JP2007015251A - Image processor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve such problems that all the ink cartridges are used in a condition that the plurality of cartridges are loaded, it is troublesome to frequently carry out the detaching or attaching of the ink cartridge every time when the printing is performed while the controlling can be performed only by carrying out the detaching or attaching, and a print result desired by a user is not always obtained in the case where the attachment condition of the ink cartridge is not acquired from a printer because bi-directional communication between the printer and an image processor is disabled. <P>SOLUTION: The information of the attachment condition of the ink cartridge of the printer is acquired. The ink cartridge to be used for printing is determined according to the acquired attachment condition and the other content of a printing configuration, and then the printing data is produced by performing processing of an image suitable for the determined ink cartridge. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image control apparatus, for example, an image processing apparatus that performs image processing according to printing conditions of a printing apparatus that performs printing using a plurality of detachable ink cartridges having a print head and an ink tank. It is.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, in a printing apparatus that performs printing using a plurality of detachable ink cartridges having a print head and an ink tank, all ink cartridges mounted on the printing apparatus are personalized as printing conditions of the printing apparatus. The setting is generally performed in an information processing apparatus such as a computer. Here, when printing is performed with a part of the mounted ink cartridge being removed or when another ink cartridge is newly mounted and printing is performed, the setting of the ink cartridge is reset every time. It will be. As described above, there is a means for acquiring the cartridge mounting state from the printing apparatus as a method for reducing the trouble of resetting the print setting each time the ink cartridge is attached or removed, or for reducing the problem of the printing result due to a setting error. A method of determining an ink cartridge to be used for printing and controlling image processing based on the acquired information indicating the mounting state is known (Patent Document 1). Also, when the ink cartridge mounting status cannot be acquired from the printing device because bidirectional communication between the printing device and the image processing device cannot be performed, the printer uses the default settings previously stored in the image processing device for printing. A method for determining an ink cartridge to be controlled and controlling image processing is known (Patent Document 2).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-216878 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 07-334319

  As described above, by providing means for performing printing using all the ink cartridges installed in the printing apparatus, it is possible to save the trouble of resetting the printing conditions each time the ink cartridge is attached and detached, and to make a setting error. It was possible to reduce the problem of printing results due to. However, according to the conventional method, when a plurality of ink cartridges are mounted, the running cost may be increased depending on the purpose of printing a text-based print original or the case where some ink cartridges have insufficient (low) amount of ink. In order to suppress this problem, there is a problem that all the installed ink cartridges will be used even if you do not want to use some of the currently installed ink cartridges. . Of course, even with the conventional method, it was possible to perform the above control as desired by the user as long as the ink cartridge that was not desired to be used was removed. However, it is troublesome to repeatedly attach and remove the ink cartridge each time printing is performed. Each time the ink cartridge is installed, there is a problem that ink is wasted due to the suction operation of the printing apparatus regardless of printing.

  In addition, when the mounting state of the ink cartridge cannot be acquired from the printing apparatus because the two-way communication between the printing apparatus and the image processing apparatus cannot be performed, the default previously stored in the image processing apparatus as in the conventional method Although it was possible to continue printing by determining the ink cartridge to be used for printing according to the settings, it must be uniquely determined in advance under the type of paper used for printing and other various printing conditions. However, there is a problem that printing using the ink cartridge setting that has been performed does not necessarily lead to a printing result desired by the user. Further, in the prior art, means for changing the default setting has been prepared. However, it has not been easy to use the user because it is necessary to change the default setting before printing.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and by providing means for performing printing using all ink cartridges mounted in a printing apparatus, printing is performed each time an ink cartridge is attached and detached as in the past. It is possible to save the trouble of resetting the conditions, reduce the malfunction of the printing result due to setting mistakes, and perform printing using only some of the currently installed ink cartridges. It aims to be able to do it. Also, even if the ink cartridge mounting status cannot be acquired from the printing device because bidirectional communication between the printing device and the image processing device cannot be performed, it is time-consuming to temporarily stop printing and change the default settings. It is an object of the present invention to ensure that a user can obtain a desired printing result without applying it.

  Furthermore, when a cartridge to be used for printing is determined based on the current ink cartridge installation state or the ink cartridge setting set by the user, the result is not suitable for the quality of the paper to be used depending on the print document and printing conditions. If it is determined that there is a problem such as failure to obtain the desired print result or cause deterioration of the printing device, the ink cartridge used for printing is optimized according to the printing conditions. Thus, it is an object of the present invention to be able to guide a print result desired by a user as much as possible without causing the above problem.

  The present invention has the following configuration as one means for achieving the above object.

  An image processing apparatus according to the present invention is an image processing apparatus that performs image processing on an input image according to printing conditions of a printing apparatus that performs print output using a plurality of detachable ink cartridges having a print head. A first determination unit that determines an ink cartridge setting to be used for the first and a control unit that controls image processing according to the ink cartridge setting determined by the first determination unit.

