JP2001138603A - Printer, method for controlling printer and print system and medium recording program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a cartridge filled with ink suitable for printing image data stored on a storage medium. SOLUTION: The printer comprises means for loading a cartridge having a medium recorded with information for identifying a cartridge and a plurality of image data files including color data, means for delivering the image data file read out from the recording medium to a host unit in response to an image data transfer request therefrom, and means for making a decision whether a cartridge suitable for printing an image based on print job data delivered from the host unit is loaded or not.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printer such as an ink jet printer or a laser printer,
The present invention relates to replaceable parts such as an ink cartridge and a toner cartridge used in such a printer.

2. Description of the Related Art Ink jet printers and the like perform printing by receiving supply of ink from a cartridge filled with ink. In recent years, color printing has become mainstream, and printers that use ink cartridges each filled with a plurality of color inks have emerged in order to achieve high-quality printing results.

[0002] A user who uses such a printer,
When a cartridge runs out of ink, it is replaced with a new cartridge.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Personal computers and printers are widely used in homes and the like, and easy-to-use application software is also widely used.
Users can edit images (digital contents) and immediately obtain visual prints. When the user uses the image, for example, the one attached to the application software in advance, or downloaded via the Internet, or recorded on a separately obtained recording medium such as a CD-ROM It is common to use

However, when printing a New Year's card, a pamphlet, or the like, an image having a design incorporating a variety of special colors that are not usually used is often used. For this reason, if a cartridge filled with color ink that is usually used is used as it is, a satisfactory print result cannot be obtained in many cases.

[0004] In addition, when a commonly used cartridge is used as it is, there is a problem that a specific color ink is used up immediately or conversely remains.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a cartridge provided with a storage medium storing image data and filled with a coloring material suitable for printing the image data.

Another object of the present invention is to provide the above-mentioned cartridge so as to eliminate a problem that a user uses up or leaves only a specific coloring material.

Another object of the present invention is to determine whether or not a cartridge filled with a coloring material suitable for printing an image is printed when printing an image based on print job data sent from the host device. An object of the present invention is to provide a printer which can be determined in advance.

Means for Solving the Problems The present invention for solving the above problems is specified as follows.

That is, according to the present invention, mounting means for mounting a cartridge having a recording medium on which identification information for identifying a cartridge and a plurality of image data files including color data are recorded, and a host device for sending the cartridge. Sending means for sending an image data file read from the recording medium to the host device when receiving an image data transfer request; and receiving print job data sent from the host device, and outputting an image based on the print job data. A determination unit configured to determine whether a cartridge suitable for printing is mounted.

Here, the determination means determines whether or not the cartridge is filled with a coloring material for expressing color data constituting an image based on the print job data based on the identification information. It is characterized by the following. Note that the coloring material refers to a material that adheres to a printing recording medium such as paper, regardless of gas, liquid, or solid (including powder), and includes, for example, ink and toner.

[0010] The determination means may compare a color reproduction range of an image based on the print job data with a color reproduction range previously given to the cartridge according to a filled coloring material. And

Further, when the printer determines that the cartridge suitable for printing an image based on the print job data is not mounted by the determining means, the printer notifies the host apparatus of the fact. It is characterized by.

Further, when the sending means receives the image data list request sent from the host device,
Create simplified data based on the image data file,
The created simplified data is sent to the host device.

The invention of the above-mentioned object can be grasped as the invention of the method, and the invention of the method can be grasped as the invention of the object. Further, the above-described invention is also realized as a recording medium storing a program product or a program for causing a printer to realize a predetermined function. Here, the recording medium is, for example, a hard disk (HD), a DVD-RA
M, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-ROM, and the like, as well as a memory such as a RAM and a ROM. The computer also includes, for example, a so-called microcomputer that performs a predetermined process by interpreting a program by a so-called central processing unit such as a CPU or an MPU.

[0014] In this specification, the term "means" does not simply mean a physical means, but also includes a case where the function of the means is realized by software. Further, the function of one unit may be realized by two or more physical units, or the function of two or more units may be realized by one physical unit.

