JP2008108229A - Printer driver program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To achieve setting of a parameter affecting deformation of printing paper and print quality prior to printer's execution of automatic both-sided printing without any large load upon a user in a short time. <P>SOLUTION: This driver program is provided with a parameter table in which the values of parameters affecting the deformation of printing paper and print quality are set corresponding to the document types, respectively. A selection setting screen capable of selecting a document type to be printed by the printer among a plurality of document types is displayed on a display screen, and when the document type is selected in the selection setting screen, the value of the parameter corresponding to that type is read from the parameter table, and set as a part of print setting information for automatic both-sided printing for the printer. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for controlling a printer capable of executing duplex printing by a computer.

  As a conventional printer, for example, a printer capable of automatically performing double-sided printing as described in Patent Document 1 below is known.

  In such a printer, when automatic double-sided printing is executed, conventionally, if the printing density is high, the printing paper warps in a U-shape due to ink wetting when printing on the surface is finished, and then When the printing on the back side is executed and the print head moves on the warped print paper, the print head comes into contact with both ends of the warped print paper, which may cause a so-called rubbing. In addition, when printing on the back side is performed and the printing paper is conveyed in the printer while being warped, the printing paper may be jammed.

  In addition, if the drying time after printing the surface is short, the ink may not sufficiently penetrate into the printing paper, and the print image quality may deteriorate, such as show-through.

JP 2006-164106 A

  Therefore, when performing automatic double-sided printing in such a printer, depending on the document to be printed (for example, there are many character parts, many photo parts, or the print density tends to be dark, It is preferable to previously adjust parameter values that affect the deformation of the printing paper and the printing image quality, such as the printing density and the drying time.

  Furthermore, it is a heavy burden for the user to leave all the parameter values to the user. In addition, since such adjustment requires repeated trial and error, there is a problem that it takes a long time to set the values of these parameters.

  Such a problem may occur not only when automatic duplex printing is performed, but also when manual duplex printing is performed.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to solve the above-described problems of the prior art, and to set the parameter values that affect the deformation of the printing paper and the print image quality before the printer executes double-sided printing. It is to provide a technique that can be performed in a short time without a heavy burden.

In order to achieve at least a part of the above object, a printer control program of the present invention is a printer control program for controlling a printer capable of executing double-sided printing by a computer,
A function that divides the contents that can be printed into multiple types, and obtains the values of parameters that affect the deformation of the printing paper and print image quality, corresponding to each type,
A function for selecting a type of content to be printed by the printer from the types;
A function of setting the value of the parameter acquired corresponding to the type when the type is selected, as part of print setting information for duplex printing for the printer;
It is a gist to make the computer realize the above.

  As described above, in the printer control program of the present invention, contents that can be printed are divided into a plurality of types, parameter values corresponding to the respective types are acquired, and the type of contents to be printed by the printer is selected. In this case, the parameter value corresponding to the type is set as part of the print setting information for duplex printing for the printer.

  Therefore, according to the printer control program of the present invention, prior to causing the printer to execute double-sided printing, when setting the values of parameters that affect the deformation of the printing paper and the print image quality, the user wants to print Therefore, the user can set such parameter values without a heavy burden and in a short time.

  In the printer control program of the present invention, it is preferable that the parameters include at least one of a printing density, a drying time, a gap between a print head and the printing paper, and a main scanning printing direction.

  This is because such parameters directly or indirectly affect the deformation of the printing paper and the print image quality.

In the printer control program of the present invention, the parameter includes a print density,
The computer may further realize a function of generating print data so that the printer performs printing with an ink amount that does not exceed a value set as part of the print setting information. Good.

In the printer control program of the present invention, the parameter includes a drying time or a gap between a print head and the printing paper,
To ensure a drying time of a value set as a part of the print setting information between the printing on the front surface and the printing on the back surface, or at least between the print head and the printing paper at the time of printing on the back surface A function for instructing the printer to further secure a gap between values set as a part of the print setting information may be realized in the computer.

In the printer control program of the present invention, the computer further realizes a function of causing the computer to display a selection setting screen that allows the user to select the type on a display screen included in the computer,
The type selected on the selection setting screen may be selected as a type to be printed by the printer.

  In the printer control program of the present invention, when the type is selected on the selection setting screen, the function displays the parameter value acquired corresponding to the type in the selection setting screen and accepts the change. May be further realized by the computer.

  In this way, by displaying the parameter values corresponding to the selected content type, the user himself / herself can set these parameters in a specific mode (a mode in which the user can freely set the values of these parameters). When trying to set the value directly, it is possible to set the desired value with reference to the displayed parameter value.

