JP2004142163A - Printer, printing system, and calibration method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enhance throughput of a print system comprising a host computer and a printer by lessening interruption of print operation due to calibration. <P>SOLUTION: When a decision is made that calibration is required (S63), execution timing of actual calibration or imaginary calibration is judged (S64) so that actual calibration is carried out at a specified low frequency. When a decision is made that it is a timing for carrying out imaginary calibration, imaginary calibration is carried out for a host computer and generation of density conversion characteristics information is requested (S66). The requested host computer calculates density conversion characteristics information (S611) based on delivered temperature information and humidity information and transmits it to a printer (S612). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a printing apparatus, a printing system having the printing apparatus and a host computer, and a method of calibrating the printing apparatus. More specifically, the present invention relates to a mode of performing calibration in the printing apparatus.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional printing system, a printing apparatus constituting a printing system, in particular, a printing apparatus that performs color printing, generally executes processing for making print characteristics such as density and color of printed matter constant. This process is generally called calibration, and for example, makes the gradation characteristics realized by three or four colors of printing ink or printing toner used for printing constant characteristics.
[0003]
2. Description of the Related Art In a printing apparatus using an electrophotographic process, for example, a laser printer (hereinafter referred to as an LBP), yellow (Y), magenta (M), and the like are charged on an electrostatic latent image formed by irradiating a laser beam on a photosensitive member. Development is carried out by attaching toner (powder ink) of three colors of cyan (C) or four colors obtained by adding black (K) thereto, and this image is transferred to paper and fixed by heat and pressure. Is performed according to the following procedure. At this time, there is a method in which an image on the photoconductor developed with the toner is temporarily transferred to an intermediate transfer body, and then transferred to a sheet and fixed.
[0004]
In such an electrophotographic process, gradation characteristics in printing may be changed mainly due to a change in temperature or humidity of an apparatus environment. Specifically, the effects of temperature and humidity on the printing characteristics are as follows.
The state of the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductor changes due to changes in the environmental temperature and humidity, and the density of the image in the next development step changes.
The change in the ambient temperature and humidity changes the charge state of the toner, and the density of the image in the next development step changes.
The transfer rate from the photosensitive drum to the intermediate transfer member changes due to changes in the environmental temperature and humidity, and the density of the image formed on the intermediate transfer member changes.
The transfer rate from the intermediate transfer member to the paper changes depending on the environmental temperature and humidity, and the density of the image formed on the paper changes.
The fixing temperature changes due to the change in the environmental temperature, and as a result, the degree of melting of the toner at the time of fixing changes, so that the color development changes.
[0005]
As described above, fluctuations in the temperature and humidity of the apparatus environment cause fluctuations in density characteristics and the like in a plurality of steps of the electrophotographic process. As described above, the change in the characteristics that occurs in a plurality of steps finally appears in the print result, but the calibration is performed as a whole so that the change in the characteristics that occurs in these various steps can obtain a constant characteristic in the print result. Things.
[0006]
The calibration is performed as follows as an example. A plurality of small test images for each predetermined density data, called patches, are formed on the intermediate transfer member, and the density of each patch is measured by a sensor. Then, a print characteristic at that time, which is a relationship between the density data and the actually measured density, is obtained, and a density conversion characteristic for obtaining a predetermined print characteristic is derived based on the characteristic. Needless to say, the pattern of the patch formed on the intermediate transfer member is erased after measurement by the sensor.
[0007]
FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of a patch pattern formed on an intermediate transfer member. In the figure, 11 indicates the entire patch pattern, and 12, 13, 14, and 15 indicate rectangular images (patches) of 20%, 40%, 60%, and 80% density data, respectively. The value of the density data referred to here indicates a ratio of the number of pixels on which toner is to be placed among pixels in a predetermined area in a binary density expression using, for example, a dither method.
[0008]
FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing a density measurement of a patch formed on the intermediate transfer member. In the figure, reference numeral 21 denotes an intermediate transfer member, on which the patch pattern 11 shown in FIG. Further, a sensor 23 is provided near the periphery of the intermediate transfer body 21, and the density of the patch is measured by the sensor 23. Then, the controller 24 of the printer, which is a printing apparatus, obtains the density conversion characteristic data as described below with reference to FIGS. 3A to 3C and uses the data for the subsequent print data.
