Abstract: After the end of initial processing, such as a setting of a priority mode, a print schedule (a job execution schedule and a roll paper loading schedule) is created in consideration of the type, the remaining amount, and the like of roll paper loaded in each of a plurality of slots constituting an autochanger. Then, a possible loading time is obtained, which is a time at which roll paper can be loaded into a loading target slot that is a slot in which the roll paper is to be loaded during execution of continuous printing.

Abstract: After the end of initial processing, such as a setting of a priority mode, a print schedule (a job execution schedule and a roll paper loading schedule) is created in consideration of the type, the remaining amount, and the like of roll paper loaded in each of a plurality of slots constituting an autochanger. Then, a possible loading time is obtained, which is a time at which roll paper can be loaded into a loading target slot that is a slot in which the roll paper is to be loaded during execution of continuous printing.

Abstract: A printing system including a printing unit and an imaging unit is provided with: a defect detection unit that detects a defect included in a captured image; a defective nozzle position candidate extraction unit that extracts N position candidates as candidates for a position of a defective nozzle based on the position of the defect; a first correction unit that performs a defect correction process; and a defective nozzle identification unit that identifies the defective nozzle. The first correction unit performs the defect correction process while sequentially setting only N nozzles corresponding to the N position candidates one by one as a correction target nozzle. The defective nozzle identification unit identifies the defective nozzle based on the position of the defect detected by the defect detection unit based on the corrected image.

Abstract: A bottle for ink supply is shipped with a two-dimensional code attached to the bottle, individual information being embedded in the two-dimensional code. A user reads the two-dimensional code with a portable information terminal and thereby transmits the individual information to a management server. If there is no fraud or problem, the management server transmits a passcode to the portable information terminal. When the bottle is placed in a bottle storing unit, the two-dimensional code is read by a two-dimensional code reader, and a passcode is created based on the individual information embedded in the two-dimensional code. Only when the passcode matches the passcode registered by the user, ink in the bottle becomes ready to use.

Abstract: An ink-jet printing device according to the present invention includes at least one nozzle configured to discharge an ink droplet onto a recording medium conveyed in a conveyance direction, and a control unit to control flushing operation of the nozzle. Candidate regions are disposed at a plurality of places separated from each other in a conveyance direction of a cut sheet. The control unit controls the nozzle to perform the flushing operation in the candidate regions at a plurality of places in the conveyance direction of the cut sheet. With this configuration, the ink jet printing device can efficiently perform the flushing operation on a recording medium with reduced restriction on imposition.

Abstract: A bottle for ink supply is shipped with a two-dimensional code attached to the bottle, individual information being embedded in the two-dimensional code. A user reads the two-dimensional code with a portable information terminal and thereby transmits the individual information to a management server. If there is no fraud or problem, the management server transmits a passcode to the portable information terminal. When the bottle is placed in a bottle storing unit, the two-dimensional code is read by a two-dimensional code reader, and a passcode is created based on the individual information embedded in the two-dimensional code. Only when the passcode matches the passcode registered by the user, ink in the bottle becomes ready to use.

Abstract: A bottle for ink supply is shipped with a two-dimensional code attached to the bottle, individual information being embedded in the two-dimensional code. A user reads the two-dimensional code with a portable information terminal and thereby transmits the individual information to a management server. If there is no fraud or problem, the management server transmits a passcode to the portable information terminal. When the bottle is placed in a bottle storing unit, the two-dimensional code is read by a two-dimensional code reader, and a passcode is created based on the individual information embedded in the two-dimensional code. Only when the passcode matches the passcode registered by the user, ink in the bottle becomes ready to use.

Abstract: An ink-jet printing device according to the present invention includes at least one nozzle configured to discharge an ink droplet onto a recording medium conveyed in a conveyance direction, and a control unit to control flushing operation of the nozzle. Candidate regions are disposed at a plurality of places separated from each other in a conveyance direction of a cut sheet. The control unit controls the nozzle to perform the flushing operation in the candidate regions at a plurality of places in the conveyance direction of the cut sheet. With this configuration, the ink jet printing device can efficiently perform the flushing operation on a recording medium with reduced restriction on imposition.

Abstract: A replacing unit replaces lower bits of tone values expressed in binary numbers of the specific pixels of source image data with additional information needed in a print data creating process in a printing machine. That is, least significant bits of the tone values expressed in binary numbers of specific pixels of the source image data after RIP processing are replaced with information to be communicated to the printing machine. As the information to be communicated to the printing machine, there is multi-SPM selection information used in a halftone dot process in the printing machine.

Abstract: A bottle for ink supply is shipped with a two-dimensional code attached to the bottle, individual information being embedded in the two-dimensional code. A user reads the two-dimensional code with a portable information terminal and thereby transmits the individual information to a management server. If there is no fraud or problem, the management server transmits a passcode to the portable information terminal. When the bottle is placed in a bottle storing unit, the two-dimensional code is read by a two-dimensional code reader, and a passcode is created based on the individual information embedded in the two-dimensional code. Only when the passcode matches the passcode registered by the user, ink in the bottle becomes ready to use.