Further, the present invention is characterized by comprising a recording medium on which a plurality of image data files including color data are recorded, and a tank filled with a coloring material suitable for use by printing the image data files. May be used. In other words, the present invention provides a tank filled with a coloring material for printing image data,
A recording medium recording a plurality of image data files suitable for printing with the coloring material. The tank is YMCK.
It is preferable that a coloring material of a color other than the color is filled.

It is preferable that the coloring material cartridge is used by the printer or its control method.

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. [First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a print system according to this embodiment. This printing system uses Ethernet
et) comprises a host device 1 and a printer 2 connected via a network. In FIG. 1, a representative one of a plurality of host devices 1 and a printer 2 connected to the network N is shown. Further, in this example, the host device 1 and the printer 2 are connected by a network, but they may be connected by a dedicated line such as a parallel cable.

The host device 1 can be typically replaced by a general-purpose personal computer. The host device 1 executes a predetermined program under the control of the operating system, and realizes a predetermined function by cooperating with predetermined hardware.

User interface (“U / I” in the figure)
It is shown. 11) realizes an interactive operation with the user, and is typically configured by a display, a keyboard, a mouse, their device drivers, and a higher-level browser program.

The application program 12 typically corresponds to a word processor for creating sentences, a graphic tool for creating graphics, and the like. The application program 12 includes the user interface 1
The application data handled on the application program 102 is delivered to the printer driver 13 in accordance with the print instruction given via the printer driver 1. The application program according to the present embodiment has a function of receiving an image data file from the printer 2 and editing the image data file, as described later.

The printer driver 13 calls a predetermined function / procedure based on application data passed from the application program 102, and
Generate print job data for the target printer. The print job data includes a command and data for generating raster format image data.

A communication interface (hereinafter referred to as “communication I /
F ". ) 14 and 14 ′ are physically connected to the network N to enable a network communication service between the host device 1 and the printer 2.

Next, the configuration of the printer 2 will be described. The print processing circuit 15 creates raster image data based on print job data transmitted from the host device 1 via the communication interfaces 14 and 14 ′, and controls the print engine 16. The print processing circuit 15 typically performs a CPU,
It is composed of ROM and RAM.

Although not shown, the print engine 16 includes a print head, a carriage, a paper feed mechanism, and the like, and prints on a print recording medium such as paper.
As the print engine 16, a printer according to the type of printer, such as a laser printer or a serial printer, can be used.

The ink cartridge 17 holds ink supplied to the print head, and is detachably set at a predetermined location such as the print head. The ink cartridge 17 is a non-volatile recording medium such as an EEPROM.
171, and the connector 172 ′ is exposed on the outer surface of the cartridge 17. This EEPROM 171
Stores a cartridge ID for uniquely identifying the ink cartridge itself and a number of image data files. When the ink cartridge 17 is mounted on the printer 2, the EEPROM 17 of the ink cartridge 17 is
1 is a connector 1 provided in the printer 2
72, and the EEPROM 17 and the print processing circuit 15 are electrically connected. Print processing circuit 15
For example, when the connector 172 is periodically monitored and it is determined that the ink cartridge 17 is mounted, the EE
The contents stored in the PROM 171 are read and written in the RAM of the print processing circuit 15. The ink cartridge 17 mounted on the printer 2 preferably holds ink suitable for printing an image data file stored in the EEPROM 171.

In general, there are two types of ink cartridges: an on-carriage type mounted on a carriage together with a print head, and an off-carriage type set at an immovable place away from the carriage. The cartridge 17 may be of either type. The ink cartridge 17 has a mechanism that can be used after being attached to a certain printer 2 and used to some extent, and then detached from the printer 2 and reattached to its own printer or another printer. Such an ink cartridge preferably has a structure in which air bubbles and the like hardly enter from the ink supply port when the ink cartridge is detached from the carriage.

The EEPROM 171 is, as described above,
A cartridge ID and a number of image data files are stored. The cartridge ID is identification information for identifying each ink cartridge. By referring to the cartridge ID, what kind of ink is filled in the ink cartridge 17 and what kind of image data file group is stored It is managed so that you can see if it is done. The image data file group is preferably image data including RGB color data.

