JP2003308201A - System and program for color printing and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a system and a program for color printing and a recording medium which enable a user to properly select automatic color selective printing and non-automatic color selective printing for printing processing. <P>SOLUTION: The color printing system checks whether print data include any color image, calculates and displays predicted costs and time of ACS (Auto Color Select) printing and non-ACS printing when a color image is included, and checks whether the set initial values of a non-ACS mode are to be changed. The color printing system performs change processing between ACS and non- ACS of the system according to whether there is a change instruction and performs the ACS printing when the ACS printing is selected or the non-ACS printing when the non-ACS printing is selected (steps S101 to S110). The user's disadvantage owing to a rise in printing cost with the modes is thus prevented and usability is improved. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a color print system, a color print program, and a recording medium, and more particularly, to an automatic color printing process for a monochrome page of a plurality of pages of image data including a color image in a monochrome mode. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a color printing system, a color printing program, and a recording medium that causes a color printer that switches between selective printing and non-automatic color selective printing that prints a black-and-white page in a color mode according to a selection to perform a printing process in an appropriate mode.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a copying service using a copying machine or the like, conventionally, a charging fee is set according to the number of copies and the size of a copy image (for example, copy size such as A4 or A3). In addition, even if a person who receives the recording / output service makes a copy on a sheet of paper, the charge for the copying service is fixed, and even in the case of copying or outputting a color image, the charge is higher than that for a monochrome image. , The color image output charge is fixed.

In existing 4-drum type color printers, some monochrome printers and color printers have different printing speeds. In this case, when an image in which black and white and color are mixed is printed, for example, when outputting three sheets of black and white, color, and black and white, start up at a black and white speed, output a black and white image at a black and white speed, and output a black and white image. Wait until is fixed and ejected, then change to color speed. Next, the color image is output at the color speed, the color image is fixed and discharged, the speed is changed to black and white, and the black and white image is output at the black and white speed.

As described above, in the conventional color printer, when an image in which black and white and color are mixed is printed when the printing speed is different between the black and white print and the color print, the paper printed by the printing operation in the previous print mode is different. The process of waiting for the paper to be discharged and then switching the speed is performed every time the print mode is changed, and there is a problem that the processing speed is reduced and the productivity is reduced.

Therefore, conventionally, in the color printer, once the color mode is set, it is possible to set to print in the color mode until the end.

[0006]

However, in such a conventional color printer, when the black-and-white print and the color print have different printing speeds, it is necessary to print an image in which black-and-white and color are mixed once. , If you print in color mode, and then print to the end in color mode, the charge for printing will be charged for printing because the color developing machine is moved, and the cost for printing will be high. There was a problem.

