JP2011224842A - Print control device and print apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a print control device that can print an image required by a user while making the best of a waste ink by using the waste ink according to selection of the user, and to provide a print apparatus.SOLUTION: The print control device includes: a display control part 42 that causes a display means 32 to display selection images for prompting selection about usage including whether the waste ink is used or not prior to print of a target image; decision part 43 that decides the usage of the waste ink based on data input from an input means 31 according to the selection image; and a print control part 41 that executes control of print of the target image according to using a basic ink, the waste ink, or both of them based on the decision result by the decision part.

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing control apparatus and a printing apparatus, and more particularly to a printing technique using waste ink.

  An ink (including characters and figures) is formed on the medium (for example, paper) by ejecting the ink supplied to the ink ejecting means from a nozzle provided in the ink ejecting means (for example, a print head). Printing apparatuses that perform printing by doing so are known. In such a printing apparatus, a maintenance process is performed to maintain the ejection function so that the ink is reliably ejected from the nozzle by suctioning or forcibly ejecting the ink from the nozzle. Ink discharged by this maintenance process (referred to as “waste ink”) is introduced and stored in a predetermined tank, and then the stored waste ink is supplied again to the print head and ejected from the nozzles for use. A technique is proposed in Patent Document 1, for example.

  Patent Document 1 is a technology that uses waste ink thickened by ejecting waste ink from a nozzle having a large hole diameter, and selects waste ink in a printing mode such as draft printing (printing) regardless of image quality. It is mentioned that it is used.

JP 2007-326229 A

  However, the technique proposed in Patent Document 1 is to print in the draft printing mode when the amount of waste ink stored is sufficient to print the target image using the waste ink. . Therefore, when there is a sufficient amount of waste ink stored, monochrome (monochrome) printing is performed using the waste ink even when the printer user does not request the use of the waste ink in the draft printing mode. It was supposed to end. Therefore, Patent Document 1 is configured to use waste ink when monochrome printing is performed as the draft printing mode. For this reason, since the waste ink is not used in the color image draft printing mode, for example, when the user requests color printing of the color image in the draft printing mode, the use of the waste ink may be selected. could not. For this reason, there is a possibility that the target image may be printed with an image that does not have the quality required by the user.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems. By using waste ink according to the user's selection, the waste ink can be used effectively, and the image can be printed with the quality required by the user. It is an object of the present invention to provide a printing control apparatus and a printing apparatus capable of performing the above.

  In order to achieve the above object, the printing control apparatus of the present invention uses the waste ink of the basic ink discharged from the ink ejecting means by ejecting the ink from the ink ejecting means to the medium, and performs the operation on the medium. A display control unit for controlling printing of an image, wherein a display control unit displays a selection image for prompting selection of a usage method including whether or not to use the waste ink prior to printing of the target image; Based on the selection data input from the input means according to the selected image, a determination unit that determines how to use the waste ink, and based on the determination result of the determination unit, whether to use only the basic ink, Print control for controlling the target image to be printed by either using only the waste ink or using both the basic ink and the waste ink. And, with.

  According to this configuration, waste ink can be used in printing the target image in accordance with the selection of the user of the print control apparatus. The target image to be printed can be an image according to the quality requested by the user.

  In the print control apparatus of the present invention, the print control unit controls the target image to be printed in two print modes for printing with images having different resolutions according to selection data input from the input unit, The display control unit displays the selected image when the print control unit controls to print the target image at a lower resolution of the two print modes.

  According to this configuration, when the target image is printed with a low-resolution image, it is possible to select use of waste ink. Therefore, waste ink can be used effectively, and printing can be performed with image quality corresponding to the quality required by the user of the print control apparatus.

  In the print control apparatus of the present invention, the display control unit displays, as the selection image, an image that prompts the user to select whether the target image is printed as a color image or a monochrome image, and the determination unit displays Determining whether to print the target image as a color image or a monochrome image based on the selection data input from the input unit according to the selected image, and the print control unit includes the determination unit If the determination result is printed as a color image, control is performed so that the target image is printed using both the basic ink and the waste ink.

  According to this configuration, the waste ink can be used even when the target image is printed as a color image by the selection of the user of the print control apparatus. Therefore, waste ink can be used effectively, and the target image to be printed can be an image according to the quality allowed by the user.

  The printing control apparatus according to the aspect of the invention further includes a storage amount acquisition unit that acquires the storage amount of the waste ink, and the display control unit varies depending on the storage amount of the waste ink acquired by the storage amount acquisition unit. An image that prompts the user to select a waste ink usage method is displayed on the display unit as the selected image.

  According to this configuration, the waste ink usage method can be selected according to the amount of waste ink stored. Therefore, it is possible to effectively use the waste ink, for example, it is possible to suppress the waste ink from being cut off in the middle of the printing process.

