JP2008238684A - Printing color measuring-controlling apparatus, printing color measuring-controlling method, and printing color measuring-controlling program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem that it cannot be judged whether the shift is caused by the clogging of the nozzle of the printing head or not when a color measurement value obtained by performing the printing and the color measurement of an image by using a printer equipped with a color measuring section shifts from an ideal value. <P>SOLUTION: This printing color measuring-controlling apparatus includes a nozzle inspecting means, a printing controlling means, a determining means, a carrying means, and a color measurement controlling means. In this case, the nozzle inspecting means inspects the presence/absence of the discharge of an ink from the nozzle which is installed in the printing head. The printing controlling means makes a color measurement object image printed on a printing medium conforming to specified image data when the discharge of the ink from the nozzle is judged by the nozzle inspecting means. The determining means determines the position when the color measurement object image is color-measured by the color measuring section conforming to the printing position of the color measurement object image on the printing medium. The carrying means carries the printing medium for which the printing has been completed conforming to the determined position. The color measurement controlling means acquires the color measurement value of the color measurement object image by making the color measuring section execute the color measurement conforming to the determined position. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a print color measurement control device, a print color measurement control method, and a print color measurement control program.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known a printer device that includes a colorimetric function unit that measures the color of a sheet used for printing, and measures the color of the sheet by the colorimetric function unit prior to a printing operation (Patent Document 1). .
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-287407

  An image printed on a sheet by a printer can be an object of color measurement for various purposes such as printer calibration. However, in the above-mentioned document 1, there is no way to accurately measure the color of the printed paper image. In the past, when the colorimetric unit performs colorimetry on the printed paper, the user sets the paper at the specified position of the colorimetry unit so that the colorimetric unit can measure the target image at an accurate position. The work from image printing to colorimetry was complicated and difficult.

  Further, when the colorimetric result of the image after the printing process deviates from an ideal color, it is necessary to perform a measure for eliminating the cause of the deviation. However, in the printer having the colorimetric function unit as described above, there is no way to inspect the cause of the deviation, so when the colorimetric result deviates from the ideal color, It was difficult to accurately determine the measures to be taken to eliminate the gap.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and realizes printing of images and colorimetry as a series of operations that are accurate and reduce the burden on the user as much as possible, and also prevents the occurrence of color misregistration in the printing results. In addition, if there is a deviation from an ideal color in the printing result, a printing colorimetry control device, a printing colorimetry control method, and a printing colorimetry control program capable of accurately determining the cause of the deviation The purpose is to provide.

  In order to achieve the above object, in the printing colorimetry control device according to the present invention, the nozzle inspection means inspects whether ink is ejected from the nozzles provided in the print head, and the print control means includes the nozzle inspection means. When it is determined that ink is ejected from the nozzle, the color measurement target image is printed on the print medium based on predetermined image data. The determining unit determines a position when the colorimetric unit causes the colorimetric image to be measured based on the printing position of the colorimetric target image on the print medium, and the transport unit is based on the determined position. Then, the printed printing medium is transported, and the color measurement control unit acquires the color measurement value of the color measurement target image by causing the color measurement unit to perform color measurement based on the determined position.

  That is, according to the present invention, after the color measurement target image is printed on the printing medium, the position when the color measurement target image is measured by the color measurement unit is automatically calculated, and printing is performed based on the calculated position. Carrying out the medium and the colorimetry by the colorimetry unit. For this reason, the printing of the image and the color measurement are realized as a series of operations, which is very easy, and there is no shift in the color measurement position, and an accurate color measurement value of the color measurement target image can be acquired. In addition, in the situation where ink is not ejected from the nozzles of the print head (situation of nozzle clogging), appropriate printing cannot be performed, but in the present invention, printing is performed after confirming that ink is ejected from the nozzles. The obtained color measurement result tends to be a value that matches the ideal color for the color measurement target image. Even if the color measurement result deviates from the ideal color of the color measurement target image, it can be determined that the cause of the deviation is a cause other than nozzle clogging.

  As a more specific configuration, the nozzle inspection means uses the change in voltage between measurement terminals, which is generated by discharging charged ink, to determine whether ink is discharged from each nozzle provided in the print head. It may be inspected. According to such a configuration, it is possible to reliably determine whether or not ink is ejected from the nozzle to be inspected by increasing or decreasing the voltage between the measurement terminals.

  Further, when the nozzle inspection means determines that there is no ink ejection as a result of the inspection, the nozzle inspection means executes a predetermined cleaning process for eliminating nozzle clogging, and the print control means performs the cleaning process. Later, an image may be printed on a print medium based on the image data. That is, if the cleaning process is performed, it can be said that ink is ejected from the nozzle, and therefore the color measurement target image is printed. According to this configuration, it is possible to print the colorimetric target image after reliably eliminating the state of nozzle clogging.

  Here, an instruction unit that can output predetermined instruction information for operating the printing apparatus including the information on the printing position, and the printing apparatus that executes processing according to the instruction information input from the instruction unit. The printing colorimetry control device may be configured. The instruction means outputs an exclusive start instruction for starting exclusive use of the printing apparatus to the printing apparatus, and outputs an exclusive release instruction for releasing the exclusive use to the printing apparatus at a predetermined timing after outputting the exclusive start instruction. To do. On the other hand, in the period from the reception of the exclusive start instruction to the reception of the predetermined exclusive release instruction, the printing apparatus and the nozzle inspecting means according to only the output from the instruction means that is the output source of the exclusive start instruction Then, all or a part of the printing control means, the determining means, the conveying means, and the color measuring unit are operated.

  According to the above configuration, even when the printing apparatus is connected to an instruction output source such as a PC or application software other than the instruction means, the instruction means is used in a period from the output of the exclusive start instruction to the output of the exclusive release instruction. Can monopolize printing equipment. Therefore, if the instruction means operates between all or part of the nozzle inspection means, the print control means, the determination means, the conveyance means, and the color measurement unit provided in the printing apparatus between the exclusive start instruction and the exclusive release instruction. A series of processes such as nozzle inspection, printing, and color measurement can be continuously executed using the printing apparatus without allowing interruption from other instruction output sources.

  Further, the print color measurement control device compares the color measurement value acquired by the color measurement unit with the reference color value of the color measurement target image, and the color of the color measurement target image is normal based on the comparison result. It may be further provided with a determination means for determining whether or not. As a result of the determination, if the colorimetric value and the reference color value are deviated to some extent, the misregistration is considered to be caused by a cause other than the nozzle clogging, so that appropriate measures for eliminating the cause can be performed. . Specifically, when the determination means determines that the print head is not normal, the print control means corrects the amount of ink ejected by the print head based on the image data according to the comparison result. That is, as long as there is no nozzle clogging, a major cause of color misregistration may be a deviation from the design standard of the ink amount itself ejected by the nozzles of the print head. Therefore, for example, the print control unit corrects the value of the ink data (image data) that defines the amount of ink ejected by the print head according to the comparison result so as to cancel out the deviation of the ink ejection amount. To do. As a result, an image can be printed with a very ideal color by the print control apparatus thereafter.

  Up to now, the technical idea according to the present invention has been described in the category of a printing colorimetry control device. However, the invention of the method including processing steps corresponding to the respective units included in the apparatus and the respective units included in the apparatus are described. It goes without saying that the invention of a program for causing a computer to execute a corresponding function can also be grasped. Furthermore, when the printing colorimetry control device is configured by the instruction unit and the printing device as described above, each of the instruction unit and the printing device can be grasped as one invention. Furthermore, the print color measurement control device may integrally include a printing unit that performs printing and a color measurement unit that performs color measurement.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in the following order.
(1) Schematic configuration of embodiment of the present invention (2) First example (2-1) Printing process / application side (2-2) Nozzle inspection before printing (2-3) Printing process / printer side 2-4) Drying and colorimetry processing / application side (2-5) Drying and colorimetry processing / printer side (2-6) Authentication processing (2-7) Exclusive use of printer (3) Other embodiments (4) Summary

(1) Schematic Configuration of Embodiment of the Present Invention FIG. 1 shows a computer 10 and a printer 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Here, the printing colorimetry control device referred to in the claims may refer to a system including the computer 10 and the printer 20, or may refer to the printer 20 alone.
In the computer 10, the CPU 11 which is the center of the arithmetic processing controls the entire computer 10 via the system bus 10a. A ROM 12, a RAM 13, and various interfaces (I / F) 17 a to 17 c are connected to the bus 10 a, and a hard disk (HD) 14 is connected via a hard disk drive (HDDRV) 15. The HD 14 stores an operating system (OS), an application program (APL) 14a, and the like, which are appropriately transferred to the RAM 13 by the CPU 11 and executed. The HD 14 is a storage area for storing image data 14c to 14e for printing various images, a reference color value 14f used as a reference value at the time of authentication processing described later, and the like. A display 18a for displaying an image corresponding to the data based on predetermined image data is connected to the I / F 17a, a keyboard 18b and a mouse 18c are connected to the I / F 17b, and a serial I, for example, is connected to the printer I / F 17c. The printer 20 is connected via the / F cable.

  The printer 20 is a printing device controlled by the computer 10. In the present embodiment, the printer 20 has not only a printing function for printing paper but also a colorimetric function for measuring colors of printed matter. That is, the printer 20 is a printer with a colorimetric unit. In the printer 20, a communication I / F 24, a printer control IC 25, a colorimetry control IC 26 and the like are connected via a bus 32. The printer control IC 25 includes a CPU 21, ROM 22, and RAM 23, and the color measurement control IC 26 includes an I / F 26e, a CPU 26f, a ROM 26g, and a RAM 26h. The communication I / F 24 (specific interface) is connected to the printer I / F 17c, and the computer 10 and the printer 20 realize bidirectional communication via the printer I / F 17c and the communication I / F 24. The communication I / F 24 can receive raster data for each ink type transmitted from the computer 10.

