JP2002096535A - Recording apparatus, printing data generating apparatus, printing control method, and recording medium with program recorded thereon - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technique for enabling an appropriate printing control in accordance with elements used for imaging. SOLUTION: In a recording apparatus 1 for forming images on papers based on printing data sent from an apparatus which generates printing data, information indicating the kind of papers set to the recording apparatus 1 is obtained by a paper information read device 168, and the obtained information indicating the kind of papers is stored by an EEPROM 165. A printing mode setting process system 200 for setting a printing mode of the recording apparatus obtains the information indicating the kind of papers from the recording apparatus 1, and carries out a mode setting process for setting a mode of printing on the basis of the obtained information indicating the kind of papers.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a print control technique for a recording apparatus for forming an image on paper, such as a printer, and more particularly to a technique for performing print control suitable for paper and ink to be used.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When a visible image is fixedly formed on a sheet of paper by using an image forming medium such as ink or toner, the sheet and the image forming medium are two major factors for determining the image quality.

In a recording apparatus, when an image is formed on a sheet, image forming conditions are set according to the purpose, and the image formation is controlled. For example, in a printer, software called a printer driver is installed in a computer and generates print control data including generation of print data. Then, the printer executes printing based on the print control data sent from the computer.

The printer driver has a function of executing various processes such as a color conversion process, a halftone process, a print start / stop request, a printing speed, a paper feed, and acquisition of information indicating a state of the printer. For example, when printing on plain paper,
There are various media to be printed, such as when printing on glossy paper, printing on super fine paper, etc.
Each has different printing conditions. Therefore, it is necessary to set the printing conditions suitable for each medium. However, it is not easy for the user to set conditions for performing optimal printing according to the paper and ink to be used, for example, settings for print density, print speed, color conversion, paper feed, and the like.

[0005] Therefore, in order to facilitate the setting by the user, the printer driver summarizes the printing conditions into several adjustable items and presents them to the user. To be able to do it. Further, in order to facilitate the mode setting, the printer driver defaults to a print mode assuming a standard finish for each of the assumed types of paper, assuming that various types of paper will be used. It is set in advance. In this way, it is guaranteed that standard printing can be performed according to the selected paper type by selecting the paper type without special setting by the user. Of course, the user can change them as desired.

[0006]

Setting a preferable print mode according to the type of paper described above is based on the premise that the paper is correctly selected. However, users sometimes use various types of paper. In such a case, there is a case where the user does not know which one of the paper types prepared by the printer driver should be selected. In some cases, the user may not realize that the selection of the paper type is necessary. In the case of new paper, it may not be known which paper type to select.

[0007] Further, as an image forming medium which is a factor having a great influence on printing conditions, for example, there is ink. Generally, ink is used in a fixed manner for each printer. However, from the viewpoint of performing better printing, it will be performed to select and use ink suitable for paper and for printing purposes. In addition, the ink itself may be improved. In this case, it is necessary to set a print mode corresponding to the type of ink. However, current printer drivers have not been able to set the print mode according to the type of ink.

An object of the present invention is to provide a technique for enabling appropriate printing control in accordance with elements used for image formation.

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording apparatus for forming an image on a sheet based on print data sent from an apparatus for generating print data. A means for acquiring information indicating the type of sheet loaded in the recording apparatus for forming an image, a means for storing information indicating the type of sheet acquired, and, upon request, the acquired sheet Means for outputting information indicating the type of the recording device.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in a device connected to a recording device for forming an image on a sheet and generating print data to be sent to the recording device, the selected sheet is indicated. Means for performing a print mode setting process for setting a printing mode based on information; and means for generating print data in accordance with the set print mode and sending the print data to the recording device. A print data generating apparatus is characterized in that the processing unit acquires information indicating the type of paper from the recording device and sets a print mode based on the acquired information indicating the type of paper. Is done.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in a print mode setting processing system which is connected to a recording apparatus for forming an image on a sheet and sets a print mode of the recording apparatus, the printing apparatus sets a print mode for the image on the sheet. A print mode setting processing system comprising: means for acquiring information indicating the type; and means for performing a mode setting process for setting a printing mode based on the information indicating the acquired paper type. Provided.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for supporting setting of a print mode, comprising a computer connected to a display device and a printing device. Means for acquiring information to be displayed, and means for displaying, on the display device, a screen for setting a print mode, wherein the means for displaying a screen for setting the print mode indicates the type of the paper. When information is acquired, a print mode setting support system is provided in which information indicating the acquired paper type is displayed on the screen in a user-readable display mode.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording medium recording a program for causing a computer connected to each of a display device and a printing device to support setting of a print mode. A process for obtaining information indicating the type of paper from a recording device; and a process for causing the display device to display a screen for setting a print mode on the computer, and for setting the print mode. When displaying a screen, if information indicating the type of paper has been acquired, the acquired information indicating the type of paper is displayed on the screen in a user-readable display form. A recording medium is provided.

[0014]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described.
This will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, a case where an image is formed on a sheet using ink will be described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

FIG. 1 shows an example of the configuration of a hardware system used in the first embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, a computer 2 for realizing various processes by an application program and a process by a printer driver for printing the result, and a printer connected to the computer 2 1 is shown. The computer 2 and the printer 1 can constitute a printing system for forming an image on paper. In this case, the printer 1 functions as a recording device, and the computer 2 functions as a print data generation device. In the computer 2, a system for processing the print mode setting is realized. Further, a system for supporting the print mode setting is realized.

The computer 2 includes a computer main body 20.
0, a display device 220 connected thereto, an input device 230 such as a keyboard and a mouse, and a power supply device (not shown).

