JP2004209947A - Controlling of printing by detecting remaining quantity - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform printing which efficiently uses consumable articles and printing time by detecting remaining quantities of the articles of consumption such as coloring materials and paper. <P>SOLUTION: The remaining quantities of the coloring materials and the paper whose printing lengths are variable are detected by a remaining quantity detecting part. Amounts of uses of the coloring materials and the paper for image data are analyzed by an analysis part. The remaining quantities and the amounts of uses of the coloring materials and the paper for the image data are compared by a comparing part to calculate whether the amounts of the coloring materials are sufficient. A judging part judges whether printing can be performed or not based on the data of the comparing part. When the printing is impossible to perform, the image data are stored in a hard disk, and it is informed to a superordinate apparatus that the image data can not be printed. Then, the processing is shifted to an analysis of the next image data, and when the image data can be printed, the printing is preferentially performed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that performs print control by detecting the remaining amount of consumables in color printing.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, the demand for printing not only characters but also high-definition images has greatly increased. Therefore, a high-performance printer has been developed, and at the same time, an image comparable to a conventional photograph can be obtained using photo ink or glossy paper so that a high-definition image can be printed. It is expected that demand will continue to increase with the spread of digital cameras, whether for home use or business use.
[0003]
However, consumables such as coloring materials and glossy paper used for obtaining such high-definition images are expensive. There is a demand for efficient use of such expensive consumables.
[0004]
Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus having consumables, when the consumables are used up, printing control is performed by detecting the remaining amount of consumables in order to prevent incomplete printing without printing the remaining color material. There has been proposed an image forming apparatus which performs printing, and means for stopping printing when the remaining amount is exhausted.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, even if the above control is performed, it cannot be said that printing is performed using the consumables efficiently. For example, even if the image data to be printed cannot be printed because a certain color material is insufficient, the image data to be printed next can be printed with the remaining amount of the color material. In this case, it is inefficient that the remaining amount of the color material is not effectively used, but it is also inefficient that there is a time when printing is stopped when the remaining amount is insufficient.
[0006]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a color printing image forming apparatus that solves the above-described problems of the related art, and provides an image forming apparatus that can effectively use consumables and printing time. And
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve this object, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention has the following functions.
[0008]
This image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus including a plurality of storage units each storing a plurality of color materials, and a print length variable paper, and detects the remaining amount of each color material and paper prior to a printing operation, Also, the image data to be printed is analyzed, and printing is performed as follows based on the information.
[0009]
The following means is used as a printing control method. If it is determined that printing cannot be performed on the color material or paper on which the image data remains, the printing process of the next image data is performed. If there is a storage device, the image data judged to be unprintable is saved on the hard disk, and if there is no storage device or there is no storage space, the image data is discarded and the image data is discarded by the host. Notify. When the image data is stored in the hard disk, or when the remaining amount of the color material / paper is updated, the printing of the image data stored in the hard disk is executed.
[0010]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described.
[0011]
(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a control circuit that detects a remaining amount and controls printing. The color material remaining amount detection unit 101 has a function of detecting the remaining amount of the color material. The paper remaining amount detection unit 102 has a function of detecting the remaining amount of paper. The image analysis unit 103 has a function of analyzing the amount of color material used based on image data to be printed. The comparison unit 104 has a function of comparing the remaining amount data sent from the unit 101 with the amount of the color material used in the current image data sent from the unit 103 and calculating whether the amount of the color material is sufficient.
[0012]
Further, the comparing unit 105 has a function of comparing the remaining amount of paper sent from 102 with the amount of paper used in the current image data sent from 103 and calculating whether the amount of paper is sufficient. The determining unit 106 has a function of determining whether the data transmitted this time can be printed based on the information transmitted from 104 and 105. 107 controls printing based on the information obtained from the determination unit 106. Reference numeral 108 denotes an image processing unit. A bus switching circuit 109 switches the data bus. Reference numeral 109 denotes data sent to the printer 103 when image analysis is performed, and a printing control method is determined. Data is transmitted to the printing unit 110 when printing is performed.
[0013]
The color material remaining amount detection unit has the following means. A method of measuring the weight of the color material storage unit with a sensor to detect the remaining amount, a method of physically detecting the color material in the storage unit with an optical sensor, and a change in inductance using an electrode provided in the color material storage unit May be used to detect the remaining amount by measuring the amount of color material consumed, such as a method of detecting the amount of colorant electrically or magnetically.
[0014]
The paper remaining amount detection unit may use a sensor that detects a physical change according to the remaining amount of paper, a method of detecting the remaining amount by measuring the amount of paper used, or the like.
