JP2001071539A - Color print selecting ink depending on print mode - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enhance utilization efficiency of ink at the time of color print using an ink cartridge containing dark ink and light ink integrally. SOLUTION: A user can select a print mode. A print signal for selecting an ink depending on a selected print mode for a plurality of hues of ink and executing print using a selected ink is generated.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a printing technique for performing color printing using an ink cartridge integrally containing a plurality of color inks.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, as an output device of a computer,
2. Description of the Related Art A color printer that discharges several colors of ink from a print head has become widespread. Color printers that use dark and light inks for cyan and magenta to obtain high-quality printed images are also commercially available. As an ink cartridge for such a color printer, a cartridge containing dark ink and light ink integrally is often used in consideration of the convenience of replacement by a user.

[0003]

By the way, users use printers for various purposes, and the consumption of each ink varies depending on the purpose of use. For example, when performing photographic printing, the consumption of light ink tends to be considerably higher than that of dark ink. Conversely, when printing a graphic image, the consumption of dark ink may be higher than that of light ink. As described above, the consumption amounts of the dark ink and the light ink are often considerably unbalanced. The cartridge had to be replaced. That is, conventionally, when an ink cartridge containing dark ink and light ink integrally is used, there is a problem that each ink cannot be used very effectively.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problem, and can improve the efficiency of use of ink when an ink cartridge containing dark ink and light ink integrally is used. It aims to provide technology.

[0005]

Means for Solving the Problems and Their Functions / Effects To solve at least a part of the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides:
Allow the user to select a print mode. Then, for at least a hue having the same hue ink, an ink to be used is selected in accordance with the selected print mode, and print data for executing printing using the selected ink is generated.

[0006] In this case, since the ink to be used is selected according to the print mode, a plurality of the same hue inks are consumed in a relatively balanced manner. As a result, it is possible to improve the use efficiency of the ink in the ink cartridge.

[0007] The print mode includes the type of print medium, and the ink to be used can be selected according to the type of print medium.

Further, when the selected print medium is a predetermined first type print medium, the hues in which a plurality of the same hue inks exist are those other than the ink having the highest density among the plurality of the same hue inks. Generate print data for performing printing using at least the light ink of the above, when the selected print medium is a predetermined second type of print medium, for a hue in which a plurality of the same hue ink is present, Print data for executing printing using only the darkest ink having the highest density among a plurality of the same hues may be generated.

Further, the predetermined first type of print medium includes glossy paper, coated paper, glossy film, etc., and paper dedicated to an ink discharge type printer, and the predetermined second type of print medium is copy paper, recycled paper, It may include plain paper such as government-made postcards and cloth.

When printing is performed using light ink, the amount of ink used per unit area increases as compared with the case where only dark ink is used. If light ink is used for printing on plain paper, the amount of ink used will increase and the ink will bleed, and on the contrary, the image quality may deteriorate. Further, since the amount of ink used is large, the paper may be deformed, or the ink may penetrate to the back side of the paper surface and set off. Therefore, when printing on plain paper, image quality may be improved by using only dark ink. There is also an advantage that the utilization rate of dark ink in the ink cartridge can be increased. On the other hand, when printing on dedicated paper, printing is performed using only the light ink, or both the dark ink and the light ink, so that the image quality can be improved in a halftone area where the image density is relatively low. As described above, since the ink to be used is selected depending on the print medium, a plurality of the same hue inks can be consumed in a relatively balanced manner without significantly lowering the quality of the printed image. As a result, it is possible to improve the use efficiency of the ink in the ink cartridge.

The print mode includes a print resolution,
The ink to be used can be selected according to the printing resolution.

Further, when the selected printing resolution is a predetermined first resolution among a plurality of available resolutions,
For a hue in which a plurality of the same hue inks exist, print data for executing printing using at least a light ink other than the ink having the highest density among the plurality of the same hue inks is generated, and the selected print resolution However, when the second resolution is lower than the first resolution, for a hue in which a plurality of the same hue inks exist, printing is performed using the darkest ink having the highest density among the plurality of the same hue inks. May be generated.

Usually, high image quality is expected when the printing resolution is high. Therefore, when the print resolution is high, a rough image can be printed by using both the light ink and the dark ink or only the light ink. On the other hand, when the print resolution is low, the use rate of the dark ink can be increased by using only the dark ink. As described above, since the ink to be used is selected depending on the printing resolution, a plurality of the same hue inks can be consumed in a relatively well-balanced manner without significantly lowering the quality of the printed image. As a result, it is possible to improve the use efficiency of the ink in the ink cartridge.

The print mode includes the type of the print image, and the ink to be used can be selected according to the type of the print image.