In the printer control IC 25, the CPU 21 executes processing according to predetermined software (printer controller) stored in the ROM 22. The printer control IC 25 is an IC that mainly executes various kinds of control for printing processing, and controls each part by connecting to each part of the print head 25a, the head driving unit 25b, the carriage mechanism 25c, and the paper feed mechanism 25d.
The print head 25a has a plurality of inks corresponding to a plurality of ink types (for example, cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), black (K), light cyan (Lc), and light magenta (Lm)). An image is formed on the printing paper by ejecting ink filled in the ink cartridge as ink droplets from the nozzle row, which includes a cartridge and a plurality of nozzle rows provided corresponding to each ink type. The printer control IC 25 outputs applied voltage data corresponding to the raster data to the head drive unit 25b. The head drive unit 25b generates and outputs an applied voltage pattern (drive signal) to the piezoelectric elements incorporated in each nozzle row of the print head 25a from the applied voltage data, and outputs ink droplets (dots) for each ink type to the print head 25a. ).

The carriage mechanism 25c is a drive device that is controlled by the printer control IC 25 to reciprocate a carriage (not shown) along a guide rail (not shown) included in the printer 20. A print head 25a is mounted on the carriage, and the print head 25a reciprocates (scans) along the guide rail. The paper feed mechanism 25d is controlled by the printer control IC 25 so that a print paper is fed in one direction (paper feed direction) substantially orthogonal to the reciprocating direction of the carriage (main scanning direction) by a paper feed roller (not shown). Transport at a speed of.
The printer 20 may be a printer that forms a print image by another mechanism such as a thermal type or a sublimation type, or a line head type printer.

In the color measurement control IC 26, the CPU 26f executes processing according to predetermined software (color measurement controller) stored in the ROM 26g. The color measurement control IC 26 is an IC that mainly executes various controls for color measurement processing, and is connected to each part of the color measurement unit 26a, the color measurement unit moving mechanism 26b, the pressing plate driving mechanism 26c, and the dryer 26d. Control each part. The color measurement unit 26a directs the color detection unit to the color measurement object, thereby making it possible to use a plurality of color measurement units based on the L ^* a ^* b ^* color system (hereinafter, “ ^* ” is omitted) defined by the International Lighting Commission (CIE). Can be obtained as colorimetric values, and the colorimetric values acquired by the colorimetric unit 26a are output to the computer 10. The Lab color space is a device-independent uniform color space. Of course, the color space for color measurement may be a CIE-defined L ^* u ^* v ^* color space, a CIE-defined XYZ color space, an RGB color space, or the like.

  The color measurement unit moving mechanism 26b is a drive device that is controlled by the color measurement control IC 26 to reciprocate the color measurement unit 26a along a pressing plate described later. The pressing plate driving mechanism 26c is a driving device for pressing the printing paper against the pressing plate based on the control of the colorimetric control IC 26. The dryer 26d is disposed in the vicinity of the color measurement unit 26a, performs a process of sending warm air to the print paper based on the control of the color measurement control IC 26, and forcibly dries the image on the print paper. That is, according to the printer 20, it is possible to perform a series of processes such as printing an image on a printing sheet, drying, and colorimetry with one unit. Although omitted in FIG. 1, the printer 20 also includes a sub-control IC 61 and an inspection box 70 for nozzle inspection processing described later.

FIG. 2 schematically shows the printer 20 from the side.
The printer 20 accommodates a printing paper M (roll paper) near the top of the main body 29, and the printing paper M is substantially along a slope 29a formed on the front side of the main body 29 in the paper feeding direction in the figure. Transport to. Also, instead of roll paper, the printing paper N (cut sheet paper) that has been cut one by one is fed from the paper feeding direction shown in FIG. It is also possible to carry it in the paper feed direction. A casing 27 is installed at a predetermined position of the slope 29a. A print head 25 a is accommodated in the casing 27. The print head 25a moves along a guide rail (not shown) in a direction perpendicular to the surface of FIG. 2 (the main scanning direction). A cutter 25a1 is attached to the print head 25a, and the cutter 25a1 reciprocates together with the print head 25a.

  A colorimetric drying unit 28 is installed at a predetermined position on the inclined surface 29 a and downstream of the casing 27 in the paper feeding direction. The colorimetric drying unit 28 is a part that accommodates the colorimetric unit 26a and the dryer 26d therein, and is attached so as to be parallel to the casing 27 at a predetermined position of the slope 29a. In the present embodiment, the colorimetric drying unit 28 accommodates the color measurement unit 26a on the upstream side in the paper feeding direction, and accommodates the dryer 26d on the downstream side in the paper feeding direction from the color measurement unit 26a. When the printing paper M (N) is conveyed, it passes below the casing 27 and the colorimetric drying unit 28, respectively. The color measuring unit 26a faces the color detecting unit 26a1 toward the inclined surface 29a, and is stopped at the initial position in the color measuring drying unit 28 in the standby state. A white tile for calibrating the color measurement unit 26a is placed under the color detection unit 26a1 at the initial position. In the present embodiment, the left end of the left and right sides of the colorimetric drying unit 28 when facing the paper feeding direction (downstream side) is set as the initial position of the colorimetric unit 26a.

  The color measuring unit 26a can be reciprocated in the main scanning direction by the color measuring unit moving mechanism 26b. A pressing plate (not shown) is installed between the height at which the color measurement unit 26a moves and the slope 29a. The presser plate waits at a position separated from the inclined surface 29a by a predetermined distance, and is driven by the presser plate driving mechanism 26c at a predetermined timing, so that the printing paper M (( Press N) from above to prevent it from moving. A long hole is formed in the pressing plate so as to penetrate along the main scanning direction, and the color measurement unit 26a moved by the color measurement unit moving mechanism 26b moves the color detection unit 26a1 through the long hole to the slope 29a. The color of the image printed on the printing paper M (N) can be measured by making it relative to the upper printing paper M (N). Note that the surface of the printer 20 that conveys the printing paper M (N) may be a horizontal surface instead of the slope as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 3 shows an instruction system between software in the present embodiment. In this embodiment, the computer 10 can instruct the printer 20 to print an image, measure color, or the like according to the APL 14a (instruction means). In this case, all the instructions (proprietary command, nozzle inspection command, print command, color measurement command, drying command, chart definition command, etc., each command will be described later) are all sent to the printer control IC 25 and processed by the printer controller. Become. In the printer controller, processing corresponding to the received command and control of each part such as the print head 25a, the head drive unit 25b, the carriage mechanism 25c, the paper feed mechanism 25d, and the like, and a command to be passed to the colorimetry controller are received. If so, the command is transmitted to the colorimetry control IC 26. In the color measurement controller, processing corresponding to a command received by the color measurement control IC 26 via the I / F 26e and control of each part of the color measurement unit 26a, the color measurement unit moving mechanism 26b, the pressing plate driving mechanism 26c, and the dryer 26d. Execute. The color measurement value acquired by the color measurement unit 26a is transmitted to the printer controller by the color measurement controller, and is transmitted to the APL 14a by the printer controller.

(2) First Example Next, one example that can be executed using the configuration of the printing colorimetry control device will be described.
Here, for example, it is assumed that a color printed publication covering a plurality of pages is printed, and for each page, printing of an image and colorimetry of a specific portion of a print result are performed. In addition, before the image is printed, a nozzle inspection is performed to inspect whether or not dots are ejected from each nozzle of the print head 25a of the printer 20. After the color measurement, it is determined whether the color measurement result is a normal color for each page, and if a positive determination result is obtained, it is authenticated that the page is printed in the normal color. .

(2-1) Printing Process / Application Side FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the processing contents executed by the computer 10 based on the APL 14a in this embodiment.
In step S (hereinafter, description of steps is omitted) 100, first, the computer 10 displays on the display 18a a print setting screen (application screen) for an image (authenticated image) instructed to be printed by a user operation. Display and input various printing conditions via the application screen. The image to be authenticated is an image corresponding to the above-mentioned publication of color printing over a plurality of pages.

FIG. 5 shows an example of the application screen.
On the application screen 18a1, a display for inputting various printing conditions is performed. Here, the printer type (in this embodiment, the printer 20 is selected), the number of print pages of the image to be authenticated, the paper size, the paper feed method, the presence or absence of auto-cut (paper cutting by the cutter 25a1), the top, bottom, left, and right edges of the printing paper Are displayed for selecting or setting the margin, the type of authentication chart to be combined with the image to be authenticated, the position of the authentication chart, and the like, and various printing conditions are acquired according to the user's input operation. In addition, on the application screen 18a1, based on the input printing conditions, a preview display 18a11 is displayed that shows the range of the printing paper, the image to be authenticated and the composite image of the authentication chart. The vertical and horizontal sizes (hP, wP) of the patches constituting the authentication chart, the number of patches per line (nP), and the number of patch lines (mL) are defined in advance for each type of authentication chart. It is determined automatically when a chart is selected.