[0015]
The basic processing operation will be described. In the present embodiment, in order to first obtain the total amount of color materials for all pixels for one page of image data, all the pixel data for one page are scanned, and actual print control is performed using the total amount. Is what you do. First, in steps 101 and 102, the remaining amounts of the color material and the paper are detected. At 103, image processing is performed to analyze the amount of color material and paper used. From the information on the remaining amount of each color material and paper obtained in 101 and 102 and the information on the amount of each color material used for printing in 103, the printing method is controlled as described later.
[0016]
Image processing is performed again based on the print control, and data is sent to the printing unit 110 by the bus switching unit 109 and printing is performed. The print control method is performed as follows. In 104, the remaining amount data sent from 101 and the amount of color material used in the image data sent from 103 are compared to calculate whether the amount of color material is sufficient. In step 105, the remaining amount of paper sent from 102 is compared with the amount of paper used in the current image data sent from 103, and whether or not the amount of paper is sufficient is calculated.
[0017]
106 determines whether printing is possible based on the data of each of 104 and 105. At this time, if it is determined that printing is not possible, a signal is sent to the control means for controlling printing so as to perform the next processing. The image data determined not to be printable is stored on the hard disk, and the host device is notified that the image data cannot be printed. Then, the process proceeds to the analysis of the next image data. If the image data can be printed, the printing is performed with priority. Thereafter, similarly, the image data determined to be unprintable is stored in the hard disk, and printable image data is found and printed.
[0018]
Further, as described in claims 2, 3, 4, and 5, when only image data is printed using process black without using a black color material or only in a predetermined ratio, the following is performed. Printing is performed by various means. If there is a remaining amount of C, M, and Y for printing in process black in the determination unit, the image processing unit uses only a predetermined ratio of the image data without using the black color material or processes black. Send information to print using
[0019]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the image analysis unit 103 according to the first embodiment. An adder as shown in the figure is provided for each color material. The image data passing through the analysis unit may be binarized data or multi-valued data. The adder 201 adds the image data and measures the amount of each color material used for printing. The adjustment unit 202 considers the consumption of consumables in addition to printing, and adds the expected consumption in advance. For example, in the case of an ink jet printer, ink is consumed in addition to printing an image in a recovery operation for preventing ejection failure or preliminary ejection. Therefore, the predicted consumption must be added.
[0020]
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a circuit example of the determination unit in the first embodiment. When a signal indicating that the remaining amount is satisfied is received from all the comparison circuits of C, M, Y, Bk, and paper, a signal indicating that the remaining amount is satisfied is output to Y. As described in claims 2, 3, 4, and 5, when only image data is printed using process black without using a black coloring material or only at a predetermined ratio, To the control means that the printing using the process black is performed based on.
[0021]
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in the first embodiment. In this flowchart, a processing method is determined from information on the remaining amount of the color material and the paper, and information on the usage amount of the color material and the paper from the image data. In the figure, first, in step S401, image data is input from a host device. Next, in step S402, the input image data is analyzed, and this image is printed to convert how much each color material / paper is used. In step S403, the usage amount of each color material / paper used to print the image converted in S402 is compared with the remaining amount of each color material / paper. If all the color materials and paper are satisfied, the process proceeds to step S404, and normal printing is performed.
[0022]
If the next print data can be input, the process proceeds to step S405, and if there is image data, the process proceeds to step S401. If there is no image data, the process ends. If it is determined in step S403 that there is a missing color material or paper, the process proceeds to step S406. In S406, the image data is compared with the free space of the hard disk. If the hard disk has sufficient free space, the process advances to step S407 to store the image data in the hard disk. If the image data has been saved, the process advances to step S408 to notify that the image data has been saved. Then, the process proceeds to S405 and proceeds to the next process. The image data stored here is printed when a missing color material / paper is added later. If it is determined in step S406 that there is no free space in the hard disk for storing the image data, the process advances to step S409 to notify that the image could not be printed, and the process advances to step S405 to process the next image data.
[0023]
(Second embodiment)
FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the image analysis unit 103 according to the second embodiment. In the first embodiment, the amount of the color material necessary for printing is converted in a state where the image processing has already been performed. However, in the present embodiment, the data received in RGB before the image processing is color-converted, and C, The amounts converted into M, Y, and Bk are converted. In this conversion, only a conversion that is a guide of how much a color material is used is performed without performing error diffusion or the like.
[0024]
FIG. 6 shows an example of the color conversion circuit shown in FIG. With respect to the input image data, data relating to the usage (density) of the color materials C, M, Y, and Bk is read from the conversion table in accordance with the amounts of R, G, and B. The color conversion table is divided into four equal parts for each of RGB, and has a total of 64 kinds of color conversion tables, which are separated with coarser accuracy than ordinary color conversion.
