Inkjet printer, inspection performance measurement method, and inspection performance measurement system

Abstract

To provide an inkjet printer performing a printing function and an inspection function by the same operation device which can measure performance of an inspection function without printing.SOLUTION: An inkjet printer includes: a processor 402 for inspecting printing; a printing setting part 502 for acquiring printing setting; a pseudo printing load generation part 601 for generating a pseudo printing load in the processor 402 on the basis of the printing setting; and an inspection performance measurement part 602 for measuring inspection performance of the processor 402 where the pseudo printing load is generated.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an inkjet printer, an inspection performance measurement method, and an inspection performance measurement system.

Background Art

[0002] Inkjet printers having a print inspection function are known in the art. The inkjet printer described in Patent Document 1 switches the inspection pattern printing interval of return-pass printing relative to forward-pass printing into a plurality of steps to print a plurality of inspection patterns, causes a sensor to scan and read the plurality of printed inspection patterns, analyzes the read data to automatically select the best inspection pattern from the plurality of inspection patterns, and causes the selected best inspection pattern to be printed on a print medium. This automatically corrects printing position deviation of return-pass printing relative to forward-pass printing.

Prior Art Literature

Patent Literature

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problem to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In an inkjet printer equipped with a print inspection function, in order to reduce hardware cost, the printing function and the inspection function are sometimes implemented by the same arithmetic processing unit. In such an inkjet printer, when the computational load imposed by the printing function on the arithmetic processing unit increases, the performance of the inspection function decreases. Since the computational load imposed by the printing function on the arithmetic processing unit varies depending on how the printing function is used, such as the character string to be printed, printing frequency, and the like, it is difficult to estimate the performance of the inspection function. Furthermore, printing for the purpose of measuring the performance of the inspection function is inefficient.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide an inkjet printer that performs both printing and inspection functions using the same computing device, and that can measure the performance of the inspection function without printing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] To solve the above problems, the inkjet printer according to the present invention is characterized by comprising: a processing unit for performing print inspection; a print setting acquisition unit for acquiring print settings; a pseudo-print load generation unit for generating a pseudo-print load in the processing unit based on the print settings; and an inspection performance measurement unit for measuring the inspection performance of the processing unit in which the pseudo-print load has been generated. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, in an inkjet printer that performs printing and inspection functions using the same computing device, the performance of the inspection function can be measured without printing. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a diagram showing the configuration of an inkjet printer. [Figure 2] This is a diagram explaining the operating principle of an inkjet printer. [Figure 3] This diagram shows the configuration of the inkjet printer in Example 1. [Figure 4A] This is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the inkjet printer in Example 1. [Figure 4B] This is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the processing unit 402. [Figure 5] This is a block diagram showing the software configuration for an inkjet printer. [Figure 6] This is a block diagram showing the software configuration of the inkjet printer in Example 1. [Figure 7] This is a block diagram showing the software configuration of the simulated printing load generation unit 601. [Figure 8]It is a block diagram showing the software configuration of the print load generation unit 704. [Figure 9] It is a flowchart of processing executed by the inkjet printer of Example 1. [Figure 10] It is a block diagram showing the software configuration of the inkjet printer of Example 2. [Figure 11] It is a diagram showing an example of print load information for each time recorded in the print load recording unit 901. [Figure 12] It is a block diagram showing the software configuration of the print load reproduction unit 902. [Figure 13] It is a block diagram showing the software configuration of the inkjet printer of Example 3. [Figure 14] It is a block diagram showing the software configuration of the inkjet printer of Example 4. [Figure 15] It is a flowchart of processing executed by the inkjet printer of Example 4. [Figure 16] It is a diagram explaining the inspection performance measurement system of Example 5. [Figure 17] It is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the terminal device 1601. [Figure 18] It is a diagram explaining the inspection performance measurement system of Example 6. [Figure 19] It is a diagram explaining the inspection performance measurement system of Example 7.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Examples will be described below with reference to the drawings.