The computer main body 200 is connected to a CPU 201 for executing various programs, a ROM 202 for storing various data and various programs, a RAM 203 for temporarily storing data and programs, and a display device 220. Display device 22
0, a keyboard controller 205 connected to the input device 230 to control a keyboard, a floppy disk drive 206 for reading and writing a flexible disk, and a hard disk drive 20 for storing data and programs.
7 and a CD for reading data from a CD-ROM
A ROM drive 208, a printer interface 209 for connecting to the printer 1, and a network interface 210 for connecting to a network. The program for realizing the present invention is a CD-R
The data can be read from the CD-ROM via the OM drive 208 and installed on the hard disk 207. Therefore, the program can be provided in the form of a recording medium on which the program is recorded. Further, the program can be installed via a network.

The printer 1 is a color ink jet printer that functions as a recording device that forms a color image on paper based on print data sent from a computer 2 that functions as a device that generates print data. The printer 1 includes a printing mechanism 100, a print control unit 160
And a power supply circuit (not shown). Also, the printer 1
Includes an ink cartridge 107 containing ink.
K and 107F (see FIG. 4) are mounted, and the storage elements 400 provided in these ink cartridges 107K and 107F are connected.

The print control unit 160 includes a CPU 161 for executing various programs, a ROM 162 for storing various data and various programs, a RAM 163 for temporarily storing data and programs, and a computer 2.
164 for connecting to the printer, an EEPROM 165 which is a rewritable nonvolatile memory for storing ink information and the like to be described later, the printing mechanism 100, and the storage element 4.
00, operation panel 167 and sheet information reading device 168
And a parallel input / output interface 166 for connecting the printer controller 160 and the print controller 160. This print control unit 16
0 is connected to the printing mechanism 100 to send print data and control a printing operation. Further, information indicating the printing state of the printing mechanism 100 is obtained and sent to the computer 2.

The parallel input / output interface 166
Transmits the printing data and the drive signal developed into the dot pattern data to the printing mechanism 100. In addition, it accepts an operation on the operation panel 167 and sends necessary display signals to the operation panel 167. Further, data is transmitted and received to and from the storage element 400. Further, the information read by the sheet information reading device 168 is received.

The print control unit 160 is configured such that the CPU 161
Means for acquiring information indicating the type of sheet loaded in the recording apparatus for image formation by executing a program stored in M162, means for storing information indicating the acquired type of sheet, Means for outputting information indicating the type of the obtained sheet when there is a request.

FIG. 3 shows the appearance of the printer 2. As shown in FIG. 3, the printer 2 has a structure in which the printing mechanism 100 and the printing control unit 160 are housed in a case 140. The paper feed mechanism 150 has a paper feed tray 153, a paper feed mechanism 130 (see FIG. 4), and a paper discharge tray 158. In addition, the paper feed tray 153 has a fixed side plate 155,
A movable side plate 154 that can move in accordance with the size of the sheet is provided. Behind case 140,
Paper feed port 142 for taking in paper from paper feed tray 153
Is provided. On the other hand, in front of the case 140, an outlet 147 for a sheet after printing is provided. Outlet 1
47, a paper discharge tray 158 protrudes.

An operation panel 167 for notifying a user of the status of the printer and receiving an operation is arranged in a part of the case 140. The operation panel 167 has a monitor 167a and an operation unit having operation buttons 167b and 167c. The operation button 167b is an operation unit for instructing the operation of the ink-based maintenance mechanism 116. On the other hand, the operation button 167c is an operation unit for instructing paper supply and discharge. The latter also functions as a button for instructing supply and discharge of the cleaning sheet when cleaning is performed with the cleaning sheet.

Above the paper feed port of the case 140, a paper information reading device 168 is provided. In the example shown in FIG. 3, a barcode reader is arranged. Of course, the present invention is not limited to this. This paper information reading device 168
Reads a barcode recorded in a paper information recording unit 557 attached to a part of the paper packaging material 550 that accommodates a bundle of paper (cut paper) 501 on the opening side.

The paper wrapping material 550 has a size to accommodate a fixed number of sheets, for example, 100 sheets. FIG. 5 shows an example of the paper packing material 550. FIG. 5 shows a state where one end is opened.

The paper packaging member 550 is formed of a material having rigidity, for example, cardboard, cardboard, hard paper, or the like, in a rectangular parallelepiped shape in order to wrap a plurality of papers 501 in a stacked state. The paper packaging member 550 has a plurality of internal papers 5 therein.
A separation line 553 that separates the lid side 551 and the main body side 552 is formed in order to take out 01. This separation line 55
Reference numeral 3 is formed in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the paper packaging member 550. This separation line 553 is
It is formed with perforations so that it can be easily divided into 1 and the main body side 552.

On one surface 554 of the main body 552, the paper 50
A sheet insertion arrow 556 indicating the direction in which the sheet No. 1 is inserted into the paper feed tray 153 of the printer, and a sheet information recording unit 557 regarding the sheet 501 to be put in the packaging member 550 are printed. One surface 554 of the main body side 552 is a surface parallel to the surface of the sheet 501 stored therein. The paper insertion arrow 556 is directed from the main body side 552 to the lid side 551. Also, the paper information recording unit 557 displays the arrow 5
It is printed at the left end position in the direction indicated by 56 and at a position adjacent to the separation line 553. That is, when the packing material is opened, it is printed in the vicinity of the opening.

As shown in FIG. 6, the items recorded in the sheet information recording unit 557 include the model number, size, type, thickness, number of sheets, unit price, and the like. As a paper type,
Paper type information indicating the type of paper, such as plain paper, superfine paper, glossy paper, etc., is displayed. These are indicated by bar codes, together with characters, symbols, and the like representing the contents. The reason why the characters are written together with the barcode is so that the user can visually recognize the sheet information. In the example of FIG. 6, the paper type is described as “normal”, which indicates that plain paper is stored. Each piece of information is arranged in the direction of the paper insertion arrow, in other words, in the paper insertion direction.