  In the printing control apparatus according to the aspect of the invention, the display control unit causes the display unit to display, as the selection image, an image that prompts selection of a liquid amount ratio using the waste ink with respect to the basic ink, and the determination unit Determines a liquid amount ratio using the waste ink based on the selection data input from the input unit according to the displayed selection image, and the print control unit determines the determination unit Control is performed so as to print the target image by using the waste ink with the liquid amount ratio being maximized.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to select the waste ink utilization ratio in accordance with the selection of the user of the print control apparatus. Therefore, waste ink can be used effectively, and the target image to be printed can be an image according to the quality required by the user.

The printing apparatus of the present invention includes a display unit, an input unit, an ink ejecting unit, and the print control device.
According to this configuration, since a method for using waste ink can be selected, it is possible to realize a printing apparatus that can effectively use waste ink and print an image according to the quality requested by the user.

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a printing apparatus according to a first embodiment. 1 is a block diagram of a printing system including a printing apparatus. The flowchart for demonstrating the process performed in 1st Embodiment. FIG. 5A is an example of a display screen according to the first embodiment, in which FIG. 5A is a print mode selection screen, FIG. 5B is a waste ink usage selection screen, and FIG. Waste ink usage selection screen as an example of a display screen in the second embodiment In the example of the display screen in the third embodiment, a warning and selection screen.

  An embodiment in which the present invention is embodied in a printing system including a printing apparatus that prints a target image by ejecting ink onto paper as a medium will be described below with reference to the drawings. The medium is not particularly limited to paper (paper), and may be a substrate, glass, or other material such as wood, metal, resin, cloth.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a printing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment. As illustrated, the printing apparatus 100 includes an ink ejection mechanism 10 and a control device 20. Further, an input unit 31 for inputting predetermined data to the control device 20 and a display unit 32 for displaying a predetermined data image output from the control device 20 are provided.

  The ink ejecting mechanism 10 includes a carriage 14 including a print head 15 which is an ink ejecting means provided with a nozzle row NL for ejecting ink, a driving pulley 11 and a driven pulley 12. The drive pulley 11 is fixed to the rotation shaft of the carriage motor MT, and rotates integrally with the rotation shaft of the carriage motor MT. A belt (endless belt) 13 for transmitting the rotation of the drive pulley 11 is stretched between the drive pulley 11 and the driven pulley 12.

  The carriage 14 is fixed to a part of the belt 13 by a fixing part (not shown) provided at a part thereof. The carriage 14 is guided by a guide shaft (not shown) or the like, and is configured to be movable in a predetermined direction (left and right in the drawing) by a belt 13 that moves as the driving pulley 11 rotates.

  The carriage 14 stores color inks C (cyan), color ink M (magenta), color ink Y (yellow), and color ink K (black) as basic inks that are different hue liquids. An ink cartridge 19 is detachably loaded. Further, the carriage 14 is connected to a supply pipe 18 to which waste ink H described later is supplied. In the carriage 14, the color inks C, M, Y, and K supplied from the ink cartridges 19 and the waste ink H supplied from the supply pipe 18 pass through channels (not shown) provided in the carriage 14. It flows and is guided to the print head 15. In the following description, when the color inks C, M, Y, K and the waste ink H are not distinguished, they are simply referred to as “ink” or “each ink”.

  In the print head 15, a head driving unit 15 a that pressurizes ink with an electrostrictive element or the like is formed in the middle of each flow path, and a nozzle row NL from which the pressurized ink is ejected corresponds to each ink. Is formed. Therefore, while the carriage 14 is moving in a predetermined direction, ink is ejected from each nozzle row NL and attached to the paper P arranged to face the formation surface of the nozzle row NL. The paper P can be moved in a direction (drawing front / back direction) intersecting the moving direction of the carriage 14 as necessary.

  Incidentally, in the printing apparatus 100, the ink may not be correctly ejected from the nozzle row NL due to causes such as bubbles present in the ink or thickened ink. For this reason, the ink ejection mechanism 10 includes an ink cap 16, a waste ink tank 17, pumps P1, P2, and the like as a maintenance mechanism that maintains the ink to be reliably ejected from the nozzle row NL. The control device 20 uses these to perform a maintenance process for maintaining the ejection function by a flushing operation for ejecting ink from each nozzle row NL and a suction operation for sucking ink from each nozzle row NL.

  Specifically, as shown in the drawing, the carriage 14 is moved so that the position of the head 15 faces the ink cap 16 for receiving each discharged ink. At this time, the ink cap 16 is mechanically brought into contact with the formation surface of the nozzle row NL of the head 15 as the carriage 14 moves. When the maintenance process is a suction operation, the substantially sealed space formed by the ink cap 16 coming into contact with the formation surface of the nozzle row NL of the head 15 is brought into a negative pressure state by operating the pump P1. By doing so, the ink is discharged from the nozzles by the suction force due to the negative pressure, and the bubbles and the thickened ink are removed together with the discharge of each ink, and the ejection function is maintained. When the maintenance process is a flushing operation, each head is pressurized by the head driving unit 15a, and ink is ejected from each nozzle to the ink cap 16 and discharged. By doing so, bubbles and thickened ink are removed from each nozzle as the ink is discharged, and the ejection function is maintained.

