JP2011126139A - Device, method and program for controlling printing - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make a paper-feeding part selectable where parameters are properly set by a user when an image is printed on a recording medium fed from any of a plurality of paper-feeding parts. <P>SOLUTION: When a printing job received from a host computer is practiced, a paper-feeding part where a correction value of feed amount of a recording medium to be used for the printing job is designated by the user is selected from the paper-feeding parts 102, 103, 104. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a print control apparatus, method, and program for printing an image on a recording medium fed from any of a plurality of paper feed units.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, printing apparatuses that perform printing by selectively using one of a plurality of types of recording media are known that perform printing by changing printing conditions according to the thickness and type of the recording medium (Patent Literature). 1). In such a printing apparatus, for example, parameters for feeding the recording medium are changed according to the thickness and type of the recording medium.

JP 2007-128178 A

  In the case where the parameters for paper feeding are changed in accordance with the recording medium to be used in this way, the user may manually change the parameters if a desired correction is not made due to a change with time of the printing apparatus or the like. .

  However, conventionally, when automatically selecting one of a plurality of paper feed units, whether or not the parameter has been manually changed was not included in the selection condition, so the paper feed unit having the parameter manually changed should be selected. Even in some cases, it could not be selected.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems. When an image is printed on a recording medium fed from any of a plurality of paper feeding units, parameters for paper feeding are appropriately set by a user. It is an object of the present invention to provide a printing control apparatus, method, and program capable of selecting a selected paper feeding unit.

  In order to achieve the above object, a print control apparatus according to the present invention is a print control apparatus that prints an image on a recording medium fed from any of a plurality of paper feed units, and is based on an instruction from a user. Storage means for storing parameter correction values when feeding a recording medium in each of the paper feeding units, and the plurality of paper feeding units as paper feeding units used for the print job when executing a print job Selecting means for selecting a paper feed unit in which correction values are stored by the storage means.

  According to the present invention, when an image is printed on a recording medium fed from any of a plurality of paper feed units, a user can select a paper feed unit in which parameters for paper feed are appropriately set.

It is a figure which shows the external appearance of the inkjet recording device of embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of an inkjet recording device. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the process in this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the feed amount correction value determination pattern of this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the process in this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the process in this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the process in this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the process in this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the process in this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the process in this embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of an ink jet recording apparatus (printer) which is an example of a print control apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  The printer main body 100 includes an operation panel 101 including a display unit and keys, and three-stage sheet feeding units (also referred to as sheet feeding stages or sheet feeding ports) 102, 103, and 104 that store recording media. Yes.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the ink jet recording apparatus (printer) shown in FIG.

  In addition to the program executed by the printer control unit 204, the ROM 214 stores device-specific information and numerical data necessary for printing. The RAM 215 has a feed amount correction value (carrying amount correction value) as a parameter for feeding media according to the type (type and size) of media usable in the printer for each of a plurality of paper feeding units of the printer. Is memorized. This feed amount correction value can be changed by an operation through the operation panel 101 by the user. The correction value corresponding to the paper size is a value corresponding to the vertical and horizontal sizes if the medium is cut paper, and the paper width and remaining amount if the medium is roll paper. The value corresponding to the paper type is a value corresponding to the material of the medium such as plain paper or glossy paper. The correction value corresponding to the type of media is a value corresponding to one or both of the paper size and type. The correction value is a correction value for a predetermined reference conveyance parameter.

  When recording (printing) an image, image data such as characters, line drawings, and photo tones to be recorded is input from the host computer 216 to the image data storage unit 202 via the external I / F unit 201. Specifically, the image data storage unit 202 includes a memory, a hard disk, and the like, and can store image data from the start to the end of printing (hereinafter, image data for one page).

