JP2004114591A - Image forming method and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming method which avoids printing using substitute ink undesired by a user and also avoids trouble such that printing is not carried out if a cartridge is not replaced though image data, which can be printed only by ink being not in an end or near end state, is present. <P>SOLUTION: In such a case that image data capable of being printed only by residual ink is present when either one of inks is exhausted in a color ink jet printer, the image data is set as printing target data and only image forming operation based on the image data is carried out. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image forming method executed in an image forming apparatus typified by an ink jet printer and the like, and an image forming apparatus executing the method. In particular, according to the present invention, the image forming operation is continuously performed even after the remaining amount of the image visualizing agent (ink in an ink jet printer, toner in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus such as a laser printer) is exhausted. When it comes to improvements.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as an image forming operation in a color inkjet printer, first, one of a plurality of sheets stored in a sheet tray is sent to a transport path, and the sheet is supplied to an image forming unit via the transport path. . In the image forming section, a predetermined color image or monochrome image corresponding to the image information is formed by discharging ink droplets of each color on the surface of the sheet, and thereafter, the sheet is discharged to a discharge tray. I have.
[0003]
Further, the image forming section is provided with a carriage on which an ink cartridge for storing ink of each color is mounted. While performing a scanning operation of the carriage, the carriage is operated by each color ink supplied from the ink cartridge to the ink head. An image forming operation is performed. As the ink stored in the ink cartridge, four colors of Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), and Bk (black) are generally used, but recently, the density differs for each color. The use of ink to enhance the gradation is also becoming widespread.
[0004]
By the way, in an ink jet printer, when an ink of a certain color runs out, an image of a color component of the ink is not output. In order to prevent such a situation beforehand, the remaining amount of ink itself is constantly monitored, or the number of dots of each color is counted, and an ink near end warning is displayed when the amount of remaining ink is low, and When the ink has completely run out, a warning of an ink end is displayed, the image forming operation is immediately stopped, and thereafter, the apparatus is stopped until the user replaces the cartridge. .
[0005]
For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-150,009 discloses that, when ink of a certain color runs out, it is determined that the printing condition does not match the printing condition and the printing process is interrupted.
[0006]
However, in this case, if even one of the plurality of inks is out of ink, the apparatus is forcibly stopped, so that the user does not want to form a high-quality image. (Printing for confirming only layout)), there is a problem that the apparatus continues to stop until the cartridge is replaced.
[0007]
Patent Document 2 below solves this problem. In Patent Document 2, when at least one of the plurality of color inks enters an end state or a near end state, all the color information of the output image is replaced with the color information of another ink. It is disclosed that alternate printing is performed using ink of another color. This makes it possible to form an image for all the image data using the ink having a sufficient remaining amount in order to meet the request for the “test printing”.
[0008]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-2000-343789 (paragraph number 0033)
[Patent Document 2]
JP 2001-191560 A
[0009]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, as described above, when the ink of any color is in the end state or the near-end state, the place where the image should be formed with the ink of that color is replaced with the ink of another color. , And cannot perform image formation in a color that matches the image data.
[0010]
In the case of “test printing” in which only the image layout is simply confirmed, there is almost no problem even if an image having a color different from the color originally desired by the user is formed. However, if the printing operation emphasizes the color tone of the image, the image desired by the user cannot be obtained. Therefore, after replacing the ink cartridge, the printing operation must be performed again on the image data that has been subjected to the proxy printing. As a result, the recording paper and the ink used for the proxy printing are wasted and the running cost is increased.
[0011]
Further, as in a conventional general inkjet printer, printing is stopped when ink of any color reaches an end state. In the image data of an unprinted page at the time of printing stop, an end state or a near end There is a case where image data of a page that can be printed only with ink that is not in a state exists.
[0012]
In this situation, as a countermeasure when the user desires to obtain a printed matter for that page (a page of image data that can be printed only with ink that is not in the end state or the near-end state) before ink replacement, It is conceivable to use proxy printing, which is the technique of Patent Document 2, for pages other than the above. That is, for example, when there are five remaining pages for which printing has not yet been completed, and when the last page can be printed only with ink that is not in the end state or the near end state, these After performing the proxy printing process for four pages among the remaining pages, a printing operation of a color matching the image data is performed for the last page.
[0013]
However, also in this case, similarly to the above, for the image data that has been printed on behalf of the user, the printing operation must be performed again after the ink cartridge is replaced, which causes an increase in running costs.
[0014]
Note that Patent Document 1 discloses that an interrupt printing process is executed when the paper size does not match. In other words, when the A4 size paper runs out of paper while printing on the A4 size paper, if there is any print data that has the print condition of the B5 size paper, the print data of that condition is processed first. It is disclosed that the processing efficiency is improved. However, there is no disclosure about processing of printing conditions that match printing execution conditions when ink of a certain color runs out during color printing. Therefore, a countermeasure for improving the processing efficiency when the ink runs out has been required.