  Each ink discharged to the ink cap 16 is then stored as waste ink H in the waste ink tank 17 through the flow path pipe 16a formed integrally with the ink cap 16 or connected by a separate member by the operation of the pump P1. . That is, waste ink H is generated by this maintenance process. The waste ink H stored in the waste ink tank 17 is removed from the waste ink tank 17 by the operation of the pump P2 provided in the middle of the supply pipe 18 via the supply pipe 18 connected to the carriage 14. Waste ink H is supplied to the carriage 14. As described above, the waste ink H is reused in the printing apparatus 100.

  Therefore, each color ink of the color ink C (cyan), the color ink M (magenta), the color ink Y (yellow), and the color ink K (black) is a basic ink that generates the waste ink H. The amount of waste ink H generated is the total amount of basic ink discharged in the maintenance process. Accordingly, the amount of waste ink H stored in the waste ink tank 17 is approximately the difference amount obtained by subtracting the total ejection amount of the waste ink H that has been ejected and used by the printing process from the total discharge amount. In this embodiment, the amount of waste ink H stored is handled as this difference amount.

  In this embodiment, the simultaneous suction for sucking each nozzle at the same time and the independent suction for individually sealing and sucking the nozzles corresponding to each ink as shown by the two-dot chain line in the figure. It is possible to adopt a configuration to perform. In the case of independent suction, a plurality of ink caps are configured to abut on the formation surface of the nozzle row NL independently for each color ink to form an independent substantially sealed space. Thereafter, a negative pressure state generated by the operation of the pump P1 is selected and formed for each substantially sealed space by opening and closing a valve (not shown), and ink is sucked from the nozzle row NL to be maintained. Each ink sucked in this way is introduced into the waste ink tank 17 from each ink cap and stored. In such a case, the hue of the waste ink H changes in accordance with the liquid amount ratio of each of the color inks C, M, Y, and K that are sucked. In the independent suction, the color inks of the color inks C, M, and Y and the black ink of the color ink K may be separately suctioned.

  The control device 20 controls the operation of the carriage motor MT, each head driving unit 15a, and the pumps P1 and P2 in the ink ejecting mechanism 10. Further, the control device 20 is configured to input and store data output from the input unit 31 and to display a predetermined image on the display unit 32.

  The input means 31 includes, for example, an operation button such as a cross key, a connection terminal with an image output device such as a digital camera or a memory card, and the like, and selection data Ds input by the operation button and an image input to the connection terminal. Data Dg or print data Dp is output to the control device 20. The display means 32 employs a liquid crystal panel, CRT, EL panel or the like, and displays an image based on data output from the control device 20.

  Next, the print control apparatus of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a printing system including the printing apparatus 100. The print control apparatus according to the present embodiment is provided in the above-described printing apparatus 100 and a host computer HC that performs data communication with the printing apparatus 100. That is, the image data Dg of the target image to be printed is configured to correspond to a case where the image data Dg is input to the printing apparatus 100 and a case where the image data Dg is input to the host computer (for example, a personal computer) HC.

  First, functional blocks of the printing apparatus 100 will be described focusing on the control apparatus 20 described above. The control device 20 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 21 mounted on a substrate (not shown), a memory 22 including a RAM (Random Access Memory) and a ROM (Read Only Memory), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). ) 23 is an electric circuit composed of electronic components such as 23. The control device 20 also includes a pump drive circuit 24 for driving the pump P1 or the pump P2, a motor drive circuit 25 for driving the carriage motor MT, and an interface (“I” for receiving data sent from the input means 31. / F ”) 26 and a display drive circuit 27 for displaying a predetermined image on the display means 32 are formed as other electric circuits.

  In this embodiment, the control device 20 functions as a print control unit 41, a display control unit 42, a determination unit 43, a storage amount acquisition unit 44, and an image processing unit 45 by the CPU 21 executing a program stored in the memory 22. Is configured to do. That is, the CPU 21 functions as the print control apparatus 200. Each unit mainly operates as follows by operating through each electric circuit.

  The print control unit 41 controls a printing operation in the printing apparatus 100. For example, the carriage motor MT is rotated through the motor drive circuit 25 and each head drive unit 15a is operated through the ASIC 23. Based on ejection data (print data) Df generated by the image processing unit 45 described later. A predetermined amount of each ink is ejected from each nozzle. At this time, the waste ink H is reliably supplied to the carriage 14 by controlling the driving of the pump P2 via the pump driving circuit 24 as necessary.

  The print control unit 41 performs printing in a print mode according to a determination result of a determination unit described later. When printing the target image based on the image data Dg, the printing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, for example, a normal print mode that prints at the resolution that the image data Dg originally has, and a draft print mode that prints at a lower resolution than this. At least two printing modes. Then, the print control unit 41 controls to print an image while properly using each color ink C, M, Y, K, or waste ink H in one of the two print modes. It has become.

  Further, the print control unit 41 performs the ejection function maintenance process based on a predetermined timing such as immediately before the start of the printing process or the command data output from the input unit 31. For example, when the maintenance process is a suction operation, the carriage 14 is opposed to the ink cap 16 via the motor drive circuit 25 and the pump P1 is driven via the pump drive circuit 24 to contact the head 15. Ink is sucked into each nozzle 16 and discharged. At this time, discharge data Dc indicating the amount of each color ink discharged by the maintenance process is stored in the memory 22 every time the maintenance process is performed.