Abstract: In printing image data for printing a color chart with a printing machine, instead of using a TAC value which is a total of CMYK values given to one pixel as a limit of ink amount supplied to a printing medium as done conventionally, creation of a color chart having a large color gamut is realized by considering and adjusting the amount of inks per unit area actually consumed at the time of printing and drying performance of each ink.

Abstract: In printing image data for printing a color chart with a printing machine, instead of using a TAC value which is a total of CMYK values given to one pixel as a limit of ink amount supplied to a printing medium as done conventionally, creation of a color chart having a large color gamut is realized by considering and adjusting the amount of inks per unit area actually consumed at the time of printing and drying performance of each ink.

Abstract: A replacing unit replaces lower bits of tone values expressed in binary numbers of the specific pixels of source image data with additional information needed in a print data creating process in a printing machine. That is, least significant bits of the tone values expressed in binary numbers of specific pixels of the source image data after RIP processing are replaced with information to be communicated to the printing machine. As the information to be communicated to the printing machine, there is multi-SPM selection information used in a halftone dot process in the printing machine.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a technique which is capable of always achieving excellent print quality even in any use environment. In order to attain this object, a provisional print read data acquisition part displays provisional print read data which is acquired by reading a provisional printed matter, on a display part. When a user selects a position in the provisional printed matter through a provisional print read data display screen on which the provisional print read data is displayed, a selected position corresponding head specifying part specifies a head which performs printing on the selected position which is received and determines the head as a head to be corrected. A density correction part corrects the density of a printing area of which the head to be corrected is in charge.

Abstract: A printed tone control method for adjusting a printed color tone by comparing image data serving as a reference and image data obtained by reading an image from a print actually made by a printing machine. The method includes a representative point setting step for setting a representative point for use in control of the color tone based on image data, an alternative representative point setting step for setting an alternative representative point that satisfies a predetermined condition when a point inappropriate for tone measurement is selected as the representative point, and a tone adjusting step for adjusting the color tone by using the alternative representative point.

Abstract: A printing apparatus for performing printing on printing base materials comprises a holding device for holding a plurality of printing base materials at the same time and an image forming part for forming an image on a plurality of printing base materials held by said holding device. The holding device comprises a base on which a plurality of printing base materials are placed at the same time and an arrangement reference part for positioning a plurality of printing base materials placed on the base in a direction orthogonal to a transfer direction of the printing base materials. The arrangement reference part has a plurality of reference members which come into contact with different ones out of the printing base materials.

Abstract: In an initial state, a key control switch for adjusting opening degrees of ink keys and a display changeover switch are displayed on a display screen of a touch sensitive control panel. The key control switch is a collection of key control switches individually arranged in areas corresponding to the ink keys, and for each ink color. The individual key control switches indicate color densities of control strips on a print measured by a color density measuring device and the opening degrees of the ink keys. When the changeover switch is operated in this state, the control panel simultaneously displays the key control switches and an image of the print being processed.

Abstract: A printing machine control method according to this invention includes a platemaking step for making a printing plate having, formed thereon, a test pattern with different dot percentages for areas corresponding to ink keys, a first printing step for making prints by using the printing plate; a first density measuring step for measuring and storing, at intervals of time, density of the test pattern on printing paper, a second printing step for making prints after changing opening of the ink keys, a second density measuring step for measuring and storing, at intervals of time, density of the test pattern on printing paper, and a control step for correcting an amount of change in the opening of the ink keys based on the density measured in the first density measuring step and the density measured in the second density measuring step, and correcting an interval between changes in the opening of the ink keys based on a time taken until stabilization of the density measured in the second density measuring step.

Abstract: A printed sheet measurement apparatus initially captures images on a reference sheet and a printed sheet to store respective image data. Next, both of the image data are displayed on a display element, and a pair of corresponding points are specified for each of the image data. A judgment is made as to whether or not the pair of corresponding points on each of the images are spaced at least a predetermined distance apart from each other. If not, the corresponding points are specified again. After the corresponding points are determined, the coordinates of the corresponding points are stored. The coordinates of an objective point at which a colorimetric value is to be computed is computed based on the corresponding points. Next, a colorimetric value on the coordinates is measured.

Abstract: A printed tone control method for adjusting a printed color tone by comparing image data serving as a reference and image data obtained by reading an image from a print actually made by a printing machine. The method includes a representative point setting step for setting a representative point for use in control of the color tone based on image data, an alternative representative point setting step for setting an alternative representative point that satisfies a predetermined condition when a point inappropriate for tone measurement is selected as the representative point, and a tone adjusting step for adjusting the color tone by using the alternative representative point.