  In the printer control program of the present invention, a function for displaying a parameter value display screen on a display screen included in the computer as a screen different from the selection setting screen, and the type is selected in the selection setting screen. In this case, the computer may be further realized with a function of displaying the parameter value acquired corresponding to the type in the parameter value display screen and receiving the change.

  In this way, by setting the parameter value display screen for displaying the parameter value to be a screen different from the selection setting screen, the selection setting screen can be used as another application, for example, a print quality selection screen. .

In the printer control program of the present invention, the selection of the type made on the selection setting screen may also serve as selection of print quality when printing with the printer.
By doing so, it is also possible to select the print quality when printing with the printer using the selection setting screen.

  In the printer control program of the present invention, on the parameter value display screen, a parameter value changed by a user is set as a part of the print setting information for double-sided printing or selected on the selection setting screen. The computer may be further realized with a function of accepting selection of whether to set a parameter value corresponding to the type.

  With this configuration, when performing double-sided printing, on the parameter value display screen, for example, if “set parameter value corresponding to the type selected on the selection setting screen” is selected, double-sided printing is performed. As a part of the print setting information for printing, a parameter value corresponding to the type selected on the selection setting screen is set. Accordingly, it is not necessary to adopt a configuration in which a desired type can be selected from a plurality of types on the parameter value display screen separately from the selection setting screen. It is possible to avoid a situation in which the user is confused by the type and the type that can be selected on the parameter value display screen.

  In the printer control program of the present invention, when the start of the duplex printing is instructed to the printer, the printer is controlled based on the print setting information for duplex printing, and causes the printer to execute the duplex printing Is preferably implemented by the computer.

  This allows the printer to execute double-sided printing based on the print setting information for double-sided printing including the set parameter value, thereby preventing the occurrence of rubbing and jamming during double-sided printing and improving the print image quality. Deterioration can be suppressed.

  In the printer control program of the present invention, the type may be based on the amount of at least one of a photograph to be printed and a character to be printed, which includes the content that can be the print target.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described aspects of the program invention such as the printer driver program, but the aspect as a recording medium in which such a computer program is recorded, and the data embodied in a carrier wave including the above-described computer program. It can also be realized in various forms such as a signal. Furthermore, the present invention can be realized as an apparatus invention or a method invention for realizing the program.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in the following order based on examples.
A. First embodiment:
A-1. Example configuration:
A-2. Example operation:
A-2-1. Setting parameters based on document type:
A-2-2. Automatic duplex printing based on parameters:
A-2-3. User setting mode:
A-3. Effects of the embodiment:
B. Second embodiment:
B-1. Example operation:
B-2. Effects of the embodiment:
C. Variation:

A. First embodiment:
A-1. Example configuration:
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a printing system comprising a computer and a printer having a printer driver program as a first embodiment of the present invention.

  The printing system shown in FIG. 1 includes a printer 100 and a computer 200. Of these, the printer 100 is provided with a front paper feed slot 102 provided on the front surface and a rear surface for feeding paper. And an automatic double-sided printing paper feed mechanism 106 that can transport and turn over the printing paper when performing automatic double-sided printing.

  On the other hand, the computer 200 includes a CPU 250 for performing various processes and controls in accordance with a computer program, a memory 252 for storing the computer program and data obtained during the process, and various peripheral devices. It consists of an I / O unit 254 for exchanging data and the like with a device, a keyboard and a pointing device, an input device 256 for inputting instructions from the user, a CRT, a liquid crystal display, and the like. A monitor 258 for displaying images and the like, a network card and the like, a communication device 260 for communicating with other devices via the network, a hard disk device 262 for storing image data, and the like CD-RO written with computer programs 264 and CD-ROM drive device 266 for reading, and a. Among these, the memory 252 stores an application program 302, a printer driver program 304, and the like as the computer program, and the data table includes a parameter table 306, print setting information 308, and the like used when performing automatic duplex printing. Is remembered.

  The CPU 250 functions as an application by reading and executing the application program 302 among the computer programs stored in the memory 252, and functions as a printer driver by reading and executing the printer driver program 304.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the computer program stored in the memory 252 is provided in a form recorded on a CD-ROM 264 that is a recording medium, and is read by the CD-ROM drive device 266. , Captured in the computer. The captured computer program is transferred to the hard disk device 262, and then transferred to the memory 252 at the time of startup or the like. Alternatively, the read computer program may be directly transferred to the memory 252 without going through the hard disk device 262.

  As described above, in this embodiment, it is described that the CD-ROM is used as a “recording medium” for recording the computer program in a computer-readable manner, but in addition, a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, an IC card, a ROM Various types of computer-readable media such as cartridges, punched cards, printed matter on which codes such as bar codes are printed, computer internal storage devices (memory such as RAM and ROM), and external storage devices can be used.

