Patent Description:
The present disclosure relates to a print apparatus, a method for controlling the print apparatus, and a storage medium.

In general, a method for performing adjustment associated with a print head by printing a test pattern using a print apparatus has been used (refer to <CIT> and <CIT>, for example). <CIT> discloses a method for adjusting alignment of a head in a scanning direction by forming a test pattern using an image forming apparatus performing scanning with the head and ejecting ink so as to form an image on a medium. In this method, the alignment control is performed by optically reading line segments of a test pattern formed on a medium.

When adjustment of a printing head is performed, a medium different from a medium to be used by the print apparatus in normal printing may be used as a test medium for printing a test pattern. For example, a medium more suitable for reading the test pattern than a medium used for normal printing or a medium smaller than a medium used for normal printing may be used as a test medium. However, when the test medium is different from a medium to be used by a print apparatus for normal printing, a position of the test medium is required to be accurately positioned.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a print apparatus is provided according to the appended set of claims.

A position of the print medium may be adjusted to a position corresponding to the print head. The test pattern may be printed even when a size of a print medium to be used in normal printing is not same as a size of a print medium to be used in printing of the test pattern.

The print apparatus may further include a pattern detection section configured to detect the test pattern printed on the print medium. The driving controller may detect a shift of alignment of the print head based on a result of detection performed by the pattern detection section.

The alignment shift may be detected based on the test pattern.

The print apparatus may further include a plurality of print heads. The specifying section may specify a replaced head in the print heads as a print head to be adjusted.

In the print apparatus, the print head is configured to perform printing on a first print medium for image printing and a second print medium which is the print medium on which the test pattern is to be printed and which is different from the first print medium. The driving controller can move the belt in a first direction so as to transport the first print medium when the print head prints an image on the first print medium. The belt can be moved in a second direction which is different from the first direction when the second print medium is moved to a position of the print head specified by the specifying section so that the test pattern is printed.

In the print apparatus, a position specified by the position indication section may be in a downstream of the print head in the first direction.

In the print apparatus, the second print apparatus may be a cut sheet of a regular size and a shift of alignment of the print head may be detected by optically reading the test pattern printed on the second print medium.

In the print apparatus, the belt may be processed in an endless shaped by coupling opposite sides of a long belt member, and the driving controller may move the belt before the print medium is mounted, when a joint section of the belt is positioned in a predetermined range from a position specified by the position indication section.

The print apparatus may further include a carriage configured to perform scanning in a direction intersecting with a movement direction of the belt, the print head being mounted on the carriage, and a distance detection section configured to be mounted on the carriage and detect a distance from a reference position to a surface of the belt. The driving controller may specify a region in which a flatness degree of the belt satisfies a set condition based on a result of detection performed by the distance detection section during scanning of the carriage.

According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for controlling a print apparatus is provided according to the appended set of claims.

According to a further embodiment of the present disclosure, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a control program to be executed by a controller controlling a print apparatus is provided according to the appended set of claims.

<FIG> is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of a printer <NUM> as an example of a print apparatus of the present disclosure.

In <FIG> and the other drawings described below, a front portion in an installation state of the printer <NUM> is denoted by a reference symbol FR and a rear portion of the printer <NUM> is denoted by RR. Furthermore, a right portion of the printer <NUM> is denoted by R, a left portion of the printer <NUM> is denoted by L, an upper portion of the printer <NUM> is denoted by UP, and a lower portion of the printer <NUM> is denoted by DW.

The printer <NUM> is an ink jet print apparatus which includes an ink ejection unit <NUM> ejecting ink IK and which forms an image by ejecting the ink IK to a print medium W.

The print medium W used in the printer <NUM> may be formed of various materials, such as paper and a sheet of synthetic resin, and a sheet dedicated for ink jet recording including plain paper, high-quality paper, and glossy paper. In this embodiment, fabric of natural fibers, synthetic fibers, or the like is used as the print medium W. The printer <NUM> functions as a textile print apparatus performing printing on the print medium W by attaching the ink IK to a print surface of the print medium W, and the print medium W may be referred to as a printed member. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the printer <NUM> performs printing on a test medium <NUM> in addition to the print medium W. The test medium <NUM> is a print medium used for printing of a test pattern, and is a print sheet for photograph printing having properties of excellent absorption of the ink IK and bright coloration of the ink IK, for example. A width and a length of the test medium <NUM> are smaller than those of the print medium W, and the test medium <NUM> is a cut sheet of an A3 size, for example.

The printer <NUM> includes a delivery device <NUM>, driven rollers 10A, 10B, and 10C, transport rollers 3A and 3B, a transport belt <NUM>, and a reeling device <NUM> as an apparatus transporting the print medium W. The sections are included in a transport mechanism <NUM> described below.

The delivery device <NUM> delivers the rolled long print medium W to the transport belt <NUM>. The delivery device <NUM> is positioned on a most upstream portion relative to the print medium W in a transport direction H. The delivery device <NUM> rotates a rotation shaft 2A in a counterclockwise direction in <FIG> and supplies the print medium W set in the rotation shaft 2A through the driven rollers 10A and 10B to the transport belt <NUM>.

The transport rollers 3A and 3B are a pair of rollers driving the transport belt <NUM> by power of a transport motor <NUM> described below and at least one of the transport rollers 3A and 3B may be a driving roller and the other may be a driven roller.

The transport belt <NUM> is configured such that end portions of a rectangular flexible sheet of gum, synthetic resin, or composite material of gum and synthetic resin are coupled to each other so as to form an endless shape. The transport belt <NUM> is an example of a belt of the present disclosure. The transport belt <NUM> is hung on the transport rollers 3A and 3B and circularly moved in front and back directions of the printer <NUM> in accordance with rotation of the transport rollers 3A and 3B.

In a front portion of the printer <NUM>, the print medium W delivered by the delivery device <NUM> is mounted on the transport belt <NUM>, and the transport belt <NUM> transports the print medium W toward the rear portion of the printer <NUM> in the transport direction denoted by a reference character H. Here, a position where the print medium W is in contact with the transport belt <NUM> is referred to as a mounting start position <NUM>.

The transport belt <NUM> has an abutting surface abutting on the print medium W and having viscosity. For example, when a glue belt having an abutting surface including a viscosity layer formed thereon is used as the transport belt <NUM>, the print medium W is held by the transport belt <NUM> by the viscosity of the viscosity layer and is moved in a transport direction H along with the transport belt <NUM>. Note that the transport belt <NUM> is not limited to the glue belt and an electrostatic adsorption belt adsorbing the print medium W by static electricity, for example, may be used.