[0015]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to avoid printing with an alternative ink that is not desired by a user and to print an image that can be printed only with ink that is not in an end state or a near-end state. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming method and an image forming apparatus capable of avoiding a problem that printing is not executed unless a cartridge is replaced even though data exists.
[0016]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
-Summary of the invention-
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a method for forming an image by using only image data that is printable when there is image data that can be printed only with ink that is not in an end state or a near end state. Perform only the action. In other words, by not performing printing with the substitute ink that the user does not want, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the recording paper and the ink used for the substitute printing are wasted.
[0017]
-Solution-
Specifically, an image forming method for forming an image on a recording medium using a plurality of types of image visualizing agents is assumed. As this image forming method, when the remaining amount of at least one of the plurality of types of image visualizing agents becomes equal to or less than a predetermined amount or runs out, the image visualizing agent other than the image visualizing agent is used only on the recording medium. When there is image data that can complete the image formation, only the image forming operation based on the image data is executed.
[0018]
Further, as another method for achieving the above object, the following is also listed. That is, when image formation is continuously performed on a plurality of recording media using image data over a plurality of pages, the remaining amount of at least one of the plurality of types of image visualizing agents is equal to or less than a predetermined amount or there is no remaining amount. When there is a page for which image formation on the recording medium can be completed only by an image visualizing agent other than the image visualizing agent, only the image data of the page is extracted and the image forming operation of only that page is performed. I am trying to run.
[0019]
Further, the following are listed as image forming apparatuses for executing the above image forming method. First, it is assumed that an image forming apparatus forms an image on a recording medium using a plurality of types of image visualizing agents. In this image forming apparatus, a remaining amount detection unit capable of detecting that the remaining amount of at least one of the plurality of types of image visualizing agents is equal to or less than a predetermined amount or not remaining is provided. Further, receiving the output of the remaining amount detecting means, when the remaining amount of at least one of the plurality of types of image visualizing agents is equal to or less than a predetermined amount or there is no remaining amount, only the image visualizing agents other than the image visualizing agent are used. When there is image data that can complete the image formation on the recording medium, there is provided an image formation selection execution unit that executes only the image formation operation based on the image data.
[0020]
Also, as another image forming apparatus, instead of the image formation selection execution means, the output of the remaining amount detection means is received, and image formation is continuously performed on a plurality of recording media by image data of a plurality of pages. In this case, when the remaining amount of at least one of the plurality of types of image visualizing agents is equal to or less than a predetermined amount or becomes the remaining amount, image formation on the recording medium is performed only by the image visualizing agents other than the image visualizing agent. When a page that can be completed exists, an image formation selection execution unit that extracts only image data of the page and executes an image formation operation of only the page is provided.
[0021]
Due to these specific items, the image forming operation is not performed on image data for which an image visualizing agent whose remaining amount is equal to or less than a predetermined amount or whose remaining amount has been used must be used. In other words, it is possible to prevent the proxy printing by the image visualizing agent having a sufficient remaining amount from being executed. That is, since the image forming operation is executed only for the image data for which the image forming is completed only with the image visualizing agent having a sufficient remaining amount, the image forming operation is performed in spite of the printing operation that emphasizes the color tone of the image. It is possible to avoid a situation where printing is executed and an image desired by the user cannot be obtained, and a situation where recording paper and ink used for proxy printing are wasted.
[0022]
In an actual image forming apparatus, it is preferable that a mode in which proxy printing is not performed as described above and a mode in which proxy printing is permitted can be switched. For example, in "test printing", the mode for allowing proxy printing is set to execute the image forming operation for all pages, and in "printing with emphasis on color tone", the mode in which proxy printing is not performed is set for a page where an appropriate color tone can be obtained. The image forming operation is executed only for the image forming apparatus.
[0023]
The image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied includes a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile, and the like. Examples of the image forming method include an “inkjet method”, an “electrophotographic method”, and an “ink ribbon method”. That is, ink, toner, ink ribbon, and the like are listed as the image visualizing agent. In addition, as the recording medium, paper (plain paper, glossy paper, or the like), an OHP film, and the like are listed.
[0024]
The image forming apparatus further includes a condition setting unit that can change an execution condition of the image forming operation by the image forming selection execution unit. Specifically, the condition setting means is configured to be able to set whether or not to execute the image forming operation by the image formation selection executing means according to the type of the image visualizing agent. Here, the type of the image visualizing agent is, for example, the “color” of the image visualizing agent. That is, when the remaining amount of any one of the image visualizing agents is equal to or less than a predetermined amount or becomes zero, the type of the image visualizing agent used to execute the image forming operation (continuation of the printing operation) by the image forming selection executing unit. (Color) is set in advance, and the image forming operation is executed only for image data for which image formation is completed only with the set type (color) of the image visualizing agent.