  In addition to providing the computer program recorded in such a recording medium, the computer program accesses a program server (not shown) that supplies the computer program via a network, and loads the computer program into the PC from the program server. Anyway.

  A part of the computer program may be constituted by an operating system program.

A-2. Example operation:
A-2-1. Setting parameters based on document type:
In FIG. 1, the memory 252 stores a parameter table 306 and print setting information 308 used when performing automatic duplex printing, as described above. Among these, the parameter table 306 divides the contents of a document that can be printed into a plurality of types, and sets parameter values that affect the deformation of the printing paper and the print image quality corresponding to each type. . In this embodiment, documents that can be printed are classified into three types according to the contents: “character”, “character / photo”, and “photo”. Of these, the “text” type refers to documents that are mostly composed of letters, the “photo” type refers to documents that are composed mostly of photographs, and the “text / photo” type is In the middle of them, it refers to a document in which characters and photos are composed in almost the same proportion. That is, each type is divided based on the amount of at least one of a photograph to be printed and characters to be printed. In the present embodiment, the printing density and the drying time (additional drying time) are employed as parameters that affect the deformation of the printing paper and the print image quality during automatic duplex printing. Here, the drying time refers to the time excluding the reference waiting time (constant) in the waiting time from the end of printing on the front surface to the start of printing on the back surface. For example, if the reference standby time is Pconst (seconds) and the drying time is Q (seconds), the standby time from the end of printing on the front surface to the start of printing on the back surface is Pconst + Q (seconds).

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the contents of the parameter table 306 in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the parameter table 306 includes, for each of the three types of “character”, “character / photo”, and “photo”, as parameters, print density (%) and drying time (second). And are set.
Incidentally, in printing characters, only ink is put on the line, so the print density is relatively thin. In printing a photograph, since the ink is applied on the surface of the photograph, the print density is relatively high.

  On the other hand, the print setting information 308 is print setting information used when the printer 100 performs printing. In particular, when performing automatic duplex printing, the print density (%) and drying time (seconds) described above are included as print setting information for automatic duplex printing.

  In FIG. 1, when the user operates the input device 256 to activate the print driver, the printer driver displays a print setting screen as shown in FIG. 3 on the screen of the monitor 258.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a print setting screen displayed on the screen of the monitor 258. As shown in FIG. 3, in the print setting screen 400, the “page setting” tab has a “double-sided printing” item 402 as a setting item, and the “double-sided printing” item 402 further includes sub-items. There are an “automatic” item 404 and a “manual” item 406, and a “density adjustment” button 408 is attached to the other items.

  Therefore, when the user operates the input device 256 to perform automatic duplex printing in the printer 100, checks the check box of the “duplex printing” item 402, and turns on the radio button of the “automatic” item 404. The printer driver stores in the print setting information 308 that automatic duplex printing has been set, and changes the “density adjustment” button 408 from a gray-out state to a selectable state.

  Next, when the user operates the input device 256 and clicks the “density adjustment” button 408 in order to set parameters that affect the deformation of the printing paper and the print image quality when performing automatic duplex printing, The printer driver displays an automatic double-sided density adjustment screen 500 in a pop-up so as to overlap the print setting screen 400.

  4 to 6 are explanatory diagrams showing examples of an automatic double-sided density adjustment screen displayed on the screen of the monitor 258, respectively. As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the automatic double-sided density adjustment screen 500 includes “document type” item 502 and “density adjustment” item 520 as setting items, and “OK” button 540 and the like. There is. Among these, the “document type” item 502 includes a “text” type 504, a “text / photo” type 506, and a “photo” type 508, which are displayed together with icons as described above. Yes. In this embodiment, a user setting mode is provided as a mode in which the user can freely set each value of print density and drying time, and the “document type” item 502 includes the mode setting mode. There is also a “user setting” item 510 representing the selection. However, in FIGS. 4 to 6, the item 510 is grayed out. On the other hand, the “density adjustment” item 520 includes sub-items “print density” item 522 and “additional drying time” item 532, which include level meters 524 and 534, adjustment knobs 426 and 536, Set value display windows 528 and 538 are provided.

  Therefore, the user determines that the document to be automatically duplex printed on the printer 100 from now belongs to the “character” type, operates the input device 256, and selects the “document type” item 502 from FIG. As described above, when the radio button of the “character” type 504 is turned on, the printer driver refers to the parameter table 306 shown in FIG. 2 stored in the memory 252, and print density values corresponding to the “character” type ( −20%) and the drying time value (0 seconds), respectively, and based on these values, the display contents of the “density adjustment” item 520 are reflected. Specifically, in the level meter 524 of the “print density” item 522, the adjustment knob 426 is moved to the position “−20” and displayed, and “−20” is displayed in the set value display window 528. Further, in the level meter 534 of the “additional drying time” item 532, the adjustment knob 436 is moved and displayed at the position “0”, and “0” is displayed in the setting value display window 538.

