JP2016016588A - Printing system, printing control apparatus and control method therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

When only one adjustment is executed in a printing system having an adjustment value corresponding to a paper attribute and an adjustment value is prepared for each paper feed unit, the adjustment result does not match the entire printing system. The correct print result expected by the user cannot be obtained. In a printing system including a printing device and an image processing device, the printing device determines a first adjustment value of an image position to be printed on the paper, and applies the paper to the paper based on the determined first adjustment value. Adjust the position of the printed image. On the other hand, the image processing apparatus determines a second adjustment value for adjusting an image position printed on a sheet fed from the sheet feeding unit for each sheet feeding unit of the printing apparatus, and based on the second adjustment value. The image position printed on the paper fed from the paper feeding unit by the printing apparatus is adjusted. Here, when the image position adjustment is executed based on the first adjustment value in the printing apparatus, the second adjustment value corresponding to the paper feed unit that stores the paper on which the image position adjustment has been executed is initialized. [Selection] FIG.

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing system, a printing control apparatus, and a control method therefor.

  It is known that when printing with a printing machine, the printed image is inclined due to several factors, or the positions of the front and back images are slightly shifted during double-sided printing. Factors causing this deviation are mainly classified into the following two.

  The first factor is due to the characteristics of the paper. In an electrophotographic printing machine, a developed toner image is transferred to a sheet, and then the toner image is fixed on the sheet by a fixing device. In the fixing device, when the paper is heated and pressurized, the paper expands and contracts, and the positions of the front and back images may shift. The amount of expansion / contraction of the paper varies depending on the basis weight, surface property, size, etc. of the paper.

  The second factor is due to the paper feed unit in which the paper is stored and the structure during conveyance. Depending on the structure of the paper feed unit that contains the paper and the conveyance unit that is conveyed during printing, the cueing timing of the printing position may be shifted or the paper may be slightly tilted. The amount of deviation due to this factor differs between the paper feeding units.

  Conventionally, a method for correcting an image position shift caused by the above factors by holding an adjustment value for adjusting the image position in the system is known. As a measure against the first factor of the former, for example, it is known to prepare an adjustment value as attribute information of a sheet. As a countermeasure against the second factor, for example, it is known to prepare an adjustment value for each sheet feeding unit. Alternatively, in a printing system including an image processing apparatus (PC) and a printing apparatus, it is known that each apparatus includes the above-described two different measures. In any case, an adjustment image is printed on an arbitrary sheet to be adjusted or a sheet fed from a sheet feeding unit, and an adjustment value is determined based on the result. Based on the adjustment value thus determined, the printing system adjusts the position of the image to be printed, so that the image can be printed at an accurate position without deviation.

  Furthermore, it is determined whether or not the image position adjustment is properly performed on the paper feeding unit, and the user is notified of the necessity of the image position adjustment by notifying the user when the adjustment is necessary. A printing system that can be used is also known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this printing system, after the image position adjustment is performed, the necessity of position adjustment is determined based on information such as whether the paper feed unit is opened or closed, or whether the paper type or size information is changed. Yes.

JP 2009-12256 A

  However, if only one of the adjustments is performed in a printing system that has an adjustment value according to the paper attributes described above and has an adjustment value for each paper feed unit, the result of the adjustment will not match for the entire printing system. Disappear. As a result, it is conceivable that the correct print result expected by the user cannot be obtained.

  An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art.

  A feature of the present invention is to provide a technique capable of achieving consistency between adjustment of an image position corresponding to a sheet and adjustment of an image position corresponding to a storage unit that stores the sheet.

In order to achieve the above object, a printing system according to an aspect of the present invention has the following configuration. That is,
A printing system including a printing device and an image processing device,
The printing apparatus includes:
First determining means for determining a first adjustment value of an image position to be printed on paper;
First holding means for holding the first adjustment value determined by the first determining means;
First adjustment means for adjusting an image position printed on a sheet based on the first adjustment value held by the first holding means;
The image processing apparatus includes:
Second determining means for determining a second adjustment value for adjusting an image position printed on a sheet fed from the sheet feeding unit for each sheet feeding unit of the printing apparatus;
Second holding means for holding the second adjustment value determined by the second determining means;
Second adjustment means for adjusting an image position printed on a sheet fed from the sheet feeding unit by the printing device based on the second adjustment value held in the second holding means;
When the image position adjustment by the first adjustment unit is executed in the printing apparatus, the second holding unit corresponding to the paper feeding unit that stores the paper on which the image position adjustment by the first adjustment unit is executed. Initializing means for initializing the second adjustment value held in the control unit.

