JP2013082114A - Calibration device and printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a calibration device capable of preventing and suppressing deterioration in measurement accuracy caused by a separation distance between a sensor and a colorimetry surface as an object surface to be measured by the sensor in a sheet.SOLUTION: The calibration device 4 includes a sensor unit 7 including: a light source 71 mounted on a substrate 74, for irradiating a sheet S with the light of a predetermined wavelength; a light receiving element 72 mounted on the substrate 74 for detecting the reflected light from the colorimetry surface on which a calibration pattern CP is printed in the sheet S; and a cylindrical cover 73 attached to the substrate 74 in a state that the light source 71 and the light receiving element 72 are stored in the inner cavity thereof. The calibration device also includes a moving mechanism 8 of moving the sensor unit 7 between a measuring position in which the opening edge 73a of the cover 73 is brought into contact with the colorimetry surface and a retreat position in which the opening edge 73a of the cover 73 is separated from the sheet S.

Description

  The present invention relates to a calibration apparatus that performs a calibration process using a calibration pattern printed on a sheet, and a printer including such a calibration apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a calibration apparatus for performing calibration processing (color correction processing) that can adjust the density of an image printed on a sheet in association with a predetermined reference density is known. The carburetor is mainly configured by a sensor capable of measuring (colorimetric) a calibration pattern printed on a sheet by a printing unit.

  Usually, the sensor unit is arranged on the downstream side of the printing unit in the paper conveyance direction, and is configured to measure the calibration pattern from a position separated from the paper (for example, Patent Document 1). The calibration process itself is completed by automatically calculating the difference between the measured density of the calibration pattern by the sensor and the reference density, and calibrating the density of the print unit based on the difference calculation result.

JP 2006-001049 A

  However, the greater the separation distance between the paper and the sensor, the easier the sensor is affected by light other than the reflected light from the paper (light around the sensor, also referred to as “disturbance light”), and the measurement accuracy is improved. May decrease. In addition, for example, a condensing unit such as a lens may be disposed in the vicinity of the sensor to suppress a decrease in measurement accuracy. However, the condensing unit must be disposed separately from the sensor, and the number of parts can be reduced. Increase and cost increase can be caused.

  The present invention has been made paying attention to such a problem, and the main purpose of the present invention is to reduce the measurement accuracy due to the separation distance between the sensor and the colorimetric surface that is the measurement target surface of the paper. It is an object of the present invention to provide a calibration device that can be prevented / suppressed and a printer including such a calibration device.

  That is, the calibration apparatus of the present invention includes a light source mounted on a substrate and irradiating light of a predetermined wavelength toward the paper, and a reflection from a colorimetric surface mounted on the substrate and printed with a calibration pattern on the paper. A sensor unit comprising: a light receiving element for detecting light; and a cylindrical cover mounted on the substrate in a posture in which the light source and the light receiving element are housed in the internal space. Is provided with a moving mechanism that moves between a measurement position where the sheet is brought into contact with the side color surface of the sheet and a retracted position where the opening end of the cover is separated from the side color surface.

  With such a calibration device, a sensor unit containing the light source and the light receiving element in the internal space of the cover can be configured by further mounting a cylindrical cover on the substrate on which the light source and the light receiving element are mounted. During the measurement process, the distance between the light source and the light receiving element and the color measurement surface of the paper can be shortened by positioning the sensor unit at the measurement position by the moving mechanism, and the light source and the light receiving element are placed in a common cover. Since it is housed, it is possible to measure the calibration pattern with high accuracy with these light sources and light receiving elements in an environment that is not affected by disturbance light or is at least difficult to receive. Moreover, by adopting a configuration in which the distance between the light source and the light receiving element and the colorimetric surface of the paper is as close as possible, there is no need to arrange a dedicated light collecting means such as a lens near the light receiving element, for example. It is possible to realize the simplification of the above and the avoidance of the cost increase accompanying the introduction of the light collecting means. Furthermore, in the calibration apparatus of the present invention, if the sensor unit is positioned at the measurement position, the open end of the cover comes into contact with the color measurement surface of the paper, so that the entire sensor unit functions as a paper presser, and the paper is removed during measurement processing. It is also possible to improve measurement accuracy by preventing inadvertent flapping. In addition, when measurement processing is not performed, the sensor unit is positioned at the retracted position by the moving mechanism so that the opening end of the cover is separated from the sheet, and the sheet is conveyed while the opening end of the cover is in contact with the sheet. It is possible to avoid a problem that occurs when the process is performed, that is, a problem that the sheet conveyance process cannot be performed smoothly due to the contact of the open end of the cover with the sheet.

  In particular, in the calibration apparatus of the present invention, in order to prevent or suppress light from the light source from directly entering the light receiving element in the cover, the area on the side opposite to the opening of the inner space of the cover is accommodated in the light source. It is preferable that a partition plate for partitioning the region and the light receiving element accommodation region is disposed between the light source and the light receiving element.

  In addition, a printer according to the present invention includes a calibration device having the above-described configuration.

  With such a printer, the above-described effects of the calibration device can be obtained, the process of measuring the calibration pattern can be accurately performed, and the paper is transported when processing other than the measurement process is performed. The process of transporting along the direction can be performed smoothly, and the utility is excellent. The printer of the present invention includes various printers such as a thermal transfer printer, an ink jet printer, and a laser printer, and the print processing method by the printing unit is not particularly limited.

  According to the present invention, by adopting a sensor unit that houses a light source and a light receiving element in the internal space of the cover that allows the open end to contact the paper, the light source and the light receiving element are brought close to the colorimetric surface of the paper. Calibration apparatus capable of performing calibration pattern measurement processing in such a state, and capable of preventing / suppressing deterioration in measurement accuracy caused by ambient light entering the light receiving element during measurement processing, and such A printer provided with a calibration device can be provided.