[0025]
FIG. 6B is a conversion example of the color conversion table in FIG. In order to easily perform color conversion, each parameter of RGB is divided into four equal parts. When the input RGB data is present in a certain area divided into four, the processing is performed as a central point as a representative point as described below.
[0026]
00 ≦ R ≦ 3F ⇒ R = 1F
40 ≦ R ≦ 7F ⇒ R = 5F
80 ≦ R ≦ BF ⇒ R = 9F
C0 ≦ R ≦ FF ⇒ R = DF
G and B are similarly divided into four equal parts to determine representative points.
[0027]
As described above, since the color conversion table has 64 color conversion tables, it is possible to estimate a certain amount of color material usage from data received in RGB before image processing.
[0028]
For example, it is assumed that image data of an area of (R, G, B) = (R3, G0, B2) in FIG. At this time, it is replaced with a representative point (R, G, B) = (DF, 1F, 9F). The color conversion table is read from the RGB data, and data of (C, M, Y) = (6, 203, 72) is extracted.
[0029]
The difference between the present embodiment and the first embodiment is that the first embodiment performs image processing, processes C, M, Y, and Bk, and then performs print control based on the remaining amount of consumables. In the present embodiment, print control is performed from R, G, and B image data. By using the method of this embodiment, it is possible to save time for image processing when it is determined that printing is impossible. Further, since the R, G, and B image data are stored on the hard disk, there is a remaining amount of C, M, and Y, and printing is performed using process black. If it is determined that the image data is called from the hard disk without requesting the image data from the host again, the printing time can be saved.
[0030]
(Third embodiment)
FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer according to the third embodiment. In the first embodiment, a special circuit is provided for performing printing control from the detection of the remaining amount. In the third embodiment, the CPU that controls the printer performs the same processing without any special circuit. Therefore, there is an advantage that the manufacturing cost can be reduced.
[0031]
In the figure, reference numeral 801 denotes a host unit for transmitting and receiving commands and image data to a printer control circuit unit described later. A printer control circuit 802 controls the printer. A head 803 performs printing. The head is provided with a color material remaining amount detection unit 804 such as a sensor for detecting the remaining color material amount. Reference numeral 805 denotes a remaining paper amount detection unit for detecting the remaining amount of paper.
[0032]
A printer circuit control unit 802 includes a CPU 806 that performs overall control of the printing operation, an interface unit 807 that inputs and outputs data to and from the host unit 801, a ROM 808 that stores a program that controls the printer, and a memory that can read and write data. RAM 809, a head control unit 810 for transmitting a printing operation and print data to the head 803, a color material remaining amount detection control unit 811 for inputting information from a color material remaining amount detection unit 804 provided in the head 803, a paper remaining amount It comprises a paper remaining amount detection control unit 812 for inputting information from the detection unit 805 and a secondary storage device 813 for storing image data.
[0033]
Here, the CPU 806 is an analyzing means for analyzing the amount of each color material and paper used for printing from the image data according to claim 1, and the color material remaining amount detecting means and the color obtained from the paper remaining amount detecting means. It is a comparing unit that compares information on the remaining amount of material and paper with information on the amount of colorant and paper used obtained from the analyzing unit, and a determining unit that determines whether printing is possible based on information obtained from the comparing unit.
[0034]
The difference between the present embodiment and the first embodiment is that the first embodiment is provided with a special circuit for print control, whereas the present embodiment is not provided with a special circuit, and the CPU performs processing. Only the operation is performed, and the printing control method is the same as that of the first embodiment.
[0035]
(Fourth embodiment)
FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer according to the fourth embodiment. In the third embodiment, the CPU for controlling the printer detects the remaining amount and performs the printing control. In the fourth embodiment, the host computer performs the image processing. Therefore, the image processing unit and the secondary storage unit required in the third embodiment are not required on the printer side, and the manufacturing cost can be further reduced as compared with the third embodiment.
[0036]
In the first embodiment, when it is determined that printing can be performed using process black as in claims 2, 3, 4, and 5, image data must be called up again in the first embodiment. In the second and third embodiments, if there is no hard disk in the printer, the image must be called again. However, in this embodiment, since the host makes the determination, the same image is not sent to the printer twice, and the printing can be performed efficiently.
[0037]
In this figure, most of the configuration is the same as in FIG. Reference numeral 901 denotes a host unit for transmitting and receiving commands and image data, and 902, a printer control circuit unit for controlling a printer. A head 903 performs printing. The head is provided with a color material remaining amount detection unit 904 such as a sensor for detecting the remaining color material amount. Reference numeral 905 denotes a remaining paper amount detection unit for detecting the remaining amount of paper.
