JP2018171887A - Printer, printing system, control method of printer, control method of printing system and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce such a possibility that the inconsistency occurs between a printable condition of a printer and a printable condition recognized by a host device.SOLUTION: A printer includes a carriage on which a plurality of types of recording heads can be mounted. The printer prints an image by scanning the carriage with respect to a print sheet, provides the first printing service using the first identifier identifying the printer to the host device when the recording heads mounted on the carriage are the first head configuration, and provides the second printing service using the second identifier different from the first identifier to the host device when the recording heads mounted on the carriage are the second head configuration different from the first head configuration.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus, a printing system, a printing apparatus control method, a printing system control method, and a program.

  Among printing devices, printing that directly communicates with an imaging device such as a digital camera, a multifunction terminal such as a smartphone, or a host computer (hereinafter collectively referred to as “host device”) without using a printer driver. There is a device. In such a printing apparatus, printing is performed based on data transmitted from a host device via direct communication.

  In addition, among ink jet recording type printing apparatuses, there is an apparatus in which a recording head to be mounted can be replaced. When the recording head is replaced, the printable color may change. In other words, conditions that can be printed by the printing apparatus (hereinafter referred to as “printable conditions”) may be changed. Some printing apparatuses have a function of notifying a host device when a printable condition is changed. However, the host device does not necessarily reflect the changed printable condition. If the printable condition changed in the host device is not reflected, a discrepancy occurs between the printable condition of the printing device and the printable condition recognized by the host device with respect to the printing device. When such wrinkles occur, a situation in which appropriate printing is not performed occurs.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-151561 describes a technique in which when a printable condition of a printer is changed, the host device acquires the changed printable condition by reconnecting the printer to the host device.

Japanese Patent No. 3919716

  However, even if reconnection is performed according to the technique of Patent Document 1, there is a host device that does not acquire updated printable conditions. In particular, in recent years, various applications for printing (hereinafter referred to as “apps”) have been developed, and if such applications do not support changing the printable conditions of the printing device, the host device can change them. The printable conditions that have been set are not reflected. For this reason, a wrinkle occurs between the printable condition recognized by the host device and the printable condition of the printing apparatus.

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus, a printing system, a printing apparatus control method, and printing capable of reducing the possibility of a flaw between a printable condition of a printing apparatus and a printable condition recognized by a host device. It is an object to provide a system control method and program.

  A printing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention is a printing apparatus that includes a carriage on which a plurality of types of recording heads can be mounted, and that prints an image by scanning the carriage with respect to printing paper. When the recording head to be mounted has the first head configuration, the first printing service using the first identifier for identifying the printing apparatus is provided to the host device, and the recording head mounted on the carriage is the first head. In the case of a second head configuration different from the one head configuration, a service providing unit is provided that provides the host device with a second print service using a second identifier different from the first identifier. Features.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the possibility of a flaw between the printable condition of the printing apparatus and the printable condition recognized by the host device.

It is a figure which shows an inkjet printer typically. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a printable area of a recording head. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing system. It is a figure which shows the functional block of a printing system. It is a figure which shows the process sequence between a host apparatus and a printer. It is a schematic diagram of a printer equipped with a black recording head. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a printable area of a recording head. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a processing flow of a printer. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a processing flow of a printer. It is a figure which shows an inkjet printer typically. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a printable area of a recording head.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The following embodiments do not limit the present invention, and all the combinations of features described in the present embodiment are not necessarily essential to the solution means of the present invention. In addition, about the same structure, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and demonstrated. Further, the relative arrangement, shape, and the like of the components described in the embodiments are merely examples, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention only to them.

<Embodiment 1>
FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating an ink jet printer (hereinafter referred to as “printer”) which is an example of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 100 includes a carriage 103 on a frame that forms a structural material of the printer. The carriage 103 reciprocates in the X direction along the guide 104.

  On the carriage 103, the first recording head 101L and the second recording head 101R can be mounted. The first recording head 101L is equipped with a plurality of nozzles for ejecting ink. The plurality of nozzles constitute a nozzle row corresponding to a plurality of colors of ink. In the example of FIG. 1, the first recording head 101L is equipped with a cyan nozzle row 102LC, a magenta nozzle row 102LM, and a yellow nozzle row 102LY. Similarly, the second recording head 101R is equipped with a plurality of nozzles for ejecting ink of the same color as the ink mounted on the first recording head 101L. Specifically, the second recording head 101R includes a cyan nozzle row 102RC, a magenta nozzle row 102RM, and a yellow nozzle row 102RY. The first recording head 101L and the second recording head 101R have the same structure. That is, the first recording head 101L and the second recording head 101R have the same shape and nozzle row configuration. Then, the first recording head 101L and the second recording head 101R are mounted on the carriage 103 so as to have a positional relationship with each other. Therefore, in FIG. 1, the cyan nozzle rows (102LC, 102RC) are positioned at both ends in the scanning direction (X direction) of the carriage 103, and the yellow nozzle rows (102LY, 102RY) are positioned inside the carriage 103.

  In the printer 100, nozzles are arranged in a direction (Y direction) orthogonal to the width direction (X direction) of the printing paper 106. The printer 100 is a so-called serial recording type printer that performs recording (printing) by scanning a carriage 103 mounted with a recording head in the X direction along a guide 104. The resolution of the nozzle arrangement of each ink color nozzle row is 1200 dpi.

  The printer 100 includes a paper guide 107 on the left side in a plan view of FIG. Hereinafter, in the present specification, when “left side” (or simply “left”) or “right side” (or simply “right”) is described, the positional relationship between left and right in the drawing when facing the figure. It shall be shown. Therefore, in the example of FIG. 1, the paper guide 107 is provided on the left side of the printer 100.

  A printing paper 106, which is an example of a recording medium on which an image is recorded, is shown along the paper guide 107 by the conveyance roller 105 (and other rollers not shown) being rotated by the driving force of a motor (not shown). 1 is conveyed in the paper conveyance direction. In the printer 100, the left end of the print sheet 106 is in contact with the right end of the sheet guide 107 regardless of the size of the print sheet 106. When the printing paper 106 is conveyed to a predetermined position, a recording operation using the first recording head 101L and the second recording head 101R is performed. That is, according to the print data, ink is ejected from a predetermined number of nozzles of each of the first recording head 101L and the second recording head 101R, so that one scanning width corresponding to the nozzle row of the recording head is obtained. An image is recorded on the printing paper. When an image for one scanning width is recorded, the printing paper 106 is conveyed again in the paper conveying direction by the width corresponding to the nozzle row, and an image for one scanning width is recorded again. By repeating the conveyance of the printing paper 106 and the ink ejection operation from each recording head on the printing paper 106, for example, an image for one page can be printed.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an area in which the first recording head 101L and the second recording head 101R of the printer 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 can print. FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram when the first recording head 101L and the second recording head 101R in FIG. 1 are viewed from the side, and a printable area. 2 that have the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 have the same configurations as those in FIG. In FIG. 2, positions X1, X2, X3, and X4 represent X-direction positions on the paper surface of the printing paper 106. Specifically, the following positions are shown.
X1 = Left end of the area where the first recording head 101L can print X2 = Left end of the area where the second recording head 101R can print X3 = Right edge of the area where the first recording head 101L can print X4 = Second The right end of the printable area of the recording head 101R

