JP2002264437A - Print system, printing method, print commander, printer and their program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a print system comprising a printer for forming an image depending on the residual quantity of a coloring material and the need of a user, a printing method, a print commander, a printer and their program. SOLUTION: At a print command source, an ID pertaining to permission of print is affixed to the print command for a printer. In response to the print command, the printer rejects print if the residual quantity of toner is smaller than a first specified quantity (#2: NO) when the affixed ID is prohibition (#1: No). If ID is permission (#1: Yes), print is not always rejected (#4) even if the residual quantity of toner is smaller than the first specified quantity. Consequently, printing can be performed depending on the residual quantity of toner and the need of a user, i.e., the content of a document being printed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus,
The present invention relates to a printing apparatus that prints information processed by these apparatuses, a printing system connecting these apparatuses, a printing method, and a program thereof.
More particularly, the present invention relates to a printing system having a function of detecting the remaining amount of a color material used in a printing apparatus, a printing method, and a program thereof.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus such as a printer or a copying machine, the amount and density of a color material (toner, ink, etc.) do not drop below a certain level in order to maintain good image quality of a formed image. Is generally provided with a so-called empty detection function. In this empty detection function, when it is detected that the amount or density of the color material has dropped below the level, a display is displayed to prompt the user to supply the color material. Further, in such a case, the image forming control is to prohibit the output, to permit the output of a predetermined number of sheets, to allow the user to select whether or not to output each sheet, and to detect an empty state. Nevertheless, there are various things such as those that continue output. In recent years, a print system has been established in which such an image forming apparatus is connected to a computer and an image or document created on the computer is output from the image forming apparatus.

[0003]

However, the image forming control of the conventional image forming apparatus in the empty state has the following problems. That is, in the case where the output is prohibited by the color material empty detection (actually, some color material remains), even in the case of a test print or the like in which an image is to be output irrespective of the quality of the image, the image formation can be performed. Not done. On the other hand, if the output is continued even if the empty color material is detected, poor quality image formation is automatically performed even for a document or image whose quality is desired to be output as a fine copy. In some cases, it is necessary to re-output after toner replenishment. That is, the image formation control in the empty state of the color material is only a single control set in advance in the apparatus side, and cannot be appropriately performed according to the needs of the user.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems of the conventional printing system. That is, an object of the present invention is to provide a printing system, a printing method, a print instructing device, a printing machine, and a program including the image forming apparatus for forming an image according to the remaining amount of the color material of the image forming apparatus and the needs of the user. To provide.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A printing system according to the present invention, which has been made to solve this problem, is a system for printing on a printing machine based on a printing instruction from the printing machine. The print permission information is added to the print instruction, which indicates whether or not printing is possible when the remaining amount of color material in the printing machine is less than the first predetermined amount, and the print machine prohibits the print permission information added to the print instruction. If the color material remaining amount is less than the first predetermined amount, the printing based on the print instruction is rejected, and if the print permission information added to the print instruction is permitted, the color Even if the remaining amount of material is less than the first predetermined amount, printing based on the print instruction is not rejected.

According to this printing system, the print instructing device adds print permission / non-permission information when issuing a print instruction to the printing device. This is information indicating whether printing is permitted or not in a state where the remaining amount of color material in the printing machine is less than the first predetermined amount. Specifically, it is either “prohibited” or “permitted”. On the other hand, when receiving the print instruction, the printing machine operates as follows based on the print permission / prohibition information added to the print instruction. In other words, if the print permission / prohibition information is prohibited, the printing is rejected if the remaining amount of the coloring material is less than the first predetermined amount. On the other hand, when the print permission / prohibition information indicates permission, printing is not necessarily rejected even if the remaining amount of the color material is less than the first predetermined amount. The first predetermined amount may be, for example, a level at which empty is detected by a general color material empty sensor.

[0007] The print instruction and the print additional information by the print instruction machine may be created based on the operation of the user. By doing so, it is possible to provide a printing system that can perform printing in accordance with the remaining amount of the color material of the printing machine and the needs of the user, that is, the print content. In addition, the remaining color material here is
It is not limited to the remaining amount of one-component color material such as toner and ink, but also includes the remaining concentration of two-component color material composed of toner and carrier.

