JP2005141587A - Print control unit, print control system, print control method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize a convenient print control unit capable of selecting correspondence information required to be added to a memory. <P>SOLUTION: The print control unit provided with a memory for storing correspondence information indicating correspondence relation between the sorts of media and print methods and a print data generation part for selecting a print method corresponding to the sort of a medium to be printed by referring to the memory and generating print data on the basis of the selected print method and constituted so as to add the correspondence information to the memory and update the contents stored in the memory can select the correspondence information to be added to the memory at the time of updating the contents stored in the memory. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a print control apparatus, a print control system, a print control method, and a program.

As the print control device, for example, a memory that stores correspondence information indicating a correspondence relationship between a medium type and a printing method, and the memory is referred to, and the printing method corresponding to the type of the medium to be printed is selected and selected. And a print data generation unit that generates print data based on the printed printing method.
JP 2002-86862 A

  By the way, when trying to print on a new type of medium that is not stored in the memory, or on a medium whose correspondence information indicating the correspondence type with the medium type or printing method is changed, the printing method corresponding to these media is unknown. Therefore, the print control apparatus cannot execute printing by a printing method suitable for these media. For this reason, the print control apparatus adds correspondence information indicating a correspondence relationship between a new type of medium and a printing method to the memory, and updates the storage content of the memory.

  However, in the above print control apparatus, unnecessary correspondence information may be added to the memory to update the memory content. Therefore, it is desired to realize a convenient print control apparatus that can select correspondence information to be added to the memory.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object of the present invention is to realize a convenient print control apparatus that can select correspondence information to be added to a memory.

The main aspect of the present invention is that a memory for storing correspondence information indicating a correspondence relationship between a medium type and a printing method is selected, the printing method corresponding to the type of the medium to be printed is selected with reference to the memory, A print data generation unit that generates print data based on the printing method, and adds the correspondence information to the memory and updates the storage content of the memory.
The printing control apparatus can select the correspondence information to be added to the memory when updating the storage contents of the memory.

  Other features of the present invention will become apparent from the description of the present specification and the accompanying drawings.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to realize a convenient print control apparatus that can select correspondence information to be added to the memory.

  At least the following will be made clear by the description of the present specification and the accompanying drawings.

A memory storing correspondence information indicating a correspondence relationship between a medium type and a printing method; and referring to the memory, selecting the printing method corresponding to the type of the medium to be printed; and based on the selected printing method A print data generation unit for generating print data, and adding the correspondence information to the memory to update the storage content of the memory.
The printing control apparatus, wherein the correspondence information to be added to the memory can be selected when updating the storage contents of the memory.

  According to such a print control apparatus, it is possible to realize a convenient print control apparatus that can select correspondence information to be added to the memory.

In the printing control apparatus, the correspondence information is downloaded from a database provided outside the printing control apparatus, the downloaded correspondence information is added to the memory, and the storage contents of the memory are updated. It is good.
In order to add the latest correspondence information to the memory and update the stored contents of the memory, it is often advantageous to download the correspondence information from a database. Therefore, according to the above-described print control apparatus, when downloading the correspondence information from the database, an advantageous print control apparatus that can select the correspondence information for which the effect of the present invention, that is, the memory to be added is selected. The effect that it can be realized is more effectively achieved.

The print control apparatus may further include a display unit that displays a medium selection screen for allowing the user to select the type of the medium to be printed.
According to such a print control apparatus, even when there are a plurality of types of media, the user can easily select a medium to be printed.

Further, in the print control apparatus, when the correspondence information including the information on the type of the medium selected on the medium selection screen is not included in the memory, the correspondence information to be added to the memory is given to the user. An information selection screen for selection may be displayed on the display unit.
According to such a printing control apparatus, since the information selection screen is displayed when updating the storage content of the memory, the information selection screen is displayed when it is not necessary to update the storage content of the memory. It is possible to prevent the user from updating the stored contents of the memory by mistake.

In the print control apparatus, only the correspondence information different from the correspondence information stored in the memory may be displayed on the information selection screen.
According to such a print control apparatus, the correspondence information already stored in the memory is not displayed, so that the correspondence information desired to be added to the memory can be easily selected.

In the print control apparatus, when updating the stored contents of the memory, correspondence information to be added to the memory may be selected from the correspondence information displayed on the information selection screen.
According to such a print control apparatus, when updating the storage contents of the memory, it is possible to more reliably select only the correspondence information desired to be added to the memory.

In the print control apparatus, the information selection screen can input information related to a medium type included in the corresponding information to be added to the memory, and includes information related to the input medium type. Correspondence information may be added to the memory.
According to such a print control apparatus, it is possible to easily add only correspondence information including information regarding the type of input medium to the memory.

In the print control apparatus, the medium may be a storage medium.
According to such a print control apparatus, even when the medium is a storage medium, it is possible to realize a convenient print control apparatus that can select correspondence information to be added to the memory. .

In the print control apparatus, the storage medium may be a CD-ROM.
The CD-ROM is printed on a label on its surface. However, when the CD-ROM manufacturers are different, the label characteristics (for example, ink absorbability) are often different, and the optimum print mode is often different for each CD-ROM. Therefore, the effect of the present invention, that is, the effect that it is possible to realize a convenient print control apparatus that can select correspondence information to be added to the memory, is more effectively achieved.

In the print control apparatus, the medium may be a CD-ROM, and the information regarding the type of the medium may be a model number of the CD-ROM.
Different types of CD-ROMs often have different model numbers. For this reason, if a model number that makes it easy to identify the type of medium is used, it is possible to add the corresponding information to the memory more easily. The amount of ink used when performing the process may be different.
In many cases, the ink absorbency varies depending on the medium. Therefore, according to the print control apparatus as described above, since it is possible to print with an optimal ink amount for each medium, it is possible to prevent bleeding of ink and the like.

In the print control apparatus, the print data generation unit may be a control program, and the storage contents of the memory may be updated independently of the control program.
According to such a printing control apparatus, the storage contents of the memory can be updated independently of the control program, so that the time spent for updating the storage contents of the memory can be reduced.

Further, a memory for storing correspondence information indicating a correspondence relationship between a medium type and a printing method, and selecting the printing method corresponding to the type of the medium to be printed with reference to the memory, and the selected printing method A print data generation unit that generates print data based on the information, and adds the correspondence information to the memory to update the storage content of the memory.
When updating the storage content of the memory, the correspondence information to be added to the memory can be selected,
The correspondence information is downloaded from a database provided outside the print control apparatus, the downloaded correspondence information is added to the memory, and the storage content of the memory is updated.
A display unit for displaying a medium selection screen for allowing the user to select the type of medium to be printed;
If the correspondence information including information on the type of medium selected on the medium selection screen is not included in the memory, an information selection screen for causing the user to select correspondence information to be added to the memory , Displayed on the display unit,
On the information selection screen, only correspondence information different from the correspondence information stored in the memory is displayed,
When updating the storage content of the memory, it is possible to select correspondence information to be added to the memory from the correspondence information displayed on the information selection screen,
In the information selection screen, it is possible to input information regarding the type of medium included in the corresponding information to be added to the memory, and the corresponding information including information regarding the type of the input medium is added to the memory And
The medium is a CD-ROM, and the information regarding the type of the medium is a model number of the CD-ROM,
Depending on the printing method, the amount of ink used when printing on the unit area of the medium is different,
The print data generation unit is a control program, and it is also possible to realize a print control apparatus that updates the storage contents of the memory independently of the control program.