  An image processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a first designation unit that designates an ink cartridge setting to be used for printing, and the first determination unit includes an ink cartridge to be used for printing by the first designation unit. If specified, the specified ink cartridge setting is determined as the ink cartridge setting to be used for printing.

  The image processing apparatus according to the present invention is a printing apparatus that performs printing output using a plurality of removable ink cartridges, wherein the first designating unit includes only a part of the plurality of ink cartridges. Has a designation means to use.

  An image processing apparatus according to the present invention is an image processing apparatus that performs image processing on an input image according to printing conditions of a printing apparatus that performs print output using a detachable ink cartridge having a print head. In the case where the mounting state of the ink cartridge cannot be acquired from the printing apparatus because bidirectional communication of the image processing apparatus cannot be performed, a second determination unit that determines the setting of the ink cartridge used for printing is provided.

  An image processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a second designation unit that designates an ink cartridge setting to be used for printing, and the second determination unit prints the ink cartridge setting designated by the second designation unit. Is determined as the ink cartridge setting to be used.

  An image processing apparatus according to the present invention is an image processing apparatus that performs image processing on an input image according to printing conditions of a printing apparatus that performs print output using a plurality of detachable ink cartridges having a print head. And determining means for determining whether or not the image processing can be controlled by the ink cartridge setting determined by the first determining means.

  According to the present invention, by providing means for performing printing using all ink cartridges installed in the printing apparatus, it is possible to save the trouble of resetting the printing conditions each time the ink cartridge is attached / detached as in the prior art, and In addition, it is possible to reduce problems in printing results due to setting mistakes, and it is possible to perform printing using only some of the currently installed ink cartridges. Also, even if the ink cartridge mounting status cannot be acquired from the printing device because bidirectional communication between the printing device and the image processing device cannot be performed, it is time-consuming to temporarily stop printing and change the default settings. The printing result desired by the user can be surely derived without applying.

  Furthermore, when a cartridge to be used for printing is determined based on the current ink cartridge installation state or the ink cartridge setting set by the user, the result is not suitable for the quality of the paper to be used depending on the print document and printing conditions. If it is determined that there is a problem such as failure to obtain the desired print result or cause deterioration of the printing device, the ink cartridge used for printing is optimized according to the printing conditions. By doing so, it is possible to derive the print result desired by the user as much as possible without causing the above problem.

[First Embodiment]
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The present invention is applied to, for example, a printing system 100 as shown in FIG. The printing system 100 according to the present embodiment uses a printing apparatus 102 that uses a removable cartridge having a print head and an ink tank to print data such as documents and images created by an application that can be activated by a personal computer or the like. It is configured to print out.

  Hereinafter, the configuration and operation of the printing system 100 of the present embodiment will be specifically described.

<Overall Configuration of Printing System 100>
As shown in FIG. 1, the printing system 100 is connected to a host computer 101 by a printing device 102, a hard disk device 103, a display device 104, a data input device 105, a media reading device 106, and a communication control device 107. The configuration is made.

  The host computer 101 executes a predetermined system program to control and monitor the operation of the entire printing system 100.

  Specifically, for example, the host computer 101 has a computer function including a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and the like arranged on a system board as described later. The CPU controls the overall operation of the printing system 100 by appropriately reading and executing a required processing program from the internal memory or the external hard disk 103.

  Here, as an example, the storage destination of various programs executed by the host computer 101 is the hard disk 103, and the hard disk 103 is used to generate a processing program and print data for realizing the operation according to the present embodiment. Various applications are stored.

  Note that the storage destination of the processing program (program code) for realizing the operation in the present embodiment is not limited to the hard disk 103 or the built-in memory. For example, a portable recording medium such as a CD-ROM or a flexible disk. In response to this, the processing program is recorded and distributed in a form that can be read by the host computer 101, and when the printing system 100 is constructed, the host computer 101 passes through the media reading device 106 or the communication control device 107. The processing program may be read and installed in the hard disk 103.

  In the present embodiment, for example, “Windows (registered trademark)” is used as the OS (operating system) of the host computer 101, but the present invention is not limited to this.

  When the printing apparatus 102 receives information such as print condition setting contents together with print data from the host computer 101, the print apparatus 102 prints out the print data on a print sheet (image formation) by executing a predetermined print process.

  As the printing apparatus 102, for example, various printers such as a serial printer, a page printer, and other electronic copying printers can be applied. Also, various connection forms such as a stand-alone connection or a network connection can be applied to the connection form between the printing apparatus 102 and the host computer 101.

  The display device 104 displays a predetermined window in response to an instruction from the host computer 101 by executing a system program, an application, or the like.

  The data input device 105 includes a keyboard, a mouse, and other pointing devices, and receives various instructions from the user and transmits them to the host computer 101. For example, the data input device 105 notifies the host computer 101 of the setting conditions of the printing conditions for the printing device 102 input by the user.

