JP2008102606A - Printing system, printing method, control device and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make a user-friendly display in a printing system, a printing method, a control device and a program. <P>SOLUTION: The printing system comprises a printer that can be mounted with a plurality of ink cartridges out of which at least two ink cartridges are switched to use at least one of them for printing; a display device; and the control device for controlling the printer and the display device. The control device acquires ink residual quantity information showing the ink residual quantities of the plurality of ink cartridges respectively from the printer, displays the ink residual quantities of the plurality of ink cartridges used for printing based on the ink residual quantity information, and displays the ink residual quantities differently from the display of the ink residual quantities of the plurality of ink cartridges used for printing, also on the ink cartridges not used for the printing. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing system, a printing method, a control device, and a program.

  A printing apparatus such as an inkjet printer is equipped with ink cartridges of a plurality of colors, and an image is printed on a sheet by ejecting ink of each color from a head. The image printed in this way has a different color depending on the type of ink. For this reason, there is a request to change the ink to be used according to the user's application.

However, if the ink cartridge is replaced by the user's manual operation, it will take time for the user to replace it. Therefore, it has been proposed to mount various types of ink cartridges in advance in the printing apparatus and switch the ink cartridges used during printing (for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2001-187458 A

At the time of printing, the remaining amount of ink is displayed on a display device. The display of the remaining amount of ink is normally displayed for all ink cartridges mounted on the printing apparatus. However, in the case of a printing apparatus that uses some of the ink cartridges by switching as described above, if the remaining ink level of all the ink cartridges is displayed in the same way, the user should check which remaining ink level. I do n’t know if it ’s good and I ’m confused. However, simply displaying the remaining amount of ink in some ink cartridges used for printing allows the user to determine whether the remaining amount of ink is sufficient or not to be used for printing. It is not possible to determine whether or not to purchase a certain number of ink cartridges.
An object of the present invention is to provide a user-friendly display.

  A main invention for achieving the above object is a printing apparatus capable of mounting a plurality of ink cartridges, and at least two of the plurality of ink cartridges are used for printing by switching at least one of them. In a printing system comprising a printing device that performs printing, a display device, and a control device that controls the printing device and the display device, the control device provides ink remaining amount information indicating ink remaining amounts of the plurality of ink cartridges. Each of the plurality of ink cartridges acquired from the printing device and used for printing is displayed on the display device based on the ink remaining amount information, and ink cartridges not used for printing are also used for printing. Different from the display of the remaining amount of ink in the plurality of ink cartridges. It was a printing system characterized by displaying the ink remaining amount with.

  Other features of the present invention will become apparent from the description of the present specification and the accompanying drawings.

  At least the following matters will become clear from the description of the present specification and the accompanying drawings.

A printing apparatus capable of mounting a plurality of ink cartridges, wherein at least two ink cartridges among the plurality of ink cartridges are used for printing at least one of them by switching, a display device, and the printing And a control device for controlling the display device, wherein the control device acquires ink remaining amount information indicating the remaining ink amounts of the plurality of ink cartridges from the printing device, respectively. The remaining amount of ink in the plurality of ink cartridges used for printing is displayed on the display device based on the amount information, and the remaining amount of ink in the plurality of ink cartridges used for printing is also displayed for the ink cartridge not used for printing. The remaining amount of ink is displayed differently from the display Printing system that will become apparent.
According to such a printing system, a user-friendly display can be performed.

  Further, it is preferable that the control device displays the remaining amount of ink of the at least two ink cartridges to be switched adjacent to each other on the display device. Thereby, the user's usability improves.

  Further, the control device forms a border on the display of the remaining amount of ink of the ink cartridge used for the printing, and does not form the border on the display of the remaining amount of ink of the ink cartridge not used for the printing. Is desirable. This makes it easy to visually recognize the ink remaining amount display of the ink cartridge to be used.

  Further, the remaining amount of ink is indicated by the height of the liquid column, and in the display of the remaining amount of ink of the ink cartridge used for the printing, the portion of the liquid column is more than the portion that is not the liquid column. In the display of the ink remaining amount of the ink cartridge not used for printing, it is desirable that the portion that is not the liquid column is displayed so as to be darker than the portion of the liquid column. This makes it easy to visually recognize the ink remaining amount display of the ink cartridge to be used.

  Further, in the display of the remaining ink amount of the ink cartridge not used for printing, it is desirable that a part of the portion that is not the liquid column is displayed darkly. Accordingly, even when the remaining ink amount of the unused ink cartridge becomes zero, it becomes easy to distinguish from the remaining ink amount display of the other ink cartridges.

  Further, when the user selects a paper type, a list of a plurality of paper types classified according to each of the at least two ink cartridges to be switched is displayed, and the ink cartridge according to the paper type selected by the user It is desirable to switch to use. Thereby, when the ink to be used is switched based on the paper type, user convenience is improved.

  The printing apparatus includes a carriage that moves a head that ejects ink, and at least two tubes that supply ink of the at least two ink cartridges that are mounted on the main body side to the carriage side, respectively. It is desirable that a switching mechanism for switching the ink cartridge is provided on the carriage side. Thereby, the amount of ink discharged at the time of switching can be reduced.

  A printing apparatus capable of mounting a plurality of ink cartridges, wherein at least two of the plurality of ink cartridges are switched from a printing apparatus that uses at least one of the plurality of ink cartridges for printing. A step of acquiring ink remaining amount information indicating the remaining amount of ink; and displaying the ink remaining amounts of the plurality of ink cartridges used for printing based on the ink remaining amount information, and for ink cartridges not used for printing It also becomes clear that there is a step of displaying the remaining amount of ink different from the display of the remaining amount of ink of the plurality of ink cartridges used for printing.