Further, when the type of the selected print image is a photograph, print data for executing printing using at least a light ink other than the ink having the highest density among the plurality of same hue inks is generated. Alternatively, when the type of the selected print image is other than a photograph, print data for executing printing using only the darkest ink having the highest density among a plurality of the same hue inks may be generated.

When the print image is a photograph, the roughness is likely to be noticeable in the halftone area. Therefore, printing is performed using both the dark ink and the light ink, or only the light ink. On the other hand, when the print image is other than a photograph, a high image quality is not required as often as a photograph, so that a sufficient image can be often obtained by using only the dark ink. As described above, since the ink to be used is selected depending on the type of the print image, a plurality of the same hue inks can be consumed in a relatively balanced manner without significantly lowering the quality of the print image. As a result, it is possible to improve the use efficiency of the ink in the ink cartridge.

The print mode includes the type of halftone processing, and the ink to be used can be selected according to the type of halftone.

Further, when the type of the selected halftone processing is the error diffusion method, for the hue in which a plurality of the same hue inks exist, light colors other than the ink having the highest density among the plurality of the same hue inks are used. Print data for performing printing using at least ink is generated, and when the type of the selected halftone process is the dither method, a plurality of same hue Print data for executing printing using only the darkest ink having the highest density may be generated.

By doing so, the ink to be used is selected depending on the type of the halftone processing.
A plurality of the same hue inks can be consumed in a relatively balanced manner without significantly deteriorating the quality of the printed image. As a result, it is possible to improve the use efficiency of the ink in the ink cartridge.

The printing mode includes the type of printing surface for performing single-sided printing or double-sided printing, and the ink to be used can be selected according to the type of printing surface.

Further, when the selected printing surface type is single-sided printing, for a hue in which a plurality of the same hue inks exist, at least light ink other than the ink having the highest density among the plurality of the same hue inks is used. Print data for executing printing using the same type of print surface, and when the type of the selected printing surface is duplex printing, for a hue in which a plurality of same hue inks are present, Print data for performing printing using only high dark ink may be generated.

When the printing surface is double-sided, printing using only dark ink requires using light ink because the amount of ink used per unit area is larger than that of dark ink and the ink easily spreads on the back surface of the paper. Is preferred. On the other hand, when the printing surface is one side, it is preferable to use at least a light ink in terms of image quality. As described above, since the ink to be used is selected depending on the type of the printing surface, a plurality of the same hue inks can be consumed in a relatively balanced manner without significantly lowering the quality of the printed image. As a result, it is possible to improve the use efficiency of the ink in the ink cartridge.

Further, the print mode may include a dark ink use mode in which, for a hue in which a plurality of same hue inks are present, only the highest density ink among the plurality of same hue inks is used. By doing so, the user can directly select the dark ink use mode, so that the usage rate of each ink can be improved by the user's selection.

Further, the print mode includes a light ink use mode using only light ink other than dark ink for a hue in which a plurality of same hue inks exist, and a dark ink and light hue in a hue in which a plurality of same hue inks exist. A light / dark ink dual mode using both inks may be included. In this way, the user can directly select various ink use modes, so that it is possible to balance the amount of use of each ink and the image quality for each image to be printed.

Further, the ink cartridge contains two identical hue inks of dark magenta ink and light magenta ink for magenta, and contains two identical hue inks of dark cyan ink and light cyan ink for cyan. The dark ink use mode uses dark magenta ink, dark cyan ink, and yellow ink as chromatic inks, and the light ink use mode uses light magenta ink, light cyan ink, and yellow ink as chromatic inks. It may be.

The remaining amount of each ink is monitored, and when the remaining amount of any one of a plurality of the same hue inks is small, the remaining amount of the ink is small. It is possible to generate print data for executing printing using ink having a low density and ink having a different density.

By doing so, for any one of the hues, when the remaining amount of any one of the plurality of inks of the same hue is small, the ink having the small remaining amount has a different density from the ink having the small remaining amount. The printing can be executed by using the above ink. As a result, it is possible to improve the use efficiency of the ink in the ink cartridge.

The remaining amount of each ink is monitored, and when the remaining amount of any one of a plurality of the same hue inks is small, the remaining amount of the ink is small. Alternatively, a notification for inquiring the user as to whether or not to execute printing using an ink having a different density from the ink having a small amount of ink may be displayed. By doing so, it is possible to determine whether or not to continue printing using ink other than the ink with a small remaining amount according to the user's intention.

Further, the remaining amount of each ink is monitored, and when the remaining amount of the ink of any one of the density levels of a plurality of the same hue is small, for each of the plurality of hues, It is possible to generate print data for executing printing using the same hue ink having a density level different from the density level corresponding to the ink having a small remaining amount. By doing so, printing can be continued using ink other than the ink with a small remaining amount,
The use efficiency of the ink in the ink cartridge can be improved.