  The display control unit 42 causes the display means 32 to display the display image data Dh stored in the memory 22 via the display drive circuit (for example, video driver) 27. In the present embodiment, a plurality of predetermined selected images are recorded in the memory 22 as display image data Dh. Then, display image data Dh to be displayed in a printing process (see FIG. 3) described later is read, transmitted to the display drive circuit 27, converted into display data that can be displayed on the display means 32, and then output to the display means 32. To display the selected image.

  The determination unit 43 determines various operations related to printing based on data (for example, selection data Ds) output from the input unit 31 and input via the I / F 26. Further, the determination unit 43 stores the amount of waste ink necessary for printing all the images to be printed based on the storage amount of the waste ink H acquired by the storage amount acquisition unit 44 described below. It is determined whether or not it has been done.

  The storage amount acquisition unit 44 acquires the storage amount of waste ink H that can be used in the printing apparatus 100. In the present embodiment, as described above, the storage amount of the waste ink H is obtained by subtracting the total ejection amount of the waste ink H ejected and used on the paper P by the printing process from the total discharge amount of the basic ink. It is said.

  The image processing unit 45 stores the input image data Dg representing the target image to be printed in the memory 22. The stored image data Dg is subjected to color conversion processing, halftone processing, and rasterization processing, and converted into ejection data Df indicating the amount of liquid to be ejected from each nozzle in accordance with the movement of the carriage 14. . In the present embodiment, the image data Dg is gradation data represented by 8 bits each for R (red), G (green), and B (blue). In the color conversion process, the image processing unit 45 uses the conversion table LUT stored in the memory 22 to convert the R, G, and B image data Dg into the color inks C, M, Y, K, and the waste ink H. Are converted into injection data Df indicating the respective injection amounts. The converted injection data Df is stored in the memory 22. In this embodiment, the image processing unit 45 converts the image data Dg into ejection data Df corresponding to the normal printing mode and ejection data Df corresponding to the draft printing mode for printing an image having a resolution lower than that of the normal printing mode. Convert each one.

  Next, a block configuration of the host computer (hereinafter simply referred to as “computer”) HC will be described. As is well known, the computer HC includes a memory such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 21, a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), etc., and a predetermined program or application software stored in the memory. Therefore, it is configured to operate as a predetermined functional unit.

  In the present embodiment, each functional unit is configured in a printer driver 200 a that transmits print data Dp including image data Dg of a target image to be printed to the printing apparatus 100. That is, the printer driver 200a functions as a display control unit 42a, a determination unit 43a, a storage amount acquisition unit 44a, and an image processing unit 45a. As a result, the printer driver 200 a includes the print control unit 41 provided in the printing apparatus 100 and functions as the print control apparatus 200. Each unit mainly manages the following processing.

  The display control unit 42a causes the display means 32a included in the computer HC to display the display image data Dh stored in the memory via a display driving circuit (for example, a video driver) (not shown). In the present embodiment, an image including the same display content as the image stored in the printing apparatus 100 is stored in the memory as display image data Dh.

  The determination unit 43a performs the same processing as the determination unit 43 provided in the printing apparatus 100. That is, various operations relating to printing are determined based on the selection data Ds input from the input means 31a such as a keyboard or mouse provided in the computer HC. In addition, the determination unit 43a, based on the storage amount of the waste ink H acquired by the storage amount acquisition unit 44a described below, has the amount of waste ink H necessary for printing all target images to be printed. It is determined whether or not is stored.

  The storage amount acquisition unit 44 a acquires the storage amount of waste ink H that can be used in the printing apparatus 100. In the present embodiment, similar to the storage amount acquisition unit 44 provided in the printing apparatus 100, the total discharge amount of the color inks C, M, Y, and K stored in the printing apparatus 100 is ejected onto the paper P by the printing process. The amount of waste ink H stored is determined by subtracting the total ejection amount of used waste ink H. Accordingly, the discharge data Dc stored in the printing apparatus 100 is received, and the amount of waste ink stored is acquired using ejection data Df generated by the image processing unit 45a described below.

  The image processing unit 45a performs color conversion processing, halftone processing, and rasterization processing on the image data Dg to convert it into ejection data (print data) Df. The image data Dg is gradation data represented by 8 bits each for R (red), G (green), and B (blue). In the image processing unit 45a, as in the image processing unit 45 provided in the printing apparatus 100, in the color conversion process, the R, G, B image data Dg is converted into color inks C, M, Y using the conversion table LUT. , K and waste ink H are converted into ejection data Df indicating the respective ejection amounts. The converted ejection data Df is transmitted to the printing apparatus 100 as print data Dp. The image processing unit 45a also converts the ejection data Df corresponding to each of the normal printing mode and the draft printing mode.

  Next, in this embodiment configured as described above, as an example, a printing process performed when image data Dg is input to the printing apparatus 100 will be described with reference to a flowchart of FIG. . The processing described below is performed in the same manner when the image data Dg is input from the outside in the host computer HC or the image data Dg is generated by application software.

