JP2012040739A - Print control device and control method therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a print control device capable of rapidly starting printing when reprinting a print job stored in a HDD, etc.SOLUTION: The print control device includes: a tank capable of holding ink amount for printing at least 1 page, which holds ink supplied to a recording head; an ink residual amount detection means for detecting a residual amount in the tank; a print control means for having the print job stored in a job storing means printed; an ink consumption measuring means for measuring ink consumption of 1 page of an image of the print job printed by the print control means; and a determination means for determining whether printing is started based on a result of the comparison of the ink residual amount in the tank detected by the ink residual amount detection means with the ink consumption of 1 page of the image measured by the ink consumption measuring means when the print job printed by the print control means is reinstructed to be recorded.

Description

  The present invention relates to a print control apparatus that discharges ink from a recording head and records an image on a recording medium, and a control method therefor.

  Conventionally, there is a sub-tank that holds ink to be supplied to the recording head and a main tank that holds ink to be supplied to the sub-tank. When the remaining amount of ink in the main tank decreases, a main tank replacement request is always issued. With this configuration, the user can change the ink without interrupting printing within a period in which the ink remains in the sub tank.

  Also, based on the data in the print job, the ink consumption of one page of image is predicted, and it is determined whether or not the printing process of one page of the specified print job can be normally completed with only the remaining amount of ink. It is known to do (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  A print job transmitted from a personal computer or the like can be stored in a hard disk drive (hereinafter referred to as HDD) of the printer, and at the next printing, it is possible to omit the time and labor for transmitting the print job from the personal computer and reprint it.

JP 2004-188762 A

  In the invention described in Patent Document 1, the ink consumption of one page of an image is predicted based on the data in the print job. However, the ink consumption is predicted by covering one page of the image. There is a problem that it takes time to predict. In addition, since the ink consumption is predicted before the start of printing, there is a problem that a delay occurs in the start of printing for the time required for the prediction, which is not realistic in terms of throughput.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a print control apparatus that can quickly start printing when a print job stored in an HDD or the like is reprinted.

  A print control apparatus according to the present invention is a print control apparatus that records an image on a recording medium by ejecting ink from a recording head, and is capable of holding an ink amount for printing at least one page. An ink level detection unit for detecting the remaining ink level in the tank, a print control unit for printing a print job stored in the job storage unit, and a print job printed by the print control unit When the ink consumption measuring means for measuring the ink consumption of one page of the image and the recording of the print job printed by the print control means are instructed again, the remaining amount of the tank detected by the ink remaining amount detecting means is detected. The ink remaining amount is compared with the ink consumption of one page of the image of the print job measured by the ink consumption measuring means, and printing is performed based on the comparison result. And having a discriminating means for discriminating whether or not to start.

  According to the present invention, whether or not to start printing is determined based on the result of comparison between the remaining amount of ink in the tank and the amount of ink consumed by actually measuring one page of the print job. If it remains, there is an effect that printing can be started quickly.

1 is a configuration example of a print control apparatus that implements a first embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a configuration example of a part of a supply / recovery unit and a printing unit according to the first embodiment. 3 is a flowchart of a printing process that implements the first embodiment. 10 is a flowchart of a printing process that implements Example 2.

  The mode for carrying out the invention is the following embodiment.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a print control apparatus 100 that is Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a partial configuration example of the supply / recovery unit 5 and the printing unit 4 in the print control apparatus 100.

  The print control apparatus 100 includes a CPU 1, a display unit 2, an input unit 3, a printing unit 4, a supply / recovery unit 5, a paper transport unit 6, a memory 7, a memory 8, a memory 9, and a host. An interface 10, a host device 11, and a memory 17 are included.

  The display unit 2 is a display unit such as an LCD. The input unit 3 is a switch or key. The printing unit 4 includes a recording head 12 that performs printing by ejecting ink, a carriage for mounting the recording head 12, a motor for driving the carriage, and the like. The supply / recovery unit 5 includes a sub tank 13, a pump 14 that supplies ink to each recording head, a main tank 15 that stores ink, a tube 16, and the like.

  The paper transport unit 6 is a roll paper feed port, a manual paper feed port, a paper transport motor, a cutter, and the like. The memory 7 is a ROM, a flash memory, or the like that stores modules that are less frequently rewritten. The memory 8 is a memory such as a RAM used mainly for a work area or a variable of a program stored in the memory 7. The memory 9 is a memory such as an EEPROM used for storing a variable whose value is to be held even in a power-off state.

  The host interface 10 is a USB or a network. The host device 11 is a host device such as a personal computer. The memory 17 is job storage means such as an HDD for storing a print job.

  The firmware stored in the memory 7 is a program for controlling the print control apparatus 100, and includes each process executed by the flowchart of FIG.

