Printing apparatus, colorimetric method, and program

Abstract

The present invention provides a printing apparatus, a colorimetric method, and a program that can reduce the waiting time associated with color measurement and improve productivity. [Solution] The printing apparatus comprises a paper feeding unit for feeding recording material, a printing unit for forming an image on the recording material based on a print job to produce a printed material, a paper discharge unit for discharging the printed material, a transport unit for transporting the recording material and the printed material, and a control unit for controlling operations related to color measurement. The control unit causes the production of a color measurement print when maintenance is performed that makes it impossible to execute a print job.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing apparatus, a color measurement method, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] Generally, in a printing apparatus, color adjustment (color calibration) is periodically performed to maintain color reproducibility and produce printed matter with stable color quality. Color adjustment is performed, for example, based on the color measurement result (color characteristics of the printing apparatus) of a color measurement chart obtained by a colorimeter (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Patent Document 1 discloses that in an electrophotographic printing apparatus, color measurement and color adjustment are performed in the middle of execution of a print job.

Prior Art Literature

Patent Literature

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problem to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in order to perform accurate color measurement, it is necessary to perform color measurement after the color of the coloring material attached to the recording material has stabilized. The time required for stabilizing the color of the coloring material is, for example, several tens of minutes to several hours. When color adjustment is performed based on the color measurement result, it is necessary to wait until the color measurement is completed, which leads to a decrease in productivity.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a printing apparatus, a color measurement method, and a program capable of reducing the standby time associated with color measurement and improving productivity.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0006] The printing apparatus according to the present invention includes: a paper feeding unit that feeds recording materials; A printing unit that forms an image based on a print job on the recording material to produce a printed material, The paper discharge section from which the printed material is discharged, A transport unit for transporting the recording material and the printed material, It comprises a control unit that controls operations related to color measurement, The control unit causes a colorimetric printout to be produced when maintenance is performed that makes it impossible to execute the print job.

[0007] The colorimetric method according to the present invention is A colorimetric method in a printing apparatus that produces printed materials by forming an image based on a print job on a recording material, Determine whether maintenance that would prevent the print job from being executed is performed. When the aforementioned maintenance is performed, a colorimetric printout is prepared.

[0008] The program according to the present invention is In the computer of a printing device that produces printed materials by forming images based on a print job on recording material, A process to determine whether or not maintenance is performed that makes the print job unexecutable, When the aforementioned maintenance is performed, the process of creating a colorimetric printout is executed. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, the waiting time associated with color measurement can be reduced, and productivity can be improved. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of an inkjet printing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows the main components of the control system of the inkjet printing apparatus 1. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the colorimetric processing. MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating the overall configuration of an inkjet printing apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating main parts of a control system of the inkjet printing apparatus 1.

[0013] The inkjet printing apparatus 1 is a single-pass printing apparatus that forms an image by ejecting ink onto a recording material M conveyed along a predetermined conveyance direction. The inkjet printing apparatus 1 receives, for example, a print job transmitted from a terminal device 2 via a communication network 3, and performs printing based on the received print job.

[0014] A print job includes various types of information related to printing, such as document data, page description language, recording material settings, print quality, print layout, and the number of copies. Document data includes image, text, and graphic data. Recording material settings include settings for the size, type (plain paper, glossy paper, coated paper, etc.) and orientation (portrait / landscape) of the recording material, as well as settings for the paper feed tray and paper discharge tray. Print quality includes resolution, print mode (standard, high quality, photo, etc.) and ink type (color / monochrome).

[0015] As the recording material M, in addition to paper such as plain paper and coated paper, various media capable of fixing ink that has landed on the surface, such as fabric and resin film, can be used.

[0016] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the inkjet printing apparatus 1 includes a printing unit 10, a paper feeding unit 20, a paper discharging unit 30, a conveyance unit 40, a control unit 50, an operation unit 61, a display unit 62, a communication unit 63, a color measurement unit 64, a sensor unit 65, and the like.

[0017] The printing unit 10 comprises one or more head units 11. The head unit 11 is an inkjet head unit capable of ejecting color ink. In the example shown in FIG. 1, four head units 11C, 11M, 11Y, and 11K corresponding to four colors of cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K) are arranged in order at predetermined intervals from the upstream side in the rotation direction of the conveyance drum 43.

