WO2017169508A1 - 画像記録装置及び画像記録装置の制御方法 - Google Patents
画像記録装置及び画像記録装置の制御方法 Download PDFInfo
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- WO2017169508A1 WO2017169508A1 PCT/JP2017/008493 JP2017008493W WO2017169508A1 WO 2017169508 A1 WO2017169508 A1 WO 2017169508A1 JP 2017008493 W JP2017008493 W JP 2017008493W WO 2017169508 A1 WO2017169508 A1 WO 2017169508A1
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Definitions
- the invention according to claim 2 is the image recording apparatus according to claim 1,
- the recording means records an image on a recording medium by a recording operation of a recording element provided in the recording means
- the image recording apparatus includes recording control means for recording a predetermined test image used for detection of a defective recording element causing a defect in the recording operation on a recording medium by the recording means
- the calibration control means is characterized in that the calibration is performed by the calibration means when the image recorded by the recording means is the test image.
- the invention according to claim 3 is the image recording apparatus according to claim 2,
- the recording apparatus includes a defective recording element detection unit that detects the defective recording element from the recording element based on a result of reading the test image by the reading unit.
- the invention according to claim 9 is the image recording apparatus according to claim 8,
- the transport means transports the recording medium by placing a recording medium on a mounting surface of the reading target member and moving the reading target member.
- the invention according to an eleventh aspect is the image recording apparatus according to any one of the fifth, seventh to tenth aspects,
- the reference time point is the later of the time point related to the start of light irradiation by the illuminating unit and the most recent time point related to the calibration performed by the calibration unit.
- the reading means can be calibrated at a more appropriate timing.
- FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a normal image recorded on a recording medium and an ejection failure detection chart. It is a figure which shows an example of the head adjustment chart recorded on a recording medium. It is a figure which shows an example of the head adjustment chart recorded on a recording medium. It is a figure which shows an example of the head adjustment chart recorded on a recording medium. It is a figure which shows an example of the head adjustment chart recorded on a recording medium. It is a figure explaining the reading operation
- the paper feeding unit 10 includes a paper feeding tray 11 that stores the recording medium P, and a medium supply unit 12 that transports and supplies the recording medium P from the paper feeding tray 11 to the image recording unit 20.
- the medium supply unit 12 includes a ring-shaped belt supported on the inside by two rollers, and the recording medium P is removed from the paper feed tray 11 by rotating the roller while the recording medium P is placed on the belt. It is conveyed to the image recording unit 20.
- the delivery unit 22 delivers the recording medium P conveyed by the medium supply unit 12 of the paper supply unit 10 to the conveyance unit 21.
- the delivery unit 22 is provided at a position between the medium supply unit 12 and the conveyance unit 21 of the paper supply unit 10, and picks up one end of the recording medium P conveyed from the medium supply unit 12 by the swing arm unit 221. Then, it is delivered to the transport unit 21 via the delivery drum 222.
- a recording element injection failure due to processing variations at the time of forming the nozzles 244, variations in characteristics of the piezoelectric elements, clogging of the nozzles 244, or clogging due to adhesion of foreign matters to the nozzle openings, etc.
- a defective recording element may occur.
- the nozzle 244 in which defective ejection of ink in the defective recording element occurs is referred to as a defective nozzle.
- a method for detecting a defective nozzle that is, a method for detecting a defective recording element in the inkjet recording apparatus 1 will be described later.
- the fixing unit 25 has an energy beam irradiation unit arranged over the width of the conveyance unit 21 in the X direction, and the recording medium P placed on the conveyance unit 21 receives ultraviolet rays or the like from the energy beam irradiation unit.
- the ink ejected on the recording medium P is cured and fixed by irradiating energy rays.
- the energy beam irradiation unit of the fixing unit 25 is arranged to face the conveyance surface 211a between the arrangement position of the head unit 24 and the arrangement position of the delivery drum 281 of the delivery unit 28 in the conveyance direction.
- the housing 261 is a rectangular parallelepiped member disposed so that one surface faces the transport surface 211a.
- the surface of the housing 261 that faces the transport surface 211a is a light transmission surface 261a that is configured using a light-transmitting member such as glass.
- the transport direction of the recording medium P at the position facing the light transmission surface 261a is defined as the Y direction
- the direction perpendicular to the XY plane is defined as the Z direction.
- the mirror 2631 has a length corresponding to the arrangement range of the light source 262 in the X direction, and reflects light traveling on the reference plane A out of light emitted from the light source 262 and reflected by the recording medium P in the direction of the mirror 2632. .
- the mirror 2632 is provided at a position closer to the light transmission surface 261 a than the mirror 2631, and reflects the light reflected by the mirror 2631 toward the optical system 264.
- the optical system 264 collects the incident light from the mirror 2632 at the position of the image sensor 265a of the line sensor 265.
- the optical system 264 forms an image at the position of the image sensor 265a of the line sensor 265 when the distance between the light transmission surface 261a and the recording medium P on the transport surface 211a is a predetermined standard distance d. That is, it is adjusted so that the surface of the recording medium P is in focus.
- the optical system 264 for example, an optical system in which a large number of refractive index distribution type lenses that collect incident light at a predetermined position by a refractive index distribution in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis can be used.
- a filter in which a color filter that transmits light having a wavelength component of B is disposed can be used.
- an area sensor may be used instead of the line sensor 265.
- the signal output from the line sensor 265 is subjected to current-voltage conversion, amplification, noise removal, analog-digital conversion, and the like in an analog front end (not shown), and is output to the control unit 40 as imaging data indicating the luminance value of the read image.
- the pixel value of the imaging data indicates the detection intensity of light by the imaging element 265a in 256 gradations from 0 to 255.
- a temperature sensor 531 that outputs a detection signal corresponding to the temperature to the control unit 40 is provided in the vicinity of the light source 262 within the housing 261.
- the vicinity of the light source 262 is a range in which the temperature changes in response to a change in the temperature of the LED 262a.
- the configuration of the temperature sensor 531 is not particularly limited.
- the temperature sensor 531 can be configured to detect the temperature by a current flowing through the thermistor.
- the LED 262a of the light source 262 has a negative correlation between the temperature and luminance of the LED 262a. For this reason, the luminance change of the LED 262a can be acquired from the change in the temperature detection result in the vicinity of the light source 262 by the detection unit 53.
- the image reading unit 26 is attached to a reading position adjusting unit 27 (FIG. 4) (reading position adjusting means).
- the reading position adjustment unit 27 moves the image reading unit 26 in the + Z direction and the ⁇ Z direction based on the control signal from the CPU 41 so that the distance between the light transmission surface 261a and the recording medium P becomes the standard distance d.
- the height of the image reading unit 26 is adjusted.
- the configuration of the reading position adjustment unit 27 is not particularly limited. For example, a column portion extending in the Z direction and a housing 261 of the image reading unit 26 are fixed, and the rotation of the stepping motor causes the + Z direction and ⁇ It can be set as the structure provided with the moving part which can move to a Z direction.
- the delivery unit 28 includes a belt loop 282 having a ring-shaped belt supported on the inside by two rollers, and a cylindrical transfer drum 281 that transfers the recording medium P from the transport unit 21 to the belt loop 282.
- the recording medium P transferred from the transport unit 21 onto the belt loop 282 by the transfer drum 281 is transported by the belt loop 282 and sent to the paper discharge unit 30.
- the paper discharge unit 30 includes a plate-shaped paper discharge tray 31 on which the recording medium P sent out from the image recording unit 20 by the delivery unit 28 is placed.
- FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the main functional configuration of the inkjet recording apparatus 1.
- the ink jet recording apparatus 1 includes a heating unit 23, a recording head driving unit 241, a recording head 242, a fixing unit 25, an image reading unit 26, a reading position adjusting unit 27, and a white plate moving unit 29 (reference member moving unit). ), A control unit 40, a transport drive unit 51, an operation display unit 52, a detection unit 53, an input / output interface 54, a bus 55, and the like.
- the control unit 40 includes a CPU 41 (Central Processing Unit) (calibration means, calibration control means, recording control means, defective recording element detection means), a RAM 42 (Random Access Memory), a ROM 43 (Read Only Memory), and a storage unit 44.
- CPU 41 Central Processing Unit
- calibration control means calibration control means
- recording control means recording control means
- defective recording element detection means defective recording element detection means
- RAM 42 Random Access Memory
- ROM 43 Read Only Memory
- a print job (image recording command) input from the external device 2 via the input / output interface 54, image data relating to the print job, and ejection failure detection used for detecting the presence or absence of a defective nozzle described later.
- a chart, test image data which is image data of a head adjustment chart (test image) used for specifying defective nozzles, image data taken by the image reading unit 26, and the like are stored.
- the print job includes image type information indicating whether or not the image data related to the post-printing job is a head adjustment chart.
- the storage unit 44 stores image reading unit calibration data 44 a related to the calibration result of the image reading unit 26.