In S <b> 105, the computer 10 transmits an exclusive start command to the printer 20. The exclusive start command is one type of the exclusive command, and is a command for informing the APL 14a to start exclusive use of the printer 20 for execution of a series of jobs (JOB). As will be described in detail later, after receiving the exclusive start command, the printer 20 executes only processing based on an instruction of the APL 14a (including an instruction of PRTDRV 14b) unless an exclusive release command is received.
In S110, the computer 10 reads image data for one page from the image data 14c to be authenticated, which is image data representing the image to be authenticated, from the HD 14.
In S115, the computer 10 reads out the authentication chart image data 14d, which is the image data representing the authentication chart selected at the time of inputting the printing conditions, from the HD 14, and the authentication chart image data 14d and one page read out in S110. The image data 14c to be authenticated is synthesized.

FIG. 6 simply shows the state of processing over S110 and S115.
As shown in the figure, the to-be-authenticated image data 14c is composed of image data for 1 to n pages. The computer 10 takes out image data for one page among the page numbers in ascending order of the page numbers, and uses the taken-out authentication image data 14c and the authentication chart image data 14d as the authentication chart position xP, The synthesized image data for one page is generated by referring to yP. The authentication chart is an image formed by connecting a plurality of color patches P, and in this embodiment, two types of charts can be selected: a chart in which a plurality of patches P are connected in one line and a chart in which two lines are connected in a row. FIG. 6 illustrates a case where the authentication chart image data 14d related to the authentication chart formed in one row is combined among the two types of authentication charts.

The authentication chart positions xP and yP mean the start position of the authentication chart with reference to the origin of the image area of the composite image (the start position of the image area). The computer 10 calculates the size of the image area of the composite image based on the paper size and the top, bottom, left, and right margins, and calculates the size of the image area in a predetermined XY coordinate system that the computer 10 uses to represent the image. To grasp. In the XY coordinate system, the positive X direction corresponds to the main scanning forward direction on the printing paper M, and the positive Y direction corresponds to the reverse direction of the paper feed direction. Next, in the XY coordinate system, the coordinate position corresponding to the xP and yP is set as the chart synthesis position PS, and the authentication chart image data 14d is arranged with the position PS as the head position. Then, by combining the image data 14c for one page in a position that does not overlap the position of the authentication chart image data 14d within the image area of the composite image, the composition is completed.
In S120, the computer 10 instructs the printer 20 to print based on the composite image data.

FIG. 7 shows details of the processing of S120. This process is mainly executed by the PRTDRV 14b. That is, the APL 14a activates the PRTDRV 14b after generating the composite image data, and passes the composite image data to the PRTDRV 14b.
In S200, the PRTDRV 14b executes color conversion processing for the composite image data, and for each pixel, for each ink type used in the printer 20 (in this embodiment, C, M, Y, K, Lc, Lm). Is converted into image data (ink data) expressed by the tone value of. In this embodiment, the composite image data is data (CMYK data) in which each pixel in a dot matrix is expressed by gradation values for C, M, Y, and K, and the PRTDRV 14b is recorded in advance on the HD 14. With reference to a color conversion lookup table (LUT), CMYK data is converted into ink data for each pixel. The color conversion LUT is a table that expresses colors by using CMYK data and ink data, associates the two, and describes the correspondence between a plurality of colors. When the composite image data is data in which each pixel is expressed by gradation values for each RGB (red, green, blue) according to the sRGB standard, the correspondence between the sRGB color system and the ink data is shown. Color conversion processing may be performed using a specified color conversion LUT.

  In S210, the PRTDRV 14b executes halftone processing for the image data after the color conversion. In the halftone processing, a known method such as a dither method or an error diffusion method is used to generate halftone data that defines dot ejection / non-ejection for each pixel and each ink type. In S220, the PRTDRV 14b performs a predetermined rasterization process on the halftone data and rearranges them in the order in which the printer 20 prints, and generates raster data (image data) for each ink type. In S230, the computer 10 (APL 14a) generates a nozzle inspection command and transmits it to the printer 20 via the printer I / Fc. The nozzle inspection command is a command for instructing the printer 20 to perform nozzle inspection.

In S240, the PRTDRV 14b generates a print command and transmits it to the printer 20 via the printer I / F 17c. The print command is a command transmitted by the computer 10 to cause the printer 20 to execute print processing, and means a print area definition command, a print position update command, and a print data command in detail. The print area definition command is a command including the paper size and margin information acquired in S100, and is a command for instructing the printer 20 the image area of the composite image in the print paper. The print position update command is a command for instructing the print start position for each scan of the print head 25a. The print data command is a command for instructing an actual dot ejection process that involves the conveyance of the printing paper and the movement of the print head 25a, and includes raster data for each ink type of the print head 25a. The transmission timing of the nozzle inspection command is not limited to S230, but may be any time after the transmission of the exclusive start command and before causing the printer 20 to execute print processing based on the print command. The nozzle inspection command may be a kind of print command, and may be transmitted to the printer 20 prior to the print area definition command, print position update command, and print data command.
After transmitting the print command to the printer 20, the computer 10 issues a color measurement instruction to the printer 20 in S125. Here, before explaining the color measurement, the nozzle inspection command and the print command are sent. The processing on the printer 20 side will be described first.

(2-2) Nozzle Inspection Before Printing FIG. 8 shows a part of processing executed by the printer control IC 25 of the printer 20 based on the printer controller in this embodiment.
Commands transmitted from the computer 10 to the printer 20 are input to the printer 20 via the communication I / F 24 and all are input to the printer control IC 25 to be processed by the printer controller.
When the printer control IC 25 receives a command from the computer 10 (S300), in S305, the received command is any of a dedicated command, a nozzle inspection command, a print command, a chart definition command, a drying command, and a colorimetry command. It is determined whether or not there is, and the subsequent processing is branched according to the determined command type.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing nozzle inspection processing executed by the printer control IC 25 and the like when a nozzle inspection command is received.
In S1000, the printer control IC 25 executes nozzle inspection processing for the print head 25a of the printer 20.
FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing details of the nozzle inspection process, and FIG. 20 is a block diagram showing each part necessary for the nozzle inspection in the configuration of the printer 20. Control for nozzle inspection is mainly performed by the printer control IC 25 and the sub-control IC 61. The sub-control IC 61 is mounted on a predetermined substrate attached to the end face of the carriage, for example. The sub-control IC 61 performs nozzle inspection such as a voltage application unit 61a, a nozzle selection unit 61b, a voltage value increase / decrease acquisition unit 61e, and an ejection presence / absence determination unit 61f by exchanging data with the printer control IC 25 in addition to the head drive unit 25b. Each functional block is configured.

  The nozzle inspection is performed in a state where the print head 25a and the inspection box 70 are opposed to each other as shown in FIG. That is, prior to the processing of FIG. 19, the printer control IC 25 controls the carriage mechanism 25c to move the carriage along the guide rail, thereby disposing the print head 25a at a predetermined position facing the inspection box 70. The inspection box 70 is provided at a predetermined position under the carriage movement path. The ink droplets 39 ejected from the print head 25 a facing the inspection box 70 land on the electrode member 71 provided in the inspection box 70. The electrode member 71 is made of a metal material such as a mesh-like SUS plate. The landed ink droplet 39 passes through the electrode member 71 and is absorbed by the ink absorber 72 formed of sponge-like resin or the like. The electrode member 71 is electrically connected to a frame member (referred to as a frame, not shown) as a part of the machine body of the printer 20 by a connection member 66.

  In S1010, the voltage application unit 61a applies a voltage between the measurement terminals (the print head 25a and the electrode member 71). In this case, the voltage application unit 61a operates the voltage generation circuit 62 in which one end of the circuit is connected (grounded) to the frame, generates a predetermined voltage for the frame, and then performs a switching transistor during the nozzle inspection process. 63 is turned on, and a voltage is applied from the connecting member 65 to the print head 25a through the resistor 64 having a predetermined resistance value. A portion to which a voltage is applied in the print head 25a is a portion (for example, a nozzle plate) that is electrically connected to the ink in the nozzle. In this embodiment, the voltage applied to the print head 25a is a positive potential with respect to the frame. Accordingly, a voltage is generated between the print head 25a side and the electrode member 71 side between the electrode member 71 and the electrode member 71 electrically connected to the frame. As a result, the print head 25a is positively charged and the electrode member 71 is negatively charged.

In S1020, the nozzle selection unit 61b sets “n”, which is the nozzle number to be inspected, to 1, and selects the first nozzle (S1030). The print head 25a has nozzle rows for each of C, M, Y, K, Lc, and Lm, and each row includes n (for example, n = 1 to 180) nozzles. In this embodiment, the nozzles are selected in the order of a predetermined nozzle row. For example, first, n = 1 nozzles in the Y nozzle row are selected.
In S1040, the voltage value increase / decrease acquisition unit 61e detects the voltage increase / decrease value between the measurement terminals, and adds the increase / decrease values detected after the start of the nozzle test to calculate the voltage change amount (S1050). Then, it is determined whether or not the amount of change in voltage is within a predetermined threshold TH1 (S1060). If it is not within the threshold TH1 (S1060: NO), the process returns to S1040, and the processes of S1040 to S1060 are repeated. In S1040 of the present embodiment, the change in the voltage between the measurement terminals is detected for each segment by detecting the change in the voltage between the measurement terminals at a specific unit time (referred to as a segment) at the start of the nozzle inspection. Detect value. In this case, a change in the voltage at the print head 25a is input to the sub-control IC 61, and an increase / decrease value for each segment of the voltage between the measurement terminals is detected by detecting this change in the voltage at intervals of one segment. .