1 is a schematic side view of a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of the printer main body according to the embodiment. The whole external appearance schematic diagram of the calibration unit which concerns on the same embodiment. The side surface schematic diagram of the same calibration unit. FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically illustrating a paper pass line in the printer according to the embodiment. The front view of the calibration unit which concerns on the same embodiment. FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the line aa in FIG. 6. FIG. 7 is a view corresponding to FIG. 7 in a state where the sensor unit in the embodiment is positioned at a measurement position. The figure which looked at the board | substrate which mounted the light source and light receiving element in the embodiment from the mounting surface side. The figure which looked at the cover body in the embodiment from the opening end side of the cover. The figure which looked at the sensor unit main body in the embodiment from the opening end side of the cover. FIG. 12 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line aa in FIG. 11. The figure which shows the paper which printed the calibration pattern in the embodiment. The figure which shows the flowchart of the measurement process in the calibration unit which concerns on the same embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an operation flow on the printer main body side when performing measurement processing with a calibration unit alone in the embodiment. The figure which shows the operation | movement flow of the calibration apparatus at the time of performing a measurement process by a calibration unit independent in the same embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an operation flow on the printer body side after performing a measurement process with a calibration unit alone in the embodiment.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the calibration device 4 according to the present embodiment functions as a part of the printer P when mounted on the printer main body B and is not mounted on the printer main body B. Is applied to the calibration unit U that can be used alone, and can measure the calibration pattern CP printed on the paper S.

  The printer P applied in the present embodiment is a sublimation type printer that performs sublimation print processing on the paper S by thermal transfer of ink from the ink ribbon. The sublimation type printer P can be used only by the printer main body B as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, the printer main body B includes a paper feed unit B1, a print unit B2 that performs sublimation print processing on the surface of the paper S supplied from the paper feed unit B1, and a discharge unit having a discharge port B31. B3 and a paper transport mechanism B4 that transports the paper S along a paper transport path L1 (paper path line) formed between the paper feed unit B1 and the discharge unit B3. The paper part B1, the printing part B2, and the paper transport mechanism B4 are provided in a common casing B7, and a discharge port B31 that constitutes the discharge part B3 and a discharge tray (not shown) can be exposed outside the casing B7. . Further, the operations of the paper feeding unit B1, the printing unit B2, the discharge unit B3, and the paper transport mechanism B4 are controlled by a control unit provided at an appropriate location in the printer P (not shown).

  The paper supply unit B1 can store the paper S wound in a roll shape. Although FIG. 5 shows a state in which the paper S is exposed to the outside, the accommodation space for the paper S can be made a space isolated from the external space by attaching an appropriate cover member (not shown) to the housing B7. . FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the paper pass line L1 in the printer P of the present embodiment, schematically showing only parts and mechanisms arranged along the paper pass line L1, and omitting other parts and mechanisms. ing.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the sheet transport mechanism B4 that transports the sheet S between the sheet feed unit B1 and the discharge unit B3 is, for example, a sheet feed arranged sequentially from the sheet feed unit B1 side toward the discharge unit B3 side. It is configured using a set of a side feed roller B41 and a first pinch roller B42, a set of a feed roller B43 and a second pinch roller B44, and a set of a discharge side feed roller B45 and a third pinch roller B47. It should be noted that the number of rollers themselves, or the number of rollers and pinch rollers, and the location of the rollers can be set as appropriate according to the specifications.

  The printing unit B2 includes a thermal head B21 and a platen roller B22 that is disposed at a position facing the thermal head B21 and sandwiches the paper S between the thermal head B21 and plays a part of the function of the paper transport mechanism B4. Ink ribbon ribbon ink (not shown) conveyed between the thermal head B21 and the platen roller B22 can be thermally transferred onto the paper S.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the discharge unit B3 discharges the paper S, which has been subjected to a desired print process by the printing unit B2, to the outside of the housing B7 from the discharge port B31 as a cut sheet cut into a predetermined size. When the calibration unit U is not attached to the printer body B and is used alone, the discharge unit B3 can be placed in a stacked state on a discharge tray (not shown). Further, in the discharge unit B3, a set of a discharge roller B32 and a discharge pinch roller B33 for transporting the paper S toward the discharge port B31 is arranged on the printing unit B2 side with respect to the discharge port B31 (see FIG. 5). ). The discharge roller B32 and the discharge pinch roller B33 have a part of the function of the discharge unit B3 and also have a part of the function of the paper transport mechanism B4.

  3 to 7, the calibration unit U includes a carry-in unit 1 having a paper carry-in port 11, a discharge unit 2 having a discharge port 21, and a paper S between the carry-in unit 1 and the discharge unit 2. A sheet transport mechanism 3 that transports along the sheet transport path L2 (paper path line) formed on the sheet, and a sheet that is disposed between the carry-in section 1 and the discharge section 2 and that is transported along the sheet transport path L2. A calibration device 4 capable of measuring a printed calibration pattern and a mounting portion 5 for the printer main body B are provided. The calibration unit U is configured such that at least the paper transport mechanism 3 and the calibration device 4 are provided in a common housing 6 so that the discharge port 21 constituting the discharge unit 2 can be exposed to the outside of the housing 6. . Further, the calibration unit U of the present embodiment exposes the paper carry-in port 11 of the carry-in unit 1 to the outside when the calibration unit U is used alone (see FIG. 7), while the calibration unit U is exposed to the outside. When mounted on the printer main body B, it is set to a position facing the discharge port B31 of the printer main body B, and the paper S discharged from the printer main body B to the outside of the printer main body B from the discharge port B31 of the printer main body B To the calibration unit U (see FIG. 5). That is, when the calibration unit U is mounted on the printer main body B, the paper conveyance path L2 on the calibration unit U side and the paper conveyance path L1 on the printer main body B side are continuous with each other.