- an HDD Hard Disk Drive
- DRAM Dynamic Random Access Memory
- the transport drive unit 51 supplies a drive signal to the transport drum motor of the transport drum 211 based on a control signal supplied from the CPU 41 to rotate the transport drum 211 at a predetermined speed and timing. Further, the transport driving unit 51 supplies a drive signal to a motor for operating the medium supply unit 12, the delivery unit 22, and the delivery unit 28 based on a control signal supplied from the CPU 41, so that the recording medium P is transported. Supply to the unit 21 and discharge from the transport unit 21 are performed.
- the operation display unit 52 includes a display device such as a liquid crystal display and an organic EL display, and an input device such as an operation key and a touch panel arranged on the screen of the display device.
- the operation display unit 52 displays various information on the display device, converts a user input operation to the input device into an operation signal, and outputs the operation signal to the control unit 40.
- the detection unit 53 includes a temperature sensor 531 and outputs a temperature detection result in the vicinity of the light source 262 of the image reading unit 26 to the control unit 40.
- the input / output interface 54 mediates data transmission / reception between the external device 2 and the control unit 40.
- the input / output interface 54 is configured by, for example, one of various serial interfaces, various parallel interfaces, or a combination thereof.
- the bus 55 is a path for transmitting and receiving signals between the control unit 40 and other components.
- the external device 2 is, for example, a personal computer, and supplies a print job, image data, and the like to the control unit 40 via the input / output interface 54.
- an ejection failure detection chart for detecting presence or absence of ink ejection failure is recorded on the recording medium P together with a normal image related to a print job, and an image reading unit of the ejection failure detection chart is recorded. 26, the presence or absence of an ink ejection defect, that is, the presence or absence of a defective nozzle is detected.
- a predetermined head adjustment chart is recorded using one recording medium P, and this head adjustment chart is read by the image reading unit 26.
- a defective nozzle is identified based on the result. Further, when the recording head 242 is misaligned, the misalignment can be detected from the reading result. Based on these detection results, adjustment (shading correction) of the ink discharge position and the ink discharge amount is performed.
- FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the normal image 60 and the ejection failure detection chart 61 recorded on the recording medium P.
- the ejection failure detection chart 61 is composed of four strip-shaped halftone images that are recorded on the upstream side in the transport direction of the normal image 60 when the recording medium P is transported, and are each recorded with each color ink of YMCK.
- the ejection failure detection chart 61 is recorded in the image recordable range by the head unit 24 in the width direction. If there is a defective nozzle in any of the head units 24, color unevenness E occurs in the discharge defect detection chart 61 due to defective ink discharge by the defective nozzle.
- the ejection failure detection chart 61 is read by the image reading unit 26 and color unevenness E is detected in the obtained imaging data, it is determined that there is an ejection failure.
- FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the head adjustment chart 62 recorded on the recording medium P.
- a plurality of lines extending in the transport direction A minute head adjustment chart 62 is recorded.
- the line segment of the head adjustment chart 62 in FIG. 6A is recorded by ejecting ink from each nozzle 244 while adjusting the ejection position in the transport direction so that the ejection ranges from each nozzle 244 do not overlap.
- a head adjustment chart 62 composed of points recorded by the nozzles 244 is recorded.
- the head adjustment chart is not limited to that shown in FIGS. 6A to 6C, and may be, for example, a shading chart composed of gradation patterns recorded by the nozzles 244. In this case, the ink discharge position and ink discharge amount from the nozzle 244 of each recording head 242 can be adjusted based on the density unevenness in the reading result of the shading chart.
- the head adjustment chart may be a color management chart including various colors that can be recorded by the inkjet recording apparatus 1, and a defective nozzle may be identified from the hue, saturation, and lightness in the reading result of the color management chart. These head adjustment charts are preferably formed separately for each color of CMYK.
- the presence or absence of ink ejection failure is detected based on the reading result of the ejection failure detection chart 61 by the image reading unit 26. Further, the positional displacement of the defective nozzle and the recording head is detected based on the reading result of the head adjustment chart 62, and the ink discharge position and the ink discharge amount are adjusted according to the detection result. For this reason, in the inkjet recording apparatus 1, the calibration operation for calibrating the image reading unit 26 according to the detection value of the imaging element 265a so that the ejection failure detection chart 61 and the head adjustment chart 62 are properly read by the image reading unit 26. Is done at the appropriate time. Hereinafter, the calibration operation of the image reading unit 26 will be described.
- FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the reading operation of the standard white plate 70 by the image reading unit 26.
- 7A is a diagram illustrating the position of the image reading unit 26 (hereinafter referred to as a recording medium reading position) when the recording medium P is read by the image reading unit 26, and FIG. It is a figure which shows the position of the image reading part 26 in the case of reading the white board 70 (it is hereafter described as a white board reading position (reference member reading position)).
- the recording medium reading position shown in FIG. 7A is a position where the distance between the light transmission surface 261a and the recording medium P in the Z direction is the standard distance d.
- the image reading unit 26 When the image reading unit 26 reads the standard white plate 70 and the image reading unit 26 is at the recording medium reading position, the image reading unit 26 is moved in the + Z direction to the white plate reading position by the reading position adjusting unit 27.
- the white plate reading position is a standard white color between the light transmitting surface 261a and the transport drum 211 in a positional relationship where the distance between the light transmitting surface 261a of the image reading unit 26 and the standard white plate 70 is the standard distance d.
- the position where the plate 70 can be arranged is set to a position close to the conveying drum 211 among the positions satisfying such conditions, so that the moving distance of the image reading unit 26 in the calibration operation can be shortened.
- the white plate moving unit 29 causes the Z direction between the image reading unit 26 and the transport drum 211 and the light transmission surface 261 a to move in the Z direction.
- the standard white plate 70 is arranged at a position where the distance becomes the standard distance d, and the standard white plate 70 is moved in the Y direction.
- a direction intersecting with the Y direction on the surface of the standard white plate 70 by the image reading unit 26 at an appropriate timing according to the movement of the standard white plate 70 (in this embodiment, a direction orthogonal to the Y direction, that is, the X direction). ) Are repeatedly read to generate white plate imaging data.
- the reading range and the number of readings of the standard white plate 70 in the Y direction by the image reading unit 26 are not particularly limited, but in the present embodiment, 512 readings are performed within a range of 2 mm in the Y direction. . Therefore, in the inkjet recording apparatus 1, the moving speed of the standard white plate 70 by the white plate moving unit 29 is set according to the reading frequency by the image reading unit 26 so that the image reading unit 26 can perform such reading. ing.
- the average value of the pixel values of the plurality of pixels corresponding to the same image sensor 265a is calculated in the white plate imaging data, and the same number as the number of the image sensors 265a is calculated.
- Calibration image data consisting of pixels is generated. Note that, among a plurality of pixels corresponding to the same image sensor 265a, a pixel having an abnormal pixel value due to a foreign substance such as dust (for example, a value lower than the pixel value of surrounding pixels) is excluded, The pixel values of the remaining pixels may be averaged. Further, a representative value such as a median value may be used instead of the average value.
- a correction value is calculated that matches each pixel value of the calibration image data with a value corresponding to the reflectance of the standard white plate 70. That is, among the pixels of the calibration image data, the correction value for correcting the pixel value I (i) of the pixel corresponding to the i-th image sensor 265a (i is a natural number indicating the array element number of the image sensor 265a) in the X direction.
- C (i) is calculated for all i by the following formula (1).
- Ia is a constant corresponding to the reflectance of the standard white plate 70, and is set to a value (240 in the present embodiment) that is lower than the maximum pixel value 255 by a predetermined value. This is to avoid saturation (exceeding 255) of a value obtained by multiplying the pixel value I (i) by the correction value C (i) when a reading target having a reflectance higher than that of the standard white plate 70 is read. It is.
- the correction value C (i) is calculated for each of the columns of the image sensor 265a corresponding to R, G, and B in the line sensor 265, and is stored in the storage unit 44 as the image reading unit calibration data 44a. When the image reading unit calibration data 44a is stored in the storage unit 44, the calibration operation of the image reading unit 26 is finished.
- the image reading unit 26 When the image reading unit 26 reads the ejection failure detection chart 61 and the head adjustment chart 62 after the calibration operation of the image reading unit 26 is performed, it corresponds to the i-th imaging element 265a in the imaging data.
- the pixel value is multiplied by the correction value C (i), and the obtained corrected imaging data (image data) is stored in the storage unit 44 as a reading result.
- the correction value C (i) By multiplying the pixel value of the imaging data by the correction value C (i), the pixel resulting from the sensitivity variation for each imaging element 265a and the illuminance unevenness of the light source 262 near the end in the X direction.
- the drop in value is corrected, and the ejection failure detection chart 61 is read appropriately.
- a typical reading influence factor is the luminance of the LED 262a in the light source 262, and the temperature in the vicinity of the light source 262 having a negative correlation with the luminance is an example of the reading influence factor.
- the luminance of the LED 262a is lowered, the range of pixel values in the image data captured by the image reading unit 26 is narrowed, and the luminance resolution is lowered.