  When this process starts, first, in step S210, a print mode selection screen display process is performed. The display control unit 42 reads the display image data Dh corresponding to the print mode selection screen stored in the memory 22 and causes the display unit 32 to display the print mode selection image. This display process prompts the user of the printing apparatus 100 to select a print mode.

  An example of the displayed selection screen DSP1 is shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, a display of a screen laid out so that either the normal print mode or the draft print mode is selected by either the radio button 301 or the radio button 302 together with a word prompting the selection of the print mode. Is done. Accordingly, the user operates the input unit 31 according to the selection screen DSP1, selects one of the radio buttons, and then presses the determination button 303 displayed in the same manner to determine the print mode. The selection data Ds is sent from the input means 31 to the control device 20 by this user operation. Incidentally, FIG. 4A shows a state in which the draft printing mode is selected.

  Returning to FIG. 3, next, in step S211, it is determined whether or not the draft printing mode is set. The determination unit 43 determines whether or not the draft print mode is set based on the selection data Ds sent from the input unit 31. As a result of the determination, if the print mode selected by the user is not the draft print mode (NO), printing is performed in the normal print mode in step S212, and the print process is terminated. In this case, since it is presumed that the user is requesting high-quality printing, the print control unit 41 uses only the color inks C, M, Y, and K, which are basic inks, without using the waste ink H. Print. Naturally, the resolution of the printed image is maintained at the original high resolution.

  On the other hand, if the result of determination in step S211 is that the print mode selected by the user is the draft print mode (YES), in step S213, a waste ink selection screen display process is performed. The display control unit 42 reads the display image data Dh corresponding to the waste ink H selection screen stored in the memory 22 and causes the display unit 32 to display the selection image of the waste ink H. This display process prompts the user of the printing apparatus 100 to select the use of the waste ink H.

  An example of the displayed selection screen DSP2 is shown in FIG. As shown in the drawing, the layout is such that either the use of the waste ink H or the use of the waste ink H is selected by either the radio button 304 or the radio button 305 together with a word prompting selection of the use of the waste ink H. The displayed screen is displayed. Accordingly, the user operates the input unit 31 according to the selection screen DSP2, selects one of the radio buttons by a click operation or the like, and then uses the waste ink H by pressing the determination button 306 displayed in the same manner. Decide whether to use or not. The selection data Ds is sent from the input means 31 to the control device 20 by this user operation. Incidentally, FIG. 4B shows a state where the use of the waste ink H is selected.

  Returning to FIG. 3, next, in step S214, it is determined whether or not the waste ink is used. The determination unit 43 determines whether to use the waste ink H based on the selection data Ds sent from the input unit 31. As a result of the determination, if the user does not select the use of the waste ink H (NO), printing is performed in the draft print mode using the basic ink in step S215, and the printing process is terminated. In this case, since the user requests image printing with a quality that allows the user to check the hue even in the draft printing mode, the print control unit 41 does not use the waste ink H but the color that is the basic ink. Printing is performed using only inks C, M, Y, and K. Of course, the target image is printed as a low-resolution image.

  On the other hand, if the result of determination in step S214 is that the user has selected that waste ink is to be used (YES), in step S216, processing for acquiring the amount of waste ink storage is performed. Specifically, the storage amount acquisition unit 44 uses the discharge data Dc stored in the memory 22 and the injection data Df that has already been actually injected among the injection data Df stored in the memory 22. This is obtained by calculating the storage amount (that is, the difference amount) of the waste ink H. In this embodiment, when the use of the waste ink H is selected, the image processing unit 45 converts the image data Dg into the ejection data Df corresponding to the color or monochrome low-resolution image as described above. The print control unit 41 prints the converted low-resolution image in the draft print mode.

  Next, in step S217, it is determined whether the amount of waste ink stored is sufficient. The determination unit 43 determines whether or not the acquired amount of waste ink H stored is equal to or greater than the amount of liquid necessary for printing all images to be printed. Specifically, whether the acquired amount of stored waste ink H is equal to or greater than the total amount of ejected ink of waste ink H obtained from all ejected data Df of the target image (low-resolution image) to be printed in the draft printing mode. Judge by no. If the result of determination is that the amount of waste ink H stored is sufficient (YES), printing is performed in the draft print mode using waste ink H in step S218, and the printing process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if the amount of waste ink stored is not sufficient (NO), a warning and selection screen display process is performed in the subsequent step S219. The display control unit 42 reads the display image data Dh corresponding to the warning and the selection screen stored in the memory 22 and causes the display unit 32 to display the selected image of the warning and the selection. Through this display process, a warning about the amount of waste ink H stored is given to the user of the printing apparatus 100, and further, selection of use of the waste ink H is prompted. In this embodiment, the selection screen including the warning text is displayed on the display unit 32 in accordance with the amount of waste ink H stored.