  The reception buffer secured in the memory 8 stores image data of a print job received from the host device 11 through the host interface 10. Similarly, the image buffer read from the reception buffer is expanded and stored in the print buffer secured in the memory 8 (expanded when the image data is compressed). Note that the reception buffer and the print buffer are not particularly important in the present embodiment, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

  The recording head 12 is mounted on the carriage. The tube 16 is an ink supply path. The pump 14 is a pump that supplies ink stored in the main tank 15 to the sub tank 13 through the tube 16. The recording head 12 is a part of the printing unit 4, and the sub tank 13, the pump 14, the main tank 15, and the tube 16 are a part of the supply / recovery unit 5.

  The sub tank 13 is a tank capable of holding an ink amount for printing at least one page and holding ink to be supplied to the recording head.

  In the first embodiment, when printing of a print job stored in the memory 17 such as the HDD is designated, the ink consumption for one page printing and the ink remaining amount in the sub tank 13 stored as the attributes of the print job Compare If it is determined that printing is possible based on the result of this comparison, printing is started. When storage of a print job is specified, the print job includes an ink consumption amount for one page printing as an attribute, and a memory configured by an HDD or the like for each page of the print job for each page of an image. 17 and so on.

  Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the first embodiment.

  In S1, it is determined whether the print job is a saved job saved in the memory 17 such as an HDD. When determining whether the job is a saved job, for example, information such as “1: saved job, 0: other than saved job” is stored in advance as an attribute of the print job. If it is determined that the job is a stored job, that is, if it is instructed again to record the printed print job, the process proceeds to S2, and if it is determined that the job is not a stored job, the process proceeds to S6.

  In S2, ink consumption for one page printing (hereinafter, abbreviated as ink consumption) is acquired from the attributes stored in the print job. The ink consumption is stored in the print job in S10 before the print job is stored in the memory 17 such as the HDD. Since it is necessary to store the ink consumption for the number of ink colors that the print control apparatus has, an ink consumption attribute for printing one page for the number of ink colors is acquired here.

  In S3, the ink remaining amount in the sub tank 13 is detected, and the ink remaining amount stored in the sub tank 13 is acquired. When detecting the remaining amount of ink, for example, the number of dots of the ink discharge amount corresponding to the ink amount when the ink storage amount of the sub tank 13 is full is stored in advance, the actual ink discharge amount is dot-counted, and the difference value is calculated. Use. The above ink remaining amount detection and ink remaining amount acquisition must be executed for each of the sub tanks 13 for the number of ink colors.

  In S4, the ink consumption acquired in S2 is compared with the ink remaining amount in the sub tank 13 acquired in S3, and it is determined whether or not the ink consumption for one page printing is stored in the sub tank 13. If the amount of ink remaining in the sub tank 13 is greater than the ink consumption for one page printing, it is determined that printing is possible. If it is determined that printing is possible, the process proceeds to S6, and one page is printed. If it is determined that printing is impossible, the process proceeds to S5.

  In S <b> 5, since the ink consumption for one page printing is not stored in the sub tank 13, ink is supplied from the main tank 15 to the sub tank 13 using the pump 14 and the tube 16. When supplying this ink, the ink may be supplied until the remaining amount of ink in the sub tank 13 is full, or the ink may be supplied until the ink for one page printing is collected.

  In S6, one page of image is printed. The term “printing” as used herein refers to all processes for forming an image on a recording medium. The ink consumption measurement is performed for every page of the image for all pages of the print job. When measuring the ink consumption amount, for example, the ink discharge amount from the recording head 12 is actually measured by dot counting or the like.

  In S7, it is determined whether or not printing for all pages of the print job has been completed. If printing of all pages of the print job is completed, the process proceeds to S8, and if there is an unprinted page in the print job, the process returns to S1.

  In S8, it is determined whether or not the print job that has been printed is stored in the memory 17 such as the HDD. When determining whether or not to save, for example, information such as “1: save, 0: do not save” is stored in advance as an attribute of the print job, and this information is referred to. If the print job is to be saved, the process proceeds to S9. If the print job is not saved, the process is completed.

  In S9, it is determined whether the ink consumption amount attribute has been stored in the print job. In determining this, it is sufficient to confirm whether or not the attribute exists in the print job. If the attribute is not stored in the print job, the process proceeds to S10, and if it is stored, the process is completed. Note that this determination may be omitted, and in S10, the ink consumption for the number of ink colors after printing may always be stored.

  In S10, the ink consumption for the number of ink colors is stored for each page of the print job for each page of the image. Generally, a print job uses a printer language or the like, and has various attributes such as recording medium type and paper feed port designation. Therefore, when storing the ink consumption for the number of ink colors in the print job, it is sufficient to add the ink consumption for the number of ink colors to the print job as an attribute such as a printer language. This storage method is system-dependent. is there. In S11, the print job is stored in the memory 17 such as an HDD.