  A printing apparatus capable of mounting a plurality of ink cartridges, wherein at least two of the plurality of ink cartridges are controlled to control a printing apparatus that uses at least one of them for printing, and a display device A remaining amount of ink information indicating the remaining amount of ink in the plurality of ink cartridges from the printing device, and the remaining amount of ink in the plurality of ink cartridges used for printing based on the remaining amount of ink information. It is also apparent that the remaining amount of ink is displayed differently from the display of the remaining amount of ink of the plurality of ink cartridges used for printing for the ink cartridge that is not used for printing.

  A printing apparatus capable of mounting a plurality of ink cartridges, wherein at least two of the plurality of ink cartridges are controlled to control a printing apparatus that uses at least one of them for printing, and a display device A function for causing the control device to acquire remaining ink amount information indicating the remaining ink amount of the plurality of ink cartridges from the printing device, and ink of the plurality of ink cartridges used for printing based on the remaining ink amount information. In addition to displaying the remaining amount on the display device, an ink cartridge that is not used for printing is also displayed with a function for displaying the remaining amount of ink different from the display of the remaining amount of ink of the plurality of ink cartridges used for printing. The program is characterized by the

=== Configuration of Printing System ===
Next, an embodiment of a printing system will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the description of the following embodiments includes embodiments relating to a computer program and a recording medium on which the computer program is recorded.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the overall configuration of the printing system. The printing system 100 includes a computer 110, a display device 120, and a printer 1. The computer 110 is communicably connected to the printer 1 and outputs print data corresponding to the image to be printed to the printer 1 in order to cause the printer 1 to print an image. The printer 1 is a printing apparatus that prints an image on a medium such as paper, cloth, or film.

  The “printing apparatus” means an apparatus that prints an image on a medium, and corresponds to the printer 1, for example. The “control device” means a device that controls a printing device or a display device, and corresponds to, for example, the computer 110 in which a printer driver is installed. The “printing system” means a system including at least a printing apparatus and a control apparatus.

  A printer driver is installed in the computer 110. The printer driver is a program for causing the display device 120 to display a user interface and converting image data output from the application program into print data. This printer driver is recorded on a recording medium (computer-readable recording medium) such as a flexible disk FD or a CD-ROM. Alternatively, the printer driver can be downloaded to the computer 110 via the Internet. In addition, this program is comprised from the code | cord | chord for implement | achieving various functions.

  FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the main configuration of the printer. Hereinafter, the main configuration of the printer will be described with reference to FIG.

  The printer 1 of this embodiment includes a transport unit 20, a carriage unit 30, a head unit 40, a detector group 50, and a controller 60. The printer 1 that has received print data from the computer 110, which is an external device, controls each unit (conveyance unit 20, carriage unit 30, and head unit 40) by the controller 60, and prints an image on paper. The situation in the printer 1 is monitored by a detector group 50, and the detector group 50 outputs a detection result to the controller 60. The controller 60 controls each unit based on the detection result output from the detector group 50.

  The transport unit 20 is for transporting a medium (for example, paper S) in a predetermined direction (hereinafter referred to as a transport direction). The transport unit 20 transports the paper S by rotating a transport roller (not shown) by the transport motor 22. The carriage unit 30 is for moving the carriage 31 in the movement direction by a carriage motor 32. The head unit 40 is for ejecting ink onto paper. The head unit 40 includes a head 41 having a plurality of nozzles. Since the head 41 is provided on the carriage 31, when the carriage 31 moves in the movement direction, the head 41 also moves in the movement direction. Then, by intermittently ejecting ink while the head 41 is moving in the moving direction, dot lines (raster lines) along the moving direction are formed on the paper. The detector group 50 includes a linear encoder 51 that detects the position of the carriage 31 in the moving direction.

  The controller 60 is a control unit (control unit) for controlling the printer. The controller 60 includes a CPU 62, a memory 63, and a unit control circuit 64. The CPU 62 is an arithmetic processing unit for controlling the entire printer. The memory 63 is for securing an area for storing a program of the CPU 62, a work area, and the like, and includes storage elements such as a RAM and an EEPROM. The unit control circuit 64 is a circuit for controlling each unit. The controller 60 controls each unit via the CPU 62 or the unit control circuit 64. The controller 60 transmits a control signal for controlling the head 41 to the head 41 via the cable CBL.

  A total of nine cartridge slots 9 are provided on the left and right sides of the printer 1. Each slot 9 contains an ink cartridge 90 containing ink. In this embodiment, matte black (Mk), photo black (Pk), gray (Lk), light gray (LLk), cyan (C), light cyan (LC), magenta (M), light magenta (LM), and yellow The ink cartridges 90 for each color (Y) are respectively stored in the slots 9. Each slot 9 is numbered 1-9. The first slot 9 stores a matte black ink cartridge, and in order from the first, matte black (Mk), photo black (Pk), gray (Lk), light gray (LLk), cyan (C), and light cyan. (LC), magenta (M), light magenta (LM), and yellow (Y) ink cartridges are accommodated. Ink in the ink cartridge 90 is supplied to the head 41 via the cable CBL.

  Each ink cartridge is provided with a storage element 91. Each storage element 91 has an ID number for identifying the ink cartridge, the color of the ink stored therein, the initial ink amount indicating the amount of ink initially stored, and the remaining ink indicating the amount of ink currently remaining. Information such as quantity is stored. The controller 60 includes a memory controller (not shown). The memory controller reads information from the storage element 91 and writes information to the storage element 91.