Further, a memory for storing correspondence information indicating a correspondence relationship between a medium type and a printing method, and selecting the printing method corresponding to the type of the medium to be printed with reference to the memory, and the selected printing method A print data generation unit that generates print data based on the print data generation unit, adding the correspondence information to the memory, and updating the storage content of the memory, and
In a printing control system having a printing device connectable to the printing control device, the printing device executing printing on the medium based on the print data,
The print control system, wherein the correspondence information to be added to the memory can be selected when updating the storage contents of the memory.

A step of referring to a memory for storing correspondence information indicating a correspondence relationship between a medium type and a printing method;
Selecting the correspondence information to be added to the memory when updating the stored contents of the memory; and
Updating the stored content of the memory based on the selected correspondence information;
Selecting the printing method corresponding to the type of the medium to be printed with reference to the correspondence information of the memory whose stored content has been updated;
And a step of generating print data based on the selected printing method.

Further, a memory for storing correspondence information indicating a correspondence relationship between a medium type and a printing method, and selecting the printing method corresponding to the type of the medium to be printed with reference to the memory, and the selected printing method A print data generation unit that generates print data based on
A function of adding the correspondence information to the memory and updating the storage content of the memory and a function of selecting the correspondence information to be added to the memory when updating the storage content of the memory are realized. Program to let you.

=== Configuration of Printing System ===
Next, an embodiment of a printing system (computer system) which is an example of a printing control system will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the description of the following embodiments includes embodiments relating to a computer program and a recording medium on which the computer program is recorded. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the display apparatus 120 is also included in the print control apparatus.

  FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an external configuration of a printing system. The printing system 100 includes a printer 1 that is an example of a printing apparatus, a computer 110 that is an example of a printing control apparatus, a display device 120 that is an example of a display unit, an input device 130, and a recording / reproducing apparatus 140. ing.

  The printer 1 is a printing apparatus that prints an image on a medium such as paper S, a CD-R (Compact Disc Readable Memory) as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read-Only Memory), a cloth, a film, or the like. . The computer 110 is electrically connected to the printer 1 and outputs print data corresponding to the image to be printed to the printer 1 in order to cause the printer 1 to print an image. The display device 120 has a display and displays a user interface such as an application program or a printer driver. The input device 130 is, for example, a keyboard 130A or a mouse 130B, and is used for operating an application program, setting a printer driver, or the like along a user interface displayed on the display device 120. As the recording / reproducing device 140, for example, a flexible disk drive device 140A or a CD-ROM drive device 140B is used.

  A printer driver that is an example of a print data generation unit is installed in the computer 110. The printer driver is a program for realizing the function of displaying the user interface on the display device 120 and the function of converting the image data output from the application program into print data. This printer driver is recorded on a recording medium (computer-readable recording medium) such as a flexible disk FD or a CD-ROM. Alternatively, the printer driver can be downloaded to the computer 110 via the Internet. In addition, this program is comprised from the code | cord | chord for implement | achieving various functions.

=== Printer driver ===
FIG. 2 is a schematic explanatory diagram of basic processing performed by the printer driver. The components already described are given the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.
In the computer 110, computer programs such as a video driver 112, an application program 114, and a printer driver 116 operate under an operating system installed in the computer.

  The video driver 112 has a function of displaying, for example, the user interface shown in FIG. 3 on the display device 120 in accordance with a display command from the application program 114 or the printer driver 116. Details of this user interface will be described later. The application program 114 has a function of performing image editing, for example, and creates data related to an image (image data). The user can give an instruction to print an image edited by the application program 114 via the user interface of the application program 114. Upon receiving a print instruction, the application program 114 outputs image data to the printer driver 116.

  The printer driver 116 receives image data from the application program 114, converts the image data into print data, and outputs the print data to the printer. Here, the print data is data in a format that can be interpreted by the printer 1, and is data having various command data and pixel data. Here, the command data is data for instructing the printer to execute a specific operation. The pixel data is data relating to pixels constituting an image to be printed (print image). For example, data relating to dots formed at positions on the paper S corresponding to a certain pixel (dot color and size). Etc.).

  The printer driver 116 performs resolution conversion processing, color conversion processing, halftone processing, rasterization processing, and the like in order to convert image data output from the application program 114 into print data. Hereinafter, various processes performed by the printer driver 116 will be described.

  The resolution conversion process is a process of converting image data (text data, image data, etc.) output from the application program 114 into a resolution for printing on the paper S. For example, when the resolution when printing an image on the paper S is specified as 720 × 720 dpi, the image data received from the application program 114 is converted into image data having a resolution of 720 × 720 dpi. Note that the image data after the resolution conversion process is multi-gradation (for example, 256 gradations) RGB data represented by an RGB color space. Hereinafter, RGB data obtained by performing resolution conversion processing on image data is referred to as RGB image data.

  The color conversion process is a process for converting RGB data into CMYK data represented by a CMYK color space. The CMYK data is data corresponding to the ink color of the printer 1. This color conversion processing is performed by the printer driver 116 referring to a table (color conversion lookup table LUT) in which gradation values of RGB image data and gradation values of CMYK image data are associated with each other. Through this color conversion process, RGB data for each pixel is converted into CMYK data corresponding to the ink color. The data after the color conversion processing is CMYK data with 256 gradations represented by the CMYK color space. Hereinafter, CMYK data obtained by performing color conversion processing on RGB image data is referred to as CMYK image data.

  The halftone process is a process for converting high gradation number data into gradation number data that can be formed by a printer. For example, data representing 256 gradations is converted into 1-bit data representing 2 gradations or 2-bit data representing 4 gradations by halftone processing. In the halftone process, pixel data is created using the dither method, γ correction, error diffusion method, and the like so that the printer 1 can form dots dispersedly.

  When performing halftone processing, the printer driver 116 refers to a dither table when performing a dither method, refers to a gamma table when performing γ correction, and refers to a diffused error when performing an error diffusion method. Refer to the error memory for storage. The data subjected to the halftone process has a resolution (for example, 720 × 720 dpi) equivalent to the RGB data described above. The halftoned data is composed of 1-bit or 2-bit data for each pixel, for example. Hereinafter, of the halftone processed data, 1-bit data is referred to as binary data, and 2-bit data is referred to as multi-value data.

  The rasterizing process is a process of changing matrix image data in the order of data to be transferred to the printer 1. The rasterized data is output to the printer 1 as pixel data included in the print data.

=== Outline of the printer ===
<<< Inkjet Printer Configuration >>>
FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the overall configuration of the printer of this embodiment. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the overall configuration of the printer of this embodiment. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the overall configuration of the printer of this embodiment. Hereinafter, the basic configuration of the printer of this embodiment will be described.

  The printer of this embodiment includes a transport unit 20, a carriage unit 30, a head unit 40, a detector group 50, and a controller 60. The printer 1 that has received print data from the computer 110, which is an external device, controls each unit (the conveyance unit 20, the carriage unit 30, and the head unit 40) by the controller 60. The controller 60 controls each unit based on the print data received from the computer 110 and forms an image on the paper S. The situation in the printer 1 is monitored by a detector group 50, and the detector group 50 outputs a detection result to the controller 60. The controller 60 that receives the detection result from the detector group 50 controls each unit based on the detection result.