[0018] The head unit 11 has an ink ejection surface facing the conveyance surface of the conveyance drum 43. A large number of nozzles are formed on the ink ejection surface. Further, the head unit 11 includes a head drive unit (for example, a piezoelectric element) that ejects a predetermined amount of ink from the nozzles at predetermined timing. The operation of the head unit 11 is controlled by the control unit 50.

[0019] Further, the printing unit 10 includes a cleaning unit 12. The cleaning unit 12 cleans the ink ejection surface of the head unit 11. The cleaning unit 12 cleans the head unit 11, for example, in automatic maintenance that is performed periodically. Further, for example, the cleaning unit 12 may clean the head unit 11 based on a manual instruction from the operation unit 61. The operation of the cleaning unit 12 is controlled by the control unit 50.

[0020] The cleaning unit 12 includes a cleaning member that wipes droplets remaining on the ink ejection surface of the head unit 11. The cleaning member is, for example, a cleaning web made of rolled paper or cloth. The cleaning web is gradually fed out and wound up as the roller rotates, and cleans the ejection surface of the head unit 11 with a new surface. The used cleaning web is replaced periodically. Note that the cleaning member may be a member other than a cleaning web, such as a cleaning roller.

[0021] The printing unit 10 may have a fixing unit (not shown) for fixing ink to the recording material M. The fixing unit is located downstream of the head unit 11 in the transport direction. The fixing unit fixes the ink to the recording material M by curing it with energy rays such as ultraviolet light, for example.

[0022] The printing unit 10 forms an image on the recording material M based on the printing job. A printing job for producing a regular printed material P1 is called a "regular job," and a printing job for producing a colorimetric printed material P2 is called a "colorimetric job." The image formed on the colorimetric printed material P2 is, for example, a colorimetric chart in which various color patches are arranged.

[0023] The paper feeding unit 20 supplies recording material M to the printing unit 10 via the transport unit 40. The paper feeding unit 20 has a paper feeding tray 21 for storing the recording material M. There may be one paper feeding tray 21 or multiple trays. The paper feeding tray 21 stores sheets of paper (standard paper, special paper) identified based on, for example, basis weight and size, according to a preset paper type. The recording material M stored in multiple paper feeding trays 21 may be the same or different. Information regarding the recording material M stored in the paper feeding trays 21 is stored, for example, in the ROM 52.

[0024] In this embodiment, a first paper feed tray 211 and a second paper feed tray 212 are provided as paper feed trays 21. When multiple paper feed trays 21 are provided, when replenishing / replacing the recording material M stored in one paper feed tray 21, the recording material M can be fed from another paper feed tray 21 to execute the print job.

[0025] The paper output unit 30 stores the printed materials P transported from the printing unit 10 via the transport unit 40. The paper output unit 30 has a paper output tray 31 for storing the printed materials P. There may be one paper output tray 31 or multiple trays.

[0026] In this embodiment, the output tray 31 is provided with a first output tray 311 and a second output tray 312. The first output tray 311 is normally used for outputting printed materials P1. The second output tray 312 is normally used for outputting colorimetric printed materials P2. The second output tray 312 may also be used for outputting printed materials P1 if, for example, a transport failure occurs in the first output path section 451.

[0027] If multiple output trays 31 are provided, one output tray 31 can be used for outputting the normal printed material P1, and another output tray 31 can be used for outputting the colorimetric printed material P2. When performing color measurement on the colorimetric printed material P2, the normal job can be resumed without removing the colorimetric printed material P2 after color measurement, thus improving productivity. In addition, the normal printed material P1 that has been discharged to the first output tray 311 can be removed while the colorimetric printed material P2 is being measured (including the waiting period for ink stabilization).

[0028] The transport unit 40 transports the recording material M sent from the paper feeding unit 20 to the printing unit 10, and also transports the produced printed material P to the paper discharge unit 30. The transport unit 40 includes, for example, a paper feeding path unit 41, a first transfer drum 42, a transport drum 43, a second transfer drum 44, and a paper discharge path unit 45.

[0029] The paper feed path section 41 transports the recording material M sent from the paper feed section 20 to the first transfer drum 42. In this embodiment, the paper feed path section 41 includes a first paper feed path section 411 that transports the recording material M from the first paper feed tray 211, and a second paper feed path section 412 that transports the recording material M from the second paper feed tray 212.

