JP2014126991A - Print control program and print control device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To suppress unnecessary communication with a printer caused by acquiring a head characteristic value from the printer despite that the head characteristic value of a print head before a replacement is the same as that after the replacement.SOLUTION: A print control program causes an information processing device; to read latest head characteristic value identification information and old head characteristic value identification information from a storage unit storing head characteristic value identification information which is for identifying a head characteristic value of a print head and is acquired from a printer via a communication unit; to execute characteristic value acquisition processing for acquiring a head characteristic value from the printer and storing it in a storage unit when the latest head characteristic value identification information does not coincide with the old head characteristic value identification information.

Description

  The present invention relates to a print control program and a print control apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a recording apparatus is known in which a printer generates a random number when replacing a recording head, and assigns the random number as a head ID (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The printer driver that controls the printing apparatus obtains the head ID from the printer, and if the obtained head ID does not match the previously obtained head ID, the printing head is replaced and the individual difference information of the printing head is obtained from the printing apparatus. Have acquired.

JP 2000-301702 (paragraph 0066 to paragraph 0074)

However, according to the above-described conventional technique, since a head ID is assigned by generating a random number, even if individual difference information (hereinafter referred to as “head characteristic value”) is replaced with the same recording head, another head is used. There is a high possibility that an ID will be given.
For this reason, the head characteristic value is acquired from the printer even though the head characteristic value of the recording head before replacement and the head characteristic value of the recording head after replacement are the same, and unnecessary communication with the printer is performed. There was a problem of going.

  In this specification, the head characteristic value of the print head before the replacement and the head characteristic value of the print head after the replacement are the same. Disclosed is a technique for suppressing unnecessary communication.

  A print control program disclosed in this specification is a print control program executed by an information processing apparatus including a communication unit and a storage unit that communicate with a printing apparatus having a print head, the head characteristic value of the print head Head characteristic value identification information for identifying the head characteristic value identification information acquired from the printing device via the communication unit from the storage unit storing the latest head characteristic value identification information. A read process for reading out the latest head characteristic value identification information and the old head characteristic value identification information which is the head characteristic value identification information one older than the latest head characteristic value identification information, and read by the read process An identification information match determination process for determining whether or not the latest head characteristic value identification information and the old head characteristic value identification information match; When a negative determination is made by the determination process, a characteristic value acquisition process for acquiring the head characteristic value from the printing apparatus and storing it in the storage unit is executed, whereas when an affirmative determination is made, the characteristic value acquisition process is performed. A characteristic value acquisition control process that is not executed is executed by the information processing apparatus.

According to the print control program, the head characteristic value is acquired from the printing apparatus when the latest head characteristic value identification information does not match the old head characteristic value identification information. The head characteristic value identification information is the same information if the head characteristic values of the print heads are the same, and is different information if the head characteristic values of the print heads are different. For this reason, if the head characteristic value of the print head before replacement and the head characteristic value of the print head after replacement are the same even if the print head is replaced, the latest head characteristic value identification information and the old head characteristic value identification information Match. Therefore, even if the print head is replaced, if the head characteristic value of the print head before replacement and the head characteristic value of the print head after replacement are the same, the head characteristic value is not acquired from the printing apparatus.
Therefore, according to the above print control program, the printing apparatus can obtain the head characteristic value from the printing apparatus even though the head characteristic value of the print head before replacement and the head characteristic value of the print head after replacement are the same. It is possible to suppress unnecessary communication between the two.

  The print control program may read the old head characteristic value identification information and the old head characteristic value identification information from the storage unit by the reading process, and then store the old head stored in the storage unit. An update process for overwriting characteristic value identification information with the latest head characteristic value identification information may be executed by the information processing apparatus.

  According to the print control program, an affirmative determination can be made in the next identification information matching determination process. This prevents the same head characteristic value from being repeatedly acquired.

  Further, the print control program performs an identification information acquisition process for acquiring the head characteristic value identification information from the printing apparatus and storing it in the storage unit when an affirmative determination is made by the identification information match determination process. You may make an information processing apparatus perform.

  According to the print control program, the identification information acquisition process is executed when an affirmative determination is made by the identification information matching determination process, so that the head characteristic value identification information can be acquired from the printing apparatus.

  Further, according to the print control program, since either the head characteristic value identification information or the head characteristic value is acquired, the communication load with the printing apparatus can be suppressed as compared with the case where the head characteristic value identification information is acquired every time. .

  The print control program causes the information processing apparatus to execute an elapsed time determination process for determining whether or not a predetermined time or more has elapsed since the latest head characteristic value identification information was acquired, and the identification information match The identification information acquisition process may be executed when an affirmative determination is made by the determination process and it is determined by the elapsed time determination process that the predetermined time has elapsed.

  Since the replacement of the print head is not performed frequently, unnecessary communication with the printing apparatus can be further suppressed with this configuration.