[0025]
For example, in a color inkjet printer, when the continuation designation is set for “black ink”, when the remaining amount of one of the color inks (for example, cyan, magenta, and yellow) is less than or equal to a predetermined amount, or when there is no remaining amount, Executes an image forming operation only for image data (for example, text data) for which image formation is completed using only black ink. This makes it possible to continue printing under the continuation condition desired by the user. In particular, when setting whether or not to allow proxy printing based on the color of the image visualizing agent, the user himself knows in advance which color the necessary page is created in. In the case of text data composed of black, if the condition setting unit sets in advance to continue printing even if there is no ink other than black, the remaining amount of ink other than that is detected. In, printing can be automatically continued.
[0026]
Further, the image formation selection execution means, after replenishment of the image visualizing agent whose remaining amount is equal to or less than a predetermined amount or has no remaining amount, newly extracts only image data of a page which has not been extracted, and Is performed. That is, a printing operation is performed on the page that has not been printed in the color tone desired by the user, using the replenished image visualizing agent. Thus, after replenishment of the image visualizing agent, it is possible to provide a printed matter in which an image has been formed in a color tone required by the user for all pages.
[0027]
It should be noted that the execution condition of the image forming operation may be changed by the condition setting means also in the above-described image forming method, or the image data of the page not extracted after the supplement of the image visualizing agent may be performed. May be newly extracted and the image forming operation of only that page may be executed.
[0028]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, a case will be described in which the present invention is applied to a color inkjet printer as an image forming apparatus.
[0029]
-Explanation of the overall configuration of the color inkjet printer-
FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an appearance of the color inkjet printer 1 according to the present embodiment (a state in which a cover 11 is opened). FIG. 2 is a side view showing the internal configuration of the color inkjet printer 1.
[0030]
As shown in these drawings, the inkjet printer 1 according to the present embodiment includes a paper feed unit 2, a separation unit 3, a transport unit 4, an image forming unit 5, and a discharge unit 6.
[0031]
The paper supply unit 2 includes a paper supply tray 21 extending in a substantially vertical direction, and conveys a recording sheet P as a recording medium in the paper supply tray 21 toward the separation unit 3 at the start of printing. . The paper feed tray 21 functions as a storage unit for the recording paper P when printing is not performed.
[0032]
The separation unit 3 is for supplying the recording paper P supplied from the paper supply unit 2 to the image forming unit 5 one by one, and includes a paper supply roller 31 and a separator 32. In the separator 32, the frictional force between the pad portion (the contact portion with the recording paper P) and the recording paper P is set to be larger than the frictional force between the recording papers P. In the paper feed roller 31, the frictional force between the paper feed roller 31 and the recording paper P is determined by the frictional force between the pad of the separator 32 and the recording paper P and the frictional force between the recording papers P and P. Is also set to be large. Therefore, even if a plurality of recording papers P, P,... Are taken out of the paper supply unit 2 and sent to the separation unit 3, the plurality of recording papers P, P,. Only the uppermost sheet of recording paper P can be sent to the transport unit 4.
[0033]
The transport unit 4 transports the recording paper P supplied one by one from the separation unit 3 toward the image forming unit 5, and includes a guide plate 41 and a transport roller pair 42. The transport roller pair 42 transports the recording paper P so that the ink droplets from the recording head 52 are sprayed to an appropriate position on the recording paper P when the recording paper P is sent between the recording head 52 and the platen 53. It is a member for adjusting.
[0034]
The image forming unit 5 is for performing printing on the recording paper P supplied from the conveying roller pair 42 of the conveying unit 4, and as illustrated in FIG. 3, a plurality of ink cartridges 81 to 84 and the recording head 52. A carriage 51 on which the ink cartridges 81 to 84 and the recording head 52 are mounted, a guide shaft 54 for guiding the carriage 51 in the main scanning direction, and the platen 53 serving as a support for the recording paper P during printing. . The platen 53 maintains the flatness of the recording sheet P conveyed to the image forming unit 5 and optimizes the interval between the recording head 52 and the recording sheet P.
[0035]
Further, the ink cartridges 81 to 84 are individually mounted on the carriage 51 for each of Bk (black), M (magenta), Y (yellow), and C (cyan) inks. It is exchangeable. In the present embodiment, the Bk ink cartridge 81 is larger than the M, Y, and C color ink cartridges 82 to 84 among the ink cartridges 81 to 84. The ink cartridges 81 to 84 are not limited to the above four colors, and may be provided with an ink cartridge for storing photo ink.