[0030] The paper feed path section 41 includes, for example, a plurality of support rollers and an endless belt wound around the support rollers (neither of which are shown). The recording material M sent from the paper feed tray 21 is transported to the first transfer drum 42 by the endless belt, which circulates in accordance with the rotation of the support rollers. The first transfer drum 42 transfers the recording material M transported by the paper feed path section 41 to the transport drum 43.

[0031] The transport drum 43 transports the recording material M received from the paper feed path section 41 along its outer surface, which is the transport surface. The transport drum 43 transports the recording material M by rotating while holding it in place by adsorption on the transport surface, for example. While the recording material M is being transported by the transport drum 43, the printing section 10 prints on the recording material M to produce a printed document P. The produced printed document P is transported by the transport drum 43 to the second transfer drum 44. The second transfer drum 44 transfers the printed document P transported by the transport drum 43 to the paper discharge path section 45.

[0032] The paper discharge path section 45 transports the printed material P received from the second transfer drum 44 to the paper discharge section 30. In this embodiment, the paper discharge path section 45 includes a first paper discharge path section 451 that transports the printed material P to the first paper discharge tray 311, and a second paper discharge path section 452 that transports the printed material P to the second paper discharge tray 312.

[0033] The paper discharge path section 45 includes, for example, a plurality of support rollers and an endless belt wound around the support rollers (neither of which are shown in the diagram). The printed material P received from the second transfer drum 44 is transported to the paper discharge section 30 by the endless belt, which circulates in accordance with the rotation of the support rollers.

[0034] The control unit 50 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 51 as an arithmetic / control device, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 52 as main memory, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 53, and an auxiliary storage unit 54, etc. The ROM 52 stores the basic program and basic setting data.

[0035] The auxiliary storage unit 54 is, for example, an auxiliary storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), SSD (Solid State Drive), or SD (Secure Digital) card. The auxiliary storage unit 54 stores programs, various data, etc.

[0036] The CPU 51 centrally controls the operation of each block of the inkjet printer 1 by, for example, reading a program corresponding to the processing content from the ROM 52 or auxiliary storage unit 54, loading it into the RAM 53, and executing the loaded program. Each block of the inkjet printer 1 includes a printing unit 10, a paper feeding unit 20, a paper discharge unit 30, a transport unit 40, an operation unit 61, a display unit 62, a communication unit 63, a colorimeter unit 64, and a sensor unit 65.

[0037] The control unit 50 can, for example, perform a normal printing process to produce a normal printed material P1 based on a normal job. The control unit 50 also controls operations related to color measurement. These operations include producing a color measurement printed material P2 based on a color measurement job, measuring the color of the color measurement printed material P2, and color adjustment based on the color measurement results. Details of the color measurement process will be described later.

[0038] Furthermore, some or all of the processing performed by the control unit 50 may be carried out by electronic circuits such as a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), or PLD (Programmable Logic Device) provided according to the processing.

[0039] The control unit 61 has various operation keys such as a numeric keypad and a start key. The control unit 61 receives various input operations from the user and outputs operation signals to the control unit 50. For example, the user can operate the control unit 61 to execute, delete, change the execution order of print jobs, or clean the head unit 11 (an example of maintenance).

[0040] The display unit 62 is composed of a flat panel display such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display. The display unit 62 displays various operation screens, image status, and the operating status of each function in accordance with the display control signals input from the control unit 50.

[0041] The operation unit 61 and the display unit 62 may be integrally configured as a flat panel display with a touch panel. Furthermore, the display unit 62 may include an LED (light-emitting diode), and the status of the inkjet printing device 1 may be indicated by the illumination or flashing of the LED.

[0042] The communication unit 63 is, for example, a communication interface such as a NIC (Network Interface Card), MODEM (Modulator-DEModulator), or USB (Universal Serial Bus). The communication unit 63 may also include a communication interface for short-range wireless communication such as NFC (Near Field Communication) or Bluetooth (registered trademark). The control unit 50 transmits and receives various types of information to and from terminal devices 2 connected to the communication network 3 via the communication unit 63.

[0043] The colorimeter 64 performs inline color measurement of the colorimeter printout P2 discharged into the second paper output tray 312. Color measurement is the measurement of color information. Color information is, for example, color values ​​such as L*a*b* values. The colorimeter 64 is positioned above the second paper output tray 312, facing the printed surface of the colorimeter printout P2. The colorimeter 64 outputs the color measurement results to the control unit 50. The control unit 50 performs color adjustments as necessary based on the color measurement results.