- the reading of the image reading unit 26 is performed before each reading of the recording medium P. It is most desirable to perform calibration. However, if the calibration is performed every time the recording medium P is read, the recording medium P cannot be read until the processing related to the calibration is completed. The time required for reading increases due to the waiting time. On the other hand, for example, if calibration is performed every time a predetermined number of readings of the recording medium P are performed, the reading influence factor fluctuates between the end of the most recent calibration and the next calibration, and appropriate reading is performed. You may not be able to do it. Further, calibration may be performed even when the variation of the reading influence factor is small and calibration is not necessary.
- FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a time change in luminance of the LED 262a.
- the time change of the average value of the pixel value in the imaging data of the standard white plate 70 by the image reading unit 26 is shown. Since the average value of the pixel values is a value related to the luminance of the LED 262a (hereinafter referred to as a luminance corresponding value), the graph shown in FIG. 8 shows a tendency of the luminance of the LED 262a to change with time. As shown in FIG. 8, the luminance of the LED 262a decreases with the passage of time after the start of lighting.
- the image reading unit 26 is calibrated when the amount of change in luminance of the LED 262a from the reference time point becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined value Bth.
- the temperature sensor 531 detects the vicinity temperature T of the light source 262 corresponding to the brightness of the LED 262a and the change from the reference time of the vicinity temperature T satisfies a predetermined temperature change condition, that is, the vicinity.
- the image reading unit 26 When the change amount of the temperature T from the reference time becomes equal to or greater than the predetermined value Tth, the image reading unit 26 is calibrated.
- the predetermined value Tth corresponds to the amount of change in the neighborhood temperature T when the luminance of the LED 262a changes by the predetermined value Bth. Therefore, the calibration is performed at a high frequency immediately after the lighting of the light source 262 is started, and the frequency at which the calibration is performed decreases with the passage of time. As a result, the calibration is performed at a frequency with no excess or deficiency according to the luminance variation of the LED 262a in the light source 262.
- the ejection failure detection chart 61 it is sufficient for the ejection failure detection chart 61 to be able to detect the presence or absence of the color unevenness E shown in FIG. 26 may not be calibrated with high accuracy.
- the image reading unit 26 it is necessary to detect the exact position and density of lines, dots, and gradation patterns included in the head adjustment chart 62, and the image reading unit 26 is calibrated with high accuracy. Need to be. Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the image recorded by the head unit 24 satisfies a predetermined image type condition, specifically, when the image recorded by the head unit 24 is the head adjustment chart 62, detection is performed. Regardless of the vicinity temperature T detected by the unit 53, the calibration operation of the image reading unit 26 is performed.
- FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a control procedure by the CPU 41 for image recording processing.
- This image recording process is executed when a print job and image data are input from the external apparatus 2 to the control unit 40 via the input / output interface 54.
- a predetermined timing such as when the ink jet recording apparatus 1 is manufactured or shipped, or when the head unit 24 or the recording head 242 is replaced, or a predetermined input operation instructing the operation display unit 52 to perform defective nozzle detection by the user. It is executed when.
- the CPU 41 Prior to the start of the image recording process, the CPU 41 outputs a drive signal from the conveyance drive unit 51 to the conveyance drum motor of the conveyance drum 211 to start the rotation operation of the conveyance drum 211.
- the CPU 41 When the image recording process is started, the CPU 41 outputs a control signal to the image reading unit 26 to turn on the light source 262 (step S101).
- the CPU 41 outputs a control signal to the detection unit 53, causes the detection unit 53 to output the detection result of the near temperature (here, the initial temperature T0) by the temperature sensor 531, and substitutes T0 for the variable Ta related to the temperature (step) S102).
- CPU41 outputs a control signal to the detection part 53, makes the detection part 53 output the detection result of the near temperature T by the temperature sensor 531, and acquires it (step S103).
- the CPU 41 refers to the image type information included in the print job, and determines whether or not the image instructed to be recorded by the print job is the head adjustment chart 62 (step S104).
- step S104 determines that the difference between the near temperature T and the temperature Ta detected in step S103 is a predetermined value Tth. It is determined whether or not this is the case (step S105).
- the CPU 41 executes an image reading unit calibration process described later (step S106).
- step S106 When the process of step S105 is performed for the first time after the start of the image recording process, the image recording process of step S106 is performed regardless of the determination result.
- the CPU 41 substitutes T for the variable Ta (step S107).
- the CPU 41 When it is determined that the difference between the near temperature T and the temperature Ta is less than the predetermined value Tth (“No” in step S105), or when the processing in step S107 is completed, the CPU 41 causes the head unit 24 to execute the recording medium.
- the normal image 60 and the ejection failure detection chart 61 are recorded on P (step S108). That is, the CPU 41 outputs the image data relating to the print job stored in the storage unit 44 and the test image data of the ejection failure detection chart 61 from the recording head driving unit 241 to the recording head 242 at an appropriate timing according to the rotation of the transport drum 211.
- the head unit 24 causes the ink to be ejected onto the recording medium P, and the normal image 60 and the ejection failure detection chart 61 are recorded on the recording medium P.
- the CPU 41 fixes the ink to the recording medium P by irradiating the ink with a predetermined energy beam at the timing when the recording medium P to which the ink has been applied has moved to the position of the fixing unit 25.
- the CPU 41 determines based on the imaging data of the ejection failure detection chart 61 whether or not the ejection failure detection chart 61 has color unevenness E indicating an ink ejection failure (step S110).
- step S110 determines whether there is no ink ejection failure (“No” in step S110). If it is determined that there is no ink ejection failure (“No” in step S110), the CPU 41 determines whether there is a new print job execution command (obtained) (step S111). If it is determined that it has been acquired (“Yes” in step S111), the CPU 41 shifts the processing to step S103.
- step S110 If it is determined in step S110 that there is an ink ejection failure (“Yes” in step S110), the CPU 41 generates a print job instructing recording of the head adjustment chart 62 and stores it in the storage unit 44. (Step S119), the process proceeds to Step S103.
- step S104 If it is determined in step S104 that the recorded image is the head adjustment chart 62 (“Yes” in step S104), the CPU 41 executes an image reading unit calibration process described later (step S113). T is substituted for Ta (step S114).
- the CPU 41 causes the head unit 24 to record the head adjustment chart 62 on the recording medium P (step S115). That is, the CPU 41 supplies the test image data of the head adjustment chart 62 stored in the storage unit 44 to the recording head 242 from the recording head driving unit 241 at an appropriate timing according to the rotation of the transport drum 211, thereby the head unit. 24, ink is ejected onto the recording medium P, and the head adjustment chart 62 is recorded on the recording medium P. In addition, the CPU 41 fixes the ink to the recording medium P by irradiating the ink with a predetermined energy beam at the timing when the recording medium P to which the ink has been applied has moved to the position of the fixing unit 25.
- step S117 the CPU 41 reads the position and density of the line segment or point recorded by each nozzle 244 from the imaging data of the head adjustment chart 62, and searches for the position and density that are out of the normal value. To detect defective nozzles. Further, the CPU 41 detects the positional deviation of the recording head 242 from the imaging data of the head adjustment chart 62.
- step S118 the CPU 41 changes the setting so that ink is not ejected from the defective nozzle and the amount of ink ejected from the peripheral nozzle 244 is increased according to the amount of ink that is not ejected from the defective nozzle. Further, when there is a positional deviation of the recording head 242, the setting of the nozzle 244 for discharging ink and the setting of the ink discharge timing are changed to adjust the ink discharge position. Further, when it is difficult to record an image with a desired image quality by such adjustment, a cleaning unit (not shown) performs cleaning of the ink discharge surface of the head unit 24 or stops the image recording operation. The operation display unit 52 is caused to perform a predetermined notification operation. When the process of step S118 ends, the CPU 41 shifts the process to step S111.
- FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a control procedure by the CPU 41 of the image reading unit calibration process.
- the CPU 41 When the image reading unit calibration process is started, the CPU 41 outputs a control signal to the reading position adjusting unit 27, and the reading position adjusting unit 27 moves the image reading unit 26 to the white plate reading position shown in FIG. 7B. Move (step S201).
- the CPU 41 causes the image reading unit 26 to image a plurality of lines on the standard white plate 70 (step S202). That is, the CPU 41 outputs a control signal to the white plate moving unit 29, and causes the white plate moving unit 29 to place the standard white plate 70 at a position facing the light transmission surface 261a shown in FIG. The plate 70 is moved in the Y direction at a predetermined speed. Further, the CPU 41 causes the image reading unit 26 to repeatedly read the standard white plate 70 at appropriate intervals, obtains white plate imaging data, and stores it in the storage unit 44. Further, the CPU 41 averages the pixel values of a plurality of pixels corresponding to the same image sensor 265 a in the white plate imaging data, generates calibration image data, and stores the calibration image data in the storage unit 44.
- the CPU 41 generates image reading unit calibration data 44a based on the calibration image data and stores it in the storage unit 44 (step S203: calibration step). That is, the CPU 41 calculates the correction value C (i) from the calibration image data based on the above-described algorithm, and stores it in the storage unit 44 as the image reading unit calibration data 44a.