  Further, the user determines that the document to be automatically duplex printed belongs to the “character / photo” type, operates the input device 256, and selects “document type” items 502 from the “document type” item 502 as shown in FIG. When the “character / photo” type 506 radio button is turned on, the printer driver similarly refers to the parameter table 306 shown in FIG. 2 and print density values (−40 corresponding to the “character / photo” type). %) And the drying time value (0 second) are acquired and reflected on the display content of the “density adjustment” item 520 based on them. Specifically, in the level meter 524 of the “print density” item 522, the adjustment knob 426 is moved to the position “−40” and displayed, and “−40” is displayed in the set value display window 528. Further, in the level meter 534 of the “additional drying time” item 532, the adjustment knob 436 is moved and displayed at the position “0”, and “0” is displayed in the setting value display window 538.

  Further, the user determines that the document to be automatically duplex printed belongs to the “photo” type, operates the input device 256, and selects “photo” from the “document type” item 502 as shown in FIG. When the “type 508” radio button is turned on, the printer driver similarly refers to the parameter table 306 shown in FIG. 2 and print density values (−50%) and drying time corresponding to the “photo” type. (50 seconds) are acquired and reflected on the display content of the “density adjustment” item 520 based on them. Specifically, in the level meter 524 of the “print density” item 522, the adjustment knob 426 is moved to the position “−50” and displayed, and “−50” is displayed in the set value display window 528. Further, in the level meter 534 of the “additional drying time” item 532, the adjustment knob 436 is moved and displayed at the position “50”, and “50” is displayed in the setting value display window 538.

  In this way, when the user turns on a radio button of any type 506 in the “document type” item 502 and further operates the input device 256 and clicks the “OK” button 540, the printer driver Sets the acquired print density and drying time values as part of the print setting information 308 stored in the memory 252, that is, as part of print setting information for automatic duplex printing. At the same time, the printer driver closes the automatic duplex density adjustment screen 500.

A-2-2. Automatic duplex printing based on parameters:
Next, when the user operates the input device 256 to instruct the start of printing from the application, the printer 100 controls the print density set as part of the print setting information for automatic duplex printing under the control of the printer driver. Automatic duplex printing is executed based on the value (hereinafter referred to as print density setting value) and the value of drying time (hereinafter referred to as drying time setting value).

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a flow of automatic duplex printing processing executed in the printing system of FIG. When the process shown in FIG. 7 is started, the printer driver obtains a print density setting value from the print setting information 308 stored in the memory 252 (step S102), and uses it as a color processing module ( (Step S104). The color processing module converts the resolution (that is, the number of pixels per unit length) of the color image data formed by the application into a print resolution, and refers to the color conversion lookup table, for each pixel, an RGB image. The data is converted into multi-tone data of a plurality of ink colors that can be used by the printer 100, and half-tone image data is generated by executing halftone processing on the color-converted multi-tone data. Here, the color conversion lookup table has RGB image data as input and multi-tone data of the plurality of ink colors as output, and the color processing module uses the print density setting value previously passed. These are used as coefficients of duty limit values used when determining each value in the color conversion lookup table (step S106). Here, the duty limit value is a limit value related to the amount of ink that can be used per unit area of the printing paper. Such a duty limit value includes a limit value for each ink, a limit value for the total value of the ink amounts of two types of ink, a limit value for the total value of the ink amounts of all inks, and the like. In this way, by using the print density setting value as a coefficient of such a duty limit value, the print density setting value is reflected as the density when the halftone process is performed for each ink color (step S108). That is, print data is generated so that the printer 100 performs printing with an ink amount that does not exceed the print setting value. Subsequently, a rasterizer (not shown) in the printer driver performs processing according to the recording mode, and finally reflects the print density setting value in the raster command (step S110). Next, the printer driver acquires a drying time setting value from the print setting information 308 (step S112), and sets it as a print command (step S114). Thereafter, the printer driver instructs the printer 100 to start automatic duplex printing, and sends a print command and a raster command, respectively (step S116).

  Upon receiving the print command and the raster command in response to the print start instruction, the printer 100 first starts printing the front surface in accordance with these commands (step S118). Then, the printer 100 acquires the drying time setting value from the print command and sets it as a waiting time after the front surface printing is finished (step S120). When the printing on the front side is completed, the printer 100 measures the time using an internal timer (not shown) and waits until the set waiting time elapses (step S122). After that, when the waiting time has elapsed, the printer 100 starts printing the back side this time (step S124). Thus, when the printing on the back side is completed, a series of automatic duplex printing processes shown in FIG. 7 are completed.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the print density setting value set as a part of the print setting information for automatic duplex printing is used during processing in the color processing module in the printer driver, and the drying time setting value is used. Is used in processing by the printer 100 and is reflected in automatic duplex printing.