  The operations of the carry-in unit 1, the discharge unit 2, the paper transport mechanism 3, and the calibration device 4 are controlled by a control unit provided at an appropriate location in the calibration unit U (not shown). The calibration unit U according to this embodiment includes a communication unit (not shown) that enables communication with the control unit of the printer main body B.

  The carry-in unit 1 includes a carry-in support unit 12 that can support the paper S by linearly contacting the back surface of the paper S over the entire region in the paper width direction W. The carry-in support unit 12 is used as a paper carry-in port. 11 serves as the lower edge of the opening.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the paper transport mechanism 3 includes a paper S between a carry-in roller 31, a feed roller 32, and a feed roller 32 that are sequentially arranged from the paper carry-in port 11 side toward the discharge unit 2 side. And a conveyance guide plate 33 that is disposed at a position where the sheet can be sandwiched and extends to the discharge unit 2 along the sheet conveyance path L2. Note that the paper transport mechanism 3 may use a pinch roller that sandwiches the paper S between the rollers, and the number of rollers themselves, or the number of rollers and pinch rollers, and the location of the rollers depend on the specifications. It can be set accordingly.

  The discharge unit 2 discharges the paper S that has been transported on the paper transport path L2 in the calibration unit U and passed below the sensor unit 7 described later from the discharge port 21 to the outside of the housing 6. In the discharge unit 2, a set of a discharge roller 22 and a discharge pinch roller 23 that convey the paper S toward the discharge port B <b> 31 is disposed closer to the calibration device 4 than the discharge port 21. The discharge roller 22 and the discharge pinch roller 23 have a part of the function of the discharge unit 2 and also have a part of the function of the paper transport mechanism 3.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the calibration device 4 includes a sensor unit 7 and a moving mechanism 8 that moves the sensor unit 7 between a measurement position and a retracted position.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 to 12, the sensor unit 7 includes a light source 71 (light projecting unit) that emits light of a predetermined wavelength toward the paper S and a light receiving element 72 (which detects reflected light from the paper S). A light receiving means) and a cylindrical cover 73 capable of accommodating the light source 71 and the light receiving element 72 in the internal space. As shown in FIGS. 9, 11, and 12, the sensor unit 7 of this embodiment has a light source 71 and a light receiving element 72 mounted on a common substrate 74, and a cover 73 is also fixed to the substrate 74. In the present embodiment, an LED is applied as the light source 71, and a color sensor element or a photosensor element is applied as the light receiving element 72. When the calibration pattern printed on the paper S is a color print, it is preferable to use a sensor unit 7 in which color sensor elements are mounted on the substrate 74, and the calibration pattern printed on the paper S is In the case of monochrome printing, it is preferable to use a sensor unit 7 in which a photosensor element is mounted on a substrate 74. Further, as a combination of the light source 71 and the light receiving element 72 in the sensor unit 7 that measures the calibration pattern printed in color on the paper S, a combination of the white light source 71 and the color sensor element or a color filter is integrated. A combination of a white light source 71 and a photosensor provided, a combination of a predetermined colored light source 71 and a photosensor, or the like can be given. It should be noted that a plurality of types of sensor units 7 are provided, and the type of sensor unit 7 to be used can be switched by an appropriate switching mechanism depending on the print mode (color print or monochrome print) to be output. it can.

  As shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, the cylindrical cover 73 is provided with a flange portion 75 that can overlap the substrate 74 on the outer peripheral surface of one end portion (upper end portion), and the other end portion (lower end portion) as an opening edge 73 a. It is set. In the present embodiment, a plate-like member having a planar shape that is substantially the same as or slightly larger than the substrate 74 is applied as the flange portion 75, and the flange portion 75 is formed integrally with the cover 73. In the following description, the cover 73 and the flange portion 75 that are integrally formed may be referred to as a “cover body 77”. Further, the inward surface (inner peripheral surface) of the cover 73 is subjected to a surface treatment for preventing reflected light.

  Further, in the sensor unit 7 of the present embodiment, the partition plate 78 for preventing / suppressing the light of the light source 71 from directly entering the light receiving element 72 is provided with the partition plate 78 between the light source 71 and the light receiving element 72. It is arranged. The partition plate 78 partitions an area on the side opposite to the opening edge 73 a (on the flange portion 75 side) of the internal space of the cover 73 into an accommodation area for the light source 71 and an accommodation area for the light receiving element 72. In the present embodiment, the partition plate 78 is integrally formed on the inner peripheral surface of the cover 73. That is, in this embodiment, the partition plate 78 is integrally formed on the cover body 77 having the cover 73 and the flange portion 75. Further, in a state where one end (upper end) of the partition plate 78 is in contact with the substrate 74, the other end (lower end) of the partition plate 78 is closer to the opening edge 73 a of the cover 73 than the light source 71 and the light receiving element 72. The height dimension of the partition plate 78 is set so as to be close to the position. In addition, the height dimension of the partition plate 78 is shorter than the height dimension of the cover 73, and the other end portion (lower end portion) of the partition plate 78 is positioned closer to the flange portion 75 than the opening edge 73 a of the cover 73. It is set. As a result, the region on the opening edge 73a side of the internal space of the cover 73 is not partitioned into the storage region of the light source 71 and the storage region of the light receiving element 72, and the storage region of the light source 71 and the storage region of the light receiving element 72 are mutually separated. It becomes a continuous area (see FIG. 11).

