JP2013102365A - Image forming device and program of the same - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to eliminate a sense of incongruity when a color selected from a color adjustment chart is arranged in an actual image.
In a printing system, a user PC outputs a print instruction for chart A to an inkjet printer, and the inkjet printer prints chart A. The chart A is a chart in which 16 labels, each of which is a size when the label image is actually used (referred to as a color sample), are arranged in the horizontal direction and in the vertical direction. In this chart A, the second and third areas 84a and 86a of all the color samples A11 to A44 remain in the colors applied to the second area 84a and the third area 86a of the acquired label image. On the other hand, the first region 82a is a patch region, and the colors are slightly different in all the color samples A11 to A44. That is, the gradation value of cyan (C) gradually changes along the right direction, and the gradation value of magenta (M) gradually changes along the downward direction.
[Selection] Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and a program thereof.

  Conventionally, as this type of image forming apparatus, an apparatus that can easily perform accurate color matching is known. For example, in Patent Document 1, a color palette chart linked with RGB values is output from an image forming apparatus used for printing, a desired color is selected from an output sample, and RGB values linked to the colors are registered as user colors. Something to be entered in is proposed. In such an image forming apparatus, it is possible to specify the print color output by the apparatus while observing the sample color actually output by the apparatus, and directly specify the actual color actually printed by the apparatus. be able to. Here, for example, when the hue is set to a constant value, the color pallet chart is printed as a list in which patches are arranged in the vertical direction with 10 brightness values in the vertical direction and 10 saturation values in the horizontal direction. .

JP 11-129549 A

  However, since the above-described color palette chart is an array of patches filled in one color, there are the following problems. That is, after matching the color you want and the color of the patch, when the color of the patch is put in the actual image, it changes from the color when viewed on the patch due to the influence of surrounding colors and patterns. I sometimes felt uncomfortable.

  The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and has as its main object to eliminate a sense of incongruity when a color selected on a color adjustment chart is arranged in an actual image.

  The image forming apparatus of the present invention employs the following means in order to achieve the main object described above.

The image forming apparatus of the present invention includes:
Printing means for printing on a print medium;
A plurality of color swatches including all or part of an image that is actually used including a patch area that is filled with one color are arranged along a predetermined direction, and the color of the patch area of each color swatch is in the predetermined direction. A chart creation means for creating a color adjustment chart that gradually changes along the line;
Print control means for controlling the printing means so that the color adjustment chart is printed on the print medium;
It is equipped with.

  In this image forming apparatus, a plurality of color samples including all or part of an image that includes a patch area and is actually used are arranged along a predetermined direction, and the color of the patch area of each color sample is in a predetermined direction. A color adjustment chart that gradually changes along the line is printed. When using this color adjustment chart to match the desired color with the color of the patch area of the color swatch, the color of the patch area is already arranged in the actual image. Color matching. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate the uncomfortable feeling when the color selected on the color adjustment chart is arranged in the actual image.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the aspect of the invention, the chart creating unit starts from a reference color sample in which the patch area is filled with a predetermined reference color when generating the color adjustment chart, and the predetermined direction from the start point. The color adjustment chart may be created by arranging the color samples so that the difference in color information of the patch areas of the color samples is a predetermined interval along the line. In this way, it is possible to easily find out which color matches the desired color by looking at the color of the patch area of each color sample along a predetermined direction.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the aspect of the invention, the chart creating unit starts from a reference color sample in which the patch area is filled with a predetermined reference color when generating the color adjustment chart, and the predetermined direction from the start point. The color samples are arranged so that the difference in color information of the patch area of each color sample is a predetermined interval along the color sample, the graininess index or the color difference of the patch area of each color sample arranged along the predetermined direction Based on the above, the basic aspect may be changed, and the changed aspect may be used as the color adjustment chart. When the color samples are arranged in a predetermined direction in the basic mode, when the colors of the patch area are viewed in order along the direction, the feeling of roughness suddenly increases by the color of one patch area. However, since the basic mode is changed in consideration of the difference in graininess index related to the feeling of roughness, the operator is less likely to select a color of the patch area having a large feeling of roughness. In addition, when the color samples are arranged in a predetermined direction in the basic mode, when the colors in the patch area are viewed in order along the direction, the color difference is suddenly increased by only one patch area. In this case, since the basic mode is changed in consideration of the color difference related to the color difference, the operator is less likely to select a color in the patch area having a large color difference. . The difference in color information is, for example, a difference between gradation values of R, G, B of RGB data or a difference of gradation values of C, M, Y, K of CMYK data. .