In the printing system of the present invention, the printing machine satisfies a second predetermined amount in which the remaining amount of the coloring material is smaller than the first predetermined amount if the print permission / prohibition information added to the print instruction indicates permission. It is preferable that the printing based on the print instruction is executed only when the printing is performed.
The second predetermined amount may be, for example, a level at which the minimum readable image quality is maintained. In this way, when the user does not require high image quality, printing can be performed within a range in which the minimum image quality is guaranteed.

Alternatively, the printing machine determines that the print permission information added to the print instruction is permission, and
If the remaining amount of the color material is less than the first predetermined amount, it is inquired as to whether the printing is to be performed to the print instruction machine which is the instruction source, and only when the execution is instructed, the printing based on the print instruction is executed. You may make it so. In other words, this is for confirming whether or not printing can be executed even if the image quality is somewhat poor for the user, so that printing can be executed according to the needs of the user.

[0010] Alternatively, in the print system of the present invention, the print instruction machine may forcibly permit the print permission information added to the print instruction in the simple print mode. When the user selects the simplified print mode, the user generally does not care about the quality of the image, and if the print permission information is forcibly permitted, the operation of the user can be simplified.

A printing method according to the present invention is a method in which a print instruction is issued from a print instructor to perform printing based on the print instruction in the printing machine. The print permission / prohibition information indicating the permission / prohibition of printing when the remaining amount of the color material in the printer is less than the first predetermined amount is added to the print instruction, and the print permission / prohibition information added to the print instruction is prohibited in the printing machine. If the color material remaining amount is less than the first predetermined amount, the printing based on the print instruction is rejected, and if the print permission information added to the print instruction is permitted, the color This is a method of not rejecting printing based on the print instruction even if the remaining amount of the material is less than the first predetermined amount.

Further, the print instruction machine of the present invention is capable of issuing a print instruction to a printing machine to execute printing, and includes a print instruction transmission means for transmitting a print instruction, and a print instruction transmission means. Print permission information adding means for adding print permission information indicating permission or prohibition of printing when the remaining amount of color material in the printing machine is less than the first predetermined amount to the print instruction transmitted by the means. . According to this print instruction machine, based on the print permission / prohibition information added by the print permission / prohibition information adding means, the action to be taken when the remaining color material of the printing machine is less than the first predetermined amount is adjusted to the needs of the user. It can be.

Here, the print permission information adding means may forcibly permit the print permission information added to the print instruction in the simple print mode. This is because, in the case of printing in the simple print mode, generally, good image quality is not required, so that printing can be forcibly executed even if the remaining amount of the coloring material is less than the first predetermined amount.

Further, the printing machine of the present invention executes printing based on a printing instruction received from a printing instruction machine, and includes a printing unit for executing printing based on the printing instruction, and a printing unit added to the printing instruction. If the print permission information is prohibited and the remaining amount of the coloring material is less than the first predetermined amount, the first print prohibiting unit prohibits printing based on the print instruction.

In this printing machine, basically, the printing section executes printing based on a print instruction received from a print instruction machine. At this time, the first print prohibiting means is configured to prohibit printing when the print permission / prohibition information added to the print instruction is prohibited and the remaining amount of the color material is less than the first predetermined amount. I do. As a result, printing is performed in accordance with whether the remaining amount of the color material of the printing machine is less than the first predetermined amount and the needs of the user.

Further, when the color material remaining amount is less than the second predetermined amount, which is smaller than the first predetermined amount, the printing machine of the present invention can perform the printing regardless of the print permission information added to the print instruction. It is more preferable to have a second print prohibition unit that prohibits printing based on the instruction. In this case, even if the user requests a print regardless of the quality of the image, a print in which even the minimum image quality is not guaranteed is not performed.

[0017] Alternatively, the printing machine of the present invention, when the printing is prohibited by the first printing prohibiting means, in order to reconfirm whether the printing is possible to the user, whether the printing is performed by the printing instruction machine which is the instruction source. May be provided, and a print prohibition canceling means for canceling the prohibition of printing when the execution is instructed may be provided.

According to the present invention, a computer is provided with means for generating a print instruction signal for a printing machine, and print permission / non-permission information indicating permission / prohibition of printing when the remaining amount of color material in the printing machine is less than a first predetermined amount. The present invention also extends to a means for adding a print instruction signal to a print instruction signal and a print instruction program functioning as a means for transmitting a print instruction signal to which a print permission / prohibition information is added to a printing machine. Here, the computer may further function as means for forcibly permitting print permission / prohibition information added to the print instruction in the simple print mode.