  The transport unit 20 is for feeding the paper S to a printable position and transporting the paper S by a predetermined transport amount in a predetermined direction (hereinafter referred to as a transport direction) during printing. That is, the transport unit 20 functions as a transport mechanism (transport means) that transports the paper S. The transport unit 20 includes a paper feed roller 21, a transport motor 22 (also referred to as a PF motor), a transport roller 23, a platen 24, and a paper discharge roller 25. However, in order for the transport unit 20 to function as a transport mechanism, all of these components are not necessarily required.

  The paper feed roller 21 is a roller for automatically feeding the paper S inserted into the paper insertion slot into the printer. The paper feed roller 21 has a D-shaped cross section, and the length of the circumferential portion is set to be longer than the transport distance to the transport roller 23. Therefore, the paper S is transported using this circumferential portion. It can be conveyed to the roller 23. The transport motor 22 is a motor for transporting the paper S in the transport direction, and is configured by a DC motor. The transport roller 23 is a roller that transports the paper S fed by the paper feed roller 21 to a printable area, and is driven by the transport motor 22. The platen 24 supports the paper S being printed. The paper discharge roller 25 is a roller for discharging the printed paper S to the outside of the printer. The paper discharge roller 25 rotates in synchronization with the transport roller 23.

  The carriage unit 30 is for moving the head 41 in a predetermined direction. The carriage unit 30 includes a carriage 31 and a carriage motor 32 (also referred to as a CR motor). The carriage 31 can reciprocate in the carriage movement direction. (Thus, the head 41 moves along the moving direction of the carriage, which is a predetermined direction.) Further, the carriage 31 detachably holds an ink cartridge that stores ink. The carriage motor 32 is a motor for moving the carriage 31 in the movement direction of the carriage, and is configured by a DC motor.

  The head unit 40 is for ejecting ink onto the paper S. The head unit 40 has a head 41. The head 41 has a plurality of nozzles that are ink discharge portions, and discharges ink intermittently from each nozzle. The head 41 is provided on the carriage 31. Therefore, when the carriage 31 moves in the carriage movement direction, the head 41 also moves in the carriage movement direction. Then, dot lines (raster lines) along the carriage movement direction are formed on the paper S by intermittently ejecting ink while the head 41 is moving in the carriage movement direction.

  The detector group 50 includes a linear encoder 51, a rotary encoder 52, a paper detection sensor 53, an optical sensor 54, and the like. The linear encoder 51 is for detecting the position of the carriage 31 in the movement direction of the carriage. The rotary encoder 52 is for detecting the rotation amount of the transport roller 23.

  The paper detection sensor 53 is for detecting the position of the leading edge of the paper S to be printed. The paper detection sensor 53 is provided at a position where the leading edge of the paper S can be detected while the paper supply roller 21 is feeding the paper S toward the transport roller 23. The paper detection sensor 53 is a mechanical sensor that detects the leading edge of the paper S by a mechanical mechanism. Specifically, the paper detection sensor 53 has a lever that can rotate in the transport direction, and this lever is disposed so as to protrude into the transport path of the paper S. For this reason, the leading edge of the paper S comes into contact with the lever, and the lever is rotated. Therefore, the paper detection sensor 53 detects the position of the leading edge of the paper S by detecting the movement of the lever.

  The optical sensor 54 is attached to the carriage 31. The optical sensor 54 detects the presence or absence of the paper S when the light receiving unit detects reflected light of the light irradiated on the paper S from the light emitting unit. The optical sensor 54 detects the position of the end of the paper S while being moved by the carriage 41. Since the optical sensor 54 optically detects the edge of the paper S, the optical sensor 54 has higher detection accuracy than the mechanical paper detection sensor 53.

The controller 60 is a control unit (control means) for controlling the printer. The controller 60 includes an interface unit 61, a CPU 62, a memory 63, and a unit control circuit 64.
The interface unit 61 is for transmitting and receiving data between the computer 110 which is an external device and the printer 1. The CPU 62 is an arithmetic processing unit for controlling the entire printer. The memory 63 is for securing an area for storing the program of the CPU 62, a work area, and the like, and has storage means such as a RAM and an EEPROM. The CPU 62 controls each unit via the unit control circuit 64 in accordance with a program stored in the memory 63.

  In the above description, the configuration of the printer when the medium is the paper S has been described, but the configuration of the printer when the medium is a CD-R is the same. However, in the case of a CD-R, as shown in FIG. 20, the CD-R 83 is carried on a CD-R carrying tray 93.

<<< About printing operations >>>
FIG. 7 is a flowchart of processing during printing. Each process described below is executed by the controller 60 controlling each unit in accordance with a program stored in the memory 63. This program has a code for executing each process.

  The controller 60 receives a print command from the computer 110 via the interface unit 61 (S001). This print command is included in the header of print data transmitted from the computer 110. Then, the controller 60 analyzes the contents of various commands included in the received print data, and performs the following paper feed processing, transport processing, ink ejection processing, and the like using each unit.

  First, the controller 60 performs a paper feed process (S002). The paper feed process is a process of supplying the paper S to be printed into the printer and positioning the paper S at a print start position (also referred to as a cue position). The controller 60 rotates the paper feed roller 21 and sends the paper S to be printed to the transport roller 23. The controller 60 rotates the transport roller 23 to position the paper S sent from the paper feed roller 21 at the print start position. When the paper S is positioned at the print start position, at least some of the nozzles of the head 41 are opposed to the paper S.

  Next, the controller 60 performs dot formation processing (S003). The dot forming process is a process of forming dots on the paper S by intermittently ejecting ink from the head 41 moving along the moving direction of the carriage. The controller 60 drives the carriage motor 32 to move the carriage 31 in the carriage movement direction. Then, the controller 60 discharges ink from the head 41 based on the print data while the carriage 31 is moving. When ink droplets ejected from the head 41 land on the paper S, dots are formed on the paper S.

  Next, the controller 60 performs a conveyance process (S004). The transport process is a process of moving the paper S relative to the head 41 along the transport direction. The controller 60 drives the carry motor 22 and rotates the carry roller 23 to carry the paper S in the carrying direction. By this carrying process, the head 41 can form dots at positions different from the positions of the dots formed by the previous dot formation process.

  Next, the controller 60 determines whether or not to discharge the paper S being printed (S005). If data for printing on the paper S being printed remains, the paper is not discharged. Then, the controller 60 alternately repeats the dot formation process and the conveyance process until there is no data to be printed, and gradually prints an image composed of dots on the paper S. When there is no more data for printing on the paper S being printed, the controller 60 discharges the paper S. The controller 60 discharges the printed paper S to the outside by rotating the paper discharge roller 25. The determination of whether or not to discharge paper may be based on a paper discharge command included in the print data.

  Next, the controller 60 determines whether or not to continue printing (S006). If printing is to be performed on the next paper S, the printing is continued and the paper feeding process for the next paper S is started. If printing is not performed on the next paper S, the printing operation is terminated.

<<< About the nozzle >>>
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing the arrangement of nozzles on the lower surface of the head 41. On the lower surface of the head 41, a black ink nozzle group K, a cyan ink nozzle group C, a magenta ink nozzle group M, and a yellow ink nozzle group Y are formed. Each nozzle group includes a plurality of nozzles (180 in this embodiment) that are ejection openings for ejecting ink of each color.

