JP2016215452A - Printing medium discrimination device, printing medium discrimination method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve discrimination accuracy of the type of a printing medium in various printing media so as to provide a printing medium discrimination device more suitable for the needs of a user.SOLUTION: A printing medium discrimination device includes: a reading section of a printing result for obtaining the printing result by reading a printing medium on which a test pattern job for discriminating the type of the printing medium is printed by a printing engine; a blurring measuring section for measuring blurring of the printing result on the basis of the printing result read by the reading section of the printing result and the test pattern job; and a discrimination section of the type of the printing medium for discriminating the type of the printing medium on the basis of the blurring measurement result measured by the blurring measuring section.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing medium discrimination method and program in a printing apparatus.

  Printing media types in printers represented by printers continue to increase, and in order to provide users with high-quality and high-efficiency printing services that accompany printing media types, the printing media types set in the printing device A technique to discriminate is necessary.

  Conventionally, the surface of a recording material is irradiated with an arbitrary amount of light from an oblique direction, regular reflection light of this light source is received, light having an angle different from the incident angle of the irradiated light is detected, the light amount is controlled, and the image is Devices for controlling the forming conditions are known. In this case, the paper type is detected by detecting a plurality of light quantities while repeatedly turning on and off the light source (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2007-57892 A

  By the way, basically, a print medium is required to have fewer features both visually and tactilely because it is necessary to fix the print contents more clearly.

  Therefore, the invention described in Patent Document 1 has a problem that the print medium type discrimination accuracy is low because the print medium type is derived based on visually few features. In addition, among diversified print media, there are media that are not suitable for optical detection. In this respect as well, the invention described in Patent Document 1 has a problem of low discrimination accuracy.

  An object of the present invention is to improve the discrimination accuracy of print medium types in various print media, and thereby to provide a print media discrimination device that meets user needs.

  The print medium determining apparatus of the present invention includes a print result reading unit that obtains a print result by reading a print medium on which a print engine prints a test pattern job for determining a print medium type, and the print result reading unit reads the print medium. Based on the printed result and the test pattern job, a blur measurement unit that measures blur of the print result, and a print medium type that determines the print medium type based on the blur measurement result measured by the blur measurement unit Part.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the discrimination accuracy of print medium types in various print media, thereby providing an effect that it is possible to provide a print media discrimination device that meets user needs.

1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a printing apparatus PR1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the first embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of a test pattern. It is a figure which shows the example of the read image. It is a figure which shows the example of the blur measurement result which the blur measurement part 105 measured. It is a figure which shows the example of the discrimination threshold value of the stored printing medium kind. It is a figure which shows the example of a bleeding calculation result. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation for determining a print medium type. FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing apparatus PR3 that is Embodiment 3. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation of the printing apparatus PR3. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the fourth embodiment. 5 is a flowchart of a determination method for determining a print medium type. 5 is a flowchart of a determination method for determining a print medium type. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of print medium type data in the printing apparatus PR3. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print job transmission screen. 2 is a diagram illustrating a print engine and a scanner engine 109. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the second embodiment. It is a figure which shows the maximum value allowable range, the minimum value allowable range, and an average value allowable range.

  Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the relative arrangement of the constituent elements described in this embodiment, the apparatus shape, and the like are merely examples, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to them.

Embodiment 1

  In this specification, the “printing apparatus” is not limited to a dedicated machine specialized in the printing function, but includes a complex machine that combines the printing function and other functions, a manufacturing apparatus that forms an image or pattern on recording paper, and the like. .

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing apparatus PR1 including a printing medium type discrimination configuration 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  The printing apparatus PR1 includes a print medium storage unit 101, a print engine 103, a print medium type discrimination mechanism 100, and a scanner engine 109.

  Although not shown, the print medium type discrimination mechanism 100 has a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM. The ROM stores various control programs executed by the CPU and fixed data necessary for various operations of the printer. For example, a program for executing a print medium type discrimination process is stored. The RAM is used as a work area for the CPU, used as a temporary storage area for various received data, and stores various setting data. The print medium type discriminating mechanism 100 may be configured as a separate device from the print engine, or may be configured integrally with the print engine.

  The print medium storage unit 101 can store one or more types of print media.

  The print medium type discrimination mechanism 100 includes a test pattern job storage unit 102, a print result reading unit 104, a blur measurement unit 105, a print medium type discrimination threshold storage unit 106, and a print medium type discrimination unit 107. And a print medium type storage unit 108.

  The test pattern job storage unit 102 holds the test pattern job therein.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the first embodiment. A program related to the flowchart of FIG. 2 is stored in the ROM, and is loaded into the RAM and executed by the CPU.