As described below, the printer <NUM> may rotate the transport rollers 3A and 3B in a reversed direction. In this case, the transport belt <NUM> circularly moves the print medium W in a direction opposite to the transport direction H. In a description below, when the print medium W is transported in the transport direction H, a movement direction of the transport belt <NUM> is referred to as a belt movement direction F1. Furthermore, a movement direction of the transport belt <NUM> opposite to the belt movement direction F1 is referred to as a belt movement direction F2. The belt movement direction F1 corresponds to an example of a first direction of the present disclosure, and the belt movement direction F2 corresponds to an example of a second direction of the present disclosure.

The printer <NUM> includes a pressure roller <NUM>, a medium sensor <NUM>, and a print unit <NUM> along a movement path of the print medium W.

The pressure roller <NUM> and the medium sensor <NUM> are disposed on a downstream relative to the mounting start position I1 in the transport direction H. The pressure roller <NUM> is biased by a biasing mechanism, such as a spring, not illustrated, toward the transport belt <NUM> so as to press the print medium W to the transport belt <NUM>. By this, the print medium W is tightly supported by the transport belt <NUM> so that floating of the print medium W is suppressed. The pressure roller <NUM> is rotatable in accordance with transport of the print medium W so that a mark of the pressure roller <NUM> is not left on the print medium W.

The medium sensor <NUM> is an optical sensor including a light emitting section emitting light to the print medium W and a light receiving section receiving and detecting light. For example, the medium sensor <NUM> is configured as a reflection optical sensor receiving reflection light from the print medium W using the light receiving section. A controller <NUM> described below detects the print medium W beneath the medium sensor <NUM> based on an amount of light detected by the light receiving section of the medium sensor <NUM>. Furthermore, the controller <NUM> may detect a distance from the medium sensor <NUM> to a surface of the print medium W based on a difference between a light emitting timing and a light receiving timing of the medium sensor <NUM>.

The print unit <NUM> is disposed on the downstream of the medium sensor <NUM> in the transport direction H. The print unit <NUM> includes the ink ejection unit <NUM> forming an image on the print medium W, a carriage <NUM> having the ink ejection unit <NUM> mounted thereon, and a gap adjustment mechanism <NUM> adjusting a relative position of the carriage <NUM> relative to the print medium W. Furthermore, the carriage <NUM> includes a scan unit <NUM> and a belt sensor <NUM> described below.

The ink ejection unit <NUM> includes a plurality of nozzles opening toward the print medium W and forms an image on the print medium W by ejecting the ink IK from the nozzles to the print medium W. A process of forming an image using the ink IK is referred to as printing. Furthermore, a surface of the ink ejection unit <NUM> on which the nozzles are opened is referred to as a nozzle surface 81A and a surface of the print medium W on which the ink IK adheres is referred to as a print surface.

An ink supply path <NUM> is coupled to the ink ejection unit <NUM>. The ink IK is supplied from an ink storage section, not illustrated, through the ink supply path <NUM> to the ink ejection unit <NUM>. A configuration of the ink ejection unit <NUM> will be described hereinafter with reference to <FIG>.

The carriage <NUM> reciprocates in a scanning direction denoted by a reference character K on the print medium W. The scanning direction K of the carriage <NUM> intersects with the transport direction H, and in particular, the scanning direction K orthogonally intersects with the transport direction H as an example of this embodiment.

The ink ejection unit <NUM> moves on the print medium W in the scanning direction K in accordance with the movement of the carriage <NUM>. By this, the printer <NUM> may form an image in a range extending in the scanning direction K and the transport direction H.

The gap adjustment mechanism <NUM> adjusts a work gap WG which is a distance between the print medium W and the nozzle surface 81A of the ink ejection unit <NUM> by moving the carriage <NUM> in a vertical direction.

The scan unit <NUM> mounted on the carriage <NUM> is a scanner optically reading an image printed on the print medium W. The scan unit <NUM> is constituted by a charge coupled device (CCD) scanner or a digital still camera, for example. The scan unit <NUM> performs scanning along with the carriage <NUM> so that an entire image printed on the print medium W may be optically read by the scan unit <NUM>.

The belt sensor <NUM> is mounted on the carriage <NUM> along with the scan unit <NUM>. The belt sensor <NUM> detects a distance from the belt sensor <NUM> and detects a distance between the transport belt <NUM> on which the print medium W is not mounted and the belt sensor <NUM>. As the belt sensor <NUM>, an optical time of flight (TOF) sensor performing ranging by emitting infrared light to the transport belt <NUM> and detecting reflection light, other ranging sensors, or a proximity sensor may be used. A distance between the belt sensor <NUM> and the viscosity surface of the transport belt <NUM> may be measured in a range extending in the scanning direction K by causing the belt sensor <NUM> to perform scanning in the scanning direction K along with the carriage <NUM>.

The printer <NUM> includes an exterior package <NUM> accommodating the print unit <NUM>. The exterior package <NUM> is a case having a substantially box shape covering an upper portion of the print medium W in the transport direction H. In this embodiment, a range from the mounting start position I1 to the print unit <NUM> is covered by the exterior package <NUM>.

The print medium W is peeled from the transport belt <NUM>, guided by the driven roller 10C, and reeled by the reeling device <NUM> on a downstream of the print unit <NUM>. A position where the print medium W is separated from the transport belt <NUM> is referred to as a mounting end position I2.

The reeling device <NUM> reels the print medium W in a roll shape on a reel set in a rotation shaft 5A by rotating in a counterclockwise direction of <FIG> with the rotation shaft 5A at the center.

A dry unit <NUM> is disposed between the driven roller 10C and the reeling device <NUM>. The dry unit <NUM> dries the ink IK attached to the print medium W before the print medium W is reeled by the reeling device <NUM>. For example, the dry unit <NUM> includes a chamber accommodating the print medium W and a heater disposed in the chamber, and heats and dries the print medium W. The dry unit <NUM> is at least positioned between the ink ejection unit <NUM> and the reeling device <NUM> in the transport direction H, and the position of the dry unit <NUM> is not limited to a downstream of the driven roller 10C.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the ink ejection unit <NUM> in detail. <FIG> includes a diagram of the ink ejection unit <NUM> viewed from the nozzle surface 81A and an enlarged view of the nozzle surface 81A.

In the nozzle surface 81A, a plurality of print heads <NUM> are arranged in the scanning direction K and a direction orthogonal to the scanning direction K.

Each of the print heads <NUM> includes a plurality of chips <NUM>. In the example of <FIG>, each of the print heads <NUM> includes four chips <NUM> arranged in a zig-zag manner in the transport direction H orthogonally intersecting with the scanning direction K. The ink ejection unit <NUM> has <NUM> print heads <NUM> arranged in eight columns in the scanning direction K and eight rows in the transport direction H and <NUM> chips <NUM>.