  When an ink cartridge is installed in the slot 9, the controller 60 reads information stored in the storage element 91 of the ink cartridge and stores the information in the memory 63. Then, the controller 60 calculates the ink usage amount by counting the number of ink droplets (number of dots) to be ejected based on the print data during printing, and calculates the ink usage amount from the remaining ink amount stored in the memory 63. Subtract to update the ink level. At a predetermined timing, the controller 60 writes information on the remaining amount of ink in the memory 63 in the storage element 91 of the ink cartridge 90.

=== Nozzle arrangement in the head 41 ===
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the arrangement of nozzles on the lower surface of the head 41 of the present embodiment.

  Eight nozzle rows are provided on the lower surface of the head 41. Each nozzle row includes 180 nozzles that are ejection ports for ejecting ink. A nozzle row is formed by arranging 180 nozzles in the transport direction. The 180 nozzles are aligned at a constant nozzle pitch of 1/180 inch. Each nozzle is assigned a lower number in the downstream side in the transport direction (# 1 to # 180). Each nozzle is provided with a piezo element (not shown) as a drive element for driving each nozzle to eject ink droplets.

  In the present embodiment, although the ink cartridges for nine colors are stored in the printer, only the nozzle rows for eight colors are provided on the lower surface of the head 41. The eight nozzle rows are black nozzle row (Bk), gray nozzle row (Lk), light gray nozzle row (LLk), cyan nozzle row (C), light cyan nozzle row (LC), and magenta nozzle. A row (M), a light magenta nozzle row (LM), and a yellow nozzle row (Y).

  The black nozzle row Bk selectively ejects the matte black ink (Mk) or the photo black ink (Pk) depending on the situation. That is, the matte black ink (Mk) or the photo black ink (Pk) is supplied to the black nozzle row Bk depending on the situation. The head unit 40 is provided with a switching mechanism for switching the mat black ink (Mk) and the photo black ink (Pk) to be supplied to the black nozzle row Bk.

  That is, the printer performs printing in a total of eight colors, black, gray, light gray, cyan, light cyan, magenta, light magenta, and yellow. Then, black is either matte black or photo black depending on the situation.

=== Switching ink ===
FIG. 4 is a schematic explanatory diagram of an ink supply path for matte black ink and photo black ink.
The ink cartridge 90 is accommodated in the slot 9 on the printer main body side. On the other hand, the head 41 which is an ink supply destination is provided on a movable carriage 31. For this reason, the ink accommodated in the ink cartridge 90 is supplied from the printer main body side to the carriage 31 side via a flexible tube (tube) provided in the flexible cable CBL.

  The cable CBL is separately provided with a supply pipe serving as a mat black ink flow path and a supply pipe serving as a photo black ink flow path. That is, the matte black ink and the photo black ink are supplied to the carriage side through the respective supply pipes. The ink is supplied by a supply mechanism such as a pump (not shown).

  The head unit 40 is provided with a switching mechanism 43 for switching the mat black ink (Mk) and the photo black ink (Pk) to be supplied to the black nozzle row Bk. That is, the switching mechanism 43 is provided not on the printer body side but on the carriage 31 side. This is to reduce the amount of ink discharged when discharging ink between the switching mechanism 43 and the head 41 in accordance with ink switching processing described later.

  The switching mechanism 43 includes two inlets and one outlet. Two pipes from the cable CBL are connected to the two inlets of the switching mechanism. The outlet of the switching mechanism is connected to a black supply port provided in the head 41 for supplying ink to the black nozzle row (Bk).

  FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view for explaining the configuration of the switching mechanism 43. FIG. 5B is a bottom view for explaining the inlet / outlet of the switching mechanism 43. The switching mechanism 43 includes a housing 431, an entrance / exit plate 432, a shaft 433, a packing 434, and a spring 435.

  The entrance / exit plate 432 is attached to the housing 431, and the housing 431 and the entrance / exit plate 432 form an internal space. In the entrance / exit plate 432, three holes 432A to 432C are formed so as to allow communication between the internal space and the outside. Of these holes, the central hole 432A serves as the outlet of the switching mechanism 43, and the remaining holes 432B and 432C serve as the inlet of the switching mechanism 43. In the present embodiment, the hole 432A is connected to a supply pipe for supplying ink to the black nozzle row (Bk) of the head 41. The hole 432B is connected to a supply pipe that supplies mat black ink (Mk), and the hole 432C is connected to a supply pipe that supplies photo black ink (Pk).

  A part of the shaft 433 and the packing 434 are accommodated in the internal space. A motor (not shown) for rotating the shaft 433 is connected to one end of the shaft 433. The packing 434 is attached to a holder portion formed on the shaft 433, and is in close contact with the entrance / exit plate 432 by a spring 435. A flow path 434 </ b> A is formed in the packing 434. In the drawing, the channel 434A connects the hole 432A serving as the outlet and one hole 432B serving as the inlet. When the shaft 433 rotates 180 degrees, the packing 434 also rotates 180 degrees together with the shaft 433, and the flow path 434A is switched to connect the other hole 432C and the hole 432A.

  In the state shown in the figure, the matte black ink (Mk) is supplied to the hole 432B, and the matte black ink (Mk) is supplied to the head 41 from the hole 432A through the flow path 434A. Even if the photo black ink (Pk) is supplied to the hole 432C, the photo black ink (Pk) is not supplied to the head 41 because the photo black ink (Pk) does not communicate with the flow path 434A. When the shaft 433 rotates 180 degrees from the state shown in the drawing, the photo black ink (Pk) is switched to be supplied to the head 41.

