JP2017177336A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printer which can properly determine image quality of a print image printed by a printing unit.SOLUTION: In a printer, a discharge head 26 prints a vertical line image 60 along a conveyance direction Y of a sheet P in a determination object color being a determination object of image quality out of a plurality of colors, a lateral line image 70 along a scanning direction X intersecting the conveyance direction of the sheet in the determination object color, and a region image 80 in which a plurality of surface images different in the determination object colors are arrayed adjacently in at least one of the conveyance direction and scanning direction X as specific images TG, and an analysis unit analyzes the thickness of the line and the chipping of the line for the vertical line image and lateral line image as quality items, and analyzes the deviation of the relative positions in the array direction of the plurality of surface images for the region image as the quality item.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus that prints an image on a medium by discharging droplets.

  Conventionally, as a kind of printing apparatus, it has been equipped with a printing unit that ejects droplets of multiple colors of ink, etc., and it was ejected from the printing unit to a medium such as paper conveyed on a predetermined conveyance path according to the print data 2. Description of the Related Art There is known an ink jet printer in which an image including characters and graphics is printed on a medium by dots formed by droplets of respective colors landing on the medium. In such a printer, droplets corresponding to print data are ejected and dots are formed correctly on the medium, thereby printing a print image having a predetermined image quality on the medium.

  In view of this, there has been proposed an apparatus and a method for determining whether or not the image quality of a print image is a predetermined quality. In other words, there is an apparatus that compares the colorimetric values obtained by measuring the printed colorimetric part with a predetermined reference value and evaluates the quality of an image printed according to a print request (for example, Patent Document 1). Alternatively, there is a method of evaluating a positional deviation of a printed image by comparing a measured distance from the edge of a medium (glass) to a boundary of a print region with a reference value using a captured image (for example, Patent Document 2). .

JP 2014-82618 A JP 2014-185974 A

  However, the conventional apparatus or method determines whether or not the color of the print image satisfies the color specified by the print data, or the entire print image with respect to the medium at a predetermined position. It is determined whether or not there is a deviation. For this reason, conventional apparatuses and methods do not determine image quality, such as whether or not an image such as a line or a character in a print image is an image defined by print data. Therefore, it is desired to appropriately determine the image quality of the print image printed by the printing unit and adjust the printing unit so that dots are correctly formed on the medium according to the determination result.

Such a problem is generally common in a printing apparatus including a printing unit that ejects droplets of a plurality of colors and prints an image on a conveyed medium.
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a printing apparatus that can appropriately determine the image quality of a printed image printed by a printing unit.

Hereinafter, means for solving the above-described problems and the effects thereof will be described.
A printing apparatus that solves the above-described problem is a printing unit that discharges a plurality of color droplets from a nozzle to print a print image including a specific image on a conveyed medium, and captures the specific image printed by the printing unit. An imaging unit that analyzes the quality item representing the image quality of the print image from the captured image data of the specific image captured by the imaging unit, and compares the analyzed quality item with a criterion. A determination unit that determines the quality of the print image by performing a pass / fail determination of the quality item, and an adjustment that the determination unit makes a pass / fail determination on the print unit with respect to the quality item that the determination unit has determined to reject An adjustment unit that performs the printing, and the printing unit includes a vertical line image along a conveyance direction of the medium of the determination target color that is the determination target of the image quality of the plurality of colors, and the medium of the determination target color. How to transport A horizontal line image along a width direction that intersects with a region image, and a region image in which a plurality of surface images having different determination target colors are arranged adjacent to each other in at least one of the transport direction and the width direction. The analysis unit analyzes the thickness of the vertical line image and the horizontal line image as a quality item and the shift of the relative position in the arrangement direction of the plurality of surface images for the area image. Is analyzed as the quality item.

  According to this configuration, the pass / fail judgment of quality items such as thick lines, missing lines, and relative position shifts of the surface image is performed based on the line image and the area image. Therefore, the image quality of the print image printed by the printing unit can be reduced. Can be judged appropriately. Therefore, an appropriate adjustment can be made to the printing unit according to the determination result of the pass / fail determination.

  In the printing apparatus, when the determination unit determines that the thickness of the line or the relative position is not determined by the determination unit, the adjustment unit sets the ejection timing of the droplets from the nozzles to the printing unit. It is preferable to adjust.

According to this configuration, it is possible to make an appropriate adjustment to the printing unit so that the quality items of the line thickness or the relative position shift determined to be negative are determined.
In the printing apparatus, the adjustment unit adjusts ejection of the droplets from the nozzle by cleaning the nozzle with respect to the printing unit when the determination of the lack of the line is negative in the determination unit. It is preferable.

According to this configuration, it is possible to make an appropriate adjustment to the printing unit so that the quality item of the lack of line determined to be rejected is determined.
In the printing apparatus, the determination unit uses the line thickness and the number of line defects allowed as the image quality of the print image in the vertical line image and the horizontal line image as the determination standard, and a plurality of the region images. Preferably, the pass / fail judgment of the quality item is performed using the relative position shift amount allowed as the image quality of the print image in the surface image as the determination criterion.

According to this configuration, it is possible to appropriately determine the image quality of the print image depending on whether or not the analysis result of the evaluation item is within the determination criterion.
In the printing apparatus, the printing unit prints a plurality of the print images, and the determination unit includes the vertical line image and the one of the plurality of specific images captured by the photographing unit. It is preferable that the line thickness of the horizontal line image and the number of missing lines are used as the determination criterion, and the shift amount of the relative position of the plurality of surface images in the region image is used as the determination criterion.

  According to this configuration, for example, when a plurality of print images are continuously printed, the quality item analyzed from the captured image data of the specific image included in one of the print images (for example, the first print image) is selected. Use criteria for pass / fail judgment. Therefore, for example, when a plurality of different print images are printed, it is not necessary to prepare in advance a determination criterion according to the quality item for each of the different print images, so that it is possible to suppress the load related to the pass / fail determination process.

  In the printing apparatus, when the quality item is determined not to be determined by the determination unit, the quality item is determined on the medium on which the print image including the specific image that is determined not to be the quality item is printed. It is preferable that a transport unit that transports the medium on which the print image including the specific image is printed to a transport destination different from the transport destination is provided.

  According to this configuration, the medium on which the print image including the specific image whose quality item has been determined to be printed is divided from the other medium on which the print image including the specific image whose quality item has been determined is printed. Thus, it is possible to easily remove the medium on which the print image including the specific image whose quality item is determined to be negative is printed.

  The printing apparatus includes a storage unit that stores the medium on which the print image including the specific image in which the quality item is determined to be negative is determined when the quality item is determined to be negative by the determination unit. preferable.

  According to this configuration, since the medium on which the print image including the specific image for which the quality item is determined to be printed can be specified, for example, from the start of printing, the quality item is displayed after the end of printing. It is possible to easily remove the medium on which the print image including the specific image determined not to be printed is printed.