  The voltage value increase / decrease acquisition unit 61 e records the detected voltage increase / decrease value for each segment in a predetermined recording area of the RAM 23. The recorded value is a positive value if it increases, and a negative value if it decreases. In step S1050, after the nozzle inspection is started, the increment / decrement value for each segment recorded in the predetermined recording area of the RAM 23 is read and added. Accordingly, the value after addition indicates the amount of change (increase / decrease) with respect to the voltage between the measurement terminals at the start of nozzle inspection. The voltage value increase / decrease acquisition unit 61e repeatedly executes the processes of S1040 and S1050 at intervals of one segment after the start of the nozzle inspection until the end of the nozzle inspection.

  Thereafter, when the amount of change in the voltage value between the measurement terminals is within the threshold TH1 (S1060: YES), the nth nozzle is driven (S1070). In the nozzle drive process in S1070, the head drive unit 25b generates a drive signal having a predetermined waveform for ejecting ink droplets for nozzle inspection and applies the drive signal to the piezoelectric element corresponding to the selected nth nozzle. The drive signal is output. As a result, the piezoelectric element corresponding to the selected nth nozzle is driven, and the nozzle driving process is performed.

Next, the voltage value increase / decrease acquisition unit 61e calculates the amount of change in voltage between the measurement terminals while the drive signal is output and the nozzle is driven (S1080), and the ejection presence / absence determination unit 61f It is determined whether or not there is (S1090). As described above, the print head 25a is positively charged. Therefore, when ink droplets are ejected from the print head 25a, positive charges are taken away from the print head 25a together with the ejected ink droplets. When the positive charge is taken away, the positive charge is supplied to the print head 25a side through the resistor 64 in order to compensate for the taken positive charge. Therefore, a current corresponding to the supplied positive charge flows through the resistor 64, and as a result, a voltage drop ΔV occurs between the print head 25 a and the electrode member 71. As described above, in this embodiment, the voltage change between the print head 25a and the electrode member 71 is utilized, and the voltage application direction is the direction from the print head 25a side to the electrode member 71 side. If the voltage value decreases, it is determined that ink droplets are ejected.
If it is determined in S1090 that the voltage has decreased (YES), the process proceeds to S1100, where it is determined that the selected nth nozzle is ejected. On the other hand, when it is determined that the voltage does not decrease (NO), the process proceeds to S1110, and after determining that the selected nth nozzle is not discharged, the process proceeds to S1120.

  In this embodiment, the increase / decrease value of the voltage for each segment between the predetermined number of segments for which the drive signal is output to the piezoelectric element of the selected nth nozzle is read from the RAM 23 and added to the voltage. Change amount, that is, increase / decrease amount is calculated. Then, when the calculated voltage decrease amount between the measurement terminals exceeds the threshold value TH2, it is determined that there is a voltage decrease, and when it is the same as the threshold value TH2 or does not exceed the threshold value TH2, it is determined that there is no voltage decrease. The voltage between the measurement terminals actually measured in S1080 may vary in a considerable range due to electric field noise from the outside of the printer. Therefore, a threshold value is provided in order to accurately detect a voltage change due to ink droplet ejection.

Next, the printer control IC 25 records the nozzle number and the discharge result (whether or not discharge is performed) (S1120), newly sets “n + 1” to “n” (S1130), and proceeds to S1140. In S1140, it is determined whether or not “n” is larger than the number of nozzles in the nozzle row currently being inspected (180 in the above example). Return and repeat the process described above. When the inspection is completed for all the nozzles (S1140: YES), the process here ends. Of course, the processing of FIG. 19 is sequentially performed for each nozzle row of each ink color provided in the print head 25a.
As a result of such nozzle inspection, the printer control IC 25 can obtain information that records the presence or absence of ink ejection for all nozzles of the print head 25a.

Returning to the description of FIG.
In step S1200, the printer control IC 25 determines whether there is nozzle clogging, that is, whether there is a nozzle determined not to eject ink droplets, based on the result of the nozzle inspection. If there is nozzle clogging, the printing head 25a is caused to execute at least the cleaning operation for the nozzles determined to be nozzle clogging (S1300). After execution of the cleaning operation or when it is determined in S1200 that there is no nozzle clogging, the printer control IC 25 proceeds to processing corresponding to the command received after the nozzle inspection command.
In this way, it can be said that the printer 20 includes nozzle inspection means in that the nozzle inspection processing is executed.

(2-3) Print Processing / Printer Side FIG. 9 shows processing executed by the printer control IC 25 when a print command is received. FIG. 10 shows a composition in which the printer 20 prints on the printing paper M according to the flowchart of FIG. It is an image.
Through S300 and 305 in FIG. 8, the printer control IC 25 determines in S400 whether the print command is a print area definition command, a print position update command, or a print data command, and according to the determined type of print command. The subsequent processing is branched. If the nozzle inspection command is also a kind of print command, the process shown in FIG. 18 is executed as one of the processes after the determination in S400.
When the print area definition command is received, in step S410, the printer control IC 25 saves the image area information included in the command in a predetermined storage area. The image area information is information indicating the paper size acquired in S100 and the margins at the top, bottom, left, and right ends.

In S420, the values of the positions xh and yh of the print head 25a are set to the values of the head position of the image area on the printing paper M. The positions xh and yh of the print head 25a mean positions on the sheet with respect to the sheet origin of the printing sheet M, and the value xh means the distance from the sheet origin to the main scanning forward direction (X direction). , Yh means the distance from the paper origin to the direction opposite to the paper feed direction (Y direction). In the present embodiment, among the leading ends of the printing paper M, the edge located on the left side when facing the paper feeding direction is used as the paper origin.
The head position of the image area can be specified by the image area information. That is, the top position of the image area can be specified by the left margin (for example, 20 mm) and the top margin (for example, 20 mm) among the margins at the top, bottom, left, and right ends. In S420, xh = the value of the left margin, yh = Set the value of the top margin.

  When the print position update command is received, in step S430, the printer control IC 25 updates the set values of the print head 25a positions xh and yh based on the image start position in the next main scan designated by the print position update command. For example, the print position update command transmitted for the first main scan of printing of the authentication target image has information indicating the head position GS of the authentication target image, and the printer control IC 25 is based on the information. The set values of the positions xh and yh are updated to the head position GS. The computer 10 grasps the head position GS in the XY coordinate system when generating the composite image data. Therefore, for example, the computer 10 calculates the actual distance in the X and Y directions on the printing paper according to the distance from the origin 0 to the head position GS in the XY coordinate system, and transmits the calculated distance as a print position update command. To do. Then, the printer 20 adds the values in the X and Y directions indicated by the print position update command to the values in the X and Y directions set in S420, so that the set values of the print head 25a positions xh and yh are obtained. Can be updated. In addition, the print position update command transmitted for the first main scan of the authentication chart printing has information indicating the start positions xP and yP of the authentication chart input in S100.

  When the print data command is received, in S440, the printer control IC 25 stores the print data in the buffer of the print head 25a. The print data includes raster data for each ink type for one main scan, and the buffer has a capacity capable of storing print data for one main scan. In S450, it is determined whether or not the data is fully stored in the buffer. If it is determined that it has been done, in S460 and 470, the printer control IC 25 executes conveyance of the printing paper M and movement of the print head 25a according to the set values of the positions xh and yh at that time. That is, the printer control IC 25 sends an instruction to the paper feed mechanism 25d, transports the print paper M so that the position yh and the scanning position of the print head 25a coincide, and sends an instruction to the carriage mechanism 25c to the position xh. The carriage is moved along the guide rail so that the print heads 25a coincide.

In S480, the printer control IC 25 executes printing for one main scan. That is, movement of the carriage at a predetermined speed, transfer of raster data from the buffer to the head drive unit 25b, output of an applied voltage pattern from the head drive unit 25b to the print head 25a, and output from the print head 25a. Execute dot ejection. When printing for one main scan is completed, the data in the buffer is erased in S490.
The printer 20 receives a print area definition command and a plurality of print position update commands and print data commands necessary for printing a composite image of one page from the computer 10 in a predetermined order as shown in FIG. A composite image including such an image to be authenticated and an authentication chart can be printed. Further, in this sense, it can be said that the computer 10 and the printer 20 can realize the print control means by their cooperation or by the printer 20 itself.

(2-4) Drying and colorimetric processing / application side Returning to FIG.
In S125, the computer 10 instructs the printer 20 to measure the color of the authentication chart, and acquires the colorimetric value of the authentication chart measured by the printer 20 in accordance with the colorimetric instruction. The color measurement instruction basically refers to processing for generating and transmitting a chart definition command, a drying command, and a color measurement command.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing details of S125.
In S500, the computer 10 generates chart definition information (image position information) that defines the position of the printed authentication chart in the printing paper M and the like. The chart definition information includes the start position (xS, yS) of the authentication chart relative to the paper origin and the final position (xE, yE) of the authentication chart, the vertical and horizontal sizes (hP, wP) of the patch, Assume that the number of patches (nP), the number of patch rows (mL), and the like are defined. The start position (xS, yS) can be defined by the top margin, the left margin, and the start position xP, yP of the authentication chart input in S100. That is, the sum of the left margin and xP is xS, and the sum of the upper margin and yP is yS. Since the vertical and horizontal sizes, the number of patches, and the number of patch rows are determined in advance for each authentication chart as described above, the computer 10 stores in advance the vertical and horizontal sizes and the number of patches corresponding to the authentication chart selected in S100. The number of patch rows is read out and used as part of the chart definition information. The final position (xE, yE) is calculated using the head position (xS, yS), the vertical and horizontal sizes (hP, wP), the number of patches (nP), and the number of rows (mL) as appropriate. xE is the sum of xS and wP × nP, and yE is the sum of ys and hP × mL.