Further, the present invention provides a means for reading a print permission / non-permission information added to a print instruction signal received from a print instruction device by using a computer. A print rejecting means for rejecting printing based on the print instruction if the amount is less than the fixed amount, and a print instruction even if the remaining amount of the color material is less than the first predetermined amount when the print permission / prohibition information is permitted; The present invention also extends to a print program that functions as a print permitting unit that does not reject a print based on the print program.

Here, when the color material remaining amount is less than the second predetermined amount, which is smaller than the first predetermined amount, the computer further responds to the print instruction regardless of the print permission / prohibition information added to the print instruction. You may make it function also as the 2nd print rejection means which rejects printing based on. Alternatively, set the computer to use
When printing is prohibited due to a shortage exceeding a predetermined amount, a print prohibition canceling unit inquires of a print instruction machine which is the instruction source whether printing is to be performed and cancels the printing prohibition when instructed to execute. May also function.

[0021]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The printing system includes a computer 1 for transmitting print data,
And a printer 4 for receiving the print data and executing printing. The computer 1 has a printer driver 2 and an interface 3.
The printer driver 2 includes a print data generation unit 21 and a printer data
And an ID assigning unit 22 for adding D.

On the other hand, the printer 4 has a printer controller 11 and a printer engine 12. The printer controller 11 includes an interface 5, a reception buffer 6, an interpretation unit 7, an output buffer 8, a determination unit 9, and a remaining toner amount detection unit 10. The toner remaining amount detecting unit 10 detects whether the remaining amount of toner is equal to or more than a first predetermined amount and whether it is equal to or more than a second predetermined amount. The first predetermined amount is a level at which empty detection is performed in a normal printer. Above this level, printing of the original image quality is sufficiently possible, and there is no need to worry about a decrease in image density due to a decrease in the amount of remaining toner in a print job of a normal length. The second predetermined amount is a level that is even lower than the first predetermined amount and is a level at which a legible print can be made. The print engine 12 includes a paper feeding mechanism for conveying a sheet, an image forming unit for forming a toner image on a photoconductor, a fixing mechanism for fixing the toner image on paper, and the like.

In the printing system configured as described above, when document data is input by the computer 1, the print data generation unit 21 converts the document data into predetermined bit image data to generate print data. At the same time as this processing, the ID assigning unit 22 generates an ID as header information to be assigned to the print data. This ID is print permission information for determining whether to perform printing when the remaining amount of toner in the printer 4 is less than the first predetermined amount. Therefore, there are two types of "permission" and "prohibition". Specifically, when printing a formal document, “prohibition” is set, and for trial printing, “permission” is set. The print data and ID generated in this manner are transmitted to a communication line 13 represented by a LAN or the like via the interface 3.

On the other hand, in the printer 4, the print data and the ID transmitted via the communication line 13 are received by the interface 5 and stored in the reception buffer 6. Then, the determination unit 9 determines whether or not to perform the printing process based on the ID transmitted from the computer 1 and the detection result of the remaining toner amount detection unit 10. When the determination unit 9 determines that printing is to be performed, the interpreting unit 7 interprets the input print data, and develops image data for print output in the output buffer 8. The image data thus developed is printed on a sheet by the print engine 12.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic configuration of the print job data 30 transmitted from the computer 1 to the printer 4. The print job data 30 includes an area 31 for storing information (header 1) such as print job dataless and data length, an area 32 for storing job ID information (header 2), and an area 33 for storing print data. And an area 34 storing a page break command. Here, the ID stored in the area 32 is the ID
It is provided by the providing unit 22. The assignment will be described later.

Hereinafter, a printing process according to an embodiment of the present printing system will be described in detail with reference to flowcharts. In the print system according to the present embodiment, the print finish desired by the user and the printer 4
The print process is performed based on the remaining toner amount of the print job. Specifically, when the user wants to print a formal document, printing is permitted only when a sufficient amount of toner exists so that the image does not fade on the printer 4. On the other hand, in the case of performing printing in which the quality of an image is not required as in a test print, printing is permitted if there is an amount of toner sufficient to obtain the minimum readable image quality. is there. The processing in the printer 4 for this purpose has a plurality of types of control patterns. Hereinafter, those control patterns will be described in order.