  The head characteristic value identification information may be an error code value of the head characteristic value.

If the print head characteristics are the same, the error code values are the same. Therefore, if the error code value is used as the head characteristic value identification information, unnecessary communication with the printing apparatus can be suppressed.
The head characteristic value may include at least one of a gamma correction table and a variation variation value of the droplet amount.

  According to the print control program, it is possible to suppress a difference in image quality due to a difference in head characteristics by performing gamma correction using a gamma correction table and image processing according to a variation value of droplet amount.

  The print control program may cause the information processing apparatus to execute a transmission process for transmitting print data to the printing apparatus, and execute the characteristic value acquisition control process after the transmission process is completed.

  According to the print control program, printing can be started quickly using the acquired head characteristic value when the printing apparatus performs printing next time.

  The print control program causes the information processing apparatus to execute a head characteristic value storage determination process for determining whether or not the head characteristic value is stored in the storage unit, and negates the head characteristic value storage determination process. If it is determined, the characteristic value acquisition process may be executed regardless of the determination result of the identification information match determination process.

  According to the print control program, when the head characteristic value is not stored in the storage unit, the head characteristic value can be acquired regardless of the determination result of the identification information matching determination process.

  Further, the print control program performs an identification information storage determination process for determining whether or not the head characteristic value identification information is stored in the storage unit in a number necessary for the determination in the identification information matching determination process. If the identification information storage determination process makes a negative determination, the identification information acquisition process may be executed regardless of the determination result of the identification information match determination process.

  According to the print control program, if the number of head characteristic value identification information items necessary for the determination by the identification information matching determination process is not stored, the head characteristic value identification information is acquired regardless of the determination result of the identification information matching determination process. can do.

  Further, the print control program determines whether the communication line connecting the information processing apparatus and the printing apparatus is a second type communication line that is slower than the first type communication line. Causing the information processing apparatus to execute a determination process, and when the communication line determination process determines that the communication line determination process is the second type of communication line, causes the information processing apparatus to execute the identification information match determination process. If it is determined that the communication line is one type, the characteristic value acquisition process may be executed regardless of the determination result of the identification information match determination process.

In the case of the first type communication line, which is faster than the second type communication line, the head characteristic value can be acquired in a short time, so even if unnecessary communication with the printing apparatus is performed, the time that the user waits for Is short. Therefore, when connected by the first type communication line, even if the characteristic value acquisition process is executed regardless of whether or not the latest head characteristic value identification information matches the old head characteristic value identification information, the influence is small. It can be said.
On the other hand, in the case of the second type communication line, when the head characteristic value is acquired regardless of whether or not the latest head characteristic value identification information matches the old head characteristic value identification information, the user has to wait longer. Become. Therefore, when the second type communication line is used for connection, it is possible to suppress unnecessary communication with the printing apparatus by executing the identification information matching determination process.

  The technology disclosed in this specification can be realized in various modes such as a printing system, a printing control apparatus, a printing control method, and a recording medium on which a printing control program is recorded.

  According to the above print control program, the printing apparatus can obtain the head characteristic value from the printing apparatus even though the head characteristic value of the print head before replacement and the head characteristic value of the print head after replacement are the same. It is possible to suppress unnecessary communication between the two.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a printing system according to a first embodiment. 10 is a flowchart (first half) of print control processing by a printer driver and processing for acquiring head characteristic value identification information and head characteristic values. 7 is a flowchart (second half) of print control processing by the printer driver and processing for acquiring head characteristic value identification information and head characteristic values. The flowchart of the process by a readback tool.

<Embodiment>
The embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
(1) Printing System First, the printing system 1 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The printing system 1 includes a personal computer (PC) 2 and a printer 3. The PC 2 is communicably connected to the printer 3a via a USB (Universal Serial Bus), and is communicably connected to the printer 3b via a TCP / IP network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or the Internet. In the present embodiment, the PC 2 only needs to be connected to the printer 3a by at least USB.

  The PC 2 is an example of an information processing device and a print control device. The printer 3 is an example of a printing apparatus. A TCP / IP network is an example of a first type of communication line. USB is an example of a second type communication line that is slower than the first type communication line.

(1-1) Electrical Configuration of PC Next, the electrical configuration of the PC 2 will be described with reference to FIG. The PC 2 includes a CPU 10, ROM 11, RAM 12, display unit 13, operation unit 14, storage unit 15, USB host interface (referred to as USB host IF) 16, and network interface (referred to as network IF) 17.

  The CPU 10 controls each unit of the PC 2 by executing a program stored in the ROM 11 or the storage unit 15. The ROM 11 stores programs executed by the CPU 10 and data. The RAM 12 is used as a main storage device for the CPU 10 to execute various processes. The CPU 10 is an example of a processing unit.