  According to the present invention, when the adjustment of the image position with respect to the paper is executed, the image position adjustment value with respect to the paper feed unit that accommodates the paper is initialized, so that the image position is correctly adjusted as a whole and correct. Printing results can be obtained.

  Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the accompanying drawings, the same or similar components are denoted by the same reference numerals.

The accompanying drawings are included in the specification, constitute a part thereof, show an embodiment of the present invention, and are used to explain the principle of the present invention together with the description.
1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a printing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the printer according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining a hardware configuration example of a print server according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a software module of the printer according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a software module configuration of the print server according to the first embodiment. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a registration screen for registering paper information by a paper information registration unit according to the first embodiment. FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of an editing screen for editing paper attributes according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a setting screen for setting paper in a paper feed tray by a paper feed tray paper setting unit according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a screen for the first image adjustment value determination unit according to the first embodiment to determine an image position adjustment value. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen that instructs to print a confirmation image according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a confirmation image for position adjustment according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen on which the second image adjustment value determination unit according to the first embodiment determines image adjustment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a confirmation image for tray adjustment according to the first embodiment. 5 is a flowchart for explaining processing by a printer of the printing system according to the first embodiment. 5 is a flowchart for explaining processing by a print server of the printing system according to the first embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following embodiments do not limit the present invention according to the claims, and all combinations of features described in the embodiments are not necessarily essential to the solution means of the present invention. .
[Embodiment 1]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a printing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  In the printing system according to the first embodiment, a printer 100, a print server 102, and a client PC 103 are connected via a network 101. In the first embodiment, the image forming apparatus is the printer 100 and the image processing apparatus is the print server 102. However, the image forming apparatus is not limited to a printer, and may be a multifunction peripheral (MFP) that is equipped with all or part of various functions such as copying, scanning, and faxing.

  In this printing system, a print job is input to the print server 102 and managed, transmitted to the printer 100 via the network 101, and printing is executed. The printer 100 performs necessary processing according to the received print job and prints an image on a sheet. The print job is input to the print server 102 by the user operating a print driver (not shown) or a print server application GUI from the client PC 103 or the print server 102 connected to the same network 101, for example. The print server 102 may be directly connected to the printer 100, and communication between the printer 100 and the client PC 103 may be performed via the print server 102 and the network line 101.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the printer 100 according to the first embodiment.

  The printer 100 includes a controller unit (control unit) 200 including a CPU 201, a scanner unit 202, an external I / F 203, an operation unit 204, a compression / decompression unit 205, a ROM 206, a RAM 207, an HDD 208, and a print unit 209. Various control programs executed by the controller unit 200 are stored in the ROM 206, read out to the RAM 207 as necessary, and executed by the CPU 201. The print unit 209 further includes an image forming unit (print engine) 210, a CPU 211, a paper feed unit 212 including a plurality of paper feed stages, and a paper discharge unit 213. The paper feed unit 212 includes at least two or more paper feed stages.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of the print server 102 according to the first embodiment.

  The print server 102 includes a controller unit (control unit) 300 including a CPU 301, an operation unit 302, an external I / F 303, a ROM 304, a RAM 305, and an HDD 306. The OS and various control programs executed by the controller unit 300 are stored in the HDD 306, read into the RAM 305 by the boot program in the ROM 304, and executed by the CPU 301.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a software module of the printer 100 according to the first embodiment. Each software module is stored as a program in the ROM 206 of the printer 100, read out to the RAM 207 as necessary, and executed by the CPU 201 or the CPU 211.

  The network control unit 401 is executed by the CPU 201 and transmits / receives data to / from the print server 102 via the external I / F 203 and the network 101. The UI control unit 402 is executed by the CPU 201, receives a user operation via the operation unit 204, and instructs the operation unit 204 to change display contents.