  When the ink ejected to the black nozzle row (Bk) of the head 41 is switched from mat black (Mk) to photo black (Pk), the controller 60 performs the following operation. First, the controller 60 rotates the shaft 433 by 180 degrees with a motor (not shown) to connect the flow path 434A connected to the hole 432B to the hole 432C. Further, the controller 60 moves the carriage 31 so that the head 41 faces a waste liquid tank (not shown). After the flow path 434A is switched, the controller 60 drives the head 41 to discharge ink from the black nozzle row (Bk) toward the waste liquid tank. At this time, the matte black ink remaining on the downstream side of the switching mechanism 43 is ejected from the black nozzle row (Bk). When the ejection is continued for a while, the ink ejected from the black nozzle row (Bk) is changed from the matte black ink to the photo black ink. When the photo black ink is ejected from the black nozzle row (Bk), the controller 60 stops ejecting the ink. The above series of operations will be referred to as “switching process” in the following description.

=== How to display the remaining amount ===
Next, the remaining ink display in this embodiment will be described.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a printer driver setting screen. The setting screen for performing “basic setting” includes an area F1 for selecting the paper type, an area F2 for selecting color or monochrome, an area F3 for setting the print mode, and an area F4 for displaying the remaining ink amount. It is. Here, the region F4 for displaying the remaining ink amount will be described.

  Nine graphs are displayed in the area F4 for displaying the remaining ink amount. Each graph shows the remaining amount of any of the nine cartridges attached to the printer 1. Numbers 1 to 9 are displayed below each graph. This number corresponds to the number assigned to the slot 9 (see FIG. 2). That is, the first graph corresponds to mat black, and in order from the first, mat black (Mk), photo black (Pk), gray (Lk), light gray (LLk), cyan (C), and light cyan (LC). , Magenta (M), light magenta (LM), and yellow (Y) respectively.

  In this embodiment, although the number of ink colors used at the time of printing is 8, the remaining amount display for 9 colors is performed. In other words, in this embodiment, the remaining amount of ink that is not used during printing is also displayed. For this reason, the user can recognize the remaining amount of ink that is not used during printing by looking at the setting screen. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the remaining amount of ink that is not used during printing is displayed in reverse. In the state shown in the figure, the first graph corresponding to matte black is highlighted.

  FIG. 7A is an explanatory diagram of a normal remaining amount display graph. Here, an enlarged display of the second graph in FIG. 6 (graph corresponding to photo black) is shown. In addition, the 3rd to 9th graphs have the same configuration as the 2nd graph.

  As shown in the figure, this graph shows a vertical bar graph in a quadrangular prism format. On the left side of the quadrangular column, five scales are marked on the basis of the front surface of the quadrangular column. Each scale indicates 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% in order from the bottom.

  The sides that make up the quadrangular column are indicated by solid black lines. By indicating the quadrangular column with the black solid line, the quadrangular column is framed with the black solid line, and the user can easily recognize the quadrangular column. However, no line is displayed on the right side of the front surface of the quadrangular column (the side that is the boundary between the front surface of the quadrangular column and the right surface). This is to make the graph as easy to see as possible when nine graphs are displayed side by side in the narrow region F4. That is, since the distance between the left side of the front surface of the quadrangular column and the back side of the right side of the quadrangular column is narrow, if the right side of the front surface of the quadrangular column is displayed with a solid black line This is because the central black solid line of the three vertical black solid lines is conspicuous and the visibility of the graph is impaired.

  In this graph, the remaining amount of ink is displayed according to the height of the liquid column. However, the liquid surface (the upper surface of the liquid column) is displayed in a colorless color. This is because the scale is written with reference to the surface in front of the quadrangular column, and if the liquid level is displayed in color, it becomes difficult to visually recognize the height of the liquid level with respect to the scale (the user is Misrecognize the remaining amount more than the remaining amount).

  Note that the liquid column of each graph is colored with the corresponding ink color or approximate color. As a result, the user can easily recognize which color of ink remaining in each graph.

  FIG. 7B is an explanatory diagram of a reverse display graph. Here, an enlarged display of the first graph (graph corresponding to matte black) in FIG. 6 is shown.

  In the inverted display graph, the sides constituting the quadrangular column are displayed as thin lines (gray solid lines). For this reason, compared with the square column of the normal display graph bordered by the black solid line, the square column of the reverse display graph becomes difficult to visually recognize, and it is possible to easily show the user that this graph is the reverse display. . In addition, as shown in FIG. 6, if there is a graph indicated by a thin line among the eight graphs bordered by a black solid line, the graph indicated by a thin line is easily excluded from the examination target under the user's consciousness. Therefore, it becomes easy for the user to consider only 8 graphs that are easily noticeable.

  In the inverted display graph, no line is displayed on the right side of the front surface of the quadrangular column (the side that is the boundary between the front surface and the right surface of the quadrangular column). This is to make the graph as easy to see as possible when nine graphs are displayed side by side in the narrow region F4.

  In the inverted display graph, the liquid column indicating the remaining ink amount is displayed in a pale color. Further, in the reverse display graph, the color is darker than the color of the liquid column indicating the ink remaining amount, and the position from the liquid level to the position where the remaining amount is 100% (the portion that should be displayed colorless in the normal display graph). Is colored. That is, the reverse display graph is colored so that the upper side of the graph is darker than the lower side. In the normal display graph, the upper side of the graph is colorless and the lower side is colored, so if the upper side of the graph is darkly colored in the reverse display graph, the user also specifies the reverse display graph from the color scheme side. It becomes easy.

  In the reverse display graph, only the surface in front of the quadrangular column is colored between the position of the liquid level and the position where the remaining amount is 100% (the right side surface of the quadrangular column is not colored and is colorless. Is). This is because if the right side surface of the quadrangular prism is also colored, it is difficult to distinguish the remaining amount of ink from the normal display graph when the remaining amount of ink becomes 0%. . In particular, in the reverse display, the upper side of the graph is colored deeply, and when the remaining amount of ink becomes 0%, it is colored only with a dark color, so it is distinguished from the case where the remaining amount of ink in the normal display graph is 100%. This is because it becomes difficult.