The sheet information is stored in the sheet packing material 550 when the sheet packing material 550 is set on the sheet feeding tray 153.
Is inserted into the paper feed port 142, and the paper information recording unit 557 is read facing the paper information reading device 168. The read sheet information is stored in the EE of the print control unit 160.
It is recorded in the PROM 165.

The example shown in FIG. 5 shows an example of a packing material having a structure in which one end in the longitudinal direction of a sheet is opened.
The present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the paper can be used both vertically and horizontally. In this case, the paper insertion arrows 556a and 556b correspond to the vertical and horizontal directions.
And paper information recording units 557a and 557b, and separation lines 553a and 553b. In this case, the paper information recording units 557a and 557b may be added with information indicating the distinction between horizontal and vertical placement.

The paper may be made of any material as long as it can be printed. For example,
Also includes those formed of a material other than paper, such as an OHP sheet.

FIG. 4 shows an outline of the internal mechanism of the printing mechanism 100. As shown in FIG. 4, inside the printing mechanism 100, a carriage 101, an ink jet type recording head 110 supported by the carriage 101, and a carriage mechanism 120 supporting the carriage 101 and reciprocating in the line direction. And a paper feed mechanism 13 for feeding the paper P
0 is arranged. The paper feed mechanism 130 includes a paper feed roller,
It has a discharge roller and the like.

The carriage mechanism 120 is provided for the carriage 10.
1 and a carriage motor 12 for reciprocating the timing belt 121
And 3. The carriage motor 123 reciprocates the carriage 101 in the paper width direction of the recording paper P (medium) while being guided by the guide member 104 via the timing belt 121.

An ink jet recording head 110 is attached to the surface of the carriage 101 which faces the recording paper P, in the example shown in FIG. The recording head 110 is held on the carriage 101. The recording head 110 includes ink cartridges 107K and 107F.
, Ink droplets are ejected on the recording paper P in accordance with the movement of the carriage 101 to form dots, and images and characters are printed on the recording paper P. Although not shown, a platen is disposed on a surface facing the recording head 110.

The ink storage chamber 107K 'of the ink cartridge 107K is filled with black (K) ink. The ink cartridge 107F includes a plurality of ink storage chambers 107C, 107LC, 107M, 107L.
M, 107Y are formed independently of each other, and these ink storage chambers 107C, 107LC, 107M, 107L
M and 107Y include cyan (C) and light cyan (L
C), magenta (M), light magenta (LM), and yellow (Y) inks, respectively. Accordingly, the ink storage chambers 107C, 107LC, 107M, 1
From 07LM and 107Y, ink of each color is supplied to the recording head 110, respectively. These inks are ejected from the recording head 110 as ink droplets of each color to perform color printing.

In the recording head 110, nozzle openings (not shown) corresponding to black (K), cyan (C), light cyan (LC), magenta (M), light magenta (LM), and yellow (Y) are arranged. It is lined up every time.

In this embodiment, as the storage element 400, FIG.
As shown in the block diagram, a memory cell 410, a read / write control unit 420 for controlling reading and writing of data in the memory cell 410, and a printer main body through a read / write control unit 420 based on a clock signal CLK. Address counter 4 that counts up when reading and writing data between memory cell 100 and memory cell 410
30, for example, an EEPROM
Is used.

The memory cell 410 of the storage element 400 includes
As shown in FIG. 9 for the black ink cartridge 107K and FIG. 10 for the color ink cartridge 107F,
That is, the ink information is stored. That is, ink identification information for identifying the ink, version data,
Ink amount information and the like are stored.

The memory cell 410 stores information on the ink, for example, color conversion information used when converting RGB image data into CMYK print data, and / or
Alternatively, a URL indicating a site for downloading the correction information or the like may be further recorded. In the present embodiment, color conversion information for converting to CMYK-based print data including LC and LM is prepared in addition to CMYK.

The ink specifying data is data for specifying what component, concentration, etc. the ink has. For example, typically, there is a model number of the ink.
When the model number of the ink is an identifier that is uniquely assigned based on the component, concentration, or the like, this can be used as ink identification information. Of course, other information may be used.
For example, information indicating an ink component, information indicating an ink density, and the like can be recorded. Also, if version data can be used as information for specifying ink, it can be considered that this also constitutes ink specifying information. For example, even if the model numbers are the same, if there is a difference in the setting of the printing conditions due to a different version, this version data is also used as the ink identification information.

The ink information is read out by the print control unit 160 and stored in the EEPROM 165 when the power of the printer 1 is turned on after the ink cartridges 107K and 107F are mounted on the printer 1 after the ink cartridges 107K and 107F are mounted. Is done. Of the paper information, paper type information, in particular, is read by the paper information reading device 168 when the power of the printer 1 is turned on and when the paper is loaded, and stored in the EEPROM 165. Therefore, FIG.
As shown in FIG.
Data such as ink identification information, ink amount information, and paper type information read by the paper information reading device 168 of the black ink cartridge 107K and the color ink cartridge 107F are stored in 1 to 90n.

FIG. 2A shows a functional configuration realized by the computer main body 200 in this embodiment.

The computer main body 200 has various applications 240 implemented by application programs, a printer driver 250 implemented by a printer driver program, and a communication control unit 260. These perform various processes using the functions of an operating system (OS) (not shown) under the control of the OS. These processes are realized by the CPU 201.

The printer driver 250 has a print management unit 251 and a spool file storage unit 25 as its functions.
2, a display control unit 253, and a color conversion information management unit 254 that manages information for performing processing such as color conversion.