In FIG. 2, areas P1 to P6 represent X-direction areas on the surface of the printing paper 106. Specifically, the following areas are shown.
P1 = area where the first recording head 101L can print P2 = area where the second recording head 101R can print P3 = area where only the first recording head 101L can print P4 = the first recording head 101L and the first recording head 101L Area that can be printed by both the second recording head 101R P5 = area that can be printed only by the second recording head 101R P6 = area that can be printed by at least one recording head

In the printer 100 illustrated in FIG. 1, the area P3 is printed by the first recording head 101L. The area P5 is printed by the second recording head 101R. The area P4 is printed by both the first recording head 101L and the second recording head 101R. As a printing method for the region P4, the following modes are possible.
1. The entire area P4 is printed by 50% by the first recording head 101L and the second recording head 101R.
2. The area on the left side of the predetermined position X in the area P4 is printed by the first recording head 101L, and the remaining right area is printed by the second recording head 101R.
3. The head ratio used for printing is changed stepwise according to the region so that the left side of the region P4 is printed by the first recording head 101L and the right side is printed by the second recording head 101R.

In the present embodiment, the width of each region is as follows.
P1 = 120mm
P2 = 120mm
P4 = 30mm
P6 = 210mm

  Since the A4 size is 210 × 297 mm, it is possible to print on A4 width printing paper using both the first recording head 101L and the second recording head 101R. Even when only the first recording head 101L is used, it is possible to print on printing paper (photo size) up to 4 × 6 size (about 102 mm × about 152 mm).

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the printing system of the present embodiment. The printing system has the printer 100 shown in FIG. Examples of the host device 300 include a computer such as a personal computer, an imaging device such as a camera, or a multifunction terminal such as a smartphone / tablet.

  The host device 300 includes a CPU 301, a RAM 302, an HDD 303, a data transfer I / F (interface) 304, an input I / F 305, and a display I / F 306. A CPU (Central Processing Unit) 301 executes processing according to a program held in a HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 303 or a RAM (Random Access Memory) 302. The RAM 302 is a volatile storage, and temporarily stores programs and data. The HDD 303 is a non-volatile storage and similarly holds programs and data. The HDD 303 holds a printer list described later. Other storage devices such as SSD (Solid State Drive) may be used as the non-volatile storage. A data transfer I / F 304 controls data transmission / reception with the printer 100. As a data transmission / reception connection method, USB (Universal Serial Bus), IEEE 1394, LAN (Local Area Network), the Internet, or the like can be used. It may be connected by wire or wirelessly. An input I / F 305 is an I / F that controls an HID (Human Interface Device) such as a keyboard, a mouse, and a touch panel, and a user can input via the I / F. A display I / F 306 controls display on a display (not shown). The display may be provided in the host device 300, or a form using an external display may be used.

  The printer 100 includes a CPU 311, a RAM 312, a ROM 313, a data transmission I / F 314, a first head controller 315 </ b> L, a second head controller 315 </ b> R, an image processing accelerator 316, and a scanner controller 317. The CPU 311 executes processing of each embodiment to be described later according to programs stored in the ROM 313 and the RAM 312. The RAM 312 is a volatile storage, and temporarily stores programs and data. The ROM 313 is a non-volatile storage, and can hold table data and programs created by the processing of each embodiment described later.

  The data transfer I / F 314 controls data transmission / reception with the host device 300. The first head controller 315L supplies print data to the first recording head 101L shown in FIG. 1 and controls the ejection operation of the first recording head 101L. Specifically, the first head controller 315L can be configured to read control parameters and print data from a predetermined address in the RAM 312. When the CPU 311 writes the control parameter and the print data to the predetermined address in the RAM 312, the process is started by the first head controller 315 </ b> L, and ink is ejected from the first recording head 101 </ b> L. Similarly, the second head controller 315R supplies print data to the second recording head 101R shown in FIG. 1 and controls the ejection operation of the second recording head 101R. The image processing accelerator 316 is configured by hardware, and executes image processing at a higher speed than the CPU 311. Specifically, the image processing accelerator 316 can be configured to read parameters and data necessary for image processing from a predetermined address in the RAM 312. When the CPU 311 writes the parameters and data to the predetermined address in the RAM 312, the image processing accelerator 316 is activated and predetermined image processing is performed. Note that the image processing accelerator 316 is not necessarily a necessary element, and it is needless to say that the image processing may be executed only by the processing by the CPU 311 according to the specifications of the printer. A scanner controller 317 controls scan processing.

  4 is a functional block diagram of the printing system shown in FIG. The host device 300 includes a print application 400. The print application 400 includes a print device name acquisition unit 401, a printable information acquisition unit 402, a print job receivable state acquisition unit 403, a print job transmission unit 404, and a print result reception unit 405. Each unit included in the print application 400 is realized by the CPU 301 functioning as each unit of the host device 300 in FIG. 4 by the CPU 301 reading the program stored in the HDD 303 into the RAM 302 and executing the program. The print application 400 is an application for directly printing with the printer 100 without using a printer driver. Various applications such as printer manufacturers and OS (Operating System) vendors are provided as the print application 400. In FIG. 4, one print application 400 is illustrated, but the host device 300 may include a plurality of print applications, and other print applications can have the same configuration as the print application 400. . The print application 400 can recognize the presence of the printer 100 on the network by using the network protocol used for the corresponding print service.

  The print device name acquisition unit 401 acquires the print device name of the printer 100. For example, the printer device name of the printer 100 found by searching for a printer that can be used in the network is acquired. The printing device name is a name that identifies the printer 100. In general, the model number of the printer 100 is used as the printing device name.

  A printable information acquisition unit 402 acquires printable information of the printer 100 from the printer 100. The printable information is information relating to printable conditions such as the number of colors used for printing by the printer 100, the print paper type, the print paper size, and the print color mode. The number of colors is the number of ink colors that the printer 100 can use. The printing paper type is a paper type such as plain paper or glossy paper, and is determined according to ink or the like mounted on the recording head of the printer 100. The printing paper size is a paper size that can be printed by the printer 100. The print color mode is an available color mode such as color, monochrome, special color (for example, metallic), and the like.