  The media reading device 106 is a device including a CD-ROM drive and a flexible disk (FD) drive, and supplies information read from a recording medium such as a CD-ROM or FD to the host computer 101.

  The communication control device 107 is, for example, a connection interface for connecting the printing system 100 and an external network so that they can communicate with each other. The printing apparatus 102 may be connected to the computer 101 via the communication control apparatus 107 and a network.

<Functional Configuration of Printing System 100>
FIG. 2 is a diagram focusing on the print control function among the functions of the print system 100 realized by the host computer 101 executing a predetermined processing program.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the print control function by the host computer 101 includes an application 201, a GDI (Graphics Device Interface) 202, a user interface driver 203, an EMF spool file 204, a print processor 205, a printer graphics driver 206, a language monitor. 207 is included.

  First, main functions included in the print control function by the host computer 101 will be described.

  The user interface driver 203 has a function of setting printing conditions for the printing apparatus 102 via the GDI 202.

  Specifically, for example, the user interface driver 203 has a function of setting a paper size used for printing and other printing conditions, and a function of setting an ink cartridge used for printing.

  The print processor 205 has a function of processing print data stored in the EMF spool file 204 in units of one page.

  The printer graphics driver 206 has a function of converting print data into bitmap data that can be printed out by the printing apparatus 102 in accordance with printing conditions set by the user interface driver 203.

  The language monitor 207 performs bi-directional communication with the printing apparatus 102, obtains information about the printing apparatus 102, displays the information on the display apparatus 104, and supplies bitmap data generated by the printer graphics driver 206 to the printing apparatus 102. It has a function.

  Next, a series of operations of the print control function by the host computer 101 will be described.

  First, the application 201 creates an arbitrary document in accordance with an operation instruction from the user, and instructs printing of the document data (print data).

  As a result, the GDI 202 notifies the user interface driver 203 of a print start event.

  Subsequently, the application 201 stores the document data (print data) in the EMF spool file 204 via the GDI 202.

  At this time, in the EMF spool file 204, the setting contents of the printing conditions in the printing apparatus 102 are stored in advance by the user interface driver 203.

  The print processor 205 acquires print condition setting contents and print data from the EMF spool file 204 and supplies the print condition setting contents and print data to the printer graphics driver 206 in units of one page.

  The printer graphics driver 206 acquires the graphics drawing command generated by the GDI 202 and the setting contents of the printing conditions from the GDI 202.

  Subsequently, the printer graphics driver 206 sets setting information (hereinafter referred to as “bidirectional communication valid / invalid information”) indicating whether or not the bidirectional communication control function between the language monitor 207 and the printing apparatus 102 is valid. Inquire the OS.

  When the OS of the host computer 101 receives an inquiry about the bidirectional communication valid / invalid information from the printer graphics driver 206, the OS of the host computer 101 displays the bidirectional communication valid / invalid information set in advance in a predetermined dialog window (not shown). The driver 206 is notified.

  The printer graphics driver 206 refers to the bidirectional communication valid / invalid information notified from the OS of the host computer 101, and determines that the bidirectional communication control function between the language monitor 207 and the printing apparatus 102 is invalid. Although details will be described later, an ink cartridge to be used for printing is determined with reference to a default ink cartridge information table held in advance in advance.

  On the other hand, the printer graphics driver 206 is used to transmit print data from the host computer 101 to the printing apparatus 102 when it is determined that the bidirectional communication control function between the language monitor 207 and the printing apparatus 102 is effective. Information on whether or not bidirectional communication between the language monitor 207 and the printing apparatus 102 is possible using a data transmission / reception unit (hereinafter referred to as “interface”) (hereinafter “bidirectional communication availability information”). Contact 207.

  When the language monitor 207 receives an inquiry about the bi-directional communication availability information from the printer graphics driver 206, the language monitor 207 acquires the interface type from the OS of the host computer 101. Referring to the information table, it is determined whether or not bidirectional communication between the language monitor 207 and the printing apparatus 102 is possible using an interface used for transmitting print data from the host computer 101 to the printing apparatus 102. Then, the printer graphics driver 206 is notified of bidirectional communication availability information.

  The printer graphics driver 206 refers to the bidirectional communication availability information notified from the language monitor 207, and uses the interface used to transmit print data from the host computer 101 to the printing apparatus 102. If it is determined that bidirectional communication with the printing apparatus 102 is not possible, the ink cartridge to be used for printing is determined with reference to the default ink cartridge information table.

  On the other hand, the printer graphics driver 206 determines that bidirectional communication between the language monitor 207 and the printing apparatus 102 is possible using an interface used to transmit print data from the host computer 101 to the printing apparatus 102. In this case, the language monitor 207 is inquired about the information of the ink cartridge mounted in the printing apparatus 102 (hereinafter referred to as “mounted cartridge information”).

  When the language monitor 207 receives an inquiry about the mounted cartridge information from the printer graphics driver 206, the language monitor 207 receives the inquiry from the printing apparatus 102 via the interface used to transmit print data from the host computer 101 to the printing apparatus 102. The information is received and notified to the printer graphics driver 206.