  Incidentally, as described above, in this embodiment, the mat black and the photo black are switched and used. When the mat black is switched to use, the first graph of FIG. 6 showing the remaining amount of mat black ink is displayed in the format of FIG. 7A, and the second amount of FIG. 6 showing the remaining amount of photo black ink. Is displayed in the format of FIG. 7B. On the other hand, in the remaining amount display shown in FIG. 6, a matte black graph (first graph) and a photo black graph (second graph) are displayed adjacent to each other. For this reason, the user can easily compare the two remaining ink amounts to be selected by the alternative.

=== Flow during printing ===
FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the overall flow during printing.
Prior to printing, the user creates data to be printed by an application program (for example, a sentence creation support program such as a word) of the computer 110 (see FIG. 1). A plurality of printers can be selected on the print instruction screen of the application program. Here, it is assumed that the printer 1 of this embodiment is selected and the setting screen is called (S001).
When the printer 1 of this embodiment is selected on the print instruction screen of the application program and the setting screen is called up, the printer driver is activated, and the printer driver causes the computer 110 to make an inquiry to the printer 1 (S002). The contents of the inquiry include, for example, the printer status, the ink color of the ink cartridge installed in each slot 9, the ink remaining amount of each ink cartridge, and the type of black ink selected by the switching mechanism 43 (matte black or Photo black).

Upon receiving the inquiry, the printer 1 responds to the computer 110 (S101). The printer 1 transmits information indicating an error state, a busy state, a standby state, and the like to the computer 110 as information regarding the status. Here, it is assumed that the printer 1 transmits information indicating a standby state. In addition, the printer 1 transmits color information for nine colors as information related to the ink color of the ink cartridge. Ink color information not selected by the switching mechanism 43 is also transmitted. Further, the printer 1 transmits information related to the remaining amount of ink in each ink cartridge. Ink remaining amount information not selected by the switching mechanism 43 is also transmitted. Further, it is assumed that the printer 1 transmits information indicating photo black as information regarding the type of black ink selected by the switching mechanism 43.
When receiving an inquiry about the remaining ink amount, the printer 1 may respond by reading out the remaining ink amount information from the storage element 91 of the ink cartridge 90, or the remaining ink amount stored in the memory 63. You may respond according to the information.

  After the response from the printer 1, when the printer property is selected while selecting the printer 1 of the present embodiment on the print instruction screen of the application program, the setting of the printer driver of the present embodiment as shown in FIG. The screen is displayed on the display device 120 (see FIG. 1) (S003). Here, according to the response from the printer 1, the printer driver displays nine graphs in the area F4 for displaying the remaining amount of ink. Specifically, the printer driver determines the liquid column colors of the nine graphs based on the color information for nine colors transmitted from the printer 1. Further, the printer driver determines the heights of the liquid columns of the nine graphs based on the information regarding the remaining ink amount. Further, the printer driver reversely displays the graph corresponding to the matte black (the first graph) based on the information regarding the type of the selected black ink.

  As shown in FIG. 6, in this embodiment, the remaining amount of ink that is not used during printing is also displayed. For this reason, the user can compare the remaining amount of mat black (corresponding to the first graph) and the remaining amount of photo black (corresponding to the second graph). In particular, in the present embodiment, the mat black and photo black graphs that are used after being switched are displayed adjacent to each other, so that the user can easily compare the remaining amounts of the two. Here, the user can easily recognize that the remaining amount of the matte black ink is larger than the remaining amount of the photo black ink.

The user can check the remaining amount of ink and set the paper type, print mode, and the like on the printer driver setting screen.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of a printer driver setting screen for selecting a paper type. When the user selects the pull-down menu button in the area F1 in FIG. 6, a list of paper types as shown in FIG. 9 is displayed.

  In the present embodiment, paper types suitable for photo black ink and paper types suitable for matte black ink are classified and displayed. For example, “photo paper” suitable for photo printing is classified and displayed as “photo black”, and “mat paper” is classified and displayed as “matt black”. This is because when a paper type is selected in the present embodiment, black ink suitable for the selected paper type is used for printing.

  By the way, “plain paper” can be printed with either photo black ink or matte black ink. Therefore, in this embodiment, “plain paper” is classified into the “photo black” item and the “matte black” item. That is, when printing plain paper, the user can instruct printing with photo black ink or printing with matte black ink depending on the setting of the area F1 for selecting the paper type. Here, since the user recognizes that the remaining amount of the matte black ink is larger than the remaining amount of the photoblack ink, the “plain paper” classified as “matte black” in the paper type setting is shown. Assume that “plain paper—matte black” is selected.

  FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a printer driver setting screen after “plain paper-matte black” is selected. After the paper type is selected, the pull-down menu is closed and the selected paper type is displayed in the area F1. In this embodiment, when displaying in the area F1 that “plain paper” classified as “matte black” has been selected, not “plain paper” but simply “plain paper-matt black”. Is displayed. This is because, if “plain paper” is simply displayed, it is impossible to grasp from the display of the area F1 which black ink is used for printing.

  When “plain paper-matt black” is selected, the printer driver switches the mat black graph (number 1 graph) to the normal display among the remaining amount display graphs in the area F4, and the photo black graph (2). Switch to the reverse display. This makes it easier for the user to recognize the remaining amount of ink of eight colors used when printing the selected paper. At this stage, the printer driver does not instruct the printer 1 to perform switching processing, and the printer 1 does not perform switching processing.