  For example, the print application 400 performs a process of searching for a printer that can be used in the network. At this time, the discovered printer is registered in an available printer list stored (held) in the HDD 303. When registering a printer, the print device name acquired by the print device name acquisition unit 401 is used as a name to be displayed in the list, and the printable information acquired by the printable information acquisition unit 402 is registered in association with the printer. Processing is performed. That is, the HDD 303 stores a print device name and printable information in association with each other. Here, among the print applications 400, there is a print application that the printable information acquisition unit 402 does not acquire printable information again for printers that have been registered in the available printer list. Alternatively, even if the printable information acquisition unit 402 acquires the printable information again, the information is already registered in the printer list, and thus the registered information is not updated using the reacquired printable information. There is. That is, some print applications 400 do not rewrite printable information once stored in the HDD 303. In such a printing application 400, when the configuration of the recording head of the printer 100 is changed as will be described later, and the printable information is changed accordingly, the information is not reflected. For this reason, a flaw occurs between the printable condition of the printer 100 and the printable condition recognized by the print application 400. According to the processing described below, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of wrinkles in such a print application 400. Details will be described later.

The description of each part of the print application 400 will be continued.
A print job receivable state acquisition unit 403 acquires a print job receivable state of the printer 100. When the information indicating that the print job cannot be received is acquired, the print job transmission unit 404 does not transmit the print job to the printer 100. When the information indicating that the print job can be received is acquired, the print job transmission unit 404 transmits the print job to the printer 100. A print job transmission unit 404 transmits a print job for causing the printer 100 to execute printing using image data stored in the HDD 303. A print result receiving unit 405 receives the processing result of the print job transmitted from the print job transmitting unit 404 from the printer 100.

  Next, the configuration of the printer 100 will be described. The printer 100 includes a left head information acquisition unit 411, a right head information acquisition unit 412, a list storage unit 413, a print processing unit 414, a head replacement instruction reception unit 415, and a print service provision unit 416. The print service providing unit 416 includes a print device name disclosure unit 421, a printable information transmission unit 422, a print job receivable state transmission unit 423, a print job reception unit 424, and a print result transmission unit 425.

  The left head information acquisition unit 411 acquires information (for example, head type ID) of the recording head mounted on the left side of the carriage 103. The right head information acquisition unit 412 acquires information of the recording head mounted on the right side of the carriage. The left head information acquisition unit 411 and the right head information acquisition unit 412 include a first head controller 315L and a second head controller 315R.

  The list storage unit 413 includes a ROM 313 and stores a head configuration list and a printable information list. Details of the head configuration list and the printable information list will be described later.

  The print processing unit 414 executes print processing based on the print data sent from the print service providing unit 416. The print processing unit 414 includes a first head controller 315L, a second head controller 315R, an image processing accelerator 316, a CPU 311, and the like.

  The head replacement instruction receiving unit 415 receives a recording head replacement instruction. Further, the print service providing unit 416 is notified that the replacement of the recording head has been completed.

  The print service providing unit 416 provides a print service to the print application 400 of the host device 300. In the head replacement instruction receiving unit 415 and the print service providing unit 416, the CPU 311 reads the program stored in the ROM 313 into the RAM 312 and executes it. Thus, the CPU 311 is realized by functioning as the head replacement instruction receiving unit 415 and the print service providing unit 416 (and each unit included in the print service providing unit 416).

  The print device name disclosure unit 421 discloses the print device name to each host device including the host device 300. The printable information transmission unit 422 transmits printable information to each host device including the host device 300. The print job receivable state transmission unit 423 transmits a print job receivable state to each host device including the host device 300. The print device name disclosure unit 421, the printable information transmission unit 422, and the print job acceptable state transmission unit 423 may transmit information to the host device 300 in a push type. Alternatively, information may be transmitted to the host device 300 in a pull type. That is, the print service providing unit 416 can actively transmit information to the print application 400 in a broadcast manner, for example (push type). Alternatively, the print service providing unit 416 may transmit information to the host device 300 when requested by the print application 400 (pull type).

  The print job receiving unit 424 receives a print job from the host device 300. The print job receiving unit 424 requests the print processing unit 414 to print the received print job. The print result transmission unit 425 transmits the print result of the print job received by the print job reception unit 424 to the host device 300.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing sequence between the host device 300 and the printer 100 when the print service is performed. 5, steps S501 to S507 indicate processing of the host device 300. Steps S511 to S517 indicate processing of the printer 100. In step S501, the processing of the host device 300 starts. For example, the processing is started when the user activates the printing application 400. In step S511, processing of the printer 100 is started.

  In step S512, the print service providing unit 416 of the printer 100 confirms that the printer 100 can print, and starts the print service. That is, the print service providing unit 416 sets the printer 100 to the ready state.

  In step S502, the print application 400 of the host device 300 executes the print service Discovery. In step S513, in response to the Discovery, the print service providing unit 416 notifies that the printer 100 is a device that can provide the print service. At this time, the print service providing unit 416 notifies the host device 300 of the print device name of the printer 100.

  In step S503, the print application 400 of the host device 300 acquires printable information. If the printer 100 is an unknown device, the print application 400 inquires the printer 100 about printable information. In response to this inquiry, the print application 400 acquires printable information transmitted from the printer in step S514. On the other hand, if the printer 100 is a known device, the print application 400 registers in the already acquired print application 400 and acquires the printable information that is held. That is, the print application 400 does not acquire printable information from the printer 100 when the printer 100 is a known device.

  In step S504, the host device 300 constructs and displays a user interface (UI) for creating a print job based on the printable information acquired in step S503. Specifically, based on the printable information of the printer 100, a display suitable for the printer 100 such as a print size, a printable paper size, a printable paper type, and an ink type used, and a display of options suitable for the printer 100 are displayed. Control the display of the UI that contains it. Here, if the printable condition of the printer 100 has changed and the host device 300 does not acquire printable information from the printer 100 in the process of step S503, the changed content is not reflected in step S504. That is, a UI that is not suitable for the printer 100 may be displayed. As a result, a print job that is inconsistent with the current printable conditions of the printer 100 is constructed. In the process of the present embodiment to be described later, a technique for suppressing such wrinkles will be described.

  In step S505, the host device 300 issues a print job. In step S515, the printer 100 receives the print job and performs printing. When printing by the printer 100 is completed, the printer 100 notifies the host device 300 of the completion of printing in step S516. In step S506, the host device 300 receives a print completion notification. The print application 400 displays that printing has been completed. Thereafter, the host device 300 proceeds to step S507, and the printer 100 proceeds to step S517, and a series of print service processing is completed.

  In the processing of FIG. 5, the pull type configuration in which a request is made from the host device 300 to the printer 100 and the printer 100 responds to the request has been described. However, as described above, a so-called push type in which the printer 100 spontaneously transmits to the host device 300 (and other host device not shown) existing in the network may be used.

Next, an example in which different recording heads are mounted on the carriage 103 of the printer 100 will be described.
FIG. 6 is a diagram in which a third recording head 601L and a fourth recording head 601R each mounting only black ink are mounted on the printer 100 shown in FIG. The third recording head 601L and the fourth recording head 601R have the same shape and size as the first recording head 101L and the second recording head 101R, and are configured to be exchangeable with the carriage 103. In FIG. 6, since the configuration is the same as that of FIG. 1 except for the third recording head 601L and the fourth recording head 601R, description thereof will be omitted.