In the above printing apparatus, it is preferable that the printing apparatus includes a notification unit that notifies the quality item determined to be negative when the determination unit determines that the quality item is negative.
According to this configuration, for example, the user can confirm adjustments to be made to the printing unit in accordance with the notified quality item for determination.

  In the printing apparatus, when the quality item is determined not to be determined by the determination unit, the printing unit performs printing on the medium after the printing of the print image including the specific image that is determined not to be the quality item. It is preferable to stop.

  According to this configuration, when the quality item is determined not to be determined by the determination unit, printing of the print image by the printing unit is stopped, so that it is possible to suppress printing of the print image including the specific image whose quality item is determined not to be determined.

  In the printing apparatus, the printing unit prints the print image on the medium with dots formed by discharging the droplets, and the specific image includes the vertical line in which a plurality of the dots are arranged in the transport direction. The image includes the horizontal line image in which a plurality of the dots are arranged in the width direction, and the plurality of surface images in which the dots of each of the plurality of colors are arranged in both the transport direction and the width direction. The region image is preferable.

According to this configuration, since the pass / fail determination of the image quality of the specific image can be performed in units of one dot, the accuracy of the pass / fail determination can be improved.
In the printing apparatus, it is preferable that the specific image is printed at a predetermined position on the medium.

  According to this configuration, the specific image printed on the medium can be easily photographed by the photographing unit.

1 is a structural diagram schematically illustrating a printer that is an example of an embodiment of a printing apparatus. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing an ejection head that ejects ink, which is an example of liquid, from a nozzle. The figure which shows the printing image containing the specific image printed on the paper which is an example of a medium. The top view which shows the specific image printed on a paper. The figure which shows the thickness of the line analyzed about the printed vertical line image and horizontal line image. The figure which shows the missing of the line analyzed about the printed vertical line image and horizontal line image. The figure which shows the relative position shift of the surface image analyzed about the printed area | region image. 6 is a flowchart illustrating print image print processing performed in the printer. 6 is a flowchart illustrating adjustment processing of a printing unit performed in a printer. The figure which shows the thickness of the line analyzed about the horizontal line image printed by multiple dots. The figure which shows the lack of the line analyzed about the vertical line image printed by multiple dots. The figure which shows another example of the area | region image printed as a specific image.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of a printing apparatus will be described with reference to the drawings.
As illustrated in FIG. 1, the printer 11, which is an example of a printing apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment, discharges ink, which is an example of liquid, from a discharge head 26, which is an example of a printing unit, onto paper P, which is an example of a medium. This is an ink jet printer that prints images including characters and graphics. In the present embodiment, the paper P is conveyed in one direction at a position facing the ejection head 26 when printing on the paper P. A direction in which the sheet P is conveyed is defined as a conveying direction Y, and a direction along the width direction of the sheet P intersecting (preferably orthogonally) the conveying direction Y is defined as a scanning direction X of the ejection head 26. That is, the scanning direction X and the conveyance direction Y of the present embodiment are directions that intersect (preferably, orthogonal) to each other, and are directions that intersect (preferably, orthogonal) both of the gravity direction Z that is below.

  The printer 11 has a main body frame 20 in a substantially square box-shaped device main body 19, and a guide shaft 21 having a predetermined length is installed between side walls in the longitudinal direction of the main body frame 20. The guide shaft 21 is provided with a carriage 22 that can reciprocate in the longitudinal direction of the guide shaft 21. An endless timing belt 24 is wound around a pair of pulleys 23 attached to the inner surface of the back plate of the main body frame 20, and the carriage 22 is fixed to a part of the timing belt 24. One pulley 23 is connected to a drive shaft (output shaft) of a carriage motor 25. When the carriage motor 25 is driven forward and backward, and the timing belt 24 rotates forward and backward, the carriage 22 is moved to the guide shaft 21. Along the scanning direction X, which is also the width direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction Y of the conveyed paper P.

  Under the carriage 22, an ejection head 26 is provided as a printing unit that ejects ink. On the upper part of the carriage 22, four ink cartridges 27 each containing ink of four colors (for example, black (K), cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y)) can be loaded. It is. Then, the ink stored in each loaded ink cartridge 27 is supplied to the ejection head 26 via a flow path (not shown). The supplied ink is supplied from the ejection head 26 based on an electrical signal transmitted to the ejection head 26 via a flexible substrate 15 from a control board (not shown) provided with a control unit 50 that controls each operation of the printer 11. It is discharged as droplets (droplets).

  As shown in FIG. 2, the ejection head 26 includes a head module 29 in which a plurality of nozzles N that eject ink are arranged in a line in the transport direction Y of the paper P. Correspondingly, four are arranged along the scanning direction X that intersects the transport direction Y of the paper P. In this embodiment, 16 nozzles N (a nozzle N1 to a nozzle N16 in order from the upstream side in the transport direction Y) are formed in two rows, and the respective rows are referred to as a nozzle row Na and a nozzle row Nb to be distinguished. . The four head modules 29 that eject ink each have the same configuration, and electrical signals for ejecting ink from the nozzles N correspond to the four head modules 29 via the flexible substrate 15. Is transmitted to the head module 29. In the present embodiment, the nozzle row Na and the nozzle row Nb are each provided with 16 nozzles N arranged at equal pitch intervals and shifted from each other by a half pitch in the transport direction Y.

  In the head module 29, each nozzle N is provided with a pressure chamber communicating with the nozzle N and an actuator (for example, a piezoelectric element) that operates to eject ink from the pressure chamber from the nozzle N. Then, the actuator is operated based on the transmitted electrical signal, whereby ink is ejected from the nozzle N as ink droplets.

  Returning to FIG. 1, one end position on the movement path of the carriage 22 that reciprocates (here, the right end position when viewed from the front in the transport direction Y) is a home position (home position) where the carriage 22 stands by when not printing. Yes. A maintenance device 35, which is an example of a maintenance unit that performs maintenance on the discharge head 26 including cleaning of the nozzles N, is disposed immediately below the carriage 22 that is waiting at the home position. The maintenance device 35 includes, for example, a cap 36 that can be brought into contact with the ejection head 26 so as to surround the nozzle, and discharges unnecessary ink and bubbles in the nozzle N by reducing the pressure in the space formed by the contact of the cap 36. As a result, the nozzle N is cleaned.

  A support base 28 that defines the gap (gap) between the ejection head 26 and the paper P is provided on the lower side of the movement path of the carriage 22 that reciprocates along the guide shaft 21 in the gravity direction Z side. 21 so as to extend along the line 21. While being supported by the support table 28, the paper P passes between the ejection head 26 and the support table 28 and is conveyed by the roller pair in the conveyance direction Y that intersects the scanning direction X.