  The printer graphics driver 206 determines an ink cartridge to be used for printing based on the mounted cartridge information notified from the language monitor 207.

  The printer graphics driver 206 is supplied from the print processor 205 based on the graphics drawing command generated by the GDI 202, the setting conditions of the printing conditions notified from the GDI 202, and the ink cartridge used for the determined printing. Image processing or the like is performed on the printed page data, and bitmap data for printing (hereinafter referred to as “print image data”) is generated.

  Then, the printer graphics driver 206 supplies the print image data to the language monitor 207.

  The language monitor 207 supplies print image data supplied by the printer graphics driver 206 to the printing apparatus 102 via an interface used for transmitting print data from the host computer 101 to the printing apparatus 102.

  The printing apparatus 102 prints out the print image data supplied from the language monitor 207 on a sheet (208).

<Example of ink cartridge setting screen>
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a setting screen 300 displayed on the display device 104 in order to set an ink cartridge used for printing in the user interface driver 203.

  In FIG. 3, a setting column 301 is an item column for allowing the user to select an ink cartridge to be used for printing. When “automatic selection” is selected here, an ink cartridge mounted on the printing apparatus 102. Is used to print output.

<Example of warning screen when bidirectional communication is disabled>
FIG. 4 shows the ink mounted on the printing apparatus 102 because the bidirectional communication control function between the language monitor 207 and the printing apparatus 102 is invalid when the printer graphics driver 206 determines the ink cartridge to be used for printing. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a warning screen 400 displayed on the display device 104 to notify the user when cartridge information cannot be acquired.

<Example of interface information table>
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the interface information table 500 held by the language monitor 207.

  In the example of the interface information table 500 shown in FIG. 5, the type of interface used for transmitting print data from the host computer 101 to the printing apparatus 102, and the language monitor 207 and the printing apparatus 102 using the interface are described. Information on whether or not bidirectional communication is possible is stored.

<Example of default ink cartridge information table>
FIG. 6 is a view showing an example of the default ink cartridge information table 600 held by the printer graphics driver 206.

  In the example of the default ink cartridge information table 600 illustrated in FIG. 6, the ink cartridge used for printing when the printer graphics driver 206 cannot acquire the information of the ink cartridge attached to the printing apparatus 102 is set as the type of the printing apparatus 102. It is configured so that it can be determined accordingly.

<Operation of Printing System 100>
FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a process of determining an ink cartridge to be used for printing by the printer graphics driver 206 as an operation of the printing system 100.

  Step S701: The printer graphics driver 206 acquires the ink cartridge settings set on the setting screen 300 shown in FIG. 3 from the print condition settings acquired from the GDI 202.

  Step S702: The printer graphics driver 206 refers to the ink cartridge setting acquired in step S701, and determines whether or not the printer graphics driver 206 automatically determines an ink cartridge to be used for printing. As a result of the determination, if the printer graphics driver 206 automatically determines, the process proceeds to step S704, and if not, the process proceeds to step S703.

  Step S703: The printer graphics driver 206 determines that the ink cartridge setting acquired in step S701 is the ink cartridge (C) to be used for printing, and ends this process.

  Step S704: The printer graphics driver 206 acquires bidirectional communication validity / invalidity information from the OS of the host computer 101, and determines whether or not the bidirectional communication control function between the language monitor 207 and the printing apparatus 102 is valid. If it is determined that the bidirectional communication control function is valid, the process proceeds to step S705. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S709.

  Step S705: The printer graphics driver 206 acquires bidirectional communication availability information from the language monitor 207, and uses the interface used to transmit print data from the host computer 101 to the printing apparatus 102. It is determined whether bidirectional communication with the printing apparatus 102 is possible. As a result of the determination, if bi-directional communication is possible, the process proceeds to step S706, and if not, the process proceeds to step S710.

  Step S706: The printer graphics driver 206 acquires mounted cartridge information from the language monitor 207.

  Step S707: The printer graphics driver 206 determines whether or not the mounted cartridge information has been acquired in step S706. As a result of the determination, if the mounted cartridge information can be acquired, the process proceeds to step S708, and if not, the process proceeds to step S710.

  Step S708: The printer graphics driver 206 refers to the mounted cartridge information acquired in Step S706, determines that all ink cartridges mounted on the printing apparatus 102 are ink cartridges (C) to be used for printing, The process ends.

  Step S709: The printer graphics driver 206 is mounted on the printing apparatus 102 because the bidirectional communication control function between the language monitor 207 and the printing apparatus 102 is disabled by displaying the warning screen 400 shown in FIG. The user is notified that the information of the ink cartridge being acquired cannot be acquired.

  Step S710: The printer graphics driver 206 refers to the default ink cartridge information table 600 shown in FIG. 6 and sets ink cartridges used for printing when information on the ink cartridges installed in the printing apparatus 102 cannot be acquired. To get.