  When the CPU recognizes that a new print medium is stored in S201, the test pattern job stored in the test pattern job storage unit 102 is executed. In S202, the CPU uses the print engine 103. Print on a new print media. The timing for recognizing that a new print medium is stored in the print medium storage unit 101 in step S201 is manually specified by the user when the power supply is started and when opening / closing processing of the print medium storage unit is detected. Arbitrary timing, etc.

  The test pattern job stored in the storage unit 102 is a job for printing a test pattern in a print job on a print medium, and prints a test pattern for printing print data that allows easy measurement of bleeding in a later process. It is a job.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a test pattern. The test patterns 301, 302, and 303 are patterns that are printed by changing the amount of ink applied to A, B, and C, respectively.

  There are print medium types in which the amount of bleeding changes according to the amount of ink droplets, and a test pattern is created on the assumption that it will be used for discrimination. Specifically, the test pattern 301 has patterns P1, P2, P3, and P4, and is printed with an ink droplet amount A. The test pattern 302 has patterns P1, P2, P3, and P4 and is printed with an ink droplet amount B. The test pattern 303 has patterns P1, P2, P3, and P4, and is printed with an ink droplet amount C.

  The patterns P1 and P2 are vertical straight lines and have different thicknesses. The patterns P3 and P4 are horizontal straight lines and have different thicknesses.

  The reason for setting the direction of the straight line of the pattern to vertical and horizontal is that there are print media types whose amount of bleeding changes depending on the orientation of the print media. This is because it is effective to use.

  There are print medium types in which the amount of bleeding changes depending on the distance at which ink is continuously applied, and it is effective to use patterns having different thicknesses when determining the print medium type. Therefore, two types of pattern line thickness are prepared. In addition, you may make it prepare three or more types of the thickness of the straight line of a pattern.

  In step S <b> 203, the CPU causes the print result reading unit 104 to read the print medium printed by the print engine 103 using the scanner engine 109.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating the print engine and the scanner engine 109 in the printing apparatus PR1 according to the first embodiment. The printing apparatus PR1 includes a print medium storage unit 101, a transport unit 1502, a transport encoder 1503, a rotation roller 1504, a head unit 1505, a print head 1506, and a scanner engine 109. The printing apparatus PR1 includes a control unit 1508, an ink tank 1509, a back surface printing unit 1511, a drying unit 1512, a sheet winding unit 1513, a sorting unit 1514, and an operation unit unit 1515. These are arranged in the casing of the printing apparatus PR1. The control unit 1508 incorporates a controller, a user interface, and a control unit having various I / O interfaces, and manages various controls of the entire printing apparatus PR1.

  The print medium storage unit 101 includes two units, an upper sheet cassette 101a and a lower sheet cassette 101b.

  The user attaches a print medium (hereinafter referred to as a sheet) to the magazine and inserts it into the main body of the printing apparatus PR1 from the front. The sheet pulled out from the upper sheet cassette 101a is conveyed in the a direction in FIG. 15, and the sheet pulled out from the lower sheet cassette 101b is conveyed in the b direction in FIG. Sheets from any of the cassette units travel in the direction c in FIG. 15 and reach the conveyance unit 1502. The conveyance unit 1502 conveys a sheet in the d direction (horizontal direction) in FIG. 15 through a plurality of rotating rollers 1504 during printing.

  A head unit 1505 is disposed above the transport unit 1502 so as to face each other. In the head unit 1505, print heads 1506 for a plurality of colors (seven colors in the embodiment) that are independent from each other are held along the sheet conveyance direction. In synchronization with the conveyance of the sheet by the conveyance unit 1502, ink is ejected from the print head 1506 to form an image on the sheet. The transport unit 1502, the head unit 1505, and the print head 1506 constitute a printing unit. The ink tank 1509 stores ink of each color independently. From the ink tank 1509, ink is supplied to a sub tank provided corresponding to each color by a tube, and ink is supplied from the sub tank to each print head 1506 by a tube.

  The print head 1506 has line heads for each color (seven colors in the embodiment) arranged in the transport direction d during printing. Each color line head may be seamlessly formed by a single nozzle tip, or divided nozzle tips may be regularly arranged in a single row or a staggered arrangement. . In the first embodiment, a so-called full multihead in which nozzles are arranged in a range covering the printing width of the maximum sheet to be used is provided. As an ink jet method for ejecting ink from a nozzle, a method using a heating element, a method using a piezo element, a method using an electrostatic element, a method using a MEMS element, or the like may be adopted. Ink is ejected from the nozzles of each head based on the print data, and the ejection timing is determined by the output signal of the transport encoder 1503.