- the CPU 41 outputs a control signal to the reading position adjustment unit 27, and the reading position adjustment unit 27 moves the image reading unit 26 to the recording medium reading position shown in FIG. 7A (step S204), thereby calibrating the image reading unit. End the process.
- the inkjet recording apparatus 1 reads the head unit 24 that records an image on the recording medium P, the surface of the recording medium P, and the surface of the predetermined standard white plate 70 using the imaging element 265a.
- the CPU 41 includes an image reading unit 26 and a CPU 41.
- the CPU 41 calibrates the image reading unit 26 according to the detection value of the imaging element 265a based on the reading result of the surface of the standard white plate 70 by the image reading unit 26 (calibration).
- the image reading unit 26 can be calibrated at an appropriate timing according to a change in the reading influence factor.
- the image reading unit 26 can be calibrated regardless of the reading influence factor. As a result, the calibration can be performed at an appropriate timing when calibration of the image reading unit 26 is required.
- the ink jet recording apparatus 1 includes a light source 262 that irradiates the surface of the recording medium P read by the image reading unit 26 with the light emitted from the LED 262a.
- the LED 262a changes in luminance according to the temperature of the LED 262a.
- the reading influence factor includes the vicinity temperature T in the vicinity of the light source 262, and the CPU 41 causes calibration when the change in the vicinity temperature T from a predetermined reference time satisfies a predetermined temperature change condition (calibration control means). ).
- the calibration of the image reading unit 26 is performed when the amount of change in the brightness of the LED 262a due to the temperature change of the LED 262a becomes a value corresponding to the change in the neighborhood temperature T that satisfies the temperature change condition.
- the image reading unit 26 can be calibrated at an appropriate timing according to the change in luminance of the LED 262a.
- the LED 262a is used as the light emitting unit for the light source 262, the power consumption of the light source 262 can be suppressed.
- control method of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 includes a calibration step of calibrating the image reading unit 26 based on the reading result of the surface of the standard white plate 70 by the image reading unit 26.
- a calibration step is performed in at least one of the above cases. According to such a method, the calibration can be performed at an appropriate timing when calibration of the image reading unit 26 is required.
- Modification 1 Next, the modification 1 of the said embodiment is demonstrated.
- the present modification is different from the above-described embodiment in that the image reading unit 26 is calibrated at a predetermined timing corresponding to the elapsed time after the light irradiation by the light source 262 is started.
- the image reading unit 26 is calibrated at a predetermined timing corresponding to the elapsed time after the light irradiation by the light source 262 is started.
- the time change of the luminance of the LED 262a is unique to each LED 262a. Therefore, the luminance of the LED 262a can be obtained from the elapsed time t after the light irradiation by the light source 262 is started. That is, the elapsed time t is an example of the reading influence factor described above. Therefore, in the present modification, the elapsed time t after the start of irradiation of the latest light from the light source 262 is measured by the control unit 40, and when the elapsed time t satisfies a predetermined elapsed time condition, that is, the elapsed time t is When any one of a plurality of predetermined reference timings is exceeded, the image reading unit 26 is calibrated.
- step S101 When the processing of step S101 is completed, the CPU 41 starts measuring the elapsed time t, and substitutes 0 for a variable ta related to the elapsed time (step S120). Further, the CPU 41 acquires the elapsed time t (step S121).
- step S104 If it is determined in step S104 that the recorded image is an image other than the head adjustment chart 62 (“No” in step S104), the CPU 41 sets any reference timing between ta and t. It is determined whether or not it has been exceeded (step S122). If it is determined that any of the reference timings has been exceeded (“Yes” in step S122), the CPU 41 executes image reading unit calibration processing (step S106), and substitutes t for the variable ta (step S123). ). When the process of step S122 is performed for the first time after the start of the image recording process, the image recording process of step S106 is performed regardless of the determination result. When it is determined that any reference timing has not been exceeded (“No” in step S122), the CPU 41 shifts the processing to step S108.
- step S104 If it is determined in step S104 that the recorded image is the head adjustment chart 62 (“Yes” in step S104), the CPU 41 executes image reading unit calibration processing (step S113), and sets the variable ta. t is substituted (step S124).
- the ink jet recording apparatus 1 includes the light source 262 that irradiates the surface of the recording medium P read by the image reading unit 26 with the light emitted from the light emitting unit whose luminance changes with time.
- the influence factor includes an elapsed time t from the start of the latest light irradiation by the light source 262.
- the calibration of the image reading unit 26 is performed when the luminance of the LED 262a changes by an amount corresponding to the passage of time that satisfies the elapsed time condition as the reading influence factor condition.
- the image reading unit 26 can be calibrated at an appropriate timing according to the change in luminance of the LED 262a.
- Modification 2 Next, Modification 2 of the above embodiment will be described. This modification is different from the above embodiment in that the brightness of the LED 262a is directly detected and the image reading unit 26 is calibrated according to the detection result of the brightness. Hereinafter, differences from the above embodiment will be described.
- the light detection part of the detection part 53 is provided in the position where the light from the LED 262a is irradiated, for example, inside the housing 261 of the image reading part 26, and outputs a signal corresponding to the intensity of the incident light. It is set as the structure provided with.
- FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a control procedure by the CPU 41 of the image recording process according to this modification.
- This flowchart shows steps S102, S103, S105, S107, and S114 in the flowchart of the image recording process according to the above-described embodiment shown in FIG. 9, respectively, step S102a, step S103a, step S105a, and step S107a. , Step S114a.
- steps S102, S103, S105, S107, and S114 in the flowchart of the image recording process according to the above-described embodiment shown in FIG. 9, respectively, step S102a, step S103a, step S105a, and step S107a. , Step S114a.
- step S102a the CPU 41 outputs a control signal to the detection unit 53, causes the detection unit 53 to output the detection result of the luminance (in this case, the initial luminance B0) of the LED 262a by the light detection unit, and sets the brightness-related variable Ba. Substitute B0.
- step S103a the CPU 41 outputs a control signal to the detection unit 53 and causes the detection unit 53 to output and acquire the detection result of the luminance B by the light detection unit.
- step S105a the CPU 41 determines whether or not the difference between the luminance B and the luminance Ba detected in step S103a is equal to or greater than a predetermined value Bth.
- the CPU 41 executes an image reading unit calibration process (step S106), and sets the variable Ba B is substituted (step S107a).
- the CPU 41 shifts the process to step S108.
- CPU41 substitutes B to the variable Ba in the process of step S114a.
- the inkjet recording apparatus 1 includes the light source 262 that irradiates the surface of the recording medium P that is read by the image reading unit 26 with the light emitted from the LED 262a, and the reading influence factor includes the LED 262a.
- the CPU 41 causes the calibration to be performed when the change in the luminance corresponding value from the predetermined reference time satisfies the predetermined luminance corresponding value change condition (calibration control means). According to this, when the amount of change in the luminance of the LED 262a becomes a value corresponding to the luminance corresponding value change condition, the image reading unit 26 is calibrated. As a result, the image reading unit 26 can be calibrated at an appropriate timing according to the change in luminance of the LED 262a.
- the width of the reading target area 211b in the circumferential direction of the outer peripheral surface of the transport drum 211 is set so that the image reading unit 26 sets the reading target area 211b a predetermined number of times (for example, 512 times) when the transport drum 211 is rotating. ) Read width.
- the reading target region 211b may be formed by painting the conveyance surface 211a white, or may be formed by fitting a plate-like member made of a white material such as barium sulfate into the conveyance surface 211a. .
- the reading target area 211b being white means that the ISO whiteness is 80 or more.
- the predetermined representative value V (average value, median value, etc.) relating to the pixel value of the imaging data obtained by reading the reading target area 211b by the image reading unit 26 is substantially proportional to the luminance of the LED 262a. That is, the representative value V is an example of the luminance correspondence value described above. Therefore, in this modification, the image reading unit 211 is periodically read by the image reading unit 26, and the image reading is performed when the change amount of the representative value V of the obtained imaging data from the reference time becomes equal to or greater than the predetermined value Vth.
- the unit 26 is calibrated.
- the predetermined value Vth corresponds to the change amount of the representative value V when the luminance of the LED 262a is changed by the predetermined value Bth.
- the image reading unit 26 is calibrated at the timing when the amount of change in luminance of the LED 262a from the reference time becomes equal to or greater than the predetermined value Bth.
- the flowchart of the image recording process according to this modification is the same as the flowchart of the image recording process according to Modification 2 shown in FIG. This corresponds to a representative value V, a predetermined value Vth, and a variable Va. Since the other points are the same as those of the image recording process of the second modification, the description thereof is omitted.
- the inkjet recording apparatus 1 includes the transport unit 21 that transports the recording medium P, and the image reading unit 26 includes the surface of the recording medium P transported by the transport unit 21 and the transport unit. 21, the light source 262 emits light to the recording medium P and the reading target area 211 b transported by the transport unit 21, and the luminance corresponding value includes the reading target area 211 b.
- a predetermined representative value V related to the pixel value in the imaging data obtained by reading the image data by the image reading unit 26 is included. According to this, it is possible to acquire the representative value V as the reading influence factor based on the reading result of the reading target area 211b by the image reading unit 26 and calibrate the image reading unit 26 at an appropriate timing.