Further, the remaining amount of each ink is monitored, and when the remaining amount of the ink of any one of a plurality of the same hue density level is small, the remaining amount of each of the plurality of hues is monitored. It is also possible to display a notification for asking the user whether or not to execute printing using the same hue ink at a density level different from the density level corresponding to the ink with a small remaining amount. By doing so, it is possible to determine whether or not to continue printing using ink other than the ink with a small remaining amount according to the user's intention.

The present invention can be implemented in the following various modes. (1) Print control device and method. (2) Printing apparatus and method. (3) Printing system. (4) A program for causing a computer to realize the functions of these devices and methods. (5) A recording medium on which the program is recorded. (6) A data signal that includes the program and is embodied on a carrier wave.

[0032]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in the following order based on examples. A. Configuration of printing device: Software configuration: Schematic configuration of printer: First embodiment: Second embodiment F. Third Embodiment G. Fourth embodiment: H: Modified example:

A. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
As shown, the computer 12 is connected to the scanner 12 and the printer 22. This computer 90
Functions as a print control device when a predetermined program is loaded and executed. The combination of the printer 22 and the computer 90 functions as a printing device (printing system) in a broad sense. This computer 90
A bus 80 mainly includes a CPU 81 that executes various arithmetic processes for controlling operations related to printing according to a program.
The following components are connected to each other. ROM82
Stores in advance various programs and data necessary for the CPU 81 to execute various arithmetic processes.
Is a memory for temporarily reading and writing various programs and data necessary for the CPU 81 to execute various arithmetic processes. The input interface 84 is the scanner 1
The output interface 85 manages input of signals from the keyboard 2 and the keyboard 14, and outputs data to the printer 22. The CRTC 86 controls a signal output to the CRT 21 capable of color display. Disk controller (DDC)
87 is a hard disk 16 or a flexible drive 1
5 or a CD-ROM drive (not shown). The hard disk 16 has RA
Various programs loaded and executed by the M83, various programs provided in the form of device drivers, and the like are stored.

In addition, a serial input / output interface (SIO) 88 is connected to the bus 80. This S
The IO 88 is connected to the modem 18 and the modem 18
Through a public telephone line PNT. The computer 90 is connected to an external network via the SIO 88 and the modem 18, and by connecting to a specific server SV, it is also possible to download a program required for printing to the hard disk 16. Also, necessary programs are loaded on a flexible disk FD or CD-ROM, and the
It is also possible to make 0 execute.

B. Software Configuration: FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the software configuration of the print control device of the first embodiment. In the computer 90, the application program 9 is executed under a predetermined operating system.
5 is working. A video driver 91 and a printer driver 96 are incorporated in the operating system, and print data FNL to be transferred to the printer 22 is output from the application program 95 via these drivers. An application program 95 for retouching an image reads an image from the scanner 12 and displays the image on the CRT 21 via the video driver 91 while performing predetermined processing on the image. Data ORG supplied from the scanner 12 is original color image data ORG read from a color original and composed of three color components of red (R), green (G), and blue (B).

This application program 95
When a print command is issued, the printer driver 96 of the computer 90 receives the image data from the application program 95 and converts it into print data FNL to be supplied to the printer 22. In the example shown in FIG. 2, a resolution conversion module 97, a color conversion module 98, a halftone module 99, and a rasterizer 100 are provided inside the printer driver 96. Also, a color conversion table LUT and a print mode selection unit 101
Is also provided. Color conversion table LUT is CD-RO
M can be read from an external storage device such as M. Alternatively, the information may be stored in the ROM in the printer 22 and read from here.

The resolution conversion module 97 serves to convert the resolution of the color image data handled by the application program 95, that is, the number of pixels per unit length into a resolution that can be handled by the printer driver 96. The image data whose resolution has been converted in this way is still RG
B is image information of three colors. Color conversion module 9
Reference numeral 8 denotes cyan (C), light cyan (LC), and magenta (M) used by the printer 22 for each pixel with reference to a color conversion table LUT selected according to a print mode by a print mode selection unit described later. , Light magenta (LM), yellow (Y), and black (K).

The color-converted multi-tone data is, for example, 25
It has six gradation values. The halftone module 99 disperses and forms the ink dots,
The printer 22 executes a halftone process for expressing this gradation value. The halftone-processed image data is rearranged by the rasterizer 100 in the order of data to be transferred to the printer 22, and the final print data FNL
Is output as The print data FNL includes
Data on the sub-scan feed amount is also included. In the present embodiment, the printer 22 only plays a role of forming ink dots according to the print data FNL, and does not perform image processing. However, part of the processing performed in the printer driver 96 may be performed by the printer 22.

The four modules 97 to 100 other than the print mode selection unit 101 correspond to a program for realizing the function of the print data generation unit that generates the print data FNL.

