JP2011016372A - Printing apparatus, printing control method and program for carrying out the method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printing apparatus and a printing control method which eliminate the necessity of issuing a command for setting an interval between a recording head and a recording medium (hereinafter, a head-paper gap) from the digital camera side even during camera direct printing and can possitively prevent such a phenomenon that a recording medium is rubbed by a recording head and, therefore, the recording medium is stained, or the like.SOLUTION: In an inkjet recording apparatus, when a job command for setting the head-paper gap is received via a first interface 4 from a host device 8, the head-paper gap is adjusted by a means 6 for adjusting the head-paper gap according to a head-paper gap setting command reception analysis program. On the other hand, a printing data received from the digital camera 9 via a second interface 5 is printed after adjusting the head-paper gap with the means 6 for adjusting the head-paper gap according to the job command for setting the head-paper gap.

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus, a printing control method, and a program for executing the method, and in particular, an interval between a recording head and a recording medium (hereinafter referred to as “head paper gap”) is electrically generated by a driving unit such as a motor. The present invention relates to a printing apparatus, a printing control method, and a program for executing the method that are applied to an inkjet recording apparatus that can be adjusted mechanically and mechanically.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an ink jet recording apparatus that prints (records) an image on a recording medium by ejecting ink from the recording head and attaching it to the recording medium, a method for adjusting the head paper gap is, for example, a head on an ink jet recording apparatus main body. A method of adjusting the head paper gap by manually operating the adjustment lever by providing an adjustment lever for adjusting the paper gap has been widely adopted (for example, see Patent Document 1).

The head paper gap is adjusted in the ink jet recording apparatus for the following reason.
(1) By eliminating the variation in the gap between the head papers due to the difference in the thickness of the recording medium by adjusting, proper printing is performed and a stable image is obtained.
(2) Even if the gap between the head papers is set appropriately, the recording medium itself may be wavy or warped during printing depending on the recording medium due to environmental changes or the like. The phenomenon that the recording head and the recording medium rub against each other and the recording medium becomes dirty can be avoided by adjusting the head paper gap.

  However, after that, in the ink jet recording apparatus, as the function of the apparatus is improved, the ink jet recording apparatus is provided with driving means such as a motor as a mechanism for adjusting the gap between the head papers. It is possible to adjust the gap between the head papers mechanically (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

  As described above, in the conventional ink jet recording apparatus, it is possible to adjust the interval between the recording head and the recording medium, that is, the head paper gap.

  Furthermore, in recent years, in order to reduce the cost of the ink jet recording apparatus, an ink jet recording apparatus that does not require an adjustment lever for adjusting the gap between the head papers has been developed. It is conceivable to adjust the head paper gap electrically and mechanically via the drive means according to the type of recording medium set by the user interface of the printer driver on the host computer connected to the inkjet recording apparatus. ing.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a user interface on a print setting screen of a recent printer driver.

  In FIG. 10, the user can set the paper type by selecting a desired setting value from the selection menu shown in FIG. 11 as an item in the paper type selection column 1001 as the recording medium. . Then, according to the set paper type, an appropriate head paper gap is appropriately selected and output as a command in the print job. As a result, it is possible to set an appropriate head-to-paper gap set in advance for each paper type. Further, the user can select a paper feed method setting value of “auto feeder” or “ASF (rubbing prevention)” in the paper feed method selection field 1002. This “ASF (rubbing prevention)” is a paper feeding method for setting the head paper gap wider than that during normal printing. The user sets “ASF (Abrasion Prevention)” as the paper feeding method via the user interface (FIG. 10) of the printer driver at the time of the print instruction, so that the type of paper is used in the processing of the print job corresponding to the print instruction. Can be instructed to execute printing with a gap between the head sheets wider than the gap between the head sheets according to the setting value selected in the selection field 1001, and the printing paper as the recording medium is prevented from being rubbed. be able to.

  As described above, when the user selects a setting value in the paper type selection field 1001 or the paper feeding method selection field 1002 on the user interface of the printer driver, the gap between the papers can be adjusted electrically and mechanically. A possible inkjet recording apparatus designates a head paper gap (“wide” or “narrow”) for one printing designated by a user from a host computer (hereinafter referred to as “one print job”). The “head paper gap designation command” can be issued at least once from the host computer to the ink jet recording apparatus, thereby adjusting the head paper gap.