  Data other than image data, for example, command data for instructing start of printing or instructing interruption from the host computer 216 is input to the printer control unit 204 without entering the image data storage unit 202. The recording head control unit 205 controls the recording head 26 based on a command from the printer control unit 204 and image data and timing signals from the image processing unit 203. For example, an image is formed by selectively driving nozzles according to image data. When recording for one band is started, the recording head control unit 205 sends a timing signal for starting the movement of the carriage 208 to the carriage control unit 207. When the carriage reaches the recording start position, the carriage control unit 207 returns a timing signal notifying the recording head control unit 205 of the start of recording. When the recording for one band is finished, the recording head control unit 205 returns a timing signal notifying the image processing unit 203, the carriage control unit 207, and the media conveyance control unit 209 that the recording is completed. As a result, the image processing unit 203 prepares image data for the next band, and the carriage control unit 207 stops scanning of the carriage. Then, the media transport control unit 209 rotates the transport roller 210 by a predetermined amount calculated based on the media control correction value stored in the RAM 215 to transport the media to the recording position of the next band. The image processing unit 203 gives a timing signal to the recording head control unit 205 again after the preparation is completed. The media conveyance control unit 209 also gives a timing signal to the recording head control unit 205 after the completion of media conveyance. By repeating this, all images are recorded one band at a time.

  Further, data notifying the operation state of the control device 200 is transmitted from the control device 200 to the host computer 216. The printer control unit 204 acquires the ink remaining amount value from a storage area (not shown) of the ink tank 212 via the ink tank management unit 211, and conversely subtracts the ink used for printing from the ink remaining amount. can do. The ink tank management unit 211 can manage the remaining amount of ink for each ink color.

  The operation panel 213 includes a display unit and an input unit such as a push button switch. When the medium is attached, the display unit displays the media type and media set to the operator. The input unit is used by an operator to select and input media and media sets.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a media feed amount determination process by the ink jet recording apparatus of the present embodiment. This flowchart shows the flow of processing performed by the printer control unit 204 loading a program stored in the ROM 214 into the RAM 215 and executing the program.

  The feed amount (F) finally obtained in this process is the rotation amount of the carriage roller 210 per scan of the carriage. First, the basic feed amount (B) is obtained (step S301). The basic feed amount is not related to the type of media or the paper feed unit.

  In the ink jet recording apparatus of this embodiment, in order to reduce printing unevenness and the like, multi-pass printing is performed in which an image for one band is printed by a plurality of scans. The number of multipasses is defined as the number of print passes (P). P may differ depending on the job to be printed. Generally, P is increased when printing is desired, and P is decreased when printing is performed quickly. The recording head is composed of a plurality of nozzles arranged in a line. If the length is the head length (L), the basic feed amount (B) is determined by the following equation.

Basic feed amount (B) = head length (L) / number of printing passes (P)
In step S302, a feed amount correction value (A) related to the property of the medium and the paper feed unit is acquired.

  The correction value acquisition method uses a method in which a plurality of feed amount correction value determination patterns are printed and the user selects an appropriate correction value based on the print result. The feed amount correction value determination pattern will be described later. Finally, in step S303, the feed amount (F) is obtained by the following equation.

Feed amount (F) = Basic feed amount (B) + Feed amount correction value (A)
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a media feed amount correction value determination pattern in the present embodiment.

  In FIG. 4, 400 indicates a medium. Reference numerals 401, 403, and 405 denote a part of the feed amount correction value determination pattern printed on the medium 400. Reference numerals 402, 404, and 406 are printed on the medium 400 and indicate correction values corresponding to the feed amount correction value determination patterns 401 and 403, respectively. A plurality of feed amount correction value determination patterns are printed. Each of them is composed of a pattern in which a rectangular area of 50% density printed in two bands is adjacent to the media feed direction (arrow in the figure), and is printed with slightly different feed amount correction values. Therefore, the overlapping states of adjacent portions are different from each other. If the feed amount correction value is too small, the overlapping area (dark black band) becomes large. On the other hand, if the feed amount correction value is too large, the feed amount correction value does not overlap as in 405, and a white gap is left (this is represented by 401). Therefore, when the feed amount is properly corrected, there is no overlap and no gap (this is assumed to be represented by 403). The user selects a pattern in such a state from a plurality of patterns. The ink jet recording apparatus inputs the numerical value written to the right of the pattern ("-1" shown in 404 in the figure) as an appropriate feed amount correction value from the operation panel, and stores it in the RAM 215. Thus, an appropriate feed amount correction value for one printing pass can be acquired. Although omitted in the present embodiment for the sake of simplicity, in practice, it is necessary to perform this printing for all the printing paths supported by the recording apparatus and to allow the user to input. It takes a long time to obtain adjustment values for all media and all sizes. Therefore, this work is performed for the media type and size to be used.