- components other than the conveyance drum 211 and the image reading unit 26 are not required to detect the reading influence factor, and thus the ink jet recording apparatus 1 can be reduced in size and cost. be able to.
- the transport unit 21 transports the recording medium P by placing the recording medium P on the transport surface 211 a of the transport drum 211 and moving the transport drum 211. According to such a configuration, it is not necessary to provide a separate reading target member in addition to the transport drum 211 used for transporting the recording medium P, and thus the configuration of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 can be simplified.
- the predetermined representative value W (average value, median value, etc.) relating to the pixel value of the imaging data obtained by reading the unrecorded area of the recording medium P by the image reading unit 26 is substantially proportional to the luminance of the LED 262a. That is, the representative value W is an example of the luminance correspondence value described above. Therefore, in the present modification, when the unread area of the recording medium P is periodically read by the image reading unit 26, and the amount of change of the representative value W of the obtained imaging data from the reference time becomes equal to or greater than the predetermined value Wth.
- the image reading unit 26 is calibrated.
- the predetermined value Wth corresponds to the change amount of the representative value W when the luminance of the LED 262a changes by the predetermined value Bth.
- the image reading unit 26 is calibrated at the timing when the amount of change in luminance of the LED 262a from the reference time becomes equal to or greater than the predetermined value Bth.
- the flowchart of the image recording process according to the present modification is the same as the flowchart of the image recording process according to Modification 3 described above.
- the initial representative value V0, the representative value V, the predetermined value Vth, and the variable Va are the initial representative value W0 and the representative value, respectively. This is equivalent to W, a predetermined value Wth, and a variable Wa. Since the other points are the same as those of the image recording process of the third modification, the description thereof is omitted.
- the luminance correspondence values of the present modification include predetermined representatives relating to the pixel values in the imaging data obtained by reading the unrecorded area where no image is recorded in the recording medium P by the image reading unit 26.
- the value W is included. According to this, the representative value W as the reading influence factor can be acquired based on the reading result of the reading target area 211b by the image reading unit 26, and the image reading unit 26 can be calibrated at an appropriate timing.
- a component for detecting a reading influence factor other than the configuration for reading the recording medium P is not required, so that the inkjet recording apparatus 1 can be reduced in size and cost. Can do.
- Modification 5 of the above embodiment will be described.
- This modification may be combined with any one of Modifications 1 to 4.
- This modification differs from the above embodiment in that the white plate moving unit 29 is attached to the image reading unit 26.
- differences from the above embodiment will be described.
- FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the moving mechanism of the standard white plate 70 according to this modification.
- 14A is a diagram illustrating a state in which the image reading unit 26 is at the recording medium reading position
- FIG. 14B is a diagram illustrating a state in which the image reading unit 26 is in the middle between the recording medium reading position and the white plate reading position
- FIG. 14C is a diagram illustrating a state in which the image reading unit 26 is at the white plate reading position.
- a white plate moving unit 29 having an arm 291, a rotating shaft 292, and a fixing pin 293 is attached to the image reading unit 26 of this modification.
- a plate-like arm 291 is attached to each of two surfaces perpendicular to the X direction in the housing 261 of the image reading unit 26 so as to be rotatable about a rotation shaft 292.
- Each arm 291 is attached to a frame of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 (not shown) via a fixing pin 293 that is passed through an opening 294 having a rounded rectangular shape provided on the arm 291.
- the position of the fixing pin 293 with respect to the rotation axis of the transport drum 211 is fixed.
- the positional relationship between the housing 261 and the fixed pin 293 is such that when the image reading unit 26 is at the recording medium reading position, the rotation shaft 292 is on the ⁇ Z direction side with respect to the fixed pin 293, and the image reading unit 26 is white.
- the rotation shaft 292 When in the plate reading position, the rotation shaft 292 is adjusted to be on the + Z direction side with respect to the fixed pin 293.
- a pair of short side portions of a rectangular standard white plate 70 are fixed to ends of the pair of arms 291 opposite to the rotation shaft 292, respectively.
- the image reading unit 26 is moved to the + Z direction side from the position of the recording medium reading position (FIG. 14A) to the position of the white plate reading position (FIG. 14C) by the reading position adjusting unit 27.
- the arm 291 rotates clockwise around the fixed pin 293 in FIG. 14 while sliding the fixed pin 293 in the opening 294, and is shown in the figure with respect to the housing 261 around the rotating shaft 292. 14 in the clockwise direction. Further, as the arm 291 is rotated, the arm 291 is disposed at a predetermined retracted position, that is, on the ⁇ Y direction side of the casing 261 and on the + Z direction side of the light transmission surface 261a in the state shown in FIG. 14A. In the state shown in FIG.
- the standard white plate 70 is retracted by the white plate moving unit 29 in conjunction with the movement of the image reading unit 26 from the recording medium reading position to the white plate reading position by the reading position adjusting unit 27. To the read position. Then, the image reading unit 26 reads the surface of the standard white plate 70 arranged at the read position. 14C, an arm moving mechanism that translates the arm 291 in the Y direction relative to the housing 261 in the state shown in FIG. 14C, or a standard white plate 70 parallel to the Y direction in the state shown in FIG. 14C.
- the image reading unit 26 can read a plurality of different positions on the standard white plate 70 while moving the standard white plate 70 in the Y direction. .
- the image reading unit 26 includes the recording medium reading position when the recording medium P is read by the image reading unit 26, and the standard by the image reading unit 26.
- a reading position adjusting unit 27 that moves between the white plate reading position when the white plate 70 is read, and a movement of the image reading unit 26 from the recording medium reading position to the white plate reading position by the reading position adjusting unit 27.
- the white plate moving unit 29 moves the standard white plate 70 to a predetermined position when read by the image reading unit 26. Accordingly, when the standard white plate 70 is read by the image reading unit 26, the standard white plate 70 can be easily arranged at an appropriate position. Further, since the mechanism for moving the image reading unit 26 and the standard white plate 70 can be simplified, the ink jet recording apparatus 1 can be reduced in size and cost.
- the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and modifications, and various modifications can be made.
- the description has been given using the example in which the image reading unit 26 is calibrated when the type of the image recorded on the recording medium P is the head adjustment chart 62.
- the type of image that is a condition for performing calibration is not limited to this.
- the image reading unit 26 may be calibrated when the type of image is a photographic image.
- the reading influence factors the neighborhood temperature T, the elapsed time t, the luminance B of the LED 262a, and the representative pixel values in the imaging data of the reading target region 211b of the transport drum 211 by the image reading unit 26.
- the value V and the representative value W of the pixel value in the imaging data of the unrecorded area of the recording medium P by the image reading unit 26 have been described as examples.
- the present invention is not limited to this, and the reading result by the image reading unit 26 Any factor that affects the reading can be a reading influencing factor.
- the image reading unit 26 is used when the type of the image recorded on the recording medium P satisfies the predetermined image type condition and when the reading influence factor satisfies the predetermined reading influence factor.
- the calibration may be performed only in one of these cases.
- the image reading unit 26 reads a plurality of lines on the standard white plate 70
- the standard white plate 70 may be fixed and the image reading unit 26 may be moved. Further, the image reading unit 26 may be calibrated based on imaging data obtained by reading a single line on the standard white plate 70.
- At least one may be performed by an information processing apparatus (for example, the external apparatus 2) provided outside the inkjet recording apparatus 1.
- the image reading unit is configured as follows. 26 may be calibrated. That is, data indicating the reflectance distribution of the reading target region 211b is acquired in advance and stored in the storage unit 44, and the reading result of the reading target region 211b and the reflection of the reading target region 211b stored in the storage unit 44 are stored.
- the correction value C (i) may be calculated so as to correct the deviation of the rate from the distribution in the X direction.
- the reading target area 211b may be a color other than white.
- region 211b may be provided in the surface of the conveyance drum 211
- region may be provided in the member which does not move according to conveyance operation.
- the conveyance belt may be provided with an opening, and a reading target member provided with a reading target region may be fixed at a position facing the image reading unit via the opening.
- the piezo-type inkjet recording apparatus 1 using a piezoelectric element as an image recording apparatus has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this.
- a thermal ink jet recording apparatus that discharges ink by generating bubbles in the ink by heating
- a dry electrophotographic image recording apparatus that forms an image of toner particles on a photosensitive drum and transfers the image to a recording medium, toner
- the present invention can be applied to various types of image recording apparatuses such as wet electrophotographic image recording apparatuses that use liquid toner instead of particles.