A-2-3. User setting mode:
By the way, when the automatic double-sided density adjustment screen 500 of any of FIGS. 4 to 6 is displayed on the screen of the monitor 258, the user tries to change the value of the printing density or the drying time and the input device 256. , And the adjustment knob 426 or 536 is moved, the printer driver changes the “user setting” item 510 from the gray-out display to the selectable display in the “document type” item 502 and also displays the “user setting” item. The radio button 510 is turned on to shift to the user setting mode described above.

  FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of the automatic double-side density adjustment screen displayed on the screen of the monitor 258. When the user setting mode is entered, the user operates the input device 256 to move the adjustment knob 426 or 536, thereby freely setting the print density value and the drying time value as the user desires. Can do.

A-3. Effects of the embodiment:
As described above, according to this embodiment, prior to causing the printer 100 to perform automatic duplex printing, values of print density and drying time, which are parameters that affect the deformation of the printing paper and the print image quality, are set. In this case, the user only has to select the type corresponding to the document to be printed from the three types of “character”, “character / photo”, and “photo” on the automatic double-side density adjustment screen 500. For the user, the print density and drying time values can be set in a short time without a heavy burden.

  In addition, the print density and drying time values that are set are values that are appropriate for automatic duplex printing corresponding to the document type. Therefore, the print setting information for automatic duplex printing that includes these settings is included in the print setting information. Based on this, by causing the printer 100 to perform automatic double-sided printing, it is possible to prevent rubbing and jamming during automatic double-sided printing, and to suppress deterioration in print image quality.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, when any type is selected from the three types of “character”, “character / photo”, and “photo” on the automatic double-side density adjustment screen 500, that type is supported. Since the print density and drying time values to be displayed are explicitly displayed, when the user tries to directly set the print density and drying time values in the user setting mode, the displayed print density and drying time are displayed. With reference to the time value, you can set your desired value.

B. Second embodiment:
In the first embodiment described above, in the automatic double-sided density adjustment screen, in order to set parameters that affect the deformation of the printing paper and the print image quality when the automatic double-sided printing is performed, “character” A plurality of document types such as “type” 504, “text / photo” type 506, and “photo” type 508 are displayed.

  However, depending on the printer driver, when printing with the printer 100, for example, a plurality of document types may be displayed on the print setting screen for the purpose of selecting the print quality. In such a case, in addition to a plurality of document types displayed on the print setting screen, if there are a plurality of document types displayed on the automatic double-sided density adjustment screen as used in the first embodiment, The user cannot understand what purpose each document type is used for, and may be confused and interfere with the setting operation.

Therefore, in the second embodiment of the present invention, when automatic duplex printing is performed even in the case where a plurality of document types are displayed on the print setting screen for the purpose of selecting the print quality, The user can set parameters that affect the deformation of the printing paper and the print image quality without confusion.
The configuration of this embodiment is basically the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG.

B-1. Example operation:
In this embodiment, documents that can be printed are classified into five types, “draft”, “text”, “text & image”, “photo”, and “best photo”, according to the contents from the viewpoint of print quality. ing.
In FIG. 1, when the user operates the input device 256 to activate the print driver, the printer driver displays a print setting screen as shown in FIG. 9 on the screen of the monitor 258.

  FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a “main” tab of the print setting screen displayed on the screen of the monitor 258. As shown in FIG. 9, in the print setting screen 600, the “main” tab 601 includes a number of items such as a “Quality Option” item 602 as setting items. Among these, the “quality option” item 602 includes a “draft” type 604, a “text” type 606, a “text & image” type 608, a “photo” type 610, and a “best photo” as described above. There are types 612, each displayed with an icon.

  Therefore, the user selects a desired type from the “quality option” item 602 for the purpose of setting the print quality when printing from now on with the printer 100. Specifically, for example, the user determines that the document to be printed belongs to the “text” type, operates the input device 256, and selects the “quality option” item 602 as shown in FIG. The radio button of “Text” type 604 is turned on. Then, the printer driver acquires the value of the parameter relating to the print quality corresponding to the “text” type, and sets it as a part of the print setting information 308 stored in the memory 252.

  Thereafter, when the user operates the input device 256 to instruct the start of printing from the application, the printer 100 is controlled based on the parameter values related to the print quality set as part of the print setting information under the control of the printer driver. Print.

  On the other hand, in the case of automatic duplex printing, in this embodiment, as in the case of the first embodiment, the printing density, the drying time (additional drying time), and the parameters that affect the deformation of the printing paper and the print image quality are set. , Is adopted. Therefore, the parameter table 306 stored in the memory 252 in FIG. 1 includes “draft”, “text”, “text & image”, “photo” according to the options in the “quality option” item 602 shown in FIG. , “Destination time (seconds)” is set as a parameter for each of the five types of “best photo”.