In a circle in a lower portion of <FIG>, an essential portion of one of the print heads <NUM> is enlarged. Each of the chips <NUM> includes two nozzle lines <NUM>, and each of the nozzle lines <NUM> includes a plurality of nozzles <NUM> arranged therein which individually eject ink IK. The two nozzle lines <NUM> included in each of the chips <NUM> may be assigned to ink IK of different colors. Furthermore, the eight chips <NUM> included in one print head <NUM> have the nozzle lines <NUM> of the same colors. Accordingly, one print head <NUM> may eject the ink IK of two colors.

For example, the ink ejection unit <NUM> may eject ink of cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K). Alternatively, the ink ejection unit <NUM> may eject the ink IK of light cyan, light magenta, orange, green, gray, light gray, white or the like or eject the ink IK, such as metallic colors. Furthermore, soakage prompting permeation of the ink IK to the print medium W may be ejected from the ink ejection unit <NUM>. Colors of the ink IK to be ejected are assigned to the chips <NUM> included in the ink ejection unit <NUM> in a unit of the nozzle line <NUM> and multi-color printing may be performed by the ink ejection unit <NUM>.

The print heads <NUM> are detachable from the carriage <NUM>. Specifically, the print heads <NUM> of the ink ejection unit <NUM> are replaceable. For example, when the number of nozzles <NUM> of ink ejection failure exceeds a predetermined number in the nozzle lines <NUM>, the print heads <NUM> are replaced to address the problem.

When one of the print heads <NUM> is replaced, alignment of the replaced print head <NUM> may be shifted from that of the other print heads <NUM>. The term "alignment" means inclination and a height of the nozzle surface 81A of the print head <NUM>. When a position of the replaced print head <NUM> in the carriage <NUM> does not match the print head <NUM> before the replacement, for example, a difference between the alignments, that is, an alignment shift occurs.

The alignment shift generates a shift of a timing when the ink IK ejected from the nozzles <NUM> impacts on a surface of the print medium W and invites a shift of a position of a dot to be formed by the ink IK on the print medium W. The alignment shift may include, in addition to a height and an inclination of the nozzle surface 81A, various elements affecting a position and a timing of impact of the ink IK ejected from the nozzles <NUM> on the print medium W.

To maintain high print quality, the alignment shift of the print head <NUM> is detected and correction is preferably performed such that the ink IK ejected from the replaced print head <NUM> forms a dot in the same position as a dot of the print head <NUM> before replacement.

Furthermore, the alignment shift of the print head <NUM> may occur due to not only replacement of the print head <NUM> but also aging of the print head <NUM>. Also in this case, it is effective that the alignment shift is detected and correction is performed where appropriate.

The printer <NUM> has a function of detecting an alignment shift with one or a plurality of print heads <NUM> as a unit. This function is referred to as examination of an alignment shift. Specifically, a test image is printed using the print head <NUM> to be examined, the printed image is read by the scan unit <NUM>, a position of dots formed by the print head <NUM> to be examined is examined. The test image is generated to cause all the nozzles <NUM> included in the print head <NUM> to be examined to form dots and is a so-called test pattern. In this examination, the print head <NUM> before replacement is used as a reference, and a difference between alignment of the print head <NUM> before the replacement and alignment of the replaced print head <NUM> is detected as a difference between positions of dots.

As a medium to be used in printing of a test pattern, the print medium W may be used but a medium different from the print medium W is preferably used. This is because transport in the transport direction H is required to be stopped to read the test pattern using the scan unit <NUM> and a portion in which the test pattern is printed is required to be removed or discarded, for example.

Furthermore, an examination target is one of the print heads <NUM> included in the ink ejection unit <NUM>, and therefore, a large medium covering the entire scanning direction K is not required for the printing of a test pattern.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the test medium <NUM> which is a cut sheet of a regular size is used for the printing of a test pattern when the alignment shift of the print head <NUM> is examined. The test medium <NUM> may be a plain paper or a so-called PPC sheet. Furthermore, a photo print sheet having characteristics of excellent absorbency and excellent retentivity of the ink IK and a characteristic of less ink bleeding may be used. The test medium <NUM> corresponds to an example of a second print medium of the present disclosure and the print medium W corresponds to an example of a first print medium of the present disclosure.

<FIG> is a plan view of an essential portion of the printer <NUM>. <FIG> is a diagram illustrating a state in which the print medium W is not mounted on the transport belt <NUM>.

The carriage <NUM> may be moved to a position deviated rightward from the print medium W in the scanning direction K. This position is referred to as a home position. In the home position, a maintenance mechanism is disposed to execute maintenance of the ink ejection unit <NUM>, such as flushing and cleaning, to suppress nozzle clog of the ink ejection unit <NUM>.

A region in which an image may be formed when the ink ejection unit <NUM> performs scanning in the scanning direction K is referred to as a print region A1 in <FIG>. The print region A1 indicates an outer edge of a print available region in the scanning direction K, and the print available region in the transport direction H is extended by movement of the transport belt <NUM>.

In <FIG>, the test medium <NUM> of an A3 size of <NUM> in height by <NUM> in width is used as an example.

The transport belt <NUM> is exposed outside the exterior package <NUM> in a position near the mounting end position I2, and therefore, the test medium <NUM> is mounted on the transport belt <NUM> in the vicinity of the mounting end position I2. An operation of mounting the test medium <NUM> is executed by an operator of the printer <NUM>. A position where the test medium <NUM> is mounted by the operator is a test medium set region A11. The test medium set region A11 is set in advance in a position where the test medium <NUM> is easily mounted by the operator.

The ink ejection unit <NUM> may print a test pattern irrespective of a position of the test medium <NUM> in the scanning direction K. Assuming that a print head 90A is to be examined, a region in which the print head 90A may perform printing in the scanning direction K is a print region A2 illustrated in <FIG>. However, a more preferred position of the test medium <NUM> may be determined in advance by examination in the scanning direction K taking smoothness of the transport belt <NUM> or the like into consideration.

<FIG> is a perspective view of the printer <NUM> when the printer <NUM> is viewed from a rear side.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the transport belt <NUM> is exposed from a rear end portion 15A of the exterior package <NUM> when the print medium W is not mounted on the transport belt <NUM>. The test medium set region A11 is set in a position where the transport belt <NUM> is exposed outside the exterior package <NUM>.

Markers <NUM> are positioned in an upper portion of the rear end portion 15A of the exterior package <NUM>. The markers <NUM> are a display section for indicating a position where the test medium <NUM> is to be mounted on the transport belt <NUM> for the operator. In the example of <FIG>, the two markers <NUM> indicating positions of opposite ends of the test medium <NUM> are disposed on the exterior package <NUM>. The markers <NUM> is at least visible in the exterior package <NUM>, and members of a shape of the markers <NUM> may be attached to the exterior package <NUM> or the markers <NUM> may be formed by painting or printing.