A program for realizing the function of each module of the printer driver 96 is supplied in a form recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. Such recording media include flexible disks and CDs.
-ROMs, magneto-optical disks, IC cards, ROM cartridges, punched cards, printed matter on which codes such as bar codes are printed, and internal storage devices (RAM and R
Various computer-readable media can be used, such as a memory (such as an OM) and an external storage device.

C. FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of a printer 22 as an embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the printer 22 includes a paper feed motor 23.
And a carriage motor 2
4, a mechanism for reciprocating the carriage 31 in the axial direction of the platen 26, a mechanism for driving the print head 28 mounted on the carriage 31 to eject ink and form ink dots, Carriage motor 24, print head 28 and operation panel 32
And a control circuit 40 for exchanging signals with the control circuit 40.

The mechanism for reciprocating the carriage 31 in the axial direction of the platen 26 is provided in parallel with the axis of the platen 26, and an endless mechanism is provided between the carriage shaft 24 and the slide shaft 34 for slidably holding the carriage 31. And a position detecting sensor 39 for detecting the origin position of the carriage 31.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the carriage 31.
On the carriage 31, a cartridge 71 for black ink and a cartridge 72 for color ink of five colors can be mounted. Print head 28 below carriage 31
Are formed with a total of six ink ejection heads 61 to 66 corresponding to black ink and color ink. At the bottom of the carriage 31, an introduction pipe for guiding ink from an ink tank to each color head is formed. 73 to 78 are provided upright. The introduction tube 73 is a tube for guiding ink from the black ink cartridge. Between the introductions 74-78,
A tube for guiding ink from a color ink cartridge.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the color ink cartridge 72. The color ink cartridge 72 integrally stores five types of inks of cyan (C), light cyan (LC), magenta (M), light magenta (LM), and yellow (Y). The light cyan ink has substantially the same hue as the cyan ink and has a lower density than the cyan ink. The same applies to magenta ink. The light cyan ink and the light magenta ink have larger capacities than the cyan ink and the magenta ink, respectively. Also, among the five types of ink, the yellow ink has the largest capacity.

In the printer 22 having the hardware configuration described above, the carriage 31 is reciprocated by the carriage motor 24 while the paper P is conveyed by the paper feed motor 23, and at the same time, the ink discharge heads 61 to 66 of the print head 28 are moved. Are driven to discharge ink droplets of each color to form ink dots and form multi-color and multi-tone images on the paper P.

D. First Embodiment: FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing selection of various print modes that can be selected by a user, and ink used according to the selected print mode. Print modes include print media, print resolution,
The type of image, halftone processing, and printing surface can be set. The print mode selection unit 101 displays on the screen of the computer 90 a setting graphical user interface (dialog box) for allowing the user to select such various print modes.

FIG. 7 shows an example of a print mode basic setting screen displayed on the CRT 21 (see FIG. 2).
This basic setting screen is provided with a paper selection field FL for selecting the type of print medium and a switch SW for selecting a resolution. The resolution selection switch SW can be switched between a high resolution mode in which "fine" is displayed and a low resolution mode in which "fast" is displayed. Other print mode settings described below can be selected on a detailed setting screen (not shown).

Regarding the print medium, in the paper selection field FL of FIG. 7, for example, "high-quality paper" which is a print medium dedicated to an ink discharge type printer, and "plain paper" which is a print medium other than high-quality paper are used. Can be selected. When "high quality paper" is selected, the carriage 31 shown in FIG.
The print data is generated so that printing is performed using all six colors of ink mounted on the printer. On the other hand, when "plain paper" is selected, print data is generated so as to execute printing using four color inks of black (K), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y). You. Hereinafter, an ink use mode that uses all available inks, such as six-color printing, is referred to as a “shade / dark mode”.
In addition, an ink use mode using only dark ink, such as four-color printing, is referred to as a “dark ink use mode”.

The color conversion table LUT (see FIG. 2)
A table for four-color printing and a table for six-color printing are prepared in advance, and an appropriate table is selected and used according to the ink used.

When printing is performed using light ink, the amount of ink used per unit area increases as compared with the case where only dark ink is used. If light ink is used for printing on plain paper, the amount of ink used will increase and the ink will bleed, and on the contrary, the image quality may deteriorate. Therefore, when printing on plain paper, image quality may be improved by using only dark ink. There is also an advantage that the utilization rate of dark ink in the ink cartridge can be increased. On the other hand, when printing on dedicated paper, printing is performed using only the light ink, or both the dark ink and the light ink, so that the image quality can be improved in a halftone area where the image density is relatively low. As described above, since the ink to be used is selected depending on the print medium, a plurality of the same hue inks can be consumed in a relatively balanced manner without significantly lowering the quality of the printed image.
As a result, it is possible to improve the use efficiency of the ink in the ink cartridge.