  Next, a method for obtaining a paper feed amount correction value with a length accuracy will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a process for calculating a feed amount correction value when length accuracy is prioritized. This flowchart shows the flow of processing performed by the printer control unit 204 loading a program stored in the ROM 214 into the RAM 215 and executing the program. In the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present embodiment, band unevenness reduction priority transport control or length accuracy priority is given depending on whether image quality (image quality) priority or length accuracy (image length accuracy) priority based on user designation. One of the conveyance controls is selected and executed. The priority on the accuracy of the image length means that the image length is closer to the image length specified in the print job. Image quality priority means that the image length is set to a higher quality image even if there is a deviation from the specified length.

  First, in step S701, an arbitrary scale pattern is printed on the paper, and the process proceeds to step S702.

  Next, in step S702, the user is caused to measure the length of the print scale, and the process proceeds to step S703.

  In step S <b> 703, the user inputs an error between the measurement result of the scale length measured in step S <b> 702 and the print scale via the operation panel 101, acquires the content and saves it in the RAM 215, and ends the process.

  In the actual length adjustment priority transport control, the rotation amount of the media transport roller is controlled so as to correct the ruled line length error measured as described above. However, since it is impossible to control the rotation amount of the conveyance roller below the minimum control unit, an error from the ideal correction amount of the feed amount occurs when one sheet of paper is conveyed. When performing feed amount correction with priority on length accuracy, a correction error component that is generated is added, and when the accumulated error component reaches a predetermined amount, the predetermined length accuracy is realized.

  Next, processing for executing a print job by the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described. In FIG. 6, the print job transmitted from the host is set to “automatic feed port selection” that allows the user to automatically select from the contents of the print data without designating a specific paper feed unit. Processing will be described. Then, when “automatic selection of paper feed port” is set, the flow of processing for switching the selection condition of the paper feed unit according to the setting content of the paper feed amount correction value for each paper feed unit is shown. This flowchart shows the flow of processing performed by the printer control unit 204 loading a program stored in the ROM 214 into the RAM 215 and executing the program.

  First, in step S <b> 801, a print job set to “automatic selection of paper feed port” is transmitted from the host computer 215 to the printer 100 and received by the printer 100 via the external I / F 201. The received print job data is temporarily stored in the reception buffer in the RAM 215 and then stored in the image data storage unit 202.

  The print job data includes data indicating the print output size (the length of the print area in the paper width direction and the paper transport direction), data specifying the print quality, output paper specification, etc. Various data other than the image data are added. The printer control unit 204 extracts and interprets these additional data, and reflects the result in the control of each unit of the printer 100.

  In step S <b> 802, the printer control unit 204 determines whether the priority image quality setting of the received print job data is “length accuracy priority”. In step S802, if the priority image quality setting of the print job data is “length accuracy priority” (Y in step S802), the process proceeds to step S803, and if it is not “length accuracy priority”, that is, “band unevenness reduction priority”. (N in step S802), the process proceeds to step S815.

  In step S <b> 803, the printer control unit 204 performs adjustment (hereinafter, “length adjustment”) for setting the paper feed amount correction value with the length accuracy described with reference to FIG. 5 for the paper type specified by the print job. It is determined whether or not there is a sheet feed port in which the length adjustment feed amount correction value exists. In step S803, if there is a paper feed port whose length has been adjusted by the user (Y in step S803), the process proceeds to step S804, and if there is no paper feed port whose length has been adjusted (step S803). N) proceeds to step S807.