  Step S711: The printer graphics driver 206 determines the ink cartridge setting acquired in step S710 as the ink cartridge (C) to be used for printing, and ends this processing.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when printing is output to a printing apparatus in which a plurality of ink cartridges can be mounted, without changing the setting of printing conditions related to the ink cartridge according to the mounting state of the ink cartridge, It is possible to automatically determine the ink cartridge to be used for printing according to the currently installed ink cartridge, and to easily obtain the printing result desired by the user. In other words, when some ink cartridges are removed or newly installed, additional print conditions desired by the user cannot be obtained due to mismatching of print condition settings related to the ink cartridges. Alternatively, it is possible to prevent the problem that the ink cartridge is not used despite being newly installed.

  In addition, even if the current ink cartridge mounting state cannot be determined due to various factors, the user is informed of the item in which the ink cartridge mounting state cannot be determined, and the characteristics of individual printing devices are taken into account as an emergency measure. By using the ink cartridge setting determined in advance, it becomes possible to continue printing based on the safest print quality as much as possible.

  Moreover, even when a plurality of ink cartridges are mounted by performing explicit settings by the user, printing is performed using only some of the mounted ink cartridges. Can also be performed. As a result, even if some ink cartridges have no remaining amount (low), or even if you do not want to use some ink cartridges due to problems such as print originals or printing costs, the user explicitly specified Printing can be performed using only the ink cartridge.

[Second Embodiment]
In the first embodiment, when the current mounting state of the ink cartridge cannot be determined due to various factors, the ink cartridge setting determined in advance in consideration of the characteristics of each printing apparatus is used as an emergency unit. By doing so, it is configured so that printing can be continued based on the safest print quality possible. However, depending on the printing document and printing conditions, printing with an ink cartridge setting determined in advance as an emergency unit does not necessarily lead to a printing result desired by the user. For example, two ink cartridges “color” and “black” are mounted on the printing apparatus 102, and the user wants to print on the color print document using the two ink cartridges. If the current ink cartridge mounting state cannot be determined for some reason, printing is performed using only the “black” ink cartridge according to the default ink cartridge information table 600 shown in FIG. Therefore, it cannot be said that the user has obtained a desired print result because a black and white print result is obtained.

  In the above case, it is desirable to investigate the reason why the current ink cartridge mounting state cannot be determined and solve this. However, the OS of the host computer 101, the interface used to transmit print data to the printing apparatus 102, There may be cases where it cannot be resolved fundamentally due to various other factors.

  Further, if printing is temporarily stopped and the ink cartridge is set again on the setting screen 300 shown in FIG. 3 and then printing is performed again, it is possible to obtain the desired printing result, but the printing conditions are set. It is not easy to use the user because it requires time and effort.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the current mounting state of the ink cartridge cannot be determined, the user can reset the ink cartridge to be used for printing without stopping printing. Note that description of portions common to the first embodiment, for example, FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, is omitted. However, the process of FIG. 7 is specific to the first embodiment, and in this embodiment, the process of FIG. 9 is executed instead of FIG.

  Specifically, when the printer graphics driver 206 determines that the bidirectional communication control function between the language monitor 207 and the printing apparatus 102 is invalid based on the bidirectional communication valid / invalid information notified from the OS of the host computer 101. Alternatively, the bidirectional communication between the language monitor 207 and the printing apparatus 102 is performed using an interface used for transmitting print data from the host computer 101 to the printing apparatus 102 based on the bidirectional communication availability information notified from the language monitor 207. If it is determined that communication is not possible, the ink cartridge reset screen is displayed to allow the user to reset the ink cartridge used for printing, as will be described in detail later.

  Subsequently, the printer graphics driver 206 determines the ink cartridge reset by the user on the ink cartridge reset screen as the ink cartridge to be used for printing.

<Example of ink cartridge reset screen>
FIG. 8 illustrates an example of a setting screen 800 displayed on the display device 104 in order to set an ink cartridge to be used for printing in the printer graphics driver 206 when the current ink cartridge mounting state of the printing device 102 cannot be determined. FIG.

<Operation of Printing System 100>
FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a process of determining an ink cartridge to be used for printing by the printer graphics driver 206 as an operation of the printing system 100. In the figure, the same step number is shown for the same processing as that of FIG. 7 shown in the first embodiment, and the explanation is omitted.

  Step S901: The printer graphics driver 206 displays the setting screen 800 shown in FIG. 8 to allow the user to reset the ink cartridge used for printing.

  Step S902: The printer graphics driver 206 determines the ink cartridge setting set by the user in step S901 as the ink cartridge (C) to be used for printing, and ends this processing.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, even when the current ink cartridge mounting state cannot be determined due to various factors, it is ensured without having to temporarily stop printing and reset the printing conditions. It is possible to derive a print result desired by the user.