  Therefore, when the user operates the input device 256 to perform automatic duplex printing in the printer 100 and selects the “page layout” tab 701 on the print setting screen 600, the contents as shown in FIG. 10 are displayed. .

  FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the “page layout” tab of the print setting screen displayed on the screen of the monitor 258. As shown in FIG. 10, the “page layout” tab 701 has a “Double-Side Printing” item 702 as a setting item. The “double-sided printing” item 702 further includes sub-items. , “Density Control” button 708 is provided.

  When the user operates the input device 256 to check the check box of the “duplex printing” item 702, the printer driver stores that automatic duplex printing is set in the print setting information 308, and The “density adjustment” button 708 is changed from a gray-out state to a selectable state.

  Next, when the user operates the input device 256 and clicks the “density adjustment” button 708 in order to set parameters that affect the deformation of the printing paper and the print image quality when performing automatic duplex printing, the printer driver Causes the automatic duplex density adjustment screen 800 to be displayed in a pop-up so as to overlap the print setting screen 600.

  FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an automatic double-sided density adjustment screen displayed on the screen of the monitor 258. As shown in FIG. 11, in the automatic double-side density adjustment screen 800, as setting items, there are selection items in the upper part of whether to follow the quality option or to perform user settings, and a “density adjustment” item 820 in the center. There is an “OK” button 840 at the bottom. In this embodiment, as modes relating to setting of print density and drying time in automatic duplex printing, a quality option dependent mode in which setting is performed according to the type selected by the user in the “quality option” item 602 shown in FIG. User setting modes that can be set freely are provided. Therefore, the selection items include an “according to quality option” item 802 for selecting the quality option subordinate mode and a “user setting” item 804 for selecting the user setting mode, which are displayed together with icons. Has been. However, in FIG. 11, the “user setting” item 804 is grayed out. On the other hand, the “density adjustment” item 820 includes a “print density” item 822 and an “additional drying time” item 832 as sub-items, as in the case of the automatic double-side density adjustment screen shown in FIGS. They are provided with level meters 824 and 834, adjustment knobs 826 and 836, and set value display windows 828 and 838, respectively.

  Therefore, when the user determines that the document to be automatically printed on both sides by the printer 100 belongs to the type (ie, “text” type) already set in the “quality option” item 602 shown in FIG. The input device 256 is operated, and the radio button of the item “according to the quality option” 802 is selected from the selection items as shown in FIG. Then, the printer driver refers to the parameter table 306 stored in the memory 252 and, for example, sets the print density value (−20%) and the drying time value (0 seconds) corresponding to the “text” type. Each is acquired and reflected on the display content of the “density adjustment” item 820 based on them. Specifically, in the level meter 824 of the “print density” item 822, the adjustment knob 826 is moved to the position “−20” and displayed, and “−20” is displayed in the set value display window 828. In addition, in the level meter 834 of the “additional drying time” item 832, the adjustment knob 836 is moved to the “0” position and displayed, and “0” is displayed in the set value display window 838.

  When the user thus turns on the radio button of the “according to quality option” item 802 from among the selection items shown in FIG. 11 and further operates the input device 256 and clicks the “OK” button 840, The printer driver sets the acquired print density and drying time values as part of the print setting information 308 stored in the memory 252, that is, as part of the print setting information for automatic duplex printing. At the same time, the printer driver closes the automatic double-sided density adjustment screen 800.

  Thereafter, when the user operates the input device 256 to instruct the start of printing from the application, the printer 100 controls the print density value set as part of the print setting information for automatic duplex printing under the control of the printer driver. And automatic duplex printing is performed based on the value of the drying time. In this embodiment, the automatic double-sided printing process executed in the printing system of FIG. 1 is the same as that in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  Therefore, also in this embodiment, the print density setting value set as a part of the print setting information for automatic duplex printing is used in the processing by the color processing module in the printer driver, and the drying time setting value is Used in processing by the printer 100 and reflected in automatic duplex printing.

  When the automatic double-sided density adjustment screen 800 shown in FIG. 11 is displayed on the screen of the monitor 258, a document that the user intends to perform automatic double-sided printing is already in the “Quality Option” item 602. If it is determined that the type belongs to a type different from the set type (that is, the “text” type), the following processing may be performed. That is, the user operates the input device 256 to return to the “main” tab 601 of the print setting screen 600 shown in FIG. 9 and select a desired type to which the document belongs from the “quality option” item 602. Then, the input device 256 is operated, and the radio button of the “according to quality option” item 802 is selected from the selection items on the automatic double-side density adjustment screen 800 shown in FIG. That's fine.