  The present invention is not limited to an ink jet printer, and can be applied to various printing methods such as a thermal printer (sublimation type, thermal transfer type, etc.), dot impact printer, LED printer, laser printer, and the like.

  After the image is formed on the sheet, the conveyance unit 1502 conveys the sheet to the scanner engine 109. The scanner engine 109 reads a print image or special pattern, checks whether there is a problem with the print image, checks the state of the apparatus, and determines the type of print medium. In the first embodiment, reading is performed during test pattern printing. In the first embodiment, the scanner engine 109 is provided in the printing apparatus PR1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 15. However, the scanner engine 109 may be provided as an external unit.

  The sheet conveyed from the scanner engine 109 is conveyed in the direction f in FIG. 15 and is conveyed to the back surface printing unit 1511. The back surface printing unit 1511 is a unit that prints information (for example, order management number) for each print image.

  The drying unit 1512 is a unit that heats a sheet passing in the direction g in FIG. 15 with warm air in order to dry the sheet to which ink has been applied in a short time. The sheets pass through the drying unit 1512 one by one, are conveyed in the h direction in FIG. 15, and are conveyed to the sorting unit 1514. In the sorting unit 1514, sheets passing in the direction i in FIG. 15 are stacked on a tray number set for each print image while checking with a sensor. The sorting unit 1514 holds a plurality of trays, and sorts the trays to be stacked according to the length of the printing unit. In addition, status indications such as loading or loading completion are displayed, for example, with LEDs.

  The sheet take-up unit 1513 first performs surface image formation during duplex printing, conveys the sheet in the unit in the j direction in FIG. 15, and conveys the sheet in the k direction in FIG. 15 by the sheet take-up unit 1513. This is the unit that prints the back image.

  The operation unit 1515 is a unit for an operator to operate / confirm to perform apparatus maintenance. Device maintenance is a device that checks the printing status for each order, such as which tray the specified order image is loaded on, or whether printing is in progress or printing is completed, and the remaining amount of ink and paper. It is represented by state confirmation, head cleaning and the like.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a read image. The read image 401 is an image obtained by reading the result of printing the test pattern 301 using the ink droplet amount A. The pattern P11 is a pattern when the result of printing the pattern P1 is read, and the pattern P21 is a pattern when the result of printing the pattern P2 is read. The interval L11u is the interval between the upper ends of the two patterns P11, the interval L11c is the interval between the central portions of the two patterns P11, and the interval L11d is the lower end of the two patterns P11. The distance between each other.

  The read image 402 is an image obtained by reading the result of printing the test pattern 302 using the ink droplet amount B. The read image 403 is an image obtained by reading the result of printing the test pattern 303 using the ink droplet amount C.

  Based on each of the images 401, 402, and 403 read in S203 and each of the test patterns 301, 302, and 303, the CPU measures the amount of blur using the blur measuring unit 105 in S204. An example of a blur measurement method in the blur measurement unit 105 will be described for the pattern P1 in the test pattern 301. FIG.

  A difference between the length of the interval L1 at the upper end of the pattern P1 composed of two parallel lines and the length of the interval L11u at the upper end of the printed pattern P11 is obtained. Further, a difference between the length of the central portion interval L2 and the length of the central portion interval L11c in the printed pattern P11 is obtained. Further, the difference between the length of the lower end interval L3 and the length of the lower end interval L11d in the printed pattern P11 and the average of the three differences are obtained. Then, the amount of bleeding is calculated based on the three differences and the average.

  It should be noted that the difference and average of the length of the interval in the pattern P2 composed of two parallel lines and the interval L21 in the printed pattern P21 are obtained in the same manner as described above to calculate the amount of bleeding. In addition, regarding the patterns P3 and P4, the intervals L31 and L41 are also obtained in the same manner as described above, and the difference and average are obtained and the amount of bleeding is calculated.

  As described above, the test patterns 301, 302, and 303 for measuring bleeding shown in FIG. 3 have a plurality of patterns P1, P2, P3, and P4 having different linear directions (vertical and horizontal) and different ink droplet amounts, and S204. Then, the CPU measures each amount of bleeding. Note that the method for measuring the amount of bleeding need not be limited to this example, and other methods for measuring the amount of bleeding may be used.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a bleeding measurement result measured by the bleeding measuring unit 105. The amount of the bleeding measurement result shown in FIG. 5 is the difference between the length of the interval between the straight lines in the test pattern shown in FIG. 3 and the length of the interval as a result of reading the printed straight line shown in FIG. In FIG. 5, the difference between the lengths of the two differences is shown as the amount of bleeding.