  The roller pair is configured to include a transport roller pair 33 and a discharge roller pair 34 disposed on the upstream side and the downstream side of the support table 28 in the transport direction Y of the paper P. The transport roller pair 33 includes a transport drive roller 33a that is rotationally driven by the power of the transport motor 32, and a transport driven roller 33b that rotates in contact with the transport drive roller 33a. The discharge roller pair 34 includes a discharge drive roller 34a that is rotationally driven by the power of the transport motor 32, and a discharge driven roller 34b that rotates in contact with the discharge drive roller 34a. And the conveyance motor 32 arrange | positioned at the main body frame 20 is rotationally driven, the conveyance drive roller 33a and the discharge drive roller 34a are driven, and the paper P is clamped by the conveyance roller pair 33 and the discharge roller pair 34 ( Nipped) and conveyed in the conveyance direction Y.

  Further, the printer 11 is configured to switch the transport destination of the paper P on which the image is printed. In other words, in the printer 11, two discharge trays 18, an upper discharge tray 18 a and a lower discharge tray 18 b, which are spaced apart in the vertical direction, are arranged as transport destinations of the paper P on the side in the transport direction Y with respect to the apparatus body 19. Has been. In the apparatus main body 19, the drive motor 37 is driven to move the paper P to the upper discharge tray 18 a as shown by a solid line in FIG. 1 and the paper P as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 1. A transport destination switching mechanism having a guide plate 38 that swings between two positions of the transport position to the lower discharge tray 18 b is provided as the transport section 30.

  In the printer 11, print data is input via the recording medium 16 and the signal cable 17. In the printer 11, based on the input print data, the carriage 22 reciprocates in the scanning direction X while ejecting ink from the nozzles N of the ejection head 26 at a predetermined timing, and the paper P is transported in the transport direction. An image is printed on the paper P by alternately repeating the transport operation for transporting the toner by Y at a predetermined transport amount. Of the scanning direction X, the direction in which the carriage 22 moves away from the cap 36 is referred to as the forward scanning direction + X, and the opposite direction is referred to as the backward scanning direction −X.

  As shown in FIG. 3, in the printer 11 of this embodiment, print data of a plurality of print images PG is input, and a plurality of print images PG including a specific image TG are input based on the input print data. It is printed on each paper P.

  The specific image TG included in the print image PG printed on each paper P is printed at a predetermined position on the downstream side in the transport direction Y on the paper P, as indicated by a dashed-dotted rectangular area in FIG. Further, the image portion excluding the specific image TG in the print image PG is a separated image KG having a rectangular print area separated from the specific image TG, and is upstream of the specific image TG in the transport direction Y on the paper P. Printed. In other words, in the present embodiment, the ejection head 26 as a printing unit moves the specific image TG before the separated image KG with respect to the paper P by the reciprocating movement of the carriage 22 in the forward scanning direction + X and the backward scanning direction −X. To print.

  In the present embodiment, as the specific image TG, as indicated by shades with different densities, hatching, and cross hatching in FIG. 4, vertical line images 60 of four determination target colors that are image quality determination targets, respectively. The horizontal line image 70 and the area image 80 are printed. Specifically, the ejection head 26 ejects ink of each of a plurality of colors from the nozzles N of the head module 29 and is a line image along the transport direction Y of the paper P, and four vertical lines having different colors from each other. Images 61, 62, 63, and 64 (collectively referred to as a vertical line image 60) are printed as the specific image TG. In addition, the ejection head 26 ejects a plurality of colors of ink from the nozzles N of the head module 29 and is a line image along the scanning direction X of the paper P, and four horizontal line images 71 having different colors from each other. , 72, 73, 74 (collectively referred to as a vertical line image 70) are printed as the specific image TG. Further, the ejection head 26 ejects a plurality of colors of ink from the nozzles N of the head module 29, and the four surface images 81, 82, 83, and 84 having different colors are arranged in the scanning direction X as an array direction. The area images 80 arranged adjacent to each other are printed as the specific image TG.

  The four (four) vertical line images 61, 62, 63, and 64 as the specific image TG are printed at intervals in the scanning direction X, and the four (four) as the specific image TG are printed. The horizontal line images 71, 72, 73, and 74 are printed at intervals in the transport direction Y. Further, each of the surface images 81, 82, 83, 84 as the specific image TG is printed as a rectangular image having the transport direction Y as the longitudinal direction. Therefore, the region image 80 in which they are arranged adjacent to each other in the scanning direction X is also a rectangular image. In the present embodiment, the vertical line image 60, the horizontal line image 70, and the region image 80 are printed on the paper P at positions that overlap each other when viewed from the scanning direction X.

  As shown in FIG. 4, in this embodiment, an image in which a plurality of dots D formed on the paper P by the landing of ink (ink droplets) ejected from the nozzles N of the ejection head 26 are arranged in the transport direction Y. Is a vertical line image 60, and a plurality of images arranged in the scanning direction X are horizontal line images 70. Further, images (rectangular images) in which a plurality of dots D formed on the paper P are arranged in both the transport direction Y and the scanning direction X are referred to as surface images 81, 82, 83, and 84.

  In the present embodiment, when the vertical line image 60 is moved along the scanning direction X of the carriage 22, each nozzle array Na, Nb in which 16 nozzles N (nozzles N 1 to N 16) are provided in each head module 29. Ink (ink droplets) is discharged from the printer and printed. In other words, on the paper P, four (four) vertical line images 60 of different colors in which 32 dots D are arranged in the carrying direction Y are printed in the scanning direction X at intervals.

  In this embodiment, the horizontal line image 70 is ejected from one nozzle N of the nozzle rows Na and Nb in each head module 29 when the carriage 22 moves along the scanning direction X. Printed. That is, four (four) horizontal line images 70 of different colors in which a plurality of dots D are arranged in the scanning direction X are printed on the paper P at intervals in the transport direction Y.

  In the present embodiment, the surface images 81, 82, 83, 84 are all the nozzles N provided in the nozzle row Na and the nozzle row Nb in each head module 29 when the carriage 22 moves along the scanning direction X. Ink is discharged from the printer and printed. That is, on the paper P, 32 dots each arranged in the transport direction Y and 10 in the scanning direction X are arranged as shown in FIG. 4 by shading, hatching, and cross hatching having different densities. A region image 80 in which four surface images 81, 82, 83, 84 of different colors are arranged adjacent to each other in the scanning direction X is printed.

  Returning to FIG. 1, in the printer 11, the imaging unit 12 that captures the specific image TG printed on the paper P in this way is provided in the carriage 22. Then, the imaging unit 12 provided in the carriage 22 captures the printed specific image TG as the carriage 22 reciprocates in the forward scanning direction + X and the backward scanning direction −X. In the present embodiment, a digital camera can be adopted as an example of the photographing unit 12, and photographed image data photographed by the digital camera is sent to the control unit 50 provided on a control board (not shown) via the flexible board 15. It is done.

  In this embodiment, the control unit 50 is a computer including a central processing element (CPU) and a storage element (ROM, RAM, etc.) provided on the control board, and is based on a predetermined program stored in the storage element. By operating, it functions as the analysis unit 51, the determination unit 52, the adjustment unit 53, and the storage unit 54.