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the cover body 77 is mounted on the mounting surface of the substrate 74 on which the light source 71 and the light receiving element 72 are mounted such that the flange portion 75 is superimposed in the thickness direction. As a result, the sensor unit body 70 in which the light source 71 and the light receiving element 72 are accommodated in the internal space of the cover 73 and the partition plate 78 is disposed between the light source 71 and the light receiving element 72 can be obtained. The sensor unit 7 of this embodiment includes the sensor unit main body 70 and a sensor unit main body support plate 79 that supports the sensor unit main body 70. The sensor unit main body 70 and the sensor unit main body support plate 79 are attached using screws 7N. The sensor unit 7 assembled integrally can be obtained (see FIGS. 7 and 8). The sensor unit main body support plate 79 is a plate-like member disposed at a position where the flange portion 75 of the sensor unit main body 70 is applied from below. The sensor unit body support plate 79 has a cover insertion hole through which the cover 73 can be inserted. The board 74 and the flange portion 75 are respectively formed with screw insertion holes 74a and 75a communicating with each other in the thickness direction (height direction) in a state of being overlapped with each other (see FIGS. 11 and 12), and the screw 7N. Is screwed into a screw hole formed in the sensor unit main body support plate 79. Further, a substrate cover body 74C is attached to the surface of the substrate 74 opposite to the mounting surface (the non-mounting surface) (see FIG. 7). The sensor unit 7 can be replaced in units of the sensor unit main body 70, or can be replaced in units of the substrate 74 on which the light source 71 and the light receiving element 72 are mounted, or the entire sensor unit 7 can be replaced.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the moving mechanism 8 uses a cam mechanism. Specifically, the moving mechanism 8 rotates around a rotating shaft 81 fixed to the casing 6 of the calibration unit U, and has an outer edge. A cam main body 82 in which a plurality of arc portions having different radii from the rotation shaft 81 are formed, and a lift plate 83 (cam follower) that moves in the height direction following the rotation of the cam main body 82. The sensor unit 7 fixed directly or indirectly is moved up and down as the lifting plate 83 moves up and down.

  A large-diameter arc portion 821 having a relatively large diameter and a small-diameter arc portion 822 having a relatively small diameter are formed on the outer edge portion of the cam body 82 continuously at positions facing each other with the rotation shaft 81 therebetween. Yes. The outer edge shape of the cam body 82 in which the large-diameter arc portion 821 and the small-diameter arc portion 822 are formed on the outer edge portion is a fan shape or a shell shape.

  On the other hand, the elevating plate 83 is disposed on the upper side of the cam body 82 and can be driven in conjunction with the rotation of the cam body 82 while being in contact with the large-diameter arc portion 821 of the outer edge of the cam body 82. 84, the driven roller 84 and the small-diameter arc portion 822 are in contact with each other at a rotation angle of the cam body 82, which is disposed on the lower side of the cam body 82 and the driven roller 84 can contact the small-diameter arc portion 822 of the cam body 82. A priority contact portion 85 that comes into contact with the large-diameter arc portion 821 in preference to this is provided. Further, the elevating plate 83 is formed with elongated holes 83a extending in the height direction. By inserting a pin 6P fixed to the casing 6 of the calibration unit U into the elongated holes 83a, the elongated holes 83a and The pin 6P functions as a guide mechanism that guides the lifting and lowering movement of the lifting plate 83.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, the upper end portion of the spring 87 having a lower end portion supported by a part of the sensor unit 7 is in contact with the vicinity of the upper end portion of the elevating plate 83, and a pressing portion that can press the spring 87 in the compression direction. 88 is provided. A pole 87P that prevents the spring 87 from being inclined or curved is inserted into the hollow portion of the spring 87, which is a coil spring. The pole 87 </ b> P is in a state where its upper end portion is penetrated by the pressing portion 88, and is not fixed to the pressing portion 88. A spring holding portion 89 that can be held in a state where the lower end portion of the spring 87 is accommodated is provided in a part of the lance unit 7. It can be understood that the spring 87 disposed between the pressing portion 88 and the spring holding portion 89 is interposed between the sensor unit 7 and the lifting plate 83. In the present embodiment, the configuration is such that two springs 87 are attached to one sensor unit 7 (see FIG. 6). Note that a pair of springs 87 are disposed at positions where the cover 73 of the sensor unit 7 is sandwiched in the paper width direction W. Specifically, both side portions of the sensor unit main body support plate 79 are extended laterally from the sensor unit main body 70 and the substrate cover body 74C, and springs are respectively attached to both side portions of the sensor unit main body support plate 79. A holding portion 89 is provided.

  The calibration apparatus 4 according to the present embodiment includes a plurality (three in the illustrated example) of sensor units 7, and the plurality of sensor units 7 are set to be moved up and down integrally by a common moving mechanism 8.

  Further, the calibration device 4 of the present embodiment is disposed on the upstream side in the paper transport direction A with respect to the sensor unit 7, and at least during the measurement process, the paper S is pressed or sandwiched in the thickness direction toward the sensor unit 7. A tension applying unit 9 that applies tension to S is provided (see FIGS. 5 and 6). In this embodiment, the feed roller 32 functions as a sheet pressing roller that presses the sheet S from above, and the conveyance guide plate 33 functions as a sheet holding plate that can hold the sheet S between the feed roller 32 and these feed rollers. The tension applying unit 9 is configured by using 32 and the conveyance guide plate 33. In the calibration device 4 of the present embodiment, the sheet S is sandwiched between the opening edge 73a of the cover 73 and the transport guide plate 33 when the sensor unit 7 is positioned at the measurement position. The sensor unit 7 is moved along the paper transport path L2 by pressing or sandwiching a location on the upstream side in the paper transport direction A from the location sandwiched between the cover 73 and the transport guide plate 33 by the tension applying unit 9 in the paper thickness direction. Can be corrected to a posture in which the sheet S heading to the straight line is straightened.

  In addition, the calibration unit U is provided with a mounting portion 5 for the printer main body B as shown in FIGS. The calibration unit U of the present embodiment includes a placement unit 62 that can be placed on the base B 71 of the casing B 7 of the printer main body B, and a housing of the printer main body B on each side wall 61 that constitutes both sides of the casing 6. An attachment portion 63 that abuts on the side wall B72 of the body B7 from the side is provided, and the placement portion 62 and the attachment portion 63 function as the attachment portion 5 (see FIGS. 1 to 4). Specifically, screw insertion holes are formed in the mounting portion 62 and the attachment portion 63, and screws inserted into the screw insertion holes are screw holes formed in the base B71 of the casing B7 of the printer main body B. The calibration unit U is detachably attached to the printer body B by being screwed into a screw hole formed in the side wall B72 of the casing B7 of the printer body B.