In S510, the computer 10 generates a chart definition command including the generated chart definition information, and transmits the chart definition command to the printer 20 via the printer I / F 17c.
In S520, the computer 10 generates a drying command and transmits it to the printer 20 via the printer I / F 17c. In this embodiment, either a natural drying command or a forced drying command is generated as a drying command. The natural drying command instructs that the image after printing is naturally dried as it is for a predetermined time, and includes information defining the time for natural drying. On the other hand, the forced drying command instructs the printing paper M to be conveyed so that the authentication chart portion reaches the arrangement position of the dryer 26d and forcibly dry the authentication chart by the dryer 26d. The forced drying command includes information specifying the temperature of the heater provided in the dryer 26d, the wind power of the fan, and the like in addition to the drying time. The computer 10 performs selection of whether to generate a natural / forced drying command, setting of a drying time, or the like using a value determined in advance depending on the type of authentication chart and the type of printing paper used in the APL 14a, or Performed based on user input operation.

In S530, the computer 10 generates a color measurement command and transmits it to the printer 20 via the printer I / F 17c. The color measurement command instructs the printer 20 to convey the printing paper M so that the authentication chart portion is under the movement path of the color measurement unit 26a and to cause the color measurement unit 26a to perform color measurement of the authentication chart. . The color measurement command includes various conditions for causing the color measurement unit 26a to perform color measurement, for example, the output format of the color measurement result (Lab / xyz / spectrum, etc.), and the opposite of the color measurement unit 26a across the printing paper. Information specifying the color of the slope 29a located on the side (referred to as background color; white or black) and the viewing angle (2 degrees or 10 degrees) of the color detection unit is included. The computer 10 sets the colorimetric conditions using values preset in the APL 14a or based on user input operations.
In the process of FIG. 11, it is not essential to generate and transmit each command separately, and the dry command and the colorimetry command may be generated and transmitted as a single command.

In S540, the computer 10 monitors the transmission of the colorimetric values from the printer 20. That is, after transmitting the color measurement command, the computer 10 waits for the color measurement value of the authentication chart sent from the printer 20.
In S550, the computer 10 determines whether or not all the colorimetric values of the authentication chart, that is, the colorimetric values for all the patches constituting the authentication chart have been received, and if it is determined that all reception has been completed, in S560. The received colorimetric values of each patch are stored in the HD 14.
After receiving the colorimetric value of the authentication chart from the printer 20 in S125, the computer 10 performs the authentication process of the print result in S130 and after. Here, before performing the description of S130 and after, the chart definition is performed. Processing on the printer 20 side for commands, drying commands, and colorimetry commands will be described first.

(2-5) Drying and Colorimetric Processing / Printer Side Referring back to FIG. 8, when a chart definition command is received, the printer control IC 25 goes through S300 and 305, and in S310, from the chart definition command to the chart. Definition information is extracted, and the extracted chart definition information is stored in a predetermined storage area. Since the chart definition information is information necessary for forced drying processing and color measurement processing described later, the computer 10 transmits the chart definition command prior to the transmission of the drying command and the color measurement command, and the printer 20 transmits the chart. Obtain definition information.

When the drying command is received, the printer control IC 25 determines whether or not the drying command is a natural drying command in S315 through S300 and 305. If it is a natural drying command, it is determined whether or not the time for natural drying specified by the command has elapsed since the completion of printing of the composite image (S320). The process proceeds to processing corresponding to the command received after the drying command. On the other hand, if the drying command is a forced drying command, the printer control IC 25 reads the chart definition information in S325.
In S330, the printer control IC 25 calculates the transport distance D1 of the printing paper M necessary for forcibly drying the authentication chart by the dryer 26d based on the chart definition information and the like. When performing forced drying, it is necessary to transport the printing paper M to the dryer 26d first in the process of transporting the printing paper M to the color measurement unit 26a. In this sense, the conveyance distance D1 can be said to be a part of the distance between the color measurement target image (authentication chart) and the color measurement unit.

FIG. 12 shows the positional relationship between the printing paper M after printing the composite image, the colorimetric drying unit 28, and the like.
In the figure, the colorimetric drying unit 28 is divided into a dry range HR and a colorimetric range MR. The drying range HR means a range that can be dried at once by the dryer 26d, and the dryer 26d dries a range corresponding to a plurality of patch lines (two lines in FIG. 12) printed on the printing paper M at a time. Can be made. In the figure, for ease of explanation, the drying range HR is divided into a range R1 and a range R2, and when the patch of the authentication chart to be dried is two rows, the first row is located in the range R1. The printing paper M is conveyed so that the second line is located in the range R2. On the other hand, the color measurement range MR is a range that can be measured when the color measurement unit 26a is moved in the main scanning direction, and the color measurement unit 26a performs color measurement of patches for one row by one movement in the main scanning direction. Is possible.

The printer control IC 25 calculates the transport distance D1 by the equation (1).
D1 = dHM + dMD− (yH−yS) + hP / 2 (1)
dHM is the distance between the print head 25a and the color detection unit 26a1 of the color measurement unit 26a in the paper feed direction. In the product design of the printer 20, dHM is a fixed value, and the printer 20 has dHM in advance in a predetermined storage area as data.

dMD is a distance between the color measurement unit 26a (color detection unit 26a1) and the center position of the range R1 of the drying range HR in the paper feed direction. dMD is a fixed value in product design of the colorimetric drying unit 28, and the printer 20 has dMD as data as a fixed value.
yH is the current distance from the print head 25a to the paper origin (paper head) in the paper feed direction. The printer control IC 25 can calculate the transport distance of the printing paper M by the paper feeding mechanism 25d based on the number of rotations of the paper feeding roller. The distance yH from the print head 25a to the head of the paper after printing the composite image is specified based on the calculated distance. yH is a kind of medium position information. As described above, yS is the distance from the starting position of the authentication chart to the paper origin in the paper feed direction, and hP is the length of the patch constituting the authentication chart (paper feed direction).

In S335, the printer control IC 25 transports the printing paper M in the paper feeding direction by the calculated transport distance D1. That is, the printer control IC 25 issues an instruction to the paper feed mechanism 25d to execute paper feed corresponding to the transport distance D1. As a result of the carrying process, the printing paper M has the center position of the patch on the first line of the authentication chart approximately coincident with the center position of the range R1, and if there is a patch on the second line, the patch on the second line. The center position is positioned below the colorimetric drying unit 28 in a state where the center position substantially coincides with the center position of the range R2.
In S340, the printer control IC 25 transmits a forced drying command to the colorimetry control IC 26. The above-described processing in response to each command is executed by the printer control IC 25. However, when the forced drying command is received, the dryer 26d needs to be controlled. It passes to control IC26.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing processing executed by the color measurement control IC 26 of the printer 20 based on the color measurement controller in this embodiment.
Upon receiving a command from the printer control IC 25 (S600), the color measurement control IC 26 determines whether the command is a forced drying command or a color measurement command in S605, and performs subsequent processing according to the determined command type. Branch.
When the forced drying command is received, in S610, the color measurement control IC 26 issues an instruction to the pressing plate driving mechanism 26c, and lowers the pressing plate to press the printing paper M under the color measuring drying unit 28. The purpose of pressing the printing paper M by the pressing plate at the time of forced drying is to make the wall so that the hot air is uniformly applied by pressing the paper float and the hot air does not overflow to the print head 25a side. However, the process of S610 is not essential, and after the determination of S605, S610 may be skipped and the process may proceed to S615.

In S615, the colorimetry control IC 26 issues an instruction based on the forced drying command to the dryer 26d and operates the dryer 26d to start the drying process. That is, the driving of the heater and fan of the dryer 26d is controlled according to the temperature and wind force settings specified by the forced drying command, and the authentication chart printed on the printing paper M is dried.
In S620, the colorimetry control IC 26 determines whether or not the drying time specified by the forced drying command has elapsed from the start of the drying process, and if not, the drying process is continued. In S625, an instruction is issued to the dryer 26d to finish the drying process. In S630, an instruction is issued to the presser plate drive mechanism 26c to raise the presser plate and return the printing paper M to a state where it can be conveyed. As described above, since the dryer 26d can dry patches for a plurality of rows at a time, even if the authentication chart is composed of a plurality of patch rows, fine transport is performed to dry each row with the dryer 26d. It is not necessary to move the printing paper M many times at a distance, and the drying process can be simply completed in a short time.

Returning to FIG.
When the color measurement command is received, the printer control IC 25 reads the chart definition information in S345 through S300 and 305.
Next, in S350, one row as a colorimetric target is set in the authentication chart. First, the first line is set as a colorimetric target line.
In S355, the printer control IC 25 calculates the transport distance D2 of the printing paper M necessary for causing the color measurement unit 26a to perform color measurement on the color measurement target row based on the chart definition information and the like. Here, the conveyance distance D2 for color measurement on the first line of the authentication chart differs depending on whether the received drying command is a natural drying command or a forced drying command. If the natural drying command has been received, the printing paper M is at the position shown in FIG. 12 at the time of S355. On the other hand, when the forced drying command has been received, at the time of S355, the printing paper M is in a state where the authentication chart is conveyed to a position that falls within the drying range HR of the dryer 26d.