The markers <NUM> function as a position indication section indicating a position of the test medium <NUM> in the scanning direction K. Furthermore, since the markers <NUM> are disposed on the exterior package <NUM>, the markers <NUM> have a function of instructing mounting of the test medium <NUM> so as to align the test medium <NUM> to the rear end portion 15A. Accordingly, the markers <NUM> of this embodiment function as a position indication section indicating a position where the test medium <NUM> is set in the belt movement directions F1 and F2 and the scanning direction K.

Note that a position indication section indicating a position of the test medium <NUM> in the belt movement directions F1 and F2 other than the markers <NUM> may be disposed.

The positions of the markers <NUM> in the scanning direction K and the position of the print region A1 in the belt movement direction F1 are included in setting data <NUM> to be stored in a storage section <NUM>.

When the test medium <NUM> is mounted on the transport belt <NUM> by the operator such that the test medium <NUM> aligns in the positions indicated by the markers <NUM> in the test medium set region A11, an alignment shift of the print head 90A may be examined under a preferred condition.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the test medium set region A11 is positioned on a downstream of the ink ejection unit <NUM> in the belt movement direction F1. After the test medium <NUM> is mounted on the transport belt <NUM>, the printer <NUM> moves the transport belt <NUM> in the belt movement direction F2. Specifically, the transport belt <NUM> is transported in a direction opposite to a direction of printing on the print medium W so that the test medium <NUM> is moved to a print region A2. The printer <NUM> ejects ink from the print head 90A to be examined while causing the ink ejection unit <NUM> to perform scanning so that a test pattern is printed on the test medium <NUM>. Thereafter, the printer <NUM> moves the transport belt <NUM> in the belt movement direction F1 and transports the test medium <NUM> in the transport direction H while being aligned in the scan unit <NUM>. The printer <NUM> uses the scan unit <NUM> to read dots of the test pattern formed on the test medium <NUM> and detect positions of the dots so as to detect an alignment shift of the print head 90A to be examined. Furthermore, the printer <NUM> generates correction data for correcting the alignment shift of the print head 90A to be examined. The correction data of this embodiment is used to correct a timing when the ink IK is ejected from the nozzles <NUM> of the print head 90A to be examined when printing is performed on the print medium W. Use of the correction data may match a timing when the print head 90A to be examined ejects the ink IK with a timing of the other print heads <NUM>, and accordingly, deterioration of print quality caused by replacement of the print head <NUM> may be suppressed or prevented.

The transport belt <NUM> is formed by joining end portions of a rectangle sheet as described above, and a joint portion of the sheet has a thickness and rigidity which are different from those of the other portions. This portion is referred to as a joint <NUM> and is illustrated in <FIG>. The joint <NUM> extends in a width direction of the transport belt <NUM>, that is, a lateral direction of the printer <NUM>. The joint <NUM> corresponds to an example of a joint section of the present disclosure.

In examination of an alignment shift of the print heads <NUM>, when the test medium <NUM> is mounted on a position overlapping with the joint <NUM>, the test medium <NUM> may be slightly distorted or roughness may be generated on the test medium <NUM>, and the distortion or the roughness may affect accuracy of the examination. Therefore, the printer <NUM> moves the transport belt <NUM> such that the joint <NUM> is not included in the test medium set region A11 when the test medium <NUM> is mounted on the transport belt <NUM>.

<FIG> is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the printer <NUM>.

The printer <NUM> includes the controller <NUM>.

The controller <NUM> includes a processor <NUM> executing programs, such as a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), or a micro processing unit (MPU) and controls various sections in the printer <NUM>. The controller <NUM> executes various processes in cooperation with hardware and software so that the processor <NUM> reads and executes a control program <NUM> stored in the storage section <NUM>. The control program <NUM> corresponds to an example of a control program. Furthermore, the processor <NUM> functions as an input detection section <NUM>, a print controller <NUM>, a driving controller <NUM>, a display controller <NUM>, and a detection controller <NUM> when reading and executing the control program <NUM>.

The storage section <NUM> includes a storage region storing programs to be executed by the processor <NUM> and data to be processed by the processor <NUM>. The storage section <NUM> stores the control program <NUM> to be executed by the processor <NUM> and the setting data <NUM> including various setting values associated with operation of the printer <NUM>.

The storage section <NUM> includes a nonvolatile storage region storing programs and data in a nonvolatile manner. Alternatively, the storage section <NUM> may include a volatile storage region temporarily storing programs to be executed by the processor <NUM> and data to be processed.

A print section <NUM>, a communication section <NUM>, and an operation section <NUM> are coupled to the controller <NUM>. The print section <NUM> includes a print unit <NUM>, the transport mechanism <NUM>, a carriage driving mechanism <NUM>, the dry unit <NUM>, the medium sensor <NUM>, the scan unit <NUM>, and the belt sensor <NUM>.

The controller <NUM> controls the ink ejection unit <NUM>. Each of the print heads <NUM> of the ink ejection unit <NUM> includes a mechanism for ejecting the ink IK from the nozzles <NUM> using a piezoelectric element or a heat element and ejects the ink IK under control of the controller <NUM>.

The transport mechanism <NUM> is used to transport the print medium W and includes the delivery device <NUM>, the driven rollers 10A, 10B, and 10C, the transport rollers 3A and 3B, the transport belt <NUM>, and the reeling device <NUM>, and further includes the transport motor <NUM> driving these sections. The controller <NUM> controls driving, stop, a rotation direction, and a rotation amount of the transport motor <NUM>. Furthermore, the controller <NUM> may control a rotation speed of the transport motor <NUM>. The transport motor <NUM> corresponds to an example of a driving section of the present disclosure.

The carriage driving mechanism <NUM> is used to reciprocate the carriage <NUM> in the scanning direction K and includes a carriage motor <NUM> serving as a driving source and a linear encoder <NUM> detecting a position of the carriage <NUM> in the scanning direction K. The controller <NUM> detects a position of the carriage <NUM> based on an output of the linear encoder <NUM> and controls the carriage motor <NUM> so as to move the carriage <NUM>. Furthermore, the carriage driving mechanism <NUM> may include a guide member guiding a movement of the carriage <NUM> and a gear and a link transmitting power of the carriage motor <NUM> to the carriage <NUM>. Furthermore, when the controller <NUM> may specify a position of the carriage <NUM> based on an operation amount of the carriage motor <NUM>, the linear encoder <NUM> may be omitted.

The controller <NUM> controls a heater of the dry unit <NUM> to be turned on or off and a heat temperature of the heater. The controller <NUM> obtains a detection value of the medium sensor <NUM> so as to detect whether the print medium W has been mounted on the transport belt <NUM>. The controller <NUM> obtains a detection value of the scan unit <NUM> so as to analyze an image read by the scan unit <NUM>. For example, the controller <NUM> specifies positions of dots formed by the nozzles <NUM> in the image read by the scan unit <NUM> so as to detect an alignment shift. The controller <NUM> obtains a detection value of the belt sensor <NUM> so as to detect a distance between the belt sensor <NUM> and the transport belt <NUM> and/or a change in the distance. The scan unit <NUM> corresponds to an example of a belt pattern detection section according to the present disclosure, and the belt sensor <NUM> corresponds to an example of a distance detection section according to the present disclosure.