[0036]
The recording head 52 is a piezo type which presses ink through a vibrating plate forming a liquid chamber (ink flow path) wall by an electromechanical transducer such as a piezoelectric element, or film boiling by a heating resistor. Bubble type, which pressurizes ink by generating bubbles, or electrostatic type, which presses ink by displacing the diaphragm with electrostatic force between a diaphragm forming an ink flow path wall surface and an electrode opposed thereto. And the like can be used.
[0037]
The discharge unit 6 is a part for collecting the recording paper P on which printing has been performed, and includes an ink drying unit (not shown) for drying the ink on the recording paper P, a discharge roller 61, and a discharge tray 62.
[0038]
As shown in the appearance of the inkjet printer 1 in FIG. 1, an ink exchange LED (not shown) is provided on the front of the printer to indicate when the remaining amount of at least one of the ink cartridges 81 to 84 falls below a predetermined amount. A light emitting diode (Light Emitting Diode) 12 and a release switch 13 that is pressed when manually removing the ink cartridges 81 to 84 are provided.
[0039]
-Image forming operation-
In the above configuration, the inkjet printer 1 performs printing by the following operation. First, a print request based on image information is made to the inkjet printer 1 from an external terminal such as a computer (not shown). Upon receiving the print request, the inkjet printer 1 carries out the recording paper P on the paper supply tray 21 from the paper supply unit 2. Next, the conveyed recording paper P passes through the separation unit 3 by the paper feed roller 31 and is sent to the conveyance unit 4. In the transport unit 4, the recording paper P is sent between the recording head 52 and the platen 53 by the transport roller pair 42. Then, in the image forming section 5, the recording head 52 located at the home position starts the home position as a start position, and moves the guide shaft 54 toward the stop position provided at the other end in response to a print request. At this time, ink droplets are sprayed from the ink nozzles of the recording head 52 onto the recording paper P on the platen 53 in accordance with the image information. At this time, the recording paper P is temporarily stopped on the platen 53. While spraying the ink droplets, the carriage 51 is guided by the guide shaft 54 and scans one line in the main scanning direction (the direction D2 in FIG. 1). When this is completed, the recording paper P moves on the platen 53 by a fixed width in the sub-scanning direction (D1 direction in FIG. 1). If the scanning direction is one-way, the carriage 51 returns to the home position during the conveyance of the recording paper P, and prepares for the next scanning. On the other hand, when the scanning direction is bi-directional, the scanning is stopped at the stop position, and a preparation is made for a print scan in which the movement direction is opposite to the movement direction at the stop position.
[0040]
By repeatedly performing such printing scanning, printing is performed on the entire surface of the recording paper P. The recording paper P on which printing has been performed in this manner is discharged to a discharge tray 62 by a discharge roller 61 via an ink drying unit. Thereby, the recording paper P is provided to the user as a printed matter.
[0041]
-Configuration of control unit-
The operation of each unit described above is controlled by the control unit. Hereinafter, the control unit will be described.
[0042]
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control unit of the inkjet printer. The control unit is a printer that transmits and receives various information to and from a host device (hereinafter, also referred to as a “host PC”) 100 such as a personal computer as an information processing device via a printer cable (I / F cable) or a network. The controller 110 includes an engine controller 120 that controls driving of the recording head 52, scanning of the carriage 51, feeding and discharging of the recording sheet P to the printer engine body 130, and the like.
[0043]
The printer controller 110 includes a microcomputer (hereinafter, referred to as a “CPU”) 111 that performs information processing and overall operation control, a ROM 112 that stores various control programs necessary for a printing process, and a bitmap expansion process for image information. It has a RAM 113 used as various work memories, an I / O 114 for transferring information between the host PC 100 and the like.
[0044]
Here, the image data transferred from the host PC 100 to the printer controller 110 is divided in advance by the printer driver 101 of the host PC 100 into band units, and within the band, an ID number or drawing for each font, image, or graphics is further divided. A process for adding a start position, an attribute, and the like is performed, and the data is transferred to the printer controller 110 as data compressed in band units. The connection between the host PC 100 and the inkjet printer 1 may be wired or wireless.
[0045]
The printer controller 110 temporarily stores the image data received from the host PC 100 in band units in a predetermined memory area of the RAM 113, and performs color space conversion (RGB → CMYK) when decompressing the stored data. , And develops a bitmap in band units and stores it in the bitmap memory area of the RAM 113.
[0046]
The engine controller 120 includes a CPU 121 which controls the entire controller, a ROM 122 which stores necessary fixed information, an EEPROM 123 which is a rewritable memory, a video I / F 124 which is an interface with the printer controller 110, and a video I / F An ASIC (application-specific IC) 125 including dedicated hardware for performing image processing such as banding processing and print data rearranging processing (raster processing and interlace processing) on image data received from the printer controller 110 via the F124. A DRAM 126 for temporarily storing image data received by the ASIC 125; a head driver 127 for driving the recording head 52 in accordance with image data read from the DRAM 126; And a motor driver 128 for driving control.