  The third recording head 601L is equipped with a black nozzle row 602LK for ejecting ink. Similarly, the fourth recording head 601R also has a black nozzle row 602RK for ejecting ink of the same color as the ink mounted on the third recording head 601L.

  The printer 100 can perform monochrome printing and color printing when the first recording head 101L and the second recording head 101R capable of color printing are mounted. The printer 100 can perform monochrome printing when the third recording head 601L and the fourth recording head 601R are mounted. In addition, when performing black expression when performing monochrome printing or color printing with three colors of CMY inks, if so-called process black processing is performed to express black from gray by printing the three colors at a predetermined ratio. Good.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an area in which the third recording head 601L and the fourth recording head 601R of the printer 100 illustrated in FIG. 6 can print. FIG. 7 shows a schematic diagram when the third recording head 601L and the fourth recording head 601R in FIG. 6 are viewed from the side, and a printable area.

XK1 to XK4 and PK1 to PK6 in FIG. 7 are the same as X1 to X4 and P1 to P6 in FIG. Strictly speaking, a setting different from that in FIG. 2 is possible. Specifically, if the distance between the cyan nozzle row 102LC and the yellow nozzle row 102LY mounted on the first recording head 101L is P, the following setting is also possible.
PK1 = P1 + P
PK2 = P2 + P
PK4 = P4 + P
PK6 = P6 + P

  Note that although the left and right recording heads have been described as using the same type (CMY or black only) recording heads, the present invention is not limited to this. One recording head and the other recording head may be different types of recording heads. One recording head may be not mounted. The printer 100 can perform printing on printing paper in any state.

  Next, processing when the recording head mounted on the printer 100 is replaced will be described. When the mounted recording head is replaced, the printable condition of the printer 100 may be changed. In the following, it is assumed that the recording head mounted on the printer 100 is replaced after the printer 100 is connected to the host device 300. In other words, in the printing application 400 of the host device 300, it is assumed that the recording head mounted on the printer 100 is replaced while the printer 100 is already registered. In the present embodiment, when such a recording head is exchanged, processing is performed to reduce the possibility that a print job under a printing condition that cannot be handled by the printer 100 will be issued from the host device 300. That is, a mode in which the printer 100 performs processing such that the printable condition changed by the printer 100 is reflected by the host device 300 will be described.

  Table 1 shows a combination of a left mounting head (also referred to as “left head”) and a right mounting head (also referred to as “right head”) mounted on the printer 100, and a printing method and a printable size in the combination. It is a head composition list. As described above, the printer 100 is provided with the paper guide 107 on the left side, so that the left head is always used during normal printing.

  From Table 1, the printer 100 has the following characteristics according to the combination of the types of print heads mounted. The color recording head is a recording head having a CMY nozzle row, such as the first recording head 101L. The black recording head is a recording head having a black-only nozzle row, such as the third recording head 601L.

-If the left head is a color recording head, color printing and monochrome printing are possible (see configuration numbers 1 and 3).
-When the left head is a black recording head, color printing is not possible and monochrome printing is possible (see configuration numbers 2 and 4).
・ When the right head is the same type as the left head, printing is possible up to 210 mm using both the left and right recording heads (see configuration numbers 1 and 2).
・ If the right head is different from the left head, the right head is not used, and recording is possible up to 120 mm using the left head (see configuration numbers 3 and 4).

  The head configuration list in Table 1 is a list when the paper guide 107 is provided on the left side of the printer 100. When the paper guide 107 is provided on the right side of the printer 100, a head configuration list created based on the type of the right head can be used.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining processing in the printer 100 of the present embodiment. In the processing described below, the printer 100 will be described as being in the state of configuration number 1 in Table 1 in the initial state. That is, it is assumed that the left and right recording heads mounted on the carriage 103 are color recording heads (that is, the configuration shown in FIG. 1).

  First, in step S801, the printer 100 is turned on. As a result, power is supplied to each unit of the printer 100.

  Next, in step S <b> 802, the left head information acquisition unit 411 acquires the type ID of the left recording head mounted on the carriage 103. The type ID is acquired by reading the value of a predetermined member of the recording head. By acquiring the type ID, it is possible to specify whether the left recording head is a color recording head or a black recording head. Here, the left head type ID is “color”. The print head providing unit 416 is notified of the acquired left head type ID.

  In step S <b> 803, the right head information acquisition unit 412 acquires the type ID of the right recording head mounted on the carriage 103. Here, the type ID of the right head is “color”. The acquired right head type ID is notified to the print service providing unit 416.

  Next, in step S804, the print service providing unit 416 refers to the head configuration list stored in the list storage unit 413 using the type ID of the left head and the type ID of the right head, and configures the configuration number of the printer 100. Set. That is, the configuration number is set based on the type IDs of the left and right heads acquired in steps S802 and S803 and the head configuration list in Table 1. Here, the configuration number is “1” as described above.

In step S <b> 805, the print service providing unit 416 starts a print service for the external host device 300. This step includes the following processes.
-"Print device name" is disclosed to the host device 300-"Printable information" is transmitted in response to an inquiry from the host device 300-"Print job acceptance status" is transmitted in response to an inquiry from the host device 300 Sending “printing device status” in response to an inquiry from the host device 300

  As described above, the disclosure and transmission of these pieces of information may be performed in a push type or a pull type. In general, when the print application 400 of the host device 300 first registers the printer 100, the host device 300 inquires the printer 100 about printable conditions. Then, based on the “printable information” transmitted from the printer 100, the printable condition is registered in the print application 400.

  Table 2 is a list of printable information corresponding to the head configuration list of Table 1. The configuration numbers in Tables 1 and 2 are respectively corresponding numbers. In the present embodiment, as shown in Table 2, when the head configuration of the recording heads (the combination of the left and right recording heads) is different, the printing device name is also disclosed by the printer 100 as different. That is, when the installed head configuration changes, the printer 100 publishes the printing device name corresponding to the changed head configuration. For this reason, it can be expected that the host device 300 performs processing as if another new printer was found. That is, since the print application 400 of the host device 300 finds a new printer that can be used, processing for obtaining printable information of the printer and setting printable conditions is performed. For this reason, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of wrinkles between the printable conditions of the printer and the printable conditions recognized by the host device 300 (print application 400).

In the process of step S805, the print service providing unit 416 discloses and transmits “print device name” and “printable information” described in Table 2 based on the configuration number set in step S804. In the example described above, the configuration number is “1”. Accordingly, “print device name” and “printable information” that are disclosed and transmitted are as follows.
-Printing device name: PRINTER_CMY_A4
-Printable information: Print color = BK & COLOR
Printing width = 210mm
Ink = 3 colors: CMY

The various printable information transmitted is used as printable conditions by the host device 300 as follows, for example.
-Print color: selectable options when selecting a print mode with the host device 300-Print width: selectable options when selecting the print paper size with the host device 300-Ink: remaining ink level etc. with the host device 300 Number of ink when displaying

  The printable information transmitted from the printer 100 to the host device 300 is not limited to the above example. In addition, information such as a print color mode and a print paper type may be transmitted to the host device 300 as printable information according to the color and ink information. Of the items included in the printable information, which item is used as the printable condition can be arbitrarily set on the host device 300 side. In addition, the printer 100 may transmit only items for which an inquiry has been received from the host device 300 as printable information.