  In this method, since the head paper gap designation command is designated according to the setting made by the user to the printer driver of the host computer, for example, the type of the recording medium, the new recording medium in the setting in the printer driver In order to cope with the specification change due to the addition of the recording medium or the change in the material of the recording medium, it is only necessary to allocate the head paper gap designation command to these recording media. Therefore, it is relatively easy to cope with the above specification change by upgrading the printer driver.

  In addition, the user interface of the printer driver can cope with a problem that the recording head and the recording medium are rubbed due to an environmental change or the like even though it is a recording medium that should be printed with a narrow gap between head papers. A switch or the like that forcibly widens the gap between the head sheets (“ASF (rubbing prevention)” in the paper feeding method) is provided on the top, and when the switch is turned on by the user, one print job Thus, it is possible to solve this problem by issuing a head paper gap designation command for designating the head paper gap as “wide” once.

JP-A-8-118762 JP 2001-162889 A

  Conventionally, for example, when printing an image taken with a digital camera with an inkjet recording apparatus, the digital camera and a host computer are connected via an interface such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus), and the image taken with the digital camera is temporarily In general, printing is performed by transferring an image from the host computer to the ink jet recording apparatus after being taken into the host computer.

  However, in recent years, the function of the ink jet recording apparatus has been further improved. For example, recently, a second interface different from an interface connected to a host computer is provided on the ink jet recording apparatus side, and a digital camera and an ink jet recording apparatus are directly connected by this second interface, whereby the host computer Some devices that support the camera direct printing function that can be printed without using them have also appeared.

  In the case of applying a method of issuing a head paper gap designation command once to one print job as described above to an ink jet recording apparatus having a camera direct printing function without using a host computer, a digital camera The head paper gap designation command must be issued from the side, and items that should be set on the ink jet recording apparatus side must be set from the digital camera side.

  In addition, in the above camera direct printing, it is possible to respond to the specification change by adding a new recording medium or changing the material of the recording medium as described above in the setting in the printer driver, such as a firmware update of a digital camera or an inkjet recording apparatus, etc. At present, it is desired to support the camera direct printing function from each digital camera having different specifications, and it has been difficult to deal with these problems as compared with the update of the printer driver.

  An object of the present invention is to make it unnecessary to issue a head sheet interval setting command from the digital camera side even during direct camera printing, and to accurately prevent the phenomenon that the recording head and the recording medium are rubbed and the recording medium is soiled. It is an object of the present invention to provide a printing apparatus, a printing control method, and a program that executes the method.

  In order to achieve the above object, a printing apparatus according to the present invention controls communication with the outside of a printing apparatus in a printing apparatus that prints an image on the recording medium by ejecting ink from a recording head and attaching the ink to the recording medium. First and second communication means, and adjustment means for adjusting a head medium interval between the recording head and the recording medium based on a command transmitted from the information processing apparatus via the first communication means; Storage means for storing a setting by a setting command transmitted from the information processing apparatus and storing a setting state of the printing apparatus, and when the head medium interval is set by the setting command, the setting is set by the setting command. Control means for performing the adjustment by the adjusting means according to the head medium interval and executing printing of print data transmitted through the second communication means; Characterized in that it comprises.

  According to the present invention, when the head medium interval is set by the setting command transmitted from the information processing apparatus to the printing apparatus via the first communication unit, the recording head and the recording are performed according to the head medium interval set by the setting command. In order to print the print data transmitted from the digital camera to the printing apparatus via the second communication means by adjusting the interval of the medium, the recording head and the recording medium are rubbed and recorded even during direct camera printing. It is possible to accurately prevent the medium from becoming dirty.