[0047]
The engine controller 120 receives image data and the like from the printer controller 110 via the video I / F 124, performs image processing on the image data with the dedicated ASIC 125, and records the image data on the printer engine main body 130 via the head driver 127. The data is sent to a common drive board 131 provided on the head 52.
[0048]
The common drive board 131 has a K head 52K for ejecting black ink, a C head 52C for ejecting cyan ink, an M head 52M for ejecting magenta ink, and a Y head 52Y for ejecting yellow ink in accordance with the transmitted head drive data. Is driven to eject ink droplets.
[0049]
The motor driver 128 drives and controls the main scanning motor M1 and the sub-scanning motor M2 based on the control signals of the respective driving systems transmitted together with the image data from the printer controller 110, and reciprocates the carriage 51 in the main scanning direction. At the same time, the recording paper P is transported in the sub-scanning direction. Further, the motor driver 128 drives and controls the suction motor M3 of the maintenance station (not shown) during the maintenance operation of the recording head 52. The maintenance station is provided at a home position, which is one end side of the carriage 51 in the main scanning direction. The maintenance station performs a “capping operation” for preventing ink from drying at a stopped ink nozzle portion. Performs a "ink suction (prime) operation" for sucking and removing ink from the printer, a "preliminary ejection (spit) operation" for discharging a small amount of ink by driving the recording head 52, a "wiping operation" for wiping the leading end surface of the recording head 52, and the like. I do.
[0050]
Further, various sensors 132 are provided in the printer engine main body 130, and detection signals of these various sensors 132 are input to the CPU 121. The operation panel 133 provided on the printer engine main body 130 side is provided with an ink end indicator for displaying the ink end. Specifically, the operation panel 133 includes a key input device such as a numeric keypad, and a touch panel display input device including a liquid crystal panel or the like capable of receiving various inputs such as a printing style of a user and presenting various information. The operation state of the inkjet printer 1, various messages, and the like are displayed on the display input device, and the input of information is received on the display input device. The display of the status of the inkjet printer 1 and the reception of an input can also be performed on the host PC 100 side via the I / O 114.
[0051]
Further, the printer engine body 130 includes a dot counter 134, and an output signal from the dot counter 134 is transmitted to the CPU 121. The dot counter 134 recognizes, based on image data, the number of dots (ink droplets) ejected on the recording paper P in accordance with the execution of the image forming operation. The count is performed for each ink cartridge from the time of replacement, and the count is accumulated and stored. That is, by checking the number of dots, the remaining amount of ink in each ink cartridge can be estimated. That is, the dot counter 134 constitutes the remaining amount detecting means in the present invention.
[0052]
The remaining amount detection means is not limited to the dot counter 134, but may be a remaining amount detection sensor configured to optically detect the remaining amount of ink. May be combined.
[0053]
As a feature of this embodiment, when the remaining amount of at least one of the inks of a plurality of colors is exhausted, the engine controller 120 forms an image on the recording paper P using only the inks other than the inks of the colors. When there is image data that can be completed, there is provided an image formation selection execution unit 135 for executing only an image formation operation based on the image data. The image formation selection execution means 135 receives the output signal from the dot counter 134 and controls the head driver 127 based on this signal, so that only the ink having a sufficient remaining amount is printed on the recording paper P. When there is image data for which image formation can be completed, only an image forming operation based on the image data is executed. In other words, the image formation selection execution unit 135 performs continuous image formation on a plurality of recording papers P using image data over a plurality of pages, when the remaining amount of at least one of the plurality of color inks is reduced. When there is no page, if there is a page for which image formation on the recording paper P can be completed using only ink of a color other than that ink, only the image data of that page is extracted and the image forming operation of only that page is performed. Is executed.
[0054]
After refilling the ink that has run out of ink (after replacing the ink cartridge), the image formation selection execution unit 135 newly extracts only the image data of the page that has not been extracted, and only extracts that page. Is performed. In other words, after the ink is replenished, a printing operation is automatically performed using the replenished ink, and a printed material on which an image is formed on all pages in a color tone desired by the user is provided. ing.
[0055]
Further, the color ink jet printer 1 is provided with a condition setting unit (not shown) capable of changing an execution condition of an image forming operation by the image forming selection executing unit 135. The condition setting means is capable of receiving a setting signal from the printer driver 101 and setting whether or not to execute the image forming operation by the image forming selection executing means 135 according to the color of the ink. The operation of changing the execution condition by the condition setting means will be described later.