[0009]
FIGS. 3A to 3C are diagrams illustrating generation of the density conversion characteristic and correction of the print data based on the generation.
[0010]
The measured actual concentration shows, for example, characteristics as shown in FIG. Four points indicated by black circles in FIG. 3A are the measured density values of the patches corresponding to the density data of 20%, 40%, 60%, and 80%, respectively. Based on these four measured values, the entire density characteristic is calculated using an interpolation method or the like. The calculated density characteristic is shown by a solid line in FIG. On the other hand, in FIG. 3A, a linear characteristic indicated by a broken line is a characteristic to be realized by density correction (hereinafter, referred to as an ideal characteristic), and the density data is corrected (converted) to obtain the ideal characteristic. The density conversion characteristics that can be obtained are shown by the curve shown in FIG. That is, the density conversion characteristic is calculated as an inverse function of the measured density characteristic indicated by the solid line in FIG. As a result, when printing is performed based on the density data obtained by correcting the input density data by the density conversion characteristics shown in FIG. 3B, the density values along the ideal characteristics are obtained as shown in FIG. Can be obtained. In the case of color printing, when a certain color is to be expressed, when the respective density data for expressing the color by Y, M, C, and K are determined, each of the density data is determined according to the density conversion characteristics shown in FIG. By converting the density data and printing based on the corrected density data, a desired color can be expressed.
[0011]
In the above description, an example is described in which patch patterns of four densities of 20%, 40%, 60%, and 80% are used. However, patterns of more patches may be used with finer intervals of density data. However, as the density becomes finer, the time required for the entire calibration process increases due to an increase in the amount of information to be processed and an increase in the number of patch readings.
[0012]
The timing of performing the above-described calibration is often executed, for example, when the temperature and humidity are monitored and their changes become equal to or more than a predetermined value. As described above, the density characteristics of an electrophotograph fluctuate when the temperature or humidity of the environment fluctuates, so that the printing characteristics cannot maintain the ideal characteristics as described above. For this reason, calibration is generally performed when the power is turned on to make the initial state an ideal characteristic, or when the temperature and humidity in the apparatus fluctuate due to continuous printing. In addition, the processing may be performed in accordance with the number of print processing sheets or the elapsed time from power-on, where the temperature and humidity are expected to fluctuate by a certain amount or more.
[0013]
The calibration described above is automatically performed in the printing apparatus. As another form, there is also a form in which a patch is actually printed on paper and the density thereof is measured using a density measuring device, and a density conversion characteristic is similarly obtained. The form in which the calibration is automatically executed has the advantages that it is relatively simple and the time required for the calibration is short.
[0014]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, even when the calibration is automatically performed in the apparatus, the original printing operation is interrupted because the intermediate transfer member is used. As a result, there is a limit in improving the throughput of the printing apparatus. Further, for example, when printing in large quantities, in a device that determines the execution timing of calibration according to the number of prints, the printing operation is frequently interrupted, and the usability of the device is reduced.
[0015]
The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to reduce the interruption of the printing operation due to the calibration, to improve the throughput, and to achieve a certain An object of the present invention is to provide a printing apparatus, a printing system, and a calibration method capable of maintaining printing characteristics.
[0016]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
Therefore, according to the present invention, in a printing apparatus that can be connected to be able to communicate with a host computer, a data conversion unit that performs predetermined conversion to create print data, and changes the conversion content of the data conversion unit And calibrating means for calibrating the print characteristics to a predetermined value. The calibrator requests a host computer to be connected to change the conversion contents of the data converter, and executes the print characteristics. Transferring predetermined information affecting the data, receiving conversion contents changed using predetermined parameters based on the predetermined information from the connecting host computer, and transmitting the changed conversion contents to the contents of the data conversion means. It is characterized by the following.