Examples

[0010] In the present example, an example is shown in which inspection processing performance is measured in an inkjet printer that performs print processing and inspection processing on the same processing device. First, the configuration and operating principle of a general inkjet printer will be described.

[0011] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an inkjet printer.

[0012] In Fig. 1, a main body 1 of the inkjet printer is provided with an operation screen 2. A print head 4 is connected to the main body 1 via an ink nozzle 3. The print head 4 ejects ink to perform printing on a print target 6. The print target 6 is conveyed by a belt conveyor 5 in a factory.

[0013] Fig. 2 is a diagram explaining the operating principle of an inkjet printer.

[0014] In Fig. 2, ink 8 pumped from an ink tank 7 by a pump 9 is ejected from an ink ejection port 11. The ink ejection port 11 is imparted with vibration by a particle generator 10, and this vibration realizes the formation of particles of the ink 8. The particulate ink 12 is imparted with an electric charge by an electric field formed by a charging electrode 13 and becomes charged. The flight path of the charged particulate ink 14 is deflected by an electric field formed by a deflection electrode 15, and the charged particulate ink 14 lands on the print target 6. On the other hand, ink particles 17 that have not been imparted with an electric charge by the charging electrode 13 travel straight without being deflected by the deflection electrode, are recovered by a gutter 18, return to the ink tank 7, and circulate.

[0015] Next, an inkjet printer that performs printing processing and inspection processing with the same processing device will be described.

[0016] Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the inkjet printer according to Example 1.

[0017] In Fig. 3, the inkjet printer includes a main body 301, a print head 302 connected to the main body 301, and an inspection camera 304. Printing is performed by ejecting ink from the print head 302 onto a print target 303 conveyed by a belt conveyor 305. Thereafter, the inspection camera 304 is used to capture an image of the printing result on the print target 303, and the main body 301 inspects the printing using the captured image of the printing result.

[0018] Figure 4A is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the inkjet printer in Example 1.

[0019] In Figure 4A, components identical to those in Figure 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions are omitted. The main unit 301 comprises an operation screen 401, a processing unit 402, and a mechanical unit 403. The operator operates the inkjet printer from the operation screen 401. The processing unit 402 performs all software processing, including receiving operations on the operation screen 401, displaying the screen, and other related operations. The control software for the mechanical unit 403 is also executed by the processing unit 402. Ink is ejected from the mechanical unit 403 through the print head 302, and printing is performed. When an imaging trigger is issued from the processing unit 402 to the inspection camera 304, the inspection camera 304 captures the printing result on the object to be printed 303. The image data of the printing result captured by the inspection camera 304 is sent to the processing unit 402, and inspection processing is performed. The inspection processing result is notified to the operator through the operation screen 401.

[0020] Figure 4B is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the processing unit 402.

[0021] In Figure 4B, the processing unit 402 is configured by interconnecting a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 411, memory 412, storage device 413, communication unit 414, input unit 415, and output unit 416 via a bus 417.

[0022] The CPU 411 is the central processing unit and implements necessary functions by executing programs stored in the memory 412 (or storage device 413). The programs include, as shown in Figure 5, an operation screen control program that implements the operation screen control unit 501, a print setting program that implements the print setting unit 502, a print control program that implements the print control unit 503, a machine control program that implements the machine control unit 504, an inspection setting program that implements the inspection setting unit 505, an inspection control program that implements the inspection control unit 506, and a camera control program that implements the camera control unit 507. The memory 412 is the main memory used by the CPU 411 when executing processing and is composed of volatile memory elements such as RAM (Random Access Memory). The storage device 413 is an auxiliary storage device for storing input data provided to the CPU 411 and output data output from the CPU 411 and is composed of non-volatile memory elements such as HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or SSD (Solid State Drive).

[0023] The communication unit 414 is an interface used by the processing unit 402 to communicate with external devices, and is composed of a NIC (Network Interface Card) or the like. The communication unit 414 is connected to a network (e.g., the Internet) and communicates with external devices via the network.

