JP2001199130A - Printing apparatus, printing system, method for controlling printing, apparatus and method for charging printing and memory medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To correctly judge which color is actually used in printing. SOLUTION: There are provided a plotting information-converting means for converting inputted printing data to information for a plotting process, a color designation part-monitoring means for monitoring a color designation part showing color data in the information for the plotting process converted by the plotting information-converting means, and a color designation result- holding means for holding color designation results detected by the color designation part-monitoring means. The color used in the printing is judged on the basis of the information held in the color designation result-holding means, so that the color actually used in the printing can be correctly judged.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printing apparatus, a printing system, a printing control method, a printing accounting apparatus, a printing accounting method, and a storage medium, and more particularly to a printer connected to a host computer via a bidirectional interface. The present invention relates to an output device and a control method of a charging method in the output device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a method of controlling a printing apparatus that prints by inputting print data from a host device such as a host computer, the application software that created the print data determines whether the print data is monochrome data or color data. When transferring print data to printing device driver software installed in a host device such as a host computer, this is determined from the contents of the print data.

[0003]

However, depending on the application software for creating the sentence data, for example, in some application software A,
When black and white data and color data are mixed in several pages of printing information, all information sent from the application software to the printing device driver software is sent as color data. The device driver has a problem in that even if the data is monochrome data, it is determined that the data is color data and the printing process is performed.

Thus, even in the case of monochrome data, the CPU instructs the printing apparatus main body to perform a color printing operation (ie, YMCK printing is rotated four times) by an instruction of the printing apparatus driver software. /
If different charging rates are set for black and white, there is a problem that incorrect charging is performed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and has as its object to accurately determine which color has been used for printing. In addition, the second method is to enable correct charging based on correct color information used in actual printing.
The purpose of.

[0006]

A printing apparatus according to the present invention is a color printing apparatus that performs color printing based on input print data, wherein the drawing information conversion means converts the print data into information for drawing processing. A color specifying unit monitoring unit that monitors a color specifying unit indicating color data in the drawing processing information converted by the drawing information converting unit; and a color that holds a color specification result detected by the color specifying unit monitoring unit. And a designated result holding means. Another feature of the present invention is that the print data is composed of control data, text data composed of character data, and image data. According to another feature of the present invention, the color specifying unit monitoring means includes a color flag specifying method for providing a flag for each color, a specifying method using a flag for determining black and white or color, and a color state using a code. It is characterized in that it is monitored that a color designation for performing color printing has been performed by one or more of the designated code methods shown. Another feature of the present invention is that the color designation information held in the color designation result holding means is cleared every time one color is printed or each time one page is printed. Features. Another feature of the present invention is that in a color printing apparatus that performs color printing based on input print data, a color information detecting unit that detects color information in a video signal in the print data, A color print monitoring unit that monitors which color of YMCK is used based on the color information detected by the color information detection unit.

A printing system according to the present invention is a printing system comprising: a print command device for outputting print data; and a print execution device for executing color printing based on the print data input from the print command device. A rendering information conversion unit that converts the print data into information for rendering processing, and a color designation unit monitor that monitors a color designation unit indicating color data in the rendering process information converted by the rendering information conversion unit. Means, and a color designation result holding means for holding a result of the color designation detected by the color designation section monitoring means. Another feature of the present invention is that the print data is composed of control data, text data composed of character data, and image data.
According to another feature of the present invention, the color specifying unit monitoring means includes a color flag specifying method for providing a flag for each color, a specifying method using a flag for determining black and white or color, and a color state using a code. It is characterized in that it is monitored that a color designation for performing color printing has been performed by one or more of the designated code methods shown. Another feature of the present invention is that the color designation information held in the color designation result holding means is cleared every time one color is printed or each time one page is printed. Features. Another feature of the present invention is a printing system including a print command device that outputs print data, and a print execution device that performs color printing based on print data input from the print command device. A color information detecting means for detecting the color information in the video signal in the print data,
A color print monitoring unit that monitors which color of YMCK is used based on the color information detected by the color information detection unit.