Regarding the print resolution, the resolution selection switch SW shown in FIG.
And low resolution ("fast" mode). A mode having a relatively high resolution may be referred to as a “high-quality mode”, and a mode having a relatively low resolution may be referred to as a “standard mode”. When the “high resolution mode” is selected, print data is generated so as to execute printing using all six colors of ink. On the other hand, when the “low resolution mode” is selected, black (K), cyan (C),
Print data is generated such that printing is performed using four color inks of magenta (M) and yellow (Y).

Normally, high image quality is expected when the printing resolution is high. Therefore, when the print resolution is high, a rough image can be printed by using both the light ink and the dark ink or only the light ink. On the other hand, when the print resolution is low, the use rate of the dark ink can be increased by using only the dark ink. As described above, since the ink to be used is selected depending on the printing resolution, a plurality of the same hue inks can be consumed in a relatively well-balanced manner without significantly lowering the quality of the printed image. As a result, it is possible to improve the use efficiency of the ink in the ink cartridge.

As for the type of image, for example, a "photograph" that requires high-precision color reproduction and a "text, graphic" image other than a photo that does not require high-precision color reproduction can be selected. . When "Photos" is selected,
Print data is generated such that printing is performed using all six inks. On the other hand, when “text, graphic” is selected, black (K), cyan (C),
Print data is generated such that printing is performed using four color inks of magenta (M) and yellow (Y).

When the print image is a photograph, the roughness tends to be noticeable in the halftone area. Therefore, printing is performed using both the dark ink and the light ink, or only the light ink. On the other hand, when the print image is other than a photograph, a high image quality is not required as often as a photograph, so that a sufficient image can be often obtained by using only the dark ink. As described above, since the ink to be used is selected depending on the type of the print image, a plurality of the same hue inks can be consumed in a relatively balanced manner without significantly lowering the quality of the print image. As a result, it is possible to improve the use efficiency of the ink in the ink cartridge.

For the halftone processing, for example, an "error diffusion method" that can obtain a relatively high image quality, and a "dither method" in which the image quality is inferior to the error diffusion can be selected. When the “error diffusion method” is selected, print data is generated so that printing is performed using all six colors of ink. on the other hand,
When the “dither method” is selected, print data is generated so as to execute printing using four color inks of black (K), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y).

As described above, since the ink to be used is selected depending on the type of the halftone processing, a plurality of the same hue inks can be consumed in a relatively balanced manner without significantly lowering the quality of the printed image. As a result,
The use efficiency of the ink in the ink cartridge can be improved.

As for the printing surface, it is possible to select "single-sided printing" in which permeation of ink to the back side is permissible to some extent, and "double-sided printing" in which permeation of ink to the back side is not permissible. When "single-sided printing" is selected, print data is generated so that printing is performed using all six colors of ink. On the other hand, when “double-sided printing” is selected, black (K), cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y)
Print data is generated so as to execute printing using the four color inks.

When the printing surface is double-sided, if the light ink is used, the amount of ink used per unit area is larger than that of the dark ink, so that the ink easily bleeds on the back surface of the paper. Therefore, printing is performed using only the dark ink. Is preferred. On the other hand, when the printing surface is one side, it is preferable to use at least a light ink in terms of image quality. As described above, since the ink to be used is selected depending on the type of the printing surface, a plurality of the same hue inks can be consumed in a relatively balanced manner without significantly lowering the quality of the printed image. As a result, it is possible to improve the use efficiency of the ink in the ink cartridge.

As shown in the left end of FIG. 6, the user can change the priority for the five types of print modes. The initial setting is “print medium”. When the print mode to be prioritized is set to “print medium”, the ink to be used is determined by the print medium regardless of which option is selected for the other print modes.

By switching the ink to be used in accordance with the printing mode selected in this way, the consumption of the light ink, which has conventionally tended to be used more than necessary, can be suppressed, and a plurality of the same hue inks can be comparatively used. Can be consumed in a well-balanced manner. As a result, it is possible to improve the use efficiency of the ink in the ink cartridge.

E. Second Embodiment FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram of software of a print control apparatus according to a second embodiment. The printer driver 96a is obtained by adding an ink remaining amount monitoring unit 102 to the configuration of the printer driver 96 shown in FIG.
Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment. The ink remaining amount monitoring unit 102 has a function of estimating the used amount of each ink based on the raster data generated by the rasterizer 100 and monitoring the remaining ink amount in the ink cartridge.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the remaining ink amount monitoring unit 102. First, it is determined whether the remaining amounts of all the inks to be used are sufficient (step S200). If it is sufficient, the monitoring of the remaining amount of ink is continued. If it is not sufficient, the process waits until printing of the page is completed (step S210), and temporarily stops printing (step S220). Then, it is determined which remaining amount of ink is small (step S230).