[0024] The input unit 415 is an interface that receives input from the user (operator), and the output unit 416 is an interface that outputs data to the operator. The input unit 415 and the output unit 416 are combined into the operation screen 401. The bus 417 is the internal communication channel of the processing unit 402.

[0025] In this embodiment, the inkjet printer can perform the processes described later by running on a processing unit 402 having the hardware configuration illustrated in Figure 4B.

[0026] Next, we will describe the software configuration of an inkjet printer that performs printing and inspection processing using the same processing unit. All the software described below implements the necessary functions in the processing unit 402 by the CPU 411 executing programs held in memory 412 (or storage device 413).

[0027] Figure 5 is a block diagram showing the software configuration of an inkjet printer.

[0028] In Figure 5, the operation screen control unit 501 controls the operation screen 401. This includes, for example, creating the display image for the operation screen 401 and receiving input from the operation screen 401. The operator can configure print settings through the operation screen 401. This print setting process is performed by the print setting unit 502. Print settings include, for example, the string information to be printed and the printing frequency. Based on these print settings, the print control unit 503 performs print control. Print control includes, for example, creating a dot pattern corresponding to the string to be printed. Based on this print control, the machine control unit 504 controls the machine unit 403. This includes, for example, controlling the voltage for charging the ink.

[0029] Furthermore, the operator can configure inspection settings through the operation screen 401. This inspection setting process is performed in the inspection setting unit 505. Inspection settings include, for example, the string information to be inspected and the inspection frequency. Based on these inspection settings, the inspection control unit 506 performs inspection control. Inspection control includes determining the imaging timing of the inspection camera 304 and processing the image data of the printed result acquired from the inspection camera 304. The camera control unit 507 controls the inspection camera 304.

[0030] When processing with this software configuration, the computational load of the print control unit 503 depends on the print settings. When complex printing is performed frequently, the computational load of the print control unit 503 increases. The print control unit 503 is the most important process in the processing unit 402 and is executed with the highest priority, while the inspection process performed simultaneously in the processing unit 402 is executed using the processing unit 402's available processing power. Since the inspection performance is determined by the computing power available for the inspection process, the inspection performance depends on the print settings. Measuring inspection performance is important, but printing for the purpose of measuring inspection performance is inefficient. In this embodiment, to solve this problem, an example is shown in which inspection performance is measured without printing in an inkjet printer that performs both printing and inspection processing in the same processing unit.

[0031] Figure 6 is a block diagram showing the software configuration of the inkjet printer in Example 1.

[0032] In Figure 6, components identical to those in Figure 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions are omitted. In this embodiment, printing is not performed when measuring inspection performance, so the printing control unit 503 and the machine control unit 504 are not used. Also, since imaging of the printing results is not performed, the camera control unit 507 is not used. The simulated printing load generation unit 601 issues a simulated printing load to the processing unit 402 based on the printing settings set in the printing setting unit 502. This simulated printing load is a computational load equivalent to the computational load on the processing unit 402 when printing with the printing settings set in the printing setting unit 502.

[0033] The inspection performance measurement unit 602 measures the inspection performance using the inspection settings set in the inspection setting unit 505, while a simulated printing load is being issued to the processing unit 402 by the simulated printing load generation unit 601. The inspection performance measurement unit 602 possesses simulated images for inspection, and can measure inspection performance by repeatedly performing inspection processing on these simulated images. Here, inspection performance refers to the number of images that can be inspected per second. The simulated printing load generation unit 601 and the inspection performance measurement unit 602 are functions realized by the CPU 411 executing the simulated printing load generation program and the inspection performance measurement program, which are stored in the memory 412 (or storage device 413) shown in Figure 4B.

[0034] Figure 7 is a block diagram showing the software configuration of the simulated printing load generation unit 601.

[0035] In Figure 7, the print setting acquisition unit 701 acquires the current print settings. The printing load of the processing unit 402 depends on the number of dots printed per unit time. This can be calculated from the string length, character size, printing frequency, etc. In addition, printing special characters incurs a separate computational load. For example, when printing product-specific IDs, it is necessary to calculate the string of the ID to be printed next.