Therefore, according to the first aspect of the invention, automatic color selection printing is performed in black-and-white mode for black-and-white pages among image data of a plurality of pages including color images, and non-automatic printing processing is also performed in black-and-white pages for black-and-white pages. The host device is connected to a color printer that switches between color selective printing and printing according to the selection, and the color printer responds to the print request from the host device by sending the image data of the print request to automatic color selective printing and non-automatic color printing. While the selective printing is switched according to the instruction from the host device and the printing process is performed, when there is a possibility that the charge required for printing may change between the automatic color selective printing and the non-automatic color selective printing, the host device A color image is included in the image data requested to be printed, and is printed by automatic color selection printing and non-automatic color selection printing. If there is a difference in the amount of money, outputting a confirmation message to the effect that there is a difference in the printing charges before outputting the print request to the color printer may result in a higher price depending on the print mode. Is provided to the user in advance so that the user can select the operation each time, the printing cost of the user does not become high and there is a disadvantage, and the color printing system with good usability is provided. There is.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, automatic color selection printing is performed in black and white mode for black and white pages of image data of a plurality of pages including color images, and non-automatic color selection for black and white pages is also processed in color mode. The host device is connected to a color printer that switches between printing and printing according to the selection, and the color printer prints the image data of the print request in response to the print request from the host device by automatic color selection printing and non-automatic color selection printing. The host of the color print system that performs the print processing by switching the print processing in accordance with the instruction from the host device and the print processing that may change the charge required for the printing in the automatic color selection printing and the non-automatic color selection printing. Incorporated in the device, when making a print request to a color printer,
If a color image is included in the image data requested to be printed by the color printer, and there is a difference in the printing charge between automatic color selection printing and non-automatic color selection printing, the host must be output before the print request is output to the color printer. By causing the device to output a confirmation message to the effect that there is a difference in the printing charges, the user can be notified in advance that there is a possibility that the printing fee will be high depending on the printing mode, and the user can select the operation each time. Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide a color printing program with good usability so that the user does not become disadvantageous because the printing cost becomes high.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the host device outputs, after the confirmation message, a message indicating that the setting change of the automatic color selection printing and the non-automatic color selection printing can be appropriately selected. Providing a color printing system and a color printing program with better usability by allowing a user to appropriately select a printing mode and appropriately responding to a printing cost without disadvantages. The purpose is to do.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the host device calculates a print estimated charge and a print estimated time in automatic color selection printing and non-automatic color selection printing, and outputs the calculated print estimated charge and print estimated time. This makes it possible for the user to select an appropriate printing mode from the estimated printing fee and estimated printing time, and to provide a color printing system and a color printing program that are more useful.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, when the host device exceeds the preset print estimated charge threshold value or print estimated time threshold value calculated print estimated charge amount or print estimated time amount, the print estimated charge amount and print estimated time amount are set. By outputting the estimated time, it is possible to prevent output of unnecessary estimated print fee and estimated print time, and enable the user to select an effective and appropriate print mode from the estimated print fee and estimated print time. In addition, it is an object of the present invention to provide a color printing system and a color printing program which have better usability.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, automatic color selection printing is performed in black and white mode for black and white pages among a plurality of pages of image data including color images, and non-automatic color selection for black and white pages is also processed in color mode. The host device is connected to a color printer that switches between printing and printing according to the selection, and the color printer prints the image data of the print request in response to the print request from the host device by automatic color selection printing and non-automatic color selection printing. The host of the color print system that performs the print processing by switching the print processing in accordance with the instruction from the host device and the print processing that may change the charge required for the printing in the automatic color selection printing and the non-automatic color selection printing. A color print program installed in the device to send a print request to a color printer By recording the color print program according to any one of claims 2 to 5 on a recording medium to be recorded, a host device is made to read the recording medium, the color print program is incorporated into the host device, and printing is performed. Notify the user in advance that there is a possibility that it will be expensive depending on the mode so that the user can select the operation each time, and the user will not be disadvantaged due to high printing cost An object is to provide a recording medium capable of constructing a color printing system having good properties.

[0013]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a color printing system including automatic color selection printing and black and white pages in which a black and white page of a plurality of pages of image data including a color image is printed in a black and white mode. A host device is connected to a color printer that switches between non-automatic color selection printing for printing in color mode and printing according to the selection, and the color printer responds to a print request from the host device by displaying an image of the print request. Data is printed by switching the automatic color selection printing and the non-automatic color selection printing according to an instruction from the host device, and the charge required for printing is changed between the automatic color selection printing and the non-automatic color selection printing. A color printing system that may occur, wherein the host device requests the image data to be printed. If a color image is included in the print data and the print charge differs between the automatic color selection print and the non-automatic color selection print, the print charge differs before the print request is output to the color printer. By outputting a confirmation message to that effect, the above purpose has been achieved.

According to the above configuration, the black-and-white page of the image data of the plurality of pages including the color image is automatically color-selected and printed in the black-and-white mode, and the non-automatic color-selective printing is also performed in the black-and-white page. The host device is connected to a color printer that switches and prints according to the selection, and the color printer performs automatic color selection printing and non-automatic color selection printing on the image data of the print request according to the print request from the host device. In addition to switching the print processing according to the instruction from the host device,
When there is a possibility that the charge required for printing will change between the automatic color selection printing and the non-automatic color selection printing, the host device includes a color image in the image data requested to be printed and If there is a difference in the printing charges for non-automatic color selection printing, a confirmation message indicating that there will be a difference in the printing charges will be output before the print request is output to the color printer. It is possible to notify the user in advance that there is a possibility that it will happen, so that the user can select the operation each time, so that the printing cost of the user is not increased and it is not a disadvantage, and the usability is improved. be able to.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a color print program, in which a black-and-white page of a plurality of pages of image data including a color image is printed in the black-and-white mode, and automatic color selection printing and a black-and-white page are also printed in the color mode. A host device is connected to a color printer that switches between non-automatic color selection printing and printing according to the selection, and the color printer switches the image data of the print request to automatic color selection printing in response to a print request from the host device. The non-automatic color selection printing is switched according to the instruction from the host device to perform the print processing, and the print processing that may change the charge required for the printing between the automatic color selection printing and the non-automatic color selection printing is performed. It is installed in the host device of the color printing system and prints on the color printer. A color print program for making a request, wherein the image data requested to be printed by the color printer includes a color image, and a difference in print charge occurs between the automatic color selection printing and the non-automatic color selection printing. The above object is achieved by causing the host device to output a confirmation message indicating that there is a difference in printing charges before outputting a print request to the color printer.