After completing the setting of the printer driver, the user issues a final print instruction (S004). After the final print instruction, the printer driver displays a print processing screen on the computer 110 (S005).
FIG. 11A is an explanatory diagram of a print processing screen. This print processing screen includes an area F11 for displaying a horizontal bar graph indicating the printing time, an area F12 for explaining the printing status, and an area F13 for displaying the remaining amount of ink. At this stage, since the printer 1 has not yet performed the switching process, the mat black graph (the first graph) is highlighted in the area F13.

  After displaying the print processing screen, the printer driver determines whether a switching process is necessary (S006). Whether or not the switching process is necessary is determined based on information on the type of black ink selected by the switching mechanism 43 (see S101) and information on the paper type selected in the area F1 in FIG. Here, “photo black” is selected by the switching mechanism 43, but “plain paper-matt black” is selected in the area F1, so the printer driver determines that switching processing is necessary.

  When the switching process is necessary (YES in S006), the printer driver instructs the printer 1 to perform the switching process (S007). In response to this instruction, the printer 1 performs a switching process (S102), and reports the completion to the printer driver after the switching process is completed (S103). Since the switching process takes time, the printer driver causes the computer 110 to display a switching process screen indicating that the switching process is in progress until a switching completion report is received after the switching instruction is given (S008).

  FIG. 11B is an explanatory diagram of a switching process screen. The printer driver informs the user that the switching process is being performed through this switching process screen. On the switching process screen, it is displayed that the black ink is being replaced, and the ink remaining amount is also displayed. In the area for displaying the remaining ink amount on the switching process screen, the matte black graph (first graph) is switched to the normal display, and the photo black graph (second graph) is switched to the reverse display. In the ink remaining amount display of FIG. 11A, the matte black graph (the first graph) is still highlighted, so that the graph to be highlighted on the switching processing screen can be shifted from the first to the second. If the photo black graph (number 2 graph) has already been highlighted in FIG. 11A, the graph to be highlighted cannot be switched on the switching process screen, and the user is informed that black ink has been switched. It becomes difficult to convey.

  As described above, during the switching process, the matte black ink remaining between the switching mechanism 43 and the head 41 is discharged from the black nozzle row to the waste liquid tank. Therefore, the remaining capacity of the waste liquid tank is displayed at the bottom of the switching process screen. Here, it is shown that the remaining capacity of the waste liquid tank is 47%.

After receiving the switch completion report (S103), the printer driver changes the display of the print processing screen (S009).
FIG. 11C is an explanatory diagram of the print processing screen after the change. Compared to the print processing screen of FIG. 11A, the display of the first and second graphs in the area F13 for displaying the remaining ink amount is changed. In addition, the horizontal bar graph in the region F11 becomes longer by the amount for which the switching process is completed.

  If it is determined in S006 that the switching process is unnecessary (NO in S006), the processes in S007 to S009 are skipped.

  Next, the printer driver converts the image data created by the application program into print data (S010). The printer driver converts the image data into print data with reference to the lookup table corresponding to the paper type set on the setting screen of FIG. A lookup table is associated with each paper type shown in FIG. Even when printing on the same paper, it is necessary to refer to different look-up tables for different inks, so different look-ups are available for "plain paper-photo black" and "plain paper-matte black". The table is associated.

  After creating the print data, the printer driver causes the computer 110 to transmit the print data (S011). The printer 1 performs printing based on the received print data (S104). Here, eight colors of ink including matte black ink are ejected from the head 41 and printing on plain paper is performed. After the printing is completed, the printer 1 reports the completion of printing to the computer 110 (S105). Upon receiving the print completion report from the printer 1, the printer driver hides the print processing screen (S012) and ends printing.

=== Other Embodiments ===
The above-described embodiments are for facilitating the understanding of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the present invention. The present invention can be changed and improved without departing from the gist thereof, and it is needless to say that the present invention includes equivalents thereof.

<About ink color to switch>
In the above-described embodiment, the matte black ink and the photo black ink are switched for the black ink. However, it is not limited to this. For example, the color ink may be switched. For example, as for the cyan ink, any one of the first cyan ink, the second cyan ink that is different in color from the first cyan ink, and the third cyan ink that is further different in color may be used for printing. . If the color ink can be switched in this way, the color space that can be expressed by the printer 1 can be changed.

<About the head>
In the above-described embodiment, ink is ejected using a piezoelectric element. However, the method for discharging the liquid is not limited to this. For example, other methods such as a method of generating bubbles in the nozzle by heat may be used.
Further, the printing method is not limited to the printing method in which the head is moved as in the above-described embodiment, and a so-called line head system in which printing is performed without moving the head may be used.

<About the flow during printing>
In the above-described embodiment, when the type of paper to be used is selected, the printer driver switches the graph of the remaining amount display in the area F4. However, since the printer has not yet been switched at this stage, the display is not switched. You may do it.

  In addition, when the user issues a final print instruction after finishing the printer driver setting, the printer driver refers to the look-up table corresponding to the paper type without issuing an instruction for the switching process. Data may be converted into print data and output to a printer. In this case, the printer compares the type of black ink used in the received print data with the type of black ink selected by the switching mechanism 43, and the printer performs a switching process if necessary. During this switching process, the printing process screen may be switched in the same manner as in the above-described embodiment.

=== Summary ===
(1) The above-described printing system 100 includes the printer 1 (an example of a printing apparatus), a display device 120, and a computer 110 (an example of a control apparatus) in which a printer driver is installed. The above-described printer 1 can be equipped with nine ink cartridges, and switches between a matte black ink cartridge and a photo black ink cartridge, and only one of them is used during printing.