The print management unit 251 stores and manages mode setting condition information corresponding to paper type information and ink identification information. That is, based on the combination of the paper type and the ink, each set value or the like of the printing condition to be set in advance has as mode setting condition information. If this information is not provided in advance, it can be registered later. FIG.
5 schematically shows an example of a mode setting management table for storing and managing mode setting condition information corresponding to the paper type information and the ink specifying information. Here, paper type information 2511, ink identification information 2512, mode setting condition information 2513 corresponding to the combination thereof, and a replacement pointer 2514 indicating an address for replacing with the mode setting condition information set by the user are recorded. ing. In the example of FIG. 15, a replacement pointer to the user setting information is registered in the paper type PE. Here, mode setting conditions, for example, (Mb1, Mb2, Mb3,...) Include designation of color conversion information to be used, necessity of halftone processing, and the like.
The setting values for various image processing parameters such as setting and specification, printing speed, bidirectional / unidirectional printing, and the like are provided as standard print mode data for each set of paper type and ink.

In FIG. 15, for the paper type PD, the same mode setting conditions (Mb1, Mb2, Mb
3,...). On the other hand, the paper type PF
In, no mode setting condition is registered. This indicates a state in which the paper type information has been acquired, but the corresponding mode setting condition has not been registered. Therefore, if a mode setting condition is registered for this PF after that, it is handled in the same manner as other paper types.

The print management unit 251 functions as print data generation means for generating print data in accordance with the print mode by referring to the mode setting condition information using the paper type information and the ink information as keys for the image data. That is, the application 240 and the input device 23
Based on a print request from 0 or the like, color conversion processing is performed on display data (RGB data) using color conversion information such as standard color conversion information, and further, after halftone processing,
As a spool file, a spool file storage unit 25
2 is stored. Then, they are read out in the order of printing and sent to the printer 1 via the communication control unit 260.
The print management unit 251 also generates control data such as print speed and paper feed as print data.

In the present embodiment, the print management unit 251
It has a function of acquiring paper type information and ink identification information from the printer 1. That is, by requesting the paper type information and the ink identification information from the print control unit 160 of the printer 1, the paper type information and the ink identification information can be acquired from the print control unit 160. The print management unit 251 temporarily stores the obtained paper type information and ink identification information in the RAM. By enabling the paper type information and the ink identification information to be obtained from the printer 1, it is possible to obtain the information without having to set them on the driver side. As a result, it functions as a system that automatically sets an optimal print mode in relation to the paper type and the ink.
It also functions as a system that supports print mode setting. Further, when functioning as a print data generation device, color conversion is performed using color conversion information corresponding to paper type information and ink identification information and resolution set for image data to be printed.

The spool file storage unit 252 has a RAM
203 and / or a hard disk drive 207 for storing the aforementioned spool file.

The display control section 253 displays a guide screen or the like on the display device 220 to provide information to the user. As a screen to be displayed, for example, as shown in FIG. 12, a screen for various settings for the printer when printing is used. For example, a screen for receiving settings such as paper size, paper type, and resolution is displayed. The screen shown in FIG. 12 is displayed by the print mode setting system, and an input is received.

The acquired paper type information is, for example,
As shown in FIG. 12, which will be described later, by displaying the information in a user-readable manner, the user can be notified of the type of paper loaded in the printer 1. This allows the user to know the type of paper, which can be used as a reference when setting the mode by himself. That is, it can function as a system that supports mode setting.

The color conversion information management unit 254 includes the print control unit 2
51, at the time of color conversion, color conversion information corresponding to the ink used in the printer 1 is held. Further, in the present embodiment, a process of acquiring color conversion information is also performed. The process of performing color conversion of image data using the color conversion information is one of the print controls. The color conversion information will be described later.

The print mode set by the print management unit 251 is displayed as a window screen on the display device 220 by the display control unit 253, including the information acquired from the printer.

FIG. 12 shows an example of a window displayed by the printer driver. In the window 2200, a plurality of tabs are prepared. In FIG. 12, the tab of the basic setting directly related to the present embodiment is selected. Here, a paper type selection unit 2220 and an ink selection unit 22
30, a mode setting unit 22 for setting a print finishing state
40, an ink remaining amount display unit 2250 indicating the ink remaining amount
And a setting state display unit 2260 that indicates the current setting state.

The paper type selection section 2220 has a paper display section 2221 for indicating the selected paper, and a menu button 2222 for opening a pull-down menu. In the present embodiment, as described above, the paper type is in a state known to the system when paper is set in the printer. Of course, the user can also select a sheet that matches the sheet to be used. The information indicating the type of paper selected here is obtained by the printer driver 250 from the print control unit 160, the information recorded in the EEPROM 165.

Note that, at the time of shipment from the factory, the EEPROM 165
In the case where plain paper is previously set as the paper type, the first display is "plain paper" which is a user-readable display. Thereafter, when new paper is set in the printer or when the printer is turned on, the paper information reading device 168 is turned on.
CPU 161 fetches the paper information read by
Write to the paper information in the EEPROM 165. When the window 2200 is opened, the printer driver 250 captures and displays the information of the paper type from the print control unit 160.

The information other than the paper type information, the remaining amount of paper, the size of paper, and information such as vertical / horizontal distinction are also acquired by the print controller 160 from the paper information reader 168 and stored in the EEPROM 165. If it is stored, it can be obtained by the printer driver 250 and provided to the user.

In the ink selection section 2230, color is selected by default. It is also possible to specify monochrome printing.

In the mode setting section 2240, the result of the printer driver 250 automatically setting the print mode based on the acquired paper type information and ink identification information is displayed as "recommended setting". Of course, a change by the user can be accepted. In this embodiment, the print mode is automatically set according to the paper type and the ink.
Not limited to this. For example, the print mode can be set by acquiring only the paper type and fixing the ink. Further, the paper type may be manually input, and the print mode may be set by acquiring the ink identification information.