[0017]
Further, in a calibration method for calibrating a printing apparatus which can be connected to be able to communicate with a host computer, a data conversion means for performing a predetermined conversion and creating print data is provided. A step of calibrating the print characteristics to be a predetermined one by changing the conversion contents of the conversion means. The calibration step includes a step of causing the host computer to change the conversion contents of the data conversion means. Request and transfer predetermined information that affects the printing characteristics, receive from the host computer a conversion content changed using predetermined parameters based on the predetermined information, and send the changed conversion content. The content of the data conversion means is characterized.
[0018]
In another aspect, in a printing system in which a printing device and a host computer are communicably connected to each other, the printing device performs a predetermined conversion to create print data, and converts the conversion contents of the data conversion device to data conversion means. A calibrating means for calibrating the print characteristics to a predetermined one by changing the print characteristics. The calibrating means requests a connecting host computer to change the conversion contents of the data converting means and performs the printing. The host computer transfers predetermined information that affects characteristics, and the host computer changes the conversion content using a predetermined parameter based on the transferred predetermined information, transfers the conversion content to the printing apparatus, and performs the calibration. The conversion means uses the changed conversion content as the content of the data conversion means. Processing is executed, the host computer, the information for changing the predetermined parameters, obtained from the printing apparatus other than the printing apparatus according to the calibration and changing the predetermined parameters.
[0019]
According to the above configuration, the host computer connected to the printing apparatus is requested to change the conversion content of the data conversion unit, and at the same time, transfers predetermined information affecting printing characteristics, and sets a predetermined parameter based on the predetermined information. The printing apparatus performs calibration by using the changed conversion contents received from the host computer to be connected, and performing the calibration of the printing apparatus by using the changed conversion contents as the contents of the data conversion means. The interruption of the printing operation due to the operation can be reduced or eliminated.
[0020]
According to another aspect, for the calibration performed by the host computer, a predetermined parameter used in the calibration is changed based on information obtained from a printing apparatus other than the printing apparatus related to the calibration. For example, the predetermined parameter can be changed based on actual density measurement information obtained from the other printing apparatus without interrupting the printing.
[0021]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
<First embodiment>
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0022]
In FIG. 4, reference numeral 411 denotes a printer as a printing apparatus, which is a laser beam printer (LBP) using an electrophotographic process. A printing engine 412 in the printer 411 forms a visible image with toner on paper. That is, the printing engine 412 includes a laser unit, a photosensitive drum on which an electrostatic latent image is formed by a laser beam irradiated based on print data by the laser unit, and an intermediate portion on which an image on the photosensitive drum developed with toner is transferred. An electrophotographic process unit 413 including a fixing unit for fixing the toner image transferred from the transfer body and the intermediate transfer body to the sheet is used to perform a printing operation. Further, the printing engine 412 is provided with a density sensor 414 for measuring the density of a patch formed on the intermediate transfer body at the time of calibration, and a humidity sensor 415 and a temperature sensor 416 for detecting the humidity and temperature of the printer 411, respectively. . Further, the printing engine 412 has a control unit (not shown) for controlling the printing operation. By the processing of this control unit, the density information detected by the density sensor 414, the humidity information detected by the humidity sensor 415, and the temperature sensor 416 The temperature information to be detected is transmitted to the printer controller 417 via the internal communication path 418.
[0023]
The printer controller 417 is in the form of a microprocessor system including a ROM, a RAM, and the like, and controls the operation of the entire printer 411. The in-machine communication path 418 connects the printing engine 412 and the printer controller 417 as described above. The printer controller 417 transfers digital print data to be printed to the printing engine 412 through the in-machine communication path 418.
[0024]
The printer controller 417 includes a calibration processing unit 419. The calibration processing unit 419 performs calibration based on the number of sheets printed by the printer 411, the elapsed time since the previous calibration, temperature information, humidity information, and the like. 5 and 6 based on the temperature information and the humidity information. As a result, the density output characteristics with respect to the input data of each of the colors Y, M, C, and K can be constant, for example, the linear characteristics shown in FIG. 3C, and good image reproducibility can be obtained. Can be.