The plurality of nozzles of each nozzle group are aligned at a constant interval (nozzle pitch: k · D) along the transport direction. Here, D is the minimum dot pitch in the carrying direction (that is, the interval at the highest resolution of dots formed on the paper S). K is an integer of 1 or more. For example, when the nozzle pitch is 180 dpi (1/180 inch) and the dot pitch in the transport direction is 720 dpi (1/720), k = 4.
The nozzles in each nozzle group are assigned a lower number in the downstream nozzle (# 1 to # 180). That is, the nozzle # 1 is located downstream of the nozzle # 180 in the transport direction. Each nozzle is provided with a piezo element (not shown) as a drive element for driving each nozzle to eject ink droplets. Further, the optical sensor 54 is substantially at the same position as the nozzle # 180 on the most upstream side with respect to the position in the transport direction.

=== About a memory storing correspondence information ===
The computer 110 stores a table, which is an example of a memory that stores correspondence information indicating a correspondence relationship between a medium type and a print mode. This table includes a table when the medium to be printed is paper S and a table when the medium to be printed is CD-R. Therefore, the table storing the correspondence information will be described separately for the case where the medium is paper S and the case where the medium is CD-R.

<<< When Medium is Paper S >>>
First, a table when the medium is paper S will be described with reference to FIG. 9A. FIG. 9A shows a table stored in the computer 110 and storing correspondence information when the medium is paper S.
FIG. 9A shows “plain paper”, “super fine paper”, “fort print paper”, and the like as the paper S. Also, “HQ (high quality)” mode and “NR (normal)” mode are shown as print modes. In this case, the correspondence information indicates, for example, the correspondence between “plain paper” and “NR” mode. The difference between the “HQ” mode and the “NR” mode is that the amount of ink ejected to the unit area of the paper S is different. That is, the “HQ” mode has a large amount of ink ejected per unit area of the paper S, while the “NR” mode has a small amount of ink ejected per unit area of the paper S.

<<< When the medium is a CD-R >>>
Next, a table when the medium is a CD-R will be described with reference to FIG. 9B. FIG. 9B shows a table stored in the computer 110 (hereinafter also referred to as “table HD”), which stores correspondence information when the medium is a CD-R. is there.
The manufacturer name, model number, capacity, and label color are used to specify the type of CD-R. In FIG. 9B, “A”, “B”, “丙” are shown as the manufacturer name, “A1,” “A2,” “B1,” “C1,” etc. are shown as the model numbers. “650M” and “700M” are shown, and “white” and “silver” are shown as label colors. Also, “HQ (high quality)” mode and “NR (normal)” mode are shown as print modes. In this case, the correspondence information includes a CD-R having the manufacturer name “A”, the model number “A1”, the capacity “650M”, and the label color “White”, and “NR”. It shows the correspondence with the mode.
The difference between the “HQ” mode and the “NR” mode is that the amount of ink ejected to the unit area of the CD-R label is different. That is, the “HQ” mode has a large amount of ink ejected to the unit area of the CD-R label, whereas the “NR” mode has the amount of ink ejected to the unit area of the CD-R label. Few.

=== About the media selection screen ===
A user interface which is an example of a medium selection screen for allowing the user to select the type of medium to be printed will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 11. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a user interface of the printer driver. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a screen for selecting the type of CD-R.
The user interface of the printer driver 116 is displayed on the display device via the video driver 112. The user can make various settings of the printer driver using the input device 130.

  In the screen shown in FIG. 3, a medium selection unit 210, an ink selection unit 220, a print mode selection unit 230, and an ink remaining amount display unit 240 are displayed. The medium selection unit 210 is for allowing the user to select the type of medium to be printed. The ink selection unit 220 is for causing the user to select whether to print in color or monochrome. The print mode selection unit 230 is for causing the user to select a print mode corresponding to the type of medium to be printed. The ink remaining amount display unit 240 is for informing the user of the ink remaining amount.

  The medium selection unit 210 is provided with a pull-down button 211 for displaying selectable medium candidates. The print mode selection unit 230 allows the user to select one of recommended settings, auto fine, and detailed settings as the print mode. The print mode selection unit 230 is provided with a button 231 for displaying a selection screen for allowing the user to select information regarding the type of CD-R.

  Examples of media candidates that can be selected include paper S such as “plain paper”, “super fine paper”, “photo-printed paper”, and CD-R such as “CD-R label”. The series of selectable medium candidates is a medium in which correspondence information is stored in the table HD. That is, the printer driver 116 refers to the table HD and displays selectable medium candidates on the user interface. In the present embodiment, “CD-R label” indicating CD-R is selected as a medium to be printed.

  The screen shown in FIG. 11 is a state in which the user moves a movable cursor (shown in FIG. 3) displayed on the screen onto the button 231 after selecting the CD-R as a medium to be printed. , Which is displayed by clicking the mouse 130B, is a screen for allowing the user to select a plurality of items and selecting the type of CD-R.

  In the screen shown in FIG. 11, a manufacturer name selection unit 310, a capacity selection unit 320, a label selection unit 330, and a model number selection unit 340 are displayed. The manufacturer name selection unit 310 is for allowing the user to select the manufacturer name of the CD-R. The capacity selection unit 320 is for causing the user to select the capacity of the CD-R. The label selection unit 330 is for causing the user to select the color of the label that is the printing surface of the CD-R. The model number selection unit 340 allows the user to select the model number of the CD-R.

  In addition, the manufacturer name selection unit 310, the capacity selection unit 320, the label selection unit 330, and the model number selection unit 340 each have a pull-down button 311 for displaying a selectable manufacturer name, capacity, label color, and model number candidate. , 321, 331, and 341 are provided. When the user moves the movable cursor (not shown in FIG. 11) displayed on the screen to the pull-down buttons 311, 321, 331, and 341 and clicks the mouse 130 B, the printer driver 116 is clicked. The manufacturer name selection unit 310, the capacity selection unit 320, the label selection unit 330, and the model number selection unit 340 can display the manufacturer name, capacity, label color, and model number candidates. The manufacturer name, capacity, label color, and model number candidates displayed on the manufacturer name selection unit 310, the capacity selection unit 320, the label selection unit 330, and the model number selection unit 340 are the table HD (table shown in FIG. 9B). Each candidate stored in.

  Then, the user moves the cursor to the candidate corresponding to the medium to be printed among the candidates displayed on each of the manufacturer name selection unit 310, the capacity selection unit 320, the label selection unit 330, and the model number selection unit 340. By clicking the mouse 130B, the printer driver 116 can display candidates corresponding to the medium to be printed on the selection units 310, 320, 330, and 340. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, “A” is displayed as the manufacturer name, “650M” as the capacity, “White” as the color of the label, and “A1” as the model number. The manufacturer name, capacity, label color, and model number are selected in this order. That is, the user cannot select the model number after selecting the manufacturer name, capacity, and label color.

  On the screen shown in FIG. 11, a confirmation button 350, an indirect update button 360, and a direct update button 370 are further displayed. The confirmation button 350 allows the computer 110 to recognize that the medium to be printed is a medium specified by the candidates displayed on the manufacturer name selection unit 310, the capacity selection unit 320, the label selection unit 330, and the model number selection unit 340. It is for making it happen. The indirect update button 360 and the direct update button 370 are for downloading correspondence information from a database to be described later when a medium to be printed cannot be selected.