  As described above, based on the bleeding measurement result measured by the bleeding measuring unit 105 and the print medium type discrimination threshold stored in the print medium type discrimination threshold storage unit 106, the CPU performs printing in S205. The type of print medium is discriminated and specified using the medium type discriminating unit 107.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the print medium type determination threshold stored in the print medium type determination threshold storage unit.

  For example, when the pattern P1 is printed on plain paper, the amount of bleeding is 10 for the maximum value, 5 for the minimum value, and 6 for the average value. This is because when the pattern P1 is printed on plain paper, the amount of bleeding (the difference between the length of the interval in the test pattern and the length of the interval in the read image) is 10 or less at the maximum, 5 or more at the minimum, It shows 6 on average. Further, the error indicates that it falls within + -1. That is, the average value of the values obtained by actually measuring the intervals between the patterns is within the range of + -1 of the threshold value of the average value. In addition, although the unit of the said maximum value and minimum value is mm in embodiment, it is not necessary to limit the unit to mm.

  In addition, since the threshold value also varies depending on the temperature and humidity, it is desirable to prepare printing medium type determination threshold values for those environmental variables.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an operation in which the print medium type determination unit 107 determines the print medium type. A program related to the flowchart of FIG. 8 is stored in the ROM, and is loaded into the RAM and executed by the CPU.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of blur calculation results.

  First, in S801 in FIG. 8, the CPU creates the bleeding measurement result shown in FIG. 7 based on the bleeding measurement result shown in FIG. In step S802, the CPU initializes the print medium type function q to 1. In step S803, the CPU prepares printing of the first print medium type, and initializes the function m of the ink droplet amount order to 1. The pattern order function n is initialized to 1. In S804, the CPU causes the print engine 103 to print the patterns P1, P2, P3, and P4 on the printing medium with the first ink droplet amount. In step S805, the CPU prepares for comparison with the amount of bleeding of the first pattern, that is, sets the threshold values of the maximum value, the minimum value, and the average value according to the first print medium type. In S806, the CPU determines that the amount of bleeding of the first pattern P1 is equal to or less than the threshold value of the maximum value. In S807, the CPU compares the amount of bleeding of the first pattern P1 with the minimum value to determine the minimum value. If it is determined that it is equal to or greater than the threshold, the process proceeds to S808. In S808, the CPU determines whether the bleeding amount of the first pattern P1 is within + −1 of the average threshold value. When it is determined that the blur amount of the first pattern P1 is within + −1 of the average threshold value, the blur amount of the first pattern P1 is cleared for the first pattern P1. Therefore, in step S809, the CPU determines whether the nth pattern is the fourth. If the CPU determines that it is not the last, fourth, in step S810, the CPU increments n by 1, and repeats the processing in steps S805 to S809 for the next pattern P2.

  In S806, S807, and S808, if even one CPU determines No, it can be determined that it is not the first print medium type. Therefore, in S814, the CPU determines whether the print medium type function q is 4 or not. To do. In other words, if the CPU determines that there is no next print medium type, the CPU specifies that there is no corresponding print medium type in S815. If the CPU determines that there is a print medium type to be determined next in S814, the CPU returns to S803, prepares printing of the second print medium type, initializes the functions m and n to 1, The processing of S804 to S808 is executed.

  If the CPU determines in step S809 that the comparison has been completed for the four patterns, in step S811, it is determined whether the ink drop amount function m has reached 3, that is, three types of ink droplet amounts have been printed and compared. To do. If it is determined that all the ink droplet amounts have not been printed and compared, the CPU increments the ink droplet amount function m by 1 in S812, returns to S804, and repeats the processing of S804 to S809.

  If the CPU determines in S811 that all the patterns relating to the print medium type currently being compared are not more than the maximum threshold value, not less than the minimum value, and is within the range of the average value + -1. In S816, the CPU determines whether it is the last print medium type. That is, it is determined whether the print medium type being compared is the fourth print medium type. If it is determined that the print medium type is not the fourth print medium type, the CPU increments the print medium type function q by 1 in S817, and S803. Returning to step S803, the processing of steps S803 to S811 is repeated.

  If the CPU determines in S816 that all patterns relating to all print medium types are below the maximum threshold value, above the minimum value, and within the range of the average value + -1, in S818, Identifies this print medium type. The present print medium type is a print medium type that is currently compared. That is, when the comparison is performed, the print medium type is equal to or less than the maximum value of the threshold value, equal to or greater than the minimum value, and in the range of the average value + -1. It is the type of print medium that is determined to be included.