A print control method according to the present invention is a method for controlling a color printing apparatus that performs color printing based on input print data, comprising: a drawing information conversion process for converting the print data into information for a drawing process; A color designation unit monitoring process for monitoring a color designation unit indicating color data in the rendering process information converted by the rendering information conversion process, and a color designation result held by the color designation result detected by the color designation unit monitoring process And a color designation result holding process to be held in the means. Another feature of the present invention is that the print data is composed of control data, text data composed of character data, and image data. Further, as another feature of the present invention, the color specifying unit monitoring process includes a method of specifying a color flag for providing a flag for each color, a method of specifying a black and white or color flag, and a state of a color by a code. It is characterized in that it is monitored that a color designation for performing color printing has been performed by one or more of the designated code methods shown. Another feature of the present invention is that the color designation information held in the color designation result holding means is cleared every time one color is printed or each time one page is printed. Features.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of controlling a color printing apparatus that performs color printing based on input print data, the method comprising detecting color information in a video signal in the print data. YMC based on the detection process and the color information detected by the color information detection process.
It is characterized by performing color printing monitoring processing for monitoring which color of K is used for printing. Another feature of the present invention is that a printing system includes a print command device that outputs print data, and a print execution device that performs color printing based on the print data input from the print command device. In the controlling method, the print execution device converts the print data into information for a drawing process, and a color designation unit indicating color data in the drawing process information converted by the drawing information conversion process. And a color designation result holding process for holding a color designation result detected by the color designation portion monitoring process in a color designation result holding means. Printing control method.

A print accounting apparatus according to the present invention is a print accounting apparatus used in a color printing apparatus for performing color printing based on input print data, wherein the drawing information conversion means converts the print data into information for drawing processing. A color designation unit monitoring unit that monitors a color designation unit indicating color data in the rendering processing information converted by the rendering information conversion unit; and a color designation result detected by the color designation unit monitoring unit. It is characterized by comprising a color designation result holding means and a billing means for performing a billing process based on the holding information of the color designation result holding means. Another feature of the present invention is that a print billing apparatus used in a color printing apparatus that performs color printing based on input print data detects color information in a video signal in the print data. A color information detecting unit, a color printing monitoring unit that monitors which color of YMCK is used based on the color information detected by the color information detecting unit, and a monitoring result of the color printing monitoring unit. And a billing means for performing billing processing based on the billing means.

A print accounting method according to the present invention is a print accounting method used in a color printing apparatus for performing color printing based on input print data, wherein a drawing information conversion process for converting the print data into information for a drawing process. A color designation unit monitoring process for monitoring a color designation unit indicating color data in the rendering process information converted by the drawing information conversion process, and a color designation result detected by the color designation unit monitoring process. It is characterized in that a color designation result holding process held in the result holding means and a billing process based on the held information of the color designation result holding means are performed. According to another feature of the present invention, in a print accounting method used for a color printing apparatus that performs color printing based on input print data, color information in a video signal in the print data is detected. A color information detection process, a color print monitoring process for monitoring which color of YMCK is used based on the color information detected by the color information detection process, and a monitoring result of the color print monitoring process. And a charging process based on the billing process.

[0011] The storage medium of the present invention is characterized in that a program constituting each means described above is stored so as to be readable from a computer. Another feature of the present invention is that a program for executing the above method is stored so as to be readable from a computer.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of a printing apparatus, a printing system, a printing control method, a printing accounting apparatus, a printing accounting method, and a storage medium according to the present invention will be described. First, before describing the configuration of the printing system of the present embodiment, a configuration of a laser beam printer suitable for applying the present embodiment will be described.
This will be described with reference to FIGS. It should be noted that the printer to which the present embodiment (extension memory, interface part) is applied is not limited to a laser beam printer, and it goes without saying that a printer of another printing method may be used.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing an example of the configuration of an output device to which the present embodiment is applicable, and shows a case of a laser beam printer (LBP). In FIG. 1, 15
Reference numeral 00 denotes an LBP main body, which inputs and stores print information (character codes and the like) and form information or macro instructions supplied from an externally connected host computer 3000, and corresponding characters according to the information. A pattern, a form pattern, or the like is created, and a color image is formed on a recording medium such as recording paper.