  The paper information storage unit 403 includes an HDD 208. The CPU 201 stores paper information registered by a paper information registration unit 405, which will be described later, in the paper information storage unit 403, and the CPU 201 writes and reads paper information to and from the paper information storage unit 403 as necessary. The paper information stored in the paper information storage unit 403 includes paper information created and installed in advance by the manufacturer of the printer 100, and paper information newly created or added by the user by a method described later. It is.

  The first image adjustment information storage unit 404 includes an HDD 208. The CPU 201 stores the first image adjustment information determined by a first image adjustment value determination unit 407, which will be described later, in the first image adjustment information storage unit 404. Further, the CPU 201 writes or reads out the image adjustment information as necessary.

  A paper information registration unit 405 is executed by the CPU 201 and registers paper information used by the printer 100. The CPU 201 receives paper information input from the user via the operation unit 204 and stores it in the paper information storage unit 403. The CPU 201 can display the paper information on the operation unit 204 via the UI control unit 402.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a registration screen in which the paper information registration unit 405 according to the first embodiment registers paper information.

  A paper information registration screen is generated by the UI control unit 402 and displayed on the operation unit 204 when a user instructs to register paper information from a basic screen (not shown). The UI control unit 402 displays a list 602 of paper information stored in the paper information storage unit 403 on the operation unit 204. Here, the paper name of the paper information is displayed, but any information that can identify individual paper may be used. Further, the UI control unit 402 displays a button 603 for editing attribute information of sheet information to be described later for each sheet information. When the user presses an edit button 603 for an arbitrary sheet, the UI control unit 402 displays a sheet attribute editing screen (described later) on the operation unit 204 as shown in FIG.

  A new creation button 604 is a button for newly creating paper information and storing it in the paper information storage unit 403. When a new creation button 604 is pressed by the user, the CPU 201 creates new paper information and stores the information in the paper information storage unit 403. Also, the UI control unit 402 adds the information to the sheet information list 602 and displays it. The delete button 605 is a button for deleting arbitrary paper information. When the user presses the delete button 605 while an arbitrary sheet is selected from the sheet information list 602, the CPU 201 deletes the selected sheet information from the sheet information storage unit 403. Also, the UI control unit 402 deletes the deleted paper information from the paper information list 602. When the user presses an OK button 606, the UI control unit 402 closes the paper information registration screen shown in FIG. 6 and shifts to a basic screen (not shown).

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of an editing screen for editing paper attributes according to the first embodiment.

  The edit screen for the paper attribute is generated by the UI control unit 402 and displayed on the operation unit 204. When the user presses the edit button 603, the UI control unit 402 displays an edit screen based on the paper information stored in the paper information storage unit 403 of the paper selected on the screen. For example, FIG. 7 shows a sheet attribute editing screen displayed when the edit button 603 corresponding to the sheet name “PAPER1” is pressed. The items displayed on this screen include, for example, information indicating that the paper name 702 is “PAPER1” as indicated by 703, the basis weight, size, surface property, color, image position adjustment 705, and the like. Contains information about the paper settings required for the to operate. In addition to these items, paper characteristics and individual information may be registered and displayed. An edit button 704 is provided for each item, and when the user presses the edit button 704, the UI control unit 402 transitions to a screen that accepts input of each item (not shown), and the input is performed on the screen. After acceptance, the screen returns to the paper attribute editing screen of FIG. The CPU 201 stores the received paper information in the paper information storage unit 403, and the UI control unit 402 updates the paper information and displays it on the paper attribute editing screen of FIG. Operations relating to image position adjustment indicated by reference numerals 705 to 707 in FIG. 7 will be described later. When the user presses the OK button 708 on the screen of FIG. 7, the UI control unit 402 closes the paper attribute editing screen and returns to the paper information registration screen of FIG.

  Returning to FIG. 4 again, the paper feed stage paper setting unit 406 is executed by the CPU 201 and sets the paper information used in the printer 100 to the paper feed stage. When the CPU 201 receives information on paper setting for the paper feed tray input by the user via the operation unit 204, the CPU 201 stores the information in the RAM 207 or the HDD 208. The CPU 201 displays the information on the operation unit 204 via the UI control unit 402. Then, the CPU 201 determines a printing operation in the image forming unit 210 based on the paper information set in the paper feed stage when printing is performed. For example, in the case of a sheet having a large basis weight, an operation of decreasing the sheet conveyance speed and increasing the fixing temperature is performed.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a setting screen for setting paper in the paper feed tray by the paper feed tray paper setting unit 406 according to the first embodiment.