[0056]
-Image forming operation when ink runs out-
Next, an image forming operation when there is no remaining ink, that is, an operation of selectively forming an image by the image forming selection executing unit 135 will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0057]
First, before starting the printing operation, the user performs a printing mode selecting operation (step ST1 in FIG. 5). This print mode selection operation is shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a dialog screen of a printer property displayed by the printer driver 101 on the host PC 100. As described above, the dialog screen includes the “processing when ink is empty” item. When this item is clicked, a dialog screen for “processing when ink is empty” shown in FIG. 8 is displayed.
[0058]
Here, a process in a case where the remaining amount of any ink is exhausted is set. First, when “stop” is selected, the image forming operation is immediately stopped when the remaining amount of any ink is exhausted, regardless of the image data.
[0059]
When “continue with alternative ink” is selected, when any of the inks runs out, the image forming operation is continued by using another ink for all the image data. In this case, a printed material having a color tone desired by the user cannot be obtained. Particularly, this item is selected at the time of “test printing”. If “continue only printable pages” is selected, and the remaining amount of any of the inks is exhausted, the operation of the image formation selection execution unit 135 causes the ink of a color other than the inks of which the remaining amount is exhausted to operate. When there is a page for which image formation on the recording paper P can be completed by only this, only the image data of that page is extracted and the image forming operation of only that page is executed. In particular, this item is selected at the time of “printing that emphasizes color tone”.
[0060]
When the user selects "continue only printable pages" and clicks OK, a dialog screen "continue only printable pages" shown in FIG. 9 is displayed. Here, “automatic continuation” and “manual selection” can be selected. When “automatic continuation” is selected, the image formation selection execution unit 135 automatically determines that a page for which image formation on the recording paper P can be completed using only ink of a color other than the ink whose remaining amount is exhausted. If there is, only the image data of the page is extracted and the image forming operation of only the page is executed. That is, even if the remaining amount of ink of any color is exhausted, there is a case where there is a page on which the image formation on the recording paper P can be completed only by ink of a color other than the ink of which the remaining amount is exhausted. Means that only the image data of the page is extracted and the image forming operation of only the page is executed.
[0061]
On the other hand, when “manual selection” is selected, it is possible to change the setting as to whether or not to execute the image forming operation according to the color selected on the “manual selection” dialog screen described later.
[0062]
Here, when "manual selection" is selected and OK is clicked, a "manual selection" dialog screen shown in FIG. 10 is displayed. Here, “no designation”, “color designation”, and “black designation” can be selected.
[0063]
If "No designation" is selected, proxy printing is not performed even if the remaining amount of ink of any color is exhausted, and the image formation on the recording paper P can be completed using only the ink having the remaining amount. If there is any image data, only the image forming operation based on the image data is executed.
[0064]
When "color designation" is selected, a color is further designated from among C (cyan), M (magenta), and Y (yellow), and even if there is no ink other than the designated color ink, the designation is made. If there is a page whose image formation can be completed using only the color ink, the setting is made so that only the image data of the page is extracted and the image forming operation of only the page is executed. Also in this case, proxy printing is not executed.
[0065]
Further, when “black designation” is selected, if there is a page (for example, a page composed of only text data) for which image formation can be completed with only black ink even if any of the color inks are exhausted, It is set so that only the image data of the page is extracted and the image forming operation of only the page is executed. If only "black designation" is selected, even if there is a page on which image formation can be completed only with color ink having a sufficient remaining amount (a state in which there is no remaining color ink) ), The image forming operation using the image data of this page is not executed. When “color designation” as well as “black designation” is selected, if there is a page on which image formation can be completed only with a sufficient amount of color ink, the image data of that page And the image forming operation of the page is also executed.
[0066]
If the user clicks OK after performing the designation operation, further detailed settings are made on the dialog screens of “manual selection” shown in FIGS. 11 to 13.
[0067]
In FIG. 11, it is possible to select whether or not to execute the control operation of the image formation selection execution unit 135 depending on whether the printing operation is draft or normal, that is, according to the printing speed. Further, it is also possible to select to execute the control operation of the image formation selection execution unit 135 without depending on the printing speed.
[0068]
In FIG. 12, whether to execute the control operation of the image formation selection execution unit 135 can be selected according to the document format. That is, it is possible to select whether to execute the control operation of the image formation selection execution unit 135 only on the text document or to execute the control operation of the image formation selection execution unit 135 in any document format. .
[0069]
In FIG. 13, whether or not to execute the control operation of the image formation selection execution means 135 can be selected according to the type of the recording paper P. That is, it is possible to select whether or not to execute the control operation of the image formation selection execution unit 135 in accordance with plain paper and inkjet paper. Further, it is also possible to select to execute the control operation of the image formation selection execution unit 135 irrespective of the type of the recording paper P.