  In step S804, the printer control unit 204 selects the paper feed port whose length has been adjusted as an object candidate for paper feed start, and proceeds to step S805.

  In step S805, it is determined whether there is a paper feed port in which the paper type specified by the print job is set from the paper feed ports selected in step S804. If there is a paper feed slot in which the same paper type as that specified by the print job is set (Y in step S805), the process proceeds to step S806, and the paper designated by the print job is set in any paper feed slot. If not (N in Step S805), the process proceeds to Step S808.

  Step S806 is a process of selecting a paper feed port that actually feeds paper from the paper feed ports that are determined to have the same paper as that specified by the print job in step S805. The processing content in step S806 will be described later with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In step S806, after one paper feed port for actually feeding paper is selected, the process proceeds to step S810.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of paper feed port selection executed in the printer 100 according to the present embodiment.

  As a starting state, it is assumed that at least one sheet of the same type as the sheet type specified by the print job is set in the sheet feeding port of the printer 100.

  In step S1001, the printer control unit 204 compares the paper designated by the print job with the paper set in each paper feed port, and determines whether there are a plurality of paper feed ports in which the paper designated by the print job is set. Determine whether. If it is determined in step S1001 that there are a plurality of paper feed ports on which the paper designated by the print job is set (Y in step S1001), the process proceeds to step S1003. On the other hand, if it is determined that there is only one paper feed port on which the paper designated by the print job is set (N in step S1001), the process proceeds to step S1002.

  In step S <b> 1002, the printer control unit 204 selects a paper feed port (only one in this case) on which paper that matches the paper type specified by the print job is selected, and ends the process. When printing is actually executed, paper is fed from the paper feed port selected here.

  In step S <b> 1003, the printer control unit 204 determines whether there is a sheet having a size capable of outputting a print job from among a plurality of sheets having the same sheet type, that is, whether there is a sheet larger than the output image size of the print job. Determine. If it is determined in step S1003 that there is a sheet larger than the output image size of the print job (Y in step S1003), the process proceeds to step S1004. If it is determined that no sheet exists (N in step S1003), the process proceeds to step S1006. Proceed with

  In step S1004, the printer control unit 204 determines whether there are a plurality of sheets determined to have a sheet size larger than the output image size in step S1003. If it is determined in step S1004 that there are a plurality of sheets having a size larger than the output image size (Y in step S1004), the process proceeds to step S1006. If there is only one (N in step S1004), the process proceeds to step S1005. .

  In step S1005, the printer control unit 204 selects a paper feed port (only one in this case) on which a printable size paper is set, and ends the process. When printing is actually executed, paper is fed from the paper feed port selected here.

  In step S <b> 1006, the printer control unit 204 selects a paper feed port in which a paper having a size closest to the paper specified by the print job is set, and ends the process.

  Returning to FIG. In step S <b> 807, the printer control unit 204 determines whether or not there is a paper feed port whose length has been adjusted by expanding the target to paper other than the paper specified by the print job. If it is determined in step S807 that there is a sheet feeding port whose length has been adjusted (Y in step S807), the process proceeds to step S808. If it is determined that there is no sheet feeding port whose length has been adjusted even if the target is expanded to a sheet other than the sheet specified by the print job (N in step S807), the process proceeds to step S813.

  In step S808, it is determined whether printing is to be performed using paper other than the paper type specified by the print job. Specifically, an operation selection screen such as “Is printing different from specified paper? Do you want to print?” Is displayed on the display unit of the operation panel 101, and the determination is made by reading the selection input from the user. . In step S808, if printing is performed using paper other than the paper type specified by the print job (Y in step S808), the process proceeds to step S809, and if printing is not performed (N in step S808), the process proceeds to step S813. Proceed with

In step S809, a process of selecting a sheet type to be actually output from the sheets whose length has been adjusted is executed. The paper is selected by displaying a list of selectable paper types on the display unit of the operation panel 101 and allowing the user to select the paper type. After step S809 ends, the process proceeds to step S810.
In step S810, for the selected output paper type, it is determined whether the output image size designated by the print job and the paper size of the selected paper are mismatched. Whether or not there is a mismatch is determined by whether or not the output image size designated by the print job is smaller than the paper width. If it is determined in step S810 that the paper size is mismatched (Y in step S810), the process proceeds to step S811, and if it is determined that the sheet size is not mismatched (N in step S810), the process proceeds to step S812.