  Thus, when printing of a print job stored in the memory 17 such as the HDD is designated, the ink consumption for one page held as the print job attribute and the ink remaining amount in the sub tank 13 are set. If it is determined that printing is possible, printing is started. When storage of a print job is designated, the ink consumption is stored for each page as an attribute of the print job and stored in a memory 17 such as an HDD. With these processes, if the remaining amount of ink necessary for printing one page remains in the sub tank 13, printing of a print job stored in the memory 17 such as the HDD is started without supplying ink to the sub tank 13. It becomes possible to do.

  According to the first embodiment, if the necessary amount of ink remaining in the sub tank remains, it is determined that printing is started. In this case, printing is started without supplying ink to the sub tank. Can start.

  The configuration of the second embodiment of the present invention is basically the same as that of the print control apparatus 100 shown in FIG. In addition, a part of the configuration of the supply / recovery unit 5 and the printing unit 4 in the second embodiment is basically the same as the configuration illustrated in FIG. 2, but the second embodiment includes the sub tank 13 in FIG. 2. It is the structure which does not have.

  In the second embodiment, when printing of a print job stored in the memory 17 such as the HDD is designated, the ink consumption for one page printing stored as the print job attribute and the ink remaining amount in the main tank 15 are stored. And compare. If it is determined that printing is possible based on the result of the comparison, printing is started. When storage of a print job is designated, the ink consumption for one page printing is stored in the print job as an attribute for each page of the print job, and is stored in a memory 17 such as an HDD. To do.

  That is, in the second embodiment, the CPU 1, the display unit 2, the input unit 3, the printing unit 4, the supply / recovery unit 5, the paper transport unit 6, the memory 7, the memory 8, the memory 9, A host interface 10, a host device 11, and a memory 17 are included.

  A part of the supply / recovery unit 5 and the printing unit 4 includes a recording head 12, a pump 14, a main tank 15, and a tube 16.

  The display unit 2 is an LCD or the like, and the input unit 3 is a switch or a key. The printing unit 4 includes a recording head 12 that performs printing by ejecting ink, a carriage for mounting the recording head 12, a motor for driving the carriage, and the like.

  The supply / recovery unit 5 includes a pump 14, a main tank 15, a tube 16, and the like. The main tank 15 stores ink. The pump 14 supplies ink to each recording head. The paper transport unit 6 is a roll paper feed port, a manual paper feed port, a paper transport motor, a cutter, and the like.

  The memory 7 is a ROM, a flash memory, or the like that stores modules that are less frequently rewritten. The memory 8 is a RAM or the like used mainly for a work area or a variable of a program stored in the memory 7. The memory 9 is an EEPROM or the like used for storing a variable whose value is to be held even when the power is off.

  The host interface 10 is a USB or a network. The host device 11 is a personal computer or the like. The memory 17 is an HDD or the like for storing a print job.

  The firmware stored in the memory 7 is a program for controlling the second embodiment, and includes each process shown in the flowchart of FIG.

  The main tank 15 is a tank capable of holding an ink amount for printing at least one page and holding ink supplied to the recording head.

  The reception buffer secured in the memory 8 stores image data of a print job received from the host apparatus 11 via the host interface 10. In the print buffer secured in the memory 8, the image data read from the reception buffer is expanded and stored (when the image data is compressed). Note that the reception buffer and the print buffer are not particularly important in the present embodiment, and a detailed description thereof is omitted.

  Next, the operation of the second embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the second embodiment.

  In S21, it is determined whether or not the print job is a saved job saved in the memory 17 such as an HDD. When determining whether or not the job is a stored job, for example, information such as “1: stored job, 0: other than stored job” is stored in advance as the print job attribute, and the determination is made with reference to this information. If it is determined that the job is a saved job, the process proceeds to S22. If it is determined that the job is not a saved job, the process proceeds to S26.

  In S22, an ink consumption amount for printing one page (hereinafter abbreviated as an ink consumption amount) is acquired from the print job. In this case, the ink consumption amount attribute for one page printing corresponding to the number of ink colors is acquired. Note that the ink consumption is stored in the print job in S30 before the print job is stored in the memory 17 such as the HDD.

  In S23, the remaining amount of ink in the main tank 15 is detected, and the remaining amount of ink stored in the main tank 15 is acquired. When detecting the remaining amount of ink, it may be detected in the same manner as in S3. The ink remaining amount detection and ink remaining amount acquisition are executed for each main tank 15 corresponding to the number of ink colors.

  In S24, the ink consumption acquired in S22 is compared with the ink remaining amount in the main tank 15 acquired in S23 to determine whether or not the ink consumption for one page printing is stored in the main tank 15. To do. If the remaining amount of ink in the main tank 15 is greater than the ink consumption for one page printing, it is determined that printing is possible. If it is determined that printing is possible, the process proceeds to S26, and if it is determined that printing is not possible, the process proceeds to S25.

