JP4175042B2 - Image forming apparatus, printing position adjustment method thereof, and printing position adjustment pattern output method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, a printing position adjustment method thereof, and a printing position adjustment pattern output method.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus having a scanning mechanism such as an ink jet printer, there is a case where a printing position is displaced due to a problem such as accuracy.
[0003]
As a method for correcting such a deviation, there are techniques disclosed in, for example, Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 3-8448 and Japanese Patent No. 2907692. This is hereinafter referred to as prior art 1.
[0004]
As shown in FIG. 1, the prior art 1 prints a printed product in which a pattern composed of a combination of a pattern printed at a reference timing and a pattern printed at a predetermined timing with respect to the reference timing is arranged in the order of the shift amount. To the user. Each combination pattern is printed with an identifier having an order. Therefore, the user inputs an adjustment amount to be set in the image forming apparatus by inputting this identifier.
[0005]
In the printed matter output in the prior art 1, as shown in FIG. 1A, the pattern based on the print timing based on the currently set adjustment amount is positioned at the center of the arranged pattern. It is configured. In addition, an identifier serving as a reference in the order is associated with the pattern located at the center. This allows the user to visually determine how much deviation has occurred in the current settings and which print timing is most consistent with the reference timing based on the output printed matter. Is possible.
[0006]
Further, when the user inputs, for example, the identifier (-2) to the image forming apparatus based on FIG. 1A, the image forming apparatus adds the adjustment amount corresponding to this identifier to the currently set adjustment amount. . As a result, as shown in FIG. 1B, a pattern based on the print timing based on the adjustment amount updated by the addition is printed in the center of the array together with the reference identifier. That is, in the prior art 1, the arrangement of the identifiers is fixed, and the pattern is changed according to the set correction value.
[0007]
In addition, there is a method of outputting a fixed pattern and identifier, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, and allowing the user to input an adjustment amount based on the pattern and identifier. This is hereinafter referred to as Prior Art 2.
[0008]
A method for automatically setting the adjustment amount based on the output pattern is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 4-15098 and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-305734. This is hereinafter referred to as Conventional Technology 3.
[0009]
This prior art 3 reads the pattern as output in the above prior art 1 or 2 using an optical reading mechanism, automatically detects the amount of deviation from the reference timing of the print timing, and corrects this. To do.
[0010]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, when the current setting value is always positioned at the center of the array as in the prior art 1, the user can adjust the degree of adjustment of the current setting value from the initial state (no adjustment) only by referring to this array. There is a problem that it cannot be determined. In particular, in a network-compatible image forming apparatus or the like, the user may not be able to refer to the adjustment value of the image forming apparatus from the host computer.
[0011]
Further, since the correction amount that can be generally set in the image forming apparatus is finite (see the settable range A100 in FIG. 2A), the print timing based on the currently set correction amount is set as in the conventional technique 1. If it is configured to always be located at the center of the array, the settable range A100 moves with respect to the display range. As a result, as shown in FIG. 2B, the settable range A100 deviates from the display range, and there is a problem that it is impossible to show to the user or a pattern that cannot be set is displayed to the user. .
[0012]
In the prior art 2, since the always output pattern and the identifier are the same, it is possible to determine the adjustment amount currently set only by referring to the printed matter output from the image forming apparatus employing this method. However, there is a problem that all adjustment amounts must be reset every time.
[0013]
Furthermore, in the prior art 3, since there is no configuration that allows the user to confirm the result of the automatic adjustment, it is impossible for the user to check how much adjustment is currently being performed.
[0014]
The present invention has been made in view of these problems, and allows the user to easily check the adjustment amount currently set, and to allow the user to accurately check the adjustable range. It is another object of the present invention to provide a pattern output method for adjusting the printing position. It is another object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus and a printing position adjusting method that can easily set the adjustment amount of the printing timing based on this.