[0025]
When acquiring temperature information or the like, the calibration processing unit 419 issues a command to that effect to the printing engine 412 via the in-machine communication path 418 to acquire the information. That is, a command for acquiring temperature information detected by the temperature sensor 416 is issued to acquire temperature information, and a command for acquiring humidity information detected by the humidity sensor 415 is issued to acquire humidity information. A patch pattern is formed on the intermediate transfer member of the process unit 413, and a density data is acquired by issuing a command for obtaining density information by measuring with a density sensor 414.
[0026]
In FIG. 4, reference numeral 481 denotes a host computer, and a simulation execution unit 482 is configured for calibration. The simulation execution unit 482 performs virtual calibration in response to a request from the calibration processing unit 419 of the printer 411, as described later with reference to FIG. That is, the simulation execution unit 482 has a parameter update unit 483, and performs virtual calibration of the printer 411 using the parameters updated and held by the parameter update unit 483. For example, a table having virtual density measurement value information according to a combination of temperature and humidity can be used as a parameter.
[0027]
In the present embodiment, the parameter update unit 483 obtains, from the printer 411, at a predetermined timing, the usage period of the printer relating to the aging of each element of the printer, the consumption information of the consumables such as toner, and the like. Update table contents based on. This table is referred to by the temperature information sent from the printer 411 at the time of virtual calibration, as described later with reference to FIG. The contents of the table corresponding to the information such as the use period are updated experimentally in advance according to the change in the information such as the use period, and are updated to the information such as the use period obtained from the printer. This can be done by selecting the contents of the corresponding table.
[0028]
Reference numeral 491 denotes a network, and the printer 411 and the host computer 481 are connected to the network 491 so that the above-described information can be exchanged.
[0029]
The above-described calibration processing unit 419 and the simulation execution unit 482 are realized as software processing in this embodiment.
[0030]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a calibration procedure performed by the calibration processing unit 419 in the printer 411.
[0031]
The printer 411 executes a printing operation (S51), and checks whether calibration is necessary at predetermined intervals during that time (S52). In this process, in the present embodiment, the temperature information detected by the temperature sensor 416 acquired by the calibration processing unit 419 from the printing engine 412 is compared with the previous temperature stored in the calibration processing unit 419. The determination is made based on whether the temperature difference has exceeded a predetermined threshold. Similar processing is performed for humidity, and when any of these exceeds the respective threshold, it is determined that calibration is necessary. This determination may be made by using any one of the above information, or may be performed by determining, for example, whether the calibration processing unit 419 has counted the number of sheets printed by the printing engine 412 and has exceeded a predetermined threshold. Alternatively, it may be determined whether or not the elapsed time from the previous calibration, which is stored in the calibration processing unit 419, exceeds a predetermined threshold, for example. Judgment based on a combination of these can also be made.
[0032]
If it is determined in step S52 that calibration is unnecessary, the printing operation is continued (S51).
[0033]
On the other hand, when it is determined in step S52 that calibration is necessary, the calibration processing unit 419 instructs the printing engine 412 to form a patch pattern, and the printing engine 412 responds accordingly. A patch pattern as shown in FIG. 2 is formed above (step S53). Then, the calibration processing unit 419 issues a command to the printing engine 412 to execute a process of measuring the density of each patch by the density sensor 414, and in response, the printing engine 412 causes the density sensor 414 , The density of each patch is measured, and the measurement data is transferred to the calibration processing unit 419 (step S54).
[0034]
Upon receiving the patch density measurement result, the calibration processing unit 419 obtains the entire density characteristic as indicated by the solid line in FIG. 3A based on the density measurement result based on the discrete density data (step S55). . Then, based on the density characteristics, density conversion characteristic information for obtaining a target density output characteristic is calculated as described with reference to FIGS. 3A to 3C (step S56). The printing operation is continued based on the density data converted by the conversion characteristics (S51).
[0035]
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a printing process including a calibration process according to the present embodiment. The process shown in FIG. 6 partially overlaps the process shown in FIG. 5, and the processes in steps S61 to S69 in FIG. 6 show the processes executed by the printer 411, and the processes in steps S610 to S612 in FIG. Indicates a process executed by the host computer 481.