Reference numeral 1501 denotes a switch for operation and an LE.
Operation panel with D display etc., 1000 is LB
Control of the entire P body 1500 and host computer 30
A printer control unit that analyzes character information and the like supplied from 00.

The printer control unit 1000 mainly converts character information into a video signal having a corresponding character pattern and outputs the video signal to a laser driver 1502. The laser driver 1502 is a circuit for driving the laser 1503. The laser driver 1502 responds to the input video signal.
The laser light 1504 emitted from the light emitting device 03 is switched on / off.

The laser beam 1504 is transmitted to a rotary polygon mirror 1505
And scans and exposes the surface of the electrostatic drum 1506. As a result, an electrostatic latent image of a character pattern is formed on the electrostatic drum 1506.

The electrostatic latent image is developed by a developing unit 1507 provided around the electrostatic drum 1506, and then transferred to a recording sheet. As the recording paper, a cut sheet is used. The cut sheet recording paper is stored in a paper cassette 1508 mounted on the LBP 1500, and is supplied with a paper feed roller 1509, a transport roller 1510, and a transport roller 1511.
Thus, the toner is taken into the apparatus and supplied to the electrostatic drum 1506.

The LBP body 1500 is provided with at least one or more card slots (not shown) so that an optional font card and a control card (emulation card) having a different language can be connected in addition to the built-in fonts. .

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a printer control system according to an embodiment of the present invention. As long as the functions of the present invention are executed, a single device or a system including a plurality of devices may be used. It is needless to say that the present invention can be applied to a system in which processing is performed via a network such as a LAN.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 3000 denotes a host computer, which processes a document in which graphics, images, characters, tables (including spreadsheets, etc.) are mixed based on a document processing program or the like stored in a program ROM of the ROM 3. And a host unit CPU 1 for executing
U1 generally controls each device connected to the system bus 4.

The program ROM of the ROM 3
Stores a control program of the host CPU 1 and the like.
The font ROM of the ROM 3 stores font data and the like used in the above document processing, and the data ROM of the ROM 3 stores various data used in the above document processing and the like.

Reference numeral 2 denotes a RAM, which functions as a main memory, a work area, and the like for the host CPU 1. A keyboard controller (KBC) 5 controls a key input from a keyboard 9 or a pointing device (not shown). 6 is C
The display of the CRT display (CRT) 10 is controlled by an RT controller (CRTC).

Reference numeral 7 denotes a disk controller (MC) for accessing the external memory 11 such as a hard disk (HD) for storing foot programs, various applications, font data, user files, and edited files, and a floppy disk (FD). Control.

8 is a printer controller (PRTC)
A predetermined bidirectional interface (interface)
21 and is connected to the printer 1500 to execute communication control processing with the printer 1500. Note that the host unit CPU1 may, for example, display information R set on the RAM2.
Expansion of outline font to AM (rasterization)
The processing is executed, and WYSIWYG on the CRT 10 is enabled.

The host CPU 1 opens various registered windows based on commands designated by a mouse cursor or the like (not shown) on the CRT 10 and executes various data processing.

In the printer 1500, reference numeral 12 denotes a printer CPU, and various devices connected to the system bus 15 based on a control program or the like stored in the program ROM of the ROM 13 or a control program or the like stored in the external memory 14. , And outputs an image signal as output information to a printing unit (printer engine) 17 connected via a printing unit interface 16.

The program ROM of the ROM 13
Stores a control program of the printer CPU 12 and the like. The font ROM of the ROM 13 stores font data and the like used when generating the output information.
In the case of a printer having no external memory 14 such as a hard disk, the data ROM of the OM 13 stores information used on the host computer 3000.