  The paper setting screen shown in FIG. 8 is generated by the UI control unit 402 and displayed on the operation unit 204 when a user issues a paper setting instruction to the paper feed stage from a basic screen (not shown). The UI control unit 402 displays the paper feed stage information held by the paper feed unit 212 of the printing unit 209 of the printer 100 and the paper information set for each in 802 in FIG. Here, information on the remaining amount of paper controlled by the CPU 201, the number of the paper feed tray, and information on the set paper size are displayed. For example, in FIG. 8, the A4 size is set for the paper feed tray with the number “1” and the paper is almost full, and the A4 size is set for the paper feed tray with the number “5”. It can be seen that there is no state. In addition, the name and basis weight of the set paper may be displayed. If the user presses the setting button 803 in a state where, for example, the number “1” is selected, the UI control unit 402 displays a sheet information selection screen (not shown) and feeds the number “1” to the user. Select the paper information you want to set for the column. As a result, the CPU 201 stores the paper information selected by the user in the RAM 207 or the HDD 208 in combination with the paper feed stage information, and the UI control unit 402 displays the selected paper information on the screen of FIG. . When the user presses an OK button 804 on the screen of FIG. 8, the UI control unit 402 closes the paper setting screen shown in FIG. 8 and transitions to a basic screen (not shown).

  Returning to FIG. 4, the first image adjustment value determination unit 407 is executed by the CPU 201, and determines an adjustment value for correcting the image position deviation on the paper during printing, which occurs in the printer 100. An adjustment value determination procedure in the first image adjustment value determination unit 407 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a screen example for the first image adjustment value determination unit 407 according to the first embodiment to determine an image position adjustment value.

  This image position adjustment screen is displayed by the UI control unit 402 when the user presses the edit button 707 of the image position adjustment item 705 on the paper attribute editing screen (FIG. 7) for which the paper information registration unit 405 sets paper information. It is generated and displayed on the operation unit 204. The CPU 201 determines an adjustment amount for correcting the vertical / horizontal deviation of the image printed on the paper based on information input by the user via this screen. Reference numeral 902 denotes an item for correcting the tip registration position, and the UI control unit 402 displays a front surface correction amount 903 and a back surface correction amount 904. Reference numeral 905 denotes an item for correcting the left end registration position. The UI control unit 402 displays a front surface correction amount 906 and a back surface correction amount 907. The UI control unit 402 receives an input of the correction amount from the button 908. When the user presses the + button or the − button of the input button 908 in a state where an arbitrary position corrected is selected, the UI control unit 402 sets the value of the selected item to +0.1 or −0.1. To display. Here, as an example, the unit of the correction amount is mm, the correction interval is 0.1, and the initial value is 0.0. However, other units such as the number of pixels, the correction interval, and the initial value may be used. When the user presses a “return to initial value” button 909, the UI control unit 402 resets the values of the correction amounts 903, 904, 906, and 907. When the user presses the cancel button 911, the UI control unit 402 closes the image position adjustment screen in FIG. 9 and shifts to the paper attribute editing screen in FIG. When the user presses the OK button 912, the CPU 201 stores the values of the correction amounts 903, 904, 906, and 907 in the first image adjustment information storage unit 404. Furthermore, the UI control unit 402 closes the image position adjustment screen in FIG. 9 and transitions to the paper attribute editing screen 701 in FIG. 7.

  Here, an image position adjustment method will be described.

  In the first embodiment, the CPU 201 prints a confirmation image for image position adjustment, and an adjustment value is determined by the user based on the confirmation image. The adjustment value thus determined by the user is input by the user via the image position adjustment screen of FIG. When the user presses the “print image for confirmation” button 910 in FIG. 9, the UI control unit 402 displays the print screen for the confirmation image shown in FIG.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen instructing to print the confirmation image according to the first embodiment.