In step S230, if the remaining amount of dark ink (cyan and magenta) is small, the user is asked, "The remaining amount of dark ink is low. Do you want to execute printing using light ink?" The notification A to be queried is displayed (step S240). When the user instructs to execute printing in response to the notification A (step S250),
A table for light ink (table for generating print data for executing printing using light cyan, light magenta, yellow, and black) is selected as the color conversion table LUT (step S260), and printing is resumed (step S280). ). On the other hand, when the user instructs to stop printing (step S250), the printing process is stopped (step S270).

In step S230, if the remaining amount of light ink (light cyan, light magenta) is small,
A notification B is displayed to inquire the user, "The remaining amount of light ink is low. Do you want to execute printing using dark ink?" (Step S242). When the user instructs to execute printing in response to the notification B (step S250), print data for executing printing using a table for dark ink (cyan, magenta, yellow, and black) is generated as a color conversion table LUT. Is selected (step S260), and printing is resumed (step S280). On the other hand, when the user instructs to stop printing (step S250), the printing process is stopped (step S270).

In step S210, if the remaining amount of black ink or yellow ink having no dark and light ink is small, the notice C indicating "the remaining amount of ink is insufficient. Replace the ink cartridge." Display is performed (step S244), and the printing process is stopped (step S270).

In the second embodiment, for example, when the remaining amount of cyan ink is small, light cyan, light magenta, yellow,
Although the print data using the four black inks is generated, the inks having different densities may be used only for the insufficient ink. That is, for example, when the remaining amount of cyan ink is small, print data using four color inks of light cyan, magenta, yellow, and black may be generated. Further, in a print mode using six colors of ink, print data using five colors of ink excluding only the insufficient ink may be generated.
By doing so, it is possible to consume a plurality of color inks without waste.

F. Third Embodiment FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a configuration of an ink cartridge used in a third embodiment.
The color ink cartridge 72b contains light black ink (LK) in addition to the ink of the color ink cartridge 72 shown in FIG. The light black ink may be contained in the black ink cartridge 71 integrally with the dark black ink (K).

FIG. 11 shows various print modes that can be selected by the user when the ink cartridges 71 and 72b shown in FIG. 10 are used (total of seven colors), and according to the selected print mode. FIG. 3 is an explanatory view illustrating an ink used. The print mode and its options are the same as those shown in FIG. As can be seen from this figure, in the third embodiment, seven-color printing is performed in the grayscale mode. Also in the third embodiment, it is possible to use the dark ink and the light ink in a well-balanced manner as in the first embodiment.

G. Fourth Embodiment: FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a configuration of an ink cartridge used in the fourth embodiment.
The color ink cartridge 72c contains three types of ink of dark (C), light (LC), and very light (LLC) for cyan ink, and dark (M) and light (M) for magenta ink. LM) and very light (LLM).

FIG. 13 shows the selection of various print modes that can be selected by the user when the ink cartridges 71 and 72c shown in FIG. 12 are used (total of eight colors) and the selected print mode. FIG. 3 is an explanatory view illustrating an ink used. The print mode and its options are the same as those shown in FIG.

When a print mode option corresponding to the “dark ink use mode” is selected, print data is generated so as to execute printing using four color inks of C, M, Y, and K. When a print mode option corresponding to the "shade / dark mode" is selected, print data is generated so as to execute printing using all eight colors of ink. In the fourth embodiment, as in the first and third embodiments, it is possible to use the inks in a well-balanced manner.

As can be understood from the first, third, and fourth embodiments, at least one of a plurality of hues used for color printing inks has a plurality of hues having substantially the same hue and different densities. The present invention is applicable when ink is contained in the same ink cartridge. In the present invention, “a plurality of inks having substantially the same hue and different densities” are referred to as “the same hue ink” or “dark and light ink”.

H. Modifications: Several embodiments of the present invention have been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to such embodiments, and for example, the following modifications are possible.

H1. Modification Example 1: When three or more same hue inks are available for one hue, a “deep ink use mode” using only the ink with the highest density is used for the hue, and all the same hue inks are used. Print data may be generated in accordance with the “shade / dual mode” used. For example, in FIG.
When the print mode for performing four-color printing is selected,
The print data may be generated according to the dark / dark mode when print data is generated in accordance with the dark ink use mode and a print mode for performing six-color printing is selected. It should be noted that the print data may be generated in accordance with a “light ink use mode” in which ink other than the ink with the highest density is used instead of the dark / dark mode.

H2. Modification 2: Print Mode Selection Unit 101
May display at least one of the dark ink use mode, the light ink use mode, and the dark / dual use mode as options that can be directly selected by the user.
For example, only the dark ink use mode may be displayed as an option, or the dark ink use mode and the dark / dark mode may be displayed as options. In this way, the user can directly select various ink use modes, so that it is possible to balance the amount of use of each ink and the image quality for each image to be printed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing apparatus as an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a software configuration of the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of a printer 22.