  Here, in changing the basic mode based on the granularity index or the color difference, the chart creating means may change at least one of the arrangement of the color samples of the basic mode, the size of each color sample, and the decoration of each color sample. Good. For example, remove unnecessary color samples, reduce the size, or decorate so that the sum of the color information difference between each color sample and the reference color sample and the difference in graininess index increase along a predetermined direction. You may make it inconspicuous.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the aspect of the invention, the color sample may have a colored region that is different from the color of the patch region around the patch region, and the colored region may be common to all the color samples. In this way, when the desired color and the color of the patch area of the color sample are matched, the color matching is performed in consideration of the influence of surrounding colors.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the aspect of the invention, the color sample includes a part of an image having a size when actually used, and the patch area is not necessarily required to be in the center but is in the center. The image may be trimmed so as to be arranged in a good manner. For example, the color sample may be obtained by trimming an image of a size that is actually used so that the center of gravity of a rectangle circumscribing the patch area is arranged at the center. If an image that is actually used size is arranged as it is on a print medium as a color sample, if the image is too large to arrange a sufficient number of color samples (for example, the number specified by the user), By making the color sample a part of the image in this way, a sufficient number of color samples can be arranged. Further, since the patch area is arranged at the center, it is easy to perform color matching.

  The program of the present invention is for causing one or a plurality of computers to function as the chart creation unit and the print control unit of the image forming apparatus described above. This program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium (for example, hard disk, ROM, FD, CD, DVD, etc.), or from a computer via a transmission medium (communication network such as the Internet or LAN). It may be distributed to another computer, or may be exchanged in any other form. If this program is executed by one computer or shared by a plurality of computers, the same effects as those of the image forming apparatus of the present invention can be obtained.

1 is a configuration diagram showing an outline of the configuration of a printing system 1 according to a first embodiment. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a chart printing routine according to the first embodiment. Explanatory drawing which shows an example of the label image of 1st Embodiment. The layout of chart A of a 1st embodiment. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a chart printing routine according to the second embodiment. Explanatory drawing which shows the procedure which produces the color sample of 2nd Embodiment. The arrangement plan of chart B of a 2nd embodiment. The layout of the modification of chart A of a 1st embodiment.

[First Embodiment]
Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an outline of the configuration of an image forming apparatus as an embodiment of the present invention, that is, a printing system 1 including a user PC 10 and an inkjet printer 20.

  The user PC 10 is connected to the inkjet printer 20 so as to be able to exchange data, and is configured as a microprocessor centered on the CPU 12, and includes a ROM 14 that stores a processing program, a RAM 16 that temporarily stores data, and an inkjet printer. And an HDD 18 in which 20 printer drivers 18a and the like are installed. The printer driver 18a receives image data composed of RGB data stored in the HDD 18 or the like, converts it into CMYK data, and forms halftones formed by dispersing ink dots to express the gradation values of the CMYK data. A program is included that executes processing, executes rasterization that rearranges the data subjected to halftone processing in the order of data to be transferred to the inkjet printer 20, and transfers the print data after rasterization to the inkjet printer 20. In addition, the printer driver 18a includes a program for creating a color adjustment chart and outputting the chart to the inkjet printer 20, which will be described in detail later.