[0036] The print load calculation unit 703 calculates the print load based on the print settings acquired by the print setting acquisition unit 701. The print load of the processing unit 402 depends on the number of dots and special characters mentioned above, and the loads on them are stored in advance in the print load database 702. The print load database 702 is stored in the storage device 413. From this, the load required per unit dot and the load required for the special characters currently in use can be determined. Based on the load calculated by the print load calculation unit 703, the print load generation unit 704 generates a pseudo print load for the processing unit 402. The print setting acquisition unit 701, the print load calculation unit 703, and the print load generation unit 704 are functions realized by the CPU 411 executing the print setting acquisition program, the print load calculation program, and the print load generation program, which are held in the memory 412 (or storage device 413) shown in Figure 4B.

[0037] Figure 8 is a block diagram showing the software configuration of the printing load generation unit 704.

[0038] In Figure 8, for example, a process that applies 1% of the total processing load to the processing unit 402 is pre-prepared. The unit load acquisition unit 1301 acquires this process, and the unit load process generation unit 1302 executes multiple copies of the acquired process according to the load. This generates a pseudo-printing load. The unit load acquisition unit 1301 and the unit load process generation unit 1302 are functions realized by the CPU 411 executing the unit load acquisition program and the unit load process generation program, which are stored in the memory 412 (or storage device 413) shown in Figure 4B.

[0039] Figure 9 is a flowchart of the process performed by the inkjet printer of Example 1. This process is achieved when the CPU 411 of the processing unit 402 executes a program held in memory 412 (or storage device 413).

[0040] In Figure 9, the processing unit 402 acquires the current inspection settings (S801) and acquires a simulated image to be used for measuring inspection performance (S802). The simulated image must be equivalent to the one actually used in the inspection, but it is possible to measure the inspection performance with just one image. The inspection is performed on the acquired simulated image (S803) and the load on the processing unit 402 in the current inspection settings is measured (S804).

[0041] In S805, it is determined whether the load on the processing unit 402 is above a predetermined value. If the load on the processing unit 402 is above a predetermined value (YES in S805), the inspection frequency is reduced to decrease the load on the processing unit 402 (S806), and the process returns to S803 to perform the inspection again.

[0042] In S805, if the load on the processing unit 402 is below a predetermined value (NO in S805), the current inspection frequency is acquired as the inspection performance (S807), and this process is terminated. As a result, the inspection frequency at which the load on the processing unit 402 is below the specified value is defined as the inspection performance.

[0043] According to this embodiment, in an inkjet printer that performs both printing and inspection processing with the same processing device, it is possible to measure the inspection processing performance without printing. [Examples]

[0044] In Example 1, the inspection performance was measured by generating a simulated printing load on the processing unit. However, in cases of complex printing, the load on the processing unit may change during printing, and this load may not be adequately reproduced. In Example 2, the load on the processing unit is obtained from an inkjet printer actually performing printing, and this load is reproduced. This makes it possible to measure inspection performance more accurately in this example.

[0045] Figure 10 is a block diagram showing the software configuration of the inkjet printer in Example 2.

[0046] In Figure 10, components identical to those in Figure 6 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions are omitted. When printing is performed by the print control unit 503 based on the print settings set in the print setting unit 502, the print load recording unit 901 records information about the print load to the processing unit 402 at regular intervals. The print load regeneration unit 902 regenerates the print load based on the print load information recorded by the print load recording unit 901. The inspection performance measurement unit 602 measures the inspection performance using the inspection settings set in the inspection setting unit 505 while the print load has been regenerated to the processing unit 402 by the print load regeneration unit 902. Note that the print load recording unit 901 and the print load regeneration unit 902 are functions realized by the CPU 411 executing the print load recording program and the print load regeneration program, which are stored in the memory 412 (or storage device 413) shown in Figure 4B.

[0047] Figure 11 shows an example of time-based print load information recorded in the print load recording unit 901.