  In the process of step S <b> 805, the print service providing unit 416 may receive a print device status inquiry from the host device 300. That is, the host device 300 may transmit a status inquiry command that inquires about the status of the printing device. This status inquiry command includes the print device name. When receiving the status inquiry command, the print service providing unit 416 responds to the host device 300 with the status (printer status) of the print device based on the print device name included in the command. Specifically, when the print device name included in the command matches the name of the print device that currently provides the service, the print service providing unit 416 responds to the host device 300 with the status of the print device. For example, in the example described above, the configuration number is “1”. Therefore, if the print device name included in the status inquiry command is “PRINTER_CMY_A4”, the print service providing unit 416 responds to the host device 300 with the status of the print device. For example, as the status of the printing device, IDLE that can be printed, BUSY that is one of the print acceptance disabled states, and the like are transmitted as a response. On the other hand, when receiving a status inquiry command including another configuration, for example, the printing device name includes “PRINTER_K_A4”, the printing service providing unit 416 does not return a response. As described above, when the printer 100 does not return a response, the host device 300 can know that the printer having the configuration (the configuration identified by the print device name “PRINTER_K_A4”) cannot be used. As a result, the host device 300 explicitly indicates the status of the target printer to the user by changing the color of the icon corresponding to the printer according to the printing device status or displaying text such as “unusable”. be able to. Here, an example is shown in which the printer 100 recognizes an unusable state by not returning a response to the state inquiry command. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the printer 100 may notify the host device 300 of an unusable state by another method such as transmitting an error state as a response.

  Next, in step S806, the printer 100 determines whether a power-off instruction has been issued. If a power OFF instruction is given, the process proceeds to step S807. In step S807, the print service providing unit 416 ends the print service. For example, the print service providing unit 416 disconnects communication using a network protocol used in the print service. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S808, where the printer 100 performs a power-off process and ends this flow.

  On the other hand, if the power OFF instruction has not been given in step S806, the process proceeds to step S809.

  In step S809, the head replacement instruction receiving unit 415 determines whether a head replacement instruction has been received. If a head replacement instruction has not been received, the process proceeds to step S810. In step S810, the print service providing unit 416 determines whether a print job from the host device 300 has been received. If a print job has not been received, the process proceeds to step S806, and the above processing is repeated thereafter. If it is determined in step S810 that a print job has been received, the process proceeds to step S811.

  In step S811, the print processing unit 414 performs print processing of the print job notified from the print service providing unit 416. At this point, since the printer 100 has never changed the printable conditions, there is no possibility that a flaw will occur between the printer 100 and the print job sent from the host device 300.

  Next, in step S812, the print processing unit 414 determines whether the print processing of the received print job has been completed. The process of step S811 is performed until the printing process is completed. If it is determined that the printing process has been completed, the process proceeds to step S806, and thereafter the above-described process is repeated. On the other hand, if a head replacement instruction is accepted in step S809, the process proceeds to step S813.

  In step S813, the print service providing unit 416 ends the print service with the start of the head replacement process. For example, the print service providing unit 416 disconnects communication using a network protocol used in the print service. At this point, the printer 100 is not recognized as an available printing device by the external host device 300.

  Next, in step S814, the printer 100 performs head replacement processing. For example, the carriage 103 is moved to the head replacement position. Then, the user replaces the head mounted on the carriage 103 with a new head. In this embodiment, an example will be described in which both the left and right recording heads are replaced with black recording heads.

  Next, in step S815, the printer 100 determines whether the head replacement process has been completed. Specifically, after the user mounts the recording head on the carriage 103 and presses a head replacement end button or the like, the printer 100 determines that the head replacement process has been completed. The process of step S814 is performed until the head replacement process is completed. If it is determined that the head replacement process has been completed, the process returns to step S802. Processing then continues.

As described above, when there is an instruction to replace the head, after the print service is terminated and the head is replaced, the above-described processes including the process of acquiring the head type ID are performed again. In the example described above, the head type ID acquired in step S802 and step S803 again is different from that acquired in previous steps S802 and S803. For this reason, the information obtained in each step differs in the following points.
(Information obtained in the next step)
Step S802 • Left head type ID = “black”
Step S803 • Right head type ID = “black”
Step S804 • Configuration number = “2”
Step S805 Print device name: PRINTER_K_A4
-Printable information: Print color = BK
Printing width = 210mm
Ink = 1 color: K

  In this embodiment, as shown in Table 2, the printing device names differ depending on the head configuration. Therefore, in step S805 again, when starting the print service using the replaced head configuration, not only the printable information but also the print device name itself is changed (updated), and the print service for the external host device 300 is performed. Will be started. When the print device name is not changed, that is, when the print device name itself remains unchanged and only the printable information is changed, the host device 300 continues to recognize that the print device has already been registered. The host device 300 may not acquire reprintable information for a registered printing device, which may cause wrinkles. In the present embodiment, when the head configuration is changed, the printer 100 can recognize that the printer 100 is another printing device by using another printing device name, and can acquire printable information. .

  The above example has been described by taking an example in which the storage head is replaced in the same printer 100. However, the above example is also useful when a plurality of printers 100 having the same model number are used. For example, when the printer 100X and the printer 100Y have the same model number, they can have the same printing device name. On the other hand, for example, the printer 100X is a monochrome printer having a recording head configuration as shown in FIG. 6, and the printer 100Y is a color printer having a recording head configuration as shown in FIG. Assuming that In this case, when the host device 300 first registers the printer 100X, the printer with the print device name continues to be recognized as a monochrome compatible printer. Therefore, even if the printer 100X is disconnected from the network and the printer 100Y is newly connected, the host device 300 may continue to recognize that the printer 100Y is a monochrome-compatible printer. A habit will occur. As described above, not only the head configuration of the same printer 100 is changed, but also the switching of the connection of the printer 100 of the same model number may cause wrinkles.

  In the processing of the present embodiment, when the head configuration of the recording head after replacement is changed from the head configuration of the recording head before replacement, the printing device name itself is also changed according to the changed head configuration. Become. Therefore, the external host device 300 recognizes that “unknown new device” has started the print service. For this reason, printable information corresponding to the changed head configuration is acquired by the host device 300, and wrinkles do not occur. On the other hand, when the user further changes (returns) the head configuration to the configuration number “1” again, the printer 100 is re-recognized as “known color printing device”. The printable information at the time of re-recognition is the same as the already registered printable information. Accordingly, there is no wrinkle in the printable conditions between the printer 100 and the host device 300.