[0036]
The printer 411 executes a printing process (S62). In the process, the calibration processing unit 419 needs to perform calibration based on the temperature information and the humidity information detected by the temperature sensor 416 as described above with reference to FIG. It is checked whether it is (S63). If it is determined that calibration is unnecessary, the printing process is continued (S62).
[0037]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S63 that calibration is necessary, it is determined in step S64 whether to actually perform calibration or to request the host computer 481 to perform simulation of calibration. This determination is to determine whether to perform the actual calibration or to perform the simulation so that the actual calibration is performed at a predetermined small frequency. Specifically, the reference of this frequency is set so that the frequency of actually performing the calibration operation is a fraction of the frequency of the simulation. Thus, by performing the actual calibration, it is possible to prevent the printing operation from being interrupted and thereby reducing the throughput of the printer.
[0038]
When it is determined in step S64 that actual calibration is to be performed, the calibration described in FIG. 5 is performed in step S65. Here, the processing of steps S62, S63, and S64 shown in FIG. 6 is the same as the processing of steps S51 and S52 shown in FIG. 5, and FIG. 5 shows the processing shown in FIG. 6 in a simplified manner. The processing in step S65 shown in FIG. 6 is shown as steps S53 to S56 shown in FIG.
[0039]
If it is determined in step S64 that it is time to perform a simulation, the calibration processing unit 419 sends a virtual calibration to the simulation processing unit 482 of the host computer 481 together with the temperature information and the humidity information acquired in step S63. Is performed to request generation of density conversion characteristic information (S66).
[0040]
After this process, the printer 411 continues the printing process (S67). During this time, the calibration result is sent from the calibration execution unit 482 of the host computer 481 at a predetermined timing, for example, at a timing to start printing a new page. It is checked whether or not is transmitted (S68), and if not, the printing process is continued (S67).
[0041]
If it is determined in step S68 that the calibration result, that is, the density conversion characteristic information has been transmitted from the calibration execution unit 482, the previous density conversion characteristic information is updated with the information (S69), and the printing process is continued. (S62).
[0042]
Next, the processing of the simulation execution unit 482 of the host computer 481 requested to perform the simulation will be described.
[0043]
In step S610, when a virtual calibration is requested from the printer 411, the simulation execution unit 482 obtains a virtual density measurement value by referring to a table as a parameter based on the sent temperature information and humidity information. Based on the virtual density measurement value, density conversion characteristic information is calculated as described with reference to FIGS. 3A to 3C (S611), and the result is transmitted to the printer 411 (S612).
[0044]
<Second embodiment>
FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a printing system according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and is similar to FIG. 4 according to the first embodiment.
[0045]
This embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that a printer 401 which does not have a density sensor as a printing apparatus and cannot automatically perform calibration by itself is connected to a network 491. The other configuration of 401 is the same as the configuration of the printer 411 described in FIG. Then, the calibration of the printer 401, which cannot inherently execute the calibration, is virtually performed by the host computer 481 as in the first embodiment.
[0046]
In this case, virtual calibration may be executed as in the first embodiment. However, in the present embodiment, information on calibration of the printer 411 that can perform calibration by itself is used.
[0047]
For this reason, the host computer 481 has a density comparing section 484 in the simulation executing section 482. In the present embodiment, the same table as that of the first embodiment is used as a parameter of the virtual simulation, and this table is used to increase the accuracy of the virtual density measurement value by using the actual density measurement value from the printer 411 by the density comparison unit 484. Update based on comparison result with information.
[0048]
FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a printing process including the calibration process of the present embodiment in the printer 401 that cannot perform the calibration by itself, and is a diagram similar to FIG. 6 shown in the first embodiment. This process is different from the process of the first embodiment in that when it is determined in step S83 that calibration is necessary, a virtual calibration is always requested to the host computer 481. Since the printer 401 cannot perform the calibration by itself, the calibration is performed exclusively by the virtual calibration.