  An example of the selection screen DSP3 including the displayed warning text is shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, either the use of the basic ink or the stop of printing is selected by either the radio button 307 or the radio button 308 together with the wording that the waste ink H is insufficient. The layout screen is displayed. Accordingly, the user operates the input means 31 according to the selection screen DSP3, selects one of the radio buttons, and then presses the determination button 309 displayed in the same manner, thereby stopping the use of the waste ink H and removing the basic ink. Decide whether to use or stop printing. The selection data Ds is sent from the input means 31 to the control device 20 by this user operation. Incidentally, FIG. 4C shows a state where printing using basic ink is selected.

  Returning to FIG. 3, next, in step S220, it is determined whether or not to print. The determination unit 43 determines whether to print based on the selection data Ds sent from the input unit 31. If the result of determination is that the user has selected to print using basic ink (YES), printing is performed in the draft print mode using basic ink in step S221, and the printing process is terminated. On the other hand, if the result of determination is that the user has selected to stop printing (NO), printing is stopped in step S222 and the printing process is terminated.

According to the embodiment described above, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) In printing the target image, the waste ink H can be used according to the selection of the user of the printing control apparatus 200, that is, the user of the printing apparatus 100. The target image to be printed can be an image according to the quality requested by the user.

  (2) In the draft print mode in which the target image is printed with a low-resolution image, it is possible to select whether to use the waste ink H or not. Therefore, the waste ink H can be used effectively, and the target image can be printed with an image quality according to the quality required by the user of the printing control apparatus 200, that is, the user of the printing apparatus 100.

  (3) A method of using the waste ink H can be selected according to the amount of waste ink H stored. Accordingly, it is possible to effectively use the waste ink H, for example, it is possible to suppress the waste ink H from being cut off in the middle of the printing and to waste printing.

(4) Since a method for using waste ink can be selected, it is possible to realize a printing apparatus that can effectively use waste ink and print an image according to the quality required by the user.
The above embodiment may be changed to another embodiment as described below.

(Second Embodiment)
In the above-described embodiment, a selection image that prompts the user to select whether to print a color image as it is, that is, color printing, or convert a color image into a monochrome image (here, a monochrome image) is displayed. Good. For example, in the display process of the waste ink selection screen in step S213 (see FIG. 3), color printing or monochrome (monochrome) printing may be selected together. Specifically, the display control unit 42 reads the display image data Dh corresponding to the selection screen of the waste ink H stored in the memory 22 and selects the color printing or monochrome (monochrome) printing on the display unit 32. The selection image to be urged is included in the selection image of the waste ink H and displayed. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the print target image is a normal color image having gradation values of R, G, and B, but the case where the print target image is a color monochrome image. It can be done as well.

  A selection screen DSP4 as an example of a display screen in the present embodiment is shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, the selection screen DSP 4 has a radio button indicating whether the waste ink H is used as a color image, is changed to a monochrome (monochrome) image, or is not used. Display is performed so as to be selected by one of 401, 402, and 403. Therefore, the user operates the input unit 31 in accordance with the selection screen DSP4, selects one of the radio buttons, and then presses the determination button 404 displayed in the same manner, thereby determining the usage method of the waste ink H. The selection data Ds is sent from the input means 31 to the control device 20 by the user's operation.

  In the present embodiment, when the user selects the radio button 401 and decides to “use waste ink H as a color image”, in addition to the basic ink for printing a color image in the printing process. Waste ink H is used together. That is, as described above, in the color conversion processing in the image processing unit 45, the R, G, B image data Dg is added to the color inks C, M, Y, K, which are basic inks, using the conversion table LUT. Then, the waste ink H is converted into ejection data Df indicating each ejection amount as the color to be converted.

  Further, when the user selects the radio button 402 and decides to “change to a monochrome image and use”, the waste ink H is used so that the basic ink for printing the monochrome image, that is, the color ink K is used instead. Has come to be used. That is, as described above, in the color conversion process in the image processing unit 45, the R, G, B image data Dg is converted using the conversion table LUT while regarding the waste ink H as black, and the waste ink H is ejected. It converts into the injection data Df which shows quantity. Incidentally, FIG. 5 shows a state in which use of the waste ink H is selected after changing to a monochrome image (in this case, a monochrome image).

According to the present embodiment, in addition to the effects (1) to (4) in the first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(5) Even when the target image is printed as a color image, the waste ink H can be used according to the selection of the user of the printing apparatus 100. Therefore, unlike Patent Document 1, for example, the waste ink H can be used in combination with the color ink K. Therefore, the waste ink H can be used effectively, and the target image to be printed corresponds to the quality required by the user. It can be an image.

  In this embodiment, when use of waste ink is selected in step S214 (see FIG. 3), a selection image that prompts the user to select color printing or monochrome (monochrome) printing is displayed before proceeding to step S216. Thus, the user may be allowed to select color printing or monochrome (black and white) printing. Alternatively, prior to or simultaneously with step S210, a selection image for selecting color printing or monochrome (monochrome) printing may be displayed to allow the user to select color printing or monochrome (monochrome) printing.