  In the process of the present embodiment, when a status inquiry command is received from the host device 300, the printer 100 performs a process of responding to the host device 300 based on the print device name included in the command. Some host devices 300 continue to store printing device information. For this reason, even if the print device name of the printer 100 is changed, the host device 300 may be able to select the print device name before the change. For this reason, the host device 300 may issue a print job based on printable information corresponding to the print device name before the change. As in the above-described embodiment, when the printer 100 makes a response based on the device name included in the status inquiry command, the host device 300 recognizes a valid print device name or an invalid print device name of the printer 100. be able to. As a result, the host device 300 can more reliably indicate to the user who operates the host device 300 whether the print service corresponding to the printable information of the printer 100 is valid or invalid. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress the possibility that a print job is issued based on the printable information corresponding to the print device name before the change, and it is possible to reduce the possibility that a flaw occurs between the print job and the print job name.

  Note that the printing device names in Table 2 all include “PRINTER_” in common. That is, at least a part of the front of the print device name matches. This is because, for example, when there are a plurality of printers 100, they are continuously displayed on the printer list on the host device side so that the user can easily select them. That is, when there are a plurality of printers 100 of the same model number and the head configurations of the printers are different, they are displayed as separate printing device names in the printer list on the host device side. The printing device name preferably includes a common part. For example, the printing device name preferably includes a model name and the like in common.

  As described above, in this embodiment, when the head configuration is changed by replacing the recording head, the printing device name itself is also updated. As a result, since the host device 300 recognizes that the device is an unknown new device, the printable information can be reflected on the host device 300. As a result, it is possible to reduce the possibility that a flaw occurs between the print job issued by the host device 300 and the printable condition of the printer 100.

  In the present exemplary embodiment, the form of changing the print device name has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. As long as the host device 300 (print application 400) recognizes that the printer is a new printer, such a parameter may be changed. For example, in a print service using a network protocol such as “Bonjour”, “WSD (Web Services on Devices)”, and “UPnP”, an identifier used to recognize a device may be changed. That is, when the first print service using the first identifier is provided, if the head configuration is changed, the second print service using the second identifier may be provided.

<Embodiment 2>
In the first embodiment, when a head replacement instruction is received, the printer 100 stops the print service for the host device 300, disconnects from the host device 300, and starts a new print service after head replacement. Explained the form. However, the head replacement is not necessarily performed when the recording head is replaced with another type of recording head. For example, when a recording head that is integrated with an ink tank is used, a configuration in which the recording head that has run out of ink is replaced is also conceivable. In the case of the processing described in the first exemplary embodiment, the user runs out of ink while performing a print job for a large number of pages, and the connection with the host device 300 is disconnected even when the print head is replaced with a new print head of the same type. become. For this reason, the print job is interrupted.

  Therefore, in the second embodiment, it is determined whether the head replacement performed by the user is a head replacement corresponding to an out of ink or a head replacement intended to change the printable condition, and processing based on the determination result is performed. The form to perform is demonstrated. Note that the configurations of the printer 100 and the host device 300 are the same as those described in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining the processing of this embodiment. Also in the present embodiment, it is assumed that the initial state of the printer 100 is a head configuration having the configuration number “1” in Table 1. Steps S901 to S912 are the same as steps S801 to S812 in FIG.

In the first step S905 of the present embodiment, the printer 100 information transmitted to the external host device 300 is the same as in the first step S805 of the first embodiment.
-Printing device name: PRINTER_CMY_A4
-Printable information: Print color = BK & COLOR
Printing width = 210mm
Ink = 3 colors: CMY

  In this embodiment, if it is determined in step S909 that a head replacement instruction has been received, the process proceeds to step S914.

  In steps S914 to S915, the head replacement process is performed in the same manner as the processes in steps S814 to S815 of FIG. The difference from the process in FIG. 8 is that the print service end process in step S813 in FIG. 8 is not performed. Therefore, in the present embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, the head replacement process is performed without ending the print service.

  In the description of this flow, first, it is assumed that the head replacement performed by the user is the same type of head replacement due to running out of ink. Specifically, it is assumed that the user replaces only the right head with a new color head and presses the head replacement button.

  If it is determined in step S915 that the head replacement has been completed, the process proceeds to step S916. In steps S916 to S917, the head type IDs of the left and right heads are acquired as in steps S902 to S903.

  In step S918, the print service providing unit 416 determines whether the configuration number has been changed. In the process based on the above assumption, the configuration number at the time of step S918 is “1”. This is the same as the configuration number at step S904. Therefore, the determination result is NO. If the determination result of step S918 is NO, the process proceeds to step S906, and thereafter the above-described process is repeated. According to such a process, when the configuration number is not changed, for example, when the recording head is simply replaced with the same type of recording head due to out of ink, the printing service can be continued. For example, the print service can be continued without canceling and interrupting the print job to the host device 300 that transmits a series of prints divided into a plurality of print jobs.

  Next, an example will be described in which the user performs head replacement to a different type instead of the same type of head replacement. Specifically, the case where the user replaces both the left and right heads with black heads in step S914 will be described as an example. In this case, the head type IDs of the left and right heads acquired in steps S916 to S917 are “black”. Therefore, the configuration number at the time of step S918 is “2”. This is inconsistent with the configuration number at step S904. Therefore, in step S918, it is determined that the configuration number has been changed, and the process proceeds to step S913.

  In step S913, the print service providing unit 416 ends the print service by the same processing as in step S813 in FIG. Then, the process proceeds to step S904, and thereafter the above-described processing is repeated.

According to such a process, when the print service is started next in steps S904 to S905, various information is as follows.
Step S904-Body configuration number = “2”
Step S905-Printing device name: PRINTER_K_A4
-Printable information: Print color = BK
Printing width = 210mm
Ink = 1 color: K

  For this reason, as described in the first embodiment, the host device 300 recognizes that another device has started the print service.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the termination of the print service currently being performed is performed when the head configuration is changed (that is, when the necessity of updating the print device name is determined). According to such processing, when the head replacement performed by the user is a head replacement corresponding to the ink out, the connection with the host device can be maintained and the print job can be continued without interruption. In addition, as described in the first embodiment, printable information can be reliably transmitted to the external host device 300. As a result, it is possible to reduce the possibility of wrinkles between the print job issued by the host device 300 and the printable conditions of the printer 100.

  In the description of the first embodiment and the second embodiment, only the transition from the state having the configuration number “1” to the state having the configuration number “2” has been described. The same effect can be obtained also in the form of transition from the state of the other configuration number. In the first and second embodiments, the change in “printing color” is mainly described as an example, but other printable conditions such as “printing width” and “ink” are changed by transitioning to the state of another configuration number. Changes will also occur. Therefore, according to the processing of the first embodiment and the second embodiment, it is possible to transmit these changes to the host device 300 as well.