  On the other hand, when the automatic double-sided density adjustment screen 800 shown in FIG. 11 is displayed on the screen of the monitor 258, the user operates the input device 256 to make adjustments so as to change the print density or drying time value. When the knob 826 or 836 is moved, in the selection item, the printer driver changes the “user setting” item 804 from the gray-out display to a selectable display, and turns on the radio button of the “user setting” item 804, Shift to the user setting mode described above.

  When the user setting mode is entered, the user operates the input device 256 and moves the adjustment knob 826 or 836 to freely set the print density value and the drying time value as the user desires. Can do.

B-2. Effects of the embodiment:
As described above, according to this embodiment, for the purpose of setting the print quality, a plurality of document types are set as the “quality option” item 602 in the “main” tab 601 of the print setting screen 600 shown in FIG. Even in the case of display, when automatic duplex printing is performed, the automatic duplex density adjustment screen 800 shown in FIG. 11 has only a choice item according to the quality option or user setting as a selection item. Without setting, it is possible to set values of printing density and drying time, which are parameters affecting the deformation of the printing paper and the print image quality.

  Further, prior to causing the printer 100 to perform automatic double-sided printing, when setting the print density and drying time values, the user selects “Draft” on the “Main” tab 601 of the print setting screen 600 shown in FIG. , “Text”, “Text & Image”, “Photo”, and “Best Photo”, the type corresponding to the document to be printed is selected, and the automatic double-sided density adjustment screen 800 shown in FIG. 11 is selected. In this case, it is only necessary to select the “according to the quality option” item 802. Therefore, for the user, setting of the print density and the drying time can be performed in a short time without a heavy burden.

  In addition, the print density and drying time values that are set are values that are appropriate for automatic duplex printing corresponding to the document type. Therefore, the print setting information for automatic duplex printing that includes these settings is included in the print setting information. Based on this, by causing the printer 100 to perform automatic double-sided printing, it is possible to prevent rubbing and jamming during automatic double-sided printing, and to suppress deterioration in print image quality.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, any one of the five types of “draft”, “text”, “text & image”, “photo”, and “best photo” on the print setting screen 600 shown in FIG. When the type is selected and the “according to quality option” item 802 is selected on the automatic double-side density adjustment screen 800 shown in FIG. 11, the print density and drying time values corresponding to the type are explicitly displayed. When the user wants to directly set the print density and dry time values in the user setting mode, set the desired values with reference to the displayed print density and dry time values. Will be able to.

C. Variation:
The present invention is not limited to the above-described examples and embodiments, and can be implemented in various modes without departing from the scope of the invention.

  In the above-described embodiment, the print density and the drying time are employed as parameters that affect the deformation of the printing paper and the print image quality during the automatic duplex printing, but the present invention is limited to this. It is not a thing. For example, when a printer capable of adjusting the gap (paper gap or platen gap) between the print head and the printing paper is used as the printer 100, the gap may be used as such a parameter. Furthermore, the main scanning printing direction (bidirectional printing or unidirectional printing) in the printer 100 may be used as such a parameter.

This is because the degree of ink wetting and the degree of ink permeation into the printing paper changes depending on whether bidirectional printing or unidirectional printing, and this parameter also affects the deformation of the printing paper and the print image quality.
Furthermore, since the size of the gap between the print head and the printing paper is increased, it becomes difficult for the rubbing to occur even if the printing paper is deformed. Therefore, this parameter also affects the print image quality. However, the gap having such a value may be ensured between the print head and the printing paper at least during printing on the back surface.

  When the gap between the print head and the printing paper and the printing direction of the main scanning are used as the above parameters, these parameters are acquired from the print setting information by the printer driver and then the drying time. In the same manner as in, the print command is set and then sent to the printer 100 to be used for processing in the printer 100.

  In the first embodiment, the document type is divided into three types of “character”, “character / photo”, and “photo”. In the second embodiment, the print quality is selected for the purpose. The document type is divided into five types of “draft”, “text”, “text & image”, “photo”, and “best photo”, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the document Other classification methods may be used in accordance with the contents of.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where automatic duplex printing is performed is targeted. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and can also be applied to the case where manual duplex printing is performed.