In the present embodiment, the drawing information conversion means, the color designation section monitoring means, the color designation result holding means, the color information detection means, the color printing monitoring means, and the billing means are comprised of
The program is configured by a computer system including U12, ROM13, and RAM19.

The printer CPU 12 has an input unit 18.
The communication processing with the host computer 3000 can be performed via the printer 1500, and information and the like in the printer 1500 can be notified to the host computer 3000.

19 is a main memory of the printer CPU 12;
The RAM functions as a work area, and is configured so that the memory capacity can be expanded by an optional RAM connected to an additional port (not shown). In addition,
The RAM 19 is used for an output information development area, an environment data storage area, an NVRAM, and the like. Access to the external memory 14 such as a hard disk (HD) and an IC card is controlled by a disk controller (MC) 20.

The external memory 14 is connected as an option and includes font data, an emulation program,
Stores form data and the like. Reference numeral 18 denotes the above-described operation panel on which switches for operation, an LED display, and the like are arranged.

The above-mentioned external memory 14 is not limited to one, and at least one external memory is provided. In addition to the built-in fonts, an optional font card and a plurality of external memories storing programs for interpreting printer control languages of different languages are stored. It may be configured to be connectable. Further, an NVRAM (not shown) may be provided to store the printer mode setting information from the operation panel 1501.

In the thus configured printer control system of the present embodiment, the host computer 3000
The sentence data thus output is first stored in the input unit 18. The printer CPU 12 translates the input information with reference to the ROM 13 and stores the translated content in the RAM 19.
To save. Here, the storage method of the RAM 19 is as follows.
It is stored in an intermediate form of 2,48 bits wide or stored as a bitmap memory.

Here, character data and image data are represented by R
When storing in the AM 19, the RAM 19, which has been used as one page memory, is divided into two page memories, one of which is defined as a character area and the other is defined as an image area.

Therefore, a form in which character information is expanded and a form in which image information is expanded are stored in the respective areas. According to this storage method, when an intermediate object is generated, the intermediate object is recognized based on the respective headers of the character information and the image information and is developed in each area.

Since the RAM 19 generally has a memory area for one page, it is not necessary to add memory only by separating the character area and the image area. If the operation is performed in a memory-saving mode, it is necessary to add a RAM.

(First Embodiment) FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a first embodiment for explaining a printing system of the present invention. First, print data created by the host computer 3000 is converted into a language recognizable by the printing device by printing device driver software installed inside the host computer 3000, and is converted as input data 30 through the input unit 18 of the controller 1000. Input to the printing device.

The input data is temporarily stored in the RAM 19, sequentially decoded by the printer CPU 12, and converted into a plurality of display lists 33, which are intermediate codes suitable for printing.

The display list 33 includes, for example,
Specific information for drawing is stored, such as “print“ A ”in“ X, Y ”at“ X, Y ”in“ Z ”size and“ black ””.

When the display list 33 is prepared for a predetermined print range, the printer CPU 12 passes the display list 33 for the print range to the hardware rendering unit 31 in order to convert the display list 33 into image data. The hardware rendering unit 31 performs drawing for each line according to the rules described in the received display list 33, and develops the result in the RAM 19.

When the drawing for the printing range is completed, the printer CPU 12 sends a print command to the printing unit 17 through the printing unit I / F 16 and performs the drawing process 32 in synchronization with the synchronization signal sent from the printing unit 17. .

As described above, the display list 33
Describes information about drawing, but some display lists 33 in this display list 33 are described.
Is provided with a color designation unit 34 for performing color printing.

The color specification method includes a color flag specification method 35 for providing a flag for each color, a black and white / color flag specification method 36 for judging monochrome or color, and a specification code method 37 for indicating the color status by code. Etc. The rendering unit 31 performs color processing based on the color information.

Here, each of the color designation flag 35, the monochrome / color flag 36, and the designation code 37 of the color designation section 34 of the display list 33 described above is one color (Y
If MCK is printed four times), or if it is specified even once within one page, the result is stored in the print result register 38, and it is possible to confirm which color was used for printing.