[0044] The colorimeter 64 can be, for example, a spectrophotometer that measures color by spectrally analyzing reflected light from the colorimeter printout P2. Alternatively, the colorimeter 64 may be configured to calculate color information by analyzing an image captured by a camera or read by a scanner. In this case, the calculation of color information may be performed by the control unit 50.

[0045] The sensor unit 65 includes various sensors capable of detecting the status of the inkjet printer 1. These sensors include, for example, a recording material weight sensor, an ink level sensor, and a transport failure detection sensor. The recording material weight sensor detects the weight of the recording material M stored in the paper feed tray 21. The ink level sensor detects the remaining amount of ink stored in the ink tank of the head unit 11. The transport failure detection sensor detects a transport failure (such as a paper jam) of the printed material P in the paper output path 45.

[0046] Various maintenance procedures are performed on the inkjet printing device 1. These procedures include, for example, replenishing ink in the printing unit 10 and cleaning the ink ejection surface, replenishing / replacing the recording material M in the paper feeding unit 20, and resolving any transport problems in the transport unit 40.

[0047] During maintenance, print jobs cannot be executed. In this embodiment, when various maintenance is performed on the inkjet printer 1, a colorimetric printout is created and color measurement is performed.

[0048] Figure 3 is a flowchart showing an example of a color measurement process performed by the control unit 50. This process is realized, for example, when the CPU 51 executes a color measurement program when the inkjet printing device 1 is powered on.

[0049] In step S101, the control unit 50 acquires information regarding the maintenance of the inkjet printing apparatus 1. This maintenance information includes, for example, the timing of periodic automatic maintenance and the output from the sensor unit 65.

[0050] In step S102, the control unit 50 determines whether or not maintenance is to be performed based on the information acquired in step S101. If maintenance is to be performed (YES in step S102), the process proceeds to step S103. If maintenance is not to be performed (NO in step S102), the process proceeds to step S101.

[0051] In step S103, the control unit 50 controls the printing unit 10, paper feeding unit 20, paper discharge unit 30, and transport unit 40 to produce a color measurement printout P2 based on the color measurement job. The control unit 50 also performs color measurement by the color measurement unit 64 and color adjustment based on the color measurement results.

[0052] Specifically, under the control of the control unit 50, the paper feeding unit 20 feeds the recording material M for color measurement. The recording material M for color measurement may be fed from the paper feeding tray 21 normally used for producing printed materials P1 (for example, the first paper feeding tray 211), or from another paper feeding tray 21 (for example, the second paper feeding tray 212). If the recording material M in the paper feeding tray 21 normally used for producing printed materials P1 is empty and replenishment of the recording material M is performed as maintenance, the recording material M for color measurement will be fed from another paper feeding tray 21.

[0053] The printing unit 10 forms a colorimetric image (colorimetric chart) on the colorimetric recording material M that has been transported, and produces a colorimetric printout P2. The colorimetric printout P2 is discharged into the second output tray 312.

[0054] The colorimeter 64 measures the color of the colorimeter printout P2 after a predetermined time has elapsed and the ink has stabilized following the ejection of the colorimeter printout P2 into the second paper output tray 312. The colorimeter result is output to the control unit 50. The control unit 50 adjusts the color as necessary based on the colorimeter result.

[0055] [Specific example of maintenance 1] One example of maintenance performed on the inkjet printer 1 is periodic automatic maintenance. Automatic maintenance includes, for example, cleaning the ink ejection surface of the head unit 11. Automatic maintenance is performed automatically, for example, when the inkjet printer 1 is powered on, before a normal job is executed, after a predetermined operating time has elapsed, and when a predetermined number of pages have been printed is reached.

[0056] In step S102 of Figure 3, the control unit 50 determines whether or not to perform maintenance based on the timing of when automatic maintenance is performed. In step S103, a colorimetric printout P2 is created before the start of automatic maintenance, and color measurement is performed during automatic maintenance when print jobs cannot be executed. There is no need to interrupt print jobs for color measurement, and the waiting time associated with color measurement is significantly reduced.