The display unit 13 includes an interface to which a display device 21 such as a liquid crystal display is connected, and a display drive circuit that drives the display device 21.
The operation unit 14 is configured as an interface to which an input device 22 such as a keyboard or a mouse is connected. The USB host interface 16 can also serve as the operation unit 14.

  The storage unit 15 is a device that stores various programs and data using a nonvolatile memory such as a hard disk or a flash memory. The storage unit 15 stores an operating system (referred to as OS) 31, an application program (referred to as application) 32, a printer driver 33, a readback tool 34, a head characteristic value 35, a history file 36, and the like. The program stored in the storage unit 15 is executed by the CPU 10. The printer driver 33 is an example of a print control program.

  The USB host interface 16 includes a USB host controller, a jack to which a USB cable is connected, and the like, and is connected to be communicable with the printer 3a via the USB cable. The USB host interface 16 is an example of a communication unit.

  The network interface 17 is an interface for communicating with an external device such as the printer 3b via the TCP / IP network. The network interface 17 may be connected to the TCP / IP network by wire or may be connected wirelessly. The network interface 17 is an example of a communication unit.

(1-2) Printer The printer 3 is an apparatus that prints an image on a sheet such as printing paper by an inkjet method. The printer 3 is equipped with a print head in which a plurality of nozzles for ejecting ink are formed. An ink cartridge is detachably attached to the print head, and ink supplied from the ink cartridge is ejected from a nozzle formed in the print head toward the sheet.

(2) Head Characteristic Value Next, the head characteristic value 35 of the print head will be described. In general, the type of print head varies depending on the model of the printer 3. In addition, different types of print heads may be mounted on one model. Normally, different types of print heads cause differences in print head characteristics due to differences in nozzle shape. The characteristics of the print head include a gamma characteristic and a variation characteristic of droplet amount.

If the characteristics of the print head are different, the quality of the printed image will be different. In order to suppress such a difference in image quality, in the printing system 1 according to the first embodiment, a ROM that stores a head characteristic value 35 representing the characteristics of the print head is provided in the print head.
The head characteristic value 35 is a gamma correction table for performing gamma correction according to the gamma characteristic, for example, in the case of the gamma characteristic. As the gamma correction table, for example, a three-dimensional LUT (Look Up Table) in which a combination of RGB density after gamma correction is associated with each combination of RGB density before gamma correction is used.

  The droplet amount variation characteristic is a variation value representing the degree of variation in the amount of ink ejected from the print head. Since the amount of ink discharged varies from print head to print head, the variation characteristic of the droplet amount is used to absorb the error in image quality adjustment and the like. Specifically, the error of the droplet amount in the CMYK color print head is quantified.

(3) Acquisition of Head Characteristic Value The printer driver 33 acquires the above-described head characteristic value 35 from the printer 3 and executes print control processing according to the head characteristic value 35. For example, in the case of a gamma correction table, the printer driver 33 performs gamma correction using the gamma correction table on the image data. Thereby, the difference in image quality due to the difference in the head characteristic value 35 is reduced.

  By the way, the print head may be replaced by repair or the like. In that case, the print head may be replaced with a print head having characteristics different from those before the replacement. Alternatively, the printer 3 that causes the printer driver 33 to execute printing may be changed to a printer 3 equipped with a print head having characteristics different from those before the change.

  That is, the types of print heads that the printer driver 33 executes printing are not always the same. In this case, if the head characteristic value 35 is acquired from the printer 3 every time printing is performed, the print head has been replaced with a print head having a different characteristic, or a print head having a characteristic different from that before the change is mounted. Even if the printer 3 is changed, the print control process corresponding to the head characteristic value 35 of the print head for executing the printing can be executed.

  However, if the head characteristic value 35 is acquired from the printer 3 each time printing is performed, the same applies if the print head has not been replaced between the previous printing and the current printing. The head characteristic value 35 is acquired, and unnecessary communication with the printer 3 is performed. For example, since a gamma correction three-dimensional LUT has a large amount of data, when it is acquired from the printer 3 via USB, a certain amount of download time is required. For this reason, unnecessary communication is performed for a long time.

  Therefore, in the printing system 1 according to the first embodiment, in addition to the head characteristic value 35, different head characteristic value identification information for each head characteristic value 35 is stored in the ROM of the print head. The head characteristic value identification information is the same information when the head characteristic values of the print heads are the same, and is different information when the head characteristic values of the print heads are different. Specifically, in the present embodiment, the following three pieces of information are used as head characteristic value identification information.

・ Printer 3 main unit serial number ・ Gamma correction table checksum ・ Drop amount variation checksum

  The serial number of the main body of the printer 3 is information for uniquely identifying the printer 3 manufactured by one manufacturer. The reason why the serial number of the main body of the printer 3 is used as the head characteristic value identification information is that the head characteristic value 35 may be different if the serial number is different.