That is, the printer control system according to the present embodiment has a new print result register 38, so that when printing is performed, it is possible to recognize which color is used for the printing. Like that.

The print result register 38 may be cleared each time one color is printed, or may be cleared each time one page is printed. In addition, the print result register 38 may have one color (YMCK) collectively, or may hold it separately for each color.

(Second Embodiment) In the method of controlling the printing apparatus described in the first embodiment, when the one-color printing is completed or the one-page printing is completed, the printer unit CPU 12 The information stored in the result register 38 is read, and the color in which the printing has been performed is determined.
This is sent to the accounting section 39. The billing processing unit 39 performs one-time processing based on the print result information read from the print result register 38.
It is determined which of two types of charging, color charging, two-color charging, three-color charging, and color charging, is to be performed, and the printing is charged.

In the present embodiment, the billing unit 39 determines which bill is to be charged. However, the printer CPU 12 determines which bill is to be charged, and sends the result of the determination to the billing unit 39. It does not matter.

(Third Embodiment) FIG. 4 is a timing chart for explaining the third embodiment. In the present embodiment, the information of the color designation unit 34 of the display list 33 is not read out, but the printing unit I / F 16 to the printing unit 17
The color information is obtained by monitoring the print signal sent to the printer.

The timing chart of FIG.
This is a method in which color printing is performed four times separately for each color. The principle is the same in the case of tandem color printing performed for four colors at a time.

When the preparation for printing is completed, the controller 1000 of the printer 1000 sends the nPRI to the printing unit 17.
At the same time that the NT signal 40 is set to “True” (true), the VCLK 44 which is a data synchronization signal is output. Upon receiving the nPRINT signal 40, the printing unit 17 receives an nTOP signal 41 as a vertical synchronization signal and an nL signal as a horizontal synchronization signal nL.
The SYNC signal 43 is set to “True” at regular intervals.

Then, the controller 1000 sets nTO
NLSYN from the point when the P signal 41 becomes “True”
The C signal 43 is counted, and a video signal nVDO (N bit width) 42 is output from a preset writing position to execute drawing.

At this time, in order to monitor whether or not printing has been performed in each color of YMCK, in the present embodiment, n
This is realized by monitoring whether or not the VDO signal 42 has become “True” when printing each color.

That is, as shown in FIG. 5, in order to monitor whether the N-bit nVDO signal 50 changes in synchronization with the data synchronization signal VCLK 56, nVDO signal 50
The OR operation of the DO signal 50 is performed by the OR circuit 54, the operation result signal 55 is latched by the latch circuit 52 for each VCLK signal 56, and the latch result signal 57 is output to the sense port or the sense register 53. . And
By monitoring the sense port or the sense register 53, it is possible to confirm whether or not the color has been printed when printing one color page.

Note that the latch circuit 52 outputs the nTOP signal 5
The reset may be performed at the falling edge of 1 (TRUE edge), or the reset signal may be output from the printer CPU 12 at the same timing.

In this embodiment, an example is shown in which the sense port or the register 53 is reset for each color. However, the result can be understood for each color of "YMCK".
Each may have a register, or a latch circuit may be provided for each color.

(Fourth Embodiment) As shown in the third embodiment, which color was used each time a color page was printed or every time a page was printed? This can be confirmed by reading the sense port or the register 53.

Therefore, in the method of controlling the printing apparatus, when one-color printing is completed or one-page printing is completed, the printer CPU 12 reads the sense port or the register 53, and stores the result in the above-described manner. It is sent to the billing unit 39.

The billing processing section 39 performs one-color billing, two-color billing, three-color billing,
Alternatively, it is determined which one of the color charges is to be charged, and the printing is charged. In the present embodiment, the type of billing is determined by the billing processing unit 39. However, the billing unit may be determined by the printer CPU 12 and the determination result may be sent to the billing processing unit 39.

(Other Embodiments of the Present Invention) The present invention is applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, etc.), and is applied to an apparatus composed of one device. May be applied.