[0015]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve such an object, the present invention provides: It is the standard of print timing From the reference timing Print timing This pattern is used to visually identify the amount of deviation. Print timing Based on the printed material with the identifier for selecting Corresponds to the selected print timing An image forming apparatus for setting an adjustment amount of a print position, Based on the set adjustment amounts, adjustment amount calculation means for calculating all settable adjustment amounts and pattern image data for identifying the deviation amounts based on all the settable adjustment amounts are generated. An identifier serving as a reference corresponds to an image data generation unit and a pattern for identifying the set adjustment amount, and a pattern for identifying a deviation amount based on all the settable adjustment amounts is uniquely identified. Identifier display data generating means for generating display data for identifiers for combining, combining means for combining the image data and the display data, and the image data combined with the combining means and the display data are printed. Printed matter output means for outputting the printed matter; The pattern is the same before and after adjustment, and according to the adjustment amount The identifier when the print timing matches the reference timing is the identifier serving as the reference. Above Print timing The array of identifiers for selecting is changed. This provides an image forming apparatus that allows the user to easily check the adjustment amount that is currently set and allows the user to accurately check the adjustable range.
[0016]
In the above configuration, for example, an identifier input unit that inputs an identifier output by the adjustment amount printing unit, an adjustment amount acquisition unit that acquires the set adjustment amount, and an identifier input unit Adjustment amount calculating means for calculating a new adjustment amount from the adjustment amount corresponding to the identifier and the adjustment amount acquired by the adjustment amount acquisition means, and adjustment for setting the new adjustment amount calculated by the adjustment amount addition means Quantity setting means. Accordingly, there is provided an image forming apparatus in which the user can easily check the currently set adjustment amount and can easily set the print timing adjustment amount by causing the user to accurately check the adjustable range. .
[0018]
Further, as another example, the image data storage unit stores image data of a pattern for identifying a shift amount based on all the settable adjustment amounts, and the image data generation unit stores the image data Obtained from the image data storage means. This makes it possible to reduce the amount of processing data when creating the printed matter.
[0019]
As another example, the identifier is an integer with the minimum value of the adjustment amount as a unit. As a result, the user can determine the adjustment amount to be adjusted from the currently set adjustment amount based on the identifier.
[0020]
As another example, the image data generation unit generates the image data for each adjustment item, and the identifier Display data The generation unit is configured to perform the adjustment for each adjustment item. As display data Font data is generated, and the synthesizing unit synthesizes the image data and the font data for each adjustment item. As a result, the present invention can be applied to an image forming apparatus having a plurality of heads such as a color ink jet printer.
[0021]
The present invention also provides: It is the standard of print timing From the reference timing Print timing This pattern is used to visually identify the amount of deviation. Print timing Based on the printed material with the identifier for selecting Corresponds to the selected print timing A print position adjustment method for setting the print position adjustment amount, Based on the set adjustment amounts, an adjustment amount calculation process for calculating all the settable adjustment amounts and pattern image data for identifying the deviation amounts based on all the settable adjustment amounts are generated. An identifier serving as a reference corresponds to an image data generation process and a pattern for identifying the set adjustment amount, and a pattern for identifying a deviation amount based on all the settable adjustment amounts is uniquely identified. An identifier display data generation process for generating display data for the identifier to be performed, a synthesis process for synthesizing the image data and the display data, and the image data and the display data synthesized in the synthesis process are printed. A printed matter output process for outputting the printed matter; An identifier input step for inputting the identifier output in the first adjustment amount printing step, and an adjustment amount setting step for setting an adjustment amount corresponding to the identifier input in the identifier input step, The pattern is the same before and after adjustment, depending on the amount of adjustment The identifier when the print timing matches the reference timing is the identifier serving as the reference. Above Print timing The array of identifiers for selecting is changed.
[0022]
In the above configuration, for example, the reference identifier is associated with a pattern for identifying a deviation amount based on the adjustment amount set in the adjustment amount setting process, and all the adjustment amounts that can be set are set. Output printed matter with the pattern based on Key It has a regular printing process. Thereby, it becomes possible to make a user confirm the adjustment after an update.