=== About downloading correspondence information from the database ===
Downloading of correspondence information from the database will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining how the computer 110 downloads the correspondence information from the database 800 provided outside the computer 110.

  As shown in FIG. 12, a computer 110 electrically connected to the printer 1 is connected to a database 800 via a public line such as the Internet. The database 800 stores the tables shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B. FIG. 10A shows a table stored in the database 800 and storing correspondence information when the medium is paper S. FIG. 10B is a table that is stored in the database 800 and that stores correspondence information when the medium is a CD-R.

  The stored contents of a table (hereinafter also referred to as “table DB”) stored in the database 800 can be updated. When the manufacturer of a medium manufactures a new medium or when the correspondence information stored in the table DB is changed, the correspondence information of the new medium is added to the table DB, or the correspondence information is changed. This is because it is necessary to update the stored contents of the table DB.

The computer 110 downloads the correspondence information stored in the updated table DB from the database 800 provided outside the computer 110 as follows. That is, the computer 110 issues a transfer instruction of correspondence information to the database 800 in order to add the correspondence information to the table HD. Then, the database 800 searches the table DB for correspondence information that is the target of the transfer instruction, and transfers the correspondence information to the computer 110. Thus, the computer 110 downloads the correspondence information from the database 800.
Then, the computer 100 adds the correspondence information downloaded from the database 800 to the table HD, and updates the stored contents of the table HD.

=== About the information selection screen ===
An information selection screen for allowing the user to select correspondence information when downloading correspondence information from the database 800 will be described.

<<< First example of selection information screen >>>
A first example of the selection information screen will be described with reference to FIGS. 13A and 13B. 13A and 13B are diagrams illustrating an example of the information selection screen.

  The screen shown in FIG. 13A is displayed when the user moves the cursor (not shown in FIG. 13A) on the indirect update button 360 shown in FIG. 11 and clicks the mouse 130B. In the screen illustrated in FIG. 13A, a table 401, a download button 402, and a selection button 403 are displayed. In the table 401, information regarding the CD-R type (that is, information regarding the manufacturer name, model number, capacity, label color) and information regarding the print mode corresponding to the CD-R type is selected. And a check box (portion A in FIG. 13A).

  Information on the type of CD-R displayed in the table 401 is downloaded from the database 800 and is not stored in the table HD. That is, the information regarding the type of CD-R displayed in the table 401 is included in the correspondence information (the portion B in FIG. 10B) surrounded by the bold line frame in FIG. 10B. The reason why the information about the CD-R type is downloaded instead of the correspondence information is that the user can select the correspondence information if the information about the CD-R type is known.

  Further, a CD-R whose check box on the table 401 is checked indicates that it is possible to download information relating to the print mode corresponding to the type of the CD-R. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13A, the check boxes for all types of CD-Rs are checked.

  A download button 402 is used to download information about a print mode corresponding to the type of CD-R whose check box is checked. In the present embodiment, when the user moves the cursor on the download button 402 and clicks the mouse 130B, the computer 110 downloads information related to the print mode corresponding to the type of CD-R whose check box is checked. To do.

  A selection button 403 is used to display a screen for selecting information related to a print mode corresponding to the type of CD-R to be downloaded from a plurality of CD-Rs displayed in the table 401. That is, when the user clicks the mouse 130B on the selection button 403, the screen shown in FIG. 13B is displayed.

  In the screen shown in FIG. 13B, unlike the screen shown in FIG. 13A, the user can change the state of the check box for each CD-R. In this embodiment, the corresponding information check box including information on the type of CD-R whose manufacturer name is “A”, model number is “A7”, capacity is “700M”, and label color is “white”. Only checked.

<<< Second example of selection information screen >>>
A second example of the information selection screen will be described with reference to FIGS. 14 and 15 are diagrams showing another example of the information selection screen displayed on the display device 120. FIG.

  The screen shown in FIG. 14 is displayed when the user moves the cursor onto the direct update button 370 shown in FIG. 11 and clicks the mouse 130B. On the screen shown in FIG. 14, a model number input unit 510 and a download button 520 are displayed. The model number input unit 510 is for allowing the user to input the model number of the CD-R. The download button 520 is for downloading correspondence information including information on the model number input to the model number input unit 510 in the table DB. In FIG. 14, “A7” is input to the model number input unit 510 as the model number.

  The screen shown in FIG. 15 is displayed when the user moves the cursor onto the download button 520 shown in FIG. 14 and clicks the mouse 120B. A table 550 and an update button 560 are displayed on the screen shown in FIG. In the table 550, correspondence information downloaded from the database 800, that is, in the table 550, a CD whose manufacturer name is “A”, model number is “A7”, capacity is “700M”, and label color is “white”. Correspondence information including information on the type of -R is shown.

  The update button 560 is for adding the correspondence information displayed in the table 550 to the table HD and updating the stored contents of the table HD. That is, when the user moves the cursor onto the update button 560 and clicks the mouse 130B, the printer driver 116 has the manufacturer name “A”, the model number “A7”, the capacity “700M”, and the label color “ Corresponding information including information on the type of CD-R of “white” is added to the table HD, and the stored contents of the table HD are updated.

=== Operation of Print Control Device ===
The operation of the computer 110 when determining the print mode of the medium will be described separately for the first operation example and the second operation example. In the present embodiment, the printer driver 116 in the computer 110 executes the following operation.
The printer driver 116 uses the hardware resources such as the CPU and memory of the computer main body to execute the processing described below. That is, a program for causing the computer main body to execute the processing described below is provided. This program adds the correspondence information to the table HD for the computer 110 and updates the stored contents of the table HD and the correspondence to be added to the table HD when updating the stored contents of the table HD. And a function for selecting information.

<<<< First Operation Example >>>>
A first operation example will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 16 is a flowchart for explaining a first operation example of the print control apparatus.

  First, the printer driver 116 causes the display device 120 to display a user interface as shown in FIG. 3 via the video driver 112 (step S102). Then, when the user selects a CD-R ("CD-R label" in FIG. 3) as a medium to be printed by the medium selection unit 210 and clicks the mouse 130B on the button 231 (step S104). The printer driver 116 displays a screen for selecting the type of CD-R (the screen shown in FIG. 11) (step S106).

  Next, the user selects a CD-R (hereinafter referred to as “CD-R”) whose manufacturer name is “A”, model number is “A7”, capacity is “700M”, and label color is “white” on the medium selection screen shown in FIG. When the mouse 130B is clicked on the confirm button 350, the printer driver 116 refers to the table HD (table shown in FIG. 9B). The CD-R print mode is determined (step S122).

  On the other hand, the user cannot select the selected CD-R on the medium selection screen shown in FIG. 11 (step S108: No), and clicks the mouse 130B on the indirect update button 360. Then, the printer driver 116 provides the database 800 with information (hereinafter, referred to as medium type) included in the correspondence information updated in the correspondence information stored in the table DB (the table shown in FIG. 10B). A transfer command (also referred to as “medium information”) is transmitted (step S110). The updated correspondence information is correspondence information updated by a manufacturer or the like, for example, information updated after the date when the table HD is updated (hereinafter also referred to as “update date”). The printer driver 116 can receive only the media information after the update date by transmitting the information regarding the update date together with the transfer command.