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Abstract
Description
記録媒体に画像を記録する記録手段と、
記録媒体の表面及び所定の基準部材の表面を撮像素子を用いて読み取る読取手段と、
前記読取手段による前記基準部材の表面の読取結果に基づいて前記撮像素子の検出値に係る前記読取手段の較正を行う較正手段と、
前記記録手段により記録媒体に記録される画像の種別が所定の画像種別条件を満たす場合、及び前記読取手段による記録媒体の表面の読取結果に影響を与える所定の読取影響因子が所定の読取影響因子条件を満たす場合の少なくとも一方において前記較正手段により前記較正を行わせる較正制御手段と、
を備えることを特徴としている。
前記記録手段は、当該記録手段に設けられた記録素子の記録動作により記録媒体に画像を記録し、
当該画像記録装置は、前記記録動作に不良を生じている不良記録素子の検出に用いられる所定のテスト画像を前記記録手段により記録媒体に記録させる記録制御手段を備え、
前記較正制御手段は、前記記録手段により記録される画像が前記テスト画像である場合に前記較正手段により前記較正を行わせる
ことを特徴としている。
前記読取手段による前記テスト画像の読取結果に基づいて前記記録素子から前記不良記録素子を検出する不良記録素子検出手段を備えることを特徴としている。
前記読取影響因子を検知する検知手段を備え、
前記較正制御手段は、前記検知手段による検知結果が前記読取影響因子条件を満たす場合に前記較正手段により前記較正を行わせる
ことを特徴としている。
発光部から射出された光を前記読取手段により読み取られる記録媒体の表面に照射する照明手段を備え、
前記発光部は、当該発光部の温度に応じて輝度が変化し、
前記読取影響因子には、前記照明手段の近傍における近傍温度が含まれ、
前記較正制御手段は、所定の基準時点からの前記近傍温度の変化が所定の温度変化条件を満たす場合に前記較正手段により前記較正を行わせる
ことを特徴としている。
輝度が経時変化する発光部から射出された光を前記読取手段により読み取られる記録媒体の表面に照射する照明手段を備え、
前記読取影響因子には、前記照明手段による直近の光の照射開始からの経過時間が含まれる
ことを特徴としている。
発光部から射出された光を前記読取手段により読み取られる記録媒体の表面に照射する照明手段を備え、
前記読取影響因子には、前記発光部の輝度に係る輝度対応値が含まれ、
前記較正制御手段は、所定の基準時点からの前記輝度対応値の変化が所定の輝度対応値変化条件を満たす場合に前記較正手段により前記較正を行わせる
ことを特徴としている。
記録媒体を搬送する搬送手段を備え、
前記読取手段は、前記搬送手段により搬送されている記録媒体の表面及び前記搬送手段に設けられた読取対象部材の読取対象領域を読み取り、
前記照明手段は、前記読取手段により読み取られている前記記録媒体及び前記読取対象領域に対して光を照射し、
前記輝度対応値には、前記読取対象領域を前記読取手段により読み取って得られた撮像データにおける画素値に係る所定の代表値が含まれる
ことを特徴としている。
前記搬送手段は、前記読取対象部材の載置面上に記録媒体を載置して当該読取対象部材を移動させることにより前記記録媒体を搬送することを特徴としている。
前記輝度対応値には、記録媒体のうち画像が記録されていない未記録領域を前記読取手段により読み取って得られた撮像データにおける画素値に係る所定の代表値が含まれることを特徴としている。
前記基準時点は、前記照明手段による光の照射開始に係る時点及び前記較正手段により行われた直近の前記較正に係る時点のうち何れか遅い方であることを特徴としている。
前記発光部は、LEDであることを特徴としている。
前記読取手段を、当該読取手段による記録媒体の読み取りが行われるときの記録媒体読取位置と、当該読取手段による前記基準部材の読み取りが行われるときの基準部材読取位置との間で移動させる読取位置調整手段と、
前記読取位置調整手段による前記読取手段の前記記録媒体読取位置から前記基準部材読取位置への移動に連動して、前記基準部材を、前記読取手段により読み取られるときの所定の位置に移動させる基準部材移動手段と、
を備えることを特徴としている。
記録媒体に画像を記録する記録手段と、記録媒体の表面及び所定の基準部材の表面を撮像素子を用いて読み取る読取手段と、を備える画像記録装置の制御方法であって、
前記読取手段による前記基準部材の表面の読取結果に基づいて前記撮像素子の検出値に係る前記読取手段の較正を行う較正ステップを含み、
前記記録手段により記録媒体に記録される画像の種別が所定の画像種別条件を満たす場合、及び前記読取手段による記録媒体の表面の読取結果に影響を与える所定の読取影響因子が所定の読取影響因子条件を満たす場合の少なくとも一方において前記較正ステップを行う
ことを特徴としている。
インクジェット記録装置1(画像記録装置)は、給紙部10と、画像記録部20と、排紙部30と、制御部40(図4)とを備える。インクジェット記録装置1は、制御部40による制御下で、給紙部10に格納された記録媒体Pを画像記録部20に搬送し、画像記録部20で記録媒体Pに画像を記録し、画像が記録された記録媒体Pを排紙部30に搬送する。記録媒体Pとしては、普通紙や塗工紙といった紙のほか、布帛又はシート状の樹脂等、表面に着弾したインクを定着させることが可能な種々の媒体を用いることができる。
ヘッドユニット24は、取付部材245に取り付けられた4つの記録ヘッド242を備える。記録ヘッド242の各々には、インクを貯留する圧力室と、圧力室の壁面に設けられた圧電素子と、ノズル244とを各々有する複数の記録素子243(図4)が設けられている。この記録素子243は、圧電素子を変形動作させる駆動信号が入力されると、圧電素子の変形により圧力室が変形して圧力室内の圧力が変化し、圧力室に連通するノズルからインクを吐出する。本実施形態では、記録素子243によるインクの吐出動作が記録動作に対応する。記録ヘッド242では、記録媒体Pの搬送方向と交差する幅方向(本実施形態では搬送方向と直交する方向、即ちX方向)に等間隔に配列されたノズル244からなる2つのノズル列が形成されている。これら2つのノズル列は、ノズル244の配置位置が、各ノズル列におけるノズル244の配置間隔の2分の1だけX方向について互いにずれるように設けられている。
また、記録ヘッド242では、ノズル244の形成時の加工ばらつき、圧電素子の特性ばらつき、ノズル244の詰まり、又はノズル開口部への異物の付着による閉塞などに起因してインク吐出不良の記録素子(不良記録素子)が生じる場合がある。以下では、不良記録素子におけるインクの吐出不良が生じているノズル244を不良ノズルと記す。インクジェット記録装置1における不良ノズルの検出方法(即ち不良記録素子の検出方法)については、後述する。
なお、記録ヘッド242が有するノズル列の数は、1つ又は3つ以上であっても良い。また、ヘッドユニット24が有する記録ヘッド242の数は、3つ以下又は5つ以上であっても良い。
また、本実施形態では、常温でゲル状であり加熱されることによりゾル状となるインクが用いられる。ヘッドユニット24は、ヘッドユニット24内に貯留されるインクを加熱する図示略のインク加熱部を備え、当該インク加熱部は、CPU41による制御下で動作し、ゾル状となる温度にインクを加熱する。記録ヘッド242は、加熱されてゾル状となったインクを吐出する。このゾル状のインクが記録媒体Pに吐出されると、インク滴が記録媒体Pに着弾した後、自然冷却されることで速やかにインクがゲル状となって記録媒体P上で凝固する。
また、画像読取部26は、反射率が均一かつ既知である所定の標準白色板(基準部材)を読み取ったときの撮像データにおける画素値が所定値で均一となるように較正(キャリブレーション)がなされた上で用いられる。画像読取部26の較正の方法については後述する。
画像読取部26は、筐体261と、筐体261の内部に収容された一対の光源262(照明手段)、ミラー2631,2632、光学系264、及びラインセンサー265と、を備えている。
ラインセンサー265から出力された信号は、図示略のアナログフロントエンドにおいて電流電圧変換、増幅、雑音除去、アナログデジタル変換等がなされ、読取画像の輝度値を示す撮像データとして制御部40に出力される。本実施形態では、当該撮像データの画素値は、撮像素子265aによる光の検出強度を0から255までの256階調で示す。
光源262のLED262aは、当該LED262aの温度と輝度とが負の相関関係を有している。このため、検知部53による光源262の近傍における温度の検知結果の変化からLED262aの輝度変化を取得することができる。
インクジェット記録装置1は、加熱部23と、記録ヘッド駆動部241及び記録ヘッド242と、定着部25と、画像読取部26と、読取位置調整部27と、白色板移動部29(基準部材移動手段)と、制御部40と、搬送駆動部51と、操作表示部52と、検知部53と、入出力インターフェース54と、バス55などを備える。
本実施形態のインクジェット記録装置1では、記録媒体P上に、プリントジョブに係る通常画像とともにインク吐出不良の有無を検出するための吐出不良検出チャートが記録され、この吐出不良検出チャートの画像読取部26による読取結果に基づいてインク吐出不良の有無、即ち不良ノズルの有無が検出される。
そして、吐出不良検出チャートの読取結果から不良ノズルがあると判別された場合には、記録媒体Pを1枚用いて所定のヘッド調整チャートが記録され、このヘッド調整チャートの画像読取部26による読取結果に基づいて不良ノズルが特定される。また、記録ヘッド242に位置ずれが生じている場合には上記読取結果から当該位置ずれを検出することができる。そして、これらの検出結果に基づいて、インク吐出位置やインク吐出量の調整(シェーディング補正)が行われる。