[0023]
As another example, the identifier is an integer with the minimum value of the adjustment amount as a unit. As a result, the user can determine the adjustment amount to be adjusted from the currently set adjustment amount based on the identifier.
[0024]
As another example, Tone The quantity printing process outputs a printed matter on which the pattern is printed for each adjustment item. As a result, the present invention can be applied to an image forming apparatus having a plurality of heads such as a color ink jet printer.
[0025]
The present invention also provides: It is the standard of print timing From the reference timing Print timing Pattern for visually identifying the amount of deviation An identifier for selecting the printing timing Is a pattern output method for print position adjustment that outputs a printed matter on which is printed, Based on the set adjustment amounts, an adjustment amount calculation process for calculating all the settable adjustment amounts and pattern image data for identifying the deviation amounts based on all the settable adjustment amounts are generated. An identifier serving as a reference corresponds to an image data generation process and a pattern for identifying the set adjustment amount, and a pattern for identifying a deviation amount based on all the settable adjustment amounts is uniquely identified. An identifier display data generation process for generating display data for the identifier to be performed, a synthesis process for synthesizing the image data and the display data, and the image data and the display data synthesized in the synthesis process are printed. A printed matter output process for outputting the printed matter, The pattern is the same before and after adjustment, depending on the amount of adjustment. The identifier when the print timing matches the reference timing is the identifier serving as the reference. Above Print timing The array of identifiers for selecting is changed.
[0027]
As another example, the identifier is an integer with the minimum value of the adjustment amount as a unit. As a result, the user can determine the adjustment amount to be adjusted from the currently set adjustment amount based on the identifier.
[0028]
As another example, the image data generation process generates the image data for each adjustment item, and the identifier Display data The generation process is performed for each adjustment item. As display data Font data is generated, and the synthesis step synthesizes the image data and the font data for each adjustment item. As a result, the present invention can be applied to an image forming apparatus having a plurality of heads such as a color ink jet printer.
[0029]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
〔principle〕
In describing preferred embodiments of the present invention, the principles of the present invention will be described first.
[0030]
The present invention is set in order to set an adjustment amount of a print position based on a printed matter on which an identifier for selecting the pattern is printed on a pattern for visually identifying a deviation amount from the reference timing. An identifier serving as a reference is associated with a pattern for identifying a shift amount based on the adjustment amount, and the printed matter on which patterns based on all settable adjustment amounts are printed is output.
[0031]
This will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (b). FIG. 4 is an example of a printed matter (hereinafter referred to as a chart) on which the pattern and the identifier are printed, and is output when the adjustment amount is set from the image forming apparatus in the present invention.
[0032]
In the present invention, as shown in FIG. 4A, the pattern arrangement is the same in the chart before correction (a) and after correction (b). In addition, the patterns displayed in the chart are all included in the selectable range A100. In this configuration, when the user selects any pattern based on the identifier, the next time, a pattern in which the selected (first) identifier (reference number c1) is associated with the selected pattern is output. That is, in the present invention, the pattern is the same before and after correction, and the arrangement of identifiers is changed according to the set adjustment amount. Thereby, the adjustment amount currently set by the user can be easily confirmed, and the adjustable range can be accurately confirmed by the user.
[0033]
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0034]
[One Embodiment]
An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration for setting the adjustment amount in the image forming apparatus (for example, the ink jet printer 100) according to the present embodiment. However, the process of setting the adjustment amount is also referred to as color registration correction in the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, the adjustment amount is described as a correction value in view of the purpose. Further, the correction value (adjustment amount) corresponds to the amount of deviation from the reference timing.
[0035]
In FIG. 5, the host 1 includes a print instruction unit 11 and a language processing generation unit 12. The printer 100 includes a user interface (hereinafter abbreviated as user I / F) 2, firmware 3, and an output mechanism 4.