  That is, in the first embodiment, when the pattern P1 is printed with the ink droplet amount A (first ink droplet amount), the bleeding amount at the measurement point interval L11u is 11, and the bleeding amount at the measurement point interval L11c is 8. It is assumed that the amount of bleeding at the measurement point interval L11d is 8. In this case, the maximum value is 11, the minimum value is 8, and the average value is 9. Thus, the CPU performs the calculation for obtaining the maximum value, the minimum value, and the average value of the bleeding amount for all the bleeding measurement results shown in FIG. 5, and obtains the bleeding calculation result shown in FIG.

  Then, the CPU compares (compares) the blur calculation result shown in FIG. 7 with the discrimination threshold value of the print medium type shown in FIG. 6 until the print medium type satisfying the discrimination threshold is specified. repeat.

  In the first embodiment, when the ink droplet amount is A and the pattern P1 is used in the example of the print medium type discrimination threshold shown in FIG. 6, the maximum value of the interval is 10, and this is shown in FIG. 7 is compared with the maximum value 11 of the bleeding calculation result shown in FIG. As a result of the comparison, since the threshold value 10 of the maximum value of plain paper is exceeded, the CPU determines that it is not plain paper, and compares it with the threshold value of recycled paper that is the next printing medium type in S803 and thereafter. . As a result of this comparison, since all the threshold values for recycled paper are satisfied, the CPU determines in S818 that the print medium type in the first embodiment is recycled paper.

  Finally, in S206, the identified result of the print medium is stored in the print medium type storage unit.

  The test patterns 301, 302, and 303 used in Embodiment 1 are easy to understand the characteristics of the print medium. Since the test patterns 301, 302, and 303 with easy-to-understand characteristics of the print medium are actually printed and the print medium type is discriminated based on the blur of the print result, the print medium type discriminating accuracy in various print media is improved. Can be improved. That is, as compared with the case where the print medium type is directly determined based on the monochrome solid print medium before printing as in the conventional example, the print medium type can be identified with higher accuracy in the first embodiment. .

  The information on the determined print medium type is reflected in the subsequent print processing. Specifically, if it is determined as plain paper, appropriate printing can be performed by performing color conversion processing suitable for plain paper and ink ejection control.

Embodiment 2

  The second embodiment of the present invention notifies the user of this state when a print medium type different from the set print medium type is mixed and stored in the print medium storage unit in the printing apparatus PR1 of the first embodiment. There is a feature in the point.

  Since the configuration of the second embodiment is basically the same as that of the printing apparatus PR1 shown in FIG. 1, the second embodiment will be described based on the configuration of the printing apparatus PR1.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the second embodiment. The program related to the flowchart of FIG. 16 is stored in the ROM, and is loaded into the RAM and executed by the CPU.

  The print medium storage unit 101 can store one or more types of print media. The print medium storage unit 101 supports continuous paper, cut paper, and the like. If cut sheets are stored in the print medium storage unit 101, after recognizing that a new print medium type is stored, it is checked in step S1601 whether there is a remaining print medium. The print medium detection mechanism is a storage medium thickness or weight sensor or the like, and can thereby measure the remaining amount of the print medium.

  If it is determined that there is no print medium remaining, it is sufficient to perform the processing by the print medium type discrimination mechanism 100 according to the first embodiment in S1602. On the other hand, if it is determined in S1601 that there is a remaining print medium, in S1603, after the processing by the print medium type discrimination mechanism 100 in the first embodiment is performed, in S1604, the discrimination result is stored in the print medium type storage unit. Compare with the print medium type already stored in 108. As a result of the comparison, if it is determined that they are equal, the processing by the print medium type discrimination mechanism 100 is terminated as it is.

  If it is determined in S1604 that they are not equal, it is determined that a print medium type different from the currently set print medium type is mixed and stored in the print medium storage units 101a and 101b. In S1605, this state is notified to the user. , Prompt for correction.

  According to the second embodiment, if a print medium type different from the currently set print medium type is stored in a mixed manner, the user can correct the different print medium type, so that the printing apparatus incorrectly sets the print medium type. The determination accuracy of the print medium is further increased.

Embodiment 3

  The third embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that if it is determined that the designated print medium exists in the storage unit for the print medium type, printing is performed with the print medium type, and if it does not exist, an NG notification is sent to the user. .

  FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing apparatus PR3 that is Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

  In the configuration of the first and second embodiments, the printing apparatus PR3 includes a UI 901 that receives a user operation on the printing apparatus PR3, a remote PC 902, and a controller 903. The controller 903 receives a print job by a user operation and controls the printing apparatus PR3.

  That is, the printing apparatus PR3 includes a UI 901, a controller 903, a print engine 103, a print medium storage unit 101, a scanner engine 912, and a print medium type determination mechanism 200. The printing apparatus PR3 is connected to the PC 902.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the printing apparatus PR3. A program related to the flowchart of FIG. 10 is stored in the ROM, and is loaded into the RAM and executed by the CPU.