  The database 800 that has received the medium information transfer command obtains the medium information of the selected CD-R from the correspondence information (the portion B in FIG. 10B) surrounded by the thick line in FIG. Search for. Then, the database 800 that has searched the selected CD-R transfers the medium information of the selected CD-R to the computer 110. Next, the printer driver 116 displays the medium information transferred from the database 800 on the display device 120 (step S112). That is, the printer driver 116 causes the display device 120 to display the table 401 illustrated in FIG. 13A.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 13B, the user checks only the checkbox of the selected CD-R and clicks the mouse 130B on the download button 402. As a result, the printer driver 116 recognizes the type of CD-R that the user wants to add to the table HD (step S114).

  The printer driver 116 that has recognized the type of CD-R that the user wants to add to the table HD stores information on the print mode corresponding to the type of CD-R (hereinafter also referred to as “print mode information”) with respect to the database 800. A transfer command is transmitted (step S116). Upon receiving the print mode information transfer command, the database 800 transfers the print mode information stored in the table DB to the computer 110 (step S118). The printer driver 116 downloads the CD-R correspondence information to be printed from the database 800 based on the medium information transferred from the database 800 in step S112 and the print mode information transferred from the database 800 in step S118. It will be.

  Next, the printer driver 116 updates the stored contents of the table HD by adding the correspondence information downloaded from the database 800 to the table HD (step S120). That is, as shown by C in FIG. 17, the printer driver 116 is a CD- that has the manufacturer name “A”, the model number “A7”, the capacity “700M”, and the label color “White”. R is updated to the stored contents of the table including correspondence information indicating the correspondence relationship between “R” and the “HQ” mode which is the print mode.

  Next, the printer driver 116 refers to the table HD (table shown in FIG. 17) in which the stored contents are updated, the manufacturer name is “A”, the model number is “A7”, the capacity is “700M”, The CD-R print mode in which the label color is “white” is determined as the “HQ” mode (step S122). In this way, the printer driver 116 ends a series of operations for determining the print mode of the medium.

<<< second operation example >>>
A second operation example will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 18 is a flowchart for explaining a second operation example of the print control apparatus.

  First, the printer driver 116 causes the display device 120 to display a user interface as shown in FIG. 3 via the video driver 112 (step S202). Then, when the user selects a CD-R ("CD-R label" in FIG. 3) as a medium to be printed by the medium selection unit 210 and clicks the mouse 130B on the button 231 (step S204). The printer driver 116 displays a screen for selecting the type of CD-R (the screen shown in FIG. 11) (step S206).

  Next, the user selects a CD-R (hereinafter referred to as “CD-R”) whose manufacturer name is “A”, model number is “A7”, capacity is “700M”, and label color is “white” on the medium selection screen shown in FIG. When the mouse 130B is clicked on the confirm button 350, the printer driver 116 refers to the table HD (the table shown in FIG. 9B). The CD-R print mode is determined (step S222).

  On the other hand, when the user cannot select the selected CD-R on the medium selection screen shown in FIG. 11 (step S208: No) and clicks the mouse 130B on the indirect update button 360 shown in FIG. The driver 116 displays a screen (screen shown in FIG. 14) for inputting the model number on the display device 120 (step S210).

  Next, when the user inputs information regarding the model number included in the correspondence information to be acquired ("A7" shown in FIG. 14) and clicks the mouse 130B on the download button 520, the printer driver 116 Information on the model number input by the user is recognized (step S212). Then, the printer driver 116 transmits a transfer instruction of correspondence information (hereinafter also referred to as “correspondence information β”) including information about the recognized model number (“A7” shown in FIG. 14) to the database 800 ( Step S214).

  The database 800 that has received the transfer instruction of the correspondence information β searches the correspondence information β in the table DB (the table shown in FIG. 10B). When the correspondence information β is stored in the table DB, the database 800 transfers the correspondence information β to the computer 110 (step S216). That is, the database 800 includes information on the type of CD-R having the manufacturer name “A”, the model number “A7”, the capacity “700M”, and the label color “White”, and information on the print mode (in this case). , “HQ” mode) is transferred to the computer 110.

  Next, the printer driver 116 displays the correspondence information β transferred from the database 800 on the display device 120 (step S218). That is, the printer driver 116 causes the display device 120 to display the table 550 shown in FIG. Note that the table shown in FIG. 15 does not display information about the print mode, but the computer 110 stores information about the print mode.

  Next, when the user clicks the mouse 130B on the update button 560 in order to add the correspondence information β to the table HD, the printer driver 116 adds the correspondence information β to the table HD and stores the stored contents of the table HD. Update (step S220). That is, as shown in FIG. 17, the printer driver 116 has a CD-R whose manufacturer name is “A”, model number is “A7”, capacity is “700M”, and label color is “White”. The stored contents of the table including the correspondence information indicating the correspondence relationship with the “HQ” mode which is the print mode are updated.

  Next, the printer driver 116 refers to the table HD (table shown in FIG. 17) in which the stored contents are updated, the manufacturer name is “A”, the model number is “A7”, the capacity is “700M”, The CD-R print mode in which the label color is “white” is determined as the “HQ” mode (step S222). In this way, the printer driver 116 ends a series of operations for determining the print mode of the medium.

=== Effect of selecting correspondence information when updating stored contents of memory ===
As described above, the computer 110 can select correspondence information to be added to the table HD when updating the stored contents of the table stored in the computer 110. As a result, it is possible to realize a convenient print control apparatus that can select correspondence information to be added to the table HD. This will be described in detail below.

  As described in the section to be solved by the invention, when trying to print on a new type of medium not stored in the table HD or a medium in which the correspondence information indicating the correspondence relationship between the type of medium and the print mode is changed Since the printing method corresponding to these media is unknown, the computer 110 cannot execute printing in a printing mode suitable for these media. Therefore, the computer 110 adds correspondence information indicating a correspondence relationship between a new type of medium and a printing method to the table HD, and updates the storage content of the table HD.

  However, in the computer 110 described above, unnecessary correspondence information may be added to the table HD to update the stored contents of the table HD. Therefore, it is desired to realize a convenient print control apparatus that can select correspondence information to be added to the table HD. An example of this will be described with reference to FIGS. 19A and 19B. 19A and 19B are diagrams for explaining a comparative example. FIG. 19A shows the table HD before the stored content is updated, and FIG. 19B shows the table HD after the stored content is updated. Show. Note that I, II, III, IV, and V in FIGS. 19A and 19B indicate correspondence information I, II, III, IV, and V, respectively.

  If the table 110 shown in FIG. 19A is stored in the computer 110 and the corresponding information including the new CD-R print mode not stored in the table HD is added to the table HD, Try to download this information. Here, the new CD-R has the manufacturer name “A”, the model number “A13”, the label color “Silver”, and the capacity “700 M”. Therefore, the user wants to acquire only the correspondence information II shown in FIG. 19B. This is because if the correspondence information III, IV, V other than the correspondence information II is added to the table HD, the time for downloading from the database 800 becomes longer. If unnecessary correspondence information is added, information regarding the type of medium displayed on the medium selection screen shown in FIG. 11 increases, and it takes time to select a medium to be printed. The correspondence information III is obtained by changing the printing mode of the correspondence information I, and the correspondence information IV and V are correspondence information on a new type of medium.