[Third Embodiment]
In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, when printing is output to a printing apparatus in which a plurality of ink cartridges can be mounted, setting of printing conditions related to the ink cartridges is performed according to the mounting state of the ink cartridges. The ink cartridge to be used for printing is automatically determined according to the currently installed ink cartridge, and the user can easily obtain the desired printing result without changing the above. Furthermore, even when a plurality of ink cartridges are mounted by performing explicit settings by the user, printing is performed using only some of the mounted ink cartridges. It was configured to be possible to perform. However, depending on the printing document and printing conditions, when printing is actually performed using the determined ink cartridge, the printing result desired by the user cannot be obtained because it does not suit the quality of the paper used. Alternatively, there is a possibility that a problem such as a factor causing deterioration of the printing apparatus 102 may occur. Specifically, when printing is performed using pigment ink on a paper having a high glossiness on the surface, the colorant particles of the pigment ink do not reach the ink receiving layer of the glossy paper and remain on the paper surface. As a result, there is a possibility that the glossiness is lost, and as a result, the printing result desired by the user cannot be satisfied. In addition, when printing is performed using a function called borderless printing that prints up to the full edge of the paper, the printing is actually performed from the paper to the area that slightly protrudes from the paper. The amount of ink that overflows into the ink absorber will flow, but when borderless printing is performed using pigment ink, the pigment ink accumulates on the platen absorber and the ink flows into the waste ink absorber. There is a possibility that the back surface of the paper is soiled by the ink accumulated in the platen absorber, and further the printing apparatus 102 itself is deteriorated.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, after temporarily determining the setting of the ink cartridge to be used for printing according to the current ink cartridge mounting state or the ink cartridge setting set by the user, printing conditions other than the currently set ink cartridge are set. If it is determined whether or not there is a problem when printing is performed using the temporarily determined ink cartridge under the setting of the above, and if it is determined that there is a problem in printing using the temporarily determined ink cartridge In addition to notifying the user of the term, printing is performed using only ink cartridges that do not cause a problem under the currently set printing conditions. Note that description of portions common to the first embodiment, for example, FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, is omitted. However, the process of FIG. 7 is unique to the first embodiment, and in this embodiment, the process of FIG. 12 is executed instead of FIG.

  Specifically, the printer graphics driver 206 temporarily sets an ink cartridge to be used for printing based on the print cartridge setting set on the setting screen 300 shown in FIG. 3 or the mounted cartridge information notified from the language monitor 207. decide.

  Subsequently, as will be described in detail later, the printer graphics driver 206 determines an ink cartridge to be used for printing with reference to an ink cartridge usability information table held in advance.

<Ink cartridge availability information table>
FIG. 10 is a view showing an example of the ink cartridge usability information table 1000 held by the printer graphics driver 206.

  In the example of the ink cartridge usability information table 1000 illustrated in FIG. 10, a combination of borderless printing and paper type printing conditions in the printing apparatus 102 in which two ink cartridges “color” and “black” can be mounted. Information on whether or not each of the two cartridges can be used is stored.

<Example of warning screen when ink cartridge setting is invalid>
FIG. 11 shows that the printer graphics driver 206 performs printing using the ink cartridge set by the user on the setting screen 300 shown in FIG. 3 under the setting of printing conditions other than the currently set ink cartridge. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a warning screen 1100 displayed on the display device 104 in order to notify the user when it is determined that a problem will occur.

<Operation of Printing System 100>
FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a process of determining an ink cartridge to be used for printing by the printer graphics driver 206 as an operation of the printing system 100.

  Step S1201: The printer graphics driver 206 acquires the ink cartridge settings set on the setting screen 300 shown in FIG. 3 from the print condition settings acquired from the GDI 202.

  Step S1202: The printer graphics driver 206 refers to the ink cartridge setting acquired in step S1201 and determines whether or not the printer graphics driver 206 automatically determines an ink cartridge to be used for printing. As a result of the determination, if the printer graphics driver 206 automatically determines, the process proceeds to step S1204. If not, the process proceeds to step S1203.

  Step S1203: The printer graphics driver 206 temporarily determines the ink cartridge setting acquired in step S1201 as an ink cartridge (C ′) to be used for printing.

  Step S1204: The printer graphics driver 206 acquires bidirectional communication valid / invalid information from the OS of the host computer 101, and determines whether the bidirectional communication control function between the language monitor 207 and the printing apparatus 102 is valid. If it is determined that the bidirectional communication control function is valid, the process proceeds to step S1205; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S1209.

  Step S1205: The printer graphics driver 206 acquires bidirectional communication enable / disable information from the language monitor 207 and uses the interface used to transmit print data from the host computer 101 to the printing apparatus 102. It is determined whether bidirectional communication with the printing apparatus 102 is possible. As a result of the determination, if bi-directional communication is possible, the process proceeds to step S1206; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S1210.

  Step S1206: The printer graphics driver 206 acquires the mounted cartridge information from the language monitor 207.