  When a print medium is set in the print medium storage unit 101, the processing described in the first and second embodiments is performed, and the specified print medium type is stored in the print medium type storage unit 905.

  By the print execution operation by the user, the UI 901 and the PC 902 transmit a print job to the controller 903 in S1001. In this print job, in addition to the print data, the type of print medium to be printed is specified. Hereinafter, the information on the type of the designated print medium is referred to as a designated print medium.

  In step S1002, the controller 903 checks whether the designated print medium exists in the print medium type storage unit 905. If the controller 903 determines that the print medium type exists, the controller 903 performs print processing using the print medium type to the print engine 103 in step S1003. Make it. If it is determined that it does not exist, the designated print medium is NG and the list of print medium type storage units 905 that can be designated is presented to the user via the UI 901 and the remote PC 902 in S1004, and designated print is performed. Encourage media changes.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of print medium type data in the printing apparatus PR3. In the data example shown in FIG. 13, the list of print medium type storage units 905 that can be specified is a list obtained by extracting print medium type names marked with “◎”.

  According to the third embodiment, it is possible to provide a print service on a print medium (designated print medium) that meets user needs. If the designated print medium is not held, a list of compatible print media is provided to the user. As a result, it is possible to appropriately provide the user with options such as selecting another print medium type and urging the user to set a print medium to be specified in the print medium storage unit, and promptly prompt the next action.

Embodiment 4

  Embodiment 4 of the present invention is an embodiment in which printing is performed as it is within a range in which print quality is guaranteed even if the type of print medium stored in the cassette is different from the print medium designated by the user.

  Since the fourth embodiment is basically the same as the printing apparatus PR3 shown in FIG. 9, the fourth embodiment will be described using the printing apparatus PR3.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the fourth embodiment. The program relating to the flowchart of FIG. 11 is stored in the ROM, and is loaded into the RAM and executed by the CPU.

  In step S1101, it is recognized that a print medium is set in the print medium storage unit 101. In step S1102, the test pattern job stored in the test pattern job storage unit 907 is executed to print on a new print medium. The engine 103 prints a test pattern.

  In step S <b> 1103, the print result reading unit 908 reads the print medium printed by the print engine 103. Based on the read image and the test pattern stored in the test pattern job storage unit 907, the blur measurement unit 909 measures the blur amount in step S1104.

  Based on the bleeding measurement result and the discrimination threshold stored in the print medium type discrimination threshold storage unit 910, the print medium type discrimination unit 911 discriminates and specifies the type of print medium in S1105. The operation so far is the same as the operation in the first, second, and third embodiments.

  12A and 12B are flowcharts illustrating a determination method (S1105) for determining the print medium type, which is a feature of the fourth embodiment. The programs related to the flowcharts of FIGS. 12A and 12B are stored in the ROM, and are loaded into the RAM and executed by the CPU.

  First, in S801, the CPU creates a bleeding calculation result shown in FIG. 7 based on the bleeding measurement result shown in FIG. In step S802, the CPU initializes the print medium type function q to 1. In step S803, the CPU prepares printing of the first print medium type, and initializes the function m of the ink droplet amount order to 1. The pattern order function n is initialized to 1. In S804, the CPU causes the print engine 103 to print the patterns P1, P2, P3, and P4 on the printing medium with the first ink droplet amount. In step S805, the CPU prepares for comparison with the amount of bleeding of the first pattern, that is, sets the threshold values of the maximum value, the minimum value, and the average value according to the first print medium type. In S806, the CPU determines that the amount of bleeding of the first pattern P1 is equal to or less than the threshold value of the maximum value. In S807, the CPU compares the amount of bleeding of the first pattern P1 with the minimum value to determine the minimum value. If it is determined that it is equal to or greater than the threshold, the process proceeds to S808. In S808, the CPU determines whether the bleeding amount of the first pattern P1 is within + −1 of the average threshold value. When it is determined that the blur amount of the first pattern P1 is within + −1 of the average threshold value, the blur amount of the first pattern P1 is cleared for the first pattern P1. Therefore, in step S809, the CPU determines whether the nth pattern is the fourth. If the CPU determines that it is not the last, fourth, in step S810, the CPU increments n by 1, and repeats the processing in steps S805 to S809 for the next pattern P2.

  If the CPU determines No in S806, in S8061, the CPU determines whether the amount of bleeding is within + a of the maximum threshold, and determines that the amount of bleeding is within + a of the maximum threshold. In step S8062, a permission flag is set. If the CPU determines that the amount of bleeding is not within + a of the maximum threshold value, an NG flag is set in S8063.