The present embodiment is characterized in that an exchangeable ink cartridge 17 is filled with an image data file and ink suitable for printing the image data file. Then, when the host device 1 fetches the image data file and performs editing and printing, the printer 2 determines whether or not an ink cartridge for obtaining a desired print result in response to the print request is mounted. Then, printing is performed.

The range of colors that can be reproduced by a color display or a printer varies depending on the model. In some application software, colors defined by RGB colors and CMYK colors are displayed in consideration of the characteristics of displays and printers. In other words, RG
The B color and CMYK color depend on the device. Therefore, there are colors that can be displayed on a monitor but cannot be printed by a printer, and vice versa. FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram for explaining a color reproduction range. The figure shows the color reproduction range in each color system. For example, as shown in FIG.
There is a color reproduction range that can be expressed by the GB color, and there is a color reproduction range that can be expressed by the CMYK color. That is, when the normal YMCK ink is used, the color reproduction range in the RGB colors cannot be completely covered. For this reason, when converting the RGB colors to the CMYK colors, the printer handles colors that cannot be reproduced in the CMYK colors by, for example, approximating the colors. That is, a color image exceeding the color reproduction range of the YMCK color is not sufficiently reproduced when printed. Therefore, in the present embodiment, YMCK
For an image that cannot be represented by the color basic ink, it is determined whether or not a special color ink capable of representing the image is mounted.

FIG. 3 shows a print processing circuit 1 according to this embodiment.
5 is a flowchart for explaining an ink cartridge attachment monitoring routine of No. 5; In the figure, first, when the power is turned on, the print processing circuit 15 determines whether or not the ink cartridge 17 is mounted (STEP 3).
01). When determining that the ink cartridge 17 is mounted, the print processing circuit 15 determines whether or not the cartridge ID is stored in a predetermined area of the memory (STEP 302). When the print processing circuit 15 determines that the cartridge ID is not stored,
The cartridge ID and the image data file are read from the EEPROM 171 of the ink cartridge 17 (STEP 303), and these are stored in a predetermined area of the memory (STEP 304). That is, the cartridge ID
Is not stored in the memory yet, it means that the ink cartridge 17 is newly mounted.

On the other hand, when it is determined in STEP 301 that the cartridge ID is not mounted, it is similarly determined whether the cartridge ID is stored in a predetermined area of the memory (STEP 305). When determining that the cartridge ID is stored, the print processing circuit 15 deletes the cartridge ID stored in the memory (STEP 306). That is, the cartridge I
If D is still stored in the memory, this means that the ink cartridge 17 has been removed this time.

As described above, a new ink cartridge 1
Every time the cartridge 7 is mounted, the content recorded on the recording medium of the ink cartridge 17 is read into the print processing circuit.

FIG. 4 shows a print processing circuit 1 according to this embodiment.
5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of image data transfer processing of No. 5; The image data transfer processing is performed by the host device 1
The designated image data is transmitted to the host device in response to the transfer request transmitted from the host device.

Upon receiving the transfer request from the host device 1, the print processing circuit 15 determines whether or not this is an image data list request (STEP 401). When determining that the request is an image data list request, the print processing circuit 15 sequentially reads out the image data files from the memory,
Thumbnail data is created (STEP 402). The thumbnail data is simplified version data of the original image data file, and is obtained, for example, by performing a thinning process. The print processing circuit 15 transmits the created thumbnail data to the host device 1 (STEP 403).

On the other hand, when the transfer request received from the host device 1 is a request for specific image data (STEP
(YES in 404), the image data is read out from the memory, and transmitted to the host device 1 (STEP 40).
5).