[0057] [Specific example of maintenance 2] Another example of maintenance performed on the inkjet printer 1 is the replenishment of ink in the printing unit 10 (head unit 11). Ink replenishment is performed manually by the user, for example, when an alert indicating low ink levels is issued.

[0058] In step S102 of Figure 3, the control unit 50 determines whether or not to perform ink replenishment based on the output of the ink level sensor. In step S103, a colorimetric printout P2 is created before the start of ink replenishment for an ink that would prevent the print job from running, and color measurement is performed during the replenishment. There is no need to interrupt the print job for color measurement, and the waiting time associated with color measurement is significantly reduced. The colorimetric printout P2 may be created before the start of ink replenishment or during ink replenishment. Furthermore, the remaining ink level when maintenance is performed should be sufficient so as not to affect the color quality of the colorimetric printout P2 that is created.

[0059] [Specific example of maintenance 3] Another example of maintenance performed on the inkjet printer 1 is the replenishment of the recording material M in the paper feed unit 20. The replenishment of the recording material M is performed manually by the user, for example, when an alert is issued indicating that the amount of recording material M is low.

[0060] In step S102 of Figure 3, the control unit 50 determines whether or not to replenish the recording material M based on the output of the recording material remaining amount sensor. In step S103, a colorimetric printout P2 is created before the start of the replenishment of the recording material M that is unable to run a print job, and color measurement is performed during the replenishment. There is no need to interrupt the print job for color measurement, and the waiting time associated with color measurement is greatly reduced.

[0061] [Specific example of maintenance 4] Another example of maintenance performed on the inkjet printer 1 is the replacement of the recording material M in the paper feed unit 20. The replacement of the recording material M is performed manually by the user, for example, when an alert is issued instructing the user to replace the recording material M. For example, an alert is issued instructing the user to replace the recording material M if the recording material M specified in the print job is not stored in the paper feed tray 21.

[0062] In step S102 of Figure 3, the control unit 50 determines whether or not to perform a replacement operation for the recording material M based on information regarding the settings of the recording material M included in the print job and information regarding the recording material M actually stored in the paper feed tray 21. In step S103, a colorimetric printout P2 is created before the start of the replacement operation for the recording material M that is unable to execute the print job, and color measurement is performed during the replacement operation. There is no need to interrupt the print job for color measurement, and the waiting time associated with color measurement is greatly reduced.

[0063] [Specific Maintenance Example 5] Another example of maintenance performed on the inkjet printing device 1 is the resolution of transport defects in the transport unit 40. This resolution of transport defects is performed manually by the user, for example, when an alert indicating a transport defect is issued.

[0064] In step S102 of Figure 3, the control unit 50 determines whether or not to perform a transport failure correction operation based on the output of the transport failure detection sensor. In step S103, a color measurement printout P2 is created before the start of the transport failure correction operation that prevents the print job from being executed, and color measurement is performed during the correction operation. There is no need to interrupt the print job for color measurement, and the waiting time associated with color measurement is greatly reduced.

[0065] If a transport failure occurs in the paper feed path section 41 or the transport drum 43, it is not possible to produce the colorimetric printout P2, and therefore color measurement cannot be performed during the process of resolving the transport failure. On the other hand, if a transport failure occurs in the first paper discharge path section 451, it is possible to produce the colorimetric printout P2 and discharge it to the second paper discharge tray 312 via the second paper discharge path section 452. In other words, among the process of resolving transport failures in the transport section 40, the only one for which color measurement can be performed is the process of resolving the transport failure in the first paper discharge path section 451.

[0066] Thus, the inkjet printing apparatus 1 according to this embodiment is equipped with the following features individually or in appropriate combinations.

[0067] In other words, the inkjet printing apparatus 1 (printing apparatus) comprises a paper feeding unit 20 for feeding recording material M, a printing unit 10 for forming an image on the recording material M based on a print job to produce a printed material P, a paper discharge unit 30 for discharging the printed material P, a transport unit 40 for transporting the recording material M and the printed material P, and a control unit 50 for controlling operations related to color measurement. The control unit 50 causes a color measurement printed material P2 to be produced when maintenance is performed that makes it impossible to execute a print job.

[0068] Furthermore, the colorimetric method according to the embodiment is a colorimetric method in an inkjet printing apparatus 1 that produces a printed material P by forming an image based on a print job on a recording material M, and determines whether or not maintenance that would prevent the print job from being performed is to be carried out (steps S101 to S102 in Figure 3), and if maintenance is to be carried out, a colorimetric printed material P2 is to be produced (step S103).