When the natural drying command has been received, the printer control IC 25 calculates the transport distance D2 for color measurement on the first line of the authentication chart by the following equation (2).
D2 = dHM− (yH−yS) + hP / 2 (2)
On the other hand, when the forced drying command is received, the printer control IC 25 sets the transport distance D2 = -dMD for color measurement on the first line of the authentication chart.
Note that the color measurement after the second line of the authentication chart only needs to convey the sheet by the vertical length of the patch. Therefore, when the color measurement target line is after the second line of the authentication chart, the conveyance distance D2 = hP. And set.

In S360, the printer control IC 25 issues an instruction to the paper feed mechanism 25d, and transports the printing paper M by the transport distance D2 obtained in S355. When the transport distance D2 is negative, transport in the direction opposite to the paper feed direction (hereinafter referred to as back feed) is performed. As a result of the carrying process, the printing paper M is measured in a state where the center position of the patch constituting the color measurement target row at that time coincides with the position of the color detection unit 26a1 of the color measurement unit 26a in the paper feed direction. It will be located under the color drying unit 28.
In step S365, the printer control IC 25 transmits a color measurement command to the color measurement control IC 26. In this case, the printer control IC 25 transmits a color measurement command together with the chart definition information. As a result, it is possible to perform processing corresponding to the color measurement command on the color measurement control IC 26 side.

In S370, the printer control IC 25 receives the colorimetric value of the authentication chart transmitted from the colorimetry control IC 26, and in S375 stores the received colorimetric value in a predetermined storage area.
In S380, it is determined whether or not the colorimetric values have been stored for all patch rows in the authentication chart. If there is an unprocessed patch row, the process returns to S350, and the colorimetry target row is set as an unprocessed row. Then, the processing up to S375 is repeated. On the other hand, when the storage of the colorimetric values for all rows is completed, the printer control IC 25 transmits the colorimetric values of all the patches constituting the authentication chart to the computer 10 via the communication I / F 24.

Next, processing executed by the color measurement control IC 26 that has received the color measurement command will be described with reference to FIG.
When the colorimetry control IC 26 receives a colorimetry command, the colorimetry control IC 26 passes through S600 and 605, issues an instruction to the presser plate drive mechanism 26c in S635, and lowers the presser plate to press the printing paper M under the colorimetry drying unit 28. . In step S640, the color measurement control IC 26 causes the color measurement unit 26a to execute calibration. In the present embodiment, a white tile as a complete white plate is installed at a position facing the color detection unit 26a1 of the color measurement unit 26a that stands by at the initial position, and when starting the color measurement process, the color measurement unit 26a is first started. Let the white tile measure color. The color measurement unit 26a compares the color measurement result of the white tile with a reference value of the color measurement result of the white tile previously provided as data to obtain a difference between the two values, and based on the difference, the color measurement unit 26a generates a correction value for the color measurement result. Thereafter, the color measurement unit 26a corrects the color measurement value acquired by the color measurement with the correction value, and then outputs it to the color measurement control IC 26.

In S645, the color measurement control IC 26 calculates the movement distance of the color measurement unit 26a based on the chart definition information and the like. The movement distance here refers to the movement distance D3 from the initial position of the color measurement unit 26a to the color measurement start position (the center of the first patch) of the authentication chart and the color of the patch for one line of the authentication chart. This means the moving distance D4 required for. The moving distance D3 is calculated by the equation (3).
D3 = xS + x0-dxM + wP / 2 (3)
x0 represents the distance in the main scanning direction from the mechanical origin of the printer 20 to the paper origin, as shown in FIG. The printer 20 predetermines a specific position of the machine body as a mechanical origin. The printer 20 detects the paper origin by a predetermined sensor when the printing paper M is set in the printer 20, calculates the distance x0 in the main scanning direction from the mechanical origin to the detected paper origin, and stores the predetermined memory. Save as data in the area. The distance x0 is a kind of medium position information.

dxM represents a distance when the main scanning forward direction from the mechanical origin to the initial position of the color measurement unit 26a (color detection unit 26a1) is positive. Since the mounting position of the colorimetric drying unit 28 is determined by the design of the printer 20, the distance between the mechanical origin and the initial position of the colorimetric unit 26a is also a fixed value. The printer 20 has dxM as a fixed value as data. In the example of FIG. 12, since the initial position of the color detection unit 26a1 is at a minus position from the mechanical origin, dxM is a negative value.
On the other hand, since the moving distance D4 is the length in the main scanning direction of the authentication chart, the equation (4)
D4 = xE−xS (4)
Can be calculated.
In addition, about each said formula used in this embodiment, as long as the meaning of a calculation result is the same, you may use another formula instead.

In S650, the color measurement control IC 26 instructs the color measurement unit moving mechanism 26b to move the color measurement unit 26a from the initial position toward the main scanning forward direction by the movement distance D3.
In S655, the color measurement control IC 26 transmits a start command instructing the color measurement unit 26a to start color measurement, and causes the color measurement unit 26a to start color measurement for one line of the authentication chart. At the same time, the color measuring unit moving mechanism 26b is instructed to move the color measuring unit 26a in the main scanning forward direction by the moving distance D4. The start command includes various conditions for colorimetry specified by the colorimetry command (color measurement result output format (Lab), background color of the printing paper M, viewing angle of the color detection unit, colorimetry And other conditions are also instructed to the colorimetric unit 26a. The color measurement cycle is the time during which the color measurement unit 26a passes one patch width wP by the color measurement unit moving mechanism 26b, and is calculated from the moving speed of the color measurement unit 26a and the patch width wP.

In S660, the color measurement unit 26a sequentially acquires color measurement values at the specified color measurement cycle. Since the color measurement unit 26a is moving at a constant speed by the color measurement unit moving mechanism 26b, the color measurement is performed according to the color measurement cycle, so that the position of each patch constituting the authentication chart and the color measurement timing are paired. It is possible to obtain a colorimetric value for each patch.
In S665, the color measurement control IC 26 determines whether or not the color measurement unit 26a has measured all the patches for one line. This determination can be made, for example, by receiving a signal notifying that the movement of the color measurement unit 26a by the moving distance D4 is completed from the color measurement unit moving mechanism 26b. If it is determined that the color measurement unit 26a has measured all the patches for one line, the color measurement control IC 26 causes the color measurement unit 26a to output the color measurement value, and stores it in a predetermined recording area. Save (S670).

  In S675, the color measurement control IC 26 issues an instruction to the color measurement unit moving mechanism 26b to move the color measurement unit 26a to the initial position. In S680, the color measurement control IC 26 issues an instruction to the press plate driving mechanism 26c to raise the press plate. In step S685, the color measurement control IC 26 transmits the color measurement values of all the patches for one line of the stored authentication chart to the printer control IC 25. As described above, on the printer control IC 25 side, in S370, the colorimetric value of the authentication chart transmitted from the colorimetric control IC 26 is received.

  As described above, after transmitting the nozzle inspection command and the print command, the computer 10 transmits the chart definition command, the drying command, and the color measurement command to the printer control IC 25 of the printer 20, so that the drying is performed under the control of the printer controller. By transporting the printing paper M for a necessary distance at a timing required for each of the processing and the colorimetry process, and by sending a drying (forced drying) command and a colorimetry command from the printer control IC 25 to the colorimetry control IC 26. Then, it is possible to perform the drying process by the dryer 26d on the printing paper M conveyed to an appropriate position by the control of the printer controller, or to perform the color measurement process by moving the color measurement unit 26a. . As a result, a series of processing from nozzle inspection to printing, drying, and color measurement can be surely executed by the printer 20. In this sense, it can be said that the printer 20 includes a determining unit, a conveying unit, and a colorimetric control unit. It can also be said that the computer 10 and the printer 20 cooperate to realize a colorimetric control means. Since the computer 10 does not need to divide the transmission destination into the printer control IC 25 or the colorimetry control IC 26 for each command, the command transmission process becomes very simple.

(2-6) Authentication processing Returning to FIG. 4, the description will be continued.
In S130, the computer 10 calculates a color difference ΔE from the reference color value (Lab value) 14f for each colorimetric value of each patch in the authentication chart acquired from the printer 20 in S125, and for each calculated patch. The average value of the color differences ΔE (average color difference ΔEav) is calculated. Since the computer 10 stores the ideal color value for each patch constituting the authentication chart selected by the user in advance as data called reference color value 14f in the HD 14, the computer 10 reads the reference color value 14f from the HD 14, Contrast with the colorimetric value of the corresponding patch.

  In S135, the computer 10 evaluates the color difference ΔE and color difference ΔEav for each of the calculated patches to determine whether the authentication target image in the composite image is printed with an ideal color. Specifically, it is determined whether the maximum value (maximum color difference ΔEmax) among the color differences ΔE of each patch is equal to or smaller than a predetermined target value (color difference), and the average color difference ΔEav is equal to or smaller than a predetermined target value (color difference). Judge. As a target value used for comparison with the maximum color difference ΔEmax, for example, a numerical value such as color difference ΔE = 8.0 can be considered, and as a target value used for comparison with the average color difference ΔEav, for example, a numerical value such as color difference ΔE = 3.0. Can be considered. If both the maximum color difference ΔEmax and the average color difference ΔEav are less than or equal to the target value, the color of the authentication target image printed together with the authentication chart is considered normal, and the process proceeds to S140. On the other hand, if one or both of the maximum color difference ΔEmax and the average color difference ΔEav exceed the target value, the color of the image to be authenticated is regarded as abnormal and the process proceeds to S145. For calculating the color difference ΔE, any of CIE 1976, CIE 1994, CIE 2000 color difference formulas, etc. may be used. It can be said that the computer 10 is provided with the judging means described in the claims as one of its functions in that the processes of S130 and S135 can be executed.