[0070]
The above is the print mode selection operation. After this operation is performed, the process proceeds to step ST2 in FIG. 5, and when the printing operation is started, detection of the remaining ink amount is performed in step ST3. That is, based on the output signal from the dot counter (remaining amount detecting means) 134, it is determined whether or not there is ink in which there is no remaining amount of ink. If the determination is NO here, that is, if it is determined that the remaining amounts of all the inks are sufficient, the process proceeds to step ST4 to determine whether there is data of the next page as image data. . If there is image data for the next page, the process returns to step ST3 to detect again that there is no remaining ink, and repeats this operation until there is no more data for the next page (until NO is determined in step ST4).
[0071]
If there is no more data for the next page (the printing operation for the last page has been completed) and the determination in step ST4 is NO, the printing operation ends in step ST5. Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the ink-out information described later is set. If the determination is NO, the printing operation ends. On the other hand, if the information indicating that there is no ink is set (if YES is determined in step ST6), the printing operation is terminated after informing the user that there is no ink in step ST7. This ink-out information is set when the detection of the ink remaining amount is performed (this setting operation will be described later).
[0072]
On the other hand, if the determination in step ST3 is YES, that is, if any of the inks has no remaining amount, the process proceeds to step ST8 (FIG. 6) to check whether or not the continuation process is selected. That is, in the print mode selection operation, it is determined whether or not the setting for the process at the time of ink empty is performed. If it is determined that the setting is not performed (NO), information indicating that there is no ink is set in step ST9, and then the process proceeds to step ST5. In this case, a determination of YES is made in step ST6, and the fact that there is no ink is notified in step ST7, and the user is warned that any of the remaining ink amounts is exhausted. This warning is issued on the operation panel 133 of the inkjet printer 1 or on the screen of the host PC 100.
[0073]
If the continuation process has been selected and YES is determined in step ST8, the process proceeds to step ST10 to determine whether or not it is selected to continue the job only for printable pages. That is, it is determined whether or not “continue only printable pages” is selected on the dialog screen of the process at the time of ink empty shown in FIG.
[0074]
If this determination is YES, that is, if the continuation process is selected only for pages that can be printed, the process proceeds to step ST11 to determine whether there are pages that can be printed under the selected conditions, that is, the remaining amount is It is determined whether or not there is a page for which image formation on the recording paper P can be completed using only ink of a color other than the lost ink. If this determination is NO, the process moves from step ST9 to step ST5, and the printing operation is not executed. On the other hand, if the determination in step ST11 is YES, the process proceeds to step ST12, and the job is continued only for printable pages. In other words, only the image data is extracted for a page for which the image formation on the recording paper P can be completed using only the ink of the color other than the ink whose remaining amount is exhausted, and the image forming operation of only the page is executed. In this case, if “color designation” or “black designation” is performed on the “manual selection” dialog screen shown in FIG. 10, a page for which image formation can be completed using only the designated color ink Only when image data exists, only the image data of the page is extracted and the image forming operation of only the page is executed.
[0075]
Thereafter, the process proceeds from step ST13 to step ST4, and until the image data of the next page is exhausted, the printing operation for the page on which the image formation on the recording paper P can be completed with only the ink of the color other than the ink of which the residual amount has been exhausted. To continue.
[0076]
The printing operation for this page is completed, and the printing operation is completed in a state where only image data for which image formation on the recording paper P is not completed unless the remaining ink is used is left.
[0077]
If the determination in step ST10 is NO, that is, if the continuation process has not been selected, it is determined in step ST14 whether or not the job using the alternative ink has been selected. That is, it is determined whether or not “Continue with alternative ink” is selected on the dialog box of “Process at the time of ink empty” shown in FIG. If this determination is YES, the process moves to step ST15, where it is determined whether or not alternative ink is present. If this ink is present, the job using the alternative ink is continued in step ST16. On the other hand, if there is no substitute ink in step ST15, the process proceeds to step ST5, and the printing operation ends.
[0078]
Further, if the determination in step ST14 is NO, that is, if the user has not selected to continue the job using the substitute ink, the process proceeds to step ST17, where the user is notified to input a continuation condition, and the user is prompted to input the continuation condition. Prompt. After the input of the continuation condition, the operation proceeds to the operation after step ST10. The above is the image forming operation when there is no remaining ink.
[0079]
As described above, in the present embodiment, when any of the ink remaining amounts is exhausted, if there is image data that can be printed with only the ink having a sufficient remaining amount, only that image data is set as the print target data. Only the image forming operation based on the image data is executed. In other words, when the user does not want to perform the substitute printing with the substitute ink, the situation in which the recording paper and the ink used in the substitute printing are wasted can be avoided by not performing the substitute printing.
[0080]
-Other embodiments-
In the above embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to the color inkjet printer 1 has been described. The present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to a copying machine, a facsimile, and a multifunction peripheral thereof. In addition, the image forming method is not limited to the “ink-jet method”, but may be an “electrophotographic method”, an “ink ribbon method” (a thermal transfer method in which an image is formed by applying heat to an ink ribbon on a film and transferring it to recording paper, (A dot impact method in which an image is formed on recording paper by applying pressure to a ribbon impregnated with).