  The analysis unit 51 analyzes a quality item representing the image quality of the print image from the captured image data of the specific image TG sent via the flexible substrate 15. In the present embodiment, the analysis unit 51 analyzes the line thickness and the lack of the line as quality items for the four vertical line images 60 and the four horizontal line images 70 in the specific image TG, respectively, and the region image 80. The deviation of the relative position in the arrangement direction (here, the scanning direction X) of the four surface images 81, 82, 83, 84 is analyzed as a quality item.

  Here, an example of the quality item analyzed by the analysis unit 51 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C. 5A and 5B, the dots D formed by the ink ejected from the nozzles N1 to N16 of the nozzle array Na are illustrated as dots Da1 to Da16, and ejected from the nozzles N1 to N16 of the nozzle array Nb. Dots D formed by the formed ink are shown as dots Db1 to Db16.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, as an example, for the vertical line image 63 of the determination target color that is the determination target of the image quality, the analysis unit 51 performs the forward scanning direction + X side with respect to the dot D formed on the paper P. And the dimension LX between the tangent line and the tangent line in the backward scanning direction -X side are analyzed as the line thickness. Incidentally, in FIG. 5A, the dots Da1 to Da16 formed by the ink ejected from the nozzle row Na and the dots Db1 to Db16 formed by the ink ejected from the nozzle row Nb are shifted in the scanning direction X. The thick state of the line whose dimension LX is larger than the standard dimension LK is shown. In FIG. 5A, when the carriage 22 moves in the forward scanning direction + X, the dots Da1 to Da16 corresponding to the nozzle row Na and the dots Db1 to Db16 corresponding to the nozzle row Nb are formed, and the vertical line image 63 is printed. This is an example.

  Further, as illustrated in FIG. 5A, as an example, with respect to the horizontal line image 73 of the determination target color that is an image quality determination target, the analysis unit 51 is downstream of the conveyance direction Y with respect to the dots D formed on the paper P. The dimension LY between the tangent on the side and the tangent on the upstream side in the transport direction Y is analyzed as the thickness of the line. Incidentally, in FIG. 5A, a dot Da9 formed by ink ejected from one nozzle N9 in the nozzle array Na and a dot Db9 formed by ink ejected from one nozzle N9 in the nozzle array Nb. Is shown in a thick state of a line that is shifted in the transport direction Y and the dimension LY is larger than the reference dimension LK. In FIG. 5A, when the carriage 22 moves in the forward scanning direction + X, a plurality of dots Db9 are formed, and after the paper P is transported in the transport direction Y by a half pitch between the nozzles N, the backward scanning direction of the carriage 22− The case where a plurality of dots Da9 are formed during the movement of X and the horizontal line image 73 is printed is illustrated.

  Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 5B, as an example, for the vertical line image 63 of the determination target color that is the determination target of the image quality, the analysis unit 51 uses one or a plurality of dots D in the plurality of dots D formed on the paper P. A portion where dots D are not continuously formed is analyzed as a missing line. Incidentally, in FIG. 5B, a missing line in which the dot Db2 corresponding to the nozzle N2 of the nozzle row Nb is not formed, and two consecutive dots Da15 and Db16 corresponding to the nozzle N15 of the nozzle row Na and the nozzle N16 of the nozzle row Nb. The figure shows a state where there is a chipping of a line in which the two are not formed, and a chipping of two lines.

  Further, as illustrated in FIG. 5B, as an example, with respect to the horizontal line image 73 of the determination target color that is the determination target of the image quality, the analysis unit 51 performs one or a plurality of consecutive dots in the plurality of dots D formed on the paper P. Then, the portion where the dot D is not formed is analyzed as a missing line. Incidentally, in FIG. 5B, a missing line in which one dot Db9 is not formed among the plurality of dots Db9 corresponding to the nozzle N9 of the nozzle row Nb, and the dots Da9 corresponding to the nozzle N9 of the nozzle row Na and the nozzles of the nozzle row Nb The figure shows a state where there are two line defects, that is, a line defect in which two dots D of the dot Db9 corresponding to N9 are not formed continuously, and two line defects.

  Furthermore, as illustrated in FIG. 5C, as an example, for the surface image 82 of the determination target color that is an image quality determination target, the analysis unit 51 has a case where a surface image 81 of a different color adjacent to the surface image 82 is separated. Then, the color region of the paper P appearing in the distant portion is analyzed from the photographed image data (color data). Then, the dimension LS in the scanning direction X of the analyzed color region is analyzed as a displacement of the relative position of the surface image 82 with respect to the surface image 81. Alternatively, when the surface image 83 of the different color adjacent to the surface image 82 is overlapped, a mixed color region of different colors generated by the different color dots D formed in the overlapped image portion is analyzed from the captured image data (color data). To do. Then, the dimension LS in the scanning direction X of the analyzed mixed color region is analyzed as a shift of the relative position of the surface image 82 with respect to the surface image 83. In this way, by analyzing the relative position shift in this manner for the surface image of one determination target color among the four surface images 81, 82, 83, 84 for the region image 80, the four surface images 81, 82 are analyzed. , 83, and 84, the relative position shift (image shift) in the arrangement direction with respect to the other plane images is analyzed.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the determination unit 52 compares the quality item analyzed by the analysis unit 51 with a determination criterion, and performs pass / fail determination of the quality item, whereby the image quality of the print image PG is allowed by, for example, the user. Whether or not the image quality is to be determined is appropriately determined. In the present embodiment, in the vertical line image 60 and the horizontal line image 70, the line thickness and the number of missing lines allowed as the image quality of the print image PG are used as determination criteria, and the four surface images 81 of the area image 80 are used. , 82, 83, and 84, the amount of relative position deviation allowed as the image quality of the print image PG is used as a criterion. In this embodiment, this determination criterion is input together with the print data, and is stored in the storage element by the control unit 50.

  The adjustment unit 53 performs adjustment on the ejection head 26 serving as the printing unit for the quality item that the determination unit 52 has determined to be negative. In the present embodiment, the adjustment unit 53 controls the operation of the actuator in the head module 29 to adjust the ejection timing of ink from the nozzles N. Alternatively, the carriage 22 is moved to the home position, the nozzle N is cleaned by the maintenance device 35, and the ejection of ink from the nozzle N is adjusted.

  The storage unit 54 stores the paper P on which the print image PG including the specific image TG for which the quality item is determined to be negative is printed when the determination unit 52 determines that the quality item is negative. In the present embodiment, the paper P on which the print image PG including the specific image TG for which the quality item has been determined to be non-printed is stored in a storage element provided on the control board.

  In the present embodiment, when the determination unit 52 determines that the quality item is negative, the transport unit 30 prints the print image PG including the specific image TG that is determined not to have the quality item by the transport destination switching mechanism. The paper P is transported to a transport destination different from the transport destination of the paper P on which the print image PG including the specific image TG for which the quality item has been determined. That is, the transport unit 30 is controlled by the control unit 50 and, for example, transports the paper P on which the quality item of the specific image TG has been determined to the upper discharge tray 18a in FIG. The determined paper P is conveyed to the lower paper discharge tray 18b in FIG.