As described above, since the conventional computer 110 adds unnecessary correspondence information to the table HD when updating the storage contents of the table HD, the correspondence information to be added to the table HD (for example, FIG. 19B). Unnecessary corresponding information (for example, corresponding information III, IV, V in FIG. 19B) other than the corresponding correspondence information II) may be added to the table HD. Further, when unnecessary correspondence information is added to the table HD, the time required for updating the stored contents of the table HD is increased accordingly.
Therefore, when updating the stored contents of the table, the computer 110 can select the corresponding information to be added to the table HD as shown in FIG. 13B and FIG. This prevents unnecessary correspondence information from being added to the table HD as shown in FIG.

  As described above, it is possible to realize a convenient print control apparatus that can select correspondence information to be added to the memory.

=== Other Embodiments ===
The print control system and the like according to the present invention have been described above based on the above embodiment. However, the above embodiment of the present invention is for facilitating the understanding of the present invention and limits the present invention. is not. The present invention can be changed and improved without departing from the gist thereof, and the present invention includes the equivalents thereof.

  The present invention refers to a memory (for example, a table HD stored in the computer 110) that stores correspondence information indicating a correspondence relationship between a medium type and a printing method (for example, a printing mode), and prints with reference to the memory. A printing data generation unit (for example, a printer driver 116) that selects the printing method corresponding to the type of medium to be printed and generates print data based on the selected printing method, The present invention relates to a print control apparatus (for example, a computer 110) that updates the contents stored in the memory in addition to the memory.

  In the above embodiment, an inkjet printer is used as the printing apparatus. However, the present invention is not limited to this as long as the printing apparatus can perform printing processing on a medium. For example, the present invention can be applied to a monochrome printer, a laser printer, a facsimile, and the like. May be.

In the first operation example of the print control apparatus, information regarding the medium type and information regarding the print mode are separately transferred from the database 800 to the computer 110 (see steps S112 and S118). However, the present invention is not limited to this.
For example, information regarding the type of medium and information regarding the print mode may be transferred from the database 800 to the computer 110 at a time. In this case, transfer from the database 800 is only required once. However, the transfer time is longer than that in the above-described embodiment by the amount corresponding to the print mode of the corresponding information not added to the table HD.

Further, in the above embodiment, the computer 110 downloads the correspondence information from the database 800 provided outside the computer 110, adds the downloaded correspondence information to the table HD, and updates the stored contents of the table HD. However, the present invention is not limited to this.
For example, the computer 110 may not download the correspondence information from the database 800 provided outside the computer 110.
However, in order to update the stored contents of the table HD by adding the latest correspondence information to the table HD, it is often advantageous to download the correspondence information from the database 800. Therefore, when the computer 110 downloads the correspondence information from the database 800, the effect of the present invention, that is, the convenience of the computer 110 that can select the correspondence information to be added to the table HD can be realized. The effect that it becomes possible is more effective.
Therefore, the above embodiment is more desirable.

Further, in the above embodiment, the computer 110 includes the display device 120 that displays a medium selection screen (for example, the screen shown in FIG. 3 or FIG. 11) for allowing the user to select the type of medium to be printed. However, the present invention is not limited to this.
For example, the computer 110 may not display the medium selection screen.
However, if the computer 110 displays the medium selection screen, the user can easily select the medium to be printed even when there are a plurality of types of medium.
Therefore, the above embodiment is more desirable.

Further, in the above embodiment, when the correspondence information including the information on the type of medium selected by the user interface is not included in the table HD, the user is caused to select the correspondence information to be added to the table HD. The information selection screen (for example, the screen shown in FIG. 13A or 13B) is displayed on the display device 120, but the present invention is not limited to this.
For example, when the correspondence information is included in the table HD, the information selection screen may be displayed on the display device 120.
However, if the information selection screen is displayed on the display device 120 when the correspondence information is not included in the table HD, the information selection screen is displayed when the stored contents of the table HD are updated. By displaying the information selection screen when there is no need to update the stored contents of the HD, it is possible to prevent the user from updating the stored contents of the table HD by mistake.
Therefore, the above embodiment is more desirable.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, only the correspondence information different from the correspondence information stored in the table HD is displayed on the information selection screen (for example, the screen shown in FIG. 13A or 13B). It is not limited to this.
For example, the same correspondence information as the correspondence information stored in the table HD may be displayed on the information selection screen.
However, if the correspondence information different from the correspondence information stored in the table HD is displayed on the information selection screen, the correspondence information already stored in the table HD is not displayed. It becomes easy to select correspondence information.
Therefore, the above embodiment is more desirable.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, when updating the stored contents of the table HD, correspondence information to be added to the table HD can be selected from the correspondence information displayed on the information selection screen as shown in FIG. 13B. However, the present invention is not limited to this.
For example, the correspondence information displayed on the information selection screen may not be selected. That is, all the correspondence information shown on the screen in FIG. 13A may be added to the table HD.
However, if the correspondence information to be added to the table HD can be selected from the correspondence information displayed on the information selection screen as shown in FIG. 13B, the stored contents of the table HD are changed as shown in FIG. When updating, it is possible to more reliably select only correspondence information to be added to the table HD.
Therefore, the above embodiment is more desirable.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, on the information selection screen (for example, the screen shown in FIG. 14), it is possible to input information regarding the type of medium included in the correspondence information to be added to the table HD. Although correspondence information including information on the type of the medium is added to the table HD, the present invention is not limited to this.
For example, on the information selection screen, information regarding the type of medium included in the correspondence information to be added to the table HD may not be input.
However, when information on the type of medium included in the correspondence information to be added to the table HD can be input on the information selection screen, only the correspondence information including the information on the type of medium input can be easily obtained. It can be added to the table HD.
Therefore, the above embodiment is more desirable.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the storage medium is a CD-ROM (for example, CD-R), but is not limited to this.
For example, the storage medium may be a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk).

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the medium is a CD-R, and the information regarding the type of the medium is the CD-R model number, but is not limited thereto.
For example, the information on the type of medium may be the manufacturer name, capacity, and label color of the CD-R.
However, CD-Rs of different types often have different model numbers. Therefore, if a model number that can easily identify the type of CD-R is used, it is possible to add the correspondence information to the table HD more easily.
Therefore, the above embodiment is more desirable.

Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the amount of ink used when printing on the unit area of the medium differs according to the print mode. However, the present invention is not limited to this.
For example, the printing speed when printing on a medium may be different depending on the printing mode.
In many cases, the ink absorbency varies depending on the medium. Therefore, if the amount of ink used when printing on the medium differs depending on the printing mode, printing can be performed with the optimum amount of ink for each medium, so that it is possible to prevent ink bleeding and the like. .
Therefore, the above embodiment is more desirable.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the printer driver 116 is a control program, and the stored contents of the table are updated independently of the control program. However, the present invention is not limited to this.
For example, the stored contents of the table may be updated together with the control program.
However, when the stored contents of the table are updated independently of the control program, it is possible to reduce the time spent for updating the stored contents of the table.
Therefore, the above embodiment is more desirable.