[0048] In Figure 11, the print load information includes the time elapsed since the start of printing and information indicating what percentage of the processing capacity of the processing unit 402 was used at that time. When printing is being performed, a signal is sent from the print control unit 503 to the print load recording unit 901, so that fluctuations in the print load during printing are recorded.

[0049] Figure 12 is a block diagram showing the software configuration of the print load regeneration unit 902.

[0050] In Figure 12, components identical to those in Figure 8 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their explanations are omitted. The printing load is regenerated by starting multiple processes that apply the processing load. In addition, the time variation calculation unit 1403 switches the number of processes to be regenerated according to the variation in the printing load recorded in the printing load regeneration unit 902.

[0051] Furthermore, the operator can specify the timing of the inspection from the operation screen 401, specifying how many seconds after printing is performed the inspection should be conducted. The print load regeneration unit 902 transmits the inspection timing derived from the recorded print timing and the set inspection time to the inspection performance measurement unit 602. The inspection performance measurement unit 602 performs the inspection according to that timing, making it possible to correctly measure the inspection performance even when the processing load fluctuates during printing. The time variation calculation unit 1403 is a function realized by the CPU 411 executing a time variation calculation program held in the memory 412 (or storage device 413) shown in Figure 4B.

[0052] According to this embodiment, by recreating the processing load of an actual printer, it becomes possible to accurately measure inspection performance even when the processing load fluctuates during printing. [Examples]

[0053] This embodiment demonstrates an example of issuing a warning when the inspection performance measured in Example 1 does not meet the desired performance.

[0054] Figure 13 is a block diagram showing the software configuration of the inkjet printer in Example 3.

[0055] In Figure 13, components identical to those in Figure 6 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions are omitted. The inspection performance measurement unit 602 measures the inspection performance using the inspection settings set in the inspection setting unit 505 while a simulated printing load is being issued to the processing unit 402 by the simulated printing load generation unit 601. These inspection settings include the inspection frequency.

[0056] If the inspection performance measured by the inspection performance measurement unit 602 is less than the inspection frequency set in the inspection setting unit 505, the inspection performance warning unit 1001 sends a warning screen to the operation screen control unit 501 and displays it on the operation screen 401. The inspection performance warning unit 1001 is a function realized by the CPU 411 executing an inspection performance warning program held in the memory 412 (or storage device 413) shown in Figure 4B.

[0057] According to this embodiment, it is possible to issue a warning if the inspection performance does not meet the desired performance. [Examples]

[0058] This example demonstrates how to present alternative inspection settings when the inspection performance measured in Example 1 does not meet the desired inspection performance.

[0059] Figure 14 is a block diagram showing the software configuration of the inkjet printer in Example 4.

[0060] In Figure 14, components identical to those in Figure 6 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions are omitted. If the inspection performance measured by the inspection performance measurement unit 602 does not meet the inspection settings set in the inspection setting unit 505, the inspection setting proposal unit 1101 transmits a screen proposing alternative inspection settings to the operation screen control unit 501, which then displays it on the operation screen 401.

[0061] The inspection settings include parameters such as inspection frequency, inspection location, and inspection accuracy. The inspection frequency can be determined from the measurement results of the inspection performance. On the other hand, if the inspection frequency cannot be changed, it is possible to reduce the processing load by lowering the inspection accuracy. The inspection setting proposal unit 1101 is a function realized by the CPU 411 executing the inspection setting proposal program held in the memory 412 (or storage device 413) shown in Figure 4B.

[0062] Figure 15 is a flowchart of the process performed by the inkjet printer of Example 4. This process is achieved when the CPU 411 of the processing unit 402 executes a program held in memory 412 (or storage device 413).

[0063] In Figure 15, when the operator sets the essential requirements for the inspection settings through the operation screen 401, the processing unit 402 performs the essential requirement setting process (S1201). Inspection settings include, for example, inspection frequency and inspection accuracy. In this example, an inspection frequency of 500 times per minute is an essential requirement for the inspection, while inspection accuracy is not an essential requirement but a variable requirement that can be changed.