  If the CPU determines No in S807, in S8071, the CPU determines whether the amount of bleeding is within −b of the minimum threshold, and the amount of bleeding is within −b of the minimum threshold. If it is determined, an allowance flag is set in S8072. If the CPU determines that the amount of bleeding is not within −b of the minimum threshold value, an NG flag is set in S8073.

  If the CPU determines No in S808, in S8081, the CPU determines whether the amount of bleeding is within + −c of the average threshold, and the amount of bleeding is within + −c of the average threshold. If it is determined that there is, an allowable flag is set in S8082. If the CPU determines that the amount of bleeding is not within + −c of the average threshold value, an NG flag is set in S8083.

  If it is determined in step S809 that the nth pattern is the fourth pattern, which is the last, in step S811, the CPU determines whether the function m of the ink droplet amount order is 3, and if it is determined that it is not 3. In step S812, the function m is incremented by 1, and the process returns to step S804. And CPU repeats the process of S804-S811. In S811, if the CPU determines that the function m is 3, it determines in S813 whether the print medium type order function q is 4, and if it determines that the function q is not 4, in S813a. The function q is incremented by 1, the process returns to S803, and the processes of S803 to S813 are repeated.

  If the CPU determines that the function q is 4 in S813, it determines in S821 whether there is an NG flag. If there is no NG flag, it determines in S822 whether there is an allowable flag, If not, it is specified in S823 that it is the print medium type. On the other hand, if it is determined in S822 that there is an allowable flag, the CPU specifies that the print medium is a candidate print medium type in S824. If it is determined in S821 that the NG flag is present, in S825, the CPU specifies that the print medium type is not applicable. That is, it is specified that the corresponding print medium type does not exist.

  That is, even if it is outside the threshold, if it is within the allowable ranges a, b, and c, an allowable flag is set in S8062, S8072, and S8082. That is, if the bleeding measurement result is within the maximum allowable range + a, minimum allowable range −b, and average allowable range + −c with respect to the print medium type discrimination threshold, an allowable flag is set. Then, if the bleeding measurement result is within the range of the maximum value + a, minimum value -b, and average value + -c of the print medium type discrimination threshold shown in FIG. 6, it is considered that the print quality is acceptable.

  In the default manufacturer setting and user setting, together with the print medium type discrimination threshold shown in FIG. 6, the allowable ranges a, b, and c are held in the print medium type discrimination threshold storage unit 910.

  FIG. 17 is an example of the maximum value allowable range a, the minimum value allowable range b, and the average value allowable range c for each print medium type, and shows an example held in the print medium type discrimination threshold storage unit 910. FIG.

  In step S1106, the CPU stores the determination result of the print medium specified by the print medium determination unit in the print medium type storage unit 905.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of the determination result of the stored print medium type. In FIG. 13, ◎ indicates a print medium type, ○ indicates a print medium type candidate, and X indicates that the print medium type is not applicable.

  In the example illustrated in FIG. 13, for example, the print medium stored in the cassette A of the print medium storage unit 101 is determined by the CPU using the print medium type determination unit 911 illustrated in FIGS. 12A and 12B. By the processing, it is identified as plain paper of the print medium type. However, in the determination result shown in FIG. 13, since the circles indicating the print medium type candidates are described on the recycled paper, it can be seen that the recycled paper can be printed within the allowable range. Further, in the determination result shown in FIG. 13, the x mark indicating that the print medium type is not applicable is written on the glossy paper. Therefore, it is understood that printing as glossy paper is impossible.

  Here, in the determination result shown in FIG. 13, the cassette C is marked with “◎” on two of “plain paper” and “glossy paper”. This indicates that both “plain paper” and “glossy paper” can be determined. The user is notified that the print medium type discrimination threshold shown in FIG. 6 needs to be reviewed, and prompts editing.

  In the determination result shown in FIG. 13, the cassette D is not marked with any mark. This indicates that the corresponding print medium type does not exist, and notifies the user that it is necessary to reconfirm the set print medium type and review the print medium type discrimination threshold shown in FIG. Prompt.

  Subsequently, a print job is transmitted from the UI 901 and the PC 902 to the controller 903 in step S1107 by the user's print execution operation. This print job includes information on the designated print medium as in the third embodiment. The fourth embodiment will be described using an example in which a print job in which “recycled paper” is designated as the designated print medium is received.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print job transmission screen. At this time, the “print medium type error tolerance” column 1401 is checked. This is an example of a UI for inputting a user intention to execute printing if the print medium is a print medium type that is within an allowable range other than the designated print medium.