  In step S811, it is determined whether to execute printing while ignoring the paper size mismatch. Here, 1) whether the paper size mismatch is set in advance to be ignored, or 2) the print execution possibility selection screen is displayed on the operation unit 105, and the user selects “execute printing” ( In step S811, Y) proceeds to step S812. On the other hand, 3) When the setting for ignoring the mismatch of the paper size is not made and the print execution possibility selection screen is displayed on the operation unit 105, and the user selects “do not execute printing” (N in step S811). Advances to step S819 without executing printing.

  In step S812, the printer control unit 204 executes printing using the feed amount correction adjustment value for priority of length accuracy, and ends the process.

  In step S813, the printer control unit 204 determines whether there is a sheet that is set in a sheet feeding port of the printer that matches the sheet specified by the print job. If the paper specified by the print job matches any paper set in the paper feed slot (Y in step S813), the process proceeds to step S814, and the paper specified by the print job is in which paper feed. If it does not exist in the mouth (N in step S813), the process proceeds to step S819.

  In step S <b> 814, the printer control unit 204 determines whether to execute printing using the set value of “band unevenness reduction priority”. The print execution determination in step S814 is performed by confirming the contents set in advance by the user or by displaying the selection screen on the display unit of the operation panel 101 and reading the result selected by the user. If it is determined that printing is to be performed (Y in step S814), the process proceeds to step S815. If it is determined that printing is not to be performed (N in step S814), the process proceeds to step S819.

  Step S815 has the same processing contents as step S806, and is processing for selecting a paper feed port for actually feeding paper. The processing content follows the flowchart of FIG. After step S815 ends, the process proceeds to step S816.

  Step S816 is a paper mismatch detection process, in which a mismatch between the paper type designated by the print job, the paper size, the paper type actually set in the paper feed port, and the paper size is detected. The processing content of step S816 will be described later with reference to the flowchart of FIG. After step S816 ends, the process proceeds to step S817.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the contents of the paper mismatch detection process executed in the printer 100 according to this embodiment. In the paper mismatch detection process, the paper type designated by the print job is compared with the paper type and paper size of the paper set in each paper feed unit, and it is determined whether or not a mismatch has occurred for each.

  In step S1101, the printer control unit 204 compares the paper type specified by the print job with the paper type set in the selected paper feed port, and determines whether or not the two paper types match. . If it is determined in step S1101 that the paper types match (Y in step S1101), the process proceeds to step S1102, and if it is determined that the paper types do not match (N in step S1101), step S1104. Proceed to

  In step S1102, the printer control unit 204 compares the image size of the print job with the size of the paper set in the selected paper feed slot, and determines whether the image size of the print job is outside the paper. If it is determined in step S1102 that the paper size is smaller than the required size and the image protrudes from the paper (Y in step S1102), the process proceeds to step S1104, and it is determined that the paper size is sufficiently large and the image does not protrude. If so (N in step S1102), the process proceeds to step 1103.

  In step S1103, the printer control unit 204 determines that there is no mismatch between the designation of the print job and the set paper, and ends the process.

  In step S1104, the printer control unit 204 determines that a mismatch has occurred between the designation of the print job and the set paper, and ends the process.

  In step S817, it is determined whether to execute printing. Here, if either 1) “no mismatch” is detected in the paper mismatch detection process, or 2) the user selects to forcibly output ignoring the paper mismatch (Y in step S817), print execution is performed. Is selected and the process proceeds to step S818. 3) If it is determined that there is a paper mismatch and the user selects not to perform forced output (N in step S817), printing is not executed and the process proceeds to step S819.