  The UI control unit 402 displays a plurality of paper feed stage groups 1002 held by the paper feed unit 212 connected to the printer 100 on the confirmation image print screen illustrated in FIG. 10. The user selects a paper feed stage to be used for printing from a plurality of paper feed stages of the group 1002 set in the paper feed stage paper setting unit 406 and presses a print button 1005. As a result, the CPU 201 causes the image forming unit 210 to print a confirmation image for position adjustment on the paper fed from the selected paper feed tray. Note that the paper feed stage information displayed in FIG. 9 may be a screen on which, for example, if A4 size paper is used, only a paper feed stage in which A size paper is set can be selected. When the user presses a cancel button 1004, the UI control unit 402 closes the confirmation image print screen and shifts to the image position adjustment screen in FIG.

  FIGS. 11A and 11B are diagrams illustrating examples of position adjustment confirmation images according to the first embodiment.

  FIG. 11A shows a front side confirmation image, and FIG. 11B shows a back side image, which are printed on both sides of the paper. In the confirmation image, an auxiliary line for measuring or predicting a positional deviation due to printing and a printing direction are written. The user can estimate the direction and amount of the positional deviation based on the auxiliary line of the confirmation image for position adjustment. In the first embodiment, a method for determining an adjustment value by printing an image for image position adjustment confirmation and inputting an adjustment value estimated by the user via the +/− button 908 has been described. . In addition to this method, for example, a scanner 202 connected to the printer 100 or a spectroscopic sensor (not shown) for measuring a spectral value after fixing is used to read an image for confirmation of image position adjustment and automatically adjust it. The value may be determined.

  Returning to FIG. 4 again, the first image adjustment unit 408 is executed by the CPU 201, and print data is printed in accordance with an instruction from the user based on the adjustment value determined by the first image adjustment value determination unit 407. Adjust the image position. The CPU 201 determines whether or not the image position adjustment has been completed based on the attribute information of the paper on which the print data is printed. If the adjustment has been completed, the CPU 201 executes correction for position adjustment using the adjustment value. In general, when adjusting the image position, there is a method of adjusting the rendering position of the image data based on the correction value when the controller unit 200 of the printer 100 or the controller unit 300 of the print server 102 processes the print data. Alternatively, there is a method of adjusting the position of the formed image by adjusting the control timing of the image forming unit 210 (printer engine) of the printer 100 based on the correction value.

  A first image adjustment information transmission unit 409 in FIG. 4 is executed by the CPU 201 and transmits information stored in the first image adjustment information storage unit 404 to the print server 102 via the network control unit 401.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a software module configuration of the print server 102 according to the first embodiment. Each software module is stored as a program in the HDD 306 of the print server 102, read out to the RAM 305 as necessary, and executed under the control of the CPU 301. The data storage unit includes the HDD 306, and writing and reading are performed by the CPU 301 as necessary.

  The network control unit 501 is executed by the CPU 301 and transmits / receives data to / from the printer 100 and the client PC 103 via the external I / F 303 and the network 101. A UI control unit 502 is executed by the CPU 301 and instructs the operation unit 302 of the print server 102 to change display contents. The notification unit 503 is executed by the CPU 301, and when information is initialized in a second image adjustment information initialization unit 507, which will be described later, the user is notified by displaying the change on the screen of the operation unit 302. To do. The second image adjustment information storage unit 504 includes an HDD 306. The CPU 301 stores the second image adjustment information determined by the second image adjustment value determination unit 505, which will be described later, in the second image adjustment information storage unit 504, and writes and reads it as necessary. A second image adjustment value determination unit 505 is executed by the CPU 301 and determines an adjustment value for correcting a positional deviation of an image during printing that occurs in the printer 100. Next, the procedure for determining the adjustment value by the second image adjustment value determination unit 505 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen on which the second image adjustment value determination unit 505 according to the first embodiment determines image adjustment.