  Further, the printer 11 is provided with a display unit 40 to which a display body is attached on the transport direction Y side of the apparatus main body 19. When the display unit 40 is controlled by the control unit 50 and the determination unit 52 determines that the quality item is negative, the display unit 40 displays the determined quality item and notifies the user of the determined quality item. . In this regard, the display unit 40 is also a notification unit that notifies the quality item determined to be negative. As the notification unit, a lamp may be employed instead of the display body in the display unit 40, or a sounding body may be employed instead of the display unit 40. Alternatively, the quality item determined to be negative on the paper P may be printed on the paper P and notified.

  Further, in the present embodiment, when the determination unit 52 determines that the quality item is negative, the control unit 50 determines the paper P by the ejection head 26 after printing the print image PG including the specific image TG for which the quality item is determined to be negative. Control to stop printing.

Next, the operation of the printer 11 having the above configuration will be described with reference to the drawings.
In the printer 11 of the present embodiment, in the printing process performed by the control unit 50, a process according to the pass / fail determination of the quality item for determining the image quality of the print image PG is performed as an action.

  As shown in FIG. 6, when the print process is started, first, in step S1, a process for acquiring print data of the print image PG is performed. Here, the control unit 50 acquires print data input to the printer 11 by storing the print data in a storage element. In the present embodiment, the input print data includes at least image data of the print image PG including the specific image TG and the number of sheets P (number of pages) required for printing.

  Next, in step S2, a process of printing the print image PG including the specific image TG on the paper P is performed. Here, the control unit 50 reads out the print data stored in the storage element, and discharges ink from the discharge head 26 while reciprocating the carriage 22 and transporting the paper P based on the print data. The specific image TG and the separated image KG are printed on (see FIG. 3).

  Next, in step S3, processing for photographing the specific image TG is performed. Here, when the carriage 22 reciprocates, the imaging unit 12 captures the specific image TG printed on the paper P at a predetermined position on the transport direction Y side (see FIG. 3). The captured image data of the captured specific image TG is stored in the storage element by the control unit 50.

  Next, in step S4, processing for analyzing the quality item is performed. Here, the control unit 50 functions as the analysis unit 51, reads the captured image data of the specific image TG stored in the storage element, and analyzes the quality item. That is, the control unit 50 analyzes the thickness of the line and the lack of the line as quality items for the vertical line image 60 and the horizontal line image 70, and relative to the region image 80 in the arrangement direction of the plurality of plane images 81, 82, 83, 84. Analyzes the positional deviation as a quality item.

  Next, in step S5, a process for setting a determination criterion is performed. Here, the control unit 50 sets the determination criterion by storing the determination criterion for determining whether the quality item is acceptable or not in a predetermined storage area of the storage element. Incidentally, in the present embodiment, a specific image TG of a predetermined number of sheets P (for example, the first sheet, the fifth sheet, the tenth sheet, etc.) is determined in step S4 based on a program stored in the storage element. The analyzed quality item is set as a criterion. If the quality item analyzed in step S4 is not set as a criterion for the specific image TG on the first sheet P, the first sheet P is input together with the print data and stored in the storage element in advance. The determined criterion is set as the criterion in step S5. As a result, in one specific image TG among the plurality of specific images TG photographed by the photographing unit 12, the line thickness and the number of missing lines of the vertical line image 60 and the horizontal line image 70 are used as determination criteria, and the region The deviation amount of the relative position in the arrangement direction of the plurality of surface images in the image 80 is used as a determination criterion.

  Next, in step S6, a pass / fail determination process is performed by comparing the quality item with a determination criterion. Here, the control unit 50 functions as the determination unit 52, and the vertical line image 60 and the horizontal line image 70, which are quality items analyzed for the specific image TG, have a plurality of lines for the area thickness 80 and line thickness and line missing. The relative position shift in the arrangement direction of the images 81, 82, 83, 84 is compared with a set determination criterion, and a pass / fail determination is performed. In the present embodiment, the control unit 50 uses the set determination criterion as the line thickness and the number of missing lines in which the image quality of the print image PG is allowed by the user in the vertical line image 60 and the horizontal line image 70. In addition, the image quality of the print image PG in the plurality of surface images 81, 82, 83, 84 of the region image 80 is determined as a relative position shift amount allowed by the user.

  As a result of the determination in step S6, when the quality item is determined as good, the process proceeds to step S12. On the other hand, if the result of determination in step S6 is negative, the process proceeds to step S7. In the present embodiment, if it is determined that at least one of the thickness of the line, the lack of the line, and the shift of the relative position of the surface image is negative, the process proceeds to step S7.

  In step S7, an adjustment process for the printing unit is performed. Here, the control unit 50 performs adjustment processing according to the quality item determined to be negative for the ejection head 26 as the printing unit. The adjustment process performed in step S7 will be described with reference to the drawings.

  As shown in FIG. 7, in the adjustment process of the printing unit, first, in step S71, a determination process is performed as to whether or not the quality item for determination is a line thickness. For example, as shown in FIG. 5A, if the dimension LX analyzed for the vertical line image 63 is larger than the dimension LK set as the determination criterion, the thickness of the line is determined not to be determined in step S6. It is determined as “YES” in S71, and in step S72, the droplet discharge timing in the discharge head 26 is adjusted, and the process proceeds to the next step S73. On the other hand, if "NO" is determined in the step S71, the process proceeds to a step S73 without doing anything.

  In step S72, for example, in the case of the vertical line image 63 shown in FIG. 5A, the control unit 50 adjusts the ink ejection timing from the nozzle N of the nozzle row Na with respect to the ink ejection timing from the nozzle N of the nozzle row Nb. That is, the control unit 50 adjusts the dots Da1, Da2, and the like so as to be formed at the positions indicated by the broken lines in FIG. 5A so that the quality items of the line thicknesses that are determined to be negative are determined. As shown in FIG. 5A, even when the dimension LX analyzed for the horizontal line image 73 is larger than the dimension LK set as the determination criterion, the thickness of the line is determined not to be determined in step S6. It is determined as “YES”. In this case, in step S72, it is preferable to adjust the transport amount of the paper P so that the dots Da9 are formed at positions indicated by broken lines in FIG.

  Next, in step S73, a determination process is performed to determine whether or not the quality item for determination is missing lines. For example, as shown in FIG. 5B, if the number of missing lines analyzed for the vertical line image 63 is larger than the number set as the determination criterion, it is determined in step S6 that there is no missing line. In S73, “YES” is determined. In Step S74, the nozzle N is cleaned to adjust the discharge of droplets from the nozzle N, and the process proceeds to the next Step S75. On the other hand, if "NO" is determined in the step S71, the process proceeds to a step S73 without doing anything.

  In step S74, the control unit 50 moves the carriage 22 to the home position (home position), and cleans the nozzle N by the maintenance device 35 disposed at the home position. That is, as shown in FIG. 5B, the control unit 50 forms dots Db2, Da15, Db16 indicated by broken lines in the case of the vertical line image 63, and dots Da9, Db9 indicated by broken lines in the case of the horizontal line image 73, respectively. The quality item of the missing line that has been determined to be rejected is determined as a good match.