According to the above configuration, the black-and-white page of the image data of a plurality of pages including the color image is automatically color-selected and printed in the black-and-white mode, and the non-automatic color-selection printing is also performed in the black-and-white page in the color mode. The host device is connected to a color printer that switches and prints according to the selection, and the color printer performs automatic color selection printing and non-automatic color selection printing on the image data of the print request according to the print request from the host device. In addition to switching the print processing according to the instruction from the host device,
The color printer is installed in the host device of the color printing system that performs print processing in which the charge required for printing may change in the automatic color selection printing and the non-automatic color selection printing. If the image data requested to be printed includes a color image, and there is a difference in the printing charge between automatic color selection printing and non-automatic color selection printing, the host device must be configured to output the print request before it is output to the color printer. A confirmation message indicating that there is a difference in the printing charges is output, so that the user may be notified in advance that there is a possibility that the printing fee will be high depending on the printing mode, and the user can select the operation each time. It can improve the usability by avoiding the disadvantage of high printing cost for the user. .

In each of the above cases, for example, as described in claim 3, the host device appropriately selects the change of the setting of the automatic color selection printing and the non-automatic color selection printing following the confirmation message. You may output the message that it is possible.

According to the above configuration, the host device outputs a message indicating that it is possible to appropriately select the setting change of the automatic color selection printing and the non-automatic color selection printing after the confirmation message, so that the user prints. The mode can be appropriately selected, and the user can appropriately deal with the printing cost so as not to be disadvantageous, thereby further improving the usability.

Further, for example, as described in claim 4, the host device calculates a print estimated charge and a print estimated time in the automatic color selection printing and the non-automatic color selection printing, and the calculated print estimation. The fee and the estimated print time may be output.

According to the above configuration, the host device calculates the print estimated charge and the print estimated time in the automatic color selection printing and the non-automatic color selection printing, and outputs the calculated print estimated charge and print estimated time. It is possible to allow the user to select an appropriate printing mode from the printing fee and the estimated printing time, and it is possible to further improve the usability.

Further, for example, as described in claim 5, when the host device exceeds the preset print estimated charge threshold value or print estimated time threshold value, the calculated print estimated charge amount or print estimated time value exceeds a preset print estimated charge threshold value or print estimated time threshold value. Alternatively, the estimated print fee and the estimated print time may be output.

According to the above configuration, when the calculated print estimated charge or print estimated time exceeds the preset print estimated charge threshold value or print estimated time threshold value, the host device estimates the print estimated charge and print estimated time. Output, so that it is possible to prevent unnecessary printing estimated print cost and estimated print time from being output, and to enable the user to effectively and appropriately select a print mode from the estimated print charge and estimated print time. Therefore, the usability can be further improved.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in a recording medium, a black-and-white page of a plurality of pages of image data including a color image is printed in the black-and-white mode. Automatic color selection printing and a black-and-white page are also printed in the color mode. A host device is connected to a color printer that switches between automatic color selection printing and printing according to the selection, and the color printer, in response to a print request from the host device, transmits the image data of the print request to the automatic color selection printing. Color that performs automatic color selection printing by switching according to the instruction from the host device and print processing that may change the charge required for printing between the automatic color selection printing and the non-automatic color selection printing. It is built into the host device of the print system and makes a color request to the color printer. A recording medium for recording a print program, by recording the color print program according to any of claims 2 5, have achieved the above objects.