  The second image adjustment unit 506 is referred to as tray adjustment in the first embodiment in the sense that correction is performed on a paper feed stage (tray). The tray adjustment screen of FIG. 12 is generated by the UI control unit 502 by receiving a tray adjustment instruction from the user from a basic screen (not shown) displayed on the operation unit 302 of the print server 102 by the UI control unit 502 and is displayed on the operation unit. 302 is displayed. The CPU 301 determines an adjustment amount for correcting a deviation in the vertical and horizontal directions of an image printed on a sheet by an input from the user. The UI control unit 502 displays a paper feed tray (tray) to be adjusted on 1202 and accepts an input from the user. 1203 to 1205 are items for correcting the front side, and 1206 to 1208 are items for correcting the back side. As will be described later, the UI control unit 502 displays numbers in these items 1203 to 1208 when the input reading value is received as an input from the user. The confirmation image print button 1209 will be described later. When the user presses a cancel button 1210, the UI control unit 502 closes the tray adjustment screen in FIG. 12 and transitions to a basic screen (not shown). When the user presses the OK button 1211, the CPU 301 stores the values of the items 1203 to 1208 in which the input reading values are displayed in the second image adjustment information storage unit 504. Further, the UI control unit 502 closes the tray adjustment screen in FIG. 12 and transitions to a basic screen (not shown).

  Next, the tray adjustment will be described.

  In the first embodiment, the CPU 301 prints a check image for tray adjustment, and a read value for calculating an adjustment value is determined by the user based on the check image. The read value is input by the user via the tray adjustment screen of FIG. When the confirmation image print button 1209 is pressed by the user, the CPU 301 performs printing on the paper in the paper feed stage designated by 1202.

  13A and 13B are diagrams illustrating an example of a confirmation image for tray adjustment according to the first embodiment.

  FIG. 13A shows a confirmation image for front side tray adjustment, and FIG. 13B shows a confirmation image for back side tray adjustment. These confirmation images are printed by printing. Information for reading the displacement is written. The CPU 301 prints the front side and the back side of the tray adjustment confirmation image on both sides of the paper so that an image is formed at the center of each of the upper, lower, left, and right sides. In the confirmation image of the front side in FIG. 13A, a scale 1303 is printed, and the user bends the short side of the paper in half and reads the numerical value of the scale where the fold line overlaps. If no printing misalignment has occurred, the numerical value of the portion overlapping the crease should be “25”. If printing misalignment has occurred, a numerical value slightly deviated from “25” will overlap the crease. Therefore, the read numerical value is set as a read value at the point A 1304. Similarly, the point C is measured using the scale 1305. Next, the reading at the point B is determined using the scale 1306 by bending the long side of the paper in half.

  Also in the confirmation image on the back surface in FIG. 13B, the reading value at each location is determined by the same procedure as the confirmation image on the front surface in FIG. The reading value thus determined is input by the user into items 1203 to 1208 on the tray adjustment screen of FIG. Here, the scale range is set to 0 to 50, and if there is no deviation, the central value “25” is input. However, the scale range is not limited to this value, and the printing accuracy of the printer 100 and the like. It may be increased or decreased accordingly.

  Returning to FIG. 5, the second image adjustment unit 506 is executed by the CPU 301, and print data to be printed in accordance with an instruction from the user based on the adjustment value determined by the second image adjustment value determination unit 505. Adjust the image position. The CPU 301 acquires image adjustment information of the target paper feed stage from the second image adjustment information storage unit 504 from the paper feed stage information set in the print data, and uses the adjustment value to determine the image position. Perform correction to adjust.

  The second image adjustment information initialization unit 507 is executed by the CPU 301. The CPU 301 resets the adjustment information determined by the second image adjustment value determination unit 505 and stored in the second image adjustment information storage unit 504 to an initial value based on processing described later. The first image adjustment information receiving unit 508 is executed by the CPU 301. The CPU 301 receives image adjustment information transmitted from the first image adjustment information transmission unit 409 of the printer 100.

  Next, image position adjustment processing of the entire printing system according to the first embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart for describing processing by the printer 100 of the printing system according to the first embodiment. A control program for executing this flowchart is stored in the ROM 206, and the processing shown in this flowchart is realized by being read out and executed by the CPU 201 in the RAM 207.