Further, the functions of the above-described embodiment are implemented in an apparatus connected to the above-mentioned various devices or a computer in a system so that various devices are operated so as to realize the functions of the above-described embodiment. Supplies the software program code for performing the
The invention implemented by operating the various devices according to the program stored in U) is also included in the scope of the present invention.

In this case, the program code of the software realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the program code itself and means for supplying the program code to the computer are provided.
For example, a storage medium storing such a program code constitutes the present invention. As a storage medium for storing such a program code, for example, a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM,
A magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.

When the computer executes the supplied program code, not only the functions described in the above embodiment are realized, but also the OS (operating system) in which the program code runs on the computer. Alternatively, even when the functions described in the above-described embodiments are implemented in cooperation with other application software or the like, it goes without saying that such program codes are included in the embodiments of the present invention.

Further, after the supplied program code is stored in the memory provided in the function expansion board of the computer or the function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion board or the function expansion unit is specified based on the instruction of the program code. The present invention also includes a case where a CPU or the like provided in the apparatus performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

[0065]

As described above, according to the present invention, drawing information conversion means for converting input print data into drawing processing information, and drawing processing information converted by the drawing information conversion means. A color designation section monitoring means for monitoring a color designation section indicating the color data in the color designation section; and a color designation result holding means for retaining a color designation result detected by the color designation section monitoring means. Since the color used for printing is determined based on the information held in the printer, it is possible to accurately determine which color has been used for printing.

According to another feature of the present invention, the input print data is converted into information for drawing processing, and a color designation unit indicating the color data in the converted drawing processing information is monitored. As a result of the monitoring, the detected color designation result is held, and the accounting process is performed based on the held information. Therefore, the accounting is performed based on the correct color information actually used at the time of printing. can do.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a first output device to which the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer control system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a view for explaining processing contents of a print color detecting means of the printer control system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a timing chart at the time of printing of the printer control system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a print color detection unit of the printer control system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 CPU 2 RAM 3 ROM 4 system bus 12 CPU 13 ROM 19 RAM 15 system bus 39 accounting section 1500 printer 3000 host computer

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) 9A001 F term (Reference) 2C061 AP01 AQ06 AR01 HJ06 HK03 HS01 HX10 2C087 AA15 AB05 AC08 BA03 BA05 BA06 BA07 BA09 BC12 BC14 BD53 CB13 2C262 BA01 EA03 EA17 2H030 AD07 AD08 5C079 HA13 HB03 LA02 MA01 MA11 NA29 PA07 9A001 JJ35 KZ60 LL09

Claims (22)