The ink remaining amount display section 2250 can display the information by acquiring ink amount information. In addition,
The remaining ink amount is calculated based on the ink capacity and the print data, and the result can be used to display on the remaining ink display unit 2250.

In the setting state display section 2260, the currently set print modes are displayed collectively. This display changes when the setting changes.

The color conversion information managed by the color conversion information management unit 254 includes, for example, an input value group consisting of a combination of RGB values for specifying each color expected to appear in the image data, And data that associates with output value groups consisting of combinations of CMYK values that specify each color expected to appear as a color reproduced at the time of printing in accordance with the combination of. Specifically, it can be prepared in a look-up table (LUT) format. In order to prepare all the color conversion information, an enormous memory space is required. Therefore, 256 gradations of each color are divided into several parts in advance, and a grid of these division points is virtually assumed. , Each grid point can have an input value and an output value corresponding thereto. In this case, a color existing between grid points is handled by an interpolation operation between grid points.

In the present embodiment, a case will be described as an example where a color ink obtained by adding light cyan (LC) and light magenta (LM) to CMYK is used for an ink jet printer. That is, the RGB image data is color-converted into print data specified by CMYLCLMK. Of course, the invention is not limited to this. R
Converting the GB image data into, for example, CMYK;
Further, a combination of gradations of different stimulus values can be used.

In the above-mentioned LUT, the input value group and the output value group are associated with each other. The input value group includes a plurality of combinations of input values that specify the gradation of each color expected to appear in the image data. Specifically, for example, there are a plurality of combinations of values that specify 256 gradations for each color of RGB. On the other hand, the output value group includes a plurality of combinations of a plurality of output values that specify the gradation of each color that is expected to appear as a color reproduced during printing. Specifically, for example, CMYK and LCLM
There are a plurality of combinations of values for specifying the gradation of each color. The LUT associates a combination of each input value of the input value group with a corresponding combination of output values of the output value group. Therefore, given a certain combination of input values, a corresponding combination of output values is specified.

For example, as schematically shown in FIG. 13, the color conversion information is firstly classified according to the type of ink, and is further classified according to each ink and further according to the type of paper. The LUT is determined corresponding to the resolution in each lowermost layer. As an option for specifying the ink, FIG.
Shows dye-based and pigment-based, but is not limited thereto. For example, there may be multiple options for each concentration for each. Examples of paper types include plain paper, spear fine (SF) paper, glossy paper, and the like. Further, as the resolution, for example, 180 dpi, 360 dpi,
720 dpi and the like. As the LUT, one LUT is configured by combining the ink identification information, the type of paper, and the resolution. Therefore, there are LUTs corresponding to the number of options in the lowest layer.

All of these LUTs can be managed by the color conversion information management unit 254. That is, when the printer driver 250 is shipped, an LU prepared in advance is prepared.
T is stored in correspondence with the lowermost option, and each L
The UT can be selected based on a combination of the ink identification information, the paper type information, and the resolution information. Thus, when the ink type 2541, the paper type 2542, and the resolution 2543 are set, the L that should be used inevitably is used.
The UT is determined. FIG. 13 schematically shows the selection logic.

A plurality of LUTs can be prepared for each resolution described above. This makes it possible to use a plurality of types of ink in a printer.

As another mode, a standard LUT holding standard color conversion information as standard as color conversion information
And a correction LUT that holds correction color conversion information that corrects the difference when there is a difference between the standard color conversion information and the ink. By using the correction LUT in this manner, compared with a case where all the color conversion information is stored in a standard LUT format,
It can be saved with a small storage area.

For the standard LUT and the correction LUT,
It is prepared together with the printer driver 250 in advance, and is taken into the computer main body 200 when the printer driver 250 is installed. The installed standard LUT and correction LUT are stored in the color information management unit 254.
Is under the control of

Of course, a new standard LUT and correction L
A UT can be added and installed. Also,
Prepare a standard LUT in the printer driver 250,
A correction LUT may be additionally installed.
For example, it can be obtained from the storage element 400 or downloaded from a website.

The memory cell 410 of the storage element 400
If the correction color conversion information is stored in the correction LUT, this information can be used as a correction LUT. Further, even when the correction color conversion information is not stored, if the URL of the Web site as the download source is stored instead, the correction color conversion information is downloaded using the URL. be able to. This makes it possible to deal with new ink. In the present embodiment, the added LUT is placed under the control of the color information management unit 254 and is used at the time of color conversion.

The printer driver may not be provided with an LUT, but may be introduced from outside. As described above, the method of introduction can be dealt with by reading out from the storage element 400 or downloading it through the Internet or the like.

The correction LUT can be configured, for example, as follows. That is, as a correction color conversion information, for a value of a part where a difference occurs in color conversion information prepared in a standard LUT, a value to be used by replacing the value is prepared. For a value of a part where a difference occurs in the standard color conversion information , It is possible to prepare a difference value for correcting it. Of course, it is not limited to these.
When such a correction LUT is used, for example, the value of the standard LUT is used in a range where the value can be used, and the value of the correction LUT is used in a range where the value cannot be used. By doing so, it is possible to deal with a small amount of data in the same manner as when many LUTs are prepared. In addition, when a different ink is newly developed or the type of paper to be newly supported increases, it is necessary to prepare a correction value only for a difference portion without preparing the entire LUT. Can be.