[0036]
The user I / F 2 includes a print instruction unit 21 and a language processing generation unit 22. The firmware 3 includes a language analysis unit 31, a registration correction print processing unit 32a, a data generation unit 33, a correction value storage unit 34, and a print control unit 35. The output mechanism 4 includes an ASIC (Application Specific IC) 41, a head 43, a paper feed unit 42, and a mechanism 44.
[0037]
Further, the data generation unit 33 includes a correction data generation unit 331 including a correction value acquisition unit 3311 and a correction value font data generation unit 3312, a memory reservation unit 3321, a compressed image data decompression unit 3322, and a correction value addition unit 3323. And an image data generation unit 332 including the above.
[0038]
A correction value printing method (correction value printing means) for outputting a chart as shown in FIG. 6 using this configuration will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the chart shown in FIG. 6 is a chart before the correction by the correction value printing method of the present embodiment is completed.
[0039]
First, referring to FIG. 6, the correction value printing method according to the present embodiment outputs a chart in which a pattern and an identifier are printed based on correction values included in a predetermined range (settable range A100) for each predetermined adjustment item. Is done. Each adjustment item pattern is associated with an identifier (adjustment item identifier) for identifying the user. Here, the adjustment items include the forward inclination of the black head (identifier A), the forward inclination of the cyan head (identifier B),..., The backward inclination of the black head (identifier E),. Furthermore, various items such as head tilt adjustment, registration adjustment, and paper feed adjustment can be applied. In the present embodiment, this adjustment item is determined in advance, but is selected / set using a predetermined screen on the host 1 side or a user I / F 2 on the printer 100, which is limited to this adjustment item. You may comprise so that it can do.
[0040]
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of the correction value printing method. In the flowchart shown in FIG. 7, first, the user inputs a print instruction using the print instruction unit 11 in the host 1 (step S101). This is performed based on, for example, the screen (print instruction input screen) shown in FIG. That is, when the “start” button in FIG. 8 is selected with a mouse or the like, a print instruction is generated in the print instruction section 11 of the host 1, and this is input to the language processing generation section 12.
[0041]
The language processing generation unit 12 converts the input print instruction into a printer language (step S102), and converts it into a printer 100 via a predetermined network such as a parallel line, a serial line, a LAN (Local Area Network), the Internet, or the like. (Step S103). In this description, the case where the print instruction is transmitted from the host 1 in FIG. 5 is described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the same processing can be executed from the user I / F 2 in FIG. is there.
[0042]
The print instruction transmitted in this manner is input to the language analysis unit 31 in the firmware 3 of the printer 100, and after language analysis is performed (step S104), the print instruction is input to the registration correction print processing unit 32a.
[0043]
When the print instruction is input, the registration correction print processing unit 32a sets the correction value for each adjustment item to “0” (no correction) for the print control unit 35 (step S105). As a result, the print control unit 35 is set to print an uncorrected image. Thereafter, the registration correction print processing unit 32a inputs an instruction to generate a correction value and pattern image data to the data generation unit 33 (step S106).
[0044]
When generation of correction data is instructed in this way, the data generation unit 33 uses the correction value acquisition unit 3311 in the correction data generation unit 331 to change the correction value currently set from the correction value storage unit 34 for each adjustment item. (Step S107), and all the correction values within the settable range A100 based on this value are calculated for each adjustment item in the correction font data generation unit 3312 (step S108). For example, when the settable correction value is “−16” to “+16” in a default (no correction) state, and the acquired current correction value is “−2”, “−18”. This means that a total of 33 correction values from “˜” to “14” are calculated.
[0045]
Further, the corrected font data generation unit 3312 generates an identifier for identifying the correction value (hereinafter referred to as corrected font data) (step S109). For example, this may be an integer corresponding to the generated correction value and having the minimum value of the correction value as a unit. That is, the correction font data corresponding to the currently set correction value is set as a reference value (for example, “0”), and the correction font data corresponding to the correction value continuous with the correction value is set as a continuous integer. This makes it possible for the user to easily understand the arrangement order of patterns and identifiers (corrected font data) displayed on the chart using the chart. In this way, the corrected font data generation unit 33 associates the correction value calculated with the means for calculating all the correction values within the settable range A100 based on the correction value acquired from the correction value storage unit 34. It functions as a means for generating font data for the identifier. In the present embodiment, the case where the identifier is displayed in a font is taken as an example.