  In S140, the computer 10 instructs the printer 20 to print an authentication result indicating that the print result is normal at a predetermined position in the image area of the composite image. Upon receiving the authentication result print instruction, the printer 20 controls the paper feed mechanism 25d so that the predetermined position in the image area of the composite image on which the authentication result is to be printed matches the position of the print head 25a. In addition to backfeeding the printing paper M, an authentication result such as “authenticated average ΔE = OO maximum ΔE = OO” or the like is given at a predetermined position in the image area of the composite image. , The maximum color difference ΔEmax is entered). On the other hand, in S145, the computer 10 instructs the printer 20 to print an authentication result indicating that the print result is abnormal at a predetermined position in the image area of the composite image. For example, the computer 10 causes the printer 20 to print the authentication result “Unauthenticated average ΔE = OO maximum ΔE = OO”. The computer 10 cuts the printing paper M after printing the authentication result by the cutter 25a1 at a position (paper cutting position) corresponding to the paper size (paper size set in S100) from the top of the paper. Instruct the printer 20. Upon receiving the cutting instruction, the printer 20 issues an instruction to the paper feeding mechanism 25d to convey the printing paper M so that the position of the cutter 25a1 matches the paper cutting position, and issues an instruction to the printing head 25a to perform printing. The cutter 25a1 is protruded to the outside until the cutting edge of the cutter 25a1 reaches the paper M, and an instruction is given to the carriage mechanism 25c to reciprocate the print head 25a (cutter 25a1).

As a result, a printed matter in which an image to be authenticated, an authentication chart, and an authentication result as shown in FIG. 14 are printed in one image area is obtained in a state of being cut from the roll paper M. The cutter 25a1 is accommodated in a predetermined portion of the print head 25a when not in use, and is exposed to the outside only when cutting the paper. As the next step of S145, the computer 10 performs the abnormal printing in S150. A predetermined correction process is performed to eliminate the cause of the result. As described above, the APL 14a always performs the nozzle inspection before causing the printer 20 to execute printing, and also performs the cleaning of the nozzle when nozzle clogging is found as a result of the nozzle inspection. Therefore, it can be said that there is no color abnormality caused by nozzle clogging in the printing result obtained in response to the printing instruction in S120. If a color abnormality is observed in the printing result, it is other than nozzle clogging. This is presumed to be caused by

  As a cause other than nozzle clogging that causes an abnormality in the printing result, for example, a deviation from the design standard of the ink amount per ink droplet ejected by the nozzles of the printer 20 can be considered. Therefore, in S150, the computer 10 executes a correction process that cancels out the ink amount deviation. The correction can be realized, for example, by correcting the output tone value (ink data tone value) defined by the color conversion LUT used by the PRTDRV 14b in accordance with the calculated color difference ΔE. Of course, the computer 10 may prompt the user to perform necessary maintenance on the printer 20 by displaying a predetermined warning on the display 18a.

After S150, the computer 10 returns to S120, and again issues a print instruction for the composite image printed most recently, and repeats the processing after S120.
In S155, the computer 10 determines whether normal authentication results have been obtained for all the pages of the authenticated image data 14c stored in the HD 14, and returns to S110 if unprocessed pages remain. Then, the image data corresponding to one unprocessed page is read out from the authenticated image data 14c.

  On the other hand, if normal authentication results are obtained for all pages, the computer 10 transmits an exclusive release command to the printer 20 in S160, releases the exclusive state of the printer 20, and ends the processing of FIG. As described above, according to this embodiment, the user is authenticated that the print color of all the pages of the image to be authenticated represented by the color print publication over a plurality of pages is normal and the page is printed. It can be acquired in a disconnected state every time.

(2-7) Exclusive Use of Printer Next, exclusive use of the printer 20 by the computer 10 using the exclusive command will be described.
FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing processing executed by the printer 20 that has received the exclusive command from the computer 10 (APL 14a).
In S800, the printer 20 determines whether the received exclusive command is an exclusive start command, an exclusive release command, or a JOB information request command, and branches the process according to the determined type of command.

  When the exclusive start command is received, in step S810, the printer 20 stores the I / F name (or ID for uniquely identifying the I / F) that has received the exclusive start command in a specific storage area. Although illustration of I / Fs other than the communication I / F 24 used for communication with the computer 10 (APL 14a) is omitted in FIG. 1, the printer 20 outputs an external instruction other than the APL 14a in addition to the communication I / F 24. It is assumed that various I / Fs corresponding to communication with the source (PC or program) are provided. The printer 20 assigns a number to each I / F in advance and uses this number as the I / F name. Since the exclusive start command received in S810 is received via the communication I / F 24, the printer 20 saves the number n assigned in advance to the communication I / F 24 as an I / F name in a specific storage area.

  Note that the interface provided in the printer 20 refers to a means or a communication format that is interposed between the two for each one-to-one relationship between the instruction output source for the printer 20 and the printer 20 and realizes communication between the two. Accordingly, not only a hardware I / F such as a USB connector for connecting the PC to the printer 20 but also a software I / F used for data exchange between the program on the instruction output source side and the program on the printer 20 side is included. When communicating with a plurality of PCs and programs via one connector corresponding to the TCP / IP format provided in the printer 20, the IP address and port assigned to each instruction output source are also included in the concept of I / F.

In step S820, the printer 20 stores the attribute information included in the exclusive start command in a predetermined storage area. Here, the attribute information corresponds to a JOB name assigned to a series of processing from printing to color measurement that the APL 14a is going to request from the printer 20 from now on. When transmitting the exclusive start command, the APL 14a includes the JOB name, user name, PC host name, and the like in the command to notify the JOB name.
If the exclusive release command is received, in step S830, the printer 20 deletes the I / F name stored in the specific storage area. The post-erase printer 20 executes in accordance with each command received between the reception of the exclusive start command and the reception of the exclusive release command via the I / F (communication I / F 24) related to the deleted I / F name. The JOB information describing the contents of the processing is stored in a predetermined storage device (S840). The JOB information corresponds to the time required from printing to completion of color measurement, the number of printed materials, the length of roll paper M used, the amount of ink used, the contents of the authentication result, the result of nozzle inspection, and the like. The JOB information may be stored in association with the JOB name stored in S820.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the contents of command reception processing on the printer 20 side for external transmission. This command reception process is a process executed in S300 of FIG.
The printer 20 always determines whether or not the I / F name is stored in the specific storage area (S900), and if it is stored, the I / F name corresponding to the stored I / F name is stored. / F is designated as a reception I / F (S970), and a command is received only from the designated I / F (S980). That is, after receiving the exclusive start command from one of the instruction output sources, the printer 20 saves the I / F name that received the exclusive start command and uses the I / F related to this save only from the outside. Receive. Such I / F limitation continues unless an exclusive release command is received via the I / F related to the storage and the I / F name is deleted from the specific storage area.

  As described above, the APL 14a can monopolize the printer 20 reliably during the period from the transmission of the exclusive start command to the printer 20 (S105) to the transmission of the exclusive release command (S160). Therefore, all processes from the start of the nozzle inspection to the print processing of the composite image, the drying processing, and the completion of the color measurement of the authentication chart of the final composite image are interrupted by jobs from other instruction output sources to which the printer 20 is connected. It is possible to execute continuously without permitting. In particular, it is expected that it will take several hours to complete the printing and the color measurement of the authentication chart for all the images to be authenticated over a plurality of pages, and it was difficult in the past to monopolize such a printer for a long time. According to this embodiment, since the printer can be monopolized, there is no inconvenience that printed matter that is completely unrelated between pages of the image to be authenticated is mixed.

  When “No” is determined in S900, that is, in a situation where no exclusive start command is received from any instruction output source, the printer 20 can receive commands from any I / F in the order of arrival. Specifically, the printer 20 sets the target I / F of the status check to the I / F with the number 1 (S910), checks the status of the set I / F (S920), and receives data from the outside. Is determined to be received (Yes in S930), the receiving I / F is designated as the receiving I / F (S960), and the external I / F is designated via the designated I / F. Accepts commands from. On the other hand, if “No” in the determination in S930, it is determined whether the status check has been completed for all the I / Fs starting from No. 1 (S940). After incrementing the setting of the F number by 1 (S950), the process returns to S920, and when checking is completed (Yes in S940), the process returns to S910, and the state starts from the I / F with the number 1 Repeat the check.

Returning to the description of FIG. When the JOB information request command is received, the printer 20 transmits the JOB information requested by the request command to the request source in S850. The job information request command specifies the job name of the requested job information. On the printer 20 side, the job information stored in the storage area in association with the job name specified by the received job information request command is extracted, and the extracted job information is transmitted to the computer 10. As a result, on the computer 10 side, it is possible to acquire various types of information about a specific job related to a series of processes from nozzle inspection to image printing and color measurement.
In addition, after the APL 14a transmits the exclusive start command, an error may occur in the computer 10 or the APL 14a due to various factors, and the APL 14a may not transmit the exclusive release command to the printer 20. Therefore, after receiving the exclusive start command, the printer 20 has passed a predetermined time (for example, a time set as a sufficient time to finish printing of all the images to be authenticated and color measurement of the authentication chart). In some cases, the reset signal may be generated by itself. When the reset signal is generated, the printer 20 considers that the situation is the same as when the exclusive release command is received, and deletes the I / F name stored in the specific storage area. In addition to or instead of the determination based on the passage of the predetermined time, the printer 20 generates the reset signal when the user performs a predetermined operation after receiving the exclusive start command and generates the specific storage area. It is also possible to delete the I / F name stored in. With such a configuration, it is possible to prevent the printer 20 from being unduly used exclusively by one instruction output source. Further, the exclusive state of the printer 20 by the APL 14a can be easily solved at a timing desired by the user.