  In S25, since the ink consumption for one page printing is not stored in the main tank 15, the user is notified of the replacement of the main tank 15. When notifying the user of the replacement of the main tank 15, a message suitable for the display unit 2 may be displayed. It is assumed that the actual replacement of the main tank 15 is performed by the user.

  In S26, one page of image is printed. Here, printing refers to all processes for forming an image on a recording medium. When the ink consumption is measured, it is executed for each page of the image. For example, the ink discharge amount from the recording head 12 is actually dot-counted.

  In S27, it is determined whether or not printing for all pages of the print job has been completed. If completed, the process proceeds to S28. If printing for all pages of the print job has not been completed, the process proceeds to S21.

  In S28, it is determined whether or not to save the print job that has been printed in the memory 17 such as the HDD. In this case, for example, information such as “1: save, 0: do not save” may be stored in advance as print job attributes. If the print job is to be saved, the process proceeds to S29. If the print job is not to be saved, the process is completed.

  In S29, it is determined whether the ink consumption amount attribute has been stored in the print job. In this case, it is only necessary to confirm whether or not the ink consumption amount attribute exists in the print job. If not stored, the process proceeds to S30, and if stored, the process is completed. Note that this determination may be omitted, and the ink consumption for the number of ink colors after printing may always be stored in S30.

  In S30, the ink consumption corresponding to the number of ink colors is stored for each page of the image in the print job. Generally, a print job uses a printer language or the like, and has various attributes such as recording medium type and paper feed port designation. Therefore, when storing the ink consumption for the number of ink colors in the print job, it is sufficient to add the ink consumption for the number of ink colors to the print job as an attribute such as a printer language, and this storage method is system-dependent. .

  In S31, the print job is stored in the memory 17 such as an HDD.

  As described above, when printing of a print job stored in the memory 17 such as the HDD is designated, the ink consumption for one page and the ink remaining amount in the main tank 15 held as attributes of the print job are displayed. When it is determined that printing is possible, printing is started. If storage of the print job is designated, the ink consumption as an attribute of the print job is stored in units of one page of the image and stored in the memory 17 such as an HDD. If the remaining amount of ink necessary for one page printing remains in the main tank 15 by these processes, the print job stored in the memory 17 such as the HDD is printed without replacing the main tank 15. Can start.

  According to the second embodiment, if the necessary amount of ink remaining in the main tank remains, it is determined to start printing. In this case, printing is started without replacing the main tank. Can start.

100: Print control device,
1 ... CPU,
11: Host device,
13 ... Sub tank,
15 ... Main tank.

Claims (5)

A printing control apparatus for recording an image on a recording medium by discharging ink from a recording head,
A tank capable of holding an amount of ink for printing at least one page and holding ink supplied to the recording head;
Ink remaining amount detecting means for detecting the ink remaining amount in the tank;
Print control means for printing the print job stored in the job storage means;
An ink consumption measuring means for measuring the ink consumption of one page of an image of a print job printed by the print control means;
When it is instructed again to record the print job printed by the print control means, the remaining amount of ink in the tank detected by the remaining ink detection means and the image of the print job measured by the ink consumption measurement means Discrimination means for comparing the ink consumption of one page and determining whether or not to start printing based on the comparison result;
A printing control apparatus comprising: The print control apparatus according to claim 1,
The tank is a sub tank,
A main tank for holding ink to be supplied to the sub tank;
When the determination means determines that printing is to be started, printing is started without supplying ink to the sub tank, and when the determination means determines that printing is not to be started, ink from the main tank to the sub tank is determined. Control means for effecting supply;
A printing control apparatus comprising: The print control apparatus according to claim 1,
Print control comprising: control means for notifying the user of replacement of the tank when printing is started when the determination means determines to start printing and when the determination means determines that printing is not started apparatus. The print control apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
The ink consumption measuring means is means for storing the measured ink consumption of one page of an image of a print job in a storage device in units of one page of the image in correspondence with the print job. Print control device. A control method of a print control apparatus for recording an image on a recording medium by discharging ink from a recording head,
An ink remaining amount detecting step capable of holding an ink amount for printing at least one page and detecting an ink remaining amount of a tank holding ink supplied to the recording head;
A print control step for printing a print job stored in the job storage means;
An ink consumption measuring step of measuring the ink consumption of one page of an image of a print job to be printed in the print control step;
When it is instructed again to record the print job printed in the print control step, the remaining amount of ink in the tank detected in the remaining ink detection step and the image of the print job measured in the ink consumption measurement step A determination step of comparing the ink consumption of one page and determining whether or not to start printing based on the comparison result;
A control method for a printing control apparatus, comprising:

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