  First, in step S <b> 1401, the CPU 201 determines whether the first image adjustment value determination unit 407 of the printer 100 has performed determination processing on an arbitrary sheet. This determination is made as to whether or not the user has pressed the OK button 912 on the image position adjustment screen of FIG. Alternatively, a method of determining whether the information in the first image adjustment information storage unit 404 of the printer 100 has been updated can be considered. If the CPU 201 determines in step S1401 that the first image adjustment value determination process has been executed, the process advances to step S1402. If the first image adjustment value determination process has not been executed, step S1401 is executed. In step S <b> 1402, the CPU 201 transmits the image adjustment information determined by the first image adjustment value determination unit 407 and stored in the first image adjustment information storage unit 404 to the print server 102 via the network control unit 401. Note that step S1402 is executed by the first image adjustment information transmission unit 409 of the printer 100. The first image adjustment information transmitted here is, for example, the screen shown in FIG. 10 when printing the paper information to be adjusted and the image position adjustment confirmation image shown in FIGS. Information on the specified paper feed tray. In this way, when the first image adjustment information is transmitted to the print server 102 in S1402, the processing of the printer 100 ends.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart for describing processing by the print server 102 of the printing system according to the first embodiment. A control program for executing this flowchart is stored in the HDD 306. At the time of execution, the CPU 301 expands and executes the control program in the RAM 305, thereby executing the processing shown in this flowchart.

  First, in step S <b> 1501, the CPU 301 receives first image adjustment information from the printer 100 via the network control unit 501. This process is executed by the first image adjustment receiving unit 508 of the print server 102. Next, the processing proceeds to S1502, and the CPU 301 obtains information on the paper feed stage that stores the paper on which the first image adjustment has been performed from the first image adjustment information received in S1501, and the second paper feed at the corresponding paper feed stage. It is determined whether image adjustment is performed. This determination can be made based on whether the CPU 301 acquires the image adjustment value of the corresponding paper feed stage stored in the second image adjustment information storage unit 504 and whether the adjustment value is an initial value. If a value other than the initial value is stored, the CPU 301 determines that the second image adjustment is being performed, and proceeds to step S1503. On the other hand, if the initial value is stored, the corresponding paper feed stage determines that the second image adjustment has not been performed, and ends the process without performing anything.

  In step S1503, the CPU 301 initializes the second image adjustment value of the corresponding paper feed stage stored in the second image adjustment information storage unit 504. Hereinafter, the reason for initializing the adjustment value will be described.

  When printing is performed using the paper and the paper feed stage on which the first image adjustment has been performed in the printer 100, the correction by the first image adjustment has already been applied, so that the printer 100 is normally printed with respect to the registration error. It has become. Immediately after the first image adjustment is performed, if there is a second image adjustment value that has been previously adjusted in the corresponding paper feed stage, and the second image adjustment is applied as it is, It will be in the state where value consistency cannot be taken. Therefore, it is necessary to reset the second image adjustment value to the initial value so that the second image adjustment is not performed on the paper feed stage on which the first image adjustment is performed.

  In step S1504, the CPU 301 notifies the user that the second image adjustment value has been changed. This process is executed by the notification unit 503 of the print server 102.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, when the image adjustment value for an arbitrary sheet is determined by the first image adjustment value determination unit 407 of the printer 100, the content is transmitted to the print server 102. When the print server 102 receives the change information of the first image adjustment value, the print server 102 resets the second image adjustment value corresponding to the corresponding paper feed stage that accommodates the paper to the initial value, and notifies the user to that effect. To do. As a result, it is possible to execute printing while reflecting normal adjustments in the entire printing system, and thus a correct printing result can be obtained.

[Other Embodiments]
In the first embodiment described above, the first image adjustment is executed by the printing apparatus (printer 100), and the second image adjustment is executed by the print server 102. However, the present invention is not limited to the first embodiment, and the execution position of the image adjustment process may be performed anywhere in the printing system. For example, all of the first image adjustment and the second image adjustment may be executed by the printer 100 or the print server (printing control apparatus) 102.