  The ink jet printer 20 includes a paper feed mechanism 41 that transports the paper P in the sub-scanning direction (the direction from the back to the front in FIG. 1), and the main scanning direction with respect to the paper P that is transported onto the platen 46 by the paper feed mechanism 41. A printer mechanism 21 that performs printing by ejecting ink droplets from nozzles formed on the print head 24 with movement in the left and right directions in FIG. 1 and a controller 60 that controls the entire apparatus are provided. A capping device 50 for sealing the nozzle surface of the print head 24 is installed at one end of the platen 46 in the main scanning direction (right end in FIG. 1), and at the other end of the platen 46 in the main scanning direction (left end in FIG. 1). In order to prevent nozzle clogging, a flushing area 48 for performing flushing for ejecting ink droplets from the nozzles of the print head 24 periodically is provided.

  The printer mechanism 21 includes a carriage 22 that can reciprocate in the main scanning direction while being guided by a carriage guide 28, a carriage motor 34 and a driven roller 35 that are respectively installed on one end side and the other end side of the carriage guide 28, and a carriage motor. 34 and a follower roller 35, and a carriage belt 32 mounted on the carriage 22, and cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (with pigment particles dispersed in water as a solvent mounted on the carriage 22) Y) and black (K) inks that can be stored and exchanged independently for each color, and a plurality of ink cartridges that pressurize each ink supplied from the ink cartridge 26 and eject ink droplets. And a print head 24 in which nozzles are formed. The ink is pressed by applying a voltage to the piezoelectric element to deform the piezoelectric element. The carriage 22 is reciprocated in the main scanning direction by driving the carriage belt 32 by a carriage motor 34. A carriage position sensor 36 for detecting the position of the carriage 22 in the main scanning direction is attached to the back side of the carriage 22. The carriage position sensor 36 is a linear optical scale 36a disposed on the frame 58 along the carriage guide 28. The carriage position sensor 36 is attached to the back surface of the carriage 22 so as to oppose the optical scale 36a, and optically reads the optical scale 36a. And a sensor 36b.

  The paper feed mechanism 41 includes a transport roller 42 that transports the paper P onto the platen 46, and a transport motor 44 that rotationally drives the transport roller 42. The transport motor 44 is provided with a rotary encoder 49 that detects the amount of rotation on its rotation shaft, and is driven and controlled based on the amount of rotation from the rotary encoder 49. Although not shown, the rotary encoder 49 includes a rotary scale that is graduated at predetermined rotation angle intervals and a rotary scale sensor that reads the scale of the rotary scale.

  The capping device 50 prevents the ink in the nozzles from drying or seals the nozzle surface by sealing the nozzle surface while the print head 24 is moved to a position facing the capping device 50 (so-called home position). The print head 24 is cleaned by sucking the ink in the nozzles in a stopped state. The capping device 50 is attached to a tube (not shown) connected to the bottom of the cap 51, in addition to a substantially rectangular parallelepiped cap 51 having an upper opening for sealing the nozzle surface of the print head 24. And a suction pump (not shown). When cleaning the print head 24, the capping device 50 drives the suction pump while the nozzle surface of the print head 24 is sealed by the cap 51, so that the nozzle surface of the print head 24 and the cap 51 The formed internal space is set to a negative pressure, and ink in the nozzle is forcibly sucked.

  The controller 60 is configured as a microprocessor centered on a CPU (not shown), and has a function of executing various programs and storing data. The controller 60 receives the position of the carriage 22 from the carriage position sensor 36 and the rotation amount of the transport roller 42 from the rotary encoder 49. The controller 60 outputs a drive signal to the print head 24 and a transport motor 44. A drive signal, a drive signal to the carriage motor 34, a drive signal to the suction pump, and the like are output. Further, the controller 60 receives a print instruction and print data from the user PC 10. The controller 60 is provided with a print buffer area. When print data is received from the user PC 10, the received print data is stored in the print buffer area.