  The checksum described above is an example of an error code value of the head characteristic value 35. Here, a checksum is described as an example of the error code value, but the error code value may be a hash value generated from a gamma correction table or a variation value of the droplet amount, or other error code value. There may be. When hash values are used, the same hash value is generated if the gamma correction table and the variation value of the droplet amount are the same.

  As will be described in detail later, the printer driver 33 acquires the above-described head characteristic value identification information from the printer 3 after printing is completed. Then, the printer driver 33 writes the acquired head characteristic value identification information in the history file 36 stored in the storage unit 15. Specifically, the following information is written in the history file 36.

-Latest checksum-Old checksum-Latest serial number-Old serial number-Acquisition date and time

The latest checksum is a checksum acquired last, and includes two checksums: a checksum of the gamma correction table and a checksum of the variation value of the droplet amount. The old checksum is a checksum that is one older than the latest checksum.
The latest serial number is the serial number acquired last. The old serial number is one serial number older than the latest serial number.
The acquisition date and time is the date and time when the latest checksum was acquired, and is written as “December 14, 2012 18: 8: 36”.
In the following description, the latest head characteristic value identification information refers to the latest checksum and latest serial number, and the old head characteristic value identification information refers to the old checksum and old serial number.
In the present embodiment, the head characteristic value 35 and the history file are described as different files. However, the head characteristic value 35 may be written in the history file.

  After that, when printing is instructed by the application 32, the printer driver 33 transmits the print job to the printer 3, and then reads the latest head characteristic value identification information and the old head characteristic value identification information from the history file 36, and outputs them. And the head characteristic value 35 is obtained from the printer 3 if they do not match. The reason why the head characteristic value 35 is acquired after the print job is transmitted is that the start of printing is delayed if it is acquired before the print job is transmitted.

Here, for the sake of convenience, it has been described that the printer driver 33 acquires the head characteristic value identification information and the head characteristic value 35 from the printer 3, but in the present embodiment, the head characteristic value identification information and the head characteristic value 35 are actually acquired from the printer 3. It is the readback tool 34 described above. Specifically, the printer driver 33 activates the readback tool 34, and the activated readback tool 34 acquires the head characteristic value identification information and the head characteristic value 35. This will be described later.
Hereinafter, the print control process by the printer driver 33 and the process of acquiring the head characteristic value identification information and the head characteristic value 35 will be specifically described with reference to flowcharts.

(4) Print Control Process and Process for Acquiring Head Characteristic Value Identification Information and Head Characteristic Value 35 Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the print control process by the printer driver 33 and the head characteristic value identification information and the head Processing for acquiring the characteristic value 35 will be described. This process is started when the application 32 instructs the printer driver 33 to print image data via the OS 31.

  In S101, the printer driver 33 executes a print control process. Specifically, the printer driver 33 performs gamma correction processing for performing gamma correction on the image data instructed to be printed from the application 32 using a gamma correction table, and variation in ink droplet amount in the image data subjected to gamma correction. Image quality adjustment processing that performs image quality adjustment according to the value, color space conversion processing that converts the color space of the image data that has been subjected to image quality adjustment processing to CMYK color space, dither method, error diffusion method, etc. for each CMYK color image data A process for generating halftone data for each color by performing halftone processing according to the above, a transmission process for transmitting a print job including halftone data for each color to the printer 3, and the like are executed. A print job is an example of print data.

  The gamma correction table and the droplet amount variation value used in the above-described processing are obtained from the head characteristic value 35 obtained from the printer 3 and stored in the storage unit 15. However, as will be described in detail later, the head characteristic value 35 may not be stored immediately after the installation of the printer driver 33. In this case, the printer driver 33 does not perform processing using the head characteristic value 35 such as gamma correction or uses a default head characteristic value stored in advance.

In S <b> 102, the printer driver 33 determines whether the PC 2 and the printer 3 that executes printing are connected by USB or by a TCP / IP network. The reason for making this determination will be described below.
In general, TCP / IP networks such as LAN and the Internet have a higher communication speed than USB. For this reason, when the PC 2 and the printer 3 that executes printing are connected by a TCP / IP network, even if the data amount of the head characteristic value 35 is large, it can be acquired without taking communication time. Therefore, when connected by a TCP / IP network, even if the head characteristic value 35 is acquired every time, it can be said that the load on the TCP / IP network is small.

  Therefore, when the PC 2 and the printer 3 that executes printing are connected by the TCP / IP network, the printer driver 33 determines whether the latest head characteristic value identification information matches the old head characteristic value identification information. Regardless, the process proceeds to S114 to acquire the head characteristic value 35 from the printer 3.

  It can be determined from the communication port set in the printer driver 33 whether or not the PC 2 and the printer 3 that executes printing are connected by the TCP / IP network. Specifically, one communication port for communicating with the printer 3 is set in the printer driver 33. In this case, when the printer 3 that executes printing is connected by USB, a USB port is set as a communication port, and when it is connected by a TCP / IP network, the IP address of the printer 3 that executes printing is set. Network port is set as the communication port.