[Claims] 1. A color printing apparatus for performing color printing based on input print data, comprising: a drawing information conversion means for converting the print data into information for drawing processing; and a drawing converted by the drawing information conversion means. The image processing apparatus further includes: a color designation unit monitoring unit that monitors a color designation unit indicating color data in the processing information; and a color designation result holding unit that holds a color designation result detected by the color designation unit monitoring unit. Printing device. 2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print data is composed of a control code, text data including character data, and image data. 3. The color designating section monitoring means may be any one of a color flag designating method for providing a flag for each color, a designating method using a flag for judging monochrome or color, and a designation code method showing a color state by a code. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein monitoring is performed to determine whether color designation for performing color printing by one or more methods is performed. 4. The color designation information held in the color designation result holding means is cleared each time one color is printed or each time one page is printed.
The printing device according to any one of the preceding claims. 5. A color printing apparatus for performing color printing based on input print data, wherein the color information detecting means detects color information in a video signal in the print data, and the color information is detected by the color information detecting means. A color printing monitoring means for monitoring which color of YMCK is used based on the obtained color information. 6. A print command device for outputting print data,
A printing system comprising: a print execution device that executes color printing based on print data input from the print command device; wherein the print execution device converts the print data into information for a drawing process. A color designation unit monitoring unit that monitors a color designation unit indicating color data in the rendering processing information converted by the rendering information conversion unit; and a color designation result detected by the color designation unit monitoring unit. A printing system comprising: a color designation result holding unit. 7. The printing system according to claim 6, wherein the print data is composed of control code, text data including character data, and image data. 8. The color specifying unit monitoring means may be any one of a color flag specifying method of providing a flag for each color, a specifying method using a flag for determining black and white or color, and a specifying code method indicating a color state by a code. The printing system according to claim 6, wherein it is monitored that a color designation for performing color printing by one or more methods is performed. 9. The color designation information held in the color designation result holding means is cleared each time one color is printed or each time one page is printed.
The printing system according to any one of the preceding claims. 10. A printing system comprising: a print command device that outputs print data; and a print execution device that executes color printing based on the print data input from the print command device. Color information detecting means for detecting color information in a video signal in the print data; and color print monitoring for monitoring which color of YMCK is used based on the color information detected by the color information detecting means. And a printing system. 11. A method for controlling a color printing apparatus that performs color printing based on input print data, comprising: a drawing information conversion process for converting the print data into information for a drawing process; A color designation unit monitoring process for monitoring a color designation unit indicating color data in the converted drawing process information; and a color designation for holding a color designation result detected by the color designation unit monitoring process in a color designation result holding unit. A print control method comprising performing a result holding process. 12. The print control method according to claim 11, wherein the print data is composed of a control code, text data including character data, and image data. 13. The color specifying unit monitoring process may be any one of a color flag specifying method for providing a flag for each color, a specifying method using a flag for determining black and white or color, and a specifying code method indicating a color state by a code. 13. The print control method according to claim 11, wherein monitoring is performed to determine whether a color designation for performing color printing by one or more methods has been performed. 14. The color designation information held in the color designation result holding means is cleared each time one color is printed or each time one page is printed.
14. The print control method according to any one of claims 13 to 13. 15. A method for controlling a color printing apparatus that performs color printing based on input print data, comprising: a color information detection process for detecting color information in a video signal in the print data; A print control method for performing a color print monitoring process of monitoring which color of YMCK is used based on color information detected by the process. 16. A method for controlling a printing system, comprising: a print command device for outputting print data; and a print execution device for executing color printing based on the print data input from the print command device. A drawing information conversion process in which the device converts the print data into drawing processing information; and a color designation unit monitoring process for monitoring a color designation unit indicating color data in the drawing processing information converted by the drawing information conversion process. And a color designation result holding process for holding a color designation result detected by the color designation unit monitoring process in a color designation result holding means. 17. A print billing apparatus used in a color printing apparatus for performing color printing based on input print data, wherein: a drawing information conversion means for converting the print data into information for drawing processing; A color designation section monitoring means for monitoring a color designation section indicating color data in the drawing processing information converted by the means; a color designation result holding means for retaining a color designation result detected by the color designation section monitoring means; And a charging unit for performing a charging process based on information held in the color designation result holding unit. 18. A print billing apparatus used in a color printing apparatus that performs color printing based on input print data, wherein: a color information detecting means for detecting color information in a video signal in the print data; Color printing monitoring means for monitoring which color of YMCK is used based on the color information detected by the information detecting means; and charging means for performing charging processing based on the monitoring result of the color printing monitoring means. A print billing device comprising: 19. A print billing method used in a color printing apparatus that performs color printing based on input print data, wherein: a drawing information conversion process for converting the print data into information for a drawing process; A color designation unit monitoring process for monitoring a color designation unit indicating color data in the rendering process information converted by the process; and a color designation result detection unit that holds a color designation result detected by the color designation unit monitoring process. A print billing method, comprising: performing a color designation result holding process; 20. A print billing method used in a color printing apparatus for performing color printing based on input print data, comprising: a color information detecting process for detecting color information in a video signal in the print data; A color printing monitoring process for monitoring which color of YMCK is used based on the color information detected by the information detecting process, and a charging process based on the monitoring result of the color printing monitoring process. Characteristic print billing method. 21. A storage medium storing a program constituting each means according to claim 1 so as to be readable from a computer. 22. A storage medium storing a program for executing the method according to any one of claims 11 to 16, 19, and 20 so as to be readable from a computer.