[0064] Next, the inspection performance is measured (S1202) to determine whether the current print settings can achieve the inspection frequency of 500 times per minute, which is a mandatory requirement for the inspection settings (S1203).

[0065] If the inspection frequency of 500 times per minute cannot be achieved in S1203 (NO in S1203), the variable requirements of the inspection settings are changed (S1204). Here, since inspection accuracy is a variable requirement, the inspection accuracy is reduced, and the inspection performance is measured again in S1202.

[0066] If the test frequency of 500 times per minute is achieved in S1203 (YES in S1203), the system will suggest feasible test settings (S1204) and terminate this process.

[0067] According to this embodiment, if the measured inspection performance does not meet the desired performance, it is possible to suggest alternative inspection settings. [Examples]

[0068] In the above embodiment, print settings and inspection performance measurement results were displayed on the inkjet printer's operation screen 401. However, in Embodiment 5, an example is shown in which these are performed on a terminal device connected to the inkjet printer via a communication line.

[0069] Figure 16 is a diagram illustrating the inspection performance measurement system of Example 5.

[0070] In Figure 16, the terminal device 1601 is connected to the inkjet printer 1602 via a communication line. The operator inputs print settings such as the string information to be printed and the printing frequency into the terminal device 1601. These input print settings are transmitted to the inkjet printer 1602. The terminal device 1601 can also remotely change inspection settings such as inspection accuracy and inspection frequency for the inkjet printer 1602. The inkjet printer 1602 generates a simulated printing load based on the transmitted print settings, and measures the inspection performance under the transmitted print settings in the same manner as in the above embodiment. The measured inspection performance results are transmitted to the terminal device 1601 and displayed on the terminal device 1601's display screen.

[0071] Figure 17 shows an example of a screen displayed on the terminal device 1601.

[0072] In Figure 17, the display screen 1701 of the terminal device 1601 shows a line image 1702 that illustrates the inspection process on the object to be printed. This allows for visual confirmation of the inspection frequency. The display screen 1701 also displays an inspection result 1703, such as "Inspection frequency: 500 times per minute."

[0073] According to this embodiment, print settings can be sent from the terminal device to the inkjet printer, and the measurement results of the inspection performance can be received and displayed on the terminal device, allowing for visual confirmation of the inspection performance. For example, this is useful when presenting the inspection performance for the intended use to a customer considering purchasing an inkjet printer.

[0074] Although the terminal device 1601 is described as sending print settings to the inkjet printer 1602, the terminal device 1601 may also generate a simulated print load based on the print settings and send the generated simulated print load to the inkjet printer 1602. [Examples]

[0075] Example 6 describes an example of measuring inspection performance at a location away from where the inkjet printer is installed.

[0076] Figure 18 is a diagram illustrating the inspection performance measurement system of Example 6.

[0077] In Figure 18, components identical to those in Figure 16 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions are omitted. PC 1801 is connected to inkjet printer 1602 via the internet 1802. Here, it is assumed that inkjet printer 1602 is installed in a factory 1803 located away from the operator operating PC 1801.

[0078] On PC1801, the operator inputs print settings such as the string information to be printed and the printing frequency. The input print settings are sent to the inkjet printer 1602. PC1801 can also remotely change inspection settings such as inspection accuracy and inspection frequency on the inkjet printer 1602. The inkjet printer 1602 generates a simulated printing load based on the transmitted print settings, and measures the inspection performance with the transmitted print settings in the same manner as in the above embodiment. The measured inspection performance results are sent to PC1801 and displayed on the PC1801's display screen, for example, as shown in Figure 17.

[0079] According to this embodiment, print settings can be sent to an inkjet printer via the internet, and the measurement results of the inspection performance can be received and displayed. This allows the measurement results of the inspection performance to be obtained from a location far from where the inkjet printer is installed. For example, this is useful when presenting the inspection performance for a customer considering purchasing an inkjet printer, in a location far from where the inkjet printer is installed, for the customer's desired usage method. [Examples]

[0080] Example 7 describes an example of measuring inspection performance using the inspection performance measurement function provided in the cloud.