  Therefore, the printer driver 33 determines whether the communication port is a USB port or a network port. If the communication port is a USB port, the printer driver 33 determines that the communication port is connected by USB and proceeds to 103. If the communication port is a network port, the printer driver 33 proceeds to TCP. / It is determined that it is connected by the IP network, and the process proceeds to S114. S102 is an example of a communication line determination process.

In S <b> 103, the printer driver 33 determines whether or not the head characteristic value 35 is stored in the storage unit 15.
When the printer driver 33 is installed in the PC 2, the printer driver 33 requests the readback tool 34 to acquire the head characteristic value 35 and the head characteristic value identification information. For this reason, even when printing is performed for the first time after installation, the head characteristic value 35 should be stored in the storage unit 15. However, there is a possibility that acquisition may fail due to a communication failure or the like. Therefore, the printer driver 33 determines whether the head characteristic value 35 is stored.
If the head characteristic value 35 is stored, the printer driver 33 proceeds to S104, and if not stored, the printer driver 33 proceeds to S114. S103 is an example of a head characteristic value storage determination process.

In step S <b> 104, the printer driver 33 determines whether old head characteristic value identification information has been written in the history file 36.
As described above, the printer driver 33 requests the readback tool 34 to acquire the head characteristic value identification information when installed in the PC 2. For this reason, even when printing is performed for the first time after installation, the latest head characteristic value identification information is written in the history file 36, but the old head characteristic value identification information is not written.
Since the print head is not frequently replaced, the printer driver 33 determines that the latest head characteristic value identification information and the old head characteristic value identification information match when the old head characteristic value identification information is not written. I reckon.
The printer driver 33 proceeds to S105 when the old head characteristic value identification information is written, and proceeds to S111 when the old head characteristic value identification information is not written.

In S <b> 105, the printer driver 33 reads the latest serial number and the old serial number from the history file 36. S105 is an example of a reading process.
In S106, the printer driver 33 overwrites the old serial number written in the history file 36 with the latest serial number read in S105. S106 is an example of an update process.

In step S <b> 107, the printer driver 33 reads the latest checksum and the old checksum from the storage unit 15. S107 is an example of a reading process.
In S108, the printer driver 33 overwrites the old checksum written in the history file 36 with the latest checksum read in S107. S108 is an example of an update process.

  In S109, the printer driver 33 determines whether or not the latest serial number read in S105 matches the old serial number. If they match, the process proceeds to S110. If they do not match, the process proceeds to S114. S109 is an example of identification information match determination processing.

In S110, the printer driver 33 determines whether or not the latest checksum read in S107 matches the old checksum. If they match, the process proceeds to S111. If they do not match, the process proceeds to S114. S110 is an example of identification information match determination processing.
In S <b> 111, the printer driver 33 reads the acquisition date and time described above from the history file 36.

In S112, the printer driver 33 determines whether or not the elapsed time from the acquisition date and time read in S111 to the present is 48 hours or more. The reason for making this determination will be described below.
In general, the replacement of the print head is performed as a repair by sending the printer 3 to the manufacturer. When the printer 3 is sent out for repair, it often takes more than two days to return after the repair is completed. That is, if the elapsed time from the time when the head characteristic value identification information is acquired from the previous printer 3 to the present time is within 48 hours, the printer 3 is highly likely not to be repaired. In other words, there is a high possibility that the print head has not been replaced. If the head characteristic value identification information is acquired from the printer 3 even though the print head is not replaced, unnecessary communication with the printer 3 is performed.

Therefore, if the elapsed time from the acquisition date to the present is 48 hours or more, the printer driver 33 may have replaced the print head, so that the printer driver 33 acquires the head characteristic value identification information from the printer 3 in step S113. Proceed to
On the other hand, if the elapsed time is less than 48 hours, it is unlikely that the print head has been exchanged. Therefore, the printer driver 33 prevents the printer 3 from performing unnecessary communication with the printer 3. This processing is terminated without acquiring the head characteristic value identification information from. S112 is an example of elapsed time determination processing. Further, 48 hours is an example of a fixed time. The elapsed time is not limited to 48 hours and can be set as appropriate by the vendor.

In S113, the printer driver 33 activates the readback tool 34 to request acquisition of head characteristic value identification information. S113 is an example of identification information acquisition processing.
When the readback tool 34 is requested to acquire the head characteristic value identification information, the readback tool 34 communicates with the printer 3 to acquire the head characteristic value identification information, writes it in the history file 36 as the latest head characteristic value identification information, and updates the acquisition date and time. To do.

In S <b> 114, the printer driver 33 activates the readback tool 34 and requests acquisition of the head characteristic value 35. S114 is an example of a characteristic value acquisition process.
When the readback tool 34 is requested to acquire the head characteristic value 35, the readback tool 34 communicates with the printer 3 to acquire the head characteristic value 35, and stores the acquired head characteristic value 35 in the storage unit 15.
S110-S114 mentioned above is an example of a characteristic value acquisition control process.