It is explanatory drawing which showed the external appearance structure of the printing system. FIG. 3 is a schematic explanatory diagram of basic processing performed by a printer driver. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a user interface of a printer driver. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an overall configuration of a printer according to an embodiment. 1 is a schematic diagram of an overall configuration of a printer according to an embodiment. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the overall configuration of a printer according to an embodiment. It is a flowchart of the process at the time of printing. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the arrangement of nozzles on the lower surface of a head 41. FIG. 9A is a table that is stored in the computer 110 and that stores correspondence information when the medium is paper S. FIG. 9B is a table that is stored in the computer 110 and that stores correspondence information when the medium is a CD-R. FIG. 10A is a table that is stored in the database 800 and that stores correspondence information when the medium is paper S. FIG. FIG. 10B is a table that is stored in the database 800 and that stores correspondence information when the medium is a CD-R. It is the figure which showed the medium selection screen for selecting the kind of CD-R. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining how a printer driver downloads correspondence information from a database. FIG. 13A is a diagram illustrating an example of an information selection screen. FIG. 13B is a diagram illustrating an example of an information selection screen. 6 is a diagram showing another example of an information selection screen displayed on the display device 120. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing another example of an information selection screen displayed on the display device 120. FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining a first operation example of the print control apparatus. It is the figure which showed the table stored in the computer 110 after the memory content was updated. FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining a second operation example of the print control apparatus. FIG. 19A is a diagram for explaining a comparative example, and shows a table stored in the computer 110 before the stored contents are updated. FIG. 19B is a diagram for explaining a comparative example, and shows a table stored in the computer 110 after the stored contents are updated. 1 is a schematic diagram of an overall configuration of a printer according to an embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Printer 20 Conveyance unit 21 Feed roller 22 Conveyance motor (PF motor) 23 Conveyance roller 24 Platen 25 Discharge roller 30 Carriage unit 31 Carriage 32 Carriage motor (CR motor)
40 head unit 41 head 50 detector group 51 linear encoder 52 rotary encoder 53 paper detection sensor 54 optical sensor 60 controller 61 interface unit 62 CPU 63 memory 64 unit control circuit 83 CD-R 93 CD-R transport tray 100 printing System 110 Computer 112 Video driver 114 Application program 116 Printer driver 120 Display device 130 Input device 130A Keyboard 130B Mouse 140 Recording / playback device 140A Flexible disk drive device 140B CD-ROM drive device 210 Medium selection unit 211 Pull-down button 220 Ink selection unit 230 Printing Mode selection unit 240 Ink remaining amount display unit 310 Manufacturer name selection unit 311 Down button 320 capacity selection unit 321 a pull-down button 330 Label selecting unit 331 a pull-down button 340 model number selecting unit 341 a pull-down button 401 Table 402 Download button 403 selection button 510 model number input unit 520 download button 550 table 560 update button 800 database

Claims (16)

A memory for storing correspondence information indicating a correspondence relationship between a medium type and a printing method;
A print data generation unit that refers to the memory, selects the print method corresponding to the type of medium to be printed, and generates print data based on the selected print method;
In the print control apparatus for adding the correspondence information to the memory and updating the storage content of the memory,
The printing control apparatus, wherein the correspondence information to be added to the memory can be selected when updating the storage contents of the memory. The print control apparatus according to claim 1,
The correspondence information is downloaded from a database provided outside the print control apparatus,
A print control apparatus, wherein the downloaded correspondence information is added to the memory to update the storage content of the memory. In the printing control apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
A printing control apparatus, comprising: a display unit that displays a medium selection screen for allowing a user to select a type of the medium to be printed. The print control apparatus according to claim 3,
When the correspondence information including information on the type of medium selected on the medium selection screen is not included in the memory,
An information selection screen for allowing a user to select corresponding information to be added to the memory is displayed on the display unit. The print control apparatus according to claim 4.
Only the correspondence information different from the correspondence information stored in the memory is displayed on the information selection screen. The printing control apparatus according to claim 5,
A printing control apparatus, wherein, when updating the storage contents of the memory, correspondence information to be added to the memory can be selected from the correspondence information displayed on the information selection screen. The print control apparatus according to claim 4.
In the information selection screen, it is possible to input information on the type of medium included in the corresponding information to be added to the memory,
A print control apparatus that adds correspondence information including information regarding the type of the input medium to the memory. In the printing control apparatus in any one of Claims 1-7,
The print control apparatus, wherein the medium is a storage medium. The print control apparatus according to claim 8.
The print control apparatus, wherein the storage medium is a CD-ROM. The print control apparatus according to claim 7.
The medium is a CD-ROM;
The print control apparatus, wherein the information on the type of the medium is a model number of the CD-ROM. In the printing control apparatus in any one of Claims 1-10,
A printing control apparatus, wherein the amount of ink used when printing on a unit area of a medium is different according to the printing method. In the printing control apparatus in any one of Claims 1-11,
The print data generation unit is a control program,
A printing control apparatus, wherein the storage content of the memory is updated independently of the control program. A memory storing correspondence information indicating a correspondence relationship between a medium type and a printing method; and referring to the memory, selecting the printing method corresponding to the type of the medium to be printed; and based on the selected printing method A print data generation unit for generating print data, and adding the correspondence information to the memory to update the storage content of the memory.
When updating the storage content of the memory, the correspondence information to be added to the memory can be selected,
The correspondence information is downloaded from a database provided outside the print control apparatus, the downloaded correspondence information is added to the memory, and the storage content of the memory is updated.
A display unit for displaying a medium selection screen for allowing the user to select the type of medium to be printed;
If the correspondence information including information on the type of medium selected on the medium selection screen is not included in the memory, an information selection screen for causing the user to select correspondence information to be added to the memory , Displayed on the display unit,
On the information selection screen, only correspondence information different from the correspondence information stored in the memory is displayed,
When updating the storage content of the memory, it is possible to select correspondence information to be added to the memory from the correspondence information displayed on the information selection screen,
In the information selection screen, it is possible to input information regarding the type of medium included in the corresponding information to be added to the memory, and the corresponding information including information regarding the type of the input medium is added to the memory And
The medium is a CD-ROM, and the information regarding the type of the medium is a model number of the CD-ROM,
Depending on the printing method, the amount of ink used when printing on the unit area of the medium is different,
The print data generation unit is a control program, and updates the content stored in the memory independently of the control program. A memory storing correspondence information indicating a correspondence relationship between a medium type and a printing method; and referring to the memory, selecting the printing method corresponding to the type of the medium to be printed; and based on the selected printing method A print data generation unit for generating print data, and adding the correspondence information to the memory to update the storage content of the memory, and
A printing device connectable to the printing control device,
A printing apparatus for performing printing on the medium based on the print data;
In a printing control system having
The print control system, wherein the correspondence information to be added to the memory can be selected when updating the storage contents of the memory. A step of referring to a memory for storing correspondence information indicating a correspondence relationship between a medium type and a printing method;
Selecting the correspondence information to be added to the memory when updating the stored contents of the memory; and
Updating the stored content of the memory based on the selected correspondence information;
Selecting the printing method corresponding to the type of the medium to be printed with reference to the correspondence information of the memory whose stored content has been updated;
Generating print data based on the selected printing method;
A printing control method characterized by comprising: A memory for storing correspondence information indicating a correspondence relationship between a medium type and a printing method;
A print data generation unit that refers to the memory, selects the print method corresponding to the type of medium to be printed, and generates print data based on the selected print method;
In the printing control device equipped with
A function of adding the correspondence information to the memory and updating a storage content of the memory;
A function of selecting the correspondence information to be added to the memory when updating the storage content of the memory;
A program to realize

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