  Next, the operation and action of the printer P of the present embodiment in which the calibration unit U having such a configuration is mounted on the printer main body B will be described separately for the normal printing process and the calibration process. In the following, normal print processing will be described first.

  In the printer P according to the present embodiment, first, based on print data input by a user's operation or the like, the sheet S wound in a roll shape by the sheet feeding unit B1 and the first feeding roller B41 and the first sheet S are fed. The sheet is sequentially passed between the pinch roller B42 and between the feed roller B43 and the second pinch roller B44 and conveyed to the printing unit B2 (see FIG. 5). Then, the thermal transfer printing process is performed on the print setting area (print screen) on the printing surface (front surface) of the paper S by the printing unit B2. The printing unit B2 in the present embodiment prints a color image on the printing surface of the paper S by sublimating yellow, magenta, and cyan inks and overprinting ink or special color ink by the heat of the thermal head B21 (formation). To do). At this time, it is possible to perform gradation printing with the print density level changed by adjusting the temperature of the thermal head B21 in accordance with the print data input to the control unit. It is possible to print a quality color image.

  Next, the printer P according to the present embodiment sequentially transports the paper S that has undergone the thermal transfer printing process by the printing unit B2 to the discharge unit B3 side, and cuts the paper S in the paper width direction W by a cutting unit (not shown). The printer P of the present embodiment can appropriately adjust the size of the print screen along the paper transport direction A by changing the number of divisions and the division pitch of the paper S by the cutting unit according to the control of the control unit. .

  Next, the printer P according to the present embodiment conveys the sheet S (printed cut sheet) cut to a predetermined size toward the discharge port B31 by the discharge roller B32 and the discharge pinch roller B33 on the paper transfer path L1. Subsequently, the paper can be conveyed on the paper conveyance path L2 of the calibration unit U through the paper outlet 11 of the calibration unit U from the discharge port B31. Here, in a state where the calibration unit U is attached to the printer main body B (connected state), the communication unit of the calibration unit U communicates with the control unit of the printer main body B, and the paper conveyance of the calibration unit U is performed. The operations of the mechanism 3 and the calibration device 4 are controlled by the control unit of the printer main body B.

  Then, the calibration unit U of the present embodiment conveys the sheet S conveyed on the sheet conveyance path L2 toward the discharge port B31 by the rotation operation of the feed roller 32, the discharge roller 22, and the discharge pinch roller 23. Then, it is discharged out of the calibration unit U from the discharge port 21. At this time, by positioning the sensor unit 7 at the retracted position, the paper S is smoothly conveyed toward the discharge port 21 without contacting the lower end portion of the sensor unit 7 (the opening edge 73a of the cover 73). .

  Note that the normal print processing can be performed only by the printer main body B not connected to the calibration unit U. In this case, the paper S (print-processed cut paper) discharged from the discharge port B31 of the printer main body B is also possible. ) Can be accommodated in a state of being stacked on a discharge tray (not shown).

  Next, calibration processing in the printer P in which the calibration unit U of the present embodiment is connected to the printer main body B will be described. In the printer P (printer main body B) of the present embodiment that performs thermal transfer print processing using an ink ribbon, the calibration process is performed at the time of shipment of the printer P (printer main body B) and loading of the ink ribbon. For example, when the ink ribbon is replaced, the color characteristics of the print result that is actually output may change due to the environmental conditions to be used or the elapse of a certain period of use.

  The printer P according to the present embodiment is a paper that is wound in a roll shape by the paper feed unit B1 of the printer main body B based on a calibration command signal input by a user operation or an automatic operation performed every predetermined period. S is sequentially passed between the feed-side feed roller B41 and the first pinch roller B42, and between the feed roller B43 and the second pinch roller B44, and conveyed to the printing unit B2, and the printing unit B2 prints the paper S. The calibration pattern CP is printed on the surface (front surface).

  In the printer P of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13, each color ink of yellow, magenta, and cyan is printed in three regions partitioned in the paper width direction W, and is equally partitioned in the paper transport direction A. A calibration pattern CP of a color image in which the print density of each patch CPa is gradually changed along the transport direction A (for example, the density is gradually reduced toward the upstream side in the transport direction A) is printed. In FIG. 15, the frame of each patch CPa is indicated by a solid line, but the print density in the patch CPa is not particularly shown. The calibration unit U of the present embodiment is configured such that three sensor units 7 are arranged in the paper width direction W, and each color of the calibration pattern CP is measured by the individual sensor unit 7.

  Here, if the patch CPa row aligned in the paper width direction W is a “patch row”, it can be said that the calibration pattern CP is formed by forming a plurality of patch rows having different print densities in the paper transport direction A. Note that information (patch information) related to the number of patch rows and the size of each patch row along the paper transport direction A is a control unit of the printer main body B (a calibration unit when a measurement process is performed by a calibration unit U described later). U control unit).

  Then, the printer P according to the present embodiment sequentially conveys the paper S that has been subjected to the calibration pattern printing process by the printing unit B2 of the printer main body B to the discharge unit B3 side, and carries the paper into the calibration unit U from the discharge port B31. The paper passes through the opening 11 and is transported onto the paper transport path L2 of the calibration unit U. Subsequently, the paper S is transported to the discharge unit 2 side by the paper transport mechanism 3 of the calibration unit U to a position where the calibration pattern CP printed on the paper S can be measured by the sensor unit 7 of the calibration device 4. In a state in which the sheet S conveyance process by the mechanism 3 is stopped, the measurement process of the calibration pattern CP by the sensor unit 7 is performed (measurement process).