1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an ink jet recording apparatus as a printing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 3 is a flowchart showing processing of a head sheet interval setting command reception analysis program in the ink jet recording apparatus of FIG. 1. 3 is a flowchart showing processing of a print job analysis program corresponding to a print request from a host device in the ink jet recording apparatus of FIG. 1. It is a flowchart which shows the process of the print job analysis program corresponding to the print request from the digital camera in the inkjet recording device as a printing device concerning the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a print setting screen of a printer driver as a utility screen. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a special setting dialog screen of a printer driver. It is a figure which shows the specific example of the command which sets the head paper gap. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the host apparatus in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the structure of each software module in the host apparatus of FIG. It is a figure which shows the user interface in the print setting screen of a recent printer driver. It is a figure which shows the selection menu of the kind of paper as a recording medium.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an inkjet recording apparatus (printing apparatus) as a printing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention and a host computer (information processing apparatus) capable of communicating with the inkjet recording apparatus. .

  In FIG. 1, an ink jet recording apparatus (printing apparatus) prints an image on a recording medium by an ink jet recording method, and includes a CPU (adjustment means, control means) 1, a ROM (storage means) 2, and a RAM (storage means). 3, a first interface (first communication unit) 4, a second interface (second communication unit) 5, a head paper interval adjustment unit (adjustment unit) 6, and a bus 7. The ink jet recording apparatus is configured to be able to communicate with a host apparatus (information processing apparatus) 8 and an electronic device 9. In the present embodiment, a case where the electronic device 9 is a digital camera will be described.

  The CPU 1 is a central processing unit that controls the entire inkjet recording apparatus, and based on a program stored in the ROM 2, processing (first embodiment) shown in flowcharts of FIGS. 2 and 3 described later, and described later. The process (second embodiment) shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4 is executed. The ROM 2 executes a head paper interval setting command reception analysis program, a print job analysis program corresponding to a print request from the host device 8, and a digital for executing the processes shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. This is a memory in which various programs including a print job analysis program corresponding to a print request from the camera 9 and “value specified by default” are stored. The RAM 3 is a memory used as a work area for various programs, and continues for a plurality of print jobs until a print setting effective for one print job (for example, a gap between head papers) or the power is turned off. And an effective print setting (for example, a gap between head sheets).

  The first interface 4 is an interface that exchanges commands and data between the host device 8 and the inkjet recording apparatus. The second interface 5 is an interface that exchanges commands and data between the digital camera 9 and the ink jet recording apparatus. The head paper gap adjusting means 6 is composed of a motor and a driving means (motor driver) for driving the motor, and defines a head paper gap (a distance between the recording head for ejecting ink and the recording paper) based on the control of the CPU 1. Adjust the value). The bus 7 is a transmission path for transmitting data, addresses, and control signals, to which the above components are connected. The ink jet recording apparatus includes a printing mechanism including a recording head, a recording medium conveyance mechanism, and the like in addition to the above-described components, but illustration thereof is omitted.

  The host device 8 is configured as, for example, a computer that can communicate with the ink jet recording apparatus via the first interface 4, and is a temporary command that is effective only for one printing in the ink jet recording apparatus (head paper interval designation job). Command) and a setting command that stores the print setting state until the next setting command or cancel command is sent to the inkjet recording apparatus or until the power of the inkjet recording apparatus is turned off. (Head paper interval setting command) is transmitted to the inkjet recording apparatus. Here, the head sheet interval setting command includes a setting for instructing printing according to the head sheet interval gap designated by the head sheet interval designation job command. The digital camera 9 is configured to be able to communicate with the ink jet recording apparatus via the second interface 5.

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the host device in FIG.

  In FIG. 8, the host device (host computer) 8 includes a CPU (control unit) 101. The CPU 101 executes document processing of a document in which graphics, images, characters, tables (including spreadsheets, etc.) are mixed based on a document processing program stored in the ROM 102 or the external memory 111, and the system bus 108. The components (devices) connected to the are generally controlled. The ROM 102 or the external memory 111 stores an operating system program (hereinafter referred to as “OS”) which is a control program of the CPU 101, and the ROM 102 or the external memory 111 stores fonts used for the document processing. Data and various data used when performing the document processing and the like are stored.