FIG. 3 shows a flowchart in the case of the first control pattern. This control pattern is a pattern in which the second predetermined amount is not used for control. In this control pattern, first, the ID of the area 32 is determined for the print job data 30 received from the computer 1 (# 1).
That is, it is determined whether the ID is permitted. If the ID is permitted (# 1: Yes), the process proceeds to # 4. That is, based on the print data stored in the area 33 of the print job data 30, the print engine 12
Is executed. In this case, it is not determined whether the remaining amount of toner is equal to or more than the first predetermined amount. Because it is a trial print, the image quality does not have to be good.

If the ID is not permitted in # 1, that is, if the ID is prohibited (# 1: No), a detection signal of the remaining toner amount in the remaining toner amount detecting section 10 is confirmed (# 2). Specifically, it is determined whether the remaining amount of toner is equal to or more than a first predetermined amount. If the remaining amount of toner is equal to or more than the first predetermined amount (# 2: Yes), the process proceeds to # 4, and printing is performed. This is because there is no problem printing the official document. on the other hand,
If the remaining amount of toner is smaller than the first predetermined amount (# 2: N
o), printing is prohibited (# 3). That is, printing based on the print data is rejected. This is because improper printing may be performed to make a formal document due to insufficient toner. By doing so, printing is performed according to the remaining amount of toner and the finish desired by the user.

FIG. 4 shows a flowchart in the case of the second control pattern. This control pattern is obtained by changing the order of # 1 and # 2 in the above-described first control pattern. That is, first, the toner remaining amount detection unit 1
Check the remaining toner detection signal at 0 (#
1 '). If the toner remaining amount is equal to or more than the first predetermined amount (# 1 ′: Y
es), proceed to # 4 and print. On the other hand, if the remaining amount of toner is smaller than the first predetermined amount (# 1 ': No), it is determined whether or not the ID of the print job data 30 is permitted (# 2'). If the ID is permitted (# 2 ′: Y
es), proceed to # 4 and print. On the other hand, if the ID is not permitted (# 2 ': No), printing is prohibited (# 3).

Next, FIG. 5 shows a flowchart in the case of the third control pattern. This control pattern is a pattern that uses the second predetermined amount together with the first predetermined amount for control. In this control pattern, first, the ID of the print job data 30 is determined (# 1). When the ID is permitted (# 1: Yes), the detection signal of the remaining toner amount in the remaining toner detecting unit 10 is confirmed (# 5). Here, it is determined whether the remaining amount of toner satisfies the second predetermined amount. If the remaining amount of toner satisfies the second predetermined amount (#
5: Yes), proceed to # 4 and print. This is because a sufficient image can be obtained as a test print. On the other hand, if the remaining amount of toner does not satisfy the second predetermined amount (# 5: N
o), printing is prohibited (# 3). This is because a sufficient image quality cannot be expected even as a test print due to the extreme shortage of the remaining amount of toner.

If the ID is not permitted in # 1 (# 1: No), a detection signal of the remaining amount of toner in the remaining toner amount detector 10 is confirmed (# 2). Here, similarly to # 2 (FIG. 3) in the case of the first control pattern (also in # 1 ′ (FIG. 4) in the case of the second control pattern), the remaining amount of toner satisfies the first predetermined amount. It is determined whether or not. If the remaining amount of toner satisfies the first predetermined amount (# 2: Ye
s), proceed to # 4 and print. On the other hand, if the remaining amount of toner does not satisfy the first predetermined amount, printing is prohibited (# 3). As described above, since the remaining amount of toner satisfies the second predetermined amount at the time of the test print, the image quality of the test print at the lowest reduction is also guaranteed.

This control pattern corresponds to a step # 5 between (# 1: Yes) and # 4 in the first control pattern (FIG. 3).
Is a pattern in which is inserted. # To the control pattern in FIG.
Alternatively, the insertion of 5 may be before # 1. That is, as shown in FIG. 6, first, in # 5, it is determined whether the remaining amount of toner satisfies the second predetermined amount. If the remaining amount of toner satisfies the second predetermined amount (#
5: Yes), proceeding to # 1 in FIG. Thereafter, processing may be performed as described for the first control pattern. On the other hand, if the remaining amount of toner does not satisfy the second predetermined amount in # 5 (# 5: No), the process proceeds to # 3 in FIG. 3 and printing is prohibited. Even in this case, the same result as in the case of FIG. 5 is obtained.