(3) Other Examples It goes without saying that the image to be printed or measured in this embodiment is not limited to the combined image of the image to be authenticated and the authentication chart, and any image is printed and colorimetric is measured. It is possible.
For example, the print color measurement control device may print a chart image as shown in FIG. The chart image in the figure is an image configured by a chart area in which a plurality of color patches P are arranged in each of the main scanning direction and the paper feed direction, and a print stabilization area surrounding the chart area. When printing the chart image or measuring the color, the computer 10 inputs margin information on the top, bottom, left and right edges of the printing paper N and information on the position of the chart area in the image area via the application screen. Printing, drying, and colorimetry by the printer 20 are controlled based on the obtained information and the chart image data 14e representing the chart image. Of course, before the printer 20 prints the chart image, the nozzle inspection is always executed by the printer 20, and when there is nozzle clogging, the cleaning process is executed before printing.

  Further, the computer 10 inputs the colorimetric value of each patch P of the chart image measured by the printer 20 from the printer 20 and compares the colorimetric value of each patch P with a predetermined reference color value. It can be determined whether or not each patch P is printed with an ideal color. When it is determined that the color of the patch P is not an ideal color, predetermined measures for compensating for color misregistration in the printing result, such as correction of the color conversion LUT, are executed.

(4) Summary As described above, according to the present embodiment, an application that issues various instructions to the printer 20 gives the printer 20 a nozzle test command, a print command, a chart definition command, a drying command, and a color measurement command in a predetermined order. The printer 20 first receives a nozzle inspection command and inspects whether or not each nozzle of the print head 25a has ejected ink. If the result of the inspection reveals that the nozzle is clogged, at least the nozzle clogging occurs. The nozzle clogging is eliminated by cleaning the existing nozzles. The printer 20 prints a predetermined image based on the received print command in a situation where it is confirmed that there is no nozzle clogging, receives a drying command or a color measurement command, and prints paper defined in the chart definition command. Using the information such as the position of the color measurement target image on the top, the printing paper conveyance distance is automatically calculated, and the printing paper is conveyed to the dryer 26d and the color measurement unit 26a according to the calculated distance. In addition, the moving distance of the color measurement unit 26a is calculated based on the information such as the position of the color measurement target image defined in the chart definition command by forced drying by the dryer 26d, and the measurement is performed according to the calculated movement distance. The color measurement process is executed while moving the color part 26a.

In other words, by using this embodiment, the user simply performs a predetermined input on the application screen, and then automatically performs a series of operations such as nozzle inspection, image printing, drying, colorimetry, and colorimetric value acquisition. It can be executed accurately and in a short time.
Further, according to this embodiment, the image is printed in a state where the nozzles of the print head 25a are not clogged. Therefore, even if the color measurement result of the printed image is a value deviated from an ideal color, it can be determined that the cause of the color misregistration is a cause other than nozzle clogging. Therefore, it is possible to accurately eliminate the above cause with a small burden without being confused about selection of a measure to be taken to compensate for the color misregistration. Further, in the color measurement processing by the printer 20, since a limited position on the printed image is often measured, it cannot be determined whether or not the print result at the position that is not the color measurement target is truly normal. . However, in this embodiment, since the nozzle inspection is performed for all nozzles, it can be said that color misregistration caused by nozzle clogging does not occur in all portions of the image reproduced on the printing paper.
Further, during the series of operations, the APL 14a of the computer 10 occupies the printer 20, so that the sequence of operations is not interrupted by an interrupt from another instruction output source.

1 is a schematic block diagram of a computer and a printer. FIG. The figure which shows the command system etc. between software. The flowchart which shows the process which a computer performs based on APL. The figure which shows an example of an application screen. The figure which shows the mode of the production | generation of synthetic | combination image data. 6 is a flowchart showing details of a composite image print instruction. 6 is a flowchart showing a part of processing executed by a printer control IC. 6 is a flowchart showing a part of processing executed by a printer control IC. The figure which shows the synthesized image printed according to the print command. 5 is a flowchart showing details of a color measurement instruction and color measurement value acquisition processing. The figure explaining the conveyance distance of a printing paper, and the movement distance of a color measurement part. 6 is a flowchart showing processing executed by a colorimetry control IC. The figure which shows the synthesized image after authentication result printing. 6 is a flowchart illustrating processing executed by a printer in response to an exclusive command. 6 is a flowchart showing command reception processing of a printer. The figure which shows the printed chart image. 6 is a flowchart showing a part of processing executed by a printer control IC. The flowchart which shows the detail of a nozzle test | inspection process. The block diagram which showed each structure required for a nozzle test | inspection process.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Computer, 14a ... APL, 14b ... PRTDRV, 14c ... Authentication object image data, 14d ... Authentication chart image data, 14e ... Chart image data, 14f ... Reference color value, 17a, 17b, 17c ... I / F, 18a1 ... Application screen, 20 ... Printer, 24 ... Communication I / F, 25 ... Printer control IC, 25a ... Print head, 25a1 ... Cutter, 25b ... Head drive unit, 25c ... Carriage mechanism, 25d ... Paper feed mechanism, 26 ... Colorimetry Control IC 26a ... Color measurement unit, 26a1 ... Color detection unit, 26b ... Color measurement unit moving mechanism, 26c ... Holding plate drive mechanism, 26d ... Dryer, 28 ... Color measurement drying unit, 61 ... Sub-control IC, 61a ... Voltage application unit, 61b ... Nozzle selection unit, 61e ... Voltage value increase / decrease acquisition unit, 61f ... Presence / absence of discharge Tough, 70 ... inspection box, 71 ... electrode member

Claims (8)

Nozzle inspection means for inspecting whether or not ink is ejected from nozzles provided in the print head; and
Print control means for printing a colorimetric object image on a print medium based on predetermined image data when it is determined by the nozzle inspection means that ink is ejected from the nozzle;
A determining unit that determines a position when the colorimetric image is measured by the colorimetric unit based on the print position of the colorimetric image on the print medium;
A transport unit configured to transport a print medium that has been printed based on the determined position;
A printing colorimetric control device comprising: a colorimetric control unit that acquires a colorimetric value of a colorimetric object image by causing the colorimetric unit to perform colorimetry based on the determined position.   The nozzle inspection means inspects whether or not ink is ejected from each nozzle provided in the print head by utilizing a voltage change between measurement terminals generated along with ejection of charged ink. The printing colorimetry control device according to claim 1.   If it is determined that the ink is not ejected as a result of the inspection, the nozzle inspection unit performs a predetermined cleaning process for eliminating the nozzle clogging, and the print control unit performs the cleaning process. The print color measurement control device according to claim 1, wherein an image is printed on a print medium based on the image data. Comprising instruction means capable of outputting predetermined instruction information for operating the printing apparatus, including information on the printing position, and the printing apparatus executing processing according to the instruction information input from the instruction means,
The instructing means outputs an exclusive start instruction for starting exclusive use of the printing apparatus to the printing apparatus, and an exclusive release instruction for releasing the exclusive use at a predetermined timing after outputting the exclusive start instruction to the printing apparatus. Output,
In the period from when the exclusive start instruction is received until when a predetermined exclusive release instruction is received, the printing apparatus is configured so that only the output from the instruction means that is the output source of the exclusive start instruction The printing colorimetric control device according to claim 1, wherein all or part of the printing control unit, the determining unit, the conveying unit, and the colorimetric unit are actuated.   Judgment of comparing the colorimetric value acquired by the colorimetric unit with the reference color value of the colorimetric object image and determining whether the color of the colorimetric object image is normal based on the comparison result The printing colorimetric control device according to claim 1, further comprising means.   The printing control means executes a correction process for correcting the ink amount ejected by the print head based on the image data in accordance with the comparison result when the judgment means judges that it is not normal. Item 6. The color measurement control device according to Item 5. A nozzle inspection process for inspecting whether or not ink is ejected from nozzles provided in the print head; and
A print control step of printing a color measurement target image on a print medium based on predetermined image data when it is determined that ink is ejected from the nozzle in the nozzle inspection step;
A determination step of determining a position when the colorimetric measurement unit measures the colorimetric object image based on the print position of the colorimetric object image on the print medium;
Based on the determined position, a transport process for transporting a print medium that has been printed,
And a colorimetric control step of acquiring a colorimetric value of a colorimetric object image by causing the colorimetric unit to perform colorimetry based on the determined position. A nozzle inspection function for inspecting whether or not ink is ejected from nozzles provided in the print head; and
As a result of the inspection, when it is determined that ink is ejected from the nozzle, a print control function for printing a color measurement target image on a print medium based on predetermined image data;
A determination function for determining a position when the colorimetric image is measured by the colorimetric unit based on the print position of the colorimetric image on the print medium;
Based on the determined position, a transport function for transporting a print medium that has been printed,
A printing colorimetry control program for causing a computer to execute a colorimetry control function for acquiring a colorimetric value of a colorimetry target image by causing a colorimetry unit to perform colorimetry based on the determined position.