[0081] Figure 19 is a diagram illustrating the inspection performance measurement system of Example 7.

[0082] In Figure 19, components identical to those in Figure 18 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions are omitted. PC 1801 is connected to inkjet printer 1602 via a communication line. In addition, inkjet printer 1602 is connected to cloud server 1901. Cloud server 1901 stores software for measuring the inspection performance of inkjet printer 1602.

[0083] In the inkjet printer 1602, a simulated printing load is generated based on the print settings sent from the PC 1801, and the inspection performance with the sent print settings is measured in the same manner as in the above embodiment. The measurement of inspection performance is achieved by the CPU 411 of the processing unit 402 of the inkjet printer 1602 executing software stored in the cloud server 1901. The measured inspection performance results are sent to the PC 1801 and displayed on the display screen of the PC 1801, for example, as shown in Figure 17.

[0084] According to this embodiment, since the software for measuring the inspection performance of the inkjet printer is stored on the cloud server, it is possible to perform more advanced inspection performance measurements. Furthermore, because the inspection performance is measured using an inkjet printer, it is possible to accurately measure factors such as a decrease in inspection frequency due to communication delays. [Explanation of symbols]

[0085] 301...Main unit, 401...Operation screen, 402...Processing device, 403...Machine unit, 501...Operation screen control unit, 502...Print setting unit, 505...Inspection setting unit, 506...Inspection control unit, 601...Simulated print load generation unit, 602...Inspection performance measurement unit

Claims

1. A processing unit that performs print inspection, A print setting acquisition unit that acquires print settings, A pseudo-print load generation unit generates a pseudo-print load, which is the computational load in the processing unit, based on the print settings, An inkjet printer characterized by comprising: an inspection performance measurement unit for measuring the inspection performance of the processing unit in which the simulated printing load has been generated.

2. A print load recording unit records the load applied to the processing unit when the processing unit performs printing, The system includes a playback unit that plays back the recorded load to the processing unit, The inkjet printer according to claim 1, characterized in that the inspection performance measurement unit measures the inspection performance of the processing unit after the load has been regenerated.

3. The inspection setting acquisition unit acquires the inspection settings, The inkjet printer according to claim 1, further comprising a warning unit that issues a warning when the inspection cannot be performed with the inspection settings based on the measured inspection performance.

4. The inspection setting acquisition unit acquires the inspection settings, The inkjet printer according to claim 1, further comprising: an inspection setting proposal unit that proposes an inspection setting that can be used when the inspection cannot be performed with the aforementioned inspection setting based on the measured inspection performance.

5. In a method for measuring the inspection performance of an inkjet printer equipped with a processing unit for inspecting print quality, The print settings acquisition step to obtain print settings, A pseudo-print load generation step in which a pseudo-print load, which is a computational load in the processing unit, is generated in the processing unit based on the print settings, A method for measuring inspection performance, characterized by comprising: an inspection performance measurement step of measuring the inspection performance of the processing unit in which the pseudo-printing load was generated.

6. In an inspection performance measurement system comprising a terminal device and an inkjet printer connected to the terminal device, The aforementioned terminal device is A print setting acquisition unit that acquires print settings, A transmission unit that sends the print settings to the inkjet printer, It includes a display unit, The aforementioned inkjet printer is A processing unit that performs print inspection, A pseudo-print load generation unit generates a pseudo-print load, which is a computational load in the processing unit, based on the transmitted print settings, An inspection performance measurement unit that measures the inspection performance of the processing unit in which the pseudo-printing load is generated, The system includes a transmitting unit that transmits the measured inspection performance to the terminal device, The inspection performance measurement system is characterized in that the display unit displays the transmitted inspection performance.

7. The inspection performance measurement system according to claim 6, characterized in that the terminal device is connected to the inkjet printer via the Internet.

8. The inspection performance measurement system according to claim 6, further comprising a server connected to the inkjet printer, wherein the server stores the software executed by the processing unit.

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