1 is a block diagram showing a printing system comprising a computer and a printer having a printer driver program as a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the content of the parameter table 306 in FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a print setting screen displayed on a screen of a monitor 258. FIG. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an automatic double-side density adjustment screen displayed on a screen of a monitor 258. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an automatic double-side density adjustment screen displayed on a screen of a monitor 258. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an automatic double-side density adjustment screen displayed on a screen of a monitor 258. 2 is a flowchart showing a flow of automatic duplex printing processing executed in the printing system of FIG. 1. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of an automatic double-sided density adjustment screen displayed on the screen of the monitor 258 in the printer driver program as the second embodiment of the present invention. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a “main” tab of a print setting screen displayed on a screen of a monitor 258. FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a “page layout” tab of a print setting screen displayed on a screen of a monitor 258. FIG. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an automatic double-side density adjustment screen displayed on a screen of a monitor 258.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Printer 102 ... Front paper feed port 104 ... Rear paper feed port 106 ... Automatic duplex paper feed mechanism 200 ... Computer 250 ... CPU
252 ... Memory 254 ... I / O unit 256 ... Input device 258 ... Monitor 260 ... Communication device 262 ... Hard disk device 264 ... CD-ROM
266 ... CD-ROM drive device 302 ... Application program 304 ... Printer driver program 306 ... Parameter table 308 ... Print setting information 400 ... Print setting screen 402 ... "Double-sided printing" Item 404 ... "Automatic" item 406 ... "Manual" item 408 ... "Density adjustment" button 500 ... Automatic double-sided density adjustment screen 502 ... "Document type" item 504 ... "Text""Type" 506 ... "Text / Photo" type 508 ... "Photo" type 510 ... "User setting" item 520 ... "Density adjustment" item 522 ... "Print density" item 524,534 ... Level meter 528, 538 ... Display window 532 ... "Additional drying time" item 540 ... "OK" button 600 ... Print setting screen 601 ... "Main" tab 602 ... "Quality option" item 604 ... "Draft "Type" 606 ... "text" type 608 ... "text &image" type 610 ... "photo" type 612 ... "best photo" type 701 ... "page layout" tab 702 .. "Double-sided printing" item 708 ... "Density adjustment" button 800 ... Automatic double-sided density adjustment screen 802 ... "According to quality option" item 804 ... "User setting" item 820 ... "Density adjustment""Item 822 ..." Print density "item 824,834 ... Level meter 828,838 ... Display window 832 ..." Additional drying time "item 840 ..." OK "button

Claims (11)

A printer control program for controlling a printer capable of executing duplex printing by a computer,
A function that divides the contents that can be printed into multiple types, and obtains the values of parameters that affect the deformation of the printing paper and print image quality, corresponding to each type,
A function for selecting a type of content to be printed by the printer from the types;
A function of setting the value of the parameter acquired corresponding to the type when the type is selected, as part of print setting information for duplex printing for the printer;
A printer control program for causing the computer to realize the above. The printer control program according to claim 1.
The printer control program, wherein the parameter includes at least one of a print density, a drying time, a gap between a print head and the printing paper, and a main scanning printing direction. The printer control program according to claim 1.
The parameters include print density,
A printer control program for causing the computer to further realize a function of generating print data so that the printer performs printing with an ink amount that does not exceed a value set as part of the print setting information. The printer control program according to claim 1.
The parameters include a drying time or a gap between a print head and the printing paper,
To ensure a drying time of a value set as a part of the print setting information between the printing on the front surface and the printing on the back surface, or at least between the print head and the printing paper at the time of printing on the back surface A printer control program for causing the computer to further realize a function of instructing the printer to secure a gap between values set as part of the print setting information. The printer control program according to claim 1 or 2,
The computer further realizes a function of displaying a selection setting screen on which the user can select the type on a display screen included in the computer,
A printer control program that selects the type selected on the selection setting screen as a type to be printed by the printer. The printer control program according to claim 5,
When the type is selected on the selection setting screen, the printer further causes the computer to realize a function of displaying a value of the parameter acquired corresponding to the type in the selection setting screen and receiving a change. Control program. The printer control program according to claim 5,
A function for displaying a parameter value display screen as a screen different from the selection setting screen on the display screen of the computer;
In the selection setting screen, when the type is selected, the function displays the parameter value to be acquired corresponding to the type in the parameter value display screen, and receives a change;
A printer control program for causing the computer to further realize the above. The printer control program according to claim 7,
The printer control program characterized in that selection of the type made on the selection setting screen also serves as selection of print quality when printing with the printer. In the printer control program according to claim 7 or 8,
In the parameter value display screen, the parameter value changed by the user is set as a part of the print setting information for double-sided printing, or the parameter corresponding to the type selected on the selection setting screen is displayed. A printer control program for causing the computer to further realize a function of accepting selection of whether to set a value. The printer control program according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
A printer that controls the printer based on the print setting information for double-sided printing when the printer is instructed to start double-sided printing, and further causes the computer to execute the double-sided printing function Control program. The printer control program according to any one of claims 1 to 10,
The printer control program according to claim 1, wherein the type is based on an amount of at least one of a photograph to be printed and characters to be printed, included in the contents that can be printed.

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