(Third embodiment)
In the above-described embodiment, when the waste ink H is not sufficient, the warning ink and the selection screen display process in step S219 (see FIG. 3), the waste ink H according to the storage amount of the waste ink H acquired in step S216. You may make it select the ratio which utilizes. In the present embodiment, in the determination process of step S217, the determination unit 43 calculates the ratio between the acquired amount of stored waste ink H and the amount of liquid necessary for printing the waste ink H obtained from the ejection data Df. A usable upper limit ratio of the waste ink H to the color ink K is determined. Then, the display control unit 42 reads out the selected image including the determined usable ratio of the waste ink H from the display image data Dh stored in the memory 22 and causes the display unit 32 to display the selected image.

  A selection screen DSP5 as an example of a display screen in the present embodiment is shown in FIG. The selection screen DSP5 is a radio button 501, 502, 503 for selecting the usage rate of the waste ink H in comparison with the selection screen DSP3 (see FIG. 4C) in the above embodiment when monochrome (monochrome) printing is performed. , 504 are added. Here, the radio buttons 501 and 502 indicated by broken lines indicate that the selection is not possible because the storage amount of the waste ink H is small.

  Therefore, the selection screen DSP5 uses either the radio button 503 to the radio button 5050 to use the waste ink H, use 25% of the waste ink H, use the basic ink, or stop printing. A button 506 is displayed to be selected. Therefore, the user operates the input unit 31 in accordance with the selection screen DSP5, selects one of the radio buttons, and then presses the determination button 507 displayed in the same manner to determine how to use the waste ink H. With this determination, the selection data Ds is sent from the input means 31 to the control device 20.

  Incidentally, FIG. 6 shows a state in which the user selects the usage method of printing by using the waste ink H with respect to the color ink K by 50%. Accordingly, the target image is printed using the waste ink and the color ink K in half. At this time, as a specific method of using the waste ink H and the color ink K in the printing process, a method of using the injection amount ratio per pixel in half is employed. As other utilization methods, for example, a method of using each half of a print image, alternately using each scan of the carriage 14, or alternately using a predetermined number of pixels is used. It can also be adopted. Thus, according to this embodiment, it is possible to use waste ink H and color ink K in combination in both color printing and monochrome (monochrome) printing. Of course, these methods of use are merely examples and are not limiting.

  When color printing is performed using the waste ink H, the use ratio of the waste ink H displayed on the selection screen DSP5 of this modification is the same as that after the conversion performed by the image processing unit 45 using the conversion table LUT. The ratio of the ejection amount of the waste ink H to the color ink K is shown. As described above, when the waste ink H can be used as a color ink other than the color ink K according to the amount of each color ink C, M, Y, K contained in the waste ink H, The ratio of the ejection amount of the waste ink H to the ejection amount of the inks C, M, Y, and K is shown. Therefore, the image processing unit 45 uses the conversion table LUT to maximize the ratio at which the ejection amount of the waste ink H is selected, and perform color conversion within a range not exceeding this ratio.

According to the present embodiment, in addition to the effects (1) to (4) in the first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(6) The utilization ratio of the waste ink H can be selected according to the selection of the user of the printing apparatus 100. Therefore, the waste ink H can be used effectively, and the target image to be printed can be an image according to the quality required by the user.

(Other variations)
In the embodiment described above, a check box may be displayed instead of a radio button on a screen that prompts the user to select a method for using the waste ink H.

In the above embodiment, the print control apparatus 200 may be configured to realize the functions of the respective units by operating with a hardware circuit configuration.
In the above embodiment, the basic ink may be an ink having different properties other than the hue. For example, inks with different shades may be used. Also, dye ink and pigment ink may be used.

  In the above embodiment, the storage amount of the waste ink H is acquired using the discharge data Dc and the ejection data Df stored in the memory 22. The determination may be made by directly detecting the storage amount. For example, the liquid level of the waste ink H in the waste ink tank 17 may be detected by a sensor and acquired.

  In the above embodiment, it may be possible to select whether to use the waste ink H only when printing a color image. In this case, the monochrome image is printed using only the waste ink H without using the color ink, as in Patent Document 1.

  In the above embodiment, the print control apparatus 200 may be provided only in the printing apparatus 100. In this case, the image data Dg may be transmitted from the host computer HC to the printing apparatus 100. Alternatively, the print control apparatus 200a may be provided only in the host computer HC. In this case, the host computer HC has a part of the functions of the print control unit 41 provided in the printing apparatus 100 except for the function related to the control of the ink ejecting mechanism 10, and discharge data from the printing apparatus 100. Dc is received.

  In the above embodiment, the processing after step S213 (see FIG. 3) may be performed in the normal print mode. That is, steps S210, S211, and S212 in the processing steps shown in FIG. 3 may be omitted, and the processing in steps S215, S218, and S221 may be changed to the normal printing mode instead of the draft printing mode. In this way, even in the normal printing mode, the user selects the respective color inks C, M, Y, K and the waste ink H, and uses the waste ink H effectively by printing the target image by selectively using it. It is possible to print with image quality according to the user's request.