As described above, when the print processing circuit 15 receives a transfer request from the host device 1, it transmits data corresponding to the content of the transfer request to the host device 1.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the printing process of the printer according to the present embodiment. First, when the print processing circuit 15 receives print job data from the host device 1 (YES in STEP 501), the print processing circuit 15 interprets the received print job data, generates raster image data using RGB color data, and stores the image data in the memory. It is developed (STEP 502). Next, by referring to the cartridge ID already read from the EEPROM 171 of the ink cartridge 17, the color reproduction range of the installed ink cartridge 17 is obtained (STEP
503). The color reproduction range is obtained by referring to a table in which the color reproduction range is associated with each cartridge ID, for example. That is, a color reproduction range is assigned to each ink cartridge 17 filled with special ink in addition to or in place of the YMCK basic ink. Next, the print processing circuit 15 compares the color reproduction range of the image developed on the memory with the color reproduction range of the installed ink cartridge 17 and determines that the color reproduction range of the developed image is the ink cartridge 17.
To determine whether the color reproduction range is exceeded (STEP
504). If the print processing circuit 15 determines that the color reproduction range of the developed image does not exceed the color reproduction range of the ink cartridge 17, the print processing circuit 15 adjusts the developed RGB color data to correspond to the color of the filled ink. Color conversion is performed, and binary data for each color is developed in a memory (STEP 505). Then, the print processing circuit 15
Sends a print request to the print engine 16 when the image data for the predetermined bandwidth is expanded in the memory, and the print engine 16 prints on the print recording medium based on the supplied image data. (STE
P506).

On the other hand, if it is determined in STEP 504 that the color reproduction range of the developed image exceeds the color reproduction range of the ink cartridge 17, the print processing device 15 uses the ink cartridge 17 for printing the image. Notify to the host device 1 that there is no
TEP507). When receiving the print forced instruction from the host device 1, the print processing device 15 performs color conversion corresponding to the ink color of the currently mounted ink cartridge 17, and develops binary data for each color into the memory. (STEP 505) and force printing (STEP 5).
06). When receiving a print stop instruction from the host device 1, the print processing device 15 stops the print processing.

As described above, when the printer 2 prints an image, it is determined whether or not the ink cartridge 17 suitable for printing the image is mounted. Therefore, a desired print result can be obtained with the ink cartridge 17. The user who determines that the printing has not been performed can stop printing.

Next, an example of using the print system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. That is, FIG.
FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram illustrating an operation of the print system according to the embodiment.

First, when the ink cartridge 17 is mounted ((1) in the figure), the printer 2 detects this and
By issuing a read request signal for reading data from the PROM 17 ((2)), the cartridge ID and the image data file are read and stored in the memory (see (2)).
(3)).

In this state, when an image data list request is given by the user, the host device 1 transmits an image data list request to the printer 2 ((4)). The list is transmitted to the host device 1 ((5)). The user refers to the list of image data sent from the printer 2 via the user interface 11 and, if desired to obtain desired image data, gives an instruction to transmit the image data. Accordingly, the host device 1 sends an image data transmission request to the printer 2 ((6)), and the printer 2 transmits the image data to the host device 1 in response to the request ((6)).
(7)). When the user edits the document using the image data sent from the printer 2 and gives a print instruction, the data of the document is transmitted to the printer driver 13.
And print job data is generated.
(8)). The host device 1 transmits the generated print job data to the printer 2 ((9)).

The printer 2 which has received the print job data interprets the data, develops the bitmap data in the memory ((10)), and determines the color reproduction range of the developed bitmap data and the installed ink cartridge. 17
The color reproduction range of the ink cartridge 1
7 is checked for compatibility (11). If the printer 2 determines that the print job is compatible, the printer 2 continues printing (step (12)).

As described above, according to the present embodiment, when a printer prints an image, it is possible to determine whether or not an ink cartridge suitable for printing the image is mounted. Therefore, if the image data suitable for printing with the ink of the ink cartridge is stored in the recording medium provided in the ink cartridge and is made available to the user, a satisfactory print result for the user can be obtained. Become like

According to the present embodiment, the printer
If it is determined that a desired print result cannot be obtained with the ink cartridge 17, the user can stop printing.

By configuring the ink cartridge so that the amount of color ink is adjusted according to the degree of color arrangement of the image data file stored in the EEPROM 171, the user may use up only a specific ink. This can eliminate the problem of leaving.