  The RAM 103 functions as a main memory or work area for the CPU 101. A keyboard controller (KBC) 104 controls key input from a keyboard 109 or a pointing device (not shown). A CRT controller (CRTC: display control means) 105 controls display on a CRT display (CRT: display unit) 110. A disk controller (DKC) 106 controls access to an external memory 111 that stores a boot program, various applications, font data, user files, edit files, a printer control command generation program (hereinafter referred to as a printer driver), and the like. To do. The external memory 111 includes a hard disk (HD), a floppy (registered trademark) disk (FD), and the like.

  An interface (I / F) 107 is connected to the above-described ink jet recording apparatus (printing apparatus) and executes a communication control process. Note that the CPU 101 executes, for example, processing (rasterization) of display information set on the RAM 103 into an outline font, thereby enabling WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) on the CRT 110. Further, the CPU 101 opens various registered windows based on commands instructed by a mouse cursor or the like displayed on the CRT 110, and executes various data processing. As a result, when printing is performed, the user can open a window related to print settings, and perform print settings for the inkjet recording apparatus and print processing method settings for the printer driver, including selection of a print mode.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of each software module in the host device of FIG. In FIG. 9, an application 201, a graphic engine 202, a printer driver 203, and a system spooler 204 exist as files stored in the ROM 102 or the external memory 111, and are loaded into the RAM 103 and executed by the operating system (OS) or other modules. Program module.

  The application 201 and the printer driver 203 can be added to the external memory 111 (HD) via an FD, a CD-ROM, or a network (not shown).

  The application 201 stored in the external memory 111 is loaded into the RAM 103 and executed. When printing from the application 201 using the inkjet recording apparatus, the application 201 can be similarly executed by being loaded into the RAM 103. The graphic engine 202 is used for output (drawing).

  The graphic engine 202 similarly loads the printer driver 203 prepared for each printer from the external memory 111 to the RAM 103, and converts the output of the application 201 into a control command that can be controlled by the inkjet recording apparatus using the printer driver 203. Generate a print job. The converted printer control command is output to the inkjet recording apparatus via the interface 107 via the system spooler 204 loaded into the RAM 103 by the OS.

  Next, the operation and control flow in the host device 8 will be described. First, in order to set an effective head-to-paper gap for one print job, the user selects a desired type in the paper type selection field 1001 on the print setting screen of the printer driver 203 shown in FIG. Select the type of recording paper. There are many variations of this type of recording paper as shown in FIG. Based on the type of recording paper selected here, the correspondence table (the gap between the head paper is defined for each type of recording paper) is stored in advance by the printer driver, and the type of recording paper is supported. The head paper gap is acquired, and a print job in which the acquired head paper gap value is embedded as a control command (hereinafter referred to as a “head paper designation job command”) is generated. When the print job generated in this way is received by the inkjet recording apparatus, the head paper gap embedded as a control command in the print job is applied to the print job.

  In direct printing for printing data input from the digital camera 9 via the second interface 5 of the inkjet recording apparatus, the gap between the head sheets of the direct print is currently set in the inkjet recording apparatus as described above. The gap between the head papers is applied.

  In a conventional inkjet recording apparatus, a user can adjust the gap between the head papers every time printing is performed using a manual lever or the like. However, in order to reduce the cost, a recent inkjet that does not have a manual lever or the like is used. In the recording apparatus, there is a problem that the user cannot adjust the head paper gap by manual operation.

  Therefore, in the present invention, until the power of the ink jet recording apparatus is turned off or a new head sheet interval setting command is received from the host apparatus 8 connected to the ink jet recording apparatus via the first interface 4. Then, a head sheet interval setting command for applying the currently set head sheet gap for a plurality of print jobs is continuously transmitted.

  First, by pressing the “utility” tab on the print setting screen of the printer driver in FIG. 10, the print setting screen in FIG. 5 is displayed as a utility screen. From this utility screen, various setting commands for the ink jet recording apparatus can be transmitted. Here, when the “special setting” button 501 is pressed by the user, the special setting dialog screen of FIG. 6 is displayed.

  In the special setting dialog screen of FIG. 6, when the “prevent paper rubbing” check box 601 is checked and the transmission button 602 is pressed, a setting command for the checked item is transmitted to the inkjet recording apparatus. If the send button 602 is pressed while the “prevent paper rubbing” check box 601 is checked, a head paper gap setting command is sent to the inkjet recording apparatus so as to widen the head paper gap. Is done. The head sheet interval setting command transmitted here is transmitted as a command as shown in FIG. 7, unlike the head sheet interval designation job command embedded in the print job.