  Specifically, the sheet S on which the calibration pattern CP is printed is detected from the first patch row that is the foremost row (the most downstream patch row in the paper transport direction A) among the patch rows in the calibration pattern CP. It is transported to a position (patch row measurement position) that can be measured by the unit 7. Here, when the patch row to be measured is “Nth patch row”, “Nth patch row measurement position” is a position where the sensor unit 7 can measure the Nth patch row. . While the paper S is being transported to the Nth patch row measurement position (during the transport process), the sensor unit 7 is positioned at the retracted position. Here, when the sensor unit 7 is in the retracted position, the large-diameter arc portion 821 of the cam body 82 of the moving mechanism 8 is in contact with the driven roller 84 disposed above the cam body 82 of the elevating plate 83, The opening edge 73a of the cover 73, which is the tip of the sensor unit 7, is positioned at a position separated from the paper S (see FIG. 8).

  In the printer P of the present embodiment, the sheet S is transported to the N-th patch row measurement position by the paper transport mechanism 3 of the calibration unit U, and the sensor unit is moved by the moving mechanism 8 in a state where the transport processing is stopped at that position. 7 is moved from the retracted position to the measurement position (downward movement) (see FIG. 7). The sensor unit 7 is moved from the retracted position to the measurement position by rotating the cam body 82 of the moving mechanism 8 about the rotation shaft 81. When the cam body 82 is rotated by a predetermined angle, the large-diameter arc portion 821 of the cam body 82 contacts the driven roller 84 and contacts the priority contact portion 85 disposed below the cam body 82 in the lifting plate 83 ( Further, when the cam body 82 is further rotated by a predetermined angle (approximately 180 degrees in the illustrated example) in the same direction, the large-diameter arc portion 821 of the cam body 82 contacts only the priority contact portion 85, and the small diameter of the cam body 82 The arc portion 822 is not in contact with the driven roller 84 (see FIG. 7). By such an operation of the moving mechanism 8, the sensor unit 7 is positioned at a measurement position where the opening edge 73 a of the cover 73, which is the leading end, is in contact with the paper S.

  Here, the elevating plate 83 is a member (in this embodiment, a member provided in a relatively undisplaceable manner on the cam surface of the cam body 82 (in this embodiment, the large-diameter arc portion 821 and the small-diameter arc portion 822) and the elevating plate 83. For example, when the position of contact with the driven roller 84 and the priority contact portion 85) changes, the sensor unit 7 is moved up and down while being integrally held. Even if only the driven roller 84 is in contact with the cam surface, the cam main body 82 is rotated and the target to be brought into contact with the driven roller 84 is changed from the large-diameter arc portion 821 of the cam main body 82 to the small-diameter arc portion 822. If it is changed, the elevating plate 83 can be moved downward, and it is possible to set the tip of the sensor unit 7 (the opening edge 73a of the cover 73) to contact the paper S at that time. However, in this embodiment, when the cam body 82 is rotated by a predetermined angle, the large-diameter arc portion 821 of the cam body 82 is prioritized over the contact between the driven roller 84 and the small-diameter arc portion 822 of the cam body 82. By setting to contact with the contact portion 85, the downward movement amount of the lift plate 83 is increased as compared with the case where the small-diameter arc portion 822 of the cam body 82 and the driven roller 84 are brought into contact with each other. As a result, the downward movement amount of the sensor unit 7 held by the elevating plate 83 is also increased compared to the case where the small-diameter arc portion 822 of the cam body 82 and the driven roller 84 are brought into contact with each other. The leading end (the opening edge 73a of the cover 73) can be brought into contact with the paper S reliably.

  Furthermore, the calibration device 4 of the present embodiment is interposed between the sensor unit 7 and the lifting plate 83 in a compressed state, and is downward with respect to the sensor unit 7 (direction approaching the sheet S). F) A pressing force is applied. The calibration device 4 according to this embodiment is configured such that the distance between the sensor unit 7 positioned at the retracted position and the pressing portion 88 provided at the upper end of the lifting plate 83 is the sensor unit 7 positioned at the measurement position and the pressing portion. The downward pressing force acting on the sensor unit 7 positioned at the measurement position is set lower than the downward pressing force acting on the sensor unit 7 positioned at the retracted position. It is set to be larger. As a result, the opening edge 73a of the cover 73, which is the tip of the sensor unit 7, can be more reliably brought into contact with the paper S. In particular, since the calibration device 4 of the present embodiment has a pair of springs 87 arranged at positions where the cover 73 is sandwiched in the paper width direction W, the entire opening edge 73a of the cover 73 is brought into contact with the paper S in a balanced manner. Can do. Further, in the present embodiment, since the conveyance guide plate 33 capable of sandwiching the paper S between the front end portion of the sensor unit 7 (the opening edge 73a of the cover 73) positioned at the measurement position is provided, It is possible to secure the stable state of the paper S by sandwiching the paper S in the thickness direction.

  The calibration device 4 according to the present embodiment accommodates the light source 71 and the light receiving element 72 in the internal space of the cover 73 in which the sensor unit 7 is positioned at the measurement position and the opening edge 73a is in contact with the paper S. The light source 71 and the light receiving element 72 and the sheet S (specifically, the side color surface) are close to each other, and the calibration pattern CP by the light source 71 and the light receiving element 72 is in a state where disturbance light is prevented from being incident by the cover 73. Measurement processing can be performed with high accuracy. Further, the partition plate 78 disposed between the light source 71 and the light receiving element 72 can prevent or suppress a situation in which light from the light source 71 is directly incident on the light receiving element 72, and the inward surface of the cover 73. Since the surface treatment for preventing the reflected light is applied to the (inner peripheral surface), a more accurate measurement processing result can be obtained.