4 is a perspective view of the carriage 31. FIG.

5 is a perspective view of a color ink cartridge 72. FIG.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing selection of various print modes that can be selected by a user, and ink used according to the selected print mode.

FIG. 7 is a view showing an example of a print mode basic setting screen displayed on the CRT 21;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of print control apparatus software according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of an ink remaining amount monitoring unit.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an ink cartridge used in a third embodiment.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram exemplifying selection of various print modes that can be selected by a user and ink used in accordance with the selected print mode.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an ink cartridge used in a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram exemplifying selection of various print modes that can be selected by a user and ink used in accordance with the selected print mode.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 12 ... Scanner 14 ... Keyboard 15 ... Flexible drive 16 ... Hard disk 18 ... Modem 21 ... CRT 22 ... Printer 23 ... Paper feed motor 24 ... Carriage motor 26 ... Platen 28 ... Print head 31 ... Carriage 32 ... Operation panel 34 ... Sliding axis 36 ... Drive belt 38 ... Pulley 39 ... Position detection sensor 40 ... Control circuit 61-66 ... Ink ejection head 71 ... Black ink cartridge 72 ... Color ink cartridge 72b ... Color ink cartridge 72c ... Color ink cartridge 73- 78 ... Introduction pipe 80 ... Bus 81 ... CPU 82 ... ROM 83 ... RAM 84 ... Input interface 85 ... Output interface 86 ... CRTC 87 ... Disk controller (DDC) 88 ... Serial input / output interface Source 90 ... computer 91 ... video driver 95 ... application program 96 ... printer driver 96a ... printer driver 97 ... resolution conversion module 98 ... color conversion module 99 ... halftone module 100 ... rasterizer 101 ... print mode selection unit 102 ... ink remaining amount Monitoring unit

Claims (22)