  Step S1207: The printer graphics driver 206 determines whether or not the mounted cartridge information has been acquired in step S1206. As a result of the determination, if the mounted cartridge information can be acquired, the process proceeds to step S1208, and if not, the process proceeds to step S1210.

  Step S1208: The printer graphics driver 206 refers to the mounted cartridge information acquired in step S1206, and temporarily determines all ink cartridges mounted on the printing apparatus 102 as ink cartridges (C ′) used for printing. .

  Step S1209: The printer graphics driver 206 is mounted on the printing apparatus 102 because the bidirectional communication control function between the language monitor 207 and the printing apparatus 102 is disabled by displaying the warning screen 400 shown in FIG. The user is notified that the information of the ink cartridge being acquired cannot be acquired.

  Step S1210: The printer graphics driver 206 refers to the default ink cartridge information table 600 shown in FIG. 6 and sets the ink cartridge to be used for printing when information on the ink cartridge installed in the printing apparatus 102 cannot be acquired. To get.

  Step S1211: The printer graphics driver 206 provisionally determines the ink cartridge setting acquired in step S1210 as an ink cartridge (C ′) to be used for printing.

  Step S1212: The printer graphics driver 206 refers to the ink cartridge availability information table 1000 shown in FIG. 10, and acquires an ink cartridge (E) that can be used for printing under the currently set printing conditions.

  Step S1213: The printer graphics driver 206 determines whether or not all of the ink cartridges (C ′) currently provisionally determined are included in the ink cartridges (E) that can be used for printing acquired in Step 1212. That is, it is determined whether or not there is no problem even if printing is performed using the currently temporarily determined ink cartridge (C ′). As a result of the determination, if there is no problem even if printing is performed using the currently determined ink cartridge (C ′), the process proceeds to step S1214; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S1215.

  Step S1214: The printer graphics driver 206 determines the currently temporarily determined ink cartridge (C ′) as the ink cartridge (C) to be used for printing, and ends this process.

  Step S1215: The printer graphics driver 206 determines whether or not a part of the ink cartridge (C ′) currently tentatively determined is included in the ink cartridge (E) that can be used for printing acquired in step 1212. Is determined. As a result of the determination, if a part of the ink cartridge (C ′) that is currently temporarily determined is included, the process proceeds to step S1216, and if not, the process proceeds to step S1217.

  Step S1216: The printer graphics driver 206 selects all the cartridges included in the ink cartridge (E) that can be used for printing acquired in step 1212 from among the ink cartridges (C ′) that are temporarily determined. Is determined as the ink cartridge (C) used for printing.

  Step S1217: The printer graphics driver 206 determines the ink cartridge that can be used for printing acquired in step 1212 as the ink cartridge (C) that is used for printing.

  Step S1218: The printer graphics driver 206 determines whether or not the printer graphics driver 206 has automatically determined an ink cartridge to be used for printing with reference to the ink cartridge setting acquired in step S1201. If the result of this determination is that the printer graphics driver 206 has automatically determined, this process ends. If not, processing proceeds to step S1219.

  Step S1219: By displaying the warning screen 1000 shown in FIG. 10, the printer graphics driver 206 displays the setting screen 300 shown in FIG. 3 under the setting of printing conditions other than the currently set ink cartridge. The user is notified that printing cannot be performed using the set ink cartridge, and the process ends.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the first embodiment by determining the cartridge to be used for printing based on the current mounting state of the ink cartridge or the ink cartridge setting set by the user, or While maintaining the effect of the second embodiment, the result is not suitable for the quality of the paper to be used, which may occur depending on the printing document or printing conditions when printing is actually performed using the determined ink cartridge. Therefore, it is possible to prevent problems such as failure to obtain the printing result desired by the user or causing the printing apparatus 102 to deteriorate. In other words, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment or the second embodiment, it is possible to derive an optimum printing result according to the print document and printing conditions, and to prevent the printing apparatus 102 from deteriorating. become.

  The present invention is not necessarily limited to the present embodiment, and can be implemented in various forms.

  For example, in the present embodiment, it is determined whether bidirectional communication between the language monitor 207 and the printing apparatus 102 is possible using an interface used for transmitting print data from the host computer 101 to the printing apparatus 102. However, the method for determining whether or not bidirectional communication is possible is not limited to this.

  Further, in the present embodiment, when the printer graphics driver 206 cannot acquire information on the ink cartridge mounted on the printing apparatus 102, the ink cartridge to be used for printing can be determined according to the type of the printing apparatus 102. Although it is configured, the method of determining the ink cartridge to be used for printing when the ink cartridge information cannot be acquired is not limited to this. For example, the ink cartridge to be used for printing may be determined according to the print document, the printing conditions, the OS of the host computer 101, and the like.

  In this embodiment, when the user sets an ink cartridge to be used for printing, “automatic determination”, “color”, “black”, “photo”, and the like are prepared as options. The type of is not limited to this. For example, it may be configured such that “Cyan”, “Magenta”, “Yellow”, and the like can be selected for each color ink. Further, an ink tank may be selected and determined instead of the ink cartridge.