According to the above configuration, the black and white pages of the image data of a plurality of pages including the color image are automatically color selected and printed in the black and white mode, and the non-automatic color selection and printing is also performed in the color mode for the black and white page. The host device is connected to a color printer that switches and prints according to the selection, and the color printer performs automatic color selection printing and non-automatic color selection printing on the image data of the print request according to the print request from the host device. In addition to switching the print processing according to the instruction from the host device,
A color print program that is installed in the host device of the color print system that performs print processing that may change the charge required for printing in the automatic color selection printing and the non-automatic color selection printing and makes a print request to the color printer. Since the color print program according to any one of claims 2 to 5 is recorded on the recording medium to be recorded, the host apparatus reads the recording medium,
A color print program can be installed in the host device to notify the user in advance that the print mode may be expensive depending on the print mode so that the user can select the operation each time. It is possible to construct a color printing system with good usability by avoiding the disadvantage that printing cost becomes high.

[0025]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiments described below are preferred embodiments of the present invention, and therefore have various technically preferable limitations. However, the scope of the present invention refers to the present invention particularly in the following description. Unless otherwise stated, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.

FIGS. 1 and 2 are views showing an embodiment of a color print system, a color print program and a recording medium of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a color print system, a color print program and a recording of the present invention. Color print system 1 to which an embodiment of a medium is applied
2 is a system configuration diagram of FIG.

In FIG. 1, a color printing system 1
The color printer 2 is connected to a host computer (host device) 3 via a communication line 4 such as a network or a serial line, and the color printer 2 performs print processing in response to a print request from the host computer 3.
The color print system 1 includes a CD (Compact Disc), an MO (magneto-optical disc), and a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only M) for recording a color print program.
It is constructed by causing the host computer 3 to read a recording medium such as emory) and incorporating it in the host computer 3.

The host computer 3 includes a printer driver 11 and a printer I / F 12, and the printer driver 11 includes a black-and-white determination unit 13 and a page language expansion unit 1.
4 and the printing time / cost calculation unit 15 and the like.

The color printer 2 is roughly divided into a printer controller 20 and a printer engine 30. The printer controller 20 has a plurality of printer controllers, and in FIG.
A host engine I / F 21 to 24, an engine I / F 25, a video DMA controller 26, a data compression / decompression device 27, a hard disk 28, etc., and a printer engine 30.
Is a controller I / F 31 and a video DMA controller 3
2. The engine control unit 33 and an engine (not shown) are provided.

The host computer 3 is a printer I.
/ F12 is the printer controller 2 via the communication line 4.
0 of the host I / Fs 21 to 24, for example, the host I / F
The printer driver 11 is connected to the / F21, and the printer driver 11 receives image data created by an application such as a word processing application or a graphic application installed in the host computer 3 in response to a print request, a CD-R, or the like. Image data recorded on a recording medium such as an MO and read by the host computer 3 is created as print data, and setting commands (print setting information) for various print settings in which the paper orientation, resolution, etc. are set are printed. Printer controller 2 of color printer 2 from I / F 12 via communication line 4
Send to 0.

Monochrome determination unit 13 of printer driver 11
Determines whether the image data requested to be printed by the color printer 2 is only black and white image data or image data including a color image.

The page language expansion unit 14 expands the image data requested to be printed by the application into the page language.

The printing time / cost calculation unit 15 determines the estimated printing time required for printing the image data requested to be printed by the color printer 2 and the estimated printing cost (estimated printing fee) from the determination result of the monochrome determination unit 13. And based on the image data developed by the page language developing unit 14.

The color printer 2 includes the host I / Fs 21 to 24 of the printer controller 20 and the engine I.
/ F25, a video DMA controller 26, a data compression / decompression device 27, a hard disk 28, etc. are connected to the bus 29, and the controller I / F of the printer engine 30 is connected.
31, video DMA controller 32 and engine controller 33
Is connected to the bus 34, the engine I / F 25 and the controller I / F 31 are connected, and the video DMA
The controller 26 and the video DMA control unit 32 are connected.

The printer controller 20 is a host I / O.
The F21 to F24 receive print data (image data) and a print command from the host computer 3 connected to the host I / F21 to 24, and the hard disk 28
The received print data and print command are stored, and the print data is compressed / decompressed by the data compression / decompression device.

The printer controller 20 has an engine I / F 25 and a controller I of the printer engine 30.
Command is exchanged with / F31, and video DMA
Between the controller 26 and the video DMA control unit 32,
Transfers video data (image data).