  Further, in the first and second embodiments, the case where no print head is mounted on the carriage 103 is in a situation where a print service cannot be provided, and thus the description thereof is omitted. A situation in which the head is not mounted may occur during the transition of the head configuration, but even in such a case, the processing is appropriately performed by the processing of the above-described embodiment. For example, it is assumed that both the left and right heads mounted are color recording heads, both recording heads are temporarily removed to leave the heads unmounted, and then the color recording heads are mounted. In this case, although the unmounted state is sandwiched in the middle, when the head configuration is taken as a whole, the left and right color recording heads remain as they are, and the head configuration is not changed. For this reason, it is not necessary to end the provision of the print service to the host device 300 and start the print service with a different print device name. In the case of the processing of the second embodiment, if the unmounted state is set as the configuration number, as described above, even though the unmounted state is sandwiched, there is no change in the configuration of the head in the end. Once the printing service is stopped. Therefore, in the case of the processing of the second embodiment, unnecessary service stop can be suppressed, so it is preferable not to set the unmounted state as the configuration number.

  In the second embodiment, by determining whether the configuration number has been changed, the printer 100 determines whether it is head replacement for ink replacement or head replacement that affects printing conditions. However, the present invention is not limited to this. When a combination of head type IDs mounted on the left and right and printable information corresponding to the combination are stored in separate list formats, the same determination is made without using the configuration number. Can do.

<Embodiment 3>
The first and second embodiments have been described by taking as an example a printer that includes a part of a region that cannot be printed by the other recording head when printing a sheet of a predetermined size. This embodiment is a type of printer in which a black recording head and a color recording head are mounted one by one and each recording head can print the same printing area when printing a predetermined size of paper. The form using the will be described.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically illustrating the ink jet printer according to the present embodiment. 10, since the configuration is the same as that of FIG. 1 except for the fifth recording head 1001L and the sixth recording head 1001R mounted on the carriage 1003, description thereof will be omitted. The fifth recording head 1001L is equipped with a plurality of nozzles for ejecting ink. The plurality of nozzles constitute a nozzle row corresponding to a plurality of colors of ink. Specifically, the fifth recording head 1001L includes a cyan nozzle row 1002LC, a magenta nozzle row 1002LM, and a yellow nozzle row 1002LY. The sixth recording head 1001R is equipped with a black nozzle row 1002RK for ejecting ink. That is, the fifth recording head 1001L is a color recording head, and the sixth recording head 1001R is a black recording head.

  When the printer 100 has both the fifth recording head 1001L capable of color recording and the sixth recording head 1001R capable of black recording, and when only the fifth recording head 1001L is mounted, Monochrome printing and color recording are possible. In addition, when only the sixth recording head 1001R capable of black recording is mounted, monochrome recording is possible.

FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a printing area when the fifth recording head 1001L and the sixth recording head 1001R are used. In FIG. 11, the description of the components described in FIG. 10 is omitted. Positions X′1, X′2, X′3, and X′4 in FIG. 11 represent X-direction positions on the printing paper 106. Specifically, the following positions are shown.
X′1 = the left end of the area where the fifth recording head 1001L can print X′2 = the left end of the area where the sixth recording head 1001R can print X′3 = the area where the fifth recording head 1001L can print Right end X′4 = Right end of the printable area of the sixth recording head 1001R

Further, areas P′1 to P′6 in FIG. 11 represent X direction areas on the surface of the printing paper 106. Specifically, the following areas are shown.
P′1 = area where the fifth recording head 1001L can print P′2 = area where the sixth recording head 1001R can print P′3 = area where only the fifth recording head 1001L can print P′4 = Area that can be printed by both the fifth recording head 1001L and the sixth recording head 1001R P′5 = area that can be printed only by the sixth recording head 1001R P′6 = area that can be printed by at least one recording head

  In the present embodiment, the width of the P′4 region is “210 mm”. Therefore, it is possible to print an A4 width print area using either the left and right recording heads or one of the recording heads.

  Table 3 summarizes the combinations of the left and right heads mounted on the printer 100 of FIG. 10, the printable printing method and the printable size at that time.

From Table 3, the printer 100 of FIG. 10 has the following characteristics according to the combination of the types of mounted print heads.
-If a color recording head is attached to the left head, color printing and monochrome printing are possible (see configuration numbers 1 and 3).
・ Monochrome printing is possible when the black recording head is attached to the right head (see configuration numbers 1 and 2).

  The print width can be printed up to 210 mm in any head configuration. In this embodiment, any head configuration can print up to 210 mm. Therefore, the paper guide 107 may not be fixed to the left side. That is, a paper guide that is positioned so that the printing paper 106 can be sandwiched in the central portion of the printer 100 and can be adjusted in size to the left and right may be used.

  FIG. 8 described in the first embodiment is used as an actual processing flow. Since the processing contents are the same as those in the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted. However, the contents transmitted to the external host device in step S805 in FIG. 8 are different. This will be described below.

  First, in the present embodiment, it is assumed that the configuration number in Table 3 is “1” in the printer 100 in FIG. 11 in the initial state. The list of printable information according to the third embodiment is assumed to be Table 4.

In this case, the information transmitted to the external host device 300 in step S805 in FIG. 8 is as follows. Specifically, based on the configuration number, “print device name” and “printable information” described in Table 4 are disclosed and transmitted.
-Printing device name: PRINTER_CMYK_A4
-Printable information: Print color = BK & COLOR
Printing width = 210mm
Ink = 4 colors: CMYK

In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the user removes the left print head capable of color printing and presses the head replacement end button without attaching a new print head. In this case, when the processing from step S802 is performed again after the head replacement processing in step S814 in FIG. 8 is completed, the information obtained in each step is as follows.
Step S802-Head type ID of the left head = "None"
Step S803-Head type ID of the right head = “black”
Step S804-Body configuration number = "2"
Step S805 Print device name: PRINTER_K_A4
-Printable information: Print color = BK
Printing width = 210mm
Ink = 1 color: K

  As described above, the printing device name itself is updated in the same manner as the processing described in the first embodiment. Therefore, printable information can be reflected in the host device 300. As a result, it is possible to reduce the possibility of wrinkles between the print job issued by the host device 300 and the printable conditions of the printer 100.

  In the present embodiment, the processing has been described based on the flow of FIG. 8 of the first embodiment. However, the same effect as that of the second embodiment can be obtained using the flow of FIG.

  In the description of the present embodiment, only the transition from the state having the configuration number “1” to the state having the configuration number “2” has been described. However, the transition from another configuration number or the transition to another configuration number is described. The same processing is performed in step (b). In the transition between other configuration numbers, not only the “print color” described in the present embodiment but also other factors such as “ink” change. Therefore, these changes can also be transmitted to the host device 300.

<Other embodiments>
In the first to third embodiments, the description has been given by taking as an example an embodiment in which a plurality of recording heads can be mounted on the carriage 103. However, the present invention is also applicable to a printer in which one recording head can be mounted on the carriage 103. It is possible to apply. As for processing in the case where the present invention is also applied to a printer capable of mounting one recording head on the carriage 103, the configuration number shown in Tables 3 and 4 of the third embodiment is between “2” and the configuration number “3”. The transition will correspond. In other words, if the present invention is a printer having a carriage on which at least two types of recording heads can be mounted, the number of recording heads to be mounted simultaneously can be any one or more.