  In particular, in the present embodiment, during the measurement process, the sheet S is fed by the tension applying unit 9 (the feed roller 32 and the conveyance guide plate 33) disposed in the vicinity of the position where the sheet S is sandwiched by the sensor unit 7 and the conveyance guide plate 33. Since the tension is applied by pressing in the thickness direction, the sheet S is prevented from being displaced in the width direction W or the conveyance direction A, or the wrinkle is unexpectedly generated, and the sensor unit 7 and the sheet S during the measurement process are prevented. Among them, the relative distance from the side color surface which is the surface on which the calibration pattern CP is printed can be kept constant, and a highly accurate measurement processing result can be obtained. In addition, by shortening the distances between the light source 71 and the light receiving element 72 and the colorimetric surface of the paper S, it is not necessary to arrange a dedicated light collecting means such as a lens near the light receiving element 72, and the structure can be simplified. It is possible to avoid an increase in cost associated with the introduction of the light collecting means.

  The printer P according to the present embodiment repeats the sensor unit up / down movement process in which the sensor unit 7 is moved up and down by the movement mechanism 8 and the measurement process by the sensor unit 7 according to the number of patch rows of the calibration pattern CP printed on the paper S. . Specifically, the control unit of the printer main body B controls the operation of each unit based on the operation flow shown in FIG. That is, the printer P according to the present embodiment first passes the sheet S to the patch row measurement position of the Nth row through the process of substituting 1 into “N” meaning the patch row to be measured (S1 in FIG. 14). It is transported and temporarily stopped (S2 in the figure). Next, the sensor unit 7 is moved (lowered) from the retracted position to the measuring position by the moving mechanism 8 (S3 in the figure). In this state, the Nth patch row is measured by the sensor unit 7 (S4 in the figure). Subsequently, the sensor unit 7 is moved (raised) from the measurement position to the retracted position by the moving mechanism 8 (S5 in the figure), and the value previously substituted for N in the control unit of the printer body B, that is, the patch to be measured It is determined whether or not the number of columns exceeds the number of patch columns (total number of patch columns) of the calibration pattern CP input in advance to the control unit of the printer main body B (S6 in the figure). If the determination is “NO”, the value obtained by adding 1 to N at that time is set as a new “N” (S7 in the figure), and S2 to S7 shown in FIG. Repeat until the number of patch rows of the calibration pattern CP input to the control unit of the main body B exceeds the patch of the calibration pattern CP where “N” is input to the control unit of the printer main body B in S6 shown in FIG. If it is determined that the number of columns has been exceeded (S6: YES in the figure), the measurement process is terminated.

  Through the above procedure, the measurement process for the paper S is completed, and then the printer P of the present embodiment calibrates information on each patch row (colorimetric data of each patch row) measured by the calibration device 4. Measurement of the calibration pattern CP based on the colorimetric data of each patch row transmitted from the communication unit of the unit U to the control unit of the printer main body B and received from the communication unit of the calibration unit U. The difference between the density and the reference density previously input to the control unit of the printer body B is automatically calculated, the density of the printing unit B2 is calibrated based on the difference calculation result, and the calibration process is terminated.

  Further, the calibration unit U according to the present embodiment can measure the calibration pattern CP printed on the paper S by the calibration unit U alone. In this case, the calibration unit U may be connected to the printer main body B, or may not be connected to the printer main body B. When the calibration pattern CP is measured by the calibration unit U alone, the control unit of the calibration unit U controls the measurement process and the up / down movement process of the sensor unit 7. That is, the above-described mode is a mode in which the operation of the calibration unit U is controlled by the control unit of the printer main body B. However, when the calibration pattern CP is measured by the calibration unit U alone, the calibration unit U The operation of the calibration unit U is controlled by the U control unit. Specifically, the control subject of each step (S1 to S7) shown in FIG. 14 is the control unit of the calibration unit U, and information regarding the patch row of the calibration pattern CP is input to the control unit of the calibration unit U. Will be. When the calibration pattern CP printed on the paper S is measured by the calibration unit U alone, the calibration unit U is powered by a power supply device or an external power source (for example, a battery using a USB port / cable). The motor provided in the calibration unit U is driven to operate each part of the calibration unit U (the carry-in part 1, the discharge part 2, the paper transport mechanism 3, the calibration device 4, the communication part, etc.). doing.

  Here, as shown in FIGS. 15 to 17, the operation flow of the calibration process includes a first operation flow for printing the calibration pattern CP on the paper S in the printer main body B, and a calibration pattern CP in the calibration unit U. A second operation flow for automatically calculating the difference between the measured density of the calibration pattern CP and the reference density previously input to the control unit of the calibration unit U based on the measured information, and calibration With the calibration unit U connected to the printer main body B, the calibration result (difference calculation result) obtained in the second operation flow is transmitted from the communication unit of the calibration unit U to the control unit of the printer main body B. Calibrate the density of the print based on the calculation results It can be broadly classified into a third operation flow performed.

  When the calibration unit U is connected to the printer body B and the control unit of the calibration unit U controls the measurement process of the calibration pattern CP and the up / down movement process of the sensor unit 7, the first operation flow, The second operation flow and the third operation flow may be performed continuously.

  On the other hand, when the calibration unit U is not connected to the printer body B and the control unit of the calibration unit U controls the measurement process of the calibration pattern CP and the up-and-down movement process of the sensor unit 7, The operation flow and the second operation flow are not continuously performed, and the second operation flow and the third operation flow are not continuously performed. , The third operation flow) is for each operation subject (the printer main body B if the first operation flow, the calibration unit U if the second operation flow, and the printer main body B if the third operation flow). The calibration unit U is connected individually). The connection mode between the printer main body B and the calibration unit U is a mode in which the printer main body B is physically connected to the printer main body B by the mounting portion 5 provided in the calibration unit U, or a wired connection mode in which the printer main body B and the calibration unit U are connected by an electric wire such as a cable. Alternatively, any of wireless connection modes connected so as to be capable of wireless communication may be used.