  Next, in step S75, a determination process is performed to determine whether or not the quality item for determination is a relative displacement. For example, as shown in FIG. 5C, when the dimension LS analyzed for the region image 80 is larger than the dimension (for example, the dimension for two dots) set as the determination criterion, the relative position shift is detected in step S6. Since the determination is NO, “YES” is determined in step S75, the droplet discharge timing is adjusted in step S76, and the process returns to step S8 (see FIG. 6). On the other hand, if "NO" is determined in the step S75, the process proceeds to a step S8 without doing anything.

  In step S76, for example, in the case of the region image 80 shown in FIG. 5C, it is analyzed that the surface image 82 is shifted by two dots D in the backward scanning direction −X with respect to the adjacent surface images 81 and 83. In this case, for the nozzle N of the head module 29 that ejects ink for printing the surface image 82, the control unit 50 shifts the ink ejection timing from the nozzle N by 2 dots in the forward scanning direction + X side. adjust. That is, the control unit 50 adjusts so that the dot D forming the surface image 82 is formed at the position indicated by the broken line in FIG. 5C, so that the quality item of the relative position shift determined to be negative is determined. To.

  Returning to FIG. 6, in the next step S <b> 8, processing for switching the transport destination of the paper P on which the print image PG is printed is performed. Here, the control unit 50 controls the transport unit 30, and transports the paper P on which the print image PG including the specific image TG whose quality item is determined to be negative in step S6 to the lower paper discharge tray 18b (FIG. 1). Here, the control unit 50 is configured to transfer the next sheet P to the upper sheet discharge tray 18a after the conveyance of the sheet P conveyed to the lower sheet discharge tray 18b to the lower sheet discharge tray 18b. 30 is controlled.

  Next, in step S9, a process for storing the paper P on which the print image PG is printed is performed. Here, for example, the control unit 50 stores, in a predetermined storage area, the number of sheets P from the start of printing, which is the sheet P on which the print image PG including the specific image TG for which the quality item is determined to be negative. Remember. Here, the control unit 50 stores, in the predetermined storage area of the storage element, the quality item determined to be negative among the analyzed quality items (the thickness of the line, the lack of the line, the shift of the relative position of the image). Let

  Next, in step S10, processing for notifying the quality item determined to be negative is performed. Here, the control unit 50 causes the display unit 40 attached to the apparatus main body 19 to read out and display the quality item determined to be negative from the storage element, and notifies the user of the quality item determined to be negative.

  Next, in step S11, a process for determining whether or not to stop printing is performed. Here, the control unit 50 determines in step S6, for example, whether all the quality items have been determined to be negative, or if the determined quality item has a large difference with respect to the determination criterion, and so on. In such a case, the printing is stopped so that the print image PG having an image quality that does not satisfy the quality permitted by the user is not printed (step S11: YES), and the process here ends.

  On the other hand, if the result of determination in step S11 is that printing is not stopped (step S11: NO), in the next step S12, a determination process is performed to determine whether there is an unprinted print image PG. Here, the control unit 50 determines whether there is print data of an unprinted print image PG in the input print data.

  As a result of the determination, if there is an unprinted print image PG (step S12: YES), the process returns to step S2, and the processes from step S2 to step S12 are repeated thereafter. As a result of the determination in step S12, when there is no unprinted print image PG (step S12: NO), the control unit 50 ends the process here.

According to the above embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) Since the vertical line image 60, the horizontal line image 70, and the area image 80 are used to determine whether or not the quality items such as thick lines, missing lines, and relative displacement of the surface image are acceptable, the ejection head 26 (printing unit) ) Can appropriately determine the image quality of the printed image PG printed. Therefore, appropriate adjustment can be performed on the ejection head 26 according to the determination result of the pass / fail determination.

  (2) Since the ejection timing of the ink droplets from the nozzle N is adjusted with respect to the ejection head 26, the quality items of the line thickness or the relative position shift of the surface image determined to be rejected are determined. Appropriate adjustments can be made automatically to the printing unit, for example.

  (3) Since the nozzle N is cleaned and the ejection of ink droplets (ink) from the nozzle N is adjusted, it is appropriate for the ejection head 26 so that the quality item of the line defect that has been determined to be rejected is determined. Adjustments can be made automatically, for example.

  (4) Quality item pass / fail judgment based on the criteria of the line thickness and the number of missing lines allowed as the image quality of the print image PG and the relative positional deviation of the surface image allowed as the image quality of the print image PG. Therefore, the image quality of the print image PG can be determined appropriately depending on whether the analysis result of the evaluation item is within the determination criterion.

  (5) When a plurality of print images PG are continuously printed, the quality items analyzed from the captured image data of the specific image TG included in one of the print images PG (for example, the first print image) are accepted or rejected. Use the criteria for judgment. Therefore, for example, when a plurality of different print images PG are printed, it is not necessary to prepare in advance a determination criterion according to the quality item for each of the different print images PG. Increase in the storage capacity of the judgment criterion).

  (6) The paper P on which the print image PG including the specific image TG for which the quality item has been determined to be printed is the paper P on which the print image PG including the specific image TG for which another quality item has been determined is printed. Therefore, the paper P on which the print image PG including the specific image TG for which the quality item is determined to be non-compliant can be easily removed.

  (7) Since the sheet P on which the print image PG including the specific image TG for which the quality item has been determined to be printed can be specified, for example, from the start of printing, the quality item is displayed after the end of printing. It is possible to easily remove the paper P on which the print image PG including the rejected specific image TG is printed.

  (8) The user makes adjustments to be made to the ejection head 26 according to the notified quality item (for example, alignment adjustment in the direction of alignment of the nozzles N that eject ink droplets, cleaning of the nozzles N, ink It is possible to confirm the adjustment of the ejection timing of the droplets or the component replacement process in the ejection head 26).

  (9) When the quality item is determined not to be determined by the determination unit 52, printing of the print image PG by the ejection head 26 is stopped, and therefore printing of the print image PG including the specific image TG for which the quality item is determined to be rejected can be suppressed. .

(10) Since the pass / fail determination of the image quality of the specific image TG can be performed in units of one dot, the accuracy of the pass / fail determination can be improved.
(11) The specific image TG printed on the paper P can be easily photographed by the photographing unit 12.

In addition, you may change the said embodiment as follows.
In the above embodiment, the specific image TG does not necessarily have to be printed at a predetermined position on the paper P on the downstream side in the transport direction Y. For example, the image may be printed at a predetermined position on the upstream side in the transport direction Y with respect to the separated image KG, or at a predetermined position on the forward scanning direction + X side or the backward scanning direction −X side with respect to the separated image KG. It may be printed.

  Alternatively, the specific image TG may be printed in one print image PG as an image integrated with the separated image KG. In this case, for example, the vertical ruled line in the print image PG may be the vertical line image 60, or the horizontal ruled line in the print image PG may be the horizontal line image 70. Further, an image portion in which surface images having different colors are adjacent to each other in the print image PG may be used as the region image 80.