  In the above-described embodiment, in S002 and S101 (see FIG. 8), the computer 110 acquires information (an example of the ink remaining amount information) related to the remaining ink amounts of the nine ink cartridges from the printer 1 respectively. Thereafter, the computer 110 causes the display device 120 to display a graph indicating the remaining ink amounts of the nine ink cartridges based on the acquired information regarding the remaining ink amount. However, if nine graphs are displayed in the same way at this time, the user is confused because he does not know which ink level to check. However, the user cannot determine whether or not to switch the ink cartridges only by displaying the remaining ink levels of the eight ink cartridges used for printing.

  Therefore, in the above-described embodiment, the computer 110 causes the display device 120 to reversely display a graph of the remaining amount of ink cartridges not used (see FIGS. 6 and 7B). (In other words, the printer driver causes the computer 110 to reversely display a graph of the remaining amount of ink cartridges that are not used.) This allows the user to check the remaining amount of ink in the eight ink cartridges that are used during printing. At the same time, the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge that is not used during printing can also be confirmed.

  In the above-described embodiment, the graph of the remaining amount of ink cartridges that are not used is highlighted. However, the present invention is not limited to this. In short, it is only necessary that the ink remaining amount display of the ink cartridges not used at the time of printing is different from the display of the ink remaining amounts of the eight ink cartridges used at the time of printing. For example, in the ink remaining amount display of the ink cartridge that is not used at the time of printing, the sides constituting the quadrangular prism may be indicated by dotted lines.

(2) The computer 110 described above causes the display device 120 to display the ink remaining amount display of the mat black ink cartridge and the ink remaining amount display of the photo black ink cartridge adjacent to each other. (In other words, the printer driver causes the computer 110 to display the ink remaining amount display of the matte black ink cartridge and the ink remaining amount display of the photo black ink cartridge adjacent to each other.) Thereby, the user can Thus, the two remaining ink levels to be selected by the alternative can be easily compared.

(3) The computer 110 described above forms a square pillar border with a solid black line when displaying the ink remaining amount of the eight ink cartridges as a vertical column graph in the form of a square pillar. On the other hand, in the ink remaining amount display of an unused ink cartridge, a rectangular column is formed without bordering with a black solid line. This makes it easier to visually recognize the ink remaining amount display of the used ink cartridge relative to the ink remaining amount display of the unused ink cartridge.

(4) In the above-described embodiment, the remaining amount of ink is indicated by the height of the liquid column (see FIGS. 6, 7A, and 7B). At that time, in the ink remaining amount display of the eight ink cartridges, the liquid column portion is colored, and the portion from the position of the liquid surface to the position where the remaining amount is 100% (an example of the portion that is not the liquid column) is colorless. The color scheme. On the other hand, in the ink remaining amount display of the ink cartridge that is not used, the liquid column portion is colored with a light density and between the position of the liquid level and the position where the remaining amount is 100%, the color density is dark. This makes it easier for the user to specify the ink remaining amount display that is highlighted.

(5) In the above-described embodiment, in the inverted display graph (an example of the display of the ink remaining amount of the ink cartridge that is not used), a rectangular column is provided between the position of the liquid level and the position of the remaining amount of 100%. Only the surface in front of is colored. That is, the surface on the right side of the quadrangular prism is not colored between the position of the liquid level and the position where the remaining amount is 100%. In this way, the reason why only a part of the portion that is not the liquid column is darkly displayed is that when the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge to be reversed is 0%, the remaining amount of ink in other ink cartridges This is because it becomes difficult to distinguish from the case of 100%.

(6) In the above-described embodiment, the computer 110 classifies the paper type suitable for the photo black ink and the paper type suitable for the matte black ink and displays them on the display device 120 as shown in FIG. Thereby, the user can switch the black ink to be used by selecting the paper type.

(7) In the above-described embodiment, the switching mechanism 43 (see FIGS. 5A and 5B) is provided, and the switching mechanism 43 switches between the photo black ink and the matte black ink. However, the means for switching the ink cartridge to be used is not limited to the configuration of the switching mechanism 43 described above. For example, the switching mechanism 43 described above rotates the packing 434 to switch the ink. However, the packing 434 may be slid to switch the ink.

  The aforementioned switching mechanism 43 is provided on the carriage side (see FIG. 4). As a result, the amount of ink discharged to the waste liquid tank during the switching process can be reduced. When the switching mechanism 43 is provided on the printer main body side, it is necessary to discharge the ink in the portion of the supply pipe of the cable CBL to the waste liquid tank, which increases the amount of wasted ink.

(8) According to the above-described printing method, first, the printer 1 (a printing apparatus in which a plurality of ink cartridges can be mounted, wherein at least two ink cartridges among the plurality of ink cartridges are switched and used. There is a step of acquiring information relating to the remaining amount of ink in nine ink cartridges (see S002 and S101 in FIG. 8). Then, based on the information about the remaining amount of ink acquired from the printer 1, there are steps of displaying the remaining amount of nine inks and reversing the remaining amount of ink of the unused ink cartridge (S003 in FIG. 8, FIG. 6). reference). With such a printing method, the user can check the remaining ink levels of the eight ink cartridges used during printing, and can also check the remaining ink levels of ink cartridges that are not used during printing.

(9) The computer 110 (an example of a control device) in which the above-described printer driver is installed acquires information about the remaining ink amount of nine ink cartridges from the printer 1 (see S002 and S101 in FIG. 8). Then, the computer 110 displays nine ink remaining amounts based on the information regarding the remaining ink amount acquired from the printer 1, and reversely displays the remaining ink amount of the unused ink cartridge (S003 in FIG. 8, FIG. 8). 6). According to such a computer 110, the user can check the remaining ink levels of the eight ink cartridges used during printing, and can also check the remaining ink levels of ink cartridges that are not used during printing.