(5) Readback Tool Next, processing by the readback tool 34 will be described with reference to FIG.
In S201, the readback tool 34 determines whether one of an argument for acquiring the head characteristic value identification information or an argument for acquiring the head characteristic value 35 is set as an argument when the readback tool 34 is activated. If either one is set, the process proceeds to S202. If any other argument is set, the process is terminated after executing the process according to the argument.

In S202, the readback tool 34 determines whether the printer 3 that executes printing is connected by USB or by a TCP / IP network. If the printer 3 is connected by USB, the process proceeds to S203, where the TCP / IP network is connected. If the connection is established, the process proceeds to S204.
In S203, the readback tool 34 acquires the head characteristic value 35 or the head characteristic value identification information from the printer 3 via the USB. Which of these is to be acquired is determined by the set argument.

In S204, the readback tool 34 acquires the head characteristic value 35 from the printer 3 via the TCP / IP network. Here, the reason why the head characteristic value identification information is not acquired when connected by the TCP / IP network is the TCP / IP network in the above-described S102 when connected by the TCP / IP network in this embodiment. This is because the acquisition of the head characteristic value 35 is only requested in S114, and the acquisition of the head characteristic value identification information is not requested when connected by the TCP / IP network.
In S205, the readback tool 34 determines whether or not the information has been correctly acquired in S203 or S204. If it can be acquired, the process proceeds to S206, and if it cannot be acquired, the process proceeds to S207.

  In S <b> 206, the readback tool 34 stores the head characteristic value 35 in the storage unit 15, or writes the acquired head characteristic value identification information and acquisition date and time in the history file 36. When the old head characteristic value 35 is stored in the storage unit 15, the old head characteristic value 35 is deleted or overwritten with the acquired head characteristic value 35. As a result, the latest head characteristic value 35 can be used.

In S207, the readback tool 34 writes in the history file 36 that the acquisition has failed.
Although not shown in the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 described above, the printer driver 33 refers to the history file 36 before executing the print control process of S101, for example, and states that the acquisition has failed. If it is, the readback tool 34 may be requested to acquire the head characteristic value identification information or the head characteristic value 35 before executing the print control process.

(6) Effect of Embodiment According to the printer driver 33 described above, the head characteristic value is acquired from the printer 3 when the latest head characteristic value identification information and the old head characteristic value identification information do not match. The head characteristic value identification information is the same information if the head characteristic value 35 of the print head is the same, and is different information if the head characteristic value 35 of the print head is different. Therefore, even if the print head is replaced, if the head characteristic value 35 of the print head before replacement and the head characteristic value 35 of the print head after replacement are the same, the latest head characteristic value identification information and the old head characteristic value identification The information matches. Therefore, even if the print head is replaced, if the head characteristic value 35 of the print head before replacement and the head characteristic value 35 of the print head after replacement are the same, the head characteristic value 35 is not acquired from the printer 3.
Therefore, according to the printer driver 33, the head characteristic value 35 of the print head before replacement and the head characteristic value 35 of the print head after replacement are the same, but the printer obtains the head characteristic value 35 from the printer 3 to obtain the printer. It is possible to suppress unnecessary communication with the terminal 3.

  Further, according to the printer driver 33, after the latest head characteristic value identification information and the old head characteristic value identification information are read from the history file 36 in S107, the old head characteristic value identification information written in the history file 36 is read. Since it is overwritten with the latest head characteristic value identification information (S106, S108), if a negative determination is made in the current identification information match determination process (S110), the identification information match determination process (S110) the next time this process is executed. Then, it can be affirmed. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the same head characteristic value 35 from being repeatedly acquired.

  Further, according to the printer driver 33, the identification information acquisition process (S <b> 113) is executed when an affirmative determination is made in the identification information matching determination process (S <b> 110), so that head characteristic value identification information can be acquired from the printer 3. Further, according to the printer driver 33, since either the head characteristic value identification information or the head characteristic value 35 is acquired, the communication load with the printer 3 can be suppressed as compared with the case where the head characteristic value identification information is acquired every time. .

  Further, according to the printer driver 33, when it is determined that the latest head characteristic value identification information matches the old head characteristic value identification information, and more than 48 hours have elapsed since the latest head characteristic value identification information was acquired. The identification information acquisition process (S113) is executed. Since the replacement of the print head is not frequently performed, unnecessary communication with the printer 3 can be further suppressed with this configuration.

  Further, according to the printer driver 33, the head characteristic value identification information is a checksum of the head characteristic value 35. If the head characteristic values are the same, the checksum is the same. Therefore, if the checksum is used as the head characteristic value identification information, unnecessary communication with the printer 3 can be suppressed.