  In the above-described embodiment, the vertical line image 60 in the specific image TG is not necessarily an image in which a plurality of dots D are arranged in the transport direction Y, and the horizontal line image 70 in the specific image TG is not necessarily scanned by one dot D. The images do not have to be arranged in the direction X. This modification will be described with reference to the drawings.

  As illustrated in FIG. 8A, the determination target color horizontal line image 73 may be an image having a line width in which a plurality of (here, three) dots D are formed in the transport direction Y. That is, the horizontal line image 73 is printed on the paper P by moving the ejection head 26 in the scanning direction X and transporting the paper P in the transport direction Y by a transport amount by one dot. Therefore, in the modification shown in FIG. 8A, for example, the dimension LY indicating the width of the three dots D arranged in the transport direction Y is analyzed as a quality item and compared with the dimension LK serving as a determination criterion, and pass / fail determination is made. In the case of this modification, the number of dots D arranged in the conveyance direction Y of the horizontal line image 73 is preferably smaller than the number of dots D arranged in the conveyance direction Y in each surface image of the region image 80.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 8B, the vertical line image 63 of the determination target color may be an image having a line width in which a plurality of (here, three) dots D are formed in the scanning direction X. That is, when the ejection head 26 moves in the scanning direction X, the vertical line image 63 is continuously ejected from the nozzles N1 to N16 of the nozzle rows Na and Nb three times at a predetermined ejection timing to the paper P. Printed. Therefore, in the modification shown in FIG. 8B, for example, among the three dots D arranged in the scanning direction X, two dots Da1 and one dot Da2, and three dots Da3 and three dots that are not formed as shown by the broken line. Each Db4 is analyzed as a missing line. In the case of this modification, the number of missing lines is, for example, a part where the line is broken in the scanning direction X, that is, one part where the three dots Da3 and three dots Db4 are not formed ( 1). The number of dots D arranged in the scanning direction X of the vertical line image 63 is preferably smaller than the number of dots D arranged in the scanning direction X in each surface image of the region image 80.

  In the above embodiment, each surface image in the region image 80 does not necessarily have to be an image in which a plurality of dots D of a plurality of colors are arranged in both the transport direction Y and the scanning direction X. For example, it may be a contour image in which dots D are formed only in image portions adjacent to each other in the arrangement direction.

  In the above embodiment, when the quality item is determined to be negative, it is not always necessary to stop printing on the paper P after the printing of the print image PG including the specific image TG for which the quality item is determined to be negative. That is, the process in step S11 (see FIG. 6) may not be performed. For example, after the printing on all the papers P is completed, if it is possible to specify the paper P on which the print image PG including the specific image TG for which the quality item is determined to be negative can be specified, it is not necessary to stop printing.

  -In the said embodiment, when a quality item is determined to be negative, it is not necessary to notify the quality item determined to be negative. That is, the process in step S10 (see FIG. 6) may not be performed. In this case, the printer 11 may not include the display unit 40.

  In the above-described embodiment, when the quality item is determined to be negative, it is not always necessary to store the paper P on which the print image PG including the specific image TG that is determined to be non-qualified is the quality item. That is, the process in step S9 (see FIG. 6) may not be performed. In this case, the storage unit 54 may not be provided in the printer 11.

  In the above-described embodiment, when the quality item is determined to be negative, the paper P on which the print image PG including the specific image TG that is determined to be non-qualified is always used for the paper P on which the quality item is determined. May not be transported to a transport destination different from the transport destination of the paper P on which the printed image PG including the print image PG is printed. That is, the process in step S8 (see FIG. 6) may not be performed. In this case, the transport unit 30 may not be provided in the printer 11.

  In the above-described embodiment, the line thickness and the number of missing lines of the vertical line image 60 and the horizontal line image 70 are not necessarily used as the determination criteria in one specific image TG among the plurality of specific images TG photographed by the photographing unit 12. In addition, the shift amount of the relative position of the plurality of surface images in the area image 80 may not be used as a determination criterion. That is, in the process in step S5 (see FIG. 6), the process for setting the quality item analyzed in step S4 as a determination criterion may not be performed. In this case, the determination criterion stored in the storage element is the determination criterion set in step S5.

  In the above-described embodiment, the vertical line image 60 and the horizontal line image 70 are not necessarily based on the line thickness and the number of line defects allowed as the image quality of the print image PG, and a plurality of plane images of the area image 80 In this case, the relative position shift amount allowed as the image quality of the print image PG may not be used as a criterion. For example, the thickness of the line, the number of missing lines, or the shift amount of the relative position of the surface image may be used as a determination criterion for determining that the adjustment process of the ejection head 26 (printing unit) needs to be performed. In this case, it is preferable that the quality item determination criterion for the adjustment process of the ejection head 26 be a small value so as to be stricter than the quality item determination criterion allowed as the image quality of the print image PG. .

  In the above embodiment, when the determination unit 52 determines NO in the process of step S6 (see FIG. 6), the nozzle N is not necessarily cleaned with respect to the ejection head 26, and the ink from the nozzle N It is not necessary to adjust the ejection of droplets. That is, the process in step S74 (see FIG. 7) may not be performed. In this case, for example, in the printer 11, dots missing by the other nozzles N may be complemented and formed.

  In the above embodiment, if the determination unit 52 determines NO in the line thickness or the relative position shift in the process of step S6 (see FIG. 6), the ink from the nozzle N is not necessarily applied to the ejection head 26. It is not necessary to adjust the droplet discharge timing. That is, the process in step S72 or step S76 (see FIG. 7) may not be performed. In this case, for example, the printer 11 may perform processing for changing the size of the ejected ink droplets on the print data, and adjust the attachment position of the head module 29 in the ejection head 26. Also good. Alternatively, the interval (gap) between the ejection head 26 and the paper P may be adjusted by moving the ejection head 26 in the vertical direction with respect to the support base 28.

  In the above embodiment, the area image 80 is not limited to an image in which four (plural) plane images 81, 82, 83, and 84 having different determination target colors are arranged adjacent to each other in the scanning direction X that is the width direction. . In other words, the image may be an image in which a plurality of surface images having different determination target colors are arranged adjacent to each other in at least one of the transport direction Y and the scanning direction X. This modification will be described with reference to the drawings.

  As shown in FIG. 9, for example, the region image 80 includes a rectangular surface image 84, and surface images 83, 82, 82 that are arranged adjacent to the surface image 84 in both the transport direction Y and the scanning direction X. 81. In other words, a curved surface image 83 is arranged adjacent to both the transport direction Y and the scanning direction X with respect to the rectangular surface image 84, and the bent surface image 82 is transported in the transport direction with respect to the surface image 83. The curved surface image 81 is arranged adjacent to both the transport direction Y and the scanning direction X with respect to the surface image 82. Although not shown here, the area image 80 may be an image in which rectangular surface images 81, 82, 83, 84 are arranged adjacent to each other in the transport direction Y.