  The CPU 1 of the ink jet recording apparatus executes the head sheet interval setting command reception analysis program, the print job analysis program corresponding to the print request from the host device 8, and the print job analysis program corresponding to the print request from the digital camera 9. As a result, the following control is executed. Details will be described with reference to flowcharts of the respective embodiments.

  When the head paper gap setting is set by the head paper gap setting command shown in FIG. 7, the head paper gap specification (Auto) by the head paper gap designation job command is ignored, and is set by the head paper gap setting command. The head paper gap is adjusted according to the head paper gap (Wide), and printing is executed.

  Also, when the head paper gap setting is not set by the head paper gap setting command, or when the setting by the head paper gap setting command is canceled, the head according to the head paper gap gap (Auto) designated by the head paper gap designation job command Adjust the gap between papers and execute printing.

  Further, when the head paper gap setting is set by the head paper gap setting command, the head paper gap is performed according to the head paper gap (Wide) set by the head paper gap setting command, and the second interface from the digital camera 9 is performed. The print data transmitted via 5 is printed.

  In addition, when the head paper gap setting is not set by the head paper gap setting command, the setting by the head paper gap setting command is canceled, or the head paper gap is not specified by the head paper gap designation job command, the inkjet The head paper gap adjustment is performed in accordance with a default value stored in advance in the recording apparatus, and printing is executed.

  Next, the operation of the ink jet recording apparatus of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the processing of the head sheet interval setting command reception analysis program in the ink jet recording apparatus of FIG.

  In FIG. 2, the CPU 1 of the ink jet recording apparatus starts execution of the head sheet interval setting command reception analysis program. This program determines whether or not a head paper interval setting command (FIG. 7) transmitted from the host device 8 via the first interface 4 of the ink jet recording apparatus has been received (step S21), and sets the head paper interval. If the command is received, it is determined whether or not the head paper gap specified by the head paper gap setting command is set to “wide” (step S22).

  If it is determined that the head paper gap is set to “wide”, the program stores information indicating “wide” in the continuation setting area (not shown) of the RAM 3 as the setting of the head paper gap (step not shown). S23). On the other hand, if it is determined that the head paper gap is not set to “wide”, the program uses the RAM 3 to display information indicating “according to the value specified by the head paper specification job command” as the setting of the head paper gap. (Step S24).

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the processing of the print job analysis program corresponding to the print request from the host device 8 in the ink jet recording apparatus of FIG.

  In FIG. 3, the CPU 1 of the ink jet recording apparatus starts executing the print job analysis program. This program determines whether or not a head paper interval designation job command transmitted from the host device 8 via the first interface 4 of the ink jet recording apparatus, that is, a print job has been received (step S31). When the interval designation job command is received, whether or not the gap between the head sheets is already set to “wide” by the head sheet interval setting command reception analysis program shown in FIG. It discriminate | determines (step S32).

  If it is determined that the head paper gap is set to “wide”, the program gives priority to the fact that the head paper gap is set to “wide” in the print job. After the head paper gap is adjusted to the “wide” setting (step S33), print processing of print data transmitted from the host device 8 via the first interface 4 is executed (step S34), and the print job is executed. finish.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the head paper gap is not set to “wide”, the stored content of the RAM 3 is “according to the value specified by the head paper specification job command”. The head paper gap adjusting means 6 adjusts the head paper gap according to the value of the head paper gap specified by the head paper gap designation job command received from the host device 8 in step S31 (step S35). Print processing of the print data transmitted from the host device 8 via the first interface 4 is executed (step S34), and the print job is terminated.