[0038]
The printer circuit control unit 502 is different from the configuration according to the second embodiment. A CPU 906, an interface unit 907, a ROM 908, a RAM 909, a head control unit 910, a color material remaining amount detection control unit 911, and a paper remaining amount detection control unit 912 are the same as in the third embodiment. No secondary storage device is provided.
[0039]
In the fourth embodiment, an analyzing means, a comparing means, and a judging means are provided in the host unit. The secondary storage device provided in the host unit serves as a storage unit for storing the image data in the secondary storage device when it is determined that the image data according to claim 8 cannot be printed.
[0040]
The difference between the present embodiment and the third embodiment is that, since the print control is performed on the printer side in the third embodiment, the print control program must be stored in the ROM 908. In order to provide a printer, a secondary storage device must be provided on the printer side. The printing control method differs from the first and third embodiments in that the image can be stored on the host side.
[0041]
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in the fourth embodiment. In the figure, first, in step S1001, color material / paper remaining amount information is input. Next, in step S1002, the image data to be printed is analyzed, and by printing this image, the amount of each color material / paper used is converted. In step S1003, the amount used for printing converted in step S1002 is compared with the remaining amount of each color material and paper. If all the color materials and paper are satisfied, the process proceeds to step S1004, and normal printing is performed.
[0042]
If the next print data can be input, the process advances to step S1005, and if there is image data, the process advances to step S1001. If there is no image data, the process ends. If it is determined in step S1003 that there is a missing color material or paper, the process advances to step S1006. In step S1006, it is notified that printing was not possible. Proceeding to S1007, the image data that could not be printed is recorded. After recording, the flow advances to S1005 to proceed to the next process. The image data recorded here is printed when a missing color material / paper is added later.
[0043]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, when an image forming apparatus including a plurality of storage units each storing a plurality of color materials and paper to be printed, when the remaining amount decreases, the remaining amount is reduced. By analyzing the data to be printed and determining whether printing is possible, if printing is not possible, save the image data to the hard disk, and if the next image data can be printed, give priority to the printable image data before printing. By doing so, printing using the consumables and the printing time can be performed efficiently.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image analysis unit according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a circuit example of a determination unit in the first embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in the first embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image analyzer in a second embodiment.
FIG. 6 is an example of a color conversion circuit of an image analyzer in the second embodiment.
FIG. 7 is an example of color conversion of a color conversion circuit of an image analyzer in the second embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer according to a third embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer according to a fourth embodiment.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in the fourth embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
101 Color material remaining amount detection unit 102 Paper remaining amount detection unit 103 Image analysis unit

Claims (12)

In an image forming apparatus including a plurality of storage units that respectively store a plurality of color materials, and a print length variable paper,
Color material remaining amount detection means for detecting the remaining amount of each color material prior to the printing operation;
Paper remaining amount detecting means for detecting the remaining amount of paper;
Analysis means for analyzing the amount of each color material and paper used for printing from the image data; information on the remaining color material and paper obtained from the remaining color material detection means and the remaining paper detection means; Comparing means for comparing the obtained color material / paper usage information,
Determining means for determining whether printing is possible based on the information obtained from the comparing means;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit that controls printing based on the information output by the determination unit. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said control means includes means for printing black print data using process black without using a black color material. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said control means includes means for printing only a shortage of black print data using process black without using a black color material. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit includes a unit for performing printing by replacing a part of the black component with process black at a ratio that does not cause a problem in color development in the black print data. The control means further comprises means for printing character data among black print data using black color material and printing only image data using process black without using black color material. 2. The image forming apparatus according to 1. When the control means determines that the image data is not printable, the control means shifts to the analysis of the next image data, and when the image data that comes later is printable, preferentially shifts to print execution. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5, wherein 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a notifying unit that notifies the host device that the image data cannot be printed when the control unit determines that the image data cannot be printed. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising a storage unit configured to store the image data in a secondary storage device when the control unit determines that the image data cannot be printed. 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising: a storage control unit configured to control execution of storage based on a free space of a secondary storage device when the control unit determines that the image data cannot be printed. apparatus. 10. The storage control unit according to claim 9, further comprising: a storage notifying unit that notifies the host device of the execution of the storage when it is determined that the image data can be stored in the free space of the secondary storage device. Image forming device. When the storage control unit determines that the image data cannot be stored in the free space of the secondary storage device, the storage control unit includes a storage disable notification unit that notifies the host device that the image data cannot be stored. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein When the remaining amount of the color material / paper is updated by the storage control unit, and the information obtained from the color material remaining amount detection unit and the information obtained from the paper remaining amount detection unit is updated, the information of the color material / paper remaining amount is updated. And the information on the amount of color material and paper used for printing the image data stored in the secondary storage device is compared by the comparison unit, and the stored image print control unit that controls the execution of printing by the determination unit is The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising:

Images