Further, the color conversion information management unit 254, when performing printing, if the print management unit 251 determines that there is no LUT that matches the combination of the loaded paper type and the mounted ink, Display control is performed on a screen for requesting the user to input an approval indicating that "a matching LUT is not prepared" and "can print using an LUT having a close value among the prepared LUTs?" The display is displayed on the display device by the unit 253. Also, on this display screen,
A message that guides how to obtain a matching LUT can also be displayed. At that time, a click button for download may be displayed on the display screen so that the necessary LUT can be downloaded via the Internet. In this case, in addition to downloading the corresponding standard LUT, the correction LUT can be downloaded. The downloaded LUT is placed under the control of the color conversion information management unit 254 and is used at the time of color conversion.

FIG. 2B shows a functional configuration of the print control unit 160. The print control unit 160 reads out the ink information from the storage element 400, updates the ink information, and prints the paper information read by the paper information reading device 168. Take in. Further, it has a paper / ink information management unit 172 for transmitting ink information in response to a request from the computer main body 200, and a communication control unit 174 for exchanging data with the computer main body 200. These functions are realized by the CPU 161 executing a program stored in the ROM 162.

Next, the operation of the print control system and print control method of the present invention will be described. Hereinafter, a case will be described as an example where paper information is obtained from the paper information reading device 168 and ink information including ink identification information is obtained from the storage element 400 mounted on the ink cartridge.

In order to put the printer 1 in use, the user mounts the ink cartridges 107K and 107F in the cartridge mounting section 180. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, printing paper is loaded.

When the ink cartridge is mounted and the power of the printer 1 is turned on, the print control unit 160 is started. That is, the CPU 161 functions as the communication control unit 174, the print control mechanism management unit 171 and the paper / ink information management unit. The printing mechanism control unit 171 controls the printing mechanism 1
Various preparation processes such as an initial setting process are performed on 00. The paper / ink information management unit 172 stores the storage element 400.
Is read, and the stored contents are stored in the EEPROM 165. In addition, paper information is obtained from the paper information reading device 168, and the
It is stored in OM165.

On the other hand, in the computer main body 200, when a print instruction is received from any application 240, the printer driver 250 operates as shown in FIG.

First, the CPU 201 functions as the print management unit 251 of the printer driver 250. That is,
The print management unit 251 acquires information necessary for setting conditions for printing by the printer 1 (step 1010). First, an acquisition request for paper type information is sent to the print control unit 160 of the printer 1 and the print control unit 1
The paper type information from the server 60 is obtained. Further, the print management unit 251 sends a request to acquire the ink identification information to the print control unit 160 of the printer 1 via the communication control unit 260, and acquires the ink identification information from the print control unit 160.

Here, when a request for obtaining paper type information and a request for obtaining ink identification information are received from the print control unit 160 via the communication control unit 174, the paper / ink information management unit 172 stores the request in the EEPROM 165. The relevant paper type information from the information
The data is sent to the printer driver 250 via the communication control unit 174. Similarly, it sends out the ink identification information. At this time, information such as the remaining amount of ink may be sent together.

The print management unit 251 sets a print mode based on the obtained paper type information and ink identification information (step 1020). For example, based on the fact that the paper type is plain paper, printing conditions such as “fine”, “color correction by driver: on”, “microweave: on”, “bidirectional printing: on”, “high-speed printing”, etc. Is set and the print mode is automatically determined.
Further, in the present embodiment, the information on the vertical placement of the paper is also acquired, and the print mode is set. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 15, this is performed by acquiring print mode setting condition information set in advance in accordance with the combination of paper type and ink. The result is passed to the display control unit 253, and a display as shown in FIG. 12 is performed.

When the obtained paper type information is different from the paper type information that the print management unit 251 can handle, that is, when the mode setting condition information is not prepared in the mode setting management table shown in FIG. This is notified to the paper type display control unit 253, and a message prompting the user to obtain and input data necessary for the mode setting related to the paper type information is output. In this case, the paper type information and the ink identification information are registered in the mode setting management table shown in FIG. The paper type PF is this example. Also, if the print management unit knows that the paper setting information is different from the corresponding paper type information but that the condition of the mode setting is close to any of the paper types, for example, in the example shown in FIG. In this case, a message indicating that the paper type PB having the same mode setting condition information is a similar paper type is output.

Here, when the user downloads the mode setting condition information for the paper that cannot be handled by the above-described print mode setting and inputs it to the computer 2, the print management unit 251 converts the acquired mode setting condition information into Fifteen
Is associated with information PF indicating the type of the paper and ink identification information Ix in the mode setting management table shown in FIG. Thereafter, when information indicating the same paper type is obtained, it is handled as a known type of paper. Also,
When the user performs input for approving that the new paper is treated as another similar paper type, the print management unit 251
Stores information indicating a new paper type in association with mode setting conditions for a similar type of paper, and stores the relationship. The paper type PD shown in FIG. 15 is one example. Therefore, when information indicating the type of the new sheet is acquired thereafter, it is handled as a known type of sheet.

Here, if there is an input of a user setting condition relating to printing, it is obtained. Here, the user setting conditions include, for example, print modes such as high-speed printing and ink save printing, and resolution. They are,
The setting may be made in the application, the setting may be made by preparing a setting screen in the printer driver, or the setting prepared as a default may be used. In any case, the condition of the printing resolution is acquired. Also, the user can select and input the paper type. When the user selects and inputs the paper type, the user accepts the input, and replaces the obtained paper type information with the selected and input paper type information to determine the paper type in the subsequent processing. Used as information to indicate. Further, the user can manually input information indicating the paper type via the input device. When the mode setting condition information is not prepared in the mode setting management table for the paper type information, it is necessary to acquire and register the information.

The acquired paper type information, ink identification information and resolution are stored in the RAM 2 under the control of the print management unit 251.
03 is held.

Next, based on the acquired paper type information, ink identification information, and resolution, the print management section 251 operates in accordance with the logic shown in FIG.
A suitable LUT is selected from the LUT group managed in (1030).