  In step S818, the printer control unit 204 executes printing using the feed amount correction adjustment value for band unevenness reduction priority, and the process ends.

  Step S819 is error processing. The contents of step S819 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. After the error process is completed, the process ends.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of error processing when the printout of the received job is not performed.

In step S1201, the printer control unit 204 determines whether or not to cancel the received job. The determination of cancellation is performed by confirming the result set in advance by the user or by displaying the selection screen on the operation panel 101 and reading the result selected by the user. If the received job is canceled without printing (Y in step S1201), the process proceeds to step S1202. If not canceled (N in step S1201), the process proceeds to step S1203.
In step S1202, the received job data is discarded, and the process ends.

  In step S1203, the received job is set as a pending job, data is stored in the image data storage unit 202, and the process ends. Note that a job stored in the image data storage unit 202 as a pending job can be printed by a user instruction.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the contents of processing executed in the printer 100 of this embodiment. FIG. 7 shows a flow of paper feed port selection processing when a print job transmitted from the host designates one of a plurality of paper feed ports that the printer 100 has. This flowchart shows the flow of processing performed by the printer control unit 204 loading a program stored in the ROM 214 into the RAM 215 and executing the program.

  In step S <b> 901, a print job specifying a paper feed port for feeding a medium on which an image is printed is transmitted from the host computer to the printer 100 and received by the printer 100 via the external I / F 201. The received print job data is temporarily stored in the reception buffer in the RAM 215 and then stored in the image data storage unit 202.

  In step S <b> 902, the printer control unit 204 determines whether the priority image quality setting of the received print job data is “length accuracy priority”. In step S902, if the priority image quality setting of the print job data is “length accuracy priority” (Y in step S902), the process proceeds to step S903, and if it is not “length accuracy priority”, that is, “band unevenness reduction priority”. (N of step S902), it progresses to step S915.

  In step S <b> 903, the printer control unit 204 determines whether or not the length adjustment related to the paper specified by the print job has been performed for the paper feed port specified by the print job. In step S903, when the length adjustment by the user is performed for the designated paper feed port and paper (Y in step S903), the process proceeds to step S904, and the length adjustment is not performed (step S903). N) of S903 proceeds to step S909.

  In step S904, the printer control unit 204 compares the paper type set in the paper feed port designated by the print job with the paper type designated by the print job, and determines whether or not they match. In step S904, if the paper set in the paper feed slot matches the paper specified by the job (Y in step S904), the process proceeds to step S906, and if different (N in step S904), the process proceeds to step S905. Proceed with

  In step S905, it is determined whether to execute printing using a sheet different from the sheet type specified by the print job. If printing is set in advance even if the paper type is different, or if execution of printing is selected by a user operation (Y in step S905), the process proceeds to step S906, and it is selected not to execute printing. In the case (N of step S905), it progresses to step S918.

  In step S906, the printer control unit 204 compares the selected paper size with the paper size designated by the print job, and determines whether or not the image size of the print job protrudes from the paper. In step S906, if it is determined that the paper size is smaller than the required size and the image protrudes from the paper (Y in step S906), the process proceeds to step S907, and it is determined that the paper size is sufficiently large and the image does not protrude. If so (N in step S906), the process proceeds to step 908.

  In step S907, the printer control unit 204 determines whether to execute printing. Here, if the user sets or selects in advance to ignore the paper size mismatch and forcibly output (Y in step S907), the print execution is selected and the process proceeds to step S908. If the user selects not to perform forced output (N in step S907), the process proceeds to step 918.

  In step S908, the printer control unit 204 executes print output using the adjustment value for priority of length accuracy, and ends the process.

  In step S <b> 909, the printer control unit 204 determines whether there is a sheet feeding port for which length adjustment has already been performed, other than the sheet feeding port specified by the job. If there is a paper feed port whose length has been adjusted other than the paper feed port designated by the job (Y in step S909), the process proceeds to step S910, and if there is no paper feed port (N in step S909), the process proceeds to step S914. Proceed with

  In step S910, the paper feed port whose length has been adjusted is selected as a candidate, and the process proceeds to step S911.