The communication section <NUM> is configured by communication hardware including a connector based on a predetermined communication standard and an interface circuit, and communicates with an external apparatus of the printer <NUM> under control of the controller <NUM>. Examples of the external apparatus of the printer <NUM> include a computer and a server apparatus. When receiving image data <NUM> from the external apparatus through the communication section <NUM>, the controller <NUM> stores the received image data <NUM> in the storage section <NUM>. Furthermore, when receiving job data <NUM> for instructing printing from the external apparatus through the communication section <NUM>, the controller <NUM> stores the received job data <NUM> in the storage section <NUM>. A communication method employed in the communication section <NUM> may be a wired communication or a wireless communication and a type of the communication standard may be appropriately selected.

The operation section <NUM> receives an operation performed by the operator of the printer <NUM>. Although the operation section <NUM> including a keyboard <NUM>, a touch panel <NUM>, and a display <NUM> is illustrated as an example in <FIG>, the operation section <NUM> may include other input devices.

The keyboard <NUM> has a plurality of keys operated by the operator and outputs operation data indicating an operated key to the controller <NUM>. The display <NUM> includes a display screen, such as a liquid display panel, and displays various information associated with operations of the printer <NUM> under control of the controller <NUM>. The touch panel <NUM> disposed on the display screen of the display <NUM> in an overlapping manner detects a touch operation on the display screen and outputs operation data indicating a touched position to the controller <NUM>.

The storage section <NUM> stores, in addition to the control program <NUM> and the setting data <NUM>, the image data <NUM>, the job data <NUM>, belt position data <NUM>, detection data <NUM>, and head correction data <NUM>.

The image data <NUM> corresponds to an image printed by the printer <NUM> and includes an image of a test pattern printed in examination of an alignment shift. The job data <NUM> indicates a print job to be executed by the printer <NUM>. The belt position data <NUM> indicates a position of the joint <NUM> of the transport belt <NUM> in a circumferential direction. The belt position data <NUM> may indicate a distance from a reference position of the transport belt <NUM> to the joint <NUM>, for example. Furthermore, the belt position data <NUM> may indicate a relative position of the current joint <NUM> relative to positions of the ink ejection unit <NUM> and the exterior package <NUM>, the mounting start position I1, the mounting end position I2, and the like.

The detection data <NUM> includes detection values and data output from the various sensors including the medium sensor <NUM>, the scan unit <NUM>, and the belt sensor <NUM>. The detection data <NUM> includes a detection value of the medium sensor <NUM>, an image read by the scan unit <NUM>, and a detection value of the belt sensor <NUM>, for example.

The head correction data <NUM> is used to correct operation of the print heads <NUM> and generated based on a result of examination of an alignment shift. For example, the head correction data <NUM> is used to shift a timing when the print head <NUM> ejects the ink IK from an initial value.

The input detection section <NUM> detects an input operation performed by the operator based on operation data input by the operation section <NUM> and obtains input content. The input detection section <NUM> processes data received through the communication section <NUM>. When receiving the image data <NUM> and the job data <NUM> through the communication section <NUM>, the input detection section <NUM> stores the received data in the storage section <NUM>.

The print controller <NUM> controls the print section <NUM> in accordance with the job data <NUM> and executes printing on the print medium W using the print section <NUM>.

Furthermore, the print controller <NUM> executes examination of an alignment shift of the print head <NUM>. When detecting replacement of one of the print heads <NUM> in the ink ejection unit <NUM> by control on the ink ejection unit <NUM> or an input to the operation section <NUM>, the print controller <NUM> specifies the print head <NUM> to be examined and performs examination of an alignment shift. The print controller <NUM> prints a test pattern using the print head <NUM> to be examined, causes the scan unit <NUM> to read an image of the test pattern, generates head correction data <NUM> based on the read image, and stores the head correction data <NUM> in the storage section <NUM>. The print controller <NUM> corresponds to an example of a specifying section according to the present disclosure.

The driving controller <NUM> controls the transport motor <NUM> so as to control a movement direction and a movement amount of the transport belt <NUM> and transport of the print medium W. Furthermore, the driving controller <NUM> controls the carriage motor <NUM> based on a detection value of the linear encoder <NUM> so as to control scanning of the carriage <NUM>. The driving controller <NUM> operates the carriage <NUM> and the transport belt <NUM> at a timing when the print controller <NUM> drives the ink ejection unit <NUM> when printing is performed on the print medium W.

The driving controller <NUM> drives the transport motor <NUM> so as to move the transport belt <NUM> when examination of an alignment shift of the print head <NUM> is executed. For example, the driving controller <NUM> performs control such that the transport belt <NUM> is moved so that the joint <NUM> does not overlap with the test medium set region A11. Furthermore, the driving controller <NUM> performs control such that the test medium <NUM> is moved to the print region A1 and control such that the test medium <NUM> on which a test pattern is printed is moved to a position of the scan unit <NUM>, for example.

The display controller <NUM> controls the display <NUM> so as to display various images.

The detection controller <NUM> controls the medium sensor <NUM>, the scan unit <NUM>, and the belt sensor <NUM> so as to obtain detection values of the sensors and a read image to be stored in the storage section <NUM> as detection data <NUM>.

<FIG> is a flowchart of an operation of the printer <NUM> and the operation is associated with examination of an alignment shift.

The operation illustrated in <FIG> is executed under control of the processor <NUM>, step S11 to step S15, step S17 and step S18, and step S21 and step S22 correspond to operations of the print controller <NUM>, and step S16 and step S18 correspond to operations of the driving controller <NUM>. Step S19 corresponds to operations of the print controller <NUM> and the driving controller <NUM>, and step S20 corresponds to operations of the print controller <NUM> and the detection controller <NUM>.

When detecting replacement of one of the print heads <NUM> (step S11), the controller <NUM> specifies one of the print heads <NUM> which is a target of examination of an alignment shift (step S12).

The controller <NUM> specifies a position of the joint <NUM> of the transport belt <NUM> (step S13) and determines whether the test medium set region A11 overlaps with the joint <NUM> (step S14). When it is determined that the test medium set region A11 overlaps with the joint <NUM> (step S14; YES), the controller <NUM> calculates and determines a movement amount of the transport belt <NUM> required until the joint <NUM> moves out of the test medium set region A11 (step S15). The controller <NUM> cause the transport motor <NUM> to perform normal rotation in accordance with the movement amount determined in step S15, moves the transport belt <NUM> in the belt movement direction F1, and stops the transport motor <NUM> (step S16). In step S15, the transport motor <NUM> may be rotated in a reversed direction so that the transport belt <NUM> is moved in the belt movement direction F2.