  In step S <b> 1108, the PC 902 checks whether the designated print medium exists in the print medium type storage unit 905 using the controller 903. If it exists, in step S1109, the PC 902 executes printing using the print medium type via the print engine 103. However, in the determination result shown in FIG. There is no cassette listed on the paper. Therefore, it is indicated that there is no print medium designated by the user.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S1108 that the designated print medium does not exist in the print medium type storage unit 905, the PC 902 sends an NG notification to the user in S1110. In step S1111, the CPU determines whether the “print medium type error tolerance” column 1401 illustrated in FIG. 14 is checked. As a result of the determination in S1111, it is found that the “print medium type error tolerance” column 1401 is checked as shown in FIG. In FIG. 13, the cassettes A and B are marked with ◯ indicating that they are print medium type candidates. Therefore, while the PC 902 notifies the user of NG in S1110, the PC 902 causes the print engine 103 to execute printing with the print medium stored in the cassette A or the cassette B in S1109. If there is no cassette marked with a circle indicating that it is a candidate for the print medium type, the process is terminated as it is.

  As described above, even if the print medium type stored in the cassette is different from the print medium designated by the user, it can be printed as it is within the range in which the print quality is guaranteed. As a result, when there is no problem with a slight difference in print medium type, it is possible to reduce the user cost for reprinting by replacing the print medium type stored in the cassette in response to user needs.

(Other examples)
Each embodiment is also realized by executing the following processing. That is, software (program) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus via a network or various storage media, and a computer (or CPU, MPU, or the like) of the system or apparatus reads the program. It is a process to be executed. Further, the number of computers that execute the program may be one, or a plurality of computers may cooperate to execute the program. Furthermore, hardware such as a circuit that executes a part of the program may be provided, and the hardware and the computer that executes the software may cooperate to execute the processing described in the present embodiment.

PR1, PR3 ... Printing device,
100, 200 ... print medium type discrimination mechanism,
104: Print result reading unit,
105 ... bleeding measurement unit,
107 A print medium type discrimination unit.

Claims (13)

A print result reading unit that obtains a print result by reading a print medium on which a print engine prints a test pattern job for determining a print medium type;
Based on the printing result read by the printing result reading unit and the test pattern job, a bleeding measuring unit that measures bleeding of the printing result;
A print medium type discriminating unit for discriminating a print medium type based on a blur measurement result measured by the blur measuring unit;
A print medium discriminating apparatus comprising:   The print medium determination apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the test pattern job is a test pattern including a vertical straight line and a horizontal straight line.   The print medium determination apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the test patterns are test patterns having different thicknesses.   The printing medium type determination unit according to claim 1, wherein the printing medium type determination unit determines a printing medium type based on a bleeding measurement result measured by the bleeding measurement unit and a printing medium type determination threshold. Media discrimination device.   The print medium discrimination apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a print medium type storage unit that stores a discrimination result by the print medium type discrimination unit.   The print medium determination apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a print job including permission to print with a print medium type different from a print medium designated by a user is received.   The print medium type discriminating unit specifies a print medium type, measures a difference from a threshold for all other print medium types, and sets a print medium type whose difference is within an allowable range as a print medium type candidate. The printing medium determination apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing medium determination apparatus holds the print medium.   8. The print medium type candidate is specified if the bleeding measurement result is within a maximum value allowable range, a minimum value allowable range, and an average value + − allowable range with respect to the print medium type discrimination threshold. The print medium discriminating device described in 1.   When a print job that allows printing on a print medium type different from the print medium specified by the user is received, if the print medium type corresponding to the print medium specified by the user is not held, the print medium type 9. The print medium determining apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the print medium is printed on a candidate. A printing result reading step of reading a printing medium on which a printing engine prints a test pattern job for determining a printing medium type, and obtaining a printing result;
Based on the printing result read in the printing result reading step and the test pattern job, a bleeding measurement step of measuring bleeding of the printing result;
Based on the bleeding measurement result measured in the bleeding measurement step, a printing medium type discrimination step for discriminating the printing medium type;
A method of discriminating print media, comprising:   A program for causing a computer to execute the printing method according to claim 10. A print engine,
A print result reading unit that obtains a print result by reading a print medium printed by the print engine for a test pattern job for determining a print medium type;
Based on the printing result read by the printing result reading unit and the test pattern job, a bleeding measuring unit that measures bleeding of the printing result;
A print medium type discriminating unit for discriminating a print medium type based on a blur measurement result measured by the blur measuring unit;
A printing apparatus comprising:   The printing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the print engine performs printing based on a print medium type determined by the determination unit.

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