(10) According to the above-described printer driver (an example of a program), the computer 110 is caused to acquire information related to the remaining amount of ink in the nine ink cartridges from the printer 1 (see S002 and S101 in FIG. 8). Then, the printer driver causes the computer 110 to display the remaining amount of nine inks and reversely display the remaining amount of ink in the unused ink cartridge (see S003 in FIG. 8 and FIG. 6). According to such a printer driver, the user can check the remaining ink levels of the eight ink cartridges used during printing, and can also check the remaining ink levels of ink cartridges that are not used during printing.

1 is a block diagram of an overall configuration of a printing system. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a main configuration of a printer. FIG. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the arrangement of nozzles on the lower surface of a head 41. It is a schematic explanatory drawing of the ink supply path of matte black ink and photo black ink. FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view for explaining the configuration of the switching mechanism 43. FIG. 5B is a bottom view for explaining the inlet / outlet of the switching mechanism 43. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a printer driver setting screen. FIG. 7A is an explanatory diagram of a normal remaining amount display graph. FIG. 7B is an explanatory diagram of a reverse display graph. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the whole flow at the time of printing. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a printer driver setting screen when a paper type is selected. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a printer driver setting screen after “plain paper—matte black” is selected. It is explanatory drawing of a printing process screen. It is explanatory drawing of a switching process screen. It is explanatory drawing of the printing process screen after a change.

Explanation of symbols

1 printer, 9 slots,
20 transport unit, 22 transport motor,
30 Carriage unit, 31 Carriage, 32 Carriage motor,
40 head units, 41 heads, 43 switching mechanisms,
431 housing, 432 gateway plate, 432A to 432C holes,
433 shaft, 434 packing, 434A flow path, 435 spring,
50 detector groups, 51 linear encoders,
60 controller, 62 CPU, 63 memory, 64 unit control circuit,
90 ink cartridges, 91 storage elements,
100 printing system, 110 computer, 120 display device,
CBL cable

Claims (10)

A printing apparatus capable of mounting a plurality of ink cartridges, wherein at least two of the plurality of ink cartridges are used for printing by switching at least one of the ink cartridges;
A display device;
In a printing system comprising: a control device that controls the printing device and the display device;
The control device is
Ink remaining information indicating the remaining amount of ink in each of the plurality of ink cartridges is acquired from the printing device,
Based on the ink remaining amount information, the display device displays the ink remaining amounts of the plurality of ink cartridges used for printing, and inks of the plurality of ink cartridges used for printing are also used for the ink cartridges not used for printing. A printing system that displays the remaining ink amount differently from the remaining amount display. The printing system according to claim 1,
The printing system, wherein the control device causes the display device to display the ink remaining amount of the at least two ink cartridges to be switched adjacent to each other. The printing system according to claim 1 or 2,
The control device forms a border on the display of the ink remaining amount of the ink cartridge used for the printing, and does not form the border on the display of the ink remaining amount of the ink cartridge not used for the printing. And printing system. The printing system according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The ink remaining amount is indicated by the height of the liquid column,
In the display of the ink remaining amount of the ink cartridge used for the printing, the liquid column portion is displayed so as to be darker than the non-liquid column portion,
In the display of the ink remaining amount of the ink cartridge not used for printing, the printing system is displayed such that a portion that is not the liquid column is darker than a portion of the liquid column. The printing system according to claim 4,
In the display of the ink remaining amount of the ink cartridge not used for printing, a part of the portion that is not the liquid column is displayed darkly. A printing system according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
When the user selects a paper type, a list of a plurality of paper types classified according to each of the at least two ink cartridges to be switched is displayed, and the ink cartridge corresponding to the paper type selected by the user is used. A printing system characterized in that switching is performed. The printing system according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The printing apparatus includes a carriage that moves a head that ejects ink, and at least two tubes that supply ink of the at least two ink cartridges that are mounted on the main body side to the carriage side. ,
A printing system, wherein a switching mechanism for switching the ink cartridge is provided on the carriage side. A printing apparatus capable of mounting a plurality of ink cartridges, wherein at least two of the plurality of ink cartridges are switched from a printing apparatus that uses at least one of the plurality of ink cartridges for printing. Obtaining ink remaining amount information indicating the ink remaining amount;
The remaining ink levels of the plurality of ink cartridges used for printing are displayed based on the remaining ink level information, and the remaining ink levels of the plurality of ink cartridges used for printing are also displayed for the ink cartridges not used for printing. Differently from the step of displaying the remaining amount of ink,
A printing method characterized by comprising: A printing apparatus capable of mounting a plurality of ink cartridges, wherein at least two of the plurality of ink cartridges are controlled to control a printing apparatus that uses at least one of them for printing, and a display device In the control device
Ink remaining information indicating the remaining amount of ink in each of the plurality of ink cartridges is acquired from the printing device,
Based on the ink remaining amount information, the display device displays the ink remaining amounts of the plurality of ink cartridges used for printing, and inks of the plurality of ink cartridges used for printing are also used for the ink cartridges not used for printing. A control apparatus that displays the remaining amount of ink differently from the display of the remaining amount. A printing apparatus capable of mounting a plurality of ink cartridges, wherein at least two of the plurality of ink cartridges are controlled to control a printing apparatus that uses at least one of them for printing, and a display device To the control device to
A function of acquiring ink remaining amount information indicating ink remaining amounts of the plurality of ink cartridges from the printing device, respectively;
Based on the ink remaining amount information, the display device displays the ink remaining amounts of the plurality of ink cartridges used for printing, and inks of the plurality of ink cartridges used for printing are also used for the ink cartridges not used for printing. A program for realizing a function of displaying the remaining amount of ink differently from the display of the remaining amount.