  Further, according to the printer driver 33, the head characteristic value 35 includes a gamma correction table and a variation value of the ink droplet amount of the print head. Therefore, the gamma correction using the gamma correction table and the ink droplet amount can be performed. By performing image processing according to the variation value, a difference in image quality due to a difference in head characteristics can be suppressed.

  Further, according to the printer driver 33, the characteristic value acquisition process (S114) is executed after the print job is transmitted to the printer 3 in S101. Therefore, when the printer 3 executes printing next time, the acquired head characteristic value 35 is used. Printing can be started immediately.

  Further, according to the printer driver 33, when the head characteristic value 35 is not stored in the storage unit 15 (No in S103), the head characteristic value 35 is set regardless of the determination result of the identification information matching determination process (S110). Can be acquired.

  Further, according to the printer driver 33, when the head characteristic value identification information is not stored in the storage unit 15 by the number necessary for the determination in the identification information matching determination process (S110) (No in S104), the identification information The head characteristic value identification information can be acquired regardless of the determination result of the coincidence determination process (S110) (S113).

  Furthermore, according to the printer driver 33, when the communication line is a USB that is slower than the TCP / IP network, the identification information match determination process (S110) is executed. It is possible to suppress unnecessary communication.

<Other embodiments>
The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described with reference to the above description and the drawings, and for example, the following embodiments are also included in the technical scope.

  (1) In the above embodiment, the case where the head characteristic value identification information is acquired from the printer 3 when the serial numbers match in S109 and the checksums match in S110 has been described as an example. On the other hand, the head characteristic value identification information may be acquired from the printer 3 even when it is determined in S109 that the serial numbers do not match or in S110 that the checksums do not match.

  (2) In the above embodiment, the case has been described as an example where the head characteristic value identification information is not acquired when 48 hours or more have not elapsed since the latest head characteristic value identification information was acquired in S112. On the other hand, if the latest head characteristic value identification information matches the old head characteristic value identification information, the head characteristic value identification information may be acquired without performing the process of S112.

  (3) In the above embodiment, the gamma characteristic and the variation characteristic of the ink droplet amount of the print head have been described as examples of the head characteristic. On the other hand, the head characteristic may be one of a gamma characteristic and a variation characteristic of the ink droplet amount of the print head. Further, the characteristics of the head may be other characteristics as long as the characteristics are different from each other in the quality of the printed image.

  (4) In the above embodiment, the case where the serial number of the main body of the printer 3 is included in the head characteristic value identification information has been described as an example. On the other hand, the serial number may not be included. In this case, the process of S109 is not executed.

(5) In the above embodiment, the check characteristic and the serial number of the main body of the printer 3 have been described as examples of the head characteristic value identification information. On the other hand, the head characteristic value identification information may be an identification character string commonly given to print heads having the same head characteristic value.
Further, when there is only one type of print head for one model and the type of print head differs depending on the model of the printer, model information indicating the model of the printer 3 is used as head characteristic value identification information. Also good.

  (6) In the above embodiment, the case where the head characteristic value 35 is acquired from the printer 3 after executing the print control process (S101) has been described as an example. On the other hand, after printing is instructed, the head characteristic value 35 may be acquired before executing the print control process. The same applies to the head characteristic value identification information.

  (7) In the above embodiment, the case where it is determined whether or not the head characteristic value 35 is stored in the storage unit 15 in S103 when printing is instructed has been described as an example. On the other hand, the process may proceed to S104 without determining whether or not the head characteristic value 35 is stored.

  (8) In the above embodiment, the case where it is determined whether or not the old head characteristic value identification information is written in the history file 36 in S104 when printing is instructed has been described as an example. On the other hand, the process may proceed to S105 without determining whether or not the old head characteristic value identification information is written.

  (9) In the above-described embodiment, when the printer 3 is connected by the TCP / IP network, the case where the head characteristic value 35 is acquired from the printer 3 every time printing is instructed has been described as an example. On the other hand, the case of being connected by a TCP / IP network may be handled in the same manner as the case of being connected by a USB. That is, communication lines may not be distinguished.

  (10) In the above embodiment, the case where the readback tool 34 acquires the head characteristic value 35 and the head characteristic value identification information from the printer 3 has been described as an example. On the other hand, the printer driver 33 may acquire the head characteristic value 35 and the head characteristic value identification information from the printer 3.

  (11) In the above embodiment, the USB has been described as an example of the second type communication line that is slower than the first type communication line. On the other hand, the second type communication line may be a communication using IEEE 1284, which is a communication standard for printers, or may be wireless communication such as infrared communication or Bluetooth (registered trademark).

  (12) In the above embodiment, the printer 3 that performs printing by the inkjet method is described as an example of the printing apparatus. On the other hand, the printing apparatus may be a printer that prints an image by an electrophotographic method.