  In the above embodiment, for example, the vertical line image 60 includes the dots Da1 to Da16 corresponding to the nozzle row Na when the carriage 22 moves in the forward scanning direction + X, and the nozzles when the carriage 22 moves in the backward scanning direction −X. The dots Db1 to Db16 corresponding to the row Nb may be formed.

  In the above embodiment, the ejection head 26 may eject fewer than four repetitive colors as a plurality of colors, or may eject more than four repetitive colors. . In this case, the vertical line image 60 and the horizontal line image 70 are each printed with the number of line images corresponding to the number of ejected colors on the paper P, and the region image 80 has the number corresponding to the number of ejected colors. A surface image is printed on the paper P.

  In the above embodiment, the ejection head 26 does not necessarily have to print all line images and surface images of four different colors on the paper P. For example, for the vertical line image 60 and the horizontal line image 70, at least one color may be set as the determination target color, and the line image of the determination target color may be printed on the paper P. As for the surface image, at least two colors may be used as the determination target colors, and the surface image of the determination target color may be printed on the paper P.

In the above-described embodiment, the ink may be supplied not from the ink cartridge 27 but from, for example, an ink tank (not shown) provided outside the apparatus main body 19.
The printer 11 of the above embodiment may be, for example, a large format printer that performs printing (recording) on paper P that is an example of a long medium. In this case, the printer 11 may be unwound from the state in which the paper P is wound in a roll shape and conveyed onto the medium support base 13.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the printer 11 may be a so-called line printer in which the discharge head 26 is not provided in the carriage 22 but includes a long and fixed discharge head 26 corresponding to the entire width of the paper P. Good. In this case, the ejection head 26 is provided with a plurality of head modules 29 along the scanning direction X, and the plurality of nozzles N provided in each head module 29 extends over the entire width of the paper P in the scanning direction X. The line head is arranged. When the ejection head 26 is a line head, the area image 80 is preferably an image in which rectangular surface images 81, 82, 83, 84 are arranged adjacent to each other in the transport direction Y.

  In the above embodiment, the liquid used for printing is a fluid other than ink (liquid, a liquid material in which particles of functional material are dispersed or mixed in the liquid, a fluid such as a gel, and a fluid that is discharged as a fluid. And a solid that can be produced). For example, recording is performed by ejecting a liquid material in which a material such as an electrode material or a color material (pixel material) used for manufacturing a liquid crystal display, an EL (electroluminescence) display, and a surface emitting display is dispersed or dissolved. It may be configured.

  In the above-described embodiment, the printer 11 as the printing apparatus may be a fluid discharge device that discharges a fluid such as a gel (for example, a physical gel). In the present specification, the term “fluid” is a concept that does not include a fluid consisting only of gas. Examples of the fluid include liquid (inorganic solvent, organic solvent, solution, liquid resin, liquid metal (metal melt), etc. ), Liquids, fluids, and the like.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Printer (an example of a printing apparatus), 12 ... Imaging | photography part, 22 ... Carriage, 26 ... Discharge head (an example of a printing part), 29 ... Head module, 30 ... Conveyance part, 40 ... Display part (An example of a notification part) , 50 ... control unit, 51 ... analysis unit, 52 ... determination unit, 53 ... adjustment unit, 54 ... storage unit, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64 ... vertical line image, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74 ... Horizontal line image, 80 ... area image, 81, 82, 83, 84 ... plane image, D, Da1 to Da16, Db1 to Db16 ... dot, N, N1 to N16 ... nozzle, Na, Nb ... nozzle row, P ... paper ( An example of the medium), X: scanning direction (width direction), + X: forward scanning direction, -X: backward scanning direction, Y: transport direction, KG: separated image, PG: printed image, TG: specific image.

Claims (11)

A printing unit that ejects droplets of a plurality of colors from nozzles and prints a print image including a specific image on a conveyed medium;
A photographing unit for photographing the specific image printed by the printing unit;
From the captured image data of the specific image captured by the imaging unit, an analysis unit that analyzes a quality item representing the image quality of the print image;
A determination unit that determines the quality of the print image by comparing the analyzed quality item with a determination criterion and performing a pass / fail determination of the quality item;
An adjustment unit that performs adjustment on the printing unit by the determination unit for the quality item that is determined to be negative by the determination unit,
The printing unit includes a vertical line image along the medium conveyance direction of the determination target color that is the image quality determination target of the plurality of colors, and a width direction that intersects the medium conveyance direction of the determination target color. And a region image in which a plurality of surface images having different determination target colors are arranged adjacent to each other in at least one of the transport direction and the width direction are printed as the specific image,
The analysis unit analyzes a line thickness and a lack of a line for the vertical line image and the horizontal line image as the quality item, and a shift of a relative position in the arrangement direction of the plurality of surface images for the region image is the quality item. A printing apparatus characterized by analyzing as follows.   The adjustment unit adjusts the ejection timing of the droplets from the nozzles with respect to the printing unit when the determination unit determines that the thickness of the line or the relative position shift is negative. The printing apparatus according to claim 1.   The adjustment unit adjusts the ejection of the droplets from the nozzle by cleaning the nozzle with respect to the printing unit when the determination of the lack of the line is negative. The printing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.   In the vertical line image and the horizontal line image, the determination unit uses the line thickness and the number of line defects allowed as the image quality of the print image as the determination criterion, and in the plurality of surface images of the region image. 4. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pass / fail determination of the quality item is performed using the relative position shift amount allowed as the image quality of the print image as the determination criterion. 5. . The printing unit prints a plurality of the print images,
The determination unit uses the thickness of the vertical line image and the horizontal line image and the number of missing lines as the determination criterion in the specific image of the plurality of specific images captured by the imaging unit. The printing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein a shift amount of the relative position of the plurality of surface images in the region image is used as the determination criterion. When the quality item is determined to be negative by the determination unit,
The medium on which the print image including the specific image for which the quality item has been determined is printed, and the transport destination of the medium on which the print image including the specific image for which the quality item has been determined are printed. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a transport unit that transports the paper to different transport destinations. When the quality item is determined to be negative by the determination unit,
7. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a storage unit that stores the medium on which the print image including the specific image that has been determined not to be the quality item is printed. 8. When the quality item is determined to be negative by the determination unit,
The printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a notification unit that notifies the quality item that is determined to be negative. When the quality item is determined to be negative by the determination unit,
9. The printing unit according to claim 1, wherein the printing unit stops printing on the medium after the printing of the print image including the specific image for which the quality item is determined to be negative. 9. Printing device. The printing unit prints the print image on the medium with dots formed by ejection of the droplets,
The specific image includes the vertical line image in which a plurality of dots are arranged in the transport direction, the horizontal line image in which a plurality of dots are arranged in the width direction, and the dots of the plurality of colors. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the area image includes a plurality of the surface images arranged in both the transport direction and the width direction.   The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the specific image is printed at a predetermined position on the medium.

Images