[0049]
In the process shown in FIG. 8, similarly to the process shown in FIG. 6 of the first embodiment, when the virtual density measurement value is obtained in step S89, the table updated by the density comparison unit 484 in the simulation execution unit 482 of the host computer 481 is updated. Used. That is, the simulation executing unit 482 obtains a virtual density measurement value by referring to the updated table based on the temperature and humidity information sent from the printer 401, generates density conversion characteristic information based on this, and sends the density conversion characteristic information to the printer 401. Forward.
[0050]
FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a process of updating a table as a parameter used for virtual calibration executed by the simulation execution unit 482. This process is executed at the timing when the printer 411 performs the actual calibration.
[0051]
First, temperature information, humidity information, and density measurement value information obtained by actual measurement are acquired from the printer 411 (S91), and a table that has not been updated at that time is determined based on a combination of the temperature information and the humidity information. A virtual density measurement value is obtained with reference to the value (S92). Then, the virtual density measurement value information read from this table is compared with the density measurement value information obtained from the actual measurement obtained from the printer 411, and the combination of the temperature information and the humidity information, for example, is set so as to reduce the difference. Is updated as the density measurement value information based on the actual measurement described above (S93).
[0052]
According to the above-described calibration of the present embodiment, it is possible to execute virtual calibration without interrupting a printing operation for calibration, particularly for a printer that cannot execute calibration by itself. Since information on the actual calibration of another printer in the use environment can be used, more accurate calibration can be performed in the virtual calibration.
[0053]
<Other embodiments>
As described above, the present invention can be applied to a system including a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, etc.) or to an apparatus including one device (for example, a copying machine or a facsimile machine). May be.
[0054]
Also, in order to operate the various devices so as to realize the functions of the above-described embodiments, a device connected to the various devices or a computer in the system will be described with reference to FIGS. The present invention also provides a program code of software for realizing the functions and the like of the above-described embodiment, and operates the various devices according to a program stored in a computer (CPU or MPU) of the system or the apparatus. Included in the scope of the invention.
[0055]
In this case, the program code itself of the software realizes the function of the above-described embodiment, and the program code itself and a unit for supplying the program code to the computer, for example, a storage storing the program code The medium constitutes the present invention.
[0056]
As a storage medium for storing such a program code, for example, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, or the like can be used.
[0057]
When the computer executes the supplied program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also the OS (Operating System) running on the computer, or other application software. It goes without saying that such a program code is also included in the embodiment of the present invention when the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized in cooperation with the above.
[0058]
Further, the supplied program code is stored in a memory provided on a function expansion board of the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, and then, based on an instruction of the program code, a CPU or the like provided on the function expansion board or the function expansion unit. It is needless to say that the present invention includes a case in which the functions of the above-described embodiments are implemented by performing part or all of the actual processing.
[0059]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the host computer connected to the printing apparatus is requested to change the conversion content of the data conversion unit, and at the same time, transfers predetermined information that affects printing characteristics, and based on the predetermined information, The printer converts the converted contents using the predetermined parameters from the host computer to be connected, and performs the calibration of the printing apparatus by using the changed contents as the contents of the data conversion means. The interruption of the printing operation due to the calibration using is reduced or eliminated.
[0060]
According to another aspect, for the calibration performed by the host computer, a predetermined parameter used in the calibration is changed based on information obtained from a printing apparatus other than the printing apparatus related to the calibration. For example, the predetermined parameter can be changed based on actual density measurement information obtained from the other printing apparatus without interrupting the printing.
[0061]
As a result, in the printing system including the host computer and the printer, it is possible to reduce the interruption of the printing operation due to the calibration and improve the throughput.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of a patch pattern formed on an intermediate transfer member during calibration in an electrophotographic printer.
FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing a density measurement of a patch formed on the intermediate transfer member.