  In the first to third embodiments, the recording heads mounted on the carriage 103 include recording heads of two color sets, “color recording heads mounted with CMY inks” and “monochrome recording heads mounted with Bk inks”. Explained with an example. However, it is not limited to these examples. For example, “special color recording heads equipped with special color inks such as orange, green, and violet”, “photo recording heads equipped with inks such as light C, light M, and light Bk” may be used. Further, a form using a “functional print recording head on which inks such as silver, fluorescence, and fragrance are mounted” may be used. That is, the effects described in the first to third embodiments are also achieved in the form of using the recording head in which the printable conditions (number of ink colors used, print quality, printing purpose, product type, etc.) are changed depending on the combination of the recording heads. The same effect can be obtained.

  In the first to third embodiments, the host device 300 includes the print application 400 as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the host device 300 may output an instruction to a print service program provided on the cloud and receive the result. Further, although the print application 400 has been described as using a single print service network protocol, the print application 400 may use a plurality of print service network protocols. It suffices if the network protocol used by the printing application 400 can recognize that the device has been changed as the head configuration of the printer 100 is changed. Further, the present invention is not limited to the form applied to the printing application 400 that does not acquire printable information. Of course, the present invention may also be applied to the host device 300 that appropriately acquires printable information in response to a change in the head configuration.

  The present invention supplies a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in a computer of the system or apparatus read and execute the program This process can be realized. It can also be realized by a circuit (for example, ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

100 Printer 300 Host Device 400 Print Application 416 Print Service Providing Unit

Claims (26)

A printing apparatus that includes a carriage on which a plurality of types of recording heads can be mounted, and that prints an image by scanning the carriage with respect to printing paper,
When the recording head mounted on the carriage has the first head configuration, the host device is provided with a first printing service using a first identifier for identifying the printing apparatus,
When the recording head mounted on the carriage has a second head configuration different from the first head configuration, a second print service using a second identifier different from the first identifier is provided to the host device. Provided with a service providing means,
A printing apparatus characterized by that.   The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the service providing unit includes a transmission unit configured to transmit printable information, which is information indicating a printable condition in the printing apparatus, to the host device.   The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the printable information varies depending on a type of the recording head mounted on the carriage.   The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the printable information varies depending on a position of the recording head mounted on the carriage. The carriage can be equipped with a plurality of recording heads,
The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the printable information varies depending on a combination of the recording heads mounted on the carriage.   The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the printable condition is different between the first print service and the second print service.   The first print service and the second print service include at least one of the number of colors used for printing in the printing apparatus, printable width, printable paper size, print paper type, and printable color mode. The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the printing apparatuses are different.   8. The service providing unit according to claim 1, wherein when there is an instruction to replace a recording head mounted on the carriage, the service providing unit stops the provided printing service. Printing device.   The service providing means is provided when there is an instruction to replace the recording head mounted on the carriage and the head configuration of the recording head after replacement is changed from the head configuration before replacement. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the service is stopped.   The printing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the service providing unit stops the print service by terminating communication using a network protocol used in the print service.   The service providing means provides when there is an instruction to replace the recording head mounted on the carriage, and the head configuration of the recording head after replacement is not changed from the head configuration before replacement. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing service is continued.   12. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the service providing unit provides the first print service and the second print service by using the same network protocol. .   13. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the service providing unit responds based on an identifier included in the command when receiving a status inquiry command from the host device.   14. The service providing unit according to claim 13, wherein when the identifier included in the command is different from the identifier of the print service provided, the service providing unit does not make the response or makes a response indicating an error. Printing device.   The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the identifier is used to identify the printing apparatus in a printing service used by the host device.   The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first identifier is a first device name, and the second identifier is a second device name.   The printing apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the first device name and the second device name match at least part of the front of the device name.   The plurality of types of recording heads include at least a first recording head on which only black ink is mounted and a second recording head on which cyan, magenta, and yellow inks are mounted. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 17.   The plurality of types of recording heads are recording heads equipped with special color inks including orange, green, or violet, recording heads mounted with inks containing light C, light M, or light Bk, or silver, fluorescent The printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising at least one of recording heads loaded with ink containing fragrance.   The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein the plurality of types of recording heads have sizes that are interchangeable with each other.   21. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein printable areas of the plurality of types of recording heads are different from each other. A control method for a printing apparatus comprising a carriage on which a plurality of types of recording heads can be mounted, and printing an image by scanning the carriage with respect to printing paper,
When the recording head mounted on the carriage has the first head configuration, the host device is provided with a first printing service using a first identifier for identifying the printing apparatus,
When the recording head mounted on the carriage has a second head configuration different from the first head configuration, a second print service using a second identifier different from the first identifier is provided to the host device. A control method for a printing apparatus, characterized in that the steps are provided.   The program for functioning a computer as each means of the printing apparatus as described in any one of Claim 1 to 21. A printing system comprising a carriage on which a plurality of types of recording heads can be mounted, a printing apparatus that prints an image by scanning the carriage with respect to printing paper, and a host device connected to the printing apparatus. ,
The printing apparatus includes:
When the recording head mounted on the carriage has the first head configuration, the first printing service using the first identifier is provided to the host device,
When the recording head mounted on the carriage has a second head configuration different from the first head configuration, a second print service using a second identifier different from the first identifier is provided to the host device. Having a service providing means to provide
The host device is
When the identifier provided from the printing apparatus is an unknown identifier, acquisition means for acquiring printable information that is information indicating a printable condition of the printing apparatus;
Setting means for setting a printable condition of the printing apparatus based on the acquired printable information;
Transmitting means for transmitting a print job based on the set condition to the printing apparatus;
A printing system comprising: The host device further includes display control means,
The recording head mounted on the carriage changes from a first recording head that can use the first color set to a second recording head that can use a second color set different from the first color set. If changed,
The display control unit changes the display of the ink of the printing apparatus displayed by the display unit from a display corresponding to the first color set to a display corresponding to the second color set. The printing system according to claim 24. A printing system control method comprising: a carriage that can mount a plurality of types of recording heads; and a printing device that prints an image by scanning the carriage with respect to printing paper; and a host device that is connected to the printing device. Because
In the printing device,
When the recording head mounted on the carriage has the first head configuration, the first printing service using the first identifier is provided to the host device,
When the recording head mounted on the carriage has a second head configuration different from the first head configuration, a second print service using a second identifier different from the first identifier is provided to the host device. To provide the steps to execute,
In the host device,
When the identifier provided by the printing device is an unknown identifier, obtaining printable information that is information indicating a printable condition of the printing device;
Setting a printable condition of the printing apparatus based on the acquired printable information;
Transmitting a print job based on the set condition to the printing device;
A control method for a printing system, wherein