Similarly, # 5 can be inserted into the second control pattern (FIG. 4). The insertable portions are before # 1 ′ (FIG. 7), between (# 1 ′: No) and # 2 ′ (FIG. 8), and between (# 2 ′: Yes) and # 4 (FIG. 8). FIG. 9). In the case of FIG. 7, first, in # 5, it is checked whether the remaining amount of toner satisfies the second predetermined amount. If the remaining amount of toner satisfies the second predetermined amount (# 5: Yes), the process proceeds to # 1 '. If the remaining amount of toner does not satisfy the second predetermined amount in # 5 (# 5: N
o), proceed to # 3. In the case of FIG. 8, when it is determined in # 1 ′ that the remaining amount of toner does not satisfy the first predetermined amount (# 1 ′: No), # 5 is confirmed. The result is Ye
If s, go to # 2 '. If the result is No, proceed to # 3. In the case of FIG. 9, when the ID is permitted in # 2 '(# 2': Yes), # 5 is confirmed. If the result is Yes, proceed to # 4. If the result is No, proceed to # 3.

In the above description, when a plurality of printers are connected to the communication line 13 in FIG.
And # 3 in FIG. 5 may be replaced with # 3 ′ shown in FIG. As described above, when the finish desired by the user cannot be expected because the remaining amount of toner is small, the job may be transferred to another printer instead of prohibiting the printing.

In the printing system according to the present embodiment, in the processing of the printer 4, the computer 1 that is the instruction source of the printing depends on the relationship between the remaining amount of toner and the ID.
A control pattern that inquires of the user whether to execute printing is also possible. The processing in that case will be described with reference to FIG.

In this case, it is first determined whether or not data has been received from the computer 1 (# 11). If no data has been received (# 11: No), the apparatus enters a standby state until data is received. If data is received (# 1
1: Yes), it is determined whether the received data is the print job data 30 (# 12). If it is the print job data 30 (# 12: Yes), it is determined whether the remaining amount of toner satisfies the first predetermined amount (# 1).
3). If the remaining amount of toner satisfies the first predetermined amount (# 1
3: Yes), print processing is performed (# 18). This is because there is a toner remaining amount that does not hinder any printing.

On the other hand, in # 13, the remaining amount of toner is
If the predetermined amount is not satisfied (# 13: No), it is determined whether or not the ID is permitted (# 14). If the ID is permitted (# 14: Yes), the computer 1 checks with the computer 1 whether printing can be performed (# 15). More specifically, a message indicating that the remaining amount of toner is low is displayed on the display of the computer 1, and
A button group for selecting whether or not to execute printing is displayed. As a result, the user of the computer 1 is allowed to select whether or not to execute printing.
If the user selects execution, on the other hand, continuation data to be described later is transmitted from the computer 1 to the printer 4. On the other hand, when the user selects non-execution, the prohibition data is transmitted from the computer 1 to the printer 4. When the process of # 15 is performed,
The processing in the printer 4 ends once. In this case, the print job data 30 is put on hold.

If the ID is not print-permitted in # 14 (# 14: No), the flow proceeds to # 19 and printing is prohibited.
This is because it is a print of a formal document that requires the original image quality.

If the received data is not the print job data 30 at # 12 (# 12: No), the process proceeds to # 16. In this case, the received data is either the aforementioned continuation data or the prohibited data, that is, an answer to the continuation confirmation of # 15. Then, in # 16, it is determined whether the remaining amount of toner satisfies the second predetermined amount. If the remaining amount of toner satisfies the second predetermined amount (# 16: Yes), it is determined whether or not the received data is continuous data (# 17). If the data is continuous data (# 17: Yes), print processing is performed (# 18). This is because the user has requested execution of printing. What is printed here is # 1
5 is the print job data 30 that has been put on hold. If the remaining toner amount does not satisfy the second predetermined amount in # 16 (# 16: No), or if the received data is prohibition data in # 17 (# 17: No), the process proceeds to # 19 and prints. Ban. In this flow, #
The order of the judgment of 16 and the judgment of # 17 may be reversed.