The controller <NUM> determines whether the test medium <NUM> has been mounted on the test medium set region A11 by the operator (step S17) and waits until the test medium <NUM> is mounted (step S17; NO). For example, the operator inputs information indicating the completion of setting of the test medium <NUM> by operating the operation section <NUM> after the test medium <NUM> is mounted on the transport belt <NUM>. When the setting of the test medium <NUM> is completed (step S17; YES), the controller <NUM> reversely rotates the transport motor <NUM> so as to move the transport belt <NUM> in the belt movement direction F2 and transports the test medium <NUM> (step S18). In step S18, the test medium <NUM> is transported to the print region A2 which is a print position of the print head <NUM> to be examined.

The controller <NUM> causes the print head <NUM> to be examined to print a test pattern (step S19). The controller <NUM> prints the test pattern in accordance with the markers <NUM> with reference to the setting data <NUM>. After the printing, the controller <NUM> causes the scan unit <NUM> to read the test pattern printed on the test medium <NUM> (step S20). The controller <NUM> may operate the transport motor <NUM> so that the test medium <NUM> is transported to a reading position of the scan unit <NUM> before executing the process in step S20.

The controller <NUM> analyzes the image read by the scan unit <NUM> so as to detect an alignment shift of the print head <NUM> to be examined (step S21). In step S21, the controller <NUM> specifies positions of the dots formed by the print head <NUM> to be examined and obtains a shift of the positions of the dots relative to a reference positions so as to obtain an alignment shift. When the controller <NUM> detects replacement of one of the print heads <NUM>, for example, a shift amount of positions of dots formed by the print head <NUM> before the replacement and the positions of the dots formed by the print head <NUM> to be examined is calculated.

The controller <NUM> generates head correction data <NUM> for correction of the alignment shift and stores the head correction data <NUM> in the storage section <NUM> as correction data for the print head <NUM> to be examined. For example, the controller <NUM> calculates a correction value at an ejection timing corresponding to a shift amount of the positions of the dots obtained in step S21 and determines the correction value as the head correction data <NUM>.

The print controller <NUM> controls a timing when the print head <NUM> ejects the ink IK with reference to the head correction data <NUM> when performing normal printing on the print medium W in accordance with the job data <NUM>.

As described above, the printer <NUM> of the first embodiment to which the present disclosure is applied includes the print heads <NUM> ejecting ink to the print medium W and the test medium <NUM> and the transport belt <NUM> on which the print medium W and the test medium <NUM> are mounted. The printer <NUM> includes the transport motor <NUM> transporting the print medium W or the test medium <NUM> by moving the transport belt <NUM> and the print controller <NUM> specifying one of the print heads <NUM> to be adjusted using a test pattern. The printer <NUM> further includes the markers <NUM> indicating a position of the test medium <NUM> when a test pattern is printed and the driving controller <NUM> controlling the transport motor <NUM>. The driving controller <NUM> adjusts a position of the test medium <NUM> by controlling the transport motor <NUM> in accordance with the print head <NUM> to be examined specified by the print controller <NUM>.

According to a method for controlling the printer <NUM>, when the print head <NUM> to be examined using the test pattern is specified, the transport belt <NUM> is moved in accordance with the specified print head <NUM> to be examined so that a position of the test medium <NUM> is adjusted.

The control program <NUM> moves the transport belt <NUM>, when the print head <NUM> to be examined using the test pattern is specified by the controller <NUM>, in accordance with the specified print head to be examined and adjusts a position of the test medium <NUM>.

The printer <NUM> employing the print apparatus, the method for controlling the print apparatus, and the control program according to the present disclosure may adjust a position of the test medium <NUM> to a position corresponding to the print head <NUM> to be examined. Therefore, restriction of a position where the test medium <NUM> is to be set when the print head <NUM> is controlled and a size of the test medium <NUM> is relaxed and control may be more easily performed on the print head <NUM>.

For example, when the print head <NUM> is examined, the test medium <NUM> may be set in a position separated from a print position of the print head <NUM> to be examined. Furthermore, a size of the test medium <NUM> is at least sufficient for printing of the test pattern, for example, and may be smaller than a size of the print region A1 in the scanning direction K. Accordingly, a load of examination on the print head <NUM> may be reduced. Furthermore, since the restriction on a size and a position of the test medium <NUM> is relaxed, a degree of freedom of selection of the test medium <NUM> is enhanced. For example, when the test medium <NUM> more suitable for printing of the test pattern than the print medium W is used, accuracy of examination and adjustment using the test pattern may be enhanced.

In particular, when the printer <NUM> is a large print apparatus performing printing on the print medium W having a width in a range from <NUM> to <NUM> or more, it is not easy to prepare the test medium <NUM> of a size equivalent to a size of the print medium W. Furthermore, when the print medium W is fabric and the print medium W is used for printing of a test pattern, an operation of removing a portion including a printed test pattern from the print medium W reeled by the reeling device <NUM> is required. Furthermore, cost of the print medium W consumed for the adjustment is not negligible. Furthermore, it is not easy to accurately detect positions of dots formed on the fabric using the scan unit <NUM> and detect an alignment shift. The scan unit <NUM> is positioned on an upstream of the dry unit <NUM> in the transport direction H, and therefore, dots of a test pattern are detected in the print medium W before being dried by the dry unit <NUM> and it is difficult to enhance detection accuracy.

When the printer <NUM> may use the test medium <NUM> smaller than the print medium W at a time of adjustment and examination of the print head <NUM>, the problem described above is solved. Specifically, when the test medium <NUM> of a regular size which is inexpensive and has handleability is used, the print medium W is not consumed for printing a test pattern and cost and a load of adjustment of the print head <NUM> may be reduced. Furthermore, the position where the test medium <NUM> is set is not limited to the position of the carriage <NUM> and may be outside the exterior package <NUM>, and in this case, an operation load of the operator may be considerably reduced. Furthermore, the test medium <NUM> is set to the transport belt <NUM> on which the print medium W is not mounted. Therefore, it is advantageous in that the print head <NUM> after replacement may be adjusted in a state in which the print medium W is removed from the printer <NUM> before the print head <NUM> is replaced. Furthermore, when the test medium <NUM> which is excellent in absorbency of the ink IK and clarity of dots is used, positions of dots may be detected with high accuracy. Accordingly, when the present disclosure is employed in a large sized printer <NUM> performing printing on a large sized print medium W, loads of examination and adjustment using a test pattern are reduced and accuracy is highly effectively enhanced.