  Next, the operation of the user PC 10 of the printing system 1 of the present embodiment configured as described above, particularly the operation when creating a color adjustment chart (hereinafter referred to as “chart”) will be described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of a chart printing routine executed by the CPU 12 of the user PC 10. This routine is started when a chart printing program is selected by operating a keyboard or a mouse (not shown).

  When the chart printing routine of FIG. 2 is started, the CPU 12 first obtains a label image created by drawing software (for example, an illustrator made by Adobe) (step S100). Here, as shown in FIG. 3, the center of a small-sized star heptagon 82, a medium-sized star hexagon 84, and a large-sized star pentagon 86 is set as the label images. Assume that a superimposed label image 80 is acquired. Among these, the first region 82a surrounded by the star heptagon 82, the second region 84a outside the first region 82a and surrounded by the star hexagon 84, and outside the second region 84a The third regions 86a surrounded by the pentagon 86 are filled with different colors.

  Subsequently, the CPU 12 acquires a patch area from the label image (step S102). Specifically, an area designated by the user with the mouse from the first to third areas 82a, 84a, 86a of the label image displayed on the display of the user PC 10 is acquired as a patch area. Here, it is assumed that the first area 82a is acquired as a patch area in the label image 80 shown in FIG. The first area 82a is an area painted with a special color (spot color) in which values of C, M, Y, and K are set in advance by the user, and is also referred to as a spot color area.

  Subsequently, the CPU 12 acquires a chart generation method (step S104). The chart generation method includes a generation method based on RGB values, a generation method based on CMYK values, and the like. However, since any method is selected by the user, the selected generation method is acquired. Here, the generation method is based on CMYK values, and a two-dimensional arrangement in which the value of cyan (C) is increased by 1 in the right direction and the value of magenta (M) is increased by 1 in the downward direction is selected by the user. It shall be.

  Subsequently, the CPU 12 acquires a reference color for generating a chart (step S106). Specifically, the CMYK value of the color applied to the first area 82a that is the patch area acquired in step S102 is set as the reference color. Here, it is assumed that the color applied to the first region 82a is a special color having a CMYK value of (C, M, Y, K) = (100, 91, 0, 0).

  Subsequently, the CPU 12 creates a chart by arranging labels of actual sizes using the acquired chart generation method and the reference color (step S108). Here, as shown in FIG. 4, a chart in which a label image is represented by a size when it is actually used (referred to as a color sample) is arranged in a total of 16 in a horizontal direction and four in a vertical direction. Create A. In the chart A, the second and third areas 84a and 86a of all the color samples A11 to A44 remain the colors applied to the second area 84a and the third area 86a of the acquired label image. On the other hand, the first region 82a is a patch region, and the colors are slightly different in all the color samples A11 to A44. Such a chart A is created as follows. First, a color sample A11 serving as a reference color sample is arranged on the upper left. In the reference color sample, the first region 82a is filled with a reference color (here, (C, M, Y, K) = (100, 91, 0, 0)). Then, the reference color swatches are used as starting points, and are arranged so that all the differences in the cyan (C) values of the first regions 82a, which are patch regions of the color swatches A11 to A14, become 1 along the right direction. That is, the color samples are arranged so that all the differences in the C values of the patch regions of the color samples adjacent in the horizontal direction are 1. The color samples A21 to A24, the color samples A31 to A34, and the color samples A41 to A44 are arranged in the same manner. Further, the magenta (M) values in the first area 82a, which are patch areas of the color samples A11 to A41, are arranged so that all the differences are 1 along the downward direction from the starting point. That is, they are arranged so that all the differences in the values of M in the patch regions of the color samples adjacent in the vertical direction are 1. The color samples A12 to A42, the color samples A13 to A43, and the color samples A14 to A44 are arranged in the same manner. Note that the values of yellow (Y) and black (K) of all color samples A11 to A44 are the same value (here, zero). In FIG. 4, CMYK values are shown under each color sample.