インクジェット記録装置1では、画像読取部26により吐出不良検出チャート61が読み取られ、得られた撮像データにおいて色むらEが検出された場合に、インク吐出不良があると判定される。
各ノズル244からの幅方向についての吐出有無及び吐出位置や、記録ヘッド242の幅方向の位置を検出する場合には、例えば、図6Aに示されるように、搬送方向に延在する複数の線分からなるヘッド調整チャート62が記録される。図6Aのヘッド調整チャート62の線分は、各ノズル244からの吐出範囲が重複しないように搬送方向に吐出位置を調整しながら各ノズル244からインクを吐出させることにより記録される。
また、各ノズル244からの搬送方向についての吐出位置や各記録ヘッド242の搬送方向についての位置を検出する場合には、例えば、図6Bに示すように、幅方向に各記録ヘッド242の記録幅に対応する長さで延在する複数の線分からなるヘッド調整チャート62が記録される。図6Bのヘッド調整チャートの線分は、各記録ヘッド242のノズル244からのインク吐出タイミングを必要に応じてずらしつつ、搬送方向に短い範囲で同一記録ヘッド242の各ノズル244から一斉にインクを吐出させることにより記録される。
また、ノズル244ごとの幅方向及び搬送方向についてのインク吐出位置を検出する場合には、例えば、図6Cに示すように、各ノズル244により記録された点からなるヘッド調整チャート62が記録される。
なお、ヘッド調整チャートは、図6A~図6Cに示されたものに限られず、例えば、各ノズル244により記録された階調パターンからなるシェーディングチャートとしても良い。この場合には、シェーディングチャートの読取結果における濃度むらに基づいて各記録ヘッド242のノズル244からのインク吐出位置やインク吐出量を調整することができる。また、ヘッド調整チャートを、インクジェット記録装置1により記録可能な種々の色を含む色管理チャートとし、当該色管理チャートの読取結果における色相、彩度及び明度から不良ノズルを特定しても良い。
これらのヘッド調整チャートは、CMYK各色について好ましくは別個に形成される。
以下では、画像読取部26の較正動作について説明する。
ここで、画像読取部26による標準白色板70のY方向の読取範囲及び読取回数は、特には限られないが、本実施形態では、Y方向について2mmの範囲内において512回の読み取りが行われる。従って、インクジェット記録装置1では、画像読取部26によりこのような読み取りが可能となるように、画像読取部26による読み取り頻度に応じて白色板移動部29による標準白色板70の移動速度が設定されている。
C(i)=Ia/I(i)・・・(1)
ここで、Iaは、標準白色板70の反射率に対応する定数であり、画素値の最大値である255よりも所定値だけ低い値(本実施形態では240)とされる。これは、標準白色板70よりも反射率が大きい読取対象を読み取った場合に、画素値I(i)に補正値C(i)を乗じた値が飽和する(255を超える)のを避けるためである。
補正値C(i)は、ラインセンサー265におけるR,G,Bに対応する撮像素子265aの列の各々に対して算出され、画像読取部較正データ44aとして記憶部44に記憶される。
画像読取部較正データ44aが記憶部44に記憶されると、画像読取部26の較正動作が終了する。
このように、撮像データの画素値に対して補正値C(i)が乗じられることにより、撮像素子265aごとの感度ばらつきや、X方向についての端部近傍の光源262の照度むらに起因する画素値の低下が補正され、吐出不良検出チャート61が適切に読み取られる。
画像読取部26では、較正が行われた後に、画像読取部26による読取結果に影響を与える読取影響因子が変動すると、補正値C(i)による撮像データの適切な補正ができなくなり、撮像データにおける画質が低下する。ここで、代表的な読取影響因子は、光源262におけるLED262aの輝度であり、また、当該輝度と負の相関関係を有する上述した光源262の近傍温度も読取影響因子の一例である。LED262aの輝度が低下すると、画像読取部26による撮像データにおける画素値のレンジが狭くなって輝度の分解能が低下する。
このため、記録媒体Pに記録された吐出不良検出チャート61及びヘッド調整チャート62を画像読取部26により適正に読み取るためには、記録媒体Pの読み取りごとに当該読み取りの前に画像読取部26の較正を行うことが最も望ましい。しかしながら、記録媒体Pの読み取りごとに較正を行うと、較正に係る処理が完了するまで記録媒体Pの読み取りを行うことができず、すべての記録媒体Pに対して読み取りを行おうとすると読み取り動作の待機時間により読み取りに要する時間が増大してしまう。
他方で、例えば記録媒体Pの所定枚数の読み取りごとに較正を行うこととすると、直近の較正が終了してから次の較正が行われるまでの間に読取影響因子が変動して適切な読み取りを行うことができなくなる場合がある。また、読取影響因子の変動が小さく較正が不要である場合であっても較正が行われてしまう場合がある。
従って、光源262の点灯開始直後は高い頻度で較正が行われ、時間の経過とともに較正が行われる頻度が低下する。この結果、光源262におけるLED262aの輝度の変動に応じた過不足のない頻度で較正が行われる。
そこで、本実施形態では、ヘッドユニット24により記録される画像が所定の画像種別条件を満たす場合、具体的には、ヘッドユニット24により記録される画像がヘッド調整チャート62である場合には、検知部53により検知された近傍温度Tに関わらず画像読取部26の較正動作が行われる。
この画像記録処理は、入出力インターフェース54を介して外部装置2からプリントジョブ及び画像データが制御部40に入力された場合に実行される。また、インクジェット記録装置1の製造時や出荷時、ヘッドユニット24又は記録ヘッド242の交換時といった所定のタイミングや、ユーザーにより操作表示部52に対して不良ノズル検出の実行を指示する所定の入力操作が行われた場合に実行される。
CPU41は、画像記録処理の開始に先立ち、搬送駆動部51から搬送ドラム211の搬送ドラムモーターに駆動信号を出力させて搬送ドラム211の回転動作を開始させる。
画像読取部較正処理が開始されると、CPU41は、読取位置調整部27に対して制御信号を出力して、読取位置調整部27により画像読取部26を図7Bに示される白色板読取位置に移動させる(ステップS201)。
次に、上記実施形態の変形例1について説明する。本変形例では、光源262による光の照射開始後の経過時間に応じた所定のタイミングで画像読取部26の較正が行われる点で上記実施形態と異なる。以下では、上記実施形態との相違点について説明する。
そこで、本変形例では、光源262による直近の光の照射開始後の経過時間tが制御部40により測定され、当該経過時間tが所定の経過時間条件を満たす場合に、即ち当該経過時間tが所定の複数の基準タイミングの何れかを超過した場合に画像読取部26の較正が行われる。ここで、複数の基準タイミングは、連続する2つの基準タイミング間におけるLED262aの輝度変化が所定値Bthに一致するように定められる。この結果、基準時点からのLED262aの輝度の変化量が所定値Bth以上となったタイミングで画像読取部26の較正が行われる。
なお、本変形例においても、ヘッドユニット24により記録される画像がヘッド調整チャート62であると判別された場合には、経過時間tに関わらず画像読取部26の較正が行われる。
次に、上記実施形態の変形例2について説明する。本変形例では、LED262aの輝度を直接検知し、当該輝度の検知結果に応じて画像読取部26の較正が行われる点で上記実施形態と異なる。以下では、上記実施形態との相違点について説明する。
検知部53の光検出部は、例えば画像読取部26の筐体261の内部のうちLED262aからの光が照射される位置に設けられ、当該入射光の強度に応じた信号を出力する光電変換素子を備えた構成とされる。
また、CPU41は、ステップS114aの処理において、変数BaにBを代入する。
次に、上記実施形態の変形例3について説明する。本変形例では、画像読取部26により搬送ドラム211(読取対象部材)の搬送面211a(載置面)に設けられた所定の読取対象領域を読み取った読取結果に基づくタイミングで画像読取部26を較正する点で上記実施形態と異なる。以下では、上記実施形態との相違点について説明する。
本実施形態の搬送ドラム211は、搬送面211aのうち記録媒体Pの載置可能範囲の範囲外に、反射率が均一かつ白色の材質の読取対象領域211bが設けられている。読取対象領域211bは、搬送ドラム211の回転軸方向について、画像読取部26による読取範囲をカバーする範囲に設けられている。また、搬送ドラム211の外周面の円周方向についての読取対象領域211bの幅は、搬送ドラム211が回転動作している場合において、画像読取部26により読取対象領域211bを所定回数(例えば512回)読み取り可能な幅とされる。読取対象領域211bは、搬送面211aが白色に塗装されることにより形成されていても良いし、搬送面211aに硫酸バリウムといった白色材料からなる板状部材を嵌め込むことにより形成されていても良い。ここで、読取対象領域211bが白色であるとは、ISO白色度が80以上であることをいう。