  Also, an object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the host and terminal of the present embodiment to a system or apparatus, and the computer of the system or apparatus (or CPU or MPU). Needless to say, this can also be achieved by reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the present embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code and the program code constitute the present invention.

  As a storage medium for supplying the program code, ROM, flexible disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, and the like can be used.

  Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the present embodiment are realized, but also an OS or the like running on the computer based on an instruction of the program code performs actual processing. It goes without saying that a case where the function of this embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the above and the processing thereof is included.

  Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written to the memory provided in the extension function board inserted in the computer or the function extension unit connected to the computer, the function extension is performed based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the CPU or the like provided in the board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the present embodiment are realized by the processing.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of the printing system shown in FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a setting screen for setting an ink cartridge used for printing in the user interface driver according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. When the printer graphics driver according to the first embodiment of the present invention determines the ink cartridge to be used for printing, the bidirectional communication control function between the language monitor and the printing apparatus is invalid, so that the printer graphics driver is attached to the printing apparatus. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a warning screen for notifying a user when information on an existing ink cartridge cannot be acquired. It is a figure which shows an example of the interface information table which the language monitor in the 1st Embodiment of this invention hold | maintains. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a default ink cartridge information table held by the printer graphics driver according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart for explaining processing for determining an ink cartridge to be used for printing by the printer graphics driver according to the first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a setting screen for setting an ink cartridge to be used for printing in a printer graphics driver when the current mounting state of the ink cartridge of the printing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention cannot be determined. . 10 is a flowchart for explaining processing for determining an ink cartridge to be used for printing by a printer graphics driver according to a second embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an ink cartridge usability information table held by a printer graphics driver according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The printer graphics driver according to the third embodiment of the present invention uses the ink cartridge set by the user on the setting screen shown in FIG. 3 under the setting of printing conditions other than the currently set ink cartridge. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a warning screen for notifying a user of a problem when it is determined that a problem occurs when printing is performed. 15 is a flowchart for explaining processing for determining an ink cartridge to be used for printing by a printer graphics driver according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Printing system 101 Host computer 102 Printing apparatus 103 Hard disk 104 Display apparatus 105 Data input apparatus 106 Media reading apparatus 107 Communication control apparatus 201 Application 202 GDI
203 User Interface Driver 204 EMF Spool File 205 Print Processor 206 Printer Graphic Driver 207 Language Monitor 208 Paper 300 Setting Screen 301 Item Field 400 Warning Screen 500 Interface Information Table 600 Default Ink Cartridge Information Table 800 Setting Screen 1000 Ink Cartridge Availability Information Table 1100 Warning screen

Claims (10)

  An image processing apparatus that performs image processing on an input image according to printing conditions of a printing apparatus that performs print output using a plurality of removable ink cartridges having a print head, and determines ink cartridge settings used for printing An image processing apparatus comprising: a first determination unit; and a control unit that controls image processing according to an ink cartridge setting determined by the first determination unit.   A first designation unit that designates an ink cartridge setting to be used for printing, and the first determination unit is designated when an ink cartridge to be used for printing is designated by the first designation unit; The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ink cartridge setting is determined as an ink cartridge setting to be used for printing.   In the printing apparatus that performs print output using a plurality of detachable ink cartridges, the first designation unit includes a designation unit that uses only a part of the plurality of ink cartridges. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first determination unit determines an ink cartridge setting to be used for printing in accordance with an installed state of the ink cartridge acquired from the printing apparatus.   An image processing apparatus that performs image processing on an input image according to printing conditions of a printing apparatus that performs print output using a detachable ink cartridge having a print head, and enables bidirectional communication between the printing apparatus and the image processing apparatus. 5. The image processing apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising: a second determination unit that determines an ink cartridge setting to be used for printing when the mounting state of the ink cartridge cannot be acquired from the printing apparatus.   Second specifying means for specifying an ink cartridge setting to be used for printing is provided, and the second determining means determines the ink cartridge setting specified by the second specifying means as an ink cartridge setting to be used for printing. The image processing apparatus according to claim 5.   An image processing apparatus that performs image processing on an input image according to printing conditions of a printing apparatus that performs print output using a plurality of removable ink cartridges having a print head, and under the setting of current printing conditions, The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a determination unit that determines whether image processing is controllable based on the ink cartridge setting determined by the first determination unit.   The discrimination means is discriminated according to a current setting value of at least one of the print condition items of the printing apparatus that performs print output, among paper type, monochrome setting, borderless print setting, and duplex printing setting. The image processing apparatus according to claim 7.   And a third determining unit that determines an ink cartridge setting to be used for printing when the determining unit determines that image processing cannot be controlled by the ink cartridge setting determined by the first determining unit. The image processing apparatus according to claim 7.   A computer program that, when executed by a computer, causes the computer to function as the image processing apparatus according to claim 1.

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