The printer engine 30 is a controller I
The video DMA controller 26 of the controller 20 is expanded and interpreted by the printer controller 20 based on the print control information received from the printer controller 20 via the / F31, and is transmitted via the video DMA controller 32.
The print data (image data) received from the printer is printed under the control of the engine control unit 33, and status information is notified to the printer controller 30.

The printer controller 20 is a host I / O.
The F21 to F24 exchange various data with the host computer 3, and in particular, receive print data from the host computer 3.

The printer controller 20 is a host I / O.
The print data (usually a print data command) received by F21 to 24 is stored in the temporary hard disk 28,
The data compression / expansion device 27 interprets print data (usually a print data command) and expands it into electronic image data on the hard disk 28.

The printer controller 20 DMAs the image data expanded by the data compression / expansion device 27 to the printer engine 30 under the control of the video DMA controller 26.
Forward.

Then, the color printer 2 prints image data including a color image on a monochrome page in monochrome mode (hereinafter referred to as ACS (Auto Color Select) printing), and also prints a monochrome page on color mode (hereinafter, referred to as ACS (Auto Color Select) printing). Hereinafter, non-ACS printing) is provided, and the ACS printing (automatic color selection printing) and the non-ACS printing (non-automatic color selection printing) are switched and processed based on an instruction from the host computer 3.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. The color printing system 1 of the present embodiment determines whether or not there is a color image in the image printed by the personal computer 3, and based on the determination result, the estimated print time and estimated print cost (estimated print fee). Is calculated, and printing is performed in the print mode according to the user's selection.

That is, the color printing system 1 is
When an image print request is generated on the personal computer 3, the printer driver 11 checks in the monochrome determination unit 13 whether or not a color image exists in the image to be printed (step S101).

If there is no color image page (color page) in step S101, the printer driver 1
1 sends a control signal for causing the color printer 2 to perform monochrome printing from the printer I / F 12 to the color printer 2,
The color printer 2 is caused to perform black-and-white printing, and the processing ends (step S102).

In step S101, when the monochrome determination unit 13 determines that there is a color page, the printer driver 11
The printing time / cost calculation unit 15 calculates the estimated printing time and the estimated printing cost (estimated printing charge) required for printing a monochrome page in the monochrome mode (ACS printing) (step S103). A black-and-white page is also printed in color (hereinafter referred to as non-ACS printing), and the estimated values of the estimated print time and estimated print cost are calculated (step S10).
4).

The printing time / cost calculation unit 15 calculates the predicted printing time (estimated time) and the predicted printing cost (estimated cost).
The prediction value of is calculated for each of ACS and non-ACS based on the following equation.

In the case of ACS, expected time = (printing time per black and white sheet * black and white number of sheets) +
(Printing time per color * number of colors) + (black and white a color switching time * black and white a color switching count) +
(Color a black and white switching time * Color a black and white switching times) Expected cost = (Cost per black and white sheet * Number of black and white sheets) +
It is calculated by (cost per color * number of colors).

In the case of non-ACS, expected time = (printing time per black and white sheet * the number of black and white pages up to the first color page) + (black and white a color switching time (0 if the first sheet is color)) + (Printing time per color sheet * number of remaining sheets) Expected cost = (Cost per black and white sheet * Number of black and white pages up to the first color page) + (Cost per color sheet * Number of remaining sheets) .

For example, the printing time / printing cost per black and white sheet is 1.5 seconds / 5 yen, and the printing time / printing cost per color sheet is 2.1 seconds / 20 yen. When the switching time is 11 seconds and the switching time for color a black and white is 12 seconds, and when printing 10 sheets in which black and white and color are alternately arranged, based on the above formula, When the predicted printing time (estimated time) and the predicted printing cost (estimated cost) are calculated in the case of non-ACS, the result is as follows.

In the case of ACS, expected time = (1.5 * 5) + (2.1 * 5) + (11 *
5) + (12 * 5) = 133 seconds Expected cost = (5 * 5) + (20 * 5) = 125 yen.

In the case of non-ACS, expected time = (1.5 * 1) +11+ (2.1 * 9) = 3
1.4 seconds non-ACS expected cost = (5 * 1) + (20 * 9) = 1
It will be 85 yen.