  In step S911, it is determined whether or not a paper feed port in which the same type of paper as the type specified by the print job is present among the paper feed port candidates selected in step S910. In step S911, if there is a paper feed slot in which the same type of paper as the type specified by the print job is present (Y in step S911), the process proceeds to step S913, and if there is not (N in step S911). Advances to step S912.

  In step S912, one sheet feeding port for output is selected. The selection is performed by the user inputting from the operation panel 101. After step S912 ends, the process proceeds to step S905.

Step S913 is a paper feed port selection process. The specific processing content is the same as the content described in FIG.
In step S <b> 914, the printer control unit 204 determines whether to perform printing with priority on band unevenness reduction. Here, an operation screen for selecting whether or not to execute printing is displayed on the display unit of the operation panel 101, and determination is made by reading a selection input from the user. In step S914, if printing is performed with priority on band unevenness reduction (Y in step S914), the process proceeds to step S915, and if printing is not performed, the process proceeds to step S918.

Step S915 is a paper mismatch detection process. The processing contents are the same as those described in FIG.
In step S916, the printer control unit 204 determines whether to execute printing. Here, if either 1) “no mismatch” is detected in the paper mismatch detection process, or 2) the user selects to forcibly output ignoring the paper mismatch (Y in step S916), print execution is performed. Is selected, and the process proceeds to step S917. 3) If it is determined that there is a paper mismatch and the user selects not to perform forced output (N in step S916), the process proceeds to step S918 without executing printing.

In step S <b> 917, the printer control unit 204 executes print output using the adjustment value for band unevenness reduction priority, and ends the process.
Step S918 is error processing. The contents of step S918 are the same as those shown in the flowchart of FIG. After the error process is completed, the process ends.

  In the above embodiment, a serial scan type ink jet recording apparatus has been described as an example of the print control apparatus. However, a print control apparatus employing another method such as a Labor beam method may be used. In addition, the printing unit itself may not be provided, but may be a printing control device that controls the printing device from the outside.

  According to the embodiment as described above, the selection of the paper feed unit is controlled in accordance with the content of the print job and the set content of the feed amount correction value (paper feed parameter) set for each paper feed unit. Thus, the user can obtain a desired output result.

  The present invention can also be realized by executing the following processing. That is, software (program) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus via a network or various storage media, and a computer (CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or apparatus reads and executes the program. It is processing to do. Further, the program may be executed by a single computer or may be executed in conjunction with a plurality of computers. Moreover, it is not necessary to implement all of the above-described processing by software, and part or all of the processing may be implemented by hardware.

Claims (5)

A print control device that prints an image on a recording medium fed from any of a plurality of paper feed units,
Storage means for storing correction values of parameters when a recording medium is fed by each of a plurality of paper feeding units based on an instruction from a user;
When executing a print job, a selection unit that selects a sheet feeding unit in which correction values are stored by the storage unit is selected from the plurality of sheet feeding units as a sheet feeding unit used for the print job. A printing control apparatus characterized by the above.   2. The selection unit according to claim 1, wherein the selection unit preferentially selects a paper feed unit in which a correction value corresponding to a mode specified in a print job is stored in the storage unit. Print control device.   The mode includes a mode that prioritizes image length accuracy and a mode that prioritizes image quality, and the selection unit changes a sheet feeding unit selection method according to the mode. The printing control apparatus according to 2. A print control method by a print control apparatus for printing an image on a recording medium fed from any of a plurality of paper feed units,
Based on an instruction from a user, a correction value of a parameter when feeding a recording medium in each of a plurality of paper feeding units is stored,
When executing a print job, a print control method, wherein a paper feed unit storing the correction value is selected from the plurality of paper feed units as a paper feed unit used for the print job.   A program for realizing each means of the print control apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 by a computer.

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