  (13) In the above embodiment, the single-function printer 3 has been described as an example of the printing apparatus. On the other hand, the printing apparatus may be a so-called multifunction machine having a printing function, a copying function, a facsimile function, a scanner function, or the like, or may be a single-function facsimile apparatus.

  (14) In the above embodiment, the PC 2 is described as an example of the information processing apparatus. On the other hand, the information processing apparatus may be a mobile phone or a mobile information terminal.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Printing system, 2 ... PC, 3 ... Printer, 10 ... CPU, 16 ... USB host interface, 17 ... Network interface, 33 ... Printer driver, 34. ..Readback tool, 35 ... Head characteristic value, 36 ... History file

Claims (11)

A print control program executed by an information processing apparatus including a communication unit and a storage unit that communicate with a printing apparatus having a print head,
The head characteristic value identification information for identifying the head characteristic value of the print head, the head characteristic value identification information acquired from the printing device via the communication unit is stored from the storage unit, the latest Read processing for reading the latest head characteristic value identification information that is the head characteristic value identification information, and the old head characteristic value identification information that is the head characteristic value identification information that is one older than the latest head characteristic value identification information;
An identification information matching determination process for determining whether or not the latest head characteristic value identification information and the old head characteristic value identification information read by the reading process match;
When a negative determination is made by the identification information matching determination process, a characteristic value acquisition process for acquiring the head characteristic value from the printing apparatus and storing it in the storage unit is executed, whereas when an affirmative determination is made, the characteristic is acquired. Characteristic value acquisition control processing that does not execute value acquisition processing;
A print control program for causing the information processing apparatus to execute A printing control program according to claim 1,
After the latest head characteristic value identification information and the old head characteristic value identification information are read from the storage unit by the reading process, the old head characteristic value identification information stored in the storage unit is used as the latest head. A print control program for causing the information processing apparatus to execute an update process for overwriting with characteristic value identification information. The print control program according to claim 1 or 2,
A print that causes the information processing apparatus to execute an identification information acquisition process for acquiring the head characteristic value identification information from the printing apparatus and storing it in the storage unit when an affirmative determination is made by the identification information matching determination process. Control program. The print control program according to claim 3,
Causing the information processing apparatus to execute an elapsed time determination process for determining whether or not a predetermined time or more has elapsed since the latest head characteristic value identification information was acquired;
A print control program for executing the identification information acquisition process when an affirmative determination is made by the identification information match determination process and when it is determined by the elapsed time determination process that the predetermined time has passed. A print control program according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The print control program, wherein the head characteristic value identification information is an error code value of the head characteristic value. A printing control program according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The print control program, wherein the head characteristic value includes at least one of a gamma correction table and a variation value of a droplet amount of the print head. A print control program according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
Causing the information processing apparatus to execute transmission processing for transmitting print data to the printing apparatus;
A print control program for executing the characteristic value acquisition control process after the transmission process is completed. A print control program according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
Causing the information processing apparatus to execute a head characteristic value storage determination process for determining whether or not the head characteristic value is stored in the storage unit;
A print control program that, when a negative determination is made by the head characteristic value storage determination process, causes the characteristic value acquisition process to be executed regardless of the determination result of the identification information match determination process. A print control program according to claim 3 or claim 4,
Causing the information processing apparatus to execute identification information storage determination processing for determining whether or not the head characteristic value identification information is stored in the storage unit in a number necessary for determination in the identification information matching determination processing;
A print control program that, when a negative determination is made by the identification information storage determination process, causes the identification information acquisition process to be executed regardless of the determination result of the identification information match determination process. A print control program according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
A communication line determination process for determining whether or not the communication line connecting the information processing apparatus and the printing apparatus is a second type communication line that is slower than the first type communication line. Let it run
If the communication line determination process determines that the communication line is the second type communication line, the information processing apparatus causes the information processing apparatus to execute the identification information match determination process, while determining that the communication line determination process is the first type communication line. In this case, the print control program causes the characteristic value acquisition process to be executed regardless of the determination result of the identification information match determination process. A communication unit for communicating with a printing apparatus having a print head;
A storage unit for storing the head characteristic value identification information for identifying the head characteristic value of the print head, the head characteristic value identification information acquired from the printing apparatus via the communication unit;
A processing unit;
With
The processor is
Latest head characteristic value identification information that is the latest head characteristic value identification information from the storage unit, and old head characteristic value identification information that is the head characteristic value identification information that is one older than the latest head characteristic value identification information. Read processing to read,
An identification information matching determination process for determining whether or not the latest head characteristic value identification information and the old head characteristic value identification information read by the reading process match;
When a negative determination is made by the identification information matching determination process, a characteristic value acquisition process for acquiring the head characteristic value from the printing apparatus and storing it in the storage unit is executed, whereas when an affirmative determination is made, the characteristic is acquired. Characteristic value acquisition control processing that does not execute value acquisition processing;
A print control device that executes.

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