次に、上記実施形態の変形例4について説明する。本変形例では、搬送ドラム211に搬送される白色かつ無地の記録媒体Pのうち画像が記録されていない未記録領域を画像読取部26により読み取った読取結果に基づくタイミングで画像読取部26を較正する点で上記実施形態と異なる。ここで、記録媒体Pが白色であるとは、ISO白色度が80以上であることをいう。
本変形例に係る画像記録処理のフローチャートは、上述した変形例3に係る画像記録処理のフローチャートにおいて、初期代表値V0、代表値V、所定値Vth、変数Vaをそれぞれ初期代表値W0、代表値W、所定値Wth、変数Waに置き換えたものに相当する。その他の点は、変形例3の画像記録処理と同様であるので、説明は省略する。
次に、上記実施形態の変形例5について説明する。本変形例は、上記変形例1~4の何れかと組み合わされても良い。本変形例では、白色板移動部29が画像読取部26に取り付けられている点で上記実施形態と異なる。以下では、上記実施形態との相違点について説明する。
また、図14Cに示される状態においてアーム291を筐体261に対してY方向に平行移動させるアーム移動機構、又は図14Cに示される状態において標準白色板70をアーム291に対してY方向に平行移動させる白色板平行移動機構を白色板移動部29に設けることにより、標準白色板70をY方向に移動させながら画像読取部26により標準白色板70上の複数の異なる位置を読み取らせることができる。
例えば、上記実施形態及び各変形例では、記録媒体Pに記録される画像の種別がヘッド調整チャート62である場合に画像読取部26の較正を行う例を用いて説明したが、画像読取部26の較正を行う条件となる画像の種別はこれに限定されない。例えば、記録媒体Pに写真画像を記録して画像読取部26により読み取る構成において、画像の種別が写真画像である場合に画像読取部26の較正を行うこととしてもよい。
また、上記変形例3では、搬送ドラム211の表面に読取対象領域211bが設けられる例を用いて説明したが、読取対象領域は、搬送動作に応じて移動しない部材に設けられていても良い。例えば、上記の搬送ベルトに開口部を設け、当該開口部を介して画像読取部と対向する位置に読取対象領域が設けられた読取対象部材を固定させて設置しても良い。
2 外部装置
10 給紙部
11 給紙トレー
12 媒体供給部
20 画像記録部
21 搬送部
211 搬送ドラム
211a 搬送面
211b 読取対象領域
22 受け渡しユニット
23 加熱部
24 ヘッドユニット
241 記録ヘッド駆動部
242 記録ヘッド
243 記録素子
244 ノズル
245 取付部材
25 定着部
26 画像読取部
261 筐体
261a 光透過面
262 光源
2631,2632 ミラー
264 光学系
265 ラインセンサー
265a 撮像素子
27 読取位置調整部
28 デリバリー部
29 白色板移動部
291 アーム
292 回動軸
293 固定ピン
294 開口部
30 排紙部
31 排紙トレー
40 制御部
41 CPU
42 RAM
43 ROM
44 記憶部
44a 画像読取部較正データ
51 搬送駆動部
52 操作表示部
53 検知部
531 温度センサー
54 入出力インターフェース
55 バス
60 通常画像
61 吐出不良検出チャート
62 ヘッド調整チャート
63 ライン
70 標準白色板
A 基準面
P 記録媒体
Claims (14)
- 記録媒体に画像を記録する記録手段と、
記録媒体の表面及び所定の基準部材の表面を撮像素子を用いて読み取る読取手段と、
前記読取手段による前記基準部材の表面の読取結果に基づいて前記撮像素子の検出値に係る前記読取手段の較正を行う較正手段と、
前記記録手段により記録媒体に記録される画像の種別が所定の画像種別条件を満たす場合、及び前記読取手段による記録媒体の表面の読取結果に影響を与える所定の読取影響因子が所定の読取影響因子条件を満たす場合の少なくとも一方において前記較正手段により前記較正を行わせる較正制御手段と、
を備えることを特徴とする画像記録装置。 - 前記記録手段は、当該記録手段に設けられた記録素子の記録動作により記録媒体に画像を記録し、
当該画像記録装置は、前記記録動作に不良を生じている不良記録素子の検出に用いられる所定のテスト画像を前記記録手段により記録媒体に記録させる記録制御手段を備え、
前記較正制御手段は、前記記録手段により記録される画像が前記テスト画像である場合に前記較正手段により前記較正を行わせる
ことを特徴とする請求項1に記載の画像記録装置。 - 前記読取手段による前記テスト画像の読取結果に基づいて前記記録素子から前記不良記録素子を検出する不良記録素子検出手段を備えることを特徴とする請求項2に記載の画像記録装置。
- 前記読取影響因子を検知する検知手段を備え、
前記較正制御手段は、前記検知手段による検知結果が前記読取影響因子条件を満たす場合に前記較正手段により前記較正を行わせる
ことを特徴とする請求項1~3の何れか一項に記載の画像記録装置。 - 発光部から射出された光を前記読取手段により読み取られる記録媒体の表面に照射する照明手段を備え、
前記発光部は、当該発光部の温度に応じて輝度が変化し、
前記読取影響因子には、前記照明手段の近傍における近傍温度が含まれ、
前記較正制御手段は、所定の基準時点からの前記近傍温度の変化が所定の温度変化条件を満たす場合に前記較正手段により前記較正を行わせる
ことを特徴とする請求項1~4の何れか一項に記載の画像記録装置。 - 輝度が経時変化する発光部から射出された光を前記読取手段により読み取られる記録媒体の表面に照射する照明手段を備え、
前記読取影響因子には、前記照明手段による直近の光の照射開始からの経過時間が含まれる
ことを特徴とする請求項1~3の何れか一項に記載の画像記録装置。 - 発光部から射出された光を前記読取手段により読み取られる記録媒体の表面に照射する照明手段を備え、
前記読取影響因子には、前記発光部の輝度に係る輝度対応値が含まれ、
前記較正制御手段は、所定の基準時点からの前記輝度対応値の変化が所定の輝度対応値変化条件を満たす場合に前記較正手段により前記較正を行わせる
ことを特徴とする請求項1~4の何れか一項に記載の画像記録装置。 - 記録媒体を搬送する搬送手段を備え、
前記読取手段は、前記搬送手段により搬送されている記録媒体の表面及び前記搬送手段に設けられた読取対象部材の読取対象領域を読み取り、
前記照明手段は、前記読取手段により読み取られている前記記録媒体及び前記読取対象領域に対して光を照射し、
前記輝度対応値には、前記読取対象領域を前記読取手段により読み取って得られた撮像データにおける画素値に係る所定の代表値が含まれる
ことを特徴とする請求項7に記載の画像記録装置。 - 前記搬送手段は、前記読取対象部材の載置面上に記録媒体を載置して当該読取対象部材を移動させることにより前記記録媒体を搬送することを特徴とする請求項8に記載の画像記録装置。
- 前記輝度対応値には、記録媒体のうち画像が記録されていない未記録領域を前記読取手段により読み取って得られた撮像データにおける画素値に係る所定の代表値が含まれることを特徴とする請求項7に記載の画像記録装置。
- 前記基準時点は、前記照明手段による光の照射開始に係る時点及び前記較正手段により行われた直近の前記較正に係る時点のうち何れか遅い方であることを特徴とする請求項5,7~10の何れか一項に記載の画像記録装置。
- 前記発光部は、LEDであることを特徴とする請求項5~11の何れか一項に記載の画像記録装置。
- 前記読取手段を、当該読取手段による記録媒体の読み取りが行われるときの記録媒体読取位置と、当該読取手段による前記基準部材の読み取りが行われるときの基準部材読取位置との間で移動させる読取位置調整手段と、
前記読取位置調整手段による前記読取手段の前記記録媒体読取位置から前記基準部材読取位置への移動に連動して、前記基準部材を、前記読取手段により読み取られるときの所定の位置に移動させる基準部材移動手段と、
を備えることを特徴とする請求項1~12の何れか一項に記載の画像記録装置。 - 記録媒体に画像を記録する記録手段と、記録媒体の表面及び所定の基準部材の表面を撮像素子を用いて読み取る読取手段と、を備える画像記録装置の制御方法であって、
前記読取手段による前記基準部材の表面の読取結果に基づいて前記撮像素子の検出値に係る前記読取手段の較正を行う較正ステップを含み、
前記記録手段により記録媒体に記録される画像の種別が所定の画像種別条件を満たす場合、及び前記読取手段による記録媒体の表面の読取結果に影響を与える所定の読取影響因子が所定の読取影響因子条件を満たす場合の少なくとも一方において前記較正ステップを行う
ことを特徴とする画像記録装置の制御方法。
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- 2017-03-03 EP EP17774053.7A patent/EP3439278A4/en not_active Withdrawn
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EP3439278A1 (en) | 2019-02-06 |
EP3439278A4 (en) | 2019-04-10 |
US10681235B2 (en) | 2020-06-09 |
JP6848963B2 (ja) | 2021-03-24 |
CN108886560B (zh) | 2020-08-21 |
CN108886560A (zh) | 2018-11-23 |
US20190109957A1 (en) | 2019-04-11 |
JPWO2017169508A1 (ja) | 2019-02-07 |
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