[0069] Furthermore, the program according to the embodiment causes the control unit 50 (computer) of the inkjet printing apparatus 1, which produces a printed material P by forming an image based on a print job on a recording material M, to perform a process to determine whether or not maintenance that would prevent the print job from being executed is to be performed (steps S101 to S102 in Figure 3), and, if maintenance is to be performed, to perform a process to produce a colorimetric printed material P2 (step S103).

[0070] The above program can be provided, for example, via a computer-readable portable storage medium on which the program is stored. Examples of portable storage media include USB memory sticks, memory cards, external hard disk drives (HDDs), external solid-state drives (SDDs), optical discs, and magneto-optical discs. Alternatively, the program can also be provided via download from a server hosting it over a network.

[0071] According to the inkjet printing apparatus 1, colorimetric method, and program of the embodiment, it is possible to detect in advance when maintenance will be performed, create a colorimetric printout P2 before the maintenance that will render print jobs unusable begins, and perform color measurement during maintenance, thereby reducing the waiting time associated with color measurement. Consequently, the time during which print jobs are unusable is significantly reduced, and productivity is improved.

[0072] In the inkjet printing apparatus 1, maintenance includes periodic automatic maintenance, and the control unit 50 determines whether or not maintenance is performed based on the timing of the automatic maintenance. Specifically, the printing unit 10 has a head unit 11 capable of ejecting ink onto the recording material M, and the automatic maintenance includes cleaning the ink ejection surface in the printing unit 10. This allows color measurement to be performed using the time for automatic maintenance such as cleaning the ink ejection surface.

[0073] In the inkjet printing apparatus 1, the printing unit 10 has a head unit 11 capable of ejecting ink onto the recording material M, and maintenance includes replenishing the ink in the printing unit 10. The control unit 50 determines whether or not maintenance is performed based on the remaining ink level in the printing unit 10. This allows color measurement to be performed using the time required for ink replenishment.

[0074] In the inkjet printer 1, maintenance includes replenishing the recording material M in the paper feed unit 20, and the control unit 50 determines whether or not maintenance is performed based on the remaining amount of recording material M in the paper feed unit 20. This allows color measurement to be performed using the time required for replenishing the recording material M.

[0075] In the inkjet printing apparatus 1, the paper feeding unit 20 has a plurality of paper feeding trays 21 for storing recording material M, and the control unit 50, when maintenance is performed, feeds the recording material M from one of the paper feeding trays 21 that is not subject to maintenance, and produces a colorimetric printout P2. This allows the colorimetric printout P2 to be produced and color measurement performed even if the paper feeding tray 21 normally used to produce the printout P1 becomes empty, by feeding the recording material M from another paper feeding tray 21.

[0076] In the inkjet printer 1, maintenance includes replacing the recording material M in the paper feed unit 20, and the control unit 50 determines whether or not maintenance is performed based on the settings of the recording material included in the print job. This allows color measurement to be performed using the time required for replacing the recording material M.

[0077] In the inkjet printing apparatus 1, the paper discharge unit 30 has a first paper discharge tray 311 and a second paper discharge tray 312. The control unit 50 discharges a normal printed material P1, produced based on a normal job, into the first paper discharge tray 311, and a colorimetric printed material P2, produced based on a colorimetric printing job, into the second paper discharge tray 312. As a result, after producing the colorimetric printed material P2, normal printed material P1 can be produced until maintenance is actually performed, thus improving productivity.

[0078] In the inkjet printing apparatus 1, maintenance includes resolving transport defects in the first paper output path section 451 (transport path to the first paper output tray 311), and the control unit 50 determines whether or not maintenance is performed based on the transport status in the first paper output path section 451. This allows color measurement to be performed using the time required to resolve transport defects in the first paper output path section 451.

[0079] The inkjet printing apparatus 1 further includes a colorimetric unit 64 positioned to measure the color of a colorimetric printout P2 discharged into the second paper output tray 312. This allows for easy in-line color measurement of the colorimetric printout P2.

[0080] Although the present invention has been specifically described above based on embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and can be modified without departing from its spirit.