The printer <NUM> includes the scan unit <NUM> detecting a test pattern printed on the test medium <NUM>, and the driving controller <NUM> may detect an alignment shift of the print head <NUM> based on a detection result of the scan unit <NUM>. With this configuration, an alignment shift may be detected with high accuracy by printing a test pattern on the test medium <NUM> and detecting the printed test pattern.

The printer <NUM> includes a plurality of print heads <NUM> and the print controller <NUM> specifies a replaced one of the print heads <NUM> as a print head <NUM> to be examined. The print head <NUM> to be examined corresponds to a replaced head. With this configuration, print quality may be maintained even after an alignment shift occurring due to replacement of the print head <NUM> is detected and the print head <NUM> is replaced.

The print head <NUM> may perform printing on the print medium W for image printing and the test medium <NUM> on which a test pattern is to be printed and which is different from the print medium W. When an image is printed on the print medium W using the print heads <NUM>, the driving controller <NUM> transports the print medium W by moving the transport belt <NUM> in the belt movement direction F1. When the test medium <NUM> is moved to a position of the print head <NUM> specified by the print controller <NUM> to print a test pattern, the driving controller <NUM> moves the transport belt <NUM> in the belt movement direction F2 which is different from the belt movement direction F1. With this configuration, the transport belt <NUM> is moved in a direction different from that in printing on the print medium W so that the test medium <NUM> is positioned in the print head <NUM>. Accordingly, a degree of freedom of a position where the test medium <NUM> is set is enhanced, and a load of an operation of setting the test medium <NUM> performed by the operator may be reduced.

A position of the test medium <NUM> specified by the markers <NUM> may be positioned on a downstream of the print heads <NUM> in the belt movement direction F1. With this configuration, a load of the operation of setting the test medium <NUM> performed by the operator may be further reduced.

The test medium <NUM> is a cut sheet of a regular size, and the printer <NUM> detects an alignment shift of the print head <NUM> by optically reading a test pattern printed on the test medium <NUM>. Since the test medium <NUM> is a regular size, the test medium <NUM> which is excellent in color development of a test pattern may be used. Accordingly, an alignment shift may be detected with higher accuracy.

The printer <NUM> includes the transport belt <NUM> processed in an endless shape by coupling opposite ends of a long belt member. The driving controller <NUM> moves the belt before the print medium W is mounted when the joint <NUM> of the transport belt <NUM> is positioned in a predetermined range from a position of the test medium <NUM> specified by the markers <NUM>, or the test medium set region A11, for example. With this configuration, the test medium <NUM> may be set in a portion other than the joint <NUM> of the transport belt <NUM> and adjustment of an alignment shift may be performed with higher accuracy.

<FIG> is a plan view of an essential portion of a printer <NUM> according to a second embodiment, and a graph of a detection result of a belt sensor <NUM> is additionally illustrated.

A configuration of the printer <NUM> according to the second embodiment is the same as the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, an operation of detecting a height of a viscosity surface of a transport belt <NUM> using the belt sensor <NUM> and using the detected height in adjustment of an alignment shift which is performed by the printer <NUM> will be described as an example.

The belt sensor <NUM> emits light to the transport belt <NUM> beneath a carriage <NUM> and detects reflection light so as to detect a distance between the belt sensor <NUM> and the transport belt <NUM>. The carriage <NUM> may perform scanning in a constant height along a guide, not illustrated, described above. Therefore, a distance detected by the belt sensor <NUM> indicates a change in the height of the surface of the transport belt <NUM>.

It is assumed that the belt sensor <NUM> performs detection in a region indicated by a reference symbol A12 in <FIG>. A region to be detected A12 extends in a scanning direction K, and the belt sensor <NUM> performs detection on the region to be detected A12 while being moved in the scanning direction K. When a detection value of the belt sensor <NUM> is associated with a position in the scanning direction K, a distribution SG of heights of the transport belt <NUM> in the scanning direction K is obtained as indicated by a reference character D in <FIG>.

A flatness degree of the transport belt <NUM> may be different depending on a position in the belt movement direction F1. Therefore, the region to be detected A12 is preferably included in a test medium set region A11 set in advance.

When a change in the height of the transport belt <NUM> is small in the position where the test medium <NUM> is set, distortion of the test medium <NUM> is small, and therefore, an alignment shift may be detected with higher accuracy. Therefore, the printer <NUM> selects a region in which a change in height of the transport belt <NUM> is small in the detected region A12, that is, a region of high flatness degree in the transport belt <NUM>, in accordance with a result of the detection of the height of the transport belt <NUM> in the detected region A12 and determines the region as a position where the test medium <NUM> is to be mounted. This region is referred to as a test medium set region A15. A size of the test medium set region A15 in the scanning direction K is set in accordance with a size of the test medium <NUM> in a width direction. In the test medium set region A15, a height range G1 of the transport belt <NUM> is smaller than the other portions in the detected region A12 and a high flatness degree is attained.

In this way, the printer <NUM> sets the test medium set region A15 having a high flatness degree of the transport belt <NUM> in accordance with the result of the detection using the belt sensor <NUM> in the test medium set region A11. By this, an alignment shift of the print heads <NUM> may be examined with higher accuracy.

<FIG> is a flowchart of an operation of the printer <NUM> according to the second embodiment. In <FIG>, the same step numbers are assigned to processes the same as those of the operations of the first embodiment illustrated in <FIG> and descriptions thereof are omitted. In the operation illustrated in <FIG>, step S31 and step S34 correspond to operations of the print controller <NUM>, and step S32 and step S35 correspond to operations of the driving controller <NUM>. Step S33 corresponds to an operation of the detection controller <NUM>, and step S36 corresponds to an operation of the display controller <NUM>.

After a position of the joint <NUM> is specified in step S13, the controller <NUM> calculates a movement amount of the transport belt <NUM> based on a position of the joint <NUM> and a detection position of the belt sensor <NUM> (step S31). Specifically, the test medium set region A11 is set in a position shifted from the joint 41and a movement amount of the transport belt <NUM> is calculated such that the test medium set region A11 is positioned beneath the belt sensor <NUM> (step S31).

The controller <NUM> rotates the transport motor <NUM> in a normal direction based on the movement amount calculated in step S31 so as to move the transport belt <NUM> in the belt movement direction F1 (step S32). In step S32, the controller <NUM> may rotate the transport motor <NUM> in a reversed direction so as to move the transport belt <NUM> in the belt movement direction F2.

The controller <NUM> causes the carriage <NUM> to perform scanning so that the belt sensor <NUM> detects the detected region A12 and obtains a result of the detection (step S33). The result of the detection obtained in step S33 is associated with a position of the carriage <NUM> detected by the linear encoder <NUM> so that a height distribution SG is obtained.