[0046]
Also, the data generation unit 331 decompresses the image data of the pattern compressed by the compressed image data decompression unit 3322 on the memory secured by the memory securing unit 3321 in the image data creation unit 332 (step S110). Data is expanded (step S111). Since the same pattern image data can be used before and after the correction, it is preferable to create the pattern image data in advance and store it in a predetermined memory. In this case, however, the memory securing unit 3321 acquires the image data stored in the predetermined memory and develops it on the secured memory.
[0047]
Further, the image data generation unit 332 generates the image data of the chart to be output by synthesizing the generated corrected font data with the decompressed pattern image data (step S112), and outputs this to the ASIC 41 in the output mechanism 4. Forward.
[0048]
When the image data combined in this way is transferred to the ASIC 41, the print control unit 35 controls the ASIC 41 and the paper feeding unit 42 and outputs them (step S113). That is, the output mechanism 4 including the ASIC 41 constitutes a means for outputting a chart. At this time, since the print control unit 35 is set to a default (no correction) state, the above chart is output as an image without correction.
[0049]
By operating as described above, in the present embodiment, a chart including all the patterns in which the reference identifier (0) is associated with the pattern corresponding to the currently set correction value as shown in FIG. Can be output, and based on this, the user can easily determine the correction value currently set and the range that can be set as the correction value.
[0050]
Next, a configuration and operation for realizing a correction value setting method (correction value setting means) for setting a correction value based on the output chart will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0051]
FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a configuration for executing the correction value setting method. In FIG. 9, the host 1 includes a correction value input unit 13 and a language processing generation unit 12. The firmware 3 in the printer 100 includes a language analysis unit 31, a registration correction setting processing unit 32b, and a correction value storage unit 34. Other configurations are the same as those shown in FIG.
[0052]
The registration correction setting processing unit 32b includes a correction value acquisition unit 3324, a correction value calculation unit 3325, and a correction value setting unit 3326. The correction value setting method with the above configuration will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0053]
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of the correction value setting method. In the flowchart shown in FIG. 10, first, the user inputs an identifier using the correction value input unit 13 in the host 1 (step S114). This is performed based on the screen (identifier input screen) shown in FIG. 11 with reference to the chart shown in FIG. In other words, the user inputs an identifier corresponding to a correction value to be newly set in each column prepared for each adjustment item (A to H) in FIG. The input identifier is input to the language processing generation unit 12.
[0054]
The language processing generator 12 converts the input identifier for each adjustment item into a printer language (step S115), and inputs this to the printer 100 via a predetermined network such as a parallel line, a serial line, a LAN, the Internet, or the like. (Step S116). In this description, the case where the identifier is transmitted from the host 1 in FIG. 9 is taken as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the user I / F 2 in FIG. 9 is installed in the operation panel or printer 100 shown in FIG. It is also possible to execute the same input based on the numeric keypad.
[0055]
The identifier transmitted in this manner is input to the language analysis unit 31 in the firmware of the printer 100, and after language analysis is performed (step S117), the identifier is input to the registration correction setting processing unit 32b.
[0056]
When the identifier is input, the registration correction setting processing unit 32b acquires the correction value currently set from the correction value storage unit 34 using the correction value acquisition unit 3324 for each adjustment item (step S118), and the correction value. The correction value corresponding to the identifier input this time is added to the current correction value acquired in the calculation unit 3325 for each adjustment item (step S119). Thereby, a new correction value is generated for each adjustment item. In this embodiment, since the identifier is the correction value as it is, it is possible to calculate a correction value to be newly set by adding the identifier and the currently set correction value in step S119. For example, when the identifier and the correction value are different values, these correspondences are achieved by using a predetermined table or the like in the correction value calculation unit 3325.