  Next, the CPU 12 creates such chart print data and outputs it to the inkjet printer 20 (step S110). Then, the controller 60 of the inkjet printer 20 controls the printer mechanism 21 and the paper feed mechanism 41 so that the chart A shown in FIG. The size of the color samples A11 to A44 of the printed chart A is the size actually used.

  Here, the correspondence between the components of the present embodiment and the components of the present invention will be clarified. The image forming apparatus of the present embodiment corresponds to the printing system 1 of the present embodiment, the ink jet printer 20 corresponds to the printing unit, the CPU 12 of the user PC 10 and the printer driver 18a correspond to the chart creation unit, and the printing control unit. Equivalent to.

  According to the printing system 1 of the present embodiment described above, when the chart A is used to match the color desired by itself with the color of the first area 82a that is the patch area of each of the color samples A11 to A44, Since the color of the region 82a is arranged in the actual label image, color matching is performed in consideration of the influence of the surroundings. In particular, the color samples A11 to A44 have second and third regions 84a and 86a different from the color of the first region 82a around the first region 82a, but the second and third regions 84a and 86a are: Since it is common to all the color samples A11 to A44, color matching is performed in consideration of the influence of surrounding colors. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate the uncomfortable feeling when the color selected in the chart A is arranged in the actual image.

  The chart A starts from a color sample A11 that is a reference color sample in which the first area 82a that is a patch area is filled with a reference color, and the C of the first area 82a of each color sample along the right direction from the start point. The color samples A11 to A14 are arranged so that the difference between the values is a predetermined interval (value 1) and the difference between the M values is a predetermined interval (value 1) along the downward direction. . Therefore, by looking at the color of the first area 82a of each color sample along the right direction or the downward direction, it is possible to easily find which color matches the desired color.

[Second Embodiment]
The second embodiment is the same as the first embodiment except that the printing system 1 of the first embodiment executes the chart printing routine of FIG. 5 instead of the chart printing routine of FIG. Therefore, only the chart printing routine of FIG. 5 will be described below.

  When this chart printing routine is started, the CPU 12 acquires a label image (step S200), acquires a patch area in the label image (step S202), acquires a chart generation method (step S204), and displays the chart. A reference color for generation is acquired (step S206). Since these steps are the same as S100 to S106 of the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

  Subsequently, the CPU 12 acquires chart information (step S208). The chart information includes the size of the print area, the color sample arrangement method, and the size of the label when actually used. Here, the size of the print area is 300 mm × 300 mm, and the arrangement method of the color swatches is 4 in the horizontal direction (direction in which C increases), 4 in the vertical direction (direction in which M increases) (16 in total), It is assumed that the size of the label when used in the case of 100 mm × 100 mm.

  Subsequently, the CPU 12 calculates the size per color sample based on the size of the print area and the color sample arrangement method (step S210). Here, the size per color swatch is 300 mm / 4 in length and width = 75 mm.

  Subsequently, the CPU 12 extracts a portion to be used for the color sample from the label having a size when actually used (step S212). A specific procedure will be described below with reference to FIG. First, a rectangle 90 circumscribing the star heptagon 82 that forms the outline of the first region 82a, which is the patch region, is obtained from the label image 80 that is actually used (see FIG. 6A). Next, the center of gravity 90a (intersection of diagonal lines) of the rectangle 90 is obtained, and the center of gravity 90a is regarded as the center of gravity CG of the first region 82a (see FIG. 6B). Then, a range of 75 mm × 75 mm, which is the size per color sample, is set so that the center thereof coincides with the center of gravity CG of the patch region, and the outline of the range is defined as the trimming frame 92 (FIG. 6C). reference). Finally, the inside of the trimming frame 92 is extracted from the label image 80 having a size when actually used, and is set as a portion 94 used for a color sample (see FIG. 6D). In this portion 94, the first area 82a, which is a patch area, is arranged at the center, and a part of the second area 84a and the third area 86a is arranged outside the first area 82a.