Then, the printer driver 11 uses the calculated print prediction cost, print prediction time, and non-AC
The predicted printing cost and the predicted printing time at S are displayed and output on the display of the personal computer 3. The output of the estimated print cost and estimated print time is not limited to the display output to the display, and may be performed by voice output, or both display output and voice output may be performed.

Specifically, the personal computer 3
When non-ACS is selected as the default value of the print mode of the color printer 2, "The estimated print time is 31.4 seconds and the estimated print cost is 185 yen with the current settings."
If you change the settings, the estimated printing time is 133 seconds and the printing cost is 1.
It will be 25 yen. Do you want to change the default settings? Is displayed on the display of the personal computer 3 (step S105), and it is checked whether the change of the initial value is instructed by the key operation or mouse operation of the personal computer 3 (step S10).
6).

If "Yes" is selected by operating the keys of the personal computer 3 or operating the mouse,
The printer driver 11 determines in step S106 that the system default setting change has been selected,
The initial value of ACS / non-ACS of the system is changed (step S107), and it is checked whether ACS is selected (step S108).

If "No" is selected in step S106, the printer driver 11 determines that the default value has not been changed, and checks whether ACS has been selected (step S108).

Next, the printer driver 11 checks whether or not the color ACS is selected in step S108. If the color ACS is selected, the printer I
The printer controller 20 of the color printer 2 is instructed to print by the color ACS via / F12, and the printer controller 20 prints by this color ACS (step S109).

When the color non-ACS is selected in step S108, the printer driver 11 causes the printer I
The printer controller 20 of the color printer 2 is instructed to print by color non-ACS via / F12, and the printer controller 20 prints by this color non-ACS (step S110).

As described above, in the color printing system 1 of the present embodiment, the ACS printing for printing the monochrome page in the monochrome mode among the image data of a plurality of pages including the color image and the printing processing for the monochrome page in the color mode as well. The host computer 3 is connected to the color printer 2 which switches between non-ACS printing and printing according to the selection.
In response to a print request from the host computer 3, the color printer 2 switches the image data of the print request between ACS printing and non-ACS printing according to an instruction from the host computer 3 to perform print processing, and also performs ACS printing and non-A printing.
When there is a possibility that the charge required for printing by CS printing may change, the host computer 3 includes a color image in the image data requested to be printed, and ACS printing and non-AC printing are performed.
If there is a difference in the printing charges for S printing, color printer 2
Before outputting the print request to, the confirmation message indicating that there is a difference in the print charge is output.

Therefore, it is possible to notify the user in advance that the print mode may be expensive depending on the print mode so that the user can select the operation each time, which increases the print cost. It is possible to improve the usability by avoiding the disadvantage.

Further, in the color print system 1 of the present embodiment, the host computer 3 outputs a message to the effect that the host computer 3 can appropriately select the change of the ACS print and non-ACS print settings, following the confirmation message. There is.

Therefore, it is possible to allow the user to properly select the print mode, and to appropriately cope with the user so that the printing cost does not become high and disadvantageous, thereby further improving the usability. be able to.

Further, in the color printing system 1 of the present embodiment, the host computer 3 calculates the print estimated charge (print estimated cost) and the print estimated time in ACS printing and non-ACS printing, and the calculated print estimated charge. And the estimated print time is output.

Therefore, it is possible to allow the user to select an appropriate print mode from the print estimated charge and the print estimated time, and it is possible to further improve the usability.

In the above description, the estimated print cost and estimated print time in the case of non-ACS which is the print mode set as the default value of the print mode of the color printer 2 are displayed on the display of the personal computer 3. It is checked whether the initial value change is instructed by key operation of mouse or mouse operation, and the printing process is performed according to the instructed operation. In this case, the estimated printing cost and printing in the current print mode setting Not only the estimated time but also the estimated print cost and estimated print time when the print mode is changed may be displayed. For example, "With the current settings, the estimated print time is 31.4 seconds and the estimated print cost is 185 yen. If you change the settings, the estimated print time will be 133
The printing cost will be 125 yen per second. Do you want to change this print setting? The message “” is displayed on the display, and the ACS setting may be changed when “Yes” is selected, and the ACS setting may not be changed when “No” is selected. .

In this way, the user can select the print mode more appropriately and effectively, and the usability can be further improved.

Further, in the above description, the estimated printing cost and the estimated printing time are always calculated and displayed at the start of printing, but the setting may be made such that they are not displayed for each printing.