[0057]
Thereafter, the registration correction setting processing unit 32b stores the generated new correction value in the correction value storage unit 34 using the correction value setting unit 3323 (step S120). As a result, a new correction value is set in the printer 100. This series of flows is shown in FIG. However, in FIG. 13, only the adjustment items A to D are described for the sake of simplification.
[0058]
Referring to FIG. 13, in the above operation, first, the correction value shown in (a) is stored in the correction value storage unit 34. In this state, when the identifier shown in (b) is input from the user using the correction value input unit 13, the correction value acquisition unit 3324 acquires the correction value shown in (a) from the correction value storage unit 34. Thereafter, the correction value acquisition unit 3324 inputs the input identifier (b) and the acquired correction value (a) to the correction value calculation unit 3325.
[0059]
On the other hand, the correction value calculation unit 3325 adds the input correction value (a) and the identifier (b), and inputs the calculated value (c) to the correction value setting unit 3326. The correction value setting unit 3326 inputs the input value (c) to the correction value storage unit 34. Thus, a new correction value is set as shown in (d).
[0060]
In the present embodiment, the correction result is output in a chart as shown in FIG. 14 in order to make the user confirm the correction value set as described above. Since the operation at this time is the same as that shown in FIG. 7, the description thereof is omitted here.
[0061]
In the present embodiment, by setting the correction value as described above, it is possible to execute a print job based on the correction value during the subsequent printing operation. The processing flow during normal printing will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0062]
FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing a configuration for executing a normal operation according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 15, the host 1 includes a print instruction unit 14 and a language processing generation unit 12. The firmware 3 in the printer 100 includes a language analysis unit 31, a correction value storage unit 34, and a print control unit 35. Other configurations are the same as those shown in FIG. The flow during normal operation in this configuration will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.
[0063]
FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing during normal operation. In the flowchart shown in FIG. 16, first, the user inputs a print instruction using the print instruction unit 14 in the host 1 (step S121). This is performed using a general print screen. Further, the input print instruction is input to the language processing generation unit 12.
[0064]
The language processing generation unit 12 converts the input print instruction into a printer language (step S122), and inputs this to the printer 100 via a predetermined network such as a parallel line, a serial line, a LAN, the Internet, or the like (step S122). S123). In this description, the case where a print instruction is input from the host 1 in FIG. 15 is taken as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the user I / F 2 in FIG. 15 is based on an operation panel as shown in FIG. It is also possible to execute similar processing.
[0065]
The print instruction transmitted in this manner is input to the language analysis unit 31 in the firmware of the printer 100, and after language analysis is performed (step S124), the print instruction is input to the print control unit 35.
[0066]
When the print instruction is input, the print control unit 35 acquires the correction value currently set from the correction value storage unit 34 for each adjustment item (step S125). Thereafter, the obtained correction value for each adjustment item is set in the ASIC 41 and the paper feed unit 42, and a printing operation is performed based on the correction value (step S126). This makes it possible to output image data based on the corrected printing timing.
[0067]
Furthermore, there is an automatic correction method different from the present embodiment, and it is possible to determine whether or not correct correction has been performed after using the automatic correction method.
[0068]
The former is realized, for example, by automatically discriminating identifiers associated with various patterns and automatically setting them. Further, the latter is realized by determining whether or not the pattern of the reference timing and the print timing associated with the identifier “0” serving as a reference is aligned in a straight line using the chart shown in FIG. 14, for example. The
[0069]
[Other Embodiments]
The embodiment described above is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and the present invention can be variously modified and implemented without departing from the gist thereof.
[0070]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the image forming apparatus and the print position adjustment that allow the user to easily confirm the adjustment amount currently set and allow the user to accurately confirm the adjustable range. A pattern output method is provided. That is, in the present invention, the pattern is the same before and after correction, and the arrangement of identifiers is changed according to the set adjustment amount. Thereby, the adjustment amount currently set by the user can be easily confirmed, and the adjustable range can be accurately confirmed by the user.