[0081]
Further, in the above-described embodiment, the image forming operation is executed by the image forming selection executing unit 135 when any of the ink remaining amounts is exhausted. The present invention is not limited to this, and the image forming operation may be executed by the image forming selection executing means 135 when any of the remaining ink amounts is equal to or less than a predetermined amount (for example, the remaining amount is 10%).
[0082]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, in the present invention, when there is image data that can be printed only with ink that is not in the end state or the near-end state, only that image data is used as print target data, and only an image forming operation based on this image data is executed. Like that. For this reason, for example, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the substitute printing is executed and the image desired by the user cannot be obtained in spite of the printing operation that emphasizes the color tone of the image, and the recording paper and the ink used for the substitute printing are used. It is possible to avoid a situation where the information is wasted.
[0083]
In addition, after replenishment of the image visualizing agent whose remaining amount is equal to or less than a predetermined amount or no remaining amount, only image data of a page that has not been extracted is newly extracted and an image forming operation of only that page is performed. In this case, after the image visualizing agent is replenished, it is possible to provide a printed matter in which an image is formed in a color tone required by the user for all pages.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an appearance of an inkjet printer according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating an internal configuration of the inkjet printer.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state where an ink cartridge is mounted on a carriage.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control unit of the inkjet printer.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining a part of an image forming operation when there is no remaining ink.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining another part of the image forming operation when the remaining amount of ink is exhausted.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a dialog screen of a printer property.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a dialog screen of a process at the time of ink empty.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a dialog screen for continuing only printable pages.
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a dialog screen for manual selection.
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing another dialog screen of manual selection.
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing another dialog screen of manual selection.
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing another dialog screen of manual selection.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 color inkjet printer (image forming device)
134 dot counter (remaining amount detecting means)
135 image formation selection execution means
P Recording paper (recording medium)

Claims (8)

In an image forming method for forming an image on a recording medium using a plurality of types of image visualizing agents,
When the remaining amount of at least one of the plurality of types of image visualizing agents becomes equal to or less than a predetermined amount or becomes the remaining amount, the image formation on the recording medium can be completed only by the image visualizing agents other than the image visualizing agent. An image forming method comprising: performing only an image forming operation based on image data when the image data exists. In an image forming method for forming an image on a recording medium using a plurality of types of image visualizing agents,
When continuously forming an image on a plurality of recording media using image data over a plurality of pages, the remaining amount of at least one of the plurality of types of image visualizing agents is less than or equal to a predetermined amount. When there is a page for which image formation on the recording medium can be completed only by an image visualizing agent other than the image visualizing agent, only the image data of the page is extracted and the image forming operation of only the page is executed. An image forming method. In an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium using a plurality of types of image visualizing agents,
A remaining amount detecting unit capable of detecting that the remaining amount of at least one of the plurality of types of image visualizing agents is equal to or less than a predetermined amount or no remaining amount,
Receiving the output of the remaining amount detection means, when at least one of the plurality of types of image visualizing agents has a remaining amount equal to or less than a predetermined amount or has no remaining amount, recording is performed only by the image visualizing agents other than the image visualizing agent. An image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming selection execution unit that executes only an image forming operation based on image data when there is image data capable of completing image formation on a medium. In an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium using a plurality of types of image visualizing agents,
A remaining amount detecting unit capable of detecting that the remaining amount of at least one of the plurality of types of image visualizing agents is equal to or less than a predetermined amount or no remaining amount,
Upon receiving the output of the remaining amount detecting means and continuously forming images on a plurality of recording media using image data over a plurality of pages, the remaining amount of at least one of the plurality of types of image visualizing agents is reduced. When the amount is equal to or less than the predetermined amount or when there is no remaining amount, if there is a page where image formation on the recording medium can be completed only by the image visualizing agent other than the image visualizing agent, only the image data of the page is extracted. And an image forming selection executing means for executing an image forming operation for only the page. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein
An image forming apparatus comprising: condition setting means capable of changing an execution condition of an image forming operation by an image forming selection executing means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein
The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the condition setting means is capable of setting whether or not to execute the image forming operation by the image forming selection execution means according to the type of the image visualizing agent. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6,
The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the condition setting means is capable of setting whether or not to execute the image forming operation by the image formation selection execution means according to the color of the image visualizing agent. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4,
The image forming selection execution means, after replenishment of the image visualizing agent whose remaining amount is equal to or less than the predetermined amount or has no remaining amount, newly extracts only image data of a page that has not been extracted and forms an image of only that page. An image forming apparatus configured to execute an operation.

Images