If the color information management unit 254 does not prepare an LUT having compatible color conversion information, the process proceeds to the color information management unit 254. The color information management unit 254 performs a countermeasure process for securing a suitable LUT. As the countermeasure process, as described above, various countermeasures are possible according to the situation. As a situation, for example, first, there is a case where correction color conversion information or standard color conversion information is recorded as color conversion information in the storage element 400 of the ink cartridge. Second, the storage element 400
In some cases, the URL of the download source is recorded. Third, there is a case where nothing is recorded in the storage element 400. These situations are based on the EEPR of the printer 1.
It can be grasped by examining OM165. Therefore, the color information management unit 254 grasps the situation by inquiring the print control unit 160 about the situation. Then, it is preferable that the display control unit 253 causes the display device 220 to display a message corresponding to each situation.

In the first case, the color information management unit 25
4 requests to transfer the correction color conversion information or the standard color conversion information and obtains it. This embodiment corresponds to the first case. In the first case, there is little need to display a special message because it can be dealt with in a relatively short time. Therefore, the message indicating the situation can be omitted.

In the first case, when the ink specifying information is obtained as the information for setting the print mode, the corresponding correction color conversion information or standard color conversion information may be obtained together. In that case, the situation in the first case does not arise from the beginning.

In the second case, the color information management unit 25
No. 4 acquires the recorded URL, passes it to the display control unit 253, and displays the acquired URL together with a message indicating that “a compatible LUT is not prepared” and a message prompting download. . In this case, other measures can be taken. That is, when the computer 2 is in a state where it can be connected to the Internet, the computer 2 automatically or in response to a button click accesses the corresponding Web site based on the acquired URL, and obtains necessary correction color conversion information or The standard color conversion information may be downloaded. When downloading automatically, a message to download automatically is displayed instead of a message prompting download.

In the third situation, the color conversion information management unit 25
4 indicates that “a suitable LUT is not prepared” and “LUT having a close value among the prepared LUTs”
The display control unit 253 causes the display device to display a screen for requesting the user to input an approval as to whether to print using the UT. In addition, the display screen may display a message for guiding a method for obtaining a suitable LUT, and may also display a click button for downloading.

Next, the print management unit 251 fetches image data managed by the application 240 that has issued the print request (1040), and performs color conversion processing (step 10).
50). At this time, an output value composed of a combination of the corresponding gradation values of CMYK and LCLM is obtained with reference to the determined LUT, using the combination of the values of the respective gradations of RGB of the image data as input values. Thereby, color conversion processing can be performed.

When the LUT is a correction LUT, a standard LUT and a correction LUT are used in accordance with the range of input values.
Is used to perform color conversion.

The print management unit 251 temporarily stores the image data after the color conversion processing in the RAM 203. And
Thereafter, print data is generated by performing a halftone process (step 1060). The halftone processing is performed by, for example, an error diffusion method, a dither method, or the like. In addition, also in this halftone processing, the setting of the processing parameters is
It is preferable to perform this in accordance with the paper type information and the ink identification information. The present invention makes that possible.

Thereafter, the print management unit 251 temporarily stores the print data on which the halftone processing has been completed in the spool file storage unit 252, and transmits the print data via the communication control unit 260.
It is sent to the printer 1 (step 1070).

As described above, the color-converted print data is passed to the printer 1 and printed by the printer 1.

According to the present embodiment, the print mode according to the paper type and the ink is automatically set. Therefore, even if the paper is unknown to the user or the ink is new, the print mode can be set without imposing a burden on the user to set the mode according to the new ink. Further, when information for mode setting is not prepared in advance, by acquiring and registering the information, it becomes possible to treat the same as a known sheet thereafter.

Further, an LUT suitable for the type of paper and ink can be used. As a result, the relationship between the printer and the ink, which has conventionally been fixed in a one-to-one relationship, can be made more flexible. That is, a plurality of types of ink can be used for a certain printer. Conversely, it is possible to use a certain ink in a plurality of types of printers. In the present embodiment, the LUT can be introduced from outside. As a result, new ink can be used even when the ink is improved. further,
For printer manufacturers, changing the ink for a certain type of printer changes its performance,
It can be extended.

Further, the ink specifying information can be associated with the paper type and the resolution. In particular, as for the paper type, the information can be taken from the paper information recording unit of the paper packaging, so that it can be combined with the ink identification information,
An optimal LUT can be selected.

Further, in the present invention, by preparing a plurality of types of color conversion information for the same ink, it is possible to allow the user to select the color conversion information and realize the color development desired by the user. For example, for one ink, one standard color conversion information and a plurality of types of correction color conversion information are prepared, and the standard color conversion information and a plurality of types of correction color conversion information can be selected. In this case, the presence of selectable color conversion information (LUT) is displayed on the display screen of the display device so that the user can select it. Of course, a plurality of types of standard color conversion information may be prepared.

In the above-described embodiment, the configuration is such that the ink identification information is obtained from the ink cartridge via the printer 1. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the display control unit 253 can display a screen for setting information on the type of ink and the like on the display device. On this screen, for example,
As information indicating the type of ink attached to the ink cartridge, inputting a product number or the like of the ink cartridge is exemplified.

Further, all or part of the processing performed by the printer driver may be performed by the print control unit of the printer. Further, a part of the processing performed on the printer side may be performed on the printer driver side.

The paper information recording section is not limited to the barcode described above. Other code forms may be used. In addition, the recording type can also be configured to perform optical recording or magnetic recording and read this using a reading device suitable for each. For example, optical recording can be read using a CCD. Magnetic recording can be read by a magnetic head. Alternatively, a wireless data carrier can be used.

Further, a cutout, a nail or the like may be provided in a part of the packing material of the paper so that the printer can detect the paper information based on the position, the number, the arrangement, and the like.