  If the head paper gap designation job command is not designated in one job, the “head paper gap” may be adjusted using the “value designated by default” stored in the ROM 2. . Note that the value set by the head paper interval setting command remains valid until a new head paper interval setting command is received or the power of the ink jet recording apparatus is turned off.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, in the ink jet recording apparatus that can electrically and mechanically adjust the gap between the head papers, 1 is transmitted from the host device 8 via the first interface 4. The head paper interval designation job command (temporary command) that is valid only for printing once, and once set, until the next setting command or cancel command is sent, the setting state set so far is stored. When the head paper gap setting command (setting command) is received and the head paper gap setting is set by the head paper gap setting command, the head paper gap specification job command is ignored. , Adjust the head paper gap according to the head paper gap set by the head paper setting command, and execute printing Because, it is possible to obtain the following effect.

  The head paper gap set by the head paper gap setting command transmitted from the host device 8 to the inkjet recording apparatus via the first interface 4 is an interface different from the first interface 4 (second interface 5). Therefore, the print job is also valid for a print job input via the digital camera 9, and print data is transmitted from the digital camera 9 to the inkjet recording apparatus via the second interface 5 without going through the host device 8. Even during camera direct printing, it is no longer necessary to issue a head paper interval setting command from the digital camera as in the conventional case, and the recording head and the recording medium are rubbed with each other to prevent the recording medium from becoming dirty. Is possible.

  In addition, regarding the response to the specification change due to the addition of a new recording medium or the change of the material of the recording medium, the recording head and the above-described addition or material are set by the head sheet interval setting command transmitted from the host device 8 to the ink jet recording apparatus. Since it is possible to set the gap between the head paper and the changed recording medium, it is possible to easily cope with the above specification change without updating the firmware of the digital camera 9 or the ink jet recording apparatus. .

[Second Embodiment]
The configuration of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention is the same as that of the first embodiment (see FIG. 1).

  Next, the operation of the ink jet recording apparatus of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the processing of the print job analysis program corresponding to the print request from the digital camera 9 in the ink jet recording apparatus as the printing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 4, the CPU 1 of the ink jet recording apparatus starts execution of the print job analysis program. Since the head paper interval designation job command is not transmitted from the digital camera 9 via the second interface 5 of the ink jet recording apparatus (in other words, the digital camera does not have a function of transmitting a command corresponding to the model of the printing apparatus. Therefore, this program determines whether or not the head paper gap is set to “wide” by the head paper gap setting command reception analysis program shown in FIG. 2 (step S41).

  If it is determined that the head paper gap is set to “wide”, the program determines that the head paper gap is set to “wide” in the print job by the head paper gap adjusting means 6. After the gap is adjusted to the “wide” setting (step S42), print processing of print data transmitted from the digital camera 9 via the second interface 5 is executed (step S43), and the print job is terminated. .

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the head paper gap is not set to “wide”, the program uses the “value specified by default” stored in advance in the ROM 2 of the inkjet recording apparatus to After adjusting the head paper gap by the adjusting means 6 (step S44), the print data transmitted from the digital camera 9 via the second interface 5 is printed (step S43), and the print job is completed. To do.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the head paper transmitted from the host device 8 via the first interface 4 in the ink jet recording apparatus capable of adjusting the gap between the head papers electrically and mechanically. When the head paper gap is set by the space setting command, the head paper gap is adjusted according to the head paper gap set by the head paper setting command, and transmitted from the digital camera 9 via the second interface 5. When the head paper gap setting is not set by the head paper gap setting command (or when the setting by the head paper gap setting command is canceled), according to the default value stored in advance in the inkjet recording apparatus Adjusting the gap between the head paper and executing the above printing, the following effects are obtained: It is possible.

  The head paper gap set by the head paper gap setting command transmitted from the host device 8 to the inkjet recording apparatus via the first interface 4 is an interface different from the first interface 4 (second interface 5). Therefore, the print job is also valid for a print job input via the digital camera 9, and print data is transmitted from the digital camera 9 to the inkjet recording apparatus via the second interface 5 without going through the host device 8. Even during camera direct printing, it is no longer necessary to issue a head paper interval setting command from the digital camera as in the conventional case, and the recording head and the recording medium are rubbed with each other to prevent the recording medium from becoming dirty. Is possible.