  Subsequently, the CPU 12 generates a chart composed of color samples (step S214). The chart is generated by arranging the color samples using the chart generation method, the reference color, and the portion used for the color sample. Here, the portion 94 used for the color sample in the label of the actual size shown in FIG. 6D is used as a color sample, and as shown in FIG. A total of 16 charts B are prepared. In the chart B, the first and third areas 84a and 86a of all the color samples B11 to B44 remain the colors applied to the second area 84a and the third area 86a of the acquired label image. On the other hand, the first region 82a is a patch region, and the colors are slightly different in all the color samples B11 to B44. Since the method for creating such a chart B is basically the same as the chart A of the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  Next, the CPU 12 creates the print data of the chart B and outputs it to the ink jet printer 20 (step S216). Then, the controller 60 of the inkjet printer 20 controls the printer mechanism 21 and the paper feed mechanism 41 so that the chart B shown in FIG. Although the size of the color chart of the printed chart B is trimmed, it is the size actually used.

  According to the second embodiment described in detail above, the same effects as in the first embodiment can be obtained. In addition, as described above, if labels that are actually used on the paper P are arranged as they are as color samples, the labels are too large to arrange the number of color samples specified by the user. However, the number of color swatches specified by the user can be arranged by using the color swatches as a part of the size label when actually used.

  It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it goes without saying that the present invention can be implemented in various modes as long as it belongs to the technical scope of the present invention.

  For example, in the second embodiment described above, when trimming a label of a size that is actually used as a color sample, the center of gravity 90a of the rectangle 90 circumscribing the first area 82a that is the patch area is arranged in the center. However, this is merely an example of trimming so that the first region 82a is arranged in the center, and trimming may be performed so that the patch region is arranged in the center by another method.

  In the second embodiment described above, the color samples B11 to B44 are arranged without gaps, but a blank portion may be provided between adjacent color samples. This improves the visibility.

  In the first and second embodiments described above, when the charts A and B are created, a reference color sample in which the first area 82a, which is a patch area, is filled with the reference color is used as a starting point, and each color along the right direction from the starting point. The color samples are arranged so that the difference in the C value of the sample is 1 and the difference in the M value of each color sample is 1 along the downward direction. Thus, the basic mode may be changed based on the graininess index or the color difference of the first regions 82a of the color samples arranged along the right direction or the downward direction, and the changed mode may be used as a chart. For example, when the basic mode is changed based on the granularity index, the difference in gradation value between the color of the first area 82a of the reference color swatches A11 and B11 and the color of the first area 82a of the other color swatches and the granularity How to arrange the patches in the basic mode by calculating the total difference of sex indicators and deleting unnecessary color samples so that the total value is large along the right direction and large along the downward direction May be changed. An example at that time is shown in FIG. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a part of the chart A. In the basic mode, the difference between the values of C in the color samples A11 to A14 is 1 (see FIG. 4). However, in order to increase the above total value along the right direction (C, M, Assume that it is necessary to remove the color sample of Y, K) = (101, 91, 0, 0). In that case, the color sample is removed from the basic mode, and the arrangement of the color samples A11 to A14 of the basic mode is changed as shown in FIG. In this way, the basic mode is changed in consideration of the difference in the granularity index related to the feeling of roughness, so that the operator does not select the color of the patch area having a large feeling of roughness. Alternatively, instead of removing such unnecessary color swatches, the size of the color swatches may be reduced or the decoration may not be noticeable. Further, a color difference may be used instead of the graininess index. In this way, the basic mode is changed in consideration of the color difference related to the color difference, and therefore the operator is less likely to select a color in the patch area having a large color difference.