The controller <NUM> specifies the test medium set region A15 based on the detection result obtained in step S33 and a size of the test medium <NUM> set in advance (step S34). The controller <NUM> stores a position of the test medium set region A15 in the storage section <NUM> as a portion of the setting data <NUM>.

The controller <NUM> drives the transport motor <NUM> so that the test medium set region A11 including the detected region A12 reaches a position where the test medium <NUM> is set by an operator and moves the transport belt <NUM> (step S35). For example, the test medium set region A11 moves the transport belt <NUM> until the transport belt <NUM> reaches the rear end portion 15A.

The controller <NUM> guides the test medium set region A15 specified in step S34 for the operator (step S36). For example, the controller <NUM> causes the display <NUM> to display a screen guiding the position of the test medium <NUM>.

<FIG> is a diagram of a display example of the display <NUM> according to the second embodiment.

In the display example of <FIG>, appearance of the printer <NUM> and a guide image <NUM> indicating a set position of the test medium <NUM> in the printer <NUM> are displayed. Furthermore, a message <NUM> guiding that the test medium <NUM> is to be set in a position indicated by the guide image <NUM> is displayed for the operator. In this case, the display <NUM> corresponds to an example of a position indication section according to the present disclosure.

The controller <NUM> determines whether the test medium <NUM> has been mounted on the test medium set region A11 by the operator (step S17) and waits until the test medium <NUM> is mounted (step S17; NO). When the setting of the test medium <NUM> is completed (step S17; YES), the controller <NUM> reversely rotates the transport motor <NUM> so as to move the transport belt <NUM> in the belt movement direction F2 and transports the test medium <NUM> (step S18). In step S18, the test medium <NUM> is transported to the print region A2 which is a print position of the print head <NUM> to be examined. Thereafter, as with the operation illustrated with reference to <FIG>, the controller <NUM> causes the print head <NUM> to print a test pattern, causes the scan unit <NUM> to read the printed test pattern, and generates head correction data <NUM>.

According to the printer <NUM> of the second embodiment to which the present disclosure is applied, operation effects of the first embodiment are obtained.

Furthermore, the printer <NUM> includes the carriage <NUM> which performs scanning in a direction intersecting with the belt movement directions F1 and F2 of the transport belt <NUM> and the belt sensor <NUM> which is mounted on the carriage <NUM> and which detects a distance between a reference position and a surface of the belt. The driving controller <NUM> specifies the test medium set region A15 which satisfies a condition in which a flatness degree of the transport belt <NUM> is set based on the detection result of the belt sensor <NUM> obtained while the carriage <NUM> is performing scanning. Accordingly, since the position of the test medium <NUM> is determined while a state of the transport belt <NUM> obtained when the print head <NUM> is adjusted is reflected, the print head <NUM> may be adjusted with higher accuracy.

The foregoing embodiments are concrete examples to which the present disclosure is applied and the present disclosure is not limited to these.

For example, when the operation of the first embodiment described above is performed, it is not necessarily the case that the printer <NUM> includes the belt sensor <NUM> and the belt sensor <NUM> may be omitted.

Furthermore, although the printer <NUM> includes the ink ejection unit <NUM> having the plurality of print heads <NUM> according to the first and second embodiments, the present disclosure is not limited to this and the present disclosure may be applied to a print apparatus including a single print head <NUM>.

Furthermore, in the second embodiment, a method for guiding a position of the test medium set region A15 for the operator is not limited to display by the display <NUM>. For example, a display screen and a light emitting diode (LED) indicator may be disposed on a surface of the exterior package <NUM> near the rear end portion 15A so that a position of the test medium <NUM> may be guided by display of the display screen and the LED indicator. Furthermore, data indicating a position of the test medium set region A15 may be transmitted from the printer <NUM> to another computer installed in a position far away from the printer <NUM>. In this case, the other computer which has received the data from the printer <NUM> may display a screen for guiding the position of the test medium <NUM>.

Although the printer <NUM> which prints an image by transporting the rolled print medium W is taken as an example in the foregoing embodiments, the present disclosure is not limited to this. The present disclosure may be applied to a print apparatus which performs printing by holding the print medium W, such as fabric, to be printed in a fixed manner and causing the ink ejection unit <NUM> to be moved relative to the print medium W. The present disclosure may be applied to a so-called garment printer which fixes cloth or sewing fabric as the print medium W and performs printing by ejecting ink to the print medium W. Furthermore, the present disclosure may be applied to the print apparatus performing printing on not only fabric but also knit fabric, paper, a sheet of synthetic resin.

Furthermore, the present disclosure may be applied not only an apparatus solely used as a print apparatus but also an apparatus having functions in addition to a print function, such as a multifunction peripheral having a copy function and a scan function and a POS terminal apparatus.

Furthermore, the printer <NUM> may be an apparatus using the ink IK which is hardened by irradiation with ultraviolet light, and in this case, the printer <NUM> may include an ultraviolet irradiation device instead of the dry unit <NUM>. Furthermore, the printer <NUM> may include a cleaning device cleaning the print medium W dried by the dry unit <NUM>, and detailed configuration of the printer <NUM> may be arbitrarily changed.

Furthermore, the functional sections included in the controller <NUM> may be configured as the control programs <NUM> to be executed by the processor <NUM> as described above, and may be realized by hardware circuits incorporating the control programs <NUM> therein. Moreover, the control programs <NUM> may be received by the printer <NUM> from a server apparatus or the like through a transmission medium.

Furthermore, the functions of the controller <NUM> may be realized by a plurality of processors or semiconductor chips.

Claim 1:
A print apparatus (<NUM>) comprising:
a print head (<NUM>) for ejecting ink (<NUM>) to a print medium (W,<NUM>);
a belt (<NUM>) on which the print medium (W, <NUM>) is capable of being mounted;
a driving section (<NUM>) configured to transport the print medium, when mounted on the belt (<NUM>), by moving the belt (<NUM>);
a specifying section (<NUM>) configured to specify the print head to be adjusted using a test pattern;
a position indication section (<NUM>) configured to instruct a position of the print medium when the test pattern is printed on the print medium; and
a driving controller (<NUM>) configured to control the driving section,
wherein the driving controller (<NUM>) adjusts a position of the print medium by controlling the driving section (<NUM>) relative to the print head to be adjusted specified by the specifying section (<NUM>); and
wherein the print head (<NUM>) is configured to perform printing on a first print medium (W) for image printing and a second print medium (<NUM>) which is the print medium on which the test pattern is to be printed and which is different from the first print medium,
wherein the driving controller (<NUM>) moves the belt (<NUM>) in a first direction (F1) so as to transport the first print medium when the print head prints an image on the first print medium, and
characterised in that
the belt (<NUM>) is moved in a second direction (F2) which is different from the first direction when the second print medium (<NUM>) is moved to a position of the print head (<NUM>) specified by the specifying section (<NUM>) so that the test pattern is printed.