  In the above embodiment, even when the waste ink H is sufficient as a result of the determination process in step S217 (see FIG. 3), the ratio of using the waste ink H is selected in the process in step S218. Also good. That is, the display control unit 42 causes the display unit 32 to display a selection image including a method of using the waste ink H when the storage amount of the waste ink H acquired by the storage amount acquisition unit 44 is sufficient. . In this way, when there is a sufficient amount of waste ink H stored, the user can select and determine how to use the waste ink H. Therefore, for example, in the draft printing mode, by printing the color inks C, M, Y, K and the waste ink H in combination, the waste ink H can be used effectively and the image quality according to the user's request can be obtained. It is possible to print.

  In this case, the display control unit 42 may cause the display unit 32 to display a selection screen including the available ratio of the waste ink H being 100%. As a selection screen to be displayed, for example, on the selection screen shown in FIG. 6, a radio button that can select “use 100% of waste ink H” while clearing the warning message “Waste ink is not enough”. It is good also as a screen which added. Thus, not only when the amount of waste ink H stored is not sufficient, but also when there is a sufficient amount of waste ink H, it is possible to select a method of using waste ink H in accordance with the amount of waste ink H stored.

  In the above embodiment, the printing apparatus 100 ejects ink, but a printing apparatus that ejects or discharges liquid other than ink may be employed. The present invention can be used in various printing apparatuses including a print head that discharges a minute amount of liquid droplets. In addition, a droplet means the state of the liquid discharged from the said printing apparatus, and shall include what pulls a tail in granular shape, tear shape, and thread shape. The liquid here may be any material that can be ejected by the printing apparatus. For example, it may be in a state in which the substance is in a liquid phase, such as a liquid with high or low viscosity, sol, gel water, other inorganic solvents, organic solvents, solutions, liquid resins, liquid metals (metal melts ) And a liquid as one state of a substance, as well as a material in which particles of a functional material made of a solid such as a pigment or metal particles are dissolved, dispersed or mixed in a solvent. A typical example of the liquid is ink as described in the above embodiment. Here, the ink includes general water-based inks and oil-based inks, and various liquid compositions such as gel inks and hot melt inks. Specific examples of printing apparatuses include, for example, liquids that are dispersed or dissolved in materials such as liquid crystal displays, EL (electroluminescence) displays, surface emitting displays, and electrode materials and color materials used in the manufacture of color filters. There is a printing device to do. Alternatively, a textile printing apparatus or a micro dispenser may be used. The present invention can be applied to any one of these printing apparatuses.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Ink ejection mechanism, 15 ... Print head, 16 ... Ink cap, 17 ... Waste ink tank, 19 ... Ink cartridge, 20 ... Control apparatus, 31, 31a ... Input means, 32, 32a ... Display means, 41 ... Print control Unit, 42, 42a ... display control unit, 43, 43a ... determination unit, 44, 44a ... storage amount acquisition unit, 45, 45a ... image processing unit, 100 ... printing device, 200 ... print control device, 200a ... print control device Printer driver, C, M, Y, K ... color ink, H ... waste ink, P ... paper, Dg ... image data, Dh ... display image data, Ds ... selection data, HC ... host computer, NL ... nozzle row , DSP1 to DSP5 ... selection screen.

Claims (6)

A printing control apparatus that controls the printing of a target image performed on the medium by using waste ink of the basic ink discharged from the ink ejecting means by ejecting the ink from the ink ejecting means onto the medium,
A display controller that displays on the display means a selection image that prompts the user to select a usage method that includes whether or not to use the waste ink prior to printing the target image;
A determination unit that determines a method of using the waste ink based on selection data input from an input unit according to the selected image;
Based on the determination result of the determination unit, either the basic ink alone, the waste ink alone, or both the basic ink and the waste ink are used. A print control unit that controls to perform printing of
A printing control apparatus comprising: The print control apparatus according to claim 1,
The print control unit controls to print the target image in two print modes for printing with images having different resolutions according to selection data input from the input unit;
The display control unit displays the selected image when the print control unit controls the target image to be printed at a lower resolution of the two print modes. . The print control apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
The display control unit displays an image that prompts the user to select whether to print the target image as a color image or a monochrome image as the selection image,
The determination unit determines whether to print the target image as a color image or a monochrome image based on selection data input from the input unit according to the displayed selection image,
The printing control unit controls to print the target image using both the basic ink and the waste ink when the determination result of the determination unit is printed as a color image. Print control device. The print control apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A storage amount acquisition unit for acquiring the waste ink storage amount;
The display control unit causes the display unit to display, as the selection image, an image that prompts the user to select a different usage method of the waste ink according to the storage amount of the waste ink acquired by the storage amount acquisition unit. A printing control device. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The display control unit causes the display unit to display an image prompting selection of a liquid amount ratio using the waste ink with respect to the basic ink as the selection image;
The determination unit determines a liquid amount ratio using the waste ink based on the selection data input from the input unit according to the displayed selection image,
The print control apparatus, wherein the print control unit controls to print the target image by using the waste ink by maximizing the liquid amount ratio determined by the determination unit. Display means;
Input means;
Ink ejection means;
A printing control apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5;
A printing apparatus comprising:

Images