  In addition, regarding the response to the specification change due to the addition of a new recording medium or the change of the material of the recording medium, the recording head and the above-described addition or material are set by the head sheet interval setting command transmitted from the host device 8 to the ink jet recording apparatus. Since it is possible to set the gap between the head paper and the changed recording medium, it is possible to easily cope with the above specification change without updating the firmware of the digital camera 9 or the ink jet recording apparatus. .

  In addition, when the head paper gap is not set by the head paper setting command, or when the setting is canceled, the head paper gap is adjusted according to the default value on the ink jet recording apparatus side. There is no problem that printing is performed in a state where printing is not performed, and the phenomenon that the recording head and the recording medium are rubbed and the recording medium is soiled can be accurately prevented.

  The present invention supplies a software program (flowcharts in FIGS. 2 to 4) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments to a computer or CPU, and the computer or CPU reads and executes the supplied program. Can be achieved.

  In this case, the program is directly supplied from a storage medium storing the program, or downloaded from another computer or database (not shown) connected to the Internet, a commercial network, a local area network, or the like. Supplied.

  The form of the program may be in the form of object code, program code executed by an interpreter, script data supplied to an OS (operating system), and the like.

  The present invention also supplies a computer or CPU with a storage medium storing a software program that implements the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the computer or CPU reads and executes the program stored in the storage medium. Can also be achieved.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

  As a storage medium for storing the program code, for example, ROM, RAM, NV-RAM, floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, optical disk (registered trademark), magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, MO, CD-R, CD -RW, DVD-ROM, DVD-RAM, DVD-RW, DVD + RW, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, etc.

  The function of the above-described embodiment is not only by executing the program code read from the computer, but the OS or the like running on the computer performs part or all of the actual processing based on the instruction of the program code. Can also be realized.

1, 101 CPU
2, 102 ROM
3, 103 RAM
4 First interface 5 Second interface 6 Head paper gap adjusting means 8 Host device 9 Digital camera 501 “Special setting” button 601 “Prevent paper rubbing” check box 602 Send button 104 Keyboard controller 105 CRT controller 106 Disk Controller 107 Interface 109 Keyboard 110 CRT
111 External Memory 201 Application 202 Graphic Engine 203 Printer Driver 204 System Spooler 1001 Paper Type Selection Field 1002 Paper Feed Method Selection Field

Claims (5)

In a printing apparatus that prints an image on the recording medium by discharging ink from the recording head and attaching the ink to the recording medium,
First and second communication means for managing communication with the outside of the printing apparatus;
Adjusting means for adjusting a head medium interval between the recording head and the recording medium based on a command transmitted from the information processing apparatus via the first communication means;
Storage means for storing a setting by a setting command transmitted from the information processing apparatus and storing a setting state of the printing apparatus;
When the head medium interval is set by the setting command, the adjustment unit performs the adjustment in accordance with the head medium interval set by the setting command, and prints the print data transmitted through the second communication unit. And a control means for executing the printing apparatus.   When the head medium interval is not set by the setting command or when the setting command is canceled, the control unit performs the adjustment by the adjusting unit according to the head medium interval set in advance in the printing apparatus. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein printing of the print data is executed.   The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus connected to the second communication unit is a digital camera. In a printing control method executed by a printing apparatus that prints an image on the recording medium by discharging ink from the recording head and attaching the ink to the recording medium,
A setting command transmitted from the information processing apparatus via the first communication unit of the printing apparatus and storing a setting state of the printing apparatus;
When the head medium interval is set by the setting command, the interval between the recording head and the recording medium is adjusted according to the head medium interval set by the setting command, and the second communication unit of the printing apparatus is adjusted. A print control method, comprising: printing print data transmitted via a print medium. In a program for causing a computer to execute a printing control method of a printing apparatus that prints an image on the recording medium by ejecting ink from the recording head and attaching the ink to the recording medium.
A module that stores settings by a setting command that is transmitted from the information processing apparatus to the printing apparatus via the first communication unit of the printing apparatus and stores the setting state of the printing apparatus;
When the head medium interval is set by the setting command, the interval between the recording head and the recording medium is adjusted in accordance with the head medium interval set by the setting command, and the printing apparatus is moved from the digital camera to the printing apparatus. A module for executing printing of print data transmitted via the second communication means.

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