Calibration method for an optical sensor, an adjustment method of dot printing positions using the calibration method, and a printing apparatus

A printing apparatus for performing printing of an image by a first printing and a second printing with predetermined conditions of a dot forming position on a printing medium by-using a printing head, comprising:

• patterns-forming means for controlling a printing head to form a plurality of patterns having optical characteristics corresponding to a plurality of shifting amounts, said plurality of patterns being formed corresponding to said plurality of shifting amounts of relative printing positions of said first printing and said second printing, said patterns being formed by said first printing and said second printing;
• means for measuring optical characteristics of the related plurality of patterns formed;
• means for calibrating an optical sensor being used in order to perform said measurement,
• wherein said calibrating means includes a means for forming patterns for performing said calibration;
• and
• acquiring means for obtaining an adjustment value of dot forming position conditions between said first printing and said second printing on the basis of optical characteristics of said plurality of patterns measured.

A printing system provided with a printing apparatus for performing printing of an image by a first printing and a second printing with predetermined conditions of a dot forming position on a printing medium by using a printing head, and a host apparatus for supplying an image data to said printing apparatus, comprising:

• patterns-forming means for controlling a printing head to form a plurality of patterns having optical characteristics corresponding to said plurality of shifting amounts, said plurality of patterns being formed corresponding to said plurality of shifting amounts of relative printing positions of said first printing and said second printing, said patterns being formed by said first printing and said second printing;
• measuring means for measuring optical characteristics of the related plurality of patterns formed;
• and
• means for calibrating an optical sensor being used in the related measurement,
• wherein said calibrating means includes a means for forming patterns for performing said calibration;
• and
• acquiring means for obtaining an adjustment value of dot forming position condition between said first printing and said second printing on the basis of optical characteristics of said plurality of patterns measured.

A storage medium which is connected to an information processing apparatus and a program stored in which is readable by the information processing apparatus, said program being for making a printing system to perform a method for processing for performing printing registration in a first printing and a second printing with a printing apparatus for performing printing of an image by said first printing and said second printing with predetermined conditions of a dot forming position on a printing medium by using a printing head, said method comprising the steps of:

• pattern-forming for controlling said printing head to form a plurality of patterns having optical characteristics corresponding to a plurality of shifting amounts, said plurality of patterns being formed corresponding to said plurality of shifting amounts of relative printing positions of said first printing and said second printing, said patterns being formed by said first printing and said second printing;
• measuring, by an optical sensor, optical characteristics of said plurality of patterns formed;
• calibrating the optical sensor being used in order to perform said measurement,
• wherein said calibrating step includes forming patterns for performing the calibration;
• and
• acquiring an adjustment value of a dot forming position condition between said first printing and said second printing on the basis of optical characteristics of said plurality of patterns measured.