  Even when the measurement processing of the calibration pattern CP is controlled by the control unit of the calibration unit U, the calibration device 4 places the light source 71 and the light receiving element 72 mounted on the common substrate 74 inside the cover 73. Since the sensor unit 7 accommodated in the space is the same as the calibration device 4 in the printer P in which the calibration unit U is mounted on the printer main body B, the same operational effects as the above-described operational effects. Can be obtained. That is, according to the calibration device 4 of the present embodiment, the distance between the light source 71 and the light receiving element 72 and the color measurement surface of the paper S is determined by positioning the sensor unit 7 at the measurement position by the moving mechanism 8 during the measurement process. Since the light source 71 and the light receiving element 72 are accommodated in the common cover 73, the light source 71 and the light receiving element 72 are not affected by ambient light or at least difficult to receive. The calibration pattern CP can be measured with high accuracy. In addition, by shortening the distances between the light source 71 and the light receiving element 72 and the colorimetric surface of the paper S, it is not necessary to arrange a dedicated light collecting means such as a lens near the light receiving element 72, and the structure can be simplified. It is possible to avoid an increase in cost associated with the introduction of the light collecting means. Further, in the calibration device 4 according to the embodiment, if the sensor unit 7 is positioned at the measurement position, the opening edge 73a of the cover 73 contacts the colorimetric surface of the paper S, so that the entire sensor unit 7 functions as a paper presser. It is also possible to improve the measurement accuracy by preventing the paper S from flickering inadvertently during the measurement process. In a case other than the measurement process, the opening edge 73a of the cover 73 is separated from the sheet S by positioning the sensor unit 7 at the retracted position by the moving mechanism 8, so that the opening edge 73a of the cover 73 is placed on the sheet S. A problem that occurs when the sheet S conveyance process is performed in a contact state, that is, a problem that the sheet S conveyance process cannot be smoothly performed when the opening edge 73a of the cover 73 hits the sheet S can be avoided. .

  In particular, the calibration device 4 according to the present embodiment uses the light source 71 to receive the partition plate 78 that partitions the region on the side opposite to the opening 73 a in the internal space of the cover 73 into the storage region of the light source 71 and the storage region of the light receiving element 72. Since it is arranged between the element 72, it is possible to prevent or suppress the light of the light source 71 from directly entering the light receiving element 72 in the cover 73.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to embodiment mentioned above. For example, the number of sensor units included in the calibration apparatus is set to “1” or “plurality other than 3”, or a plurality of sensor units are provided in the calibration unit in advance, and the type of calibration pattern (ink color The number of sensor units actually used in the measurement process and the measurement location can be appropriately selected according to the number or the like.

  Moreover, the cover should just be a cylindrical shape which can accommodate a light source and a light receiving element in internal space, and may be a rectangular tube shape or an elliptical tube shape besides a cylindrical shape. Moreover, you may employ | adopt the aspect which directly attached only the cover to the board | substrate by the appropriate means, without providing a flange part.

  The partition plate is not formed integrally with the cover, but can be formed separately from the cover and can be handled as a single partition plate. In this case, the partition plate may be fixed to the substrate or may be fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the cover. Note that the partition plate disposed between the light source and the light receiving element can be omitted as long as the amount of light directly incident on the light receiving element from the light source does not adversely affect the measurement process.

  In the above-described embodiment, the sensor unit that measures the color measurement surface from above the paper is illustrated, and the movement from the retracted position of the sensor unit to the measurement position by the moving function is a downward movement, but the color measurement is performed from below the paper. In the case of a sensor unit that measures a surface, the movement of the sensor unit from the retracted position to the measurement position by the movement function is an upward movement. In other words, the moving mechanism moves the sensor unit so that the sensor unit can move toward and away from the paper between the measurement position where the open end of the cover contacts the color measurement surface of the paper and the retracted position away from the color measurement surface. If it is. In addition, the movement trajectory of the sensor unit may be a moving mechanism that has an arc shape instead of a linear shape.

  Further, the tension applying unit may be configured by a pair of rollers that sandwich the paper in the thickness direction, or may be configured by a pair of plates that sandwich the paper in the thickness direction. Further, the tension applying unit is in contact with the paper in the entire width direction of the paper, or is in partial contact with a predetermined location (one location or multiple locations) in the width direction of the paper. It doesn't matter.

  The printer according to the present invention includes a thermal transfer printer that sublimates ink, a thermal printer that melts ink, or various printers other than a thermal printer, such as an ink jet printer, a laser printer, or the same printing. A rewritable printer or the like that can be repeatedly rewritten on an object may be used.

  Further, the “paper” in the present invention is not limited to “paper” in a narrow sense, but includes various printing media according to the printing method of the printing unit.

  In addition, the specific configuration of each part is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

4 ... Calibration device 7 ... Sensor unit 71 ... Light source 72 ... Light receiving element 73 ... Cover 74 ... Substrate 78 ... Partition plate 8 ... Moving mechanism P ... Printer

Claims (3)

A light source mounted on a substrate and radiating light of a predetermined wavelength toward the paper;
A light receiving element that is mounted on the substrate and detects reflected light from a colorimetric surface on which a calibration pattern is printed out of paper;
A cylindrical cover mounted on the substrate in a posture in which the light source and the light receiving element are housed in an internal space, and a sensor unit configured using the sensor unit.
A moving mechanism for moving the sensor unit between a measurement position where the open end of the cover is in contact with the side color surface and a retracted position where the open end of the cover is separated from the paper; A calibration device characterized by the above. The partition plate which is arrange | positioned between the said light source and the said light receiving element, and partitions off the area | region on the non-opening end side among the internal spaces of the said cover into the storage area of the said light source, and the storage area of the said light receiving element. The calibration apparatus according to 1. A printer comprising the calibration device according to claim 1.

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