The granularity index may be calculated by applying the CMYK vector value of the patch area to the following equation. Since Y is an inconspicuous color, the coefficient γ is smaller than the other coefficients, and since K is an easily noticeable color, the coefficient θ is larger than the other coefficients. Specifically, α = β = 0.5, γ = 0.1, and θ = 1.0. It can be determined that the larger the value of the granularity index, the worse the granularity (that is, there is a feeling of roughness). However, the granularity index is not limited to the following formula. For example, a known granularity index such as RMS (Root Mean Square) or WS (Wiener Spectrum) may be used.
Granularity index = α × C dot generation rate + β × M dot generation rate
+ Γ × Y dot generation rate + θ × K dot generation rate

  In the first and second embodiments described above, the CPU 12 of the user PC 10 and the printer driver 18a execute the chart printing routine. However, the controller 60 of the inkjet printer 20 may execute the chart printing routine. In this case, the inkjet printer 20 corresponds to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, and a program similar to the printer driver 18a is stored in the internal memory (ROM or the like) of the controller 60. Even in this case, the same effect as the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

  In the first and second embodiments described above, the print head 24 employs a method in which a voltage is applied to the piezoelectric element to deform the piezoelectric element and pressurize the ink. It is also possible to adopt a method in which the ink is pressurized by bubbles generated by heating the ink by applying a voltage to a heater or the like.

  In the first and second embodiments described above, the ink jet printer 20 is employed as the printing unit. However, it may be employed in a laser printer using a toner cartridge or other types of printers.

1 printing system, 10 user PC, 12 CPU, 14 ROM, 16 RAM, 18 HDD, 18a printer driver, 20 inkjet printer, 21 printer mechanism, 22 carriage, 24 print head, 26 ink cartridge, 28 carriage guide, 32 carriage belt , 34 Carriage motor, 35 Drive roller, 36 Carriage position sensor, 36a Optical scale, 36b Optical sensor, 41 Paper feed mechanism, 42 Transport roller, 44 Transport motor, 46 Platen, 48 Flushing area, 49 Rotary encoder, 50 Capping device, 51 cap, 58 frame, 60 controller, 80 label image, 82 star heptagon, 82a first region, 84 star six Shape, 84a second region, 86 star pentagon, 86a third region, 90 rectangle, 90a center of gravity, 92 trimming frame, 94 parts used for color sample, A chart, A11-A44 color sample, B chart, B11-B44 color sample

Claims (7)

Printing means for printing on a print medium;
A plurality of color swatches including all or part of an image that is actually used including a patch area that is filled with one color are arranged along a predetermined direction, and the color of the patch area of each color swatch is in the predetermined direction. A chart creation means for creating a color adjustment chart that gradually changes along the line;
Print control means for controlling the printing means so that the color adjustment chart is printed on the print medium;
An image forming apparatus. In creating the color adjustment chart, the chart creating means starts from a reference color sample in which the patch area is filled with a predetermined reference color, and the patch of each color sample along the predetermined direction from the start point. Creating the color adjustment chart by arranging each color sample so that the difference in color information of the region is a predetermined interval;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. In creating the color adjustment chart, the chart creating means starts from a reference color sample in which the patch area is filled with a predetermined reference color, and the patch of each color sample along the predetermined direction from the start point. The basic mode is to arrange the color samples so that the difference in color information of the regions is a predetermined interval, and the basic mode is changed based on the granularity index or the color difference of the patch regions of the color samples arranged along the predetermined direction. Then, the modified embodiment is the color adjustment chart.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The color swatch has a colored area around the patch area that is different from the color of the patch area, and the colored area is common to all color swatches.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The color swatch is a part of an image of a size when actually used, and the image is trimmed so that the patch area is arranged in the center.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The color swatch consists of a part of an image of the size when actually used, and is obtained by trimming the image so that the center of gravity of a rectangle circumscribing the patch region is arranged in the center.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.   A program for causing one or more computers to function as the chart creation unit and the print control unit of the image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

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