[Claims] 1. A print control device that generates print data to be supplied to a printing unit, wherein the printing unit determines that at least one of a plurality of hues used for ink for color printing has a hue. An ink cartridge that integrally stores a plurality of the same hue inks having substantially the same density but different densities; the print control device includes: a print mode selection unit that allows a user to select a print mode; For a hue having the same hue ink, a print data generation unit that selects an ink to be used according to the selected print mode, and generates print data for executing printing using the selected ink. A print control device. 2. The print control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print mode selectable by the user includes a type of a print medium, and wherein the print data generating unit determines a print mode according to the type of the selected print medium. Print control device to select the ink to be used. 3. The print control device according to claim 2, wherein the print data generation unit is configured to output the plurality of the same hue inks when the selected print medium is a predetermined first type print medium. For the hue where is present, print data for executing printing using at least light ink other than the ink with the highest density among the plurality of same hue inks is generated, and the selected print medium is a predetermined print medium. For a hue in which the plurality of same hue inks are present when the printing medium is a second type print medium, printing for executing printing using only the highest density dark ink among the plurality of same hue inks A print controller that generates data. 4. The print control device according to claim 3, wherein the first type of print medium includes paper dedicated to an ink-jet printer, and the second type of print medium is plain paper. And a print control device. 5. The print control device according to claim 1, wherein the print mode selectable by the user includes a print resolution, and the print data generation unit uses an ink to be used according to the selected print resolution. Select the print controller. 6. The print control device according to claim 5, wherein the print data generation unit is configured to output the print data when the selected print resolution is a predetermined first resolution among a plurality of available resolutions. For the hue in which the plurality of same hue inks are present, print data for executing printing using at least a light ink other than the ink having the highest density among the plurality of same hue inks is generated. When the print resolution obtained is the second resolution lower than the first resolution, for the hue in which the plurality of same hue inks exist, the dark ink having the highest density among the plurality of same hue inks A print control device that generates print data for executing printing using a printer. 7. The print control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print mode selectable by the user includes a type of the print image, and the print data generation unit determines the print mode according to the type of the selected print image. A print control device that selects the ink to be used. 8. The print control device according to claim 7, wherein the print data generation unit is configured to determine, when the type of the selected print image is a photograph, the highest density ink among the plurality of same hue inks. Generate print data for performing printing using at least light ink other than high ink, and when the type of the selected print image is other than a photo, the highest density among the plurality of same hue inks is generated. A print control device that generates print data for executing printing using only dark ink. 9. The print control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print mode selectable by the user includes a type of a halftone process, and wherein the print data generation unit determines the type of the halftone process. A print control device that selects the ink to be used according to. 10. The print control apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the print data generation unit includes the plurality of same hue inks when the type of the selected halftone processing is an error diffusion method. Print data for executing printing using at least a light ink other than the ink having the highest density among the plurality of same hue inks, and the type of the selected halftone process is dithered. When printing is performed, for a hue in which the plurality of same hue inks are present, print data for performing printing using only the darkest ink having the highest density among the plurality of same hue is generated. Control device. 11. The print control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print mode selectable by the user includes a type of a print surface for performing one-sided printing or two-sided printing; A print control device for selecting the ink to be used according to the type of the selected printing surface. 12. The print control device according to claim 11, wherein the print data generation unit is configured to determine a hue in which the plurality of same hue inks exist when the type of the selected print surface is single-sided printing. Generates print data for performing printing using at least a light ink other than the ink having the highest density among the plurality of same hue inks, and when the type of the selected printing surface is double-sided printing, And a print control device for generating print data for executing printing using only the deepest ink having the highest density among the plurality of same hues for the hues in which the plurality of same hue inks exist. 13. The print control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a print mode selectable by a user is a print mode having the highest density among the plurality of same hue inks for a hue in which the plurality of same hue inks exist. A print control device including a dark ink use mode using only high dark ink. 14. The print control apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the print mode selectable by the user further uses only light ink other than the dark ink for the hue in which the plurality of same hue inks are present. A print control device, comprising: at least one of a light ink use mode and a dark / light ink dual mode using both the dark ink and the light ink for a hue in which the plurality of same hue inks exist. 15. The printing control device according to claim 14, wherein the ink cartridge contains two identical hue inks of dark magenta ink and light magenta ink for magenta, and contains dark cyan ink for cyan. The dark ink use mode uses the same magenta ink, the dark cyan ink, and the yellow ink as chromatic inks, and the light ink use mode contains two light inks of the same hue of light cyan ink. A print control device using the light magenta ink, the light cyan ink, and the yellow ink as coloring inks. 16. The print control device according to claim 1, further comprising an ink remaining amount monitoring unit that monitors a remaining amount of each ink, wherein the print data generation unit is configured to output any one of the hues. With regard to the above, when the remaining amount of any one of the plurality of same hue inks is small, printing is executed using ink having a different density from the ink having a small remaining amount for the ink having a small remaining amount. A print control device that generates print data for printing. 17. The print control device according to claim 1, further comprising: an ink remaining amount monitoring unit that monitors a remaining amount of each ink, wherein the ink remaining amount monitoring unit includes: Regarding the hue, when the remaining amount of any one of the plurality of same hue inks is small, the printing is executed using the ink having the remaining amount that is different from the ink having the small remaining amount. A print control device that displays a notification for inquiring a user whether or not to perform printing. 18. The printing control device according to claim 1, wherein an equal number of the same hue inks are available for a plurality of hues, and the remaining amount of each ink is monitored. The print data generation unit includes a remaining amount monitoring unit, and for any one of the hues, when the remaining amount of the ink at any one of the density levels of the plurality of the same hue inks is small, each of the plurality of hues is A print control apparatus for generating print data for executing printing using the same hue ink having a density level different from the density level corresponding to the ink having a small remaining amount. 19. The printing control device according to claim 1, wherein an equal number of the same hue inks are available for a plurality of hues, and the remaining amount of each ink is monitored. A remaining amount monitoring unit, the ink remaining amount monitoring unit, for any one of the hues, when the remaining amount of the ink of any one of the density levels of the plurality of the same hue is low, the plurality of hues A print control apparatus for displaying a notification for inquiring a user as to whether or not to execute printing using the same hue ink having a density level different from the density level corresponding to the ink having a small remaining amount. 20. A printing method comprising: an ink cartridge integrally containing a plurality of same hue inks having substantially the same hue and different densities for at least one of a plurality of hues used for color printing ink. A print mode selection unit that allows a computer to record a print data to be supplied to the unit, the program causing a computer to generate the print data, wherein the print mode selection unit allows a user to select a print mode; A print data generation unit that selects an ink to be used in accordance with the selected print mode for a hue having ink, and generates print data for executing printing using the selected ink. A recording medium recording a program to be realized by the computer. 21. A printing apparatus for performing printing by discharging ink droplets of a plurality of colors onto a printing medium to form dots, wherein at least one of a plurality of hues used for ink for color printing is provided. 20. A printing unit having an ink cartridge that integrally stores a plurality of inks of the same hue, which have substantially the same hue and different densities from each other, and the print control device according to claim 1. Printing device. 22. Printing having an ink cartridge integrally containing a plurality of same hue inks having substantially the same hue and different densities for at least one of a plurality of hues used for color printing ink. A printing method for performing printing using a set, wherein a user selects a printing mode, and at least for a hue having the plurality of same hue inks, selects an ink to be used according to the selected printing mode. A printing method for generating print data for performing printing using the selected ink; and performing printing in accordance with the print data.