FIGS. 3A to 3C are diagrams illustrating generation of a density conversion characteristic and correction of print data based on the generation; FIG.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a calibration process performed by a calibration processing unit in the printer of the printing system.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a printing process including a calibration process according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a printing process including a calibration process in a printer that cannot perform calibration by itself in the second embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a process of updating a table used for virtual calibration executed by a simulation execution unit of a host computer in the second embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
401, 411 Printer
412 Printing Engine
413 Electrophotographic Process Department
414 concentration sensor
415 Humidity sensor
416 Temperature sensor
417 Printer Controller
418 internal bus
419 Calibration processing unit
481 Host computer
482 Calibration execution unit
483 Parameter Update Unit
484 density comparison section
491 Network

Claims (14)

In a printing device that can be connected to communicate with a host computer,
Data conversion means for performing predetermined conversion and creating print data;
Calibration means for performing calibration to change the print characteristics to a predetermined one by changing the conversion content of the data conversion means,
The calibration unit requests a host computer to be connected to change the conversion content of the data conversion unit and transfers predetermined information that affects the print characteristics, and uses a predetermined parameter based on the predetermined information. A printing apparatus, wherein the changed conversion content is received from the connected host computer, and the changed conversion content is used as the content of the data conversion means. 2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for transferring parameter change information to the host computer in order to change the parameter used in the host computer. The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the parameter change information is aging information of a predetermined element in the printing apparatus. The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the parameter change information is consumable information on consumables in the printing apparatus. The calibration unit uses a mechanism for a printing operation in the printing apparatus at a frequency lower than the frequency of requesting the host computer to change the conversion content, and outputs information for changing the conversion content of the data conversion unit. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein calibration is performed. In a printing system in which a printing device and a host computer are communicably connected to each other,
The printing device is
Data conversion means for performing predetermined conversion and creating print data;
Calibration means for performing calibration to change the print characteristics to a predetermined one by changing the conversion content of the data conversion means,
The calibration unit requests a host computer to be connected to change the conversion content of the data conversion unit and transfers predetermined information that affects the print characteristics,
The host computer changes the conversion content using a predetermined parameter based on the transferred predetermined information, transfers the conversion content to the printing device,
The calibration unit executes a process of setting the changed conversion content as the content of the data conversion unit, and the host computer transmits information for changing the predetermined parameter to a device other than a printing device related to the calibration. A printing system, wherein the predetermined parameter is changed from a printing device. In a calibration method for calibrating a printing device that can be connected to be able to communicate with a host computer,
Prepare data conversion means for performing predetermined conversion and creating print data,
Changing the conversion content of the data conversion means, performing a calibration to make the print characteristics predetermined,
The calibration step requests a host computer to be connected to change the conversion content of the data conversion unit and transfers predetermined information that affects the print characteristics, and uses a predetermined parameter based on the predetermined information. A calibration method comprising: receiving the changed conversion content from the host computer to be connected; and using the changed conversion content as the content of the data conversion unit. 8. The calibration method according to claim 7, further comprising a step of transferring parameter change information to the host computer in order to change the parameter used in the host computer. 9. The calibration method according to claim 8, wherein the parameter change information is aging information of a predetermined element in the printing apparatus. 10. The calibration method according to claim 8, wherein the parameter change information is consumable information of consumables in the printing apparatus. 9. The calibration method according to claim 8, wherein the parameter change information is information indicating print characteristics obtained from another printing device connected to the host computer. 12. A printing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said printing apparatus does not use a mechanism for a printing operation of said printing apparatus to obtain information for changing the conversion content of said data conversion means. Calibration method described in 1. In the calibration step, information for changing the conversion content of the data conversion unit using a mechanism for a printing operation in the printing apparatus is generated at a frequency lower than the frequency of requesting the host computer to change the conversion content. The calibration method according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the calibration is performed. In a calibration processing program for performing calibration of a printing apparatus that can be connected to be able to communicate with a host computer, the processing includes:
Prepare data conversion means for performing predetermined conversion and creating print data,
Changing the conversion content of the data conversion means, performing a calibration to make the print characteristics predetermined,
The calibration step requests a host computer to be connected to change the conversion content of the data conversion unit and transfers predetermined information that affects the print characteristics, and uses a predetermined parameter based on the predetermined information. A program which receives changed conversion contents from the host computer to be connected, and uses the changed conversion contents as contents of the data conversion means.

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