[0071]
In addition, according to the present invention, image formation that allows the user to easily confirm the adjustment amount that is currently set, and that allows the user to easily confirm the adjustment range and to easily set the adjustment amount of the print timing. An apparatus and a printing position adjustment method are provided.
[0072]
Furthermore, according to the present invention, it is possible to easily check the adjustment amount currently set by the user, and to reduce the amount of processing data when creating the printed matter that allows the user to accurately check the adjustable range. It becomes possible to reduce. Furthermore, according to the present invention, the user can determine an adjustment amount to be adjusted from the currently set adjustment amount based on the identifier. These can also be applied to an image forming apparatus having a plurality of heads such as a color ink jet printer.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIGS. 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating a relationship between a reference timing provided by a conventional technique 1 and a printing timing. FIG. 1A illustrates a relationship before correction, and FIG. 1B illustrates a relationship after correction.
FIGS. 2A and 2B are diagrams illustrating a relationship among a display range, a selectable range, and a settable range according to the related art 1. FIG. 2A illustrates a relationship before correction, and FIG. 2B illustrates a relationship after correction.
FIGS. 3A and 3B are diagrams illustrating a relationship between a reference timing and a printing timing provided by the related art 2, where FIG. 3A illustrates a relationship before correction, and FIG. 3B illustrates a relationship after correction.
FIG. 4 is an example of a printed material on which a pattern indicating a relationship between a reference timing and a printing timing and an identifier are printed in the present invention, (a) shows an example of a printed material before correction, and (b) is an image after correction. An example of the printed material is shown.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration for executing a correction value printing method in an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a chart before correction output in one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a flow of a correction value printing method according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a print instruction input screen according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a configuration for executing a correction value setting method in an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a flow of a correction value setting method according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an identifier input screen according to an embodiment of the present invention.
12 is a diagram showing an operation panel of the printer 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG.
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a data flow in a correction value setting method according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a corrected chart output in one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing a configuration for executing a normal operation in an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a flow of normal operation according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Host 2 User I / F
3 Firmware 4 Output mechanism
11, 14, 21, 24 Print instruction section
12, 22 Language processing generation unit 13 Correction value input unit
31 Language analysis unit 32a Registration correction print processing unit
32b Registration correction setting processing unit 33 Data generation unit
34 Correction value storage unit 35 Print control unit
41 ASIC 42 Paper feed section
43 head 44 mechanism
100 Printer 331 Correction data generation unit
332 Image data generation unit 3311 Correction value acquisition unit
3312 Correction font data generation unit 3321 Memory reservation unit
3322 Compressed image data decompression unit 3323 Correction value addition unit
3324 Correction value acquisition unit 3325 Correction value calculation unit
3326 Correction value setting part A100 Settable range

Claims (12)

Print corresponding to the print timing selected based on the printed matter on which the identifier for selecting the print timing is printed in the pattern for visually identifying the amount of deviation of the print timing from the reference timing which is the reference of the print timing An image forming apparatus for setting a position adjustment amount,
Adjustment amount calculation means for calculating all settable adjustment amounts based on the set adjustment amounts;
Image data generating means for generating image data of a pattern for identifying a deviation amount based on all the settable adjustment amounts;
An identifier serving as a reference corresponds to a pattern for identifying the set adjustment amount, and an identifier for uniquely identifying a pattern for identifying a deviation amount based on all the settable adjustment amounts Identifier display data generating means for generating data;
Combining means for combining the image data and the display data;
A printed matter output means for outputting the printed matter on which the image data synthesized by the synthesizing means and the display data are printed ;
The pattern is the same before and after adjustment, and according to the adjustment amount, the identifier when the print timing matches the reference timing is the identifier serving as the reference. An image forming apparatus, wherein an array of identifiers for selecting a printing timing is changed. Identifier input means for inputting the identifier output by the adjustment amount printing means;