FIG. 12 finally shows a flowchart for explaining the processing in the printer driver 2 of the computer 1. This process is executed when the user of the computer 1 performs a print instruction operation. In this process, first, it is determined whether or not the user has selected the draft print mode (# 21). The draft print mode is a mode for performing a simple print without details. If the draft print mode is selected (#
21: Yes), the ID is set to permitted (# 22). This is because in the case of the draft print mode, it is considered that the user does not request high image quality. If the draft print mode is not selected in # 21 (# 21: No), the user is caused to determine the ID (# 23).

When the processing of # 22 or # 23 is performed, the print job data 30 to be transmitted to the printer 4
Is assigned an ID (# 24). The contents of the ID to be assigned are those determined in # 22 or # 23. The processing in the printer 4 changes according to the ID as described above. Next, bit image data is generated based on the document data to be printed (# 25). What is generated here is the data of the first page portion of the print content. Then, it is determined whether or not the current page is the first page (# 26).
At this point, since it is the first page (# 26: Yes), #
The ID assigned at 24 is transmitted to the printer 4 as the header 2 (area 32) (# 27). Next, the bit image data generated in # 25 is converted into print data (area 33).
Is transmitted to the printer 4 (# 28).

Then, it is determined whether or not transmission of all pages has been completed (# 29). If the transmission of all pages has not been completed (# 29: No), the next page is set (# 29).
30). Then, the process returns to step # 25 to continue the processing for the next page. However, after the second page, the judgment of # 26 is N
Since it is o, # 27 is bypassed and only the bit image data is transmitted. When the transmission of all pages is completed (# 29: Yes), this processing ends.

As described above in detail, in the print system of the present embodiment, when the computer 1 on the print instruction side issues a print instruction to the printer 4 as the instruction destination, the ID relating to the print permission is rejected. It is to be added. When the printer 4 receives the print instruction and the added ID is forbidden, the printer 4 rejects the print if the remaining amount of toner is less than the first predetermined amount. On the other hand, if the ID is permitted, the printing process is not necessarily rejected even if the remaining amount of toner is less than the first predetermined amount. Therefore, when the user issues a print instruction using the computer 1, the ID may be prohibited for a document such as a formal document, and the ID may be permitted for a test print. In addition,
The computer 1 may forcibly permit the ID information added to the print instruction in the draft print mode. As a result, when a print that does not meet the intention is not made and the quality is not considered, a printed matter can be obtained promptly.

Further, when the ID information added to the print instruction is permitted, the printer 4 prints the image only when the remaining amount of toner satisfies a second predetermined amount smaller than the first predetermined amount. Printing based on the instruction can be performed. In this way, even if the user performs a test print,
Printing can be performed within a range in which the minimum readable image quality is guaranteed. Further, if the ID information added to the print instruction is permitted and the remaining amount of toner is less than the first predetermined amount, the printer 4 inquires of the computer 1 to continue printing and executes the execution. Printing can be executed only when instructed. Thus, it is possible to execute printing according to the needs of the user.

The present embodiment is merely an example, and does not limit the present invention. Therefore, naturally, the present invention can be variously modified and modified without departing from the gist thereof. For example, in this embodiment,
Although the term "toner remaining amount" is used, the same applies to "toner density" in the case of a printer using a two-component developer and "ink remaining amount" in the case of an ink jet printer.

[0047]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, a printing system, a printing method, and a printing method having an image forming apparatus for forming an image in accordance with the remaining amount of the color material of the image forming apparatus and the needs of the user. Print instructions and printers and their programs are provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a print system according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of print job data.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a print permission / prohibition determination process in the printer.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating another example of print permission / prohibition determination processing in the printer.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating yet another example of print permission / prohibition determination processing in a printer.

FIG. 6 is a part of a flowchart showing still another example of a print permission / prohibition determination process in the printer.

FIG. 7 is a part of a flowchart showing still another example of a print permission / prohibition determination process in the printer.

FIG. 8 is a part of a flowchart showing still another example of a print permission / prohibition determination process in the printer.

FIG. 9 is a part of a flowchart showing still another example of print permission / prohibition determination processing in the printer.