By doing so, it is possible to prevent the estimated print cost and the estimated print time from being frequently calculated and output.
The printing mode can be selected more appropriately and effectively, and the usability can be further improved.

Furthermore, at a timing independent of printing,
A function for only calculating and outputting the estimated printing cost and the estimated printing time may be provided, and the estimated printing cost and the estimated printing time may be calculated and output according to a user's instruction.

In this way, the user can calculate and output the estimated print cost and estimated print time only when needed, and can select the print mode more appropriately and effectively. The property can be further improved.

Further, in advance, "display only when the estimated printing time is different by 30 seconds or more" or "the estimated printing cost is 100
Make a registration such as `` Display only when the difference is more than a yen '',
The estimated print cost and estimated print time may be output only when this condition is satisfied.

In this way, it is possible to prevent the unnecessary print estimated charge and the print estimated time from being output, and to allow the user to select an effective and appropriate print mode from the print estimated charge and the estimated print time. Therefore, the usability can be further improved.

Although the invention made by the present inventor has been specifically described based on the preferred embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. It goes without saying that it is possible.

[0073]

According to the color printing system of the first aspect of the present invention, automatic color selection printing is performed in black and white mode for black and white pages of image data of a plurality of pages including color images, and black and white pages are also in color mode. The host device is connected to a color printer that switches between non-automatic color selection printing and printing according to the selection, and the color printer automatically colors the image data of the print request in response to the print request from the host device. When printing is performed by switching between selective printing and non-automatic color selective printing in response to an instruction from the host device, and there is a possibility that the charge required for printing will change between the automatic color selective printing and the non-automatic color selective printing. In addition, if the host device includes a color image in the image data requested for printing, the If there is a difference in the printing charges in dynamic color selection printing, a confirmation message indicating that the differences in the printing charges will occur is output before the print request is output to the color printer, so it may be expensive depending on the print mode. It is possible to notify the user in advance that there is a possibility so that the user can select the operation each time, and to improve the usability by preventing the user from being disadvantaged because the printing cost becomes high. You can

According to the color print program of the second aspect of the invention, the automatic color selection printing in which the monochrome page of the image data of a plurality of pages including the color image is printed in the monochrome mode and the monochrome page is also printed in the color mode. A host device is connected to a color printer that switches between non-automatic color selection printing for processing and printing, and the color printer automatically prints the image data of the print request in response to a print request from the host device. In addition to switching between non-automatic color selection printing and non-automatic color selection printing in response to an instruction from the host device, print processing that may change the charge required for printing between the automatic color selection printing and the non-automatic color selection printing is performed. Is built into the host device of the color printing system and requests printing to the color printer When performing, if a color image is included in the image data requested to be printed by the color printer, and there is a difference in the printing charge between automatic color selection printing and non-automatic color selection printing, before outputting the print request to the color printer. In addition, the host device outputs a confirmation message to the effect that there is a difference in the printing charges. Therefore, depending on the print mode, the user may be notified in advance that the price may be high, and the user may perform an operation each time. It is possible to make the selection possible, and it is possible to improve the usability by preventing the user from being disadvantageous because the printing cost becomes high.

According to the color print system and the color print program of claim 3, the host device
Following the confirmation message, a message indicating that the settings for automatic color selection printing and non-automatic color selection printing can be changed can be selected as appropriate, so that the user can appropriately select the print mode. It is possible to further improve the usability by allowing the user to appropriately deal with the printing cost so as not to be disadvantageous.

According to the color print system and the color print program of claim 4, the host device
The estimated print fee and estimated print time for automatic color selective printing and non-automatic color selective print are calculated, and the calculated estimated print fee and estimated print time are output, so that the user can select the appropriate print mode from the estimated print fee and estimated print time. Can be selected, and the usability can be further improved.

According to the color print system and the color print program of claim 5, the host device
If the calculated estimated print charge or estimated print time exceeds the preset estimated print charge threshold or estimated print time threshold, the estimated print charge and estimated print time are output. It is possible to prevent the estimated time from being output, and to allow the user to effectively and appropriately select the appropriate print mode from the estimated print fee and the estimated print time, thus further improving the usability. .

