Transport unit, 21…Pick roller, 22…Transport motor, 23…Transport roller, 24…Media support unit, 25…Discharge roller, 26…Driven roller, 27…Feeding roller, 28…Intermediate roller, 30…Head movement unit, 31…Head holding unit, 32…Holding unit motor, 40…Head unit, 41…Head, 42…Liquid cartridge, 43…Tube, 50…Detector group, 51…Linear encoder, 52…Rotary encoder, 53…Media detection sensor, 54…Optical sensor, 60…Controller, 61…Interface unit, 62…CPU, 63…Storage unit, 64…Control circuit, 100…Image processing system, 110… Computer, 150...Reading unit, 151...Top cover, 152...Document glass, 152a...Top surface, 153...Carriage, 154...Guide member, 155...Movement mechanism, 155a,155b...Pulley, 155c...Timing belt, 155d...Carriage motor, 156...Connecting member, 157...Exposure lamp, 158...Reading sensor, 159...Optical equipment, 171...Rotary encoder, 172...Scale, 173...Detection unit, 521...Scale, 522...Detection unit, AD...Distance, AV...Actual transport distance, FAV...Feed adjustment value, L1,L2,LJ,Le,Lr...Carriage position information, MS...Document, N,N1,N360...Nozzle, P1...First pattern, P2...Second pattern, S...Media.

Claims

1. An image processing system comprising a printing unit that prints on a medium, a reading unit that reads the medium by moving a carriage having a reading sensor, and a control unit, The control unit, The printing unit is controlled to print the first pattern onto the medium, and after performing medium feeding control to move the medium a predetermined distance, the second pattern is printed. The printed medium is read by the reading unit to obtain a read image, and carriage position information indicating the position of the carriage when reading is performed at multiple reading positions when obtaining the read image is stored in the storage unit. The system detects a first position corresponding to the first pattern and a second position corresponding to the second pattern in the read image, and based on the carriage position information stored in the storage unit, it acquires carriage position information corresponding to the first position and carriage position information corresponding to the second position. Based on the carriage position information corresponding to the first position and the carriage position information corresponding to the second position, the distance between the first pattern and the second pattern is calculated. Based on the difference between the distance between the first pattern and the second pattern and the predetermined distance, the amount of media fed in the media feeding control is corrected. An image processing system characterized by the following:

2. When reading the aforementioned medium, the carriage position information is stored in the storage unit for each pixel of the read image. By reading the carriage position information stored in the memory unit, the carriage position information corresponding to the first position and the carriage position information corresponding to the second position are obtained. The image processing system according to feature 1.

3. The printing unit prints on the medium by moving the head in the direction of movement. The printing unit is The first movement of the head in the direction of movement prints the first pattern onto the medium. The medium on which the first pattern has been printed is fed in a transport direction intersecting the movement direction by a predetermined distance corresponding to the size of the head. The second pattern is printed on the medium that has been transported a predetermined distance in the transport direction by a second movement of the head in the movement direction. The image processing system according to feature 1.

4. If the tilt of the acquired read image is below a threshold, the media feed amount in the media feed control is corrected, and if the tilt is greater than the threshold, error processing is performed. The image processing system according to feature 1.

5. A method for producing a printing apparatus that prints on a medium, The printing device prints a first pattern onto the medium, performs medium feeding control to move the medium a predetermined distance, and then prints a second pattern. The printed medium is read by a reading unit that reads by moving a carriage equipped with a reading sensor, thereby acquiring a read image, and carriage position information indicating the position of the carriage when reading is performed at multiple reading positions when acquiring the read image is stored in a storage unit. The reading image is used to detect a first position corresponding to the first pattern and a second position corresponding to the second pattern, and based on the carriage position information stored in the storage unit, the carriage position information corresponding to the first position and the carriage position information corresponding to the second position are obtained. Based on the carriage position information corresponding to the first position and the carriage position information corresponding to the second position, the distance between the first pattern and the second pattern is calculated. Based on the difference between the distance between the first pattern and the second pattern and the predetermined distance, the media feed amount in the media feed control is corrected. including, A method for producing a printing apparatus characterized by the following.

6. When reading the aforementioned medium, the carriage position information is stored in the storage unit for each pixel of the read image. By reading the carriage position information stored in the memory unit, the carriage position information corresponding to the first position and the carriage position information corresponding to the second position are obtained. This also includes, The method for producing a printing apparatus according to feature 5.

7. The system further includes correcting the media feed amount in the media feed control when the tilt of the acquired read image is below a threshold, and performing error processing when the tilt is greater than the threshold. The method for producing a printing apparatus according to feature 5.

Images