Adjustment amount acquisition means for acquiring the set adjustment amount;
An adjustment amount calculating means for calculating a new adjustment amount from the adjustment amount corresponding to the identifier input by the identifier input means and the adjustment amount acquired by the adjustment amount acquisition means;
Adjustment amount setting means for setting the new adjustment amount calculated by the adjustment amount addition means;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: Image data storage means for storing image data of a pattern for identifying a deviation amount based on all the settable adjustment amounts;
Said image data generating means, the image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the acquiring the image data from the image data storage means. The identifier is an image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the minimum value of the adjustment amount is an integer in units. The image data generation means generates the image data for each adjustment item,
The identifier display data generating means generates font data as the display data for each adjustment item,
The combining means, an image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the synthesis of said image data and the font data for each of the adjustment items. Print corresponding to the print timing selected based on the printed matter on which the identifier for selecting the print timing is printed in the pattern for visually identifying the amount of deviation of the print timing from the reference timing which is the reference of the print timing A printing position adjustment method for setting a position adjustment amount,
An adjustment amount calculation process for calculating all the adjustment amounts that can be set based on the set adjustment amount,
An image data generation step of generating image data of a pattern for identifying a deviation amount based on all the settable adjustment amounts;
An identifier serving as a reference corresponds to a pattern for identifying the set adjustment amount, and an identifier for uniquely identifying a pattern for identifying a deviation amount based on all the settable adjustment amounts An identifier display data generation process for generating data;
A combining step of combining the image data and the display data;
A printed matter output step for outputting the printed matter on which the image data and the display data combined in the combining step are printed ;
An identifier input process for inputting the identifier output in the first adjustment amount printing process;
An adjustment amount setting step for setting an adjustment amount corresponding to the identifier input in the identifier input step,
The pattern is the same before and after adjustment, and according to the adjustment amount, the identifier when the print timing matches the reference timing is the identifier serving as the reference. A method for adjusting a print position, wherein an array of identifiers for selecting a print timing is changed. A printed matter in which a pattern for identifying a deviation amount based on the adjustment amount set in the adjustment amount setting process is associated with the reference identifier and a pattern based on all the adjustment amounts that can be set is printed. printing position adjusting method according to claim 6, characterized in that it has a you output tone Seiryou printing stroke. The identifier, the printing position adjusting method according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the minimum value of the adjustment amount is an integer in units. The print position adjusting method according to claim 6 , wherein the printed matter output process outputs a printed matter on which the pattern is printed for each adjustment item. This is a print position adjustment pattern output method for outputting a printed matter in which an identifier for selecting the print timing is printed on a pattern for visually identifying a deviation amount of the print timing from the reference timing which is a reference of the print timing. And
An adjustment amount calculation process for calculating all the adjustment amounts that can be set based on the set adjustment amount,
An image data generation step of generating image data of a pattern for identifying a deviation amount based on all the settable adjustment amounts;
An identifier serving as a reference corresponds to a pattern for identifying the set adjustment amount, and an identifier for uniquely identifying a pattern for identifying a deviation amount based on all the settable adjustment amounts An identifier display data generation process for generating data;
A combining step of combining the image data and the display data;
A printed matter output step for outputting the printed matter on which the image data and the display data combined in the combining step are printed;
The pattern is the same before and after adjustment, and according to the adjustment amount, the identifier when the print timing matches the reference timing is the identifier serving as the reference. A pattern output method for adjusting a print position, wherein an array of identifiers for selecting a print timing is changed. 11. The print position adjustment pattern output method according to claim 10 , wherein the identifier is an integer having a minimum adjustment amount as a unit. The image data generation process generates the image data for each adjustment item,
The identifier display data generation step generates font data as the display data for each adjustment item,
11. The print position adjustment pattern output method according to claim 10 , wherein in the synthesis step, the image data and the font data are synthesized for each adjustment item.

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