(Other embodiments)
The present invention can also be realized by executing the following processing. That is, software (program) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus via a network or various storage media, and a computer (or CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or apparatus reads the program. It is a process to be executed.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, in order to make the scope of the present invention public, the following claims are attached.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Printer, 102 ... Print server, 407 ... 1st image adjustment value determination part, 505 ... 2nd image adjustment value determination part, 503 ... Notification part, 507 ... 2nd image adjustment information initialization part

Claims (12)

A printing system including a printing device and an image processing device,
The printing apparatus includes:
First determining means for determining a first adjustment value of an image position to be printed on paper;
First holding means for holding the first adjustment value determined by the first determining means;
First adjustment means for adjusting an image position printed on a sheet based on the first adjustment value held by the first holding means;
The image processing apparatus includes:
Second determining means for determining a second adjustment value for adjusting an image position printed on a sheet fed from the sheet feeding unit for each sheet feeding unit of the printing apparatus;
Second holding means for holding the second adjustment value determined by the second determining means;
Second adjustment means for adjusting an image position printed on a sheet fed from the sheet feeding unit by the printing device based on the second adjustment value held in the second holding means;
When the image position adjustment by the first adjustment unit is executed in the printing apparatus, the second holding unit corresponding to the paper feeding unit that stores the paper on which the image position adjustment by the first adjustment unit is executed. Initialization means for initializing the second adjustment value held in
A printing system comprising:   The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the first determination unit determines the first adjustment value in association with a paper attribute.   The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the first adjustment unit adjusts a rendering position of an image printed on a sheet based on the first adjustment value.   The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the first adjustment unit adjusts a control timing of a printer engine that prints an image on a sheet based on the first adjustment value.   2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising first confirmation image printing means for printing a confirmation image on the paper based on the first adjustment value determined by the first determination means. 5. The printing system according to any one of items 4 to 4. The printing apparatus further includes transmission means for transmitting the first adjustment value held in the first holding means to the image processing apparatus,
The initialization unit of the image processing apparatus is configured to supply a sheet containing paper on which image position adjustment has been performed by the first adjustment unit when the first adjustment value transmitted by the transmission unit is not an initial value. 6. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the second adjustment value held in the second holding unit corresponding to a printing unit is initialized.   The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the printing apparatus includes a plurality of paper feeding units that store paper.   8. The printing according to claim 1, wherein the image processing apparatus further includes notification means for notifying a user that the initialization means has initialized the second adjustment value. 9. system.   The image processing apparatus further includes a second confirmation image printing unit that prints a confirmation image on a sheet fed from the sheet feeding unit based on the second adjustment value determined by the second determination unit. The printing system according to claim 1, comprising: a printing system according to claim 1.   10. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the first and second adjustment values adjust positions of images printed on a front side and a back side of the paper. A print control apparatus that controls a printing apparatus via a network,
First determination means for determining a first adjustment value of an image position to be printed on a sheet in association with an attribute of the sheet;
First holding means for holding the first adjustment value determined by the first determining means;
First adjustment means for adjusting an image position printed on a sheet by the printing device based on the first adjustment value held in the first holding means;
Second determining means for determining a second adjustment value for adjusting an image position printed on a sheet fed from the sheet feeding unit for each sheet feeding unit of the printing apparatus;
Second holding means for holding the second adjustment value determined by the second determining means;
Second adjustment means for adjusting an image position printed on a sheet fed from the sheet feeding unit by the printing device based on the second adjustment value held in the second holding means;
An initialization unit that initializes the second adjustment value held by the second holding unit, corresponding to a paper feeding unit that accommodates the sheet on which the image position is adjusted by the first adjustment unit;
A printing control apparatus comprising: A control method for controlling a printing system including a printing apparatus and an image processing apparatus,
A first determination step in which the printing apparatus determines a first adjustment value of an image position to be printed on paper;
A first holding step in which the printing apparatus holds the first adjustment value determined in the first determination step;
A first adjustment step in which the printing apparatus adjusts an image position to be printed on a sheet based on the first adjustment value held in the first holding step;
A second determination step in which the image processing apparatus determines a second adjustment value for adjusting an image position printed on a sheet fed from the sheet feeding unit for each sheet feeding unit of the printing apparatus;
A second holding step in which the image processing apparatus holds the second adjustment value determined in the second determination step;
A second adjustment in which the image processing apparatus adjusts an image position to be printed on a sheet fed from the sheet feeding unit by the printing apparatus based on the second adjustment value held in the second holding step. Process,
When image position adjustment in the first adjustment process is executed in the printing apparatus, the image processing apparatus corresponds to a paper feeding unit that stores paper on which image position adjustment has been executed in the first adjustment process. An initialization step of initializing the second adjustment value held in the second holding step;
A control method for a printing system, comprising:

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