The above embodiment is an exemplification for explaining the present invention, and is not intended to limit the present invention only to the above embodiment. The present invention can be implemented in various forms without departing from the gist thereof. For example, the operation of the function realizing means has been described sequentially, but the present invention is not particularly limited to this. Therefore, as long as no inconsistency occurs in the operation, the order of processing may be changed or the operation may be performed in parallel.

According to the present invention, a recording medium storing image data is provided in an ink cartridge, and ink suitable for printing the image data is filled in advance so that the host device can acquire the image data. With this configuration, the user can obtain the image data very easily. Also, when printing the image data, as long as you use the ink cartridge from which you obtained it,
Very satisfactory printing results can be obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a printing system.

FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram for explaining a color reproduction range.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an ink cartridge attachment monitoring routine of a print processing circuit.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an image transfer process of a print processing circuit.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a printing process of the printer.

FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of an operation of the print system.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Host apparatus 2 ... Printer 11 ... User interface 12 ... Application program 13 ... Printer driver 14 ... Communication interface 15 ... Print processing circuit 16 ... Print engine 17 ... Cartridge

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A mounting means for mounting a cartridge provided with a recording medium recording identification information for identifying a cartridge and a plurality of image data files including color data, and an image data transfer request sent from a host device. And a sending unit that sends an image data file read from the recording medium to the host device, and accepts print job data sent from the host device and is suitable for printing an image based on the print job data. A determination means for determining whether or not a cartridge is mounted. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the determining unit determines whether the cartridge is filled with a coloring material for expressing color data constituting an image based on the print job data, based on the identification information. The printer according to claim 1, wherein: 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the determination unit compares a color reproduction range of the image based on the print job data with a color reproduction range given to the cartridge in advance according to a charged coloring material. 3. The printer according to claim 2, wherein 4. The printer is configured to notify a host device when the determination unit determines that a cartridge suitable for printing an image based on the print job data is not mounted. The printer according to claim 1, wherein: 5. The transmitting means, when receiving an image data list request sent from a host device, creates simplified data based on the image data file, and sends the created simplified data to the host device. The printer according to claim 1, wherein: 6. When a cartridge provided with a recording medium recording identification information for identifying a cartridge and a plurality of image data files including color data is mounted, the identification information and the image data file are stored in a memory. Receiving the image data transfer request sent from the host device, sending the image data file stored in the memory to the host device, and receiving print job data sent from the host device. Determining whether a cartridge suitable for printing an image based on the print job data is mounted. 7. A printing system comprising a host device and a printer, wherein the printer includes a recording medium on which identification information for identifying a cartridge and a plurality of image data files including color data are recorded. Mounting means for mounting the loaded cartridge, first sending means for sending an image data file read from the recording medium to the host device when an image data transfer request sent from the host device is received, and the host device Determining whether a cartridge suitable for printing an image based on the print job data is mounted, and receiving the print job data sent from the host device. Second sending means for sending the image data to the printer, and image data sent from the printer. And a third transmission unit for receiving print data, generating print job data based on the image data, and transmitting the generated print job data to the printer. 8. A recording medium recording a program for realizing a predetermined function in a printer, said program recording identification information for identifying a cartridge and a plurality of image data files including color data. A function of determining whether or not a cartridge provided with a cartridge recording medium is mounted on a predetermined mounting unit; a function of reading the identification information and the image data from the cartridge recording medium; and an image data transfer request sent from a host device. And a function of sending an image data file read from the cartridge recording medium to the host device, and accepting print job data sent from the host device and suitable for printing an image based on the print job data. Determine if a cartridge is installed And a recording medium storing a program characterized by having a function of: 9. A coloring material comprising: a recording medium on which a plurality of image data files including color data are recorded; and a tank filled with a coloring material suitable for use by printing the image data file. cartridge. 10. A coloring material comprising: a tank filled with a coloring material for printing image data; and a recording medium recording a plurality of image data files suitable for printing with the coloring material. cartridge. 11. The colorant cartridge according to claim 9, wherein the tank is filled with a colorant other than the YMCK color.