[0081] The maintenance shown in this embodiment is just one example, and color measurement by the colorimeter 64 may be performed when other maintenance is carried out. For example, when cleaning of the head unit 11 is manually instructed via the operation unit 61, a colorimeter printout P2 may be prepared before cleaning is performed, and color measurement may be performed during cleaning. Also, for example, when replacing cleaning components or tape inserters, color measurement may be performed during the replacement work. Also, for example, when removing the printout P from the paper output unit 30, color measurement may be performed during the removal work.

[0082] Furthermore, color measurement does not necessarily have to be performed every time maintenance is carried out. For example, color measurement may be performed only when necessary, after a predetermined time has elapsed since the last color measurement, or after a predetermined number of pages have been printed.

[0083] Furthermore, the present invention can also be applied to multi-pass inkjet printing apparatuses and monochrome inkjet printing apparatuses. The present invention is not limited to inkjet printing apparatuses, but can also be applied to electrophotographic printing apparatuses.

[0084] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a colorimeter 64 is incorporated into the inkjet printing apparatus 1, and the color measurement of the colorimeter printout P2 is performed inline. However, the color measurement of the colorimeter printout P2 may also be performed offline. In other words, the printing apparatus according to the present invention does not necessarily have a colorimeter 64.

[0085] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims are intended to be included. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0086] 1. Inkjet printing device 10 Printing Department 11 Head Unit 12 Cleaning Department 20 Paper feed section 21 Paper feed tray 30 Paper output section 31 Paper output tray 40 Conveying section 50 Control Unit 64 Color measurement section 65 Sensor section M Recording material P Printed matter P1 Normal printed matter P2 Printed matter for color measurement

Claims

1. A paper feed section for feeding recording material, A printing unit that forms an image based on a print job on the recording material to produce a printed material, The paper discharge section from which the printed material is discharged, A transport unit for transporting the recording material and the printed material, It comprises a control unit that controls operations related to color measurement, The control unit, when maintenance is performed that makes it impossible to execute the print job, causes a colorimetric print to be produced. Printing device.

2. The aforementioned maintenance includes regularly scheduled automated maintenance. The control unit determines whether or not the maintenance is performed based on the timing at which the automatic maintenance is performed. The printing apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The printing unit has a head unit capable of ejecting ink onto the recording material. The aforementioned automatic maintenance includes cleaning the ink ejection surface in the printing unit. The printing apparatus according to claim 2.

4. The printing unit has a head unit capable of ejecting ink onto the recording material. The aforementioned maintenance includes replenishing the ink in the printing section. The control unit determines whether or not the maintenance is performed based on the remaining amount of ink in the printing unit. The printing apparatus according to claim 1.

5. The aforementioned maintenance includes replenishing the recording material in the paper feeding section. The control unit determines whether or not the maintenance is performed based on the remaining amount of recording material in the paper feeding unit. The printing apparatus according to claim 1.

6. The paper feeding unit has a plurality of paper trays for accommodating the recording material. When the maintenance is performed, the control unit causes the recording material to be fed from one of the multiple paper trays that is not subject to the maintenance, and to produce the colorimetric printout. The printing apparatus according to claim 5.

7. The aforementioned maintenance includes the replacement of the recording material in the paper feeding section. The control unit determines whether or not the maintenance is performed based on the recording material information included in the print job. The printing apparatus according to claim 1.

8. The paper output unit has a first paper output tray and a second paper output tray. The control unit discharges a normal printout produced based on a normal print job into the first output tray, and discharges a colorimetric printout produced based on a colorimetric print job into the second output tray. The printing apparatus according to claim 1.

9. The aforementioned maintenance includes work to resolve transport defects in the transport path to the first paper output tray, The control unit determines whether or not the maintenance is performed based on the transport status along the transport path. The printing apparatus according to claim 8.

10. The system further comprises a color measuring unit positioned to measure the color of the color-measuring printout discharged into the second output tray. The printing apparatus according to claim 8.

11. A colorimetric method in a printing apparatus that produces printed materials by forming an image based on a print job on a recording material, Determine whether maintenance that would prevent the print job from being executed is performed. When the aforementioned maintenance is performed, a colorimetric printout is produced. Color measurement method.

12. In the computer of a printing device that produces printed materials by forming images based on a print job on recording material, A process to determine whether or not maintenance is performed that makes the print job unexecutable, When the aforementioned maintenance is performed, the process involves creating a colorimetric printout, A program that executes the command.

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