FIG. 10 is a part of a flowchart showing processing for transferring a job to another printer when printing is prohibited.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating yet another example of print permission / denial determination processing in a printer.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a process performed by a driver as a print instruction source;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Computer 2 Printer driver 4 Printer 9 Judgment part 10 Toner remaining amount detection part 12 Print engine 30 Print job data 31 Header 32 Header 33 Print data

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A printing system for printing on a printing machine based on a printing instruction from a printing machine, wherein the printing machine performs printing when the remaining amount of color material in the printing machine is less than a first predetermined amount. Is added to the print instruction, and if the print permission information added to the print instruction is forbidden, the color material remaining amount is less than the first predetermined amount. In this case, the printing based on the print instruction is rejected. If the print permission / prohibition information added to the print instruction is permitted, the print instruction based on the print instruction is used even if the remaining amount of the coloring material is less than the first predetermined amount. A printing system characterized by not rejecting printing. 2. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the printing machine determines that the remaining amount of the coloring material is smaller than the first predetermined amount when the printing permission / prohibition information added to the printing instruction is permission. (2) A print system which executes printing based on a print instruction only when a predetermined amount is satisfied. 3. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the printing machine is configured to permit the print permission / prohibition information added to the print instruction and to allow the color material remaining amount to be less than the first predetermined amount. A print instruction machine that instructs a print instruction machine as to whether or not to execute printing, and executes printing based on the print instruction only when instructed to execute. 4. The print system according to claim 1, wherein said print instruction device forcibly permits print permission information added to a print instruction in a simplified print mode. 5. A printing method in which a print instruction is issued from a print instructing device to perform printing based on the print instruction in the printing machine. The print permission / prohibition information indicating the permission / prohibition of printing in a state where the print permission is less than the first predetermined amount is added to the print instruction. In the printing machine, when the print permission / prohibition information added to the print instruction is prohibited, If the remaining amount of the color material is less than the first predetermined amount, the printing based on the print instruction is rejected, and if the print permission information added to the print instruction is permitted, the remaining amount of the color material becomes the first amount. A printing method characterized by not rejecting printing based on a print instruction even if the amount is less than a predetermined amount. 6. A print instruction device capable of issuing a print instruction to a printing machine to execute printing, wherein the print instruction is transmitted by the print instruction transmission device, and the print instruction is transmitted by the print instruction transmission device. And a print permission information adding unit for adding print permission / prohibition information indicating permission / prohibition of printing when the remaining amount of the color material in the printing machine is less than a first predetermined amount. 7. A print instruction machine according to claim 6, wherein said print permission / non-permission information adding means forcibly permits the print permission / non-permission information added to the print instruction in the simple print mode. Machine. 8. A printing machine for executing printing based on a print instruction received from a print instruction machine, wherein a printing unit for executing printing based on the print instruction and print permission / prohibition information added to the print instruction are prohibited. And a first print prohibiting means for prohibiting printing based on the print instruction when the remaining amount of the color material is less than a first predetermined amount. 9. The printing machine according to claim 8, wherein when the remaining amount of the color material is less than a second predetermined amount that is smaller than the first predetermined amount, the remaining amount of the color material is not related to the print permission information added to the print instruction. And a second print prohibition unit for prohibiting printing based on the print instruction. 10. A printing machine according to claim 8, wherein when printing is prohibited by said first print prohibiting means, a print instruction machine as an instruction source is inquired as to whether or not to execute printing, and the execution is instructed. A printing machine comprising a print prohibition canceling means for canceling prohibition of printing in a case. 11. A computer, comprising: means for generating a print instruction signal for a printing machine; and print permission signal indicating print permission / prohibition information indicating permission / prohibition of printing when the remaining amount of color material in the printing machine is less than a first predetermined amount. And a print instruction signal to which a print instruction signal to which print permission information is added is transmitted to the printing machine. 12. A computer for reading a pudding permission / non-permission information added to a print instruction signal received from a print instruction unit, and when the print permission / non-permission information is prohibited, the color material remaining amount is less than a first predetermined amount. Print rejection means for rejecting the print based on the print instruction if the print instruction has been performed, and printing based on the print instruction even if the remaining amount of the color material is less than the first predetermined amount when the print permission information is permitted. A print program that functions as a print permitting unit that does not reject the print request.