In addition, the user can manually input the code via the input device.

As described above, since the sheet information is provided in the form of a code, in particular, in the form of an identifier from the sheet information recording unit provided on the sheet side, the sheet type can be obtained without the user being particularly conscious. Can be automatically and correctly specified.
Further, since the ink information is provided in the form of a code from a storage element provided on the ink cartridge side, it is possible to set an optimal print mode including a relation with paper.

[0108]

According to the present invention, it is an object of the present invention to provide a technique for making it possible to perform appropriate printing control in accordance with factors such as paper and ink used for image formation.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a hardware system used in an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2A shows an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2B is a block diagram showing a functional configuration realized by a computer main body, and FIG. 2B is a block diagram showing a functional configuration realized by a printer in the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an example of an external configuration of a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an internal structure of a printing mechanism of the printer.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an example of a paper packing material used in the recording apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a partial plan view showing an example of a sheet information recording unit used in a sheet packing material.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing another example of a paper packing material that can be used in the recording apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a storage element mounted on the ink cartridge.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a data array of a storage element mounted on a black ink cartridge.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a data array of a storage element mounted on a color ink cartridge.

FIG. 11 shows an EEPR built into the printer body.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an OM data array.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory view showing an example of a window for setting a paper type on a computer.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing selection logic for determining an LUT used for color conversion.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a color conversion processing operation according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a mode setting management table in which a printer driver manages mode setting condition information corresponding to a paper type and ink.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Printer 100 ... Printing mechanism 160 ... Print control part 161 ... CPU 162 ... ROM 163 ... RAM 164, 166 ... Interface (I / F) 165 ... Non-volatile memory (EEPROM) 167 ... Operation panel 168 ... Paper information reading device 171 ... Print mechanism control unit 172 ... Paper / ink information management unit 174 ... Communication control unit 2 ... Computer 200 ... Computer body 201 ... CPU 202 ... ROM 203 ... RAM 209 ... P / I / F 220 ... Display device 230 ... Keyboard 260 ... Communication control unit 240 Application 250 Printer driver 251 Print management unit 252 Spool file storage unit 253 Display control unit 254 Color conversion information management unit 310 CD-ROM 320 Floppy disk 400 Storage element 501 Paper

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A recording apparatus for forming an image on a sheet based on print data sent from an apparatus for generating print data, wherein information indicating the type of sheet loaded in the recording apparatus for image formation is acquired. Recording means for storing information indicating the obtained paper type; and a means for outputting, when requested, information indicating the obtained paper type. 2. The recording device according to claim 1, wherein the device that acquires the information indicating the type of the paper includes a device that reads information recorded in a paper information recording unit attached to a paper packaging material. A recording device, characterized in that: 3. An apparatus which is connected to a recording apparatus for forming an image on a sheet and generates print data to be sent to the recording apparatus, wherein a printing mode is set based on information indicating the type of the selected sheet. Means for performing a print mode setting process for generating print data according to the set print mode,
Means for sending to the recording device, the means for performing the print mode setting process acquires information indicating the type of paper from the recording device, and print mode based on the acquired information indicating the type of paper. A print data generating apparatus for setting the print data. 4. The print data generation device according to claim 3, wherein the means for setting the print mode further acquires information for specifying the ink used for printing from the recording device,
A print data generation apparatus, wherein a print mode is set based on the information for specifying the acquired ink and the information indicating the type of the paper. 5. A print mode setting processing system connected to a recording apparatus for forming an image on a sheet and setting a print mode of the recording apparatus, comprising: means for acquiring information indicating the type of sheet from the recording apparatus; Means for performing a mode setting process for setting a printing mode based on the information indicating the obtained paper type. 6. The print mode setting processing system according to claim 5, further comprising a unit for receiving a selection input of a paper type, wherein the unit for performing the mode setting processing includes a unit for receiving the selection input of the paper type. A print mode setting processing system that, when received, performs a mode setting process based on information indicating the type of the received paper. 7. The print mode setting processing system according to claim 6, further comprising: means for displaying a setting result of the print mode and an area for receiving a selection input of a paper type on a display device; The print mode setting processing system, wherein the means for displaying displays the acquired paper type in a user-readable display mode in an area for receiving the paper type selection input. 8. A system for supporting setting of a print mode, comprising a computer connected to a display device and a printing device, respectively, wherein: a unit for acquiring information indicating a paper type from the recording device; The display device, comprising means for displaying a screen for setting a print mode, means for displaying a screen for setting the print mode, if the information indicating the type of paper has been acquired,
A print mode setting support system, wherein the information indicating the obtained paper type is displayed on the screen in a user-readable display mode. 9. The print mode setting support system according to claim 8, wherein the means for displaying a screen for setting the print mode includes the information indicating the acquired paper type in the print mode setting. A print mode setting support system characterized by displaying a message prompting input of information indicating the type of paper when the information is different from the information indicating the type of paper that can be supported. 10. A recording medium storing a program for causing a computer respectively connected to a display device and a printing device to support setting of a print mode, wherein the program is configured to output information indicating a paper type from the recording device. And causing the computer to perform a process of obtaining a print mode, and a process of displaying a screen for setting a print mode on the display device, and displaying the screen for setting the print mode. If information indicating the type of has been obtained,
A recording medium storing a program, wherein the information indicating the obtained paper type is displayed on the screen in a user-readable display mode. 11. The print data generation apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising communication means for communicating with another system via a network to exchange data. Is
A print data generation device having a function of receiving information necessary for a print mode setting process. 12. The print mode setting processing system according to claim 5, further comprising communication means for communicating with another system via a network to exchange data. The communication means,
A print mode setting processing system having a function of receiving information necessary for print mode setting processing.