According to the recording medium of the invention described in claim 6,
Of the multiple pages of image data including color images, the black and white pages are printed in black and white mode by automatic color selection printing and the black and white pages are also printed in color mode by non-automatic color selection printing. A host device is connected to the color printer, and the color printer switches the image data of the print request between automatic color selection printing and non-automatic color selection printing according to an instruction from the host device in response to a print request from the host device. The print request is sent to the color printer by being installed in the host device of the color print system that performs print processing with the automatic color selection printing and non-automatic color selection printing that may change the charge required for printing. The recording medium for recording the color print program for performing Since the color print program according to any one of the items 5 is recorded, it is possible that the recording medium is read by the host device and the color print program is installed in the host device, and it becomes expensive depending on the print mode. It is possible to notify the user in advance that there is a possibility that the user can select the operation each time, so that the user does not become disadvantageous due to high printing cost, and color printing with good usability The system can be built.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a color print system to which an embodiment of a color print system, a color print program, and a recording medium of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing print control processing by the color print system of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols] 1 color printing system 2 color printer 3 Host computer 4 communication lines 11 Printer driver 12 Printer I / F 13 Black and white judgment section 14 page language development section 15 Printing time and cost calculator 20 Printer controller 21-24 Host I / F 25 Engine I / F 26 Video DMA controller 27 Data compression / decompression device 28 hard disk 29 bus 30 printer engine 31 Controller I / F 32 video DMA controller 33 Engine control unit 34 bus

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. Automatic color selection printing in which monochrome pages are printed in monochrome mode and non-automatic color selection printing in which monochrome pages are printed in color mode are selected according to the selection of monochrome pages among a plurality of pages of image data including color images. The host device is connected to the color printer that switches and prints.
The color printer switches the image data of the print request in response to a print request from the host device by switching between the automatic color selection printing and the non-automatic color selection printing according to an instruction from the host device. A color printing system in which a charge required for printing may change between the automatic color selection printing and the non-automatic color selection printing, wherein the host device includes a color image in the image data requested to be printed. If a difference in printing charge occurs between the automatic color selection printing and the non-automatic color selection printing, a confirmation message indicating that there is a difference in the printing charges is output before the print request is output to the color printer. Characteristic color printing system. 2. An automatic color selection printing process for printing a monochrome page in a monochrome mode and a non-automatic color selection printing process for a monochrome page in a color mode, according to the selection, of a plurality of pages of image data including a color image. The host device is connected to the color printer that switches and prints.
In response to a print request from the host device, the color printer switches the image data of the print request between automatic color selection printing and non-automatic color selection printing by performing a printing process in accordance with an instruction from the host device. A color print program that is installed in the host device of the color print system that performs print processing that may change the charge required for printing in color selective printing and non-automatic color selective printing, and that issues a print request to the color printer. If a color image is included in the image data requested to be printed by the color printer, and there is a difference in the printing charge between the automatic color selection printing and the non-automatic color selection printing, the color printer is requested to print. Confirmation message to the effect that there will be a difference in the printing charges for the host device before outputting Color printing program for causing output. 3. The host device, after the confirmation message, outputs a message indicating that it is possible to appropriately select a change in the settings of the automatic color selection printing and the non-automatic color selection printing. The color print system according to claim 1, or the color print program according to claim 2. 4. The host device calculates a print estimated charge and a print estimated time for the automatic color selection printing and the non-automatic color selection printing, and outputs the calculated print estimated charge and print estimated time. The color printing system or the color printing program according to any one of claims 1 to 3. 5. The predicted print fee and the predicted print time when the host device exceeds a preset predicted print charge threshold value or predicted print time threshold value that has been calculated. 5. The color printing system or the color printing program according to claim 4, wherein 6. The automatic color selection printing in which a monochrome page is printed in a monochrome mode and the non-automatic color selection printing in which a monochrome page is also printed in a color mode is selected according to a selection of a monochrome page among a plurality of pages of image data including a color image. The host device is connected to the color printer that switches and prints.
In response to a print request from the host device, the color printer switches the image data of the print request between automatic color selection printing and non-automatic color selection printing by performing a printing process in accordance with an instruction from the host device. A color print program that is installed in the host device of the color print system that performs print processing that may change the charge required for printing in color selective printing and non-automatic color selective printing, and that issues a print request to the color printer. A recording medium for